Morning.
Soft sunlight.
Quiet house.
Jay walked in slowly.
A little shy.
A little unsure.
Serina sat in the living room.
Calm.
Warm smile.
"Jay…"
Jay looked up.
"Aunty…"
Serina shook her head gently.
"No 'aunty'."
Jay paused.
Then softly…
"Ma…"
Serina's eyes softened instantly.
"Come here."
Jay walked closer.
Sat beside her.
Hands in her lap.
Fidgeting.
Serina noticed.
"Nervous?"
Jay gave a small smile.
"A little."
Serina chuckled softly.
"I was too."
Jay looked at her.
"You?"
Serina nodded.
"When I first came into this house."
Jay relaxed a little.
"Oh…"
A small silence.
Comfortable.
Serina looked at her carefully.
"You made him smile."
Jay blinked.
"Who?"
Serina raised a brow.
"Keifer."
Jay looked down.
A shy smile appearing.
"He was already smiling…"
Serina shook her head gently.
"Not like that."
Jay didn't reply.
But her cheeks warmed.
Serina continued softly.
"He's always been happy…"
"But also careless."
Jay listened quietly.
"But yesterday…"
"He was calm."
"Focused."
"Certain."
Jay looked up slowly.
"Really?"
Serina smiled.
"Yes."
"Because of you."
Jay's eyes softened.
A mix of emotions.
Serina held her hand.
"Take care of him."
Jay nodded gently.
"I will."
Serina squeezed her hand lightly.
"And yourself too."
Jay smiled.
"I will."
A pause.
Then Jay spoke softly.
"Ma…"
"Hmm?"
"I didn't expect this."
Serina understood.
"No one does."
Jay let out a small breath.
"It just… happened."
Serina nodded.
"That's how the best things happen."
Jay smiled faintly.
Then looked at her.
"Are you happy?"
Serina didn't hesitate.
"Very."
Jay's heart felt light.
"Me too."
Serina brushed her hair back gently.
"My daughter…"
Jay's eyes filled slightly.
Not sadness.
Just warmth.
Just belonging.
For the first time…
It didn't feel like a new place.
It felt like home.