Chapter 8: Caught
The Morning After
Jay woke slowly.
Sunlight streamed through Keifer's floor-to-ceiling windows.
Warm.
Golden.
Beautiful.
She stretched carefully.
Her head still hurt sometimes.
But less now.
Much less.
Beside her, Keifer was still asleep.
Arm thrown over her waist.
Face relaxed.
Soft.
Hers.
She smiled.
Turned in his arms.
Faced him.
He was so beautiful.
Those sharp cheekbones.
That strong jaw.
Those lips that knew exactly how to make her melt.
She reached up.
Traced his eyebrow.
His nose.
His lips.
His eyes fluttered open.
For a moment, he looked confused.
Then he saw her.
And that slow, warm smile spread across his face.
"Hey," he murmured, voice rough with sleep.
"Hey yourself."
His arm tightened around her.
Pulled her closer.
Buried his face in her hair.
"You're staring at me," he mumbled.
"Maybe.
You're worth staring at."
He lifted his head.
Those storm-gray eyes soft.
Playful.
"Flattery will get you everywhere, Jasper Jean Mariano."
She grinned.
"Good.
That's the plan."
---
He kissed her.
Soft.
Slow.
Morning breath and all.
She melted into him.
Hands sliding up his chest.
Around his neck.
Fingers tangling in his hair.
He rolled slightly.
Hovering over her.
Careful.
Always careful of her head.
But close.
So close.
"I love you," he whispered against her lips.
"I love you too."
Another kiss.
Deeper.
Slower.
More.
Neither of them heard the footsteps in the hallway.
Neither of them heard the knock.
Neither of them heard the door handle turn.
---
Serina Watson—Mamma—walked into the room with a tray of breakfast.
"Good morning, my loves!
I brought fresh—"
She stopped.
Jay and Keifer froze.
Keifer was hovering over Jay.
One hand on the pillow beside her head.
The other on her waist.
Their faces inches apart.
Lips slightly swollen.
Clearly, obviously, absolutely kissing.
Mamma stood in the doorway.
Tray in hand.
Eyes wide.
The silence stretched.
One second.
Two.
Three.
Then Mamma spoke.
"Mark Keifer Watson.
What did I say about keeping your door closed?"
---
Keifer scrambled off Jay so fast he nearly fell off the bed.
Jay pulled the blanket up to her chin.
Face burning red.
Heart racing.
"Mamma—
It's not—
We were just—
"
Mamma raised an eyebrow.
"You were just what?
Having a morning chat?
With your faces attached?"
Jay made a strangled sound.
Buried herself deeper in the blanket.
Keifer ran a hand through his hair.
Standing there in his sleep shirt and boxers.
Looking like a teenager caught sneaking out.
"Mamma.
Please.
Let me explain."
Mamma walked in.
Set the tray on the dresser.
Crossed her arms.
Tapped her foot.
"I'm waiting."
---
Jay peeked out from the blanket.
Mamma's face was stern.
But her eyes?
Her eyes were dancing.
Amused.
Not angry.
She's messing with us,
Jay realized.
She's enjoying this.
Keifer clearly didn't realize.
He was panicking.
Actually panicking.
"Mamma, I know what this looks like.
But Jay is—
She's recovering.
She had a head injury.
I was just—
We were just—
"Kissing?"
Mamma supplied helpfully.
"Passionately, from what I saw?"
Keifer's face went crimson.
Jay's went matching.
"MAMMA."
Mamma laughed.
Actually laughed.
Full and warm and delighted.
"Oh, my sweet boy.
Did you really think I didn't know?
That girl has been sleeping in your room for over a week.
You think I'm blind?"
Keifer stared at her.
"But—
You put her room on the other side of the house.
You said—
"
"I said what any mother would say.
But did I really think my grown son would listen?"
She walked over.
Patting his cheek.
"You're twenty-eight, Keifer.
You're in love.
You think I'd try to stop that?"
---
Jay slowly lowered the blanket.
Face still red.
But curiosity winning over embarrassment.
"Mamma...
You're not mad?"
Mamma turned to her.
Expression softening immediately.
"Oh, my darling girl.
Mad?
No.
I'm delighted."
She sat on the edge of the bed.
Took Jay's hand.
"I've watched my son close himself off for years.
Years, Jay.
He wouldn't let anyone in.
Wouldn't let anyone close."
She squeezed Jay's hand.
"Then you came.
And everything changed.
He smiles now.
Real smiles.
He laughs.
He leaves work on time.
He brings girls home to meet his parents."
Jay glanced at Keifer.
He was still pink.
But watching them.
Soft.
"I'm not mad," Mamma continued.
"I'm grateful.
You brought my son back to life.
How could I be mad about that?"
Jay's eyes filled with tears.
"Mamma..."
Mamma pulled her into a hug.
Gentle.
Warm.
Loving.
"Now.
About the closed door situation."
Jay tensed.
Keifer tensed.
Mamma pulled back.
Eyebrow raised.
"Lock.
Please.
I raised three boys.
I've walked in on enough traumatizing situations.
Spare your mother."
---
Keifer let out a breath.
Relief flooding his face.
"Okay, Mamma.
Okay.
Locked door.
Got it."
Mamma nodded.
Satisfied.
"Good.
Now.
Breakfast is on the dresser.
Eat before it gets cold.
And Jay?"
Jay looked at her.
"Yes, Mamma?"
"You're glowing.
Love looks good on you."
Jay's face went red again.
But she was smiling.
Couldn't help it.
Mamma stood.
Walked to the door.
Paused.
"Oh, and Keifer?
Your father owes me fifty dollars.
He said you'd last two weeks before I caught you.
I said one."
She winked.
And left.
---
The door clicked shut.
Silence.
Then Keifer groaned.
Dropped his face into his hands.
"My mother just—
She—
That happened."
Jay started laughing.
Quiet at first.
Then louder.
Then full-on hysterical.
Keifer looked up.
Stared at her.
"You're laughing?
You're actually laughing?"
She nodded.
Wiped her eyes.
Tried to breathe.
"Your mother—
She bet on us—
On how long before she caught us—
And she WON."
Keifer stared for another second.
Then he started laughing too.
Collapsed onto the bed beside her.
Both of them howling.
Wiping tears.
Gasping for air.
When they finally calmed down, they lay side by side.
Staring at the ceiling.
"Well," Jay said.
"That was the most embarrassing moment of my life."
Keifer snorted.
"Same.
Definitely same."
She turned her head.
Looked at him.
"Worth it, though."
He turned too.
Met her eyes.
Smiled that real smile.
"Yeah.
Worth it."
---
They ate breakfast in bed.
Mamma's cooking.
Fresh fruits.
Pastries.
Coffee.
Jay leaned against Keifer's chest.
He fed her strawberries.
She stole his bacon.
"This is nice," she murmured.
"Even with the embarrassment."
He kissed her hair.
"Every day with you is nice.
Even the embarrassing ones."
She smiled.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
They finished breakfast in comfortable silence.
The city waking up below them.
The morning sun warming the room.
---
Downstairs
An hour later, they finally emerged.
Hand in hand.
Bracing for the teasing.
They weren't disappointed.
Percy spotted them first.
Grinned wide.
"WELL, WELL, WELL.
Look who finally decided to join the living.
Had a good morning, you two?"
Jay's face went pink.
Keifer's jaw tightened.
"Percy.
Don't."
Percy ignored him completely.
Turned to Aries.
"Ari, our baby sister.
Sharing a room with our best friend.
What do you think about that?"
Aries looked up from his book.
Completely deadpan.
"I think if he hurts her, we kill him and hide the body.
Mamma and Pappa have a big garden."
Keifer blinked.
"That's—
You're joking.
Right?"
Aries stared at him.
Said nothing.
Percy clapped Keifer on the shoulder.
"He's not joking.
Nice knowing you, man."
---
Keiran ran over.
Attached himself to Jay's leg.
"Kuya Jay!
You slept in Kuya Kai's room again!
Are you gonna sleep there forever?
Can I sleep there too?
I wanna sleepover!"
Jay laughed.
Picked him up carefully.
"I think that's a question for Kuya Kai."
Keiran turned big eyes on Keifer.
"Kuya Kai?
Can I have sleepover?
With you and Kuya Jay?
Please please please?"
Keifer glanced at Jay.
She shrugged.
Amused.
"Sure, little monster.
One night.
This weekend."
Keiran squealed.
Hugged Keifer's neck.
Then Jay's.
Then squirmed to get down and run tell Keigan.
Keigan appeared in the doorway.
Already knew.
Raised an eyebrow at Keifer.
"Kuya.
Mamma told us.
She said you owe her fifty dollars."
Keifer groaned.
"Of course she did."
Keigan nodded.
Serious as always.
"Good.
Maybe next time you'll lock the door."
---
Jay choked.
Percy howled.
Aries actually cracked a smile.
Even Pappa, reading his newspaper in the corner, snorted.
Keifer stared at his twelve-year-old brother.
"Keigan.
Where did you learn about locking doors?"
Keigan shrugged.
"The internet.
Also, I'm twelve.
Not stupid."
Pappa looked over his newspaper.
"Kid's got a point, son."
Keifer threw his hands up.
"Everyone in this family is impossible."
Mamma walked in from the kitchen.
Heard the last comment.
Smiled sweetly.
"Love you too, dear."
---
Afternoon
The teasing continued all day.
Percy made kissy faces every time Keifer walked by.
Aries asked very seriously about their "future plans."
Keigan offered to research "healthy relationship boundaries."
Keiran just kept asking about the sleepover.
Even Pappa got in on it.
At lunch, he looked at Keifer.
"So.
Jay's room on the other side of the house.
How's that working out?"
Keifer glared.
Pappa smiled.
Took a bite of his sandwich.
Jay hid her face in her hands.
But she was laughing.
Couldn't stop laughing.
Mamma finally took pity on them.
"Alright, everyone.
Enough.
They're in love.
Get over it."
Percy gasped dramatically.
"IN LOVE?
Since when?
Was there a declaration?
Was it romantic?
Did he serenade her?
I need details!"
Jay threw a roll at him.
He caught it.
Grinned.
Ate it.
---
Evening
After dinner, everyone scattered.
Keiran dragged Percy to play dinosaurs.
Keigan asked Aries for help with homework.
Pappa retired to his study.
Mamma went to make phone calls.
Jay and Keifer found themselves alone on the back patio.
Stars overhead.
City lights in the distance.
Quiet.
Jay leaned against him.
His arm around her waist.
Her head on his shoulder.
"Today was...
A lot."
He kissed her hair.
"Sorry about my family.
They're intense."
She smiled.
"I love them.
All of them.
Even when they're teasing."
"Even Percy?"
"Especially Percy.
He's ridiculous."
Keifer laughed.
"Yeah.
He is."
They stood there.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Together.
---
Jay turned in his arms.
Faced him.
Looked up into those storm-gray eyes.
"Keifer?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you.
For everything.
For bringing me here.
For giving me this family.
For loving me."
He cupped her face.
Gentle.
Reverent.
"Thank you for letting me.
For coming into my life and turning it upside down.
For making me feel again."
She smiled.
Stood on tiptoe.
Kissed him.
Soft.
Sweet.
Full of promise.
When they pulled apart, they were both breathless.
"We should go inside," she whispered.
"Before someone finds us again."
He grinned.
"Scared of my mother?"
"Terrified.
She's amazing and terrifying."
"True.
But also—
My room.
Locked door.
No interruptions."
She laughed.
"Tempting."
"Very tempting."
She took his hand.
Pulled him toward the house.
"Then what are we waiting for?"
---
His Room
Locked door.
Just like Mamma requested.
They collapsed onto the bed.
Laughing.
Kissing.
Touching.
"I love you," he murmured against her lips.
"I love you so much it scares me."
She pulled back.
Looked at him.
Those storm-gray eyes so open.
So vulnerable.
So hers.
"Why does it scare you?"
He shook his head.
"Because I've never felt this before.
Never let anyone in.
And now you're here.
And if I lost you—
"
She pressed her fingers to his lips.
Stopped the words.
"You won't lose me.
I'm not going anywhere.
You're stuck with me, Mark Keifer Watson.
Forever."
He kissed her fingers.
Moved them aside.
Kissed her lips.
"Forever sounds perfect."
---
Later, they lay tangled together.
City lights outside.
Heartbeats slowing.
Jay traced patterns on his chest.
Thinking.
"Keifer?"
"Yeah?"
"Your mom—
Mamma—
She's really okay with this?
With us?
With me staying in your room?"
He kissed her hair.
"She's more than okay.
She loves you.
We all do."
Jay smiled.
In the darkness.
Happy.
"I love you all too.
So much.
It's overwhelming sometimes."
He held her tighter.
"Good overwhelming?
Or bad overwhelming?"
"Good.
Definitely good.
The best kind."
He smiled against her hair.
"Good.
Because you're stuck with us now.
All of us.
Forever."
She laughed.
Soft.
Happy.
"Forever sounds perfect."
---
The Next Morning
They woke to pounding on the door.
"KUYA KAI!
KUYA JAY!
WAKE UP!
IT'S MORNING!
I'M HUNGRY!
LET ME IN!"
Keiran's little voice.
Insistent.
Loud.
Impossible to ignore.
Jay laughed.
Keifer groaned.
"Your brother," she mumbled.
"Our brother," he corrected.
"You're stuck with him too."
She smiled.
"Best kind of stuck."
Keifer kissed her quickly.
Stumbled to the door.
Opened it a crack.
"Keiran.
It's early.
Go find Mamma."
Keiran pushed against the door.
"But Mamma said to get you!
She said breakfast is ready!
She said if you don't come down, she's coming up!
With the spare key!"
Keifer sighed.
Defeated.
"Give us five minutes."
"FIVE MINUTES!
OKAY!
I'LL COUNT!"
Keifer closed the door.
Leaned against it.
Looked at Jay.
"My family is insane."
She grinned.
Sitting up in bed.
Hair messy.
Face glowing.
"Your family is perfect.
Now help me find my clothes before your brother breaks the door down."
He laughed.
Crossed to her.
Kissed her quickly.
"Love you."
"Love you too.
Now MOVE.
I hear counting."
From outside:
"FOUR MINUTES AND THIRTY SECONDS!
ALMOST FIVE!
HURRY UP!"
They scrambled.
Laughing.
Happy.
Home.
---
Breakfast
They made it downstairs in four minutes and fifty-two seconds.
Keiran counted.
Very proudly.
Mamma smiled at them from the kitchen.
"Good morning, my loves.
Sleep well?"
Jay's face went pink.
Keifer's went matching.
Mamma just laughed.
Winked at them.
"Good.
You both look well-rested.
Sit.
Eat.
Keiran, stop counting and sit down."
Keiran scrambled to his seat.
Grinned at Jay.
"Kuya Jay!
You came down fast!
Were you running?
Kuya Kai runs slow usually.
But you guys were fast!"
Jay choked on her orange juice.
Percy howled.
Aries hid a smile behind his coffee.
Pappa's newspaper shook suspiciously.
Keifer stared at his little brother.
"Keiran.
Eat your breakfast."
Keiran shrugged.
Grabbed a pancake.
"Okay.
But you guys were really fast.
Like bunnies.
Fast bunnies."
Percy lost it completely.
Slid off his chair laughing.
Jay buried her face in her hands.
But she was laughing too.
Couldn't help it.
Keifer just shook his head.
Looked at Mamma.
"Lock on the door.
Security cameras.
Soundproofing.
I'm investing in all of it."
Mamma smiled.
Patted his cheek.
"Good luck, dear.
Good luck."
---
End of Chapter 8