The dinner was over, the table cleared, and the house had settled into a comfortable calm.
Jay had expected to feel exhausted after the long evening, but she felt… unexpectedly light. The family had been warm, welcoming, and genuinely kind. It was almost surreal how easily they had accepted her.
Keifer's brother and cousins had gone off to the living room, laughing and teasing each other, while Keifer himself stayed close, like he didn't want to leave her side.
Sarina, Keifer's mother, approached Jay quietly, holding a cup of tea in her hands.
"Would you like some tea?" she asked softly.
Jay nodded. "Yes, please."
Sarina handed her the cup with a gentle smile.
They walked to the balcony together, where the night air was cool and calm. The lights from the city outside made everything look soft, like a painting.
Sarina stood beside Jay, watching the view for a moment before speaking.
"You did well tonight," she said quietly.
Jay turned to her, surprised. "Did I?"
Sarina smiled warmly. "Yes. You were honest, respectful, and you didn't try to pretend you weren't nervous."
Jay's cheeks warmed. "I was nervous."
Sarina nodded. "Of course you were. It's not easy meeting someone's family for the first time."
Jay took a sip of the tea, then sighed softly.
"I was afraid," she admitted. "I didn't know if you'd accept me."
Sarina's expression softened even more. She placed a hand on Jay's arm, gentle and reassuring.
"Jay," she said, "you don't need to be afraid of us. We're not here to judge you. We're here because Keifer cares about you."
Jay's eyes glistened. "But what if I disappoint you?"
Sarina shook her head. "You won't."
Jay looked down at her hands. "I don't have a family like yours."
Sarina's eyes softened with understanding. "That doesn't matter. Family isn't just blood. Family is love. It's who stands by you."
Jay felt a lump in her throat.
Sarina continued, her voice quiet and sincere.
"Keifer has always been… quiet about his feelings," she said. "But I can see how he looks at you. You make him calmer. You make him softer."
Jay's eyes widened slightly. "He… he does?"
Sarina smiled. "Yes. And that's why we wanted to meet you. Because we want to know the person who makes our son happy."
Jay looked up, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't know how to thank you."
Sarina's smile was gentle, almost maternal.
"You don't have to thank me," she said. "Just be yourself. That's enough."
For a moment, Jay just stood there, letting the words sink in. She felt like she was finally being seen—not as a stranger, not as a problem, but as someone who mattered.
Sarina looked at her thoughtfully.
"You know," she said, "if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here. Not as a mother-in-law, but as a friend."
Jay blinked, surprised and touched.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Sarina nodded, then gave Jay a small, comforting smile.
"And Jay?"
Jay looked at her.
"Welcome to our family," Sarina said.
Jay felt tears rise again, but this time they were tears of warmth—of belonging.
She smiled, and for the first time since she'd met Keifer, she felt truly at home.After that night, Jay started feeling like she truly belonged.
Not because anyone forced her to feel included…
But because everyone made her feel like she was already part of the family.
The next few days were full of small moments—laughter, teasing, and the kind of warmth that made her chest feel light.
Jay began to relax.
She stopped holding back.
She stopped trying to be perfect.
And the family loved her for it.
One evening, they were all gathered in the living room. The cousins were playing a game, the brothers were teasing each other, and Sarina was busy preparing snacks in the kitchen.
Jay sat on the floor, legs stretched out, laughing at something Keifer's brother had said.
She was loud, chaotic, and completely herself—making jokes, cracking silly comments, and even pulling faces that made everyone laugh.
Keifer sat on the couch, watching her with a small smile. But his eyes had a hint of mock annoyance.
He leaned back, arms crossed, and said in a playful tone, "I can't believe you're spending so much time with them."
Jay looked up at him, grinning. "They're fun. You should join us."
Keifer's lips tightened. "I am here."
Jay laughed. "No, you're just watching me like a guard."
Keifer pretended to be offended. "I am not!"
Jay turned to the family, raising her voice dramatically. "Keifer is being jealous because I'm having too much fun."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Keifer rolled his eyes, but his smile grew wider.
Sarina walked in with a tray of snacks and looked at Jay with a fond expression.
"Jay," she said softly, "you don't have to worry about being yourself here."
Jay nodded, still laughing. "I know. I'm just… enjoying it."
Keifer's brother leaned in and said, "Jay, you're like the missing spark in this house."
Jay grinned. "That's because you all were too quiet."
The cousins cheered and started teasing Jay, playfully shoving her as if she was the one they'd been waiting for all along.
Keifer watched all of it with a slight frown, but it wasn't real. It was the kind of frown someone makes when they're jealous but can't admit it.
He looked at Jay again and said, "You're not giving me enough attention."
Jay giggled. "I'm giving you attention. Just not all the attention."
Keifer's voice dropped into a playful sulk. "I'm hurt."
Jay leaned closer and teased him, "You should be used to it by now."
Keifer huffed dramatically, like he was offended in the most adorable way.
The family watched them, smiling, and Keifer's brother leaned forward.
"Keifer," he said, "stop acting like you're not enjoying it."
Keifer crossed his arms. "I'm not enjoying it."
Sarina walked over and gently tapped Keifer's shoulder. "Keifer, look at her. She's making everyone so happy."
Keifer's eyes softened.
Jay looked at him, and her smile became tender. "You don't have to be jealous."
Keifer's expression turned playful again. "I'm not jealous. I'm just… concerned that I'm losing you to them."
Everyone laughed louder.
Keifer's brother teased, "You're losing her to us? That's impossible. We love her more than you do."
Keifer blinked, then frowned. "No one loves her more than me."
Sarina smiled warmly. "Maybe not. But we love her a lot."
Jay's heart swelled at that. She looked around the room at all of them, and for the first time, she didn't feel like an outsider.
She felt like she belonged.
Keifer finally gave in, and his mock sulk turned into a genuine smile.
He looked at Jay, then at his family, and said softly, "Fine. You all can have her."
Jay laughed. "Keifer!"
Keifer leaned forward and kissed her forehead, and the room went quiet for a moment—just long enough for everyone to notice.
Then Sarina clapped her hands softly, smiling. "That's enough. Now come and eat."
The cousins cheered and rushed forward, dragging Jay into the kitchen with laughter and playful shoves.
Keifer watched them go, his smile wider than before.
He leaned back and whispered to Jay, "They love you more than me."
Jay turned back for a second, eyes bright. "They do."
Keifer's voice was soft. "And you know what? I'm okay with that."
Jay's heart fluttered. "Why?"
Keifer's eyes softened as he looked at her. "Because if they love you, it means you're safe. It means I did something right."
Jay's smile widened. She leaned closer and rested her head on his shoulder.
"You did," she whispered.
Keifer wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close.
And in that moment, surrounded by the laughter and warmth of Keifer's family, Jay realized something truly beautiful:
She didn't have to be perfect.
She just had to be herself.
And that was enough.