The house had a different kind of warmth now.
Not just the warmth of a home… but the warmth of family.
Jay had been staying with them for a few days, and she was slowly becoming more comfortable—more herself. She was no longer holding back, no longer trying to be "perfect" or "quiet." She was loud, chaotic, funny, and real.
And Sarina loved it.
Mr. Watson… seemed to love it too.
It was strange for Jay at first. Because he had always been distant, always reserved, always controlled.
But now… he laughed.
Not a small smile.
A full, deep laugh.
And Jay realized something: she was making them happy.
That evening, Sarina had called Jay into the living room.
"We're going to have a little family time," she said with a smile, her eyes sparkling. "You're coming."
Jay sat on the couch, feeling a little nervous, but the moment Mr. Watson joined them, she felt the air change.
He sat beside Sarina, and Jay noticed something she hadn't seen before—he looked relaxed. His shoulders weren't stiff. His face wasn't closed.
It felt… different.
Sarina handed Jay a cup of tea, then settled beside her husband.
"Tell us a story," Sarina said to Jay, smiling.
Jay blinked. "A story?"
Sarina nodded. "Yes. Something funny. Something from your childhood."
Jay laughed softly. "I don't know if I have anything funny."
Sarina leaned closer. "Everyone has something."
Jay took a deep breath, then began.
"When I was younger," she said, "I used to think I was a superhero."
Sarina smiled, amused. "Oh really?"
Jay nodded, eyes shining with the memory. "Yes. I used to run around the house with a towel as a cape. And I would try to save everyone."
Mr. Watson raised an eyebrow. "Save them from what?"
Jay grinned. "From my own chaos."
Sarina laughed softly. "That sounds like you."
Jay continued, "One day, I decided to save my mom from a 'dangerous' monster."
Mr. Watson leaned forward, interested. "What monster?"
Jay paused dramatically. "A spider."
Sarina laughed, and Mr. Watson finally smiled—just a small one.
Jay's face lit up. "So I grabbed a broom, and I went full warrior mode."
Sarina covered her mouth, laughing. "Oh my God."
Jay continued, "I swung the broom so hard that I broke the ceiling fan."
Mr. Watson burst out laughing, surprising Jay.
Jay's eyes widened. "You're laughing!"
Sarina looked at him, delighted. "He hasn't laughed like that in years."
Jay smiled, feeling her heart warm.
Mr. Watson wiped his eyes, still chuckling. "That's… that's a good one."
Jay grinned, encouraged. "There's more."
She told them about the time she tried to "cook" for her family, and how she had almost burned the kitchen down, and how she had blamed it on the stove.
Sarina laughed so hard she had to hold her stomach.
Mr. Watson laughed too—loud, genuine laughter.
Jay couldn't believe it. She had never seen him laugh like that.
It felt like she had unlocked something in him.
After a while, Mr. Watson leaned back, smiling.
"You know," he said, "I never thought I would laugh so much."
Jay looked at him, surprised. "Really?"
He nodded. "I'm not good at showing emotions."
Sarina squeezed his hand. "You're doing it now."
Jay looked between them, her eyes shining. "I'm glad."
Mr. Watson nodded, then looked at Jay with a softness that made her heart ache.
"You're like our daughter," he said quietly.
Jay's eyes widened, stunned.
Sarina smiled, her eyes wet. "Yes. She is."
Jay's throat tightened. She felt tears rise, but she blinked them away.
"I… I don't know what to say," she whispered.
Sarina shook her head. "You don't need to say anything."
Jay looked at Sarina, then at Mr. Watson.
"You're not just being kind," Jay said softly. "You actually… care."
Sarina smiled warmly. "Of course we care."
Jay's heart warmed. She felt safe.
They continued talking, sharing stories from their own childhoods.
Mr. Watson told a story about how he used to sneak out to play cricket with his friends, even though his father would get angry.
Sarina laughed, and Jay could see the familiar comfort between them.
Then Sarina shared a story about her own childhood, how she used to steal sweets from the kitchen and hide them in her pocket.
They all laughed, and Jay felt like she was witnessing a side of them she had never seen before.
Mr. Watson laughed so much that his shoulders shook.
Jay looked at him, smiling. "I never thought I'd see you laugh like that."
He looked at her, his expression soft. "You make it easy."
Jay felt her heart flutter.
As the night grew later, Jay's eyes grew heavy.
She yawned, and Sarina noticed.
"Come," Sarina said gently. "You can sleep here."
Jay nodded, feeling comforted.
Sarina and Mr. Watson made room on the couch, and Jay settled between them like a child.
Sarina wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close.
Mr. Watson placed a hand on Jay's shoulder, his expression calm but tender.
Jay closed her eyes, feeling safe, loved, and truly at home.
Before she drifted off, she heard Sarina whisper softly.
"You're one of us now."
Jay smiled in her sleep.
And for the first time in a long time, she felt like she belonged.
The morning light seeped through the curtains, gentle and golden.
Jay woke up slowly, like she was coming out of a dream. For a moment, she didn't know where she was.
Then she felt it—the warmth on either side of her.
Sarina's arm was wrapped around her, holding her close like a mother would hold a child.
And Mr. Watson's hand rested on her shoulder, steady and calm.
Jay blinked slowly, taking it all in.
Her heart swelled.
She had never felt this safe.
She shifted slightly, careful not to disturb them, but Sarina stirred and smiled sleepily.
"Good morning, sweetheart," Sarina whispered.
Jay smiled back, her voice soft. "Good morning."
Mr. Watson's eyes opened too, and for a moment Jay saw something in them that she hadn't seen before—softness.
He looked at her, then at Sarina, and nodded once.
"You slept well," he said quietly.
Jay nodded. "I did."
Sarina's smile grew, and she kissed Jay's forehead gently.
"Come on," Sarina said softly. "Get up. We'll have breakfast together."
Jay stayed between them for a moment longer, just enjoying the feeling of being held.
Then she sat up slowly, careful and gentle.
Mr. Watson got up too, and Jay saw him move with the same calm precision he always had.
But there was a difference now.
He looked… content.
Like he had finally found something he didn't know he was missing.
Jay stood, stretching lightly.
Sarina squeezed her hand. "You can stay here as long as you want."
Jay smiled, tears in her eyes. "Thank you."
Mr. Watson nodded again. "You're welcome."
Jay felt her heart flutter.
This wasn't just acceptance.
This was love.
Keifer Notices: The Silent Reaction
Keifer walked into the living room, expecting the quiet emptiness of the house.
But instead, he found Jay sitting at the dining table, smiling softly, her eyes bright.
Sarina was in the kitchen, humming softly, and Mr. Watson was pouring tea.
Keifer froze for a moment, noticing the calm warmth in the air.
Then he saw Jay.
And the look on his face changed.
He didn't say anything at first.
He just stood there, watching.
Jay looked up and saw him.
"Good morning," she said softly.
Keifer walked closer, his expression unreadable.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
Jay nodded. "Yes."
Keifer's eyes flicked toward the kitchen, then back to Jay.
"I saw you sleeping between them," he said quietly.
Jay's cheeks warmed. "They made room."
Keifer's jaw tightened slightly. "Of course they did."
Jay looked at him, concerned. "Are you okay?"
Keifer's voice dropped, a little raw. "I'm fine."
Jay reached for his hand, but Keifer hesitated before taking it.
He pulled her closer, and she could feel the tension in his body.
"You're… really becoming a part of them," he said softly, almost like he was trying to accept it.
Jay nodded, her voice gentle. "They're kind, Keifer. They love me."
Keifer's eyes softened slightly, but his voice was still guarded. "They do."
Jay looked at him, her voice sincere. "Are you happy?"
Keifer's expression shifted.
He looked away for a moment, then back at her.
"I am," he admitted. "I just… don't like how easily they love you."
Jay smiled, a little sad but understanding. "Why?"
Keifer's voice was quiet. "Because I'm supposed to be the one who loves you the most."
Jay's eyes softened. "You are."
Keifer looked at her, and for the first time, he looked vulnerable.
"I'm not used to sharing you," he whispered.
Jay leaned closer. "You're not sharing me."
Keifer's voice cracked slightly. "It feels like it."
Jay hugged him gently. "It doesn't have to feel like that."
Keifer closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
"I know," he said. "I just… I'm scared."
Jay lifted her head and looked at him. "Scared of what?"
Keifer opened his eyes, and his voice was raw. "Scared that if they love you so much… you'll realize you don't need me."
Jay's heart tightened.
She shook her head gently. "Keifer, you don't understand. They love you too. They love me because you do."
Keifer stared at her, his eyes shining.
Jay continued softly, "You're the reason I'm here. You're the reason they have someone to love."
Keifer's lips trembled slightly.
He pulled her into a hug, holding her close.
"I don't want to lose you," he whispered.
Jay pressed her cheek against his chest. "You won't."
Keifer held her tighter, as if he was afraid she might disappear.
Then, slowly, he pulled back and looked at her with a small, almost embarrassed smile.
"You're still giving them more time than me," he teased softly.
Jay laughed. "I'm not. I'm just… enjoying being with them."
Keifer's eyes softened. "Okay."
He leaned in and kissed her forehead.
"I'm happy," he whispered. "Even if it hurts a little."
Jay smiled, her eyes shining. "I'm happy too."
And in that quiet morning, surrounded by the warmth of family, Jay realized something:
She wasn't losing Keifer.
She was gaining a whole new family.