JAY-JAY POV
"Mama, is that the cake?" Keira asked, eyes locked on the box like it was the Holy Grail.
"Yes, baby, that's yours — but first get off Mama so the cake won't fall," I said, trying to peel all three of them off me without dropping anything or anyone.
Kevin loosened his koala grip.
Kade unwrapped himself from my leg.
Keira slid down my hip, still staring at the cake like it was her entire personality.
Meanwhile?
Percy was still frozen.
Not moving.
Not blinking.
Not breathing.
Just standing there in the middle of my foyer like someone had unplugged him from the wall.
"Mama, who is that?" Keira asked, pointing at Percy with her tiny finger like he was some suspicious creature she'd discovered in the wild.
Percy snapped out of his frozen state so fast he almost dislocated something.
"ME?!" he squeaked, pointing at himself like he couldn't believe he'd been noticed.
Keira blinked at him, clutching her bunny tighter. "Yes. You."
Percy straightened his back, smoothed his shirt, and tried to look cool — which was impossible because he was still wearing slippers.
I sighed. "Babys, that's your Tito Percy."
All three of them turned their heads at the exact same time, like synchronized little robots.
Percy straightened instantly, chest puffed out, hands behind his back like he was posing for a family photo he wasn't invited to.
Kevin squinted at him.
Kade tilted his head.
Keira blinked slowly, bunny still in a death grip.
"Tito… Percy?" Kevin repeated, testing the name like it tasted weird.
Percy nodded proudly. "Yes! Tito Percy! Your favorite Tito!"
Kade frowned. "We don't have other titos."
Percy gasped. "EXACTLY. Which means I win by default."
"Tito," Keira said softly.
She dropped her bunny — which NEVER happens — and toddled straight toward Percy with her tiny arms open.
Percy's entire soul detached from his body.
He made a sound so high‑pitched I'm shocked only dogs could hear it.
Keira wrapped her arms around his neck, tiny and warm and trusting.
Percy froze.
Then melted.
Then froze again.
Then melted harder.
"Oh my god," he whispered, voice cracking. "She hugged me. JAY. SHE HUGGED ME. I'M— I'M— I THINK I'M ASCENDING."
Kevin just stood there, arms crossed, analyzing him like a scientist observing a strange new species.
Kade, on the other hand, sprinted forward and crashed into Percy's side with a full‑force hug.
"TITO!" he yelled.
Percy toppled backward onto his butt, arms full of two kids, eyes full of tears, slippers flying off his feet like they gave up on life.
"I— I— I can't—" Percy wheezed. "Jay… they're… THEY'RE SO SMALL AND CUTE AND THEY SMELL LIKE BABY SHAMPOO."
Kevin finally walked over, slow and suspicious, like he was checking if Percy was safe to approach.
He stopped right in front of him.
Stared him dead in the eyes.
Then poked Percy's cheek.
"You real?" Kevin asked.
Percy nodded aggressively. "YES. I'M REAL. I'M YOUR TITO. I'M— I'M— I'M EMOTIONALLY COMPROMISED RIGHT NOW."
Kevin shrugged.
"Okay," he said, and climbed into Percy's lap like it was no big deal.
Percy's soul left his body for the third time.
"JAY," he whispered, voice trembling. "I love them. I love them so much. I would die for them. I would fight a dragon. I would—"
I rolled my eyes. "Percy, breathe."
"I CAN'T," he said, hugging all three of them like they were made of gold. "THEY'RE TOO CUTE."
Keira pulled back from the hug just a little, her tiny hands still resting on Percy's shoulders.
She stared at him with those big, curious eyes… then her lips curled into the smallest, shyest smile.
"Tito… Per‑Per," she said.
Percy died.
Not literally — but spiritually? Emotionally? Mentally?
Gone. Finished. Buried.
He slapped both hands over his mouth like he'd just witnessed a miracle.
"JAY," he whispered, voice cracking. "JAY. DID YOU HEAR THAT? SHE GAVE ME A NICKNAME. A BABY NICKNAME. A CUTE NICKNAME. I— I— I CAN'T—"
Kade blinked. "Why she call you Per‑Per?"
Kevin shrugged. "Maybe because he repeats things."
Percy gasped. "I DO NOT— okay maybe sometimes—BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT."
Keira giggled — actually giggled — and poked his cheek again.
"Tito Per‑Per," she repeated, louder this time, proud of herself.
Percy clutched his chest like he'd been shot by love itself. "SHE SAID IT AGAIN. JAY. I'M GONNA PASS OUT."
He didn't pass out.
But he did flop backward onto the floor, still holding all three kids like they were priceless artifacts.
Keira climbed onto his stomach.
Kevin sat on his leg.
Kade leaned against his arm.
Percy looked up at me with watery eyes.
"Jay," he whispered dramatically, "I would die for them."
I rolled my eyes. "You just met them."
"I WOULD STILL DIE," Percy insisted, hugging them tighter like they were emotional support plushies.
"Let's go and eat breakfast," I said, heading toward the dining table before he actually did pass out.
The kids scattered like tiny tornadoes.
The maid stepped forward. "Ma'am, the kids' cereals?"
Before I could answer, Kade was already climbing into his seat like a gremlin claiming territory.
"Mama, I want Nutella and bread," he declared, kicking his feet under the table.
I looked at the maid. She nodded, already understanding the assignment, and went to get everything the kids wanted.
Percy followed us, still dazed, still emotional, still slipper‑clad.
He sat down next to Keira, who was quietly swinging her legs under her chair, bunny back in her lap.
Percy smiled at her like she was a rare, endangered creature he'd been blessed to witness.
Keira looked up at him.
Then scooted her chair half an inch closer.
"Jay," he whispered dramatically, "she likes me. She actually likes me."
Before I could even respond, Keira leaned a little closer… then reached out and poked his arm.
"Tito Per‑Per," she said softly, like she was testing the name again.
Percy slapped a hand over his mouth. "OH MY GOD SHE SAID IT AGAIN—"
Kevin didn't even look up from his cereal. "She's only being nice because she wants something."
Percy gasped. "WHAT—NO—SHE LOVES ME."
Kevin shrugged. "Okay."
Kevin shrugged. "Okay."
The maid came back and began serving the kids exactly what they wanted — Nutella and bread for the kids, and pancakes with syrup for me and Percy.
Keria immediately grabbed his bread like she'd been starving for years.
Kevin ate calmly, silently, judging everyone at the table.
Kade nibbled his fruit first, then eyed the Nutella like he was planning a heist.
Percy and the kids started talking — or more accurately, the kids started interrogating him while Percy tried to keep up.
And I just sat there
Smiling without even realizing it.
Because for the first time in a long time…
someone from my past was sitting at my table.
Laughing with my kids.
Fitting into my new life like he belonged there.
It felt strange.
And comforting.
And a little emotional.
Kade was showing Percy how to spread Nutella "the cool way," which apparently involved way too much Nutella and zero technique.
Kevin was staring at Percy
Keira was on Percy's lap, sticky fingers and all, talking nonstop about her bunny.
And Percy?
He was glowing.
Actually glowing.
Laughing, nodding, wiping syrup off Keira's cheek, letting Kade steal his pancake, answering Kevin's serious questions like he was in a job interview.
He looked… happy.
Like he'd been waiting for this without even knowing it.
I felt my chest tighten — not in a bad way, but in that warm, heavy way that makes you realize something important.
At least someone from my past…
someone who mattered…
was getting along with my kids.
And that meant more than I expected.
Percy looked up suddenly and caught me staring.
He smiled — soft, real, not dramatic for once.
"Jay," he said quietly, "you did good."
I blinked. "Huh?"
He nodded toward the kids. "They're amazing. You're amazing. I'm… proud of you."
My throat tightened.
I opened my mouth to say something — anything — but before a single word could escape, Percy's phone rang.
He flinched, looked down at the screen…
and his entire face drained of color.
He turned the phone toward me.
Keifer.
My heart dropped straight into my stomach.
I swallowed. "Kids, since you're done with your breakfast, please go outside in the garden and play."
They all nodded.
"Okay, Mama," they said in unison, sliding off their chairs.
Keira grabbed her bunny.
Kade grabbed his Nutella like he was taking it on a mission.
Kevin walked calmly, already acting like a tiny CEO inspecting his property.
They ran out into the garden, laughing, the door closing behind them.
Silence filled the dining room.
Percy looked at me, eyes wide, phone still buzzing in his hand.
"Pick up the call and put it on speaker," I said to Percy.
His eyes widened like I'd just asked him to defuse a bomb.
Then he just nodded and picked up the phone.
"Percy," Keifer said.
And I froze.
Completely.
Because it was the first time in two years…
two whole years…
that I'd heard his voice.
It hit me like a punch to the chest.
"Percy, you there?" Keifer asked.
His voice.
God.
Two years and it still felt like my whole body recognized it before my brain did.
"Yeah bro, I'm here," Percy answered, trying to sound normal but his voice cracked like a teenager lying to his mom.
"Percy, your wife's been asking me to call you," Keifer said.
Percy blinked. "Why didn't she call me instead?"
"Because her phone died," Keifer answered, annoyed like always.
Percy forced a laugh. "Oh. Yeah. That makes sense."
Keifer hummed, suspicious. "Where are you anyway? You sound… off."
Percy swallowed. "I'm at a friend's house."
His voice cracked on friend's, and I swear even Keifer could hear the guilt.
Before Keifer could question it, Percy rushed out, "Give the phone to Honey."
There was a shuffle on the other end, a faint sigh, then—
"Honey, here. Percy is on call," Keifer said.
A beat.
Then Honey's soft voice came through. "Percy?"
Percy closed his eyes like he was preparing for impact. "Baby… don't say anything. When I come home, I will explain everything to you."
Honey went silent.
Completely silent.
Which was worse than yelling.
Percy's leg started bouncing under the table. His fingers tightened around the phone. He looked like he was about to pass out.
"Percy," Honey finally said, voice low, "what did you do?"
Percy panicked. "NOTHING— I mean— something— but not BAD— I mean— it's complicated—"
I slapped my forehead.
Keifer's voice cut in, sharp. "Percy. What's going on?"
Percy looked at me like help me, but I stayed quiet.
This was his mess.
Honey sighed again, the kind of sigh that meant she already knew Percy was hiding something.
"Percy," she said softly, "just come home."
Percy nodded even though they couldn't see him. "I will. I promise. I'll explain everything."
Keifer hummed again, still suspicious. "Percy, we're talking when you get here."
Percy flinched. "Y‑yes, bro."
The call ended.
Percy dropped the phone onto the table and buried his face in his hands.
"Jay," he groaned, "I'm dead. I'm so dead. Honey's gonna kill me. Keifer's gonna kill me. I'm gonna die twice."
"Percy, please… do anything, but don't tell Keifer where I am," I said quietly.
My voice came out softer than I meant it to — not weak, but tired.
Protective.
Scared in a way I hadn't let myself be in years.
Percy's head snapped toward me so fast his curls bounced.
"Jay…" he whispered, eyes wide, guilt and fear mixing on his face. "I don't understand why you don't want him to find you."
I didn't answer right away.
I looked outside instead — at the garden, at the sunlight, at the three little lives running around laughing like the world had never hurt them.
My kids.
My reason for leaving.
My reason for staying gone.
"Percy," I said quietly, blinking fast as the tears started to burn, "you know why I had to leave."
He opened his mouth, but I kept going — because if I stopped, I wouldn't be able to start again.
"They doubted me, Percy," I whispered. "All of them. Even Keifer that day."
My voice cracked.
I swallowed hard, but the memory hit anyway — sharp, cold, unforgiving.
I stopped speaking.
Because remembering that day meant remembering everything I'd tried so hard to bury.
The yelling.
The accusations.
The way they looked at me like I was a stranger.
The way Keifer didn't believe me.
The way he forced me—
"Jay, hey—stop crying," Percy said quickly, rushing toward me.
I didn't even notice the tears until his thumb brushed one off my cheek.
I flinched.
Not because of him.
Because of the memory.
"I can't, Percy," I whispered, voice breaking. "What if he asks if they're really his? What if he says something to the kids? What if—"
My voice cracked completely.
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his chest.
A real hug.
I buried my face in his shoulder, shaking.
I gripped his shirt tighter.
"I'm scared, Percy," I admitted, the words trembling out of me. "I'm so scared he'll ruin everything. That he'll take one look at them and— and doubt me again. Or hurt them. Or hurt me."
Percy's arms tightened around me instantly.
"Jay," he said, voice low and fierce, "listen to me. He doesn't get to hurt you again. He doesn't get to doubt you again. He doesn't get to walk into your life and break it."
I swallowed hard, tears still falling.
"You're not alone anymore," he whispered. "You have me. You have Honey. You have the kids. You have a whole life he knows nothing about."
I nodded against his chest, breathing shakily.
Percy rested his chin on my head.
"And Jay… if he ever tries to hurt you again?" he said softly. "He'll have to go through me first."
He wiped my tears from my eyes, gentle in a way only Percy ever managed to be.
"Do you want me to move in with you?" he asked suddenly.
I looked up at him — really looked — and saw the fear, the desperation to protect me even if it meant tearing his own life apart.
I shook my head immediately.
"No, Percy… stay with him," I said softly.
His brows furrowed, confused, hurt, worried all at once.
"But visit us often," I added, voice steadier now. "Please. The kids love you. I… I need you too. Just not like that."
Percy nodded slowly, swallowing hard.
I took a breath, wiping the last tear from my cheek.
"But make sure none of them comes near us," I said, my voice dropping into something firmer. "Not Aries. Not Kuya Angelo. Not Section E. Definitely not Keifer."
Percy's eyes widened.
"Jay…" he whispered, "you're really scared of them."
I looked toward the garden where my kids were laughing, chasing each other, completely unaware of the storm outside their world.
"I'm not scared for me," I said quietly. "I'm scared for them."
Percy's jaw tightened — not in anger at me, but at the people who made me say those words.
He stepped closer, placing both hands on my shoulders.
"Jay," he said, voice low and serious, "I swear on everything I have… I won't let any of them near you. Not Aries. Not Kuya Angelo. Not Section E. And especially not Keifer."
My breath hitched.
He wasn't dramatic now.
He wasn't panicking.
He wasn't joking.
He meant every word.
"You're safe with me," he whispered. "And I'll keep your kids safe too."
I nodded, finally letting myself breathe again.
Outside, the kids screamed with laughter.
Inside, Percy stood like a shield between me and the past I ran from.
"Okay, enough of the sad stuff," Percy said suddenly, clapping his hands together like he was trying to physically chase the sadness out of the room.
I sniffed, wiping under my eyes. "Percy—"
"Nope," he cut me off, shaking his head dramatically. "We are NOT crying today. Not on my watch"
I let out a small laugh despite myself.
Percy brightened instantly. "SEE? There she is. My Jay‑Jay. The one who used to threaten to throw me off the balcony when I stole her fries."
I rolled my eyes. "You DID steal my fries."
"And I would do it again," he said proudly.
I shoved his shoulder lightly. "Idiot."
He grinned. "There she is. That's the Jay I know."
He reached out and gently squeezed my hand — not sad, not heavy, just grounding.
"Jay," he said softly, "you're allowed to be happy too, you know."
I looked toward the garden.
The kids were running around, laughing, chasing each other with bubbles.
My whole world.
Percy followed my gaze and smiled. "They're safe. They're loved. And you're doing amazing."
I breathed out slowly.
"Thanks, Percy."
He nodded. "Anytime. Now—" he straightened up, wiping imaginary dust off his shirt, "—should we go outside before your kids start climbing the trees like monkeys?"
I snorted. "Kade probably already did."
Percy gasped. "MY COOL NEPHEW."
We went outside and the kids were playing, running around the garden like they owned the whole world.
"Tito!" Kade called out
"Sure," I said, smiling. "Where is Keira?"
Kade pointed behind me. "Ma… look behind you."
I turned around—
And there she was.
Keira.
Completely covered in bubbles.
Head to toe.
Hair dripping.
Dress soaked.
Bunny in her hand, also covered in bubbles like it had been through a car wash.
She blinked up at me with the biggest smile.
"Mama," she said proudly, "I'm clean."
Percy choked. "CLEAN?! SHE LOOKS LIKE A DISHWASHER EXPLODED."
Kade burst out laughing. "Keira fell in the bubble machine."
Kevin corrected him calmly. "She jumped."
Keira nodded. "I jumped."
Percy gasped. "WHY WOULD YOU JUMP?!"
Keira shrugged. "It looked fun."
Percy placed a hand on his chest. "Jay… your daughter is fearless. And slippery."
I sighed, trying not to laugh. "Keira, baby, come here."
She ran toward me—
and slipped.
Percy screamed. "OH MY GOD—"
But she popped back up like a rubber ball. "I'm okay!"
Kade cheered. "Go Keira!"
Kevin nodded approvingly. "She strong."
Percy looked at me, horrified
Keira tugged my shirt, bubbles dripping everywhere. "Mama, play with us."
Percy clapped his hands. "YES. FAMILY BUBBLE TIME."
I groaned. "Percy, no—"
Too late.
He grabbed the bubble wand and blew a giant bubble right at my face.
The kids screamed with laughter.
And for the first time in a long time…
I laughed too.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
💙🔥 Author's Note 🔥💙
Sooo how was the chapter 🤭✨
Please comment and tell me how it was — I need to know if you guys are screaming, crying, or plotting theories 😭💬💙
AND LISTEN…
Jayfer will meet soon, but it's gonna take a little time 👀🔥
The next chapter jumps 4 years later, so the kids will be 6 years old when Jayfer finally comes face‑to‑face again 😭💙
Yeah… the reunion is gonna be emotional, chaotic, and probably life‑ruining in the best way.