Chapter 23: A Family of Three
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the living room. For the first time in weeks, the mansion didn't feel tense, haunted, or heavy. It felt… alive. Warm. Safe.
Kaiz was already awake, bouncing around on the couch like a little bundle of energy, his small hands clasping a stuffed bear that smelled faintly of vanilla and laundry detergent. "Mumma! Papa! Wake up! Today is the day we stay together forever!"
I laughed softly, still nestled in the blankets with Keifer. The sound of Kaiz's tiny voice, brimming with excitement, made something inside me melt.
"Forever, huh?" I murmured, brushing a hand across his messy hair.
"Yes! Forever!" Kaiz exclaimed, clapping his little hands together. "No one can take me away! Not scary women, not kidnappers… not even monsters!"
Keifer chuckled from behind me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. "Looks like someone is thrilled about our little family arrangement."
I turned to him, smiling softly, my heart swelling at the way he looked at Kaiz—so tender, so protective. "It's more than an arrangement now. It's real. And it's beautiful."
Keifer leaned down, planting a gentle kiss on my temple. "And we're just getting started."
Breakfast was a chaotic, messy affair. Kaiz insisted on helping, spilling orange juice across the table, tipping the cereal box onto the floor, and laughing hysterically at every minor disaster. Keifer patiently cleaned up after him, occasionally letting him smear chocolate on his own tie for "fun."
I sat back, sipping my coffee and watching them, feeling a warmth in my chest I had never experienced before. This little boy, so full of life and trust, had become the glue that was holding Keifer and me together in a way I hadn't realized we needed.
Kaiz leaned against Keifer, bouncing up and down. "Papa, when can we go to the park? I want to show Mumma my new superhero moves!"
Keifer chuckled, ruffling his hair. "After breakfast, little man. Don't want you flying off without fuel."
I smiled, feeling a strange sense of relief. Gone were the days of tension, lies, and fear. We had fought for this peace, and it was ours now.
Later in the morning, there was a knock at the door. I peeked through the curtains to see a formally dressed social worker and a police officer standing outside, paperwork in hand.
Keifer's eyes narrowed slightly. "That must be the final adoption paperwork."
Kaiz's eyes widened. "Adoption? What's that, Mumma?"
I kneeled beside him, gently taking his tiny hands. "It means you're officially ours, Kaiz. Forever. No one can take you away. You're part of our family, legally."
Kaiz squealed and ran into Keifer's arms, wrapping his legs around his waist. "Forever! Yay! I'm really yours now!"
Keifer lifted him high into the air, spinning him around while Kaiz laughed uncontrollably. "We promise to love you, protect you, and make sure you're always happy," Keifer said, looking straight at me as if to silently acknowledge that this little boy had changed our lives in ways we could never have imagined.
The paperwork was signed, the stamps officially marking Kaiz as our son, and the social worker smiled warmly. "He's lucky to have two parents who clearly care so deeply for him."
Kaiz held the pen with Keifer's help, signing his name with a huge smile. "I did it! I'm officially yours!"
I laughed, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "And we're officially yours too. Forever, little one."
Keifer leaned down, whispering in my ear, "You realize this makes us a real family, right? Not just a temporary fix, not just a deal."
I nodded, my throat tight. "I know. And it feels… perfect."
Kaiz jumped off the chair, grabbing both of our hands. "Now what? Can we play? Can we go outside? Can we have ice cream?"
Keifer grinned. "Yes, yes, and yes. Today is all about us."
By afternoon, we were outside in the garden. Keifer had set up a small picnic blanket, and Kaiz ran around with boundless energy, showing off his superhero moves and laughing whenever he fell (and Keifer or I caught him just in time).
I sat on the blanket, leaning against Keifer, letting the sun warm my face. For the first time, I didn't feel like I had to hold myself together, hide my emotions, or guard my heart. Everything was laid bare—love, laughter, and the raw joy of being a family.
Keifer glanced down at me, brushing his thumb across my hand. "You're glowing today, Jay. Happier than I've seen you in years."
I smiled softly, leaning into him. "It's impossible not to be, with him…" I nodded at Kaiz, who was trying to fly off a small bench like a superhero, "…and with you."
Kaiz noticed us holding hands and squealed, "Aww! You guys are like Mumma and Papa too! My family is perfect!"
Keifer pulled me close, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Our little family is perfect because we chose it. Chose each other. Chose him."
I rested my head on his shoulder, watching Kaiz chase butterflies. For the first time in a long time, the future felt bright. The pain, the lies, the threats—they were all behind us.
And as the sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, I realized something profound: home wasn't a place. Home wasn't a mansion, a room, or even a deal. Home was us.
Me, Keifer, and Kaiz.
Forever.