3 AM – Mariano Mansion
Jay lay in bed. Staring at the ceiling.
She couldn't sleep.
Her ring sparkled on her finger. She kept looking at it. Smiling. Then looking at the ceiling again.
Too happy to sleep.
Her phone buzzed.
Keifer: Can't sleep?
Jay: No. You too?
Keifer: Yeah. Too happy.
Jay: Same.
Keifer: I'm two doors down. This is torture.
Jay laughed softly.
Jay: I know.
Keifer: Can I come over?
Jay's heart stopped.
Jay: What? Now?
Keifer: Just to sleep. I promise. I just want to be near you.
Jay bit her lip. Then she smiled.
Jay: Okay. Door's unlocked.
A soft knock. Jay opened the door.
Keifer stood there in sweats and a t-shirt. Hair messy. Eyes soft.
He smiled. "Hi."
Jay smiled back. "Hi."
She pulled him inside.
They stood there for a moment. Just looking.
Then Jay grabbed his hand and pulled him to the bed.
"Come on. I'm tired."
Keifer laughed softly. "Bossy."
Jay climbed in. Keifer lay next to her. On top of the covers. Respectful.
Jay turned to face him. "This is nice."
Keifer nodded. "Yeah. Really nice."
They talked quietly. About nothing. About everything.
Then Jay's eyes got heavy.
Keifer watched her fall asleep. Her face so peaceful. So beautiful.
He kissed her forehead softly. "Goodnight, Jay."
She mumbled something. Smiled in her sleep.
Keifer closed his eyes. For the first time in nine months, he felt complete.
Sometime in the Night
Jay moved closer. Curled into him.
Keifer woke slightly. He pulled her closer. Held her tight.
She fit perfectly in his arms.
He kissed her hair. She sighed happily.
They slept. Together. Finally.
6 AM – Morning
The sun started to rise. Light came through the curtains.
In the kitchen, families were waking up.
Jeana made coffee. Serina helped. Jasfher and Keizer read newspapers. Jane and Kyle sat together. Keigan and Keiren played on their phones. Percy slept on the couch.
Jeana looked around. "Where's Jay? She's usually up by now."
Jane shrugged. "Maybe tired from last night."
Serina looked toward the stairs. "Keifer isn't down either."
Keizer raised an eyebrow. "Both not up?"
Jasfher put his paper down. "That's weird."
Percy woke up. "What's weird?"
Jane grinned slowly. "Jay and Keifer. Both not awake yet."
Percy sat up. "Wait. They're in the same house. Alone. Not awake."
Everyone looked at each other.
Jasfher stood. "I'm checking."
Jeana grabbed his arm. "Honey, let them sleep."
Jasfher shook his head. "My princess. My house. I'm checking."
Keizer stood too. "I'll come. My son."
The two dads walked upstairs. Everyone else followed. Quietly. Curious.
The door was slightly open.
Jasfher pushed it gently.
And froze.
Jay and Keifer were asleep on the bed. Jay curled into Keifer's chest. Keifer's arms around her. Both looked peaceful. Happy.
Jasfher's mouth opened. No words came.
Keizer looked over his shoulder. His eyes went wide.
Then he smiled. "Well. That's cute."
Jasfher turned. "CUTE? That's my daughter!"
Jeana pushed past. She saw them. Her hand flew to her mouth. But she was smiling.
Serina peeked in. "Oh my. They're adorable."
Jane squeaked quietly. "LOOK AT THEM! They're like puppies!"
Kyle nodded. "They really love each other."
Keigan whispered, "Keifer never sleeps well. Look at him now. Out cold."
Keiren nodded. "She makes him happy."
Percy pushed through. He saw his sister in Keifer's arms.
His face went through many emotions. Shock. Annoyance. Then softness.
"Okay," he whispered. "That's actually really sweet."
Jasfher glared at him. "SWEET?"
Jeana pulled him back. "Shh! Let them sleep!"
The whole family stood there. Watching. Smiling.
Keifer felt someone watching him.
His eyes opened slowly.
First, he saw Jay. Still asleep. Still in his arms. So pretty.
He smiled softly.
Then he felt eyes on him.
He looked up.
The door was full of people. All staring. All smiling.
Jay's parents. His parents. Jane. Kyle. Percy. Keigan. Keiren.
All of them.
Keifer froze.
But then he looked back at Jay. She was still asleep. So peaceful.
He didn't care about them.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead gently.
Then her nose.
Then her lips. Soft. Sweet.
Jay stirred. Smiled against his lips.
Keifer whispered, "Good morning, love."
Jay's eyes opened slowly. She saw him. Smiled big.
"Good morning," she whispered back.
Then she noticed the doorway.
Her eyes went wide. "Oh no."
Keifer didn't move. Didn't care. He just looked at her.
Jane screamed. "THAT WAS THE CUTEST THING I'VE EVER SEEN!"
Percy fake cried. "My baby sister is in love!"
Jeana had tears. "They're so precious."
Serina wiped her eyes. "Our babies."
Keizer nodded proudly. "That's my son. Smooth."
Jasfher just stood there. Mouth open.
Jay buried her face in Keifer's chest. "Kill me now."
Keifer laughed. Held her tighter. "No way. I just got you."
Keigan whistled. "Keifer said 'good morning love'! I've never heard him say that to anyone!"
Keiren nodded. "He's whipped."
Percy grinned. "Completely whipped."
Jane climbed on the bed. "Jay! You have a BOYFRIEND in your BED! Tell me everything!"
Jay groaned. "Jane!"
Kyle pulled Jane back. "Let them breathe."
Jasfher finally found his voice. "Keifer. My room. Now."
Keifer nodded. "Yes, sir." He kissed Jay's forehead. "I'll be back."
Jay held his hand. "Don't let him kill you."
Keifer smiled. "Worth it."
He got up and followed Jasfher out.
In the Hallway
Jasfher crossed his arms. "You slept in my daughter's room."
Keifer nodded. "Yes, sir."
Jasfher narrowed his eyes. "Anything happen?"
Keifer shook his head. "No, sir. We just slept. I respect her too much."
Jasfher stared at him. Long and hard.
Then he nodded slowly. "Good. You're a good man, Keifer."
Keifer blinked. "Thank you, sir."
Jasfher patted his shoulder. "But next time? Ask. Or I'll kill you."
Keifer nodded fast. "Yes, sir."
Back in the Room
Jay sat up. Her face was still red.
Jeana hugged her. "Baby, it's okay. We're happy for you."
Serina hugged her too. "You make Keifer so happy. We've never seen him like this."
Jay smiled softly. "He makes me happy too."
Jane bounced on the bed. "So when's the wedding? Next week? Tomorrow?"
Jay laughed. "JANE!"
Percy grinned. "I vote tomorrow."
Keigan nodded. "Same."
Keiren raised his hand. "Today!"
Everyone laughed.
Keifer walked in. Jasfher behind him. Both looked calm.
Keifer went straight to Jay. Sat beside her. Took her hand.
"Your dad said I can live."
Jay laughed. "Good."
Jasfher sighed. "I hate that I like him."
Keizer patted his back. "Welcome to my life."
Everyone laughed again.
Jane pulled out her phone. "Okay everyone! Photo! Now!"
They all gathered around the bed. Jay and Keifer in the middle. Families around them.
Jane took the photo.
Everyone smiled. Big. Real. Happy.
Later – Breakfast
They all sat at the big table. Jay and Keifer beside each other. Holding hands under the table.
Percy kept staring. "You two are disgusting."
Jay stuck her tongue out. "You're just jealous."
Percy gasped. "I am not!"
Honey, who was visiting, patted his arm. "It's okay, baby. You have me."
Percy's face turned red. Everyone laughed.
Keifer leaned close to Jay. "Happy?"
Jay looked at him. Nodded. "So happy."
Keifer kissed her cheek. "Good. Me too."
Jane fake gagged. "GET A ROOM!"
Jay threw a napkin at her. "WE HAVE ONE!"
Everyone laughed.
The sun shone bright. Families laughed together. Two lovers sat close.
Perfect morning.
Perfect love.
Perfect beginning.