Jay sat on the couch, watching quietly as Kaisan ran around the living room, laughing and shouting with Keifer.
Keifer chased him gently, tickling him, lifting him up, making him squeal with delight.
A memory flashed in Jay's mind.
"Kai… why doesn't Dad love us? Why doesn't he play with me?" Kaisan had asked her once, his small eyes full of confusion and hurt.
Back then, Jay hadn't known how to explain. She had only hugged him tightly, whispering, "Some people… aren't meant to love us the way we need."
Now she understood perfectly.
Lucas had never truly been theirs—never truly cared, never truly wanted Kaisan.
And yet, here was Keifer.
Without being asked, without hesitation, without any prompting… he was playing with Kaisan, laughing with him, teaching him small things, listening to every word.
Jay smiled softly, a quiet warmth spreading in her chest.
Her son's laughter filled the room, bouncing off the walls, echoing in her heart.
She realized then: Kaisan didn't need anyone else. He had a father now. A real one.
Keifer glanced at her and smiled, eyes soft. "He's amazing, Jay… just like you said."
Jay nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Yes… he is. And… he's lucky. Lucky to have you."
Keifer shrugged, brushing a strand of hair from Kaisan's face. "No, baby. I'm the lucky one. I get to be here with him. To be his dad."
Kaisan squealed, throwing himself into Keifer's arms. "Dad! You're the best!"
Jay watched silently, heart full, realizing for the first time that her son's happiness didn't need her to do everything.
Keifer's presence… his love… it completed what she alone couldn't.
And for Kaisan, laughter had returned. Play had returned. Love had returned.
And Jay finally let herself breathe, knowing her little boy was finally safe in the arms of the father he deserved.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows as Keifer walked Kaisan to the door.
"Time to go home, baby," Keifer said softly, kneeling to Kaisan's level.
Kaisan's small hands gripped his father's. "No… I want to live here forever," he said, eyes wide and serious.
Keifer's face softened, a small smile spreading across his lips. "Forever? Well… I don't see why not, baby. You're always welcome here."
Kaisan's eyes lit up. "Really? Really, Dad?"
"Of course," Keifer said, ruffling his hair gently. "This is your home too. Always."
Jay hung back slightly, her chest tight. She smiled, but her heart whispered something different.
Keifer looked so calm, so steady… so generous. But did he really want them here? Or did he think they were a burden?
Keifer glanced at her, noticing her hesitation. "Jay… you can come too. You're part of this. All of you are part of this."
She nodded, but her mind was racing.
He was kind… he was warm… he was protective. Yet something in the way he said it… almost as if he were making a sacrifice, made her chest ache.
Kaisan tugged at her hand. "Mom… can we stay here forever?"
Jay smiled down at him. "I… we'll see, baby. Let's take it one day at a time."
Keifer watched them both, heart swelling and aching at the same time. He reached out, placing a hand gently on Kaisan's shoulder.
"You're not a burden, baby. And you're not a burden, Jay. Never. I want you both here… always."
Jay forced a small smile, but deep down, she still felt the tiniest flicker of doubt.
Could someone really love them so completely, so easily… without ever feeling a trace of burden?
She glanced at Keifer, then at Kaisan, and whispered softly to herself:
"Maybe… maybe it's possible."