The hospital room was quiet.
Jay was still sitting beside Keifer, her fingers intertwined with his, when she heard small footsteps running down the hallway.
Then—
"Kuya!"
The ICU door pushed open gently.
Keiran rushed in first, his little face glowing with happiness.
"Kuyaaa!" he said again, smiling wide as he ran toward the bed.
Behind him, Keigan walked in more slowly, calmer but worried.
Jay quickly stood up. "Hey— careful, baby…"
But Keiran was already at the bedside.
He reached up, grabbing Keifer's hand with both of his tiny ones.
"Kuya, I came!" he said excitedly. "Look, I didn't cry! I was brave!"
Jay's heart clenched.
Keifer didn't move.
Keiran blinked.
"Kuya?"
He leaned closer, standing on his toes. "Wake up."
Nothing.
His smile slowly faded.
He reached up and softly patted Keifer's cheek.
"Kuya… wake up."
Still nothing.
Keiran's lips trembled.
"Kuya?"
His voice cracked this time.
He patted his cheek again, a little harder.
"Kuya, please."
When there was no response, his face scrunched up.
His eyes filled.
"Kuya…" he whispered.
And then he broke.
Tears spilled down his cheeks as he started crying loudly.
Jay immediately knelt down and pulled him into her arms.
"Hey, hey… baby…" she whispered, hugging him tight.
"He won't wake up!" Keiran sobbed into her shoulder. "He doesn't want me…"
Jay shook her head quickly. "No. No, sweetheart. He's just sleeping."
She cupped his small face gently.
"Doctors said he needs rest. He got hurt protecting someone very important."
Keiran sniffed. "You?"
Jay's throat tightened.
She nodded softly.
"He's very strong. Strongest person I know. But even strong people need sleep."
Keiran hiccupped through tears.
"He'll wake up?"
"Yes," she said firmly, brushing his hair back. "He will."
She gently rocked him in her arms until his crying slowed down.
Keigan stepped closer to the bed, staring at Keifer silently.
"He looks tired," Keigan said quietly.
Jay looked at him.
"He is," she replied softly. "But he's fighting."
Keigan nodded slowly.
Then he looked at Jay seriously. "You didn't leave him."
It wasn't a question.
"No," she said. "I won't."
Keigan gave a small nod. "Good."
After a few minutes, Keiran's crying turned into sleepy sniffles.
Jay wiped his tears gently.
"You want to sit with him?"
He nodded.
Jay carefully lifted him onto the chair beside the bed and guided his small hand back into Keifer's.
Keiran leaned his head against the mattress near Keifer's arm.
"Wake up soon," he mumbled sleepily.
Within minutes…
He fell asleep.
Jay carefully picked him up again, carrying him gently.
"Let's take him home," she whispered to Keigan.
Keigan looked at Keifer one more time.
"Don't be late," he murmured quietly to his older brother.
Jay's heart squeezed.
They walked out together.
After dropping the boys home safely and making sure Keiran was tucked into bed, Jay returned to the hospital.
The room was exactly the same.
Quiet.
Still.
She sat back in her chair.
Took his hand again.
"You scared your brothers today," she murmured softly. "Especially Keiran."
She brushed her thumb over his fingers.
"They need you."
Her voice softened.
"I need you."
She leaned closer, resting her head gently beside him.
"I'm not going anywhere," she whispered. "Not tonight. Not ever."
The machines continued their steady rhythm.
And Jay stayed there.
Right beside him.
Waiting.