Days passed, and life at Keifer's house settled into a gentle, happy routine.
Kaisan laughed, played, and soaked up every bit of attention from his father.
But Jay… she found herself changing in ways she hadn't expected.
Around Keifer, she became… childish.
She would tease him playfully, hide behind his shoulder, or pout when he didn't immediately notice something.
Sometimes she would steal his snacks, flick his nose, or challenge him to silly competitions.
Kaisan watched in amusement. "Mom… you're acting like me!"
Jay grinned mischievously. "I'm allowed! Daddy—um… Keifer—told me I could be playful too, didn't you?"
Keifer raised an eyebrow, lips twitching into a smile. "Oh really? You think you can outplay me?"
Jay giggled, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Try me!"
Kaisan clapped his hands, laughing. "Mom's so funny! I didn't know she could be like this!"
Jay laughed with him, hiding her blush behind her hand.
Keifer watched them both quietly, heart swelling.
"She's… different with me," he whispered to himself, voice soft. "Carefree. Happy. She trusts me enough to let her guard down."
Later, when Kaisan ran off to play, Jay slumped onto the couch next to Keifer.
"You know," she said softly, nudging him with her shoulder, "I didn't expect to feel this… comfortable with anyone. I mean, I can be silly around you."
Keifer's hand found hers, gentle and reassuring. "That's because you're safe here, Jay. No one's judging you. And I… I like seeing this side of you."
Jay smiled, leaning her head lightly on his shoulder. "Maybe I like being childish too… especially when I'm with you."
Keifer chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I like it too… very much."
Kaisan returned, jumping onto the couch between them. "Mom! Dad! Let's play a game!"
Jay threw her hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright! You two are too much sometimes!"
And just like that, the three of them—Jay, Kaisan, and Keifer—fell into laughter, playfulness, and warmth, each day drawing them closer together.
For Jay, being childish with Keifer wasn't weakness—it was a sign of love, trust, and the happiness she had finally found.
As days went by, Keifer and Jay grew closer, their moments together becoming softer, warmer… more romantic.
A gentle touch here, a lingering gaze there, hands brushing accidentally—or not so accidentally.
But Kaisan… Kaisan was always ready to interrupt.
One afternoon, Keifer leaned close to Jay on the couch, whispering something that made her giggle.
Before anything could go further, a small voice piped up.
"Mom! Dad! Look at this drawing I made!"
Kaisan had climbed onto the couch, thrusting a scribbled paper into their hands, completely oblivious to the tension he'd just broken.
Jay laughed softly, pulling him onto her lap. "Oh wow, baby! This is amazing!"
Keifer chuckled, ruffling Kaisan's hair. "I see it, little man. It's incredible. I'm proud of you."
Another time, they were sitting at the dining table, hands brushing while sharing a quiet dinner.
Kaisan suddenly slid onto Keifer's lap, holding up a toy car. "Dad! Play with me!"
Keifer sighed, smiling, picking him up. "Alright, baby… alright. Let's see this car."
Jay watched, smiling and shaking her head. "You never let me have quiet moments with you, do you, Kai?"
Even in the evenings, when Keifer tried to hold Jay a little longer after tucking Kaisan in, a small knock would appear at the bedroom door.
"Mom! Dad! I can't sleep without my bedtime story!"
Keifer would laugh, rolling his eyes fondly. "Of course, baby. Story time it is."
Jay realized something.
Kaisan wasn't just a child who needed attention—he was their little anchor, a reminder that their love wasn't just for them anymore.
It had to grow around him, with him, including him.
And though it sometimes interrupted their quiet romantic moments, Jay couldn't help but smile.
Because every time Kaisan broke their private moments, he was reminding them:
They were a family.
A real, messy, beautiful family.
And no stolen kiss or whispered word could ever be sweeter than the laughter and presence of their son.