✦ CHAPTER — "Papa Ghost" ✦
Jay's POV
The villa was unusually quiet.
---
Which honestly should have worried me.
💀
---
Keifer was nowhere to be seen.
---
And whenever Keifer disappeared...
it usually meant trouble.
😭
---
I decided to enjoy the silence while it lasted.
---
Hair tied up.
---
Skincare products scattered across the counter.
---
A rare peaceful evening.
🥹🤍
---
I carefully unfolded a sheet mask and placed it over my face.
---
Perfect.
---
Relaxing.
---
Peaceful.
---
Then—
---
"JAY!"
💀
---
I nearly jumped.
---
The bathroom door flew open.
---
Keifer froze.
---
I froze.
---
He stared.
---
I stared.
---
Silence.
---
Then—
---
"WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR FACE?"
😭💀
---
I closed my eyes.
---
"It's a sheet mask."
---
"A what?"
---
"A sheet mask."
---
"You look haunted."
😭🤣
---
I grabbed another one immediately.
---
Because now he was annoying me.
💀
---
Author's POV
Five minutes later...
---
Keifer was sitting on the bathroom counter.
---
With a sheet mask on.
😭💀
---
Looking absolutely ridiculous.
---
Keifer's POV
I hated this.
---
I looked ridiculous.
---
And Jay wouldn't stop laughing.
---
Which somehow made everything worse.
😭💀
---
"Stop laughing."
---
"No."
---
"Jay."
---
"No."
---
I narrowed my eyes.
---
She laughed even harder.
💀
---
Author's POV
Then the door opened.
---
Unfortunately.
😭💀
---
Mama Reycee walked in.
---
Then Jare.
---
Then Noah.
---
All of them stopped.
---
All of them stared.
---
And then—
---
The entire room exploded into laughter.
😭🤣
---
Jay's POV
I couldn't breathe.
---
Tears were literally forming in my eyes.
---
Because Keifer looked so offended.
---
Which somehow made it funnier.
💀
---
"Take that thing off."
---
"No."
---
"You hated it five minutes ago."
---
"I've accepted my fate."
😭💀
---
Author's POV
Photos were taken.
---
Far too many photos.
---
And unfortunately for Keifer...
---
Nobody planned on deleting them.
🤣
---
Keifer's POV
Traitors.
---
Every single one of them.
💀
---
Author's POV
The next morning...
---
Suitcases appeared.
---
Bags were packed.
---
The trip was ending.
🥺🤍
---
The villa that had been filled with laughter all week suddenly felt quieter.
---
More sentimental.
---
Jay's POV
I stood on the balcony one last time.
---
Watching the ocean.
---
Listening to the waves.
---
Trying to memorize everything.
🥺🌊
---
Then familiar arms wrapped around my waist.
---
Again.
---
Of course.
😭💖
---
I smiled immediately.
---
"Keifer."
---
"Hm?"
---
"You've been attached to me for an entire week."
---
"And?"
---
I laughed softly.
---
Because honestly...
---
I'd miss it.
🥺🫶🏻
---
Author's POV
A few hours later...
---
The car finally pulled into the driveway.
---
Home.
🏡🤍
---
The second Jay stepped out—
---
Tiny footsteps came running.
😭💖
---
Alina launched herself straight into Jay's arms.
---
Jay barely had time to react before she was holding her daughter again.
---
The little girl immediately wrapped herself around her.
---
Like she was making sure Jay wasn't leaving a second time.
🥺🫀
---
Jay kissed her hair.
---
Holding her close.
---
"I missed you too, baby."
💖
---
Keifer's POV
I was literally standing right there.
---
Right there.
---
And suddenly nobody cared.
😭💀
---
Not my wife.
---
Not my daughter.
---
Nothing.
---
I had been replaced in approximately three seconds.
💀
---
Jare laughed.
---
Noah laughed.
---
Even Mama Reycee looked amused.
😭🤣
---
And honestly?
---
Watching Jay smile while holding Alina...
---
Watching them together again...
---
Made the entire trip worth it.
🥺🫶🏻🤍
---
Even if I was no longer the favorite.
💀
✦ CHAPTER — "Not Fair" ✦
Jay's POV
I woke up feeling warm.
---
Comfortable.
---
Happy.
---
The first thing I saw was Alina.
---
Curled up against me.
---
Fast asleep.
🥺💖
---
The second thing I saw...
---
Was Keifer.
---
Staring.
💀
---
I blinked.
---
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
---
He looked offended.
---
"Because."
---
"Because what?"
---
"That's my spot."
😭💀
---
I stared.
---
Then looked at Alina.
---
Then back at him.
---
"No."
---
"Yes."
---
"Keifer."
---
"Jay."
💀
---
Author's POV
Unfortunately for Keifer...
---
Things only got worse.
😭🤣
---
Jay's POV
The entire morning belonged to Alina.
---
Breakfast?
---
Mama.
---
Getting dressed?
---
Mama.
---
Playing?
---
Mama.
---
Story time?
---
Mama.
😭💖
---
Everywhere I went...
---
Alina followed.
---
Tiny hand holding mine.
---
Tiny footsteps behind me.
---
And honestly?
---
I loved it.
🥺🫶🏻
---
Author's POV
Meanwhile...
---
Keifer was suffering.
💀
---
Keifer's POV
I had spent a whole week being Jay's favorite person.
---
A whole week.
😭💔
---
Now?
---
I wasn't even in the top two.
💀
---
Author's POV
Around lunchtime...
---
Jay was sitting on the couch.
---
Alina curled up beside her.
---
Reading a picture book together.
🥺💖
---
Keifer walked over.
---
Sat down.
---
And immediately put his head in Jay's lap.
💀
---
Jay's POV
I looked down.
---
Then at Alina.
---
Then at Keifer.
---
Silence.
---
"What are you doing?"
---
"Getting attention."
😭💀
---
Author's POV
Jare nearly choked laughing.
---
Noah wasn't doing much better.
---
Keifer's POV
Nobody understands my suffering.
---
Nobody.
💀
---
Jay's POV
I started laughing.
---
Which apparently encouraged him.
---
Because now he looked pleased with himself.
😭
---
Then—
---
A tiny hand appeared.
---
And pushed his forehead.
💀
---
Author's POV
Silence.
---
Absolute silence.
---
Keifer stared.
---
Alina stared.
---
Jay stared.
---
Then Jare completely lost it.
😭🤣
---
Jay's POV
I couldn't breathe.
---
Because both of them looked equally offended.
💀
---
One was a toddler.
---
The other was Keifer.
---
Which honestly wasn't much different.
😭🤣
---
Author's POV
Eventually...
---
Jay ended up in the middle.
---
Literally.
---
Alina cuddled against one side.
---
Keifer leaning against the other.
---
Both acting like they hadn't spent the last hour competing.
💀💖
---
Jay's POV
I looked at both of them.
---
Then sighed.
---
"My babies."
---
Immediately—
---
Keifer smiled.
---
Alina smiled.
---
And suddenly neither seemed upset anymore.
😭🫶🏻
---
Author's POV
Because at the end of the day...
---
They both wanted the same thing.
---
Jay
✦ CHAPTER — "Mother-Daughter Day" ✦
Jay's POV
It started with breakfast.
---
A very serious breakfast.
😭💖
---
Alina climbed onto my lap.
---
Stole half my pancakes.
---
Then announced:
---
"Mama day."
🥺🫶🏻
---
I blinked.
---
"Mama day?"
---
She nodded seriously.
---
"Mama day."
---
I looked at Keifer.
---
He immediately looked suspicious.
💀
---
Author's POV
Twenty minutes later...
---
A plan had been made.
---
A very dangerous plan.
😭🤣
---
Mother-daughter day.
---
Just Jay and Alina.
---
No interruptions.
---
No distractions.
---
No Keifer.
💀
---
Keifer's POV
Excuse me?
---
What do you mean no Keifer?
😭💔
---
Jay's POV
I was trying very hard not to laugh.
---
Because the look on his face was priceless.
💀
---
"You'll survive."
---
"I won't."
---
"You will."
---
"I won't."
😭🤣
---
Author's POV
Unfortunately for Keifer...
---
Nobody took his suffering seriously.
💀
---
Not Jare.
---
Not Noah.
---
Not Mama Reycee.
---
Nobody.
😭🤣
---
Jay's POV
By noon...
---
Alina and I were out together.
---
Ice cream.
---
Shopping.
---
A small park.
---
Tiny adventures.
🥺💖
---
And honestly?
---
I loved every second.
---
Because she looked so happy.
---
Her little hand holding mine the entire time.
🫶🏻
---
Author's POV
Meanwhile...
---
Back at home.
---
Keifer was dramatically suffering.
💀
---
Keifer's POV
I checked my phone.
---
No messages.
---
I checked again.
---
Still no messages.
---
This was a tragedy.
😭💔
---
Author's POV
Jare was losing his mind laughing.
---
"You saw her this morning."
---
"That was hours ago."
💀
---
Keifer's POV
Nobody understands.
---
Nobody.
😭
---
Author's POV
Around evening...
---
Dark clouds appeared.
---
And suddenly rain began falling.
🌧️
---
Soft at first.
---
Then heavier.
---
Jay's POV
I laughed as Alina pointed at the rain.
---
A second later she was trying to catch the drops.
😭💖
---
My heart melted.
---
Completely.
---
Author's POV
The rain continued.
---
The roads became difficult.
---
And eventually...
---
Jay made a decision.
---
Instead of driving home immediately...
---
She stayed the night with Alina at Mama Reycee's place.
🥺🤍
---
Keifer's POV
When I got the text...
---
I stared at it.
---
For a long time.
💀
---
«Staying here tonight.
Rain is too heavy.
See you tomorrow 🤍»
---
Tomorrow?
---
TOMORROW?
😭💔
---
Author's POV
The next morning...
---
Jay walked through the front door smiling.
---
Happy.
---
Relaxed.
---
Holding Alina.
🥺💖
---
Then she noticed something.
---
Keifer.
---
Sitting on the couch.
---
Arms crossed.
---
Looking away dramatically.
💀
---
Jay's POV
"Oh no."
---
Jare immediately started laughing.
---
Noah nearly fell off the couch.
😭🤣
---
Because everyone already knew.
---
Keifer was pouting.
---
Author's POV
And unfortunately for Jay...
---
He planned on keeping it that way.
✦ CHAPTER — "I'm Not Pouting" ✦
Jay's POV
Keifer was ignoring me.
---
Completely.
---
Absolutely.
---
Professionally.
💀
---
The second I entered a room?
---
He left.
---
The second I sat beside him?
---
He stood up.
---
The second I spoke?
---
He suddenly became fascinated by the wall.
😭💀
---
"Keifer."
---
No response.
---
"Keifer."
---
Still nothing.
---
I looked at Jare.
---
Jare was already laughing.
😭🤣
---
Author's POV
It had been going on all morning.
---
And honestly?
---
Nobody was helping.
💀
---
Jay's POV
I finally cornered him in the kitchen.
---
Literally.
---
He opened the fridge.
---
I closed it.
---
He tried walking away.
---
I blocked him.
😭💀
---
"Are you seriously mad?"
---
"No."
---
"You are."
---
"I'm not."
---
"You're pouting."
---
"I'm not pouting."
💀
---
He was absolutely pouting.
---
Author's POV
Unfortunately...
---
Keifer wasn't planning on giving up.
😭🤣
---
Jay's POV
By afternoon I was getting desperate.
---
Because every time I tried apologizing—
---
He escaped.
💀
---
Actually escaped.
---
Like a criminal.
😭🤣
---
Author's POV
Later that evening...
---
Everyone was sitting together outside.
---
Talking.
---
Laughing.
---
Enjoying the weather.
🥺🤍
---
Jay finally decided enough was enough.
---
She was going to apologize properly.
---
No interruptions.
---
No running away.
---
No excuses.
---
Jay's POV
I stood up.
---
Ready.
---
Determined.
---
Then—
---
Noah suddenly wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
😭💀
---
"You're overthinking."
---
I sighed.
---
"I know."
---
"You'll survive."
---
"Hopefully."
😭🤣
---
It was completely innocent.
---
Completely harmless.
---
Friendly.
---
Normal.
---
Unfortunately...
---
Keifer saw it.
💀
---
Author's POV
Silence.
---
Absolute silence.
---
The atmosphere changed immediately.
😭💀
---
Keifer's POV
Interesting.
---
Very interesting.
---
So that's what we're doing now.
💀
---
Author's POV
The jealousy hit instantly.
---
Like a truck.
😭🤣
---
Jay's POV
I immediately knew.
---
Immediately.
---
Because his face changed.
💀
---
Not angry.
---
Worse.
---
Calm.
😭💀
---
Author's POV
The terrifying calm.
---
The jealous calm.
---
The "I'm definitely overthinking this" calm.
💀
---
Keifer's POV
I stood up.
---
Walked away.
---
Very maturely.
😭💀
---
Jay's POV
"KEIFER."
---
No response.
---
"Oh my God."
💀
---
Author's POV
Jare was dying.
---
Absolutely dying.
😭🤣
---
"Noah."
---
"What?"
---
"You just made it worse."
💀
---
Noah's POV
"I literally did nothing."
😭🤣
---
Author's POV
The rest of the evening somehow became even worse.
---
Because now Keifer wasn't just pouting.
---
He was jealous.
💀
---
And everyone knew it.
---
Especially Jay.
😭🫶🏻
---
Because every time she looked at him...
---
He looked away.
---
Immediately.
---
Like a dramatic movie character.
💀🤣
---
And honestly?
---
It would've been annoying.
---
If it wasn't so adorable.
✦ CHAPTER — "My Baby Is Angry?" ✦
Jay's POV
By nighttime...
---
I was done.
💀
---
Absolutely done.
---
Because Keifer had been ignoring me all day.
---
Running away.
---
Looking away.
---
Pretending I didn't exist.
😭💀
---
Meanwhile everyone else was enjoying the show.
---
Especially Jare.
---
Traitor.
💀
---
The living room was cozy.
---
Warm lights.
---
Soft conversations.
---
Everyone relaxing.
🥺🤍
---
Alina had already fallen asleep upstairs.
---
For once...
---
The house was peaceful.
---
And Keifer was sitting on the far end of the couch.
---
Still pouting.
😭🤣
---
I walked over.
---
Sat directly beside him.
---
Very close.
---
He immediately tried getting up.
💀
---
I grabbed his wrist.
---
"No."
---
"Jay."
---
"No."
😭💀
---
He sighed dramatically.
---
I sighed dramatically back.
---
The entire room immediately went quiet.
💀
---
Everyone watching.
---
Because apparently we were entertainment now.
😭🤣
---
Author's POV
Jay gently grabbed his face.
---
Turning it toward her.
🥺
---
Jay's POV
"There you are."
---
Silence.
---
I smiled softly.
---
"Why is my baby angry at me?"
😭💖
---
Immediately—
---
Jare choked.
---
Noah nearly fell off the couch.
---
Mama Reycee covered her mouth.
💀
---
Keifer's POV
I was trying very hard to stay annoyed.
---
Very hard.
---
Then she called me baby.
😭💔
---
Unfair.
---
Completely unfair.
---
Jay's POV
I gently poked his cheek.
---
"My baby is still upset?"
---
"No."
---
"Hubby?"
---
"No."
---
"Baby?"
---
"No."
💀
---
He was losing.
---
I could see it.
😭🤣
---
Author's POV
Very quickly.
---
Very visibly.
---
Losing.
💀
---
Jay's POV
I smiled.
---
"Then tell me."
---
Silence.
---
Then finally...
---
His shoulders dropped.
---
And the fight completely left him.
🥺🫀
---
Keifer's POV
"I missed you."
---
The words slipped out quietly.
---
"I know it was just one night."
---
"But I missed you."
😭💔
---
The room immediately softened.
---
Because suddenly...
---
The jealousy wasn't funny anymore.
---
It was just Keifer being honest.
🥺🤍
---
Jay's POV
My heart melted.
---
Completely.
---
Immediately.
---
Oh.
---
That was it.
💔🥺
---
I moved closer.
---
Wrapping my arms around him.
---
Without hesitation.
---
Without thinking.
---
And instantly—
---
Keifer buried his face against my shoulder.
😭🫶🏻
---
Author's POV
Everyone immediately looked away.
💀
---
Not because it was embarrassing.
---
Because this happened every time.
😭🤣
---
Jay's POV
I gently ran my fingers through his hair.
---
The way he liked.
---
The way that always calmed him down.
🥺🫀
---
"There."
---
"My baby isn't angry anymore."
---
A muffled voice came from my shoulder.
---
"Maybe a little."
💀
---
I laughed.
---
Author's POV
Five minutes later...
---
Keifer had completely forgotten he was supposed to be upset.
😭🤣
---
Because now he was practically attached to Jay.
---
Again.
---
As usual.
💀
---
One arm around her waist.
---
Head resting against her shoulder.
---
Refusing to move.
---
Jay's POV
"You were mad at me."
---
"I still am."
---
"Really?"
---
"Yes."
---
His arms tightened.
---
Slightly.
💀
---
I started laughing.
---
Author's POV
The rest of the evening passed peacefully.
---
Conversations.
---
Laughter.
---
Comfort.
🥺🤍
---
And somewhere along the way...
---
Keifer fell asleep.
---
Still leaning against Jay.
😭🫶🏻
---
His head resting on her shoulder.
---
One hand holding hers.
---
Like he was afraid she'd disappear.
💔🫀
---
Jay's POV
I looked down at him.
---
Sleeping peacefully.
---
Finally relaxed.
---
Finally happy.
---
And very gently...
---
I brushed a few strands of hair from his forehead.
---
Then kissed the top of his head.
🥺🤍
---
"My dramatic baby."
😭💀💖
---
Author's POV
Across the room...
---
Jare whispered:
---
"He's never beating the clingy allegations."
💀
---
Noah nodded immediately.
---
"Never."
😭🤣🫶🏻
---
And honestly?
---
Nobody expected him to.
🥹🤍✨😭🫶🏻💖
✦ CHAPTER — "Half Asleep, Fully Honest" ✦
Jay's POV
It was late.
---
Too late.
---
The kind of late where everything feels soft and blurry.
🥺🌙
---
The villa was quiet.
---
Finally.
---
Alina was asleep between us on the bed.
---
Curled up like a tiny starfish.
💖
---
And Keifer?
---
Was still awake.
---
Barely.
💀
---
His arm was around my waist.
---
My head rested on his chest.
---
His heartbeat slow and steady under my ear.
🥹🫶🏻
---
I thought he was asleep.
---
Until he spoke.
---
Very quietly.
---
"Jay…"
---
"Hm?"
---
Silence.
---
I lifted my head slightly.
---
"Keifer?"
---
He blinked slowly.
---
Like even his thoughts were tired.
💔
---
"I was thinking."
---
"That's dangerous."
---
A tiny huff of laughter escaped him.
---
But it faded quickly.
---
"I like it like this."
---
I frowned slightly.
---
"Like what?"
---
"Normal."
---
My chest softened.
🥺
---
He tightened his hold around me slightly.
---
"Just… you. Me. Her."
---
A pause.
---
Then quieter:
---
"I keep thinking it won't stay like this."
💔
---
I looked up at him properly now.
---
"Why are you thinking like that?"
---
He didn't answer immediately.
---
Just stared at the ceiling.
---
Then:
---
"Because good things don't stay forever."
---
Silence.
---
The words hit too softly.
---
Too deeply.
🥺🫀
---
I shifted closer.
---
"You're overthinking again."
---
"Maybe."
---
I reached up, gently brushing his hair back.
---
"Then stop."
---
He finally looked at me.
---
Tired eyes.
Soft voice.
---
"I'll try."
---
Then—
---
From between us—
---
A tiny voice:
---
"Mama."
💀💖
---
We froze.
---
Keifer immediately went silent.
---
I blinked.
---
"Yes, baby?"
---
Alina didn't even open her eyes.
---
"Water."
---
That's it.
---
Then she rolled over.
---
Back asleep.
😭🤣
---
Keifer stared at her.
---
Then at me.
---
"…she has timing."
---
I covered my face, laughing quietly.
---
"She really does."
---
He sighed dramatically.
---
And pulled me closer again.
---
Like nothing emotional had just happened.
💖
---
Keifer's POV
I was trying to stay awake.
---
Trying to remember what I said.
---
But Jay was warm.
---
Alina was warm.
---
Everything was warm.
---
Safe.
🥺🫀
---
I buried my face slightly into Jay's hair.
---
"Jay?"
---
"Yeah?"
---
A pause.
---
Then very softly:
---
"I don't want to lose this."
💔
---
She didn't answer immediately.
---
Just turned slightly in my arms.
---
And held me tighter.
---
"I know."
---
Then quieter:
---
"You won't."
🥺🫶🏻
---
My eyes closed before I could reply.
---
And for the first time in a long time…
---
That felt believable.
---
Author's POV
The room fell silent again.
---
Peaceful.
---
Soft breathing.
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Warmth everywhere.
🌙💖
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Until—
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"Mama."
💀
---
Jay opened one eye.
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"Yes, Alina?"
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"…snack."
😭🤣
---
Keifer didn't even move.
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Just whispered into Jay's shoulder:
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"I give up."
💀🫶🏻
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And Jay laughed quietly in the dark…
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While holding both of them a little closer.😭🫶🏻💖