The house was quiet. Kaisan slept peacefully in his little bed, his chest rising and falling gently.
Jay moved softly through the hallway, unable to sleep herself. She stepped out onto the balcony and saw him.
Keifer, seated at the table, laptop open, typing quietly. The night air brushed his face, and for a moment, he looked… untouchable, focused, and completely himself.
Jay's chest tightened. She walked closer, hesitating for just a heartbeat.
"Keifer…" she whispered, voice trembling slightly.
He looked up, startled, then softened immediately when he saw her.
"Jay," he said, quietly, closing the laptop. "Is everything okay?"
She took a deep breath, gripping the railing beside her.
"No… I mean—everything's fine, but…" Her voice faltered. "I… I need to tell you something. Something I should've said a long time ago."
Keifer tilted his head, attentive, patient. "You can tell me anything, Jay."
Her eyes met his, shining with emotion. "I… I love you, Keifer. I always have. I… I left before, but my heart… it never stopped. And seeing you with Kaisan… seeing you with him… I… I realized I don't want to hide anymore. I can't."
Keifer's breath hitched. For a moment, the world seemed to hold still.
"Jay…" he whispered, voice low, husky.
Before she could say another word, he leaned forward, placing a gentle hand on her cheek, his eyes locked on hers.
"I… I love you too," he murmured.
And then… his lips met hers.
The kiss was soft at first, tender and slow, filled with years of longing, pain, and unspoken promises.
Jay's hands went to his shoulders, pulling him closer, feeling the warmth she had missed for so long.
Keifer deepened the kiss, one hand sliding to her waist, the other still cradling her cheek.
It was a kiss that spoke of forgiveness, of new beginnings, of a love that had never truly ended.
When they finally pulled back, foreheads resting together, both were breathless.
"I've waited for this… for you… for us," Keifer whispered.
Jay smiled, tears glistening. "Me too. Always."
They stood there on the balcony, night wrapping around them, hearts beating together, knowing that from this moment…
They were finally exactly where they were meant to be.
The night was still and quiet, the soft glow of the balcony lights reflecting in Keifer and Jay's eyes.
Then, from the open bedroom door, a tiny voice called out.
"Mom! Dad!"
Kaisan had woken up and had seen everything. His little feet pitter-pattered across the floor as he ran straight to them, small arms outstretched.
Before either of them could react, he leapt into their embrace, hugging them both tightly.
Jay's arms wrapped around him instantly. "Kai… baby, what are you doing up?" she whispered, a mixture of surprise and laughter in her voice.
"I… I… I wanted to hug you both!" Kaisan said, burying his face in Keifer's chest. "I… I love you both!"
Keifer bent down, holding them close. "I love you too, little man. So much."
He ruffled Kaisan's hair gently, smiling down at him. "You're my favorite little guy, you know that?"
Kaisan giggled, his tiny hands clutching both of them. "You're my favorite too! Both of you!"
Jay laughed softly, leaning her head on Keifer's shoulder. "Looks like we have our family now, Kai."
"Yes! Our family!" Kaisan cheered, bouncing slightly in their embrace.
Keifer kissed the top of Jay's head gently. "We do… and we're going to make sure every day is happy from now on."
Jay nodded, her heart full. "Every day."
The three of them stood together on the balcony, wrapped in each other's arms, small, warm, and unshakable.
For Kaisan, his parents were finally together.
For Jay and Keifer, the love that had waited years was finally theirs to hold.
And in that embrace, all the pain, all the distance, all the past mistakes—they melted away.