JAY-JAY POV
I woke up because of the kids.
Keira was still on my chest, and both my sons had their legs thrown over my waist like they were trying to trap me in place.
For a second, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, feeling the weight of all three of them pressed against me. Heavy, warm, safe.
Kevin shifted first, mumbling something in his sleep.
Kade snored right into my shoulder, completely unbothered by life.
I sighed softly.
"Good morning, my babies," I whispered, even though none of them were fully awake yet.
Keira tightened her hold on me.
Kevin scooted closer.
Kade flopped an arm across my stomach like he was claiming territory.
"Wake up, babies," I said softly, brushing my hand over their backs.
Kevin moved first, blinking up at me like he was trying to remember what planet he was on.
"Mama… five more minutes," he mumbled, tightening his hold on my arm.
Keira groaned dramatically and buried her face deeper into my chest.
Kade didn't even open his eyes — he just threw his leg tighter around my waist like he was trying to keep me from escaping.
I laughed at them
"We have places to go today," I reminded them gently.
That woke them up.
Instantly.
"What places?" Kevin asked, suddenly wide awake.
"Are we going now?" Keira asked, already trying to climb off the bed.
"Mama, I'm ready!" Kade yelled — despite still being tangled in the blanket and very much not ready.
I blinked at them.
Five seconds ago they were limp noodles.
Now they were three hyperactive squirrels.
"Calm down," I said, sitting up slowly. "We're going after breakfast."
They all froze.
Then—
"MAMA LET'S GO EAT!"
"COME ON!"
"MOVE MOVE MOVE!"
They scrambled off the bed in pure chaos — Kevin trying to be responsible, Keira tripping over her own excitement, and Kade dragging the blanket with him like a cape.
I sighed, rubbing my forehead and got up from the bed
I sighed, rubbing my forehead, and got up from the bed.
Got ready quickly and went downstairs.
The kids were already there — fully dressed, matching in sky‑blue like they planned a family photoshoot without telling me.
"Mama, food," Keira said, pointing at the table like a tiny boss.
I nodded and made them french toast, cutting it into small pieces and feeding them while they bounced in their seats, too excited to sit still.
After breakfast, we headed to the amusement park.
The moment we arrived, I spotted Honey immediately — standing near the entrance, sunglasses on, hands on her hips, looking like she owned the entire place.
She waved at us dramatically.
"There you are!" she shouted, already walking toward us.
The kids ran to her instantly, yelling "TITA HONEY!" like she was a celebrity.
Honey bent down and hugged all three at once.
Then she looked up at me.
"You look like you slept for two hours," she said.
I shrugged. "I slept with three kids on top of me."
She nodded. "Ah. So… one hour."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help smiling.
"Mama, we want to go for a carousel ride!" Kade said, already pointing at it like he was the tour guide of the whole amusement park.
Keira and Kade walked to the carousel, practically bouncing with every step.
Kevin followed right behind them, trying to act calm but clearly just as excited.
Honey nudged me with her elbow.
"Look at them. They're about to sprint."
"We should too before they go out of our eyesight," I said, and the two of us picked up our pace.
Honey shook her head. "They're like tiny rockets"
I nodded and walked faster, trying to keep up before they disappeared into the crowd.
Kade and Keira were already weaving between people like they were on a mission, pointing at the carousel and shouting about which horse they wanted.
Kevin followed them with long, determined steps, pretending he was the "responsible one," but his excitement was written all over his face.
Honey let out a low whistle.
"Girl, if we don't move, they're gonna ride that thing without us."
"Don't jinx it," I said, picking up my pace even more.
We hurried after them — two adults chasing three tiny hurricanes — and honestly, it felt like the most normal thing in the world.
Kade and Keira reached the carousel first, practically bouncing in place as they scanned the horses like they were choosing their future best friends.
"I want the fastest one!" Kade shouted, already climbing onto a black horse with gold reins.
Keira pointed at a white horse with pink flowers.
"That one is MINE," she declared, marching toward it like a queen claiming her throne.
Kevin walked around the carousel slowly, inspecting each horse like he was doing a safety check.
Honey raised an eyebrow. "Look at him. He's five and already doing quality control."
"He takes his job seriously," I said, watching him circle the ride.
Finally, Kevin stopped at a brown horse with a sturdy saddle.
"This one looks safe," he said, nodding to himself before climbing on.
The ride started, music playing softly as the horses began to move.
Kade immediately threw his hands up.
"LOOK MAMA, I'M FLYING!"
Keira waved at me every time she passed, shouting, "HI MAMA! HI MAMA! HI MAMA!" like it was the first time each time.
Kevin held the pole with both hands, sitting straight, but he couldn't hide the tiny smile on his face.
Honey stood beside me, arms crossed, watching them spin.
"They're adorable," she said.
"They're loud," I corrected.
She laughed. "Same thing."
She turned to me. "So why do you look so tired and sad?"
"The kids asked when they could meet their Papa," I said quietly.
Honey stopped walking for a second, eyes widening.
"They what? And what did you say?"
"I didn't say anything," I admitted. "Kevin took care of that."
Honey blinked. "Kevin? Your five‑year‑old son handled that conversation?"
I shrugged helplessly. "He shut it down before I even opened my mouth."
Honey exhaled sharply, shaking her head.
"That boy is too mature for his age."
"I know," I said softly.
She walked beside me for a moment, watching the kids on the carousel, their laughter echoing through the park. Then she asked, more gently this time:
"What if Kevin asks that question too?"
I swallowed.
"I don't know what I would say to that question," I whispered. "I really don't."
Honey stayed quiet, waiting.
"I grew up without knowing who my father was," I said, my voice low. "I learned his name when I was seventeen… and I still haven't met him. Maybe I never will."
Honey's expression softened. "I'm sorry."
I swallowed, looking at the kids laughing on the carousel, their joy so loud it almost drowned out the heaviness in my chest.
"How is Papa?" I asked quietly.
"He's doing fine," Honey said. "The doctors said his cancer can be treated soon." She hesitated before adding, "He wants to meet you."
I closed my eyes for a moment.
"I know," I said. "And I want to meet him too but… I can't face him right now."
Honey didn't argue.
She didn't push.
She just stood beside me, watching the kids spin around and around.
"So how are you and Percy?" I asked Honey.
"Fine," she said. "That guy is annoyingly romantic. He decorated the whole house with red roses yesterday because he wanted to be 'more romantic.'"
I laughed. "Sounds like something Percy would do."
Honey rolled her eyes but she was smiling. "He thinks he's in a drama."
"Honestly? He is," I said.
She nudged me. "Do you remember our first meet?"
I snorted. "Yeah. I punched your nose because you were too close to Keifer."
Honey groaned. "I still have trauma."
"The second meet was worse. You basically took Percy's—" I started.
"Yup, enough," she cut in immediately, holding up a hand. "We are NOT revisiting that moment."
Just then, the ride slowed to a stop.
"Mama, that was so fun!" Keira said, practically jumping off her horse before it even stopped moving.
The other two nodded — Kade grinning like he'd just won a race, and Kevin giving a tiny, satisfied smile.
Honey stretched her arms. "Alright, what's next?"
Before I could answer, Kevin pointed across the park with surprising confidence.
"Tita, can we go to that mini‑roller coaster?"
Honey nodded and the kids looked at me
I sighed, but I nodded. "Okay, we can go."
And just like that, all three of them took off — Kade and Keira, Kevin sprinting ahead like tiny rockets
Honey shook her head. "Girl, they didn't even wait for us."
"They never do," I said, picking up my pace.
We followed them toward the mini‑roller coaster — three kids buzzing with energy, and two adults trying to keep up.
The mini‑roller coaster looked small from far away, but up close… yeah, it was a bit scary.
Not dangerous — just enough dips and turns to make a grown adult reconsider their life choices.
Kade, of course, was thrilled.
"Mama, LOOK! It goes SO FAST!" he shouted, practically vibrating.
Keira grabbed the railing. "I want the front seat!"
Kevin stared at the track, eyes narrowed like he was analyzing a crime scene.
"Tita," he said seriously, "this one is a little scary."
Honey leaned down. "Do you still want to ride it?"
Kevin hesitated… then nodded. "Yes. I want to try."
Kade rolled his eyes. "Kevin, it's not scary! It's FUN!"
Keira tugged on my hand. "Mama, can we go now? Please!"
I nodded. "Okay, but you three sit together."
They rushed into the line — Kade dragging his siblings like he was leading a mission.
They got into the ride, and a second later I heard screams — excited, loud, chaotic.
Typical.
Just then—
"Ate Jay!"
I turned around.
Keiran.
"Keiran," I said, surprised but smiling.
He came over and hugged me tightly. "Ate, how are you?"
I hugged him back. "Amazing. What about you?"
"Hey, Keiran, how are you?" Honey asked, stepping beside me.
Keiran blinked at her. "Honey? What are you doing here?"
"I'm allowed to have fun, you know," she said, giving him a look.
"It's not that, it's just—" Keiran paused, eyes narrowing. "Wait. How long did you two know each other for?"
Honey froze.
Keiran's eyes widened even more. "Then that means you knew where she was these four years!" he said, pointing at Honey like he just solved a crime.
Honey laughed nervously, hands up in surrender.
Keiran rolled his eyes at her.
"Keiran, you look so grown up… and handsome too," I said.
"Thank you, Ate. You look beautiful too," he replied.
"Did you come here alone?" I asked, praying he'd say yes.
"Ate, I came with my girlfriend… and Kuya Keifer… and Section E," Keiran said.
"Where are they now?" I asked.
"I don't know… somewhere," Keiran replied, looking around. "Wait here, I'll call them. Even Percy is here."
He jogged off to find them.
My heart dropped. Panic hit instantly.
"Jay, hey—stop. Stop panicking," Honey said, grabbing my arm. "We can still take the kids out before they get here."
Just then, the kids came running toward us.
"Mama, which ride is next?" Kade asked, bouncing with excitement.
"Kade, sweetie, change of plans," Honey said quickly. "We're going to a restaurant, then somewhere else."
The kids nodded and started heading toward the car—
until suddenly, Keira broke off and sprinted in the opposite direction.
"Keira!" I gasped.
"Honey, take them to the car! I'll bring Keira!" I shouted, already running after her.
"Keira, stop running!" I called out, breath getting shorter.
She didn't stop.
Of course she didn't.
"MIRA KEIRA MARIANO!" I yelled, using the full name that should've frozen her in place.
She didn't even care.
She didn't even look back.
She just kept sprinting like she was training for the Olympics, tiny legs moving at a speed that made no sense for a child her size.
"KEIRA!" I tried again, louder.
Nothing.
Then—
"TITO PERCY!" she yelled, sprinting straight toward him like a guided missile.
I should be relieved, right?
At least she wasn't running into traffic.
At least she wasn't climbing something dangerous.
But no.
Because behind Percy—
right behind him—
stood Keifer, Aries, and the entire Section E lineup.
All of them.
"Tito!" she said, and jumped to hug him.
Percy caught her—barely—stumbling a little as her tiny arms wrapped around his neck. He looked shocked, like he hadn't expected physical contact or gravity to exist today.
"MIRA KEIRA MARIANO!" I yelled, marching toward them.
Keira flinched.
"Mama…" she whispered, tightening her grip on Percy's shirt like he was a shield.
She'd never heard me yell at her before — not like that.
"What do you think of yourself? You could've gotten seriously hurt!" I snapped, my voice sharper than I meant it to be. In that moment, I forgot about Section E, forgot about Keifer, forgot about Aries, forgot about the world.
It was just me and my daughter.
Keira's lip trembled, her eyes wide and shiny. She didn't let go of Percy — she clung tighter, burying her face in his shoulder.
Percy froze, arms half‑raised
"Jay…" Percy said softly, like he wasn't sure if he should move, breathe, or hand Keira back like she was a fragile package.
Keira was still clinging to him, tiny fingers gripping his shirt, her face buried in his shoulder.
She was crying.
I stepped closer, my anger dissolving into worry.
"Jay," Percy repeated, voice gentler this time. "She got scared."
Keira peeked up, eyes glossy, lower lip trembling.
"Mama… I'm sorry," she whispered, still refusing to let go of Percy.
Percy looked between us, panic and sympathy mixing on his face. "Jay, she's okay. Just… talk to her. She's just scared you're mad."
"Jay."
Keifer's voice cut through everything — low, confused, too close.
And that's when I remembered him.
Remembered all of them standing there.
Watching.
But none of that mattered right now.
"Keira, baby… come to me," I said softly, reaching out.
She hesitated, still clinging to Percy's shirt like he was the only safe thing in the world. Her tiny fingers trembled, her breath shaky from crying.
Percy froze, not daring to move her himself.
"It's okay, sweetheart," I whispered, stepping closer. "Mama's here. Come to me."
She came to me crying, her little arms reaching out. "Sorry, Mama…"
"It's okay, baby," I murmured, pulling her into my arms. She melted against me instantly, still hiccupping from the tears. "I'm sorry. Mama shouldn't have yelled at you… but please don't do that again. You scared me so much."
Keira nodded against my shoulder, her tiny fingers gripping the back of my shirt like she was afraid I'd disappear.
"Jay, who the hell is she?" Aries asked, eyes wide, voice louder than it needed to be.
I snapped my head toward him so fast he actually flinched.
"Mind your words, Mr. Fernandez," I said, each syllable cold and precise. "Learn how you talk when my daughter is standing right here."
Aries froze.
So did everyone.
"Jay, please talk to us," Ci‑N said gently.
I closed my hand over Keira's ears, shielding her from all of it — their voices, their questions, their shock.
"Why can't you guys leave me alone?" I asked, my voice cracking despite how hard I tried to keep it steady.
Keifer stepped forward, eyes locked on Keira.
"Jay… is she my daughter?"
His voice wasn't loud.
It wasn't angry.
It was… scared.
I swallowed hard.
"No. She isn't."
The words came out sharper than I intended, but I didn't take them back.
I turned around and started walking away, holding Keira close.
And the moment my back was to them, the tears finally came — hot, fast, impossible to stop.
"Jay, please wait!" Keifer called, footsteps quickening behind me.
I didn't stop.
I couldn't.
Keira tightened her arms around my neck, sensing everything even with her ears covered.
"Mama?" she whispered softly.
I wiped my face with the back of my hand, still walking.
"It's okay, baby. Mama's okay."
But I wasn't.
Behind me, I heard Keifer's voice break a little.
"Jay… please."
And that hurt more than anything.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
💙🔥 Author's Note 🔥💙
Sooo how was the chapter 🤭✨
Please comment and tell me how it was 💬💙
AND YESSSS…
I know you guys have been waiting forever for Keifer to finally meet his kids 👀🔥
And he DID — at least one of them 😭💙
The chaos is officially starting.
🎯 Goal: Let's hit those comments again 💬✨