Jay pov.
Morning.
"Just one bite, baby," I said, feeding Kade mashed potatoes.
He turned his head in protest, crying dramatically. Well... not exactly crying. More like a dramatic opera performance with zero tears and maximum attitude.
"Eh…" he patted my boobs.
I sighed.
My six-month-old son had decided that real food was the enemy. Never mind that two weeks ago, he was grabbing at my plate like a starving kitten. Now? Mashed potatoes were apparently poison.
"Before, you wanted to eat food, and now when we're giving you real food, all you want is milk?" I said, more to myself than to him.
Kade responded by shoving his entire fist into his mouth and staring at me like I was the unreasonable one. His dark brown eyes—just like his father's—narrowed with suspicion.
I heard Keifer chuckle beside me while having his breakfast.
I glared at him.
"Not helping."
He raised an eyebrow, a piece of toast halfway to his mouth. "I'm not the one negotiating with a six-month-old."
"You try, then," I snapped, holding out the bowl. "Let's see how the great Keifer Watson handles a potato rebellion."
He looked at me, then at Kade.
Then calmly, he took the bowl from my hands.
"Let me feed him," he said.
I sat back, crossing my arms. Oh, this was going to be good.
He held a spoonful of mashed potatoes in front of Kade, angling it just right, like he'd seen in some parenting video I forced him to watch at 2 AM.
"Open your mouth, champ," he said, his voice low and gentle.
Kade just stared at him blankly. His dark brown eyes didn't blink.
Not impressed. Not interested. Just… blank.
Keifer coughed slightly to hide his embarrassment.
I was controlling my laugh. My shoulders shook. I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood.
He tried again, this time with a little more enthusiasm. "Kade will eat this yummy food," he said in that sing-song voice he swore he'd never use. He touched the spoon on Kade's lips.
Kade stared at him, then…
"Whaaaaa!" he started crying.
Not the dramatic fake cry from before. This was real. Tears welled up in his big dark brown eyes. His lower lip trembled. His little face turned red.
"Hey, why are you crying?" Keifer said, panic flashing across his face. He dropped the spoon—thank God it landed on the table and not the floor—and carried Kade in his arms. "Shh, shh, Daddy's got you."
But Kade was crying, reaching for me. His tiny arms stretched out like I was the only safe harbor in a storm.
And honestly? My heart broke a little.
And swelled a lot.
I sighed. Not out of annoyance. Out of love.
"Give him to me," I said to Keifer.
He handed Kade over gently, looking defeated. I carried Kade in my arms, pressing him against my chest. He was still crying, and now tears were falling from his eyes—real ones, wet and warm on my skin.
My chest tightened.
"It's okay, baby. If you don't like potatoes, it's okay. Mama will feed you milk," I said softly. I adjusted him on my lap, one hand cradling his head.
I pulled my shirt up, and when he saw my nipple, he hurriedly latched onto it.
Silence.
Sweet, beautiful silence.
"Wow… That's it?" Keifer whispered, staring at our son like he'd just witnessed magic.
I just shook my head, a tired smile on my lips.
Keifer sat beside me and started feeding me.
He picked up my fork—the one with my scrambled eggs—and held it to my mouth. "Open up, mama."
I rolled my eyes but opened my mouth. He fed me a bite. Then another.
"You're ridiculous," I mumbled between chews.
"You're hungry," he countered. "And you haven't eaten because you've been fighting the potato war."
I couldn't argue with that.
So there we sat. The three of us. Me feeding Kade with my body. Keifer feeding me with a fork. A weird little ecosystem of love and exhaustion.
Kade's eyes fluttered. His sucking slowed. His little hand rested on my chest, fingers splaying out like a starfish.
"He's falling asleep," Keifer whispered.
"I know," I whispered back. "Don't move."
Keifer froze, fork mid-air. "I wasn't planning to."
I laughed silently. Kade's mouth went slack. He unlatched, milk dribbling down his chin. His eyes closed. His breathing evened out.
My little boy. My whole world.
Keifer set down the fork and reached over, wiping Kade's chin with his thumb. Then he kissed my temple.
"You're amazing," he said.
"I know," I said again, because today I felt like being difficult.
He smiled. That real smile—the one that reached his eyes. The one I fell in love with.
---
(Late morning)
Kade woke up twenty minutes later, refreshed and apparently forgiving. He smiled at Keifer—that gummy, toothless grin that made everyone melt—and Keifer immediately picked him up and tossed him gently in the air.
"Again!" I said in Kade's voice. "Again, Daddy!"
Keifer laughed and did it again.
I cleaned up the breakfast dishes, watching them. Keifer was wearing a simple white t-shirt and gray sweatpants. His hair was messy. He hadn't shaved. He looked nothing like the polished, dangerous man I married.
He looked like mine.
"Jay," he said suddenly, catching Kade and holding him to his chest. " Do you want anything? We've been here for 3 months and you didn't buy anything for you not even when we had gone for shopping, you just said you had enough"
I blinked. "Yeah, I've everything "
"I know. But let's go for a shopping"
I turned off the water and dried my hands. "I don't need expensive thing or materialistic things."
"That's not what I asked."
I walked over to them, wrapping my arms around both my boys. "I just want us. Together. That's it."
Keifer studied my face. His eyes—dark brown, same as Kade's—were intense, the way they got when he was thinking too hard. "You're impossible to shop for."
"I'm really not."
"You said you wanted a nap for your birthday."
"Because I did want a nap."
He stared at me. "I bought you a diamond necklace."
"And I love it. But I also loved the nap you gave me the next day."
He shook his head, but he was smiling. "Fine. No gifts. Just us."
"Just us," I confirmed.
Kade grabbed a handful of Keifer's shirt and yanked. Keifer winced but didn't complain.
I kissed Kade's head. Then, because I was feeling brave, I kissed Keifer's jaw.
He turned his head and caught my lips properly. Soft. Slow. The kind of kiss that said I see you.
"Mommy and Daddy are being gross," Keifer whispered to Kade.
Kade blew a raspberry.
We both laughed.
---
(Afternoon)
The day passed in that hazy, wonderful way that Saturdays used to feel before we had a baby. Except now Saturdays were filled with diaper changes and puree explosions and the endless question: When did he last poop?
Keifer took Kade for a walk in the stroller while I showered alone—a luxury I never appreciated until I became a mother. I stood under the hot water for fifteen minutes, just breathing.
When I got out, wrapped in a towel, I stared at myself in the mirror.
My body had changed.
My stomach was softer. There were stretch marks on my thighs like tiny silver lightning bolts.
I used to hate them.
Now? They were proof. Proof that I grew a human. Proof that I survived.
I ran my fingers over them and smiled.
Then I heard the front door open.
"We're home!" Keifer called.
I threw on a sundress—yellow, because it was sunny outside and I wanted to feel pretty—and ran downstairs.
Kade was in his stroller, holding a tiny fistful of grass. His face was smeared with dirt. He looked thrilled. His dark brown eyes sparkled.
"Did you have fun, baby?" I cooed, unbuckling him.
He babbled something that sounded like "Mamamama" and shoved the grass toward my face.
A gift.
"Thank you, my love," I said, accepting the grass like it was a dozen roses.
Keifer leaned against the doorframe, watching us. His arms were crossed. His expression was soft.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing." He pushed off the frame and walked toward me. "Just… I'm happy."
I felt my throat tighten. "Yeah?"
"Yeah."
Kade started squirming, so I put him on the floor. He immediately crawled toward his toy basket at lightning speed—well, lightning speed for a baby. Which was more like a determined inchworm.
Keifer pulled me into his arms. Just held me.
"The first time I saw you," he murmured into my hair, "I knew."
"Knew what?"
"That you would be the death of me. And I didn't care."
I laughed against his chest. "That's dramatic."
"It's true."
I pulled back and looked up at him. "I love you, Keifer."
"I love you too, Jay. More than anything."
He kissed me again, deeper this time. His hand slid to my lower back. Mine went to his neck.
Then Kade squealed loudly from across the room, holding up a stuffed elephant like he'd won an Olympic medal.
We broke apart, laughing.
"Saved by the baby," Keifer said.
"Always."
---
(Evening)
The sun was setting, painting the living room in shades of orange and pink. I sat on the couch with Kade in my lap, reading him a picture book about a sleepy bear. Keifer was in the kitchen, cooking dinner. The smell of garlic and tomatoes filled the house.
"Bear says goodnight to the moon," I read softly. "Goodnight, moon. Goodnight, cow jumping over the moon."
Kade patted the page with his open palm. His dark brown eyes followed my finger.
"Goodnight, little baby," I whispered, kissing his head.
His eyes were already closing. The bath had done its job. He was warm and clean and smelled like lavender baby soap.
By the time Keifer came out with two plates of pasta, Kade was asleep in my arms.
"Don't you dare wake him," I said.
Keifer set the plates on the coffee table and sat beside me. "I wouldn't dare."
We ate in silence, passing glances over our son's sleeping form. It was intimate in a way I never expected. This quiet companionship. This shared exhaustion.
"What were you thinking about?" Keifer asked, twirling pasta on his fork.
"You," I said honestly. "Us. How we got here."
He nodded slowly. "You want to talk about it?"
I thought for a moment. "Not tonight. Tonight I just want to be here."
"Okay." He reached over and squeezed my hand. "We have time."
And for the first time in a long time, I believed him.
--
I woke up to a sudden sound.
It was like something fell.
My eyes snapped open. Darkness. The clock on my nightstand read 2:34 AM.
I turned on the lamp and saw Keifer wasn't there. Neither was Kade.
My heart stopped.
"Keifer…"
No response.
My heart was beating damn fast. I threw off the covers and stood up, my bare feet cold on the hardwood floor.
"Keifer…?" I said again, checking the washroom.
Empty. Just his towel hanging on the hook.
My mind started racing. Did someone take them? Is this a nightmare?
I came out of the room. Lamps were on in the hallway, giving warm light, but no one was there. The house felt too quiet. Not peaceful quiet. Wrong quiet.
I went downstairs, and everything was dark. No lights. Just darkness.
Why is it so dark?
My hands were shaking. I could feel my pulse in my throat.
I tried to reach for the switch, but the lights suddenly turned on.
I was a little startled—my breath caught—then I saw the lounge was decorated.
Balloons. Flowers. String lights. Photographs of us hanging from the ceiling on delicate ribbons. Our wedding. My pregnancy. Kade's first day home.
Suddenly I felt someone's arms wrap around my waist from behind.
"Happy anniversary, my queen," a voice whispered in my ear, his breath warm against my skin.
I know this voice very well.
Keifer.
My eyes widened with relief and surprise. My knees almost gave out.
I turned around in his arms. Keifer's arms. His stupid, wonderful, terrifying arms.
He was smirking while he gave me a mini heart attack.
I looked around the room and saw Kade sitting on the floor playing with balloons. He was in his little pajamas—the ones with the foxes on them—and he was perfectly safe. Happy. Babbling to a blue balloon like it was his best friend. His dark brown eyes were wide with wonder.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding back.
Thank God they are safe.
Then the worry was replaced by anger.
I hit Keifer's chest.
"Oww… What was that for?" he asked, rubbing the spot where I hit him.
"For making me worry," I said, hitting again. Harder this time.
"It was a surprise!"
"Surprise my—" I stopped, my eyes widening.
I completely forgot about the decorations.
Our first anniversary.
I again looked around the room, and it was beautifully decorated with flowers, balloons, and the balloons on the ceiling had our pictures hanging from the bottom. I saw a photo of us on our first date—the one where I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. I saw a photo of Keifer holding Kade for the first time, tears in his eyes.
My eyes softened and filled with tears.
"Happy anniversary," he wished me again, softer now.
I looked at him with wet eyes. He was nervous. I could tell. His jaw was tight. His hands were shoved in his pockets.
I couldn't form words.
So I hugged him.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on like he might disappear.
He also wrapped his arms around me. Tight. Safe.
"Happy anniversary," I whispered against his shoulder.
He kissed the top of my head. "I was so scared you'd be mad."
"I am mad. But I'm also happy."
He laughed, and I felt it vibrate through his chest. "I'll take it."
We really completed our one year of marriage.
When he revealed the plan—the betrayal, the lies, the whole truth—I thought that we could never be at this point. I thought we were over before we even began.
But now we're here celebrating our first anniversary with our son.
Life is weird.
I pulled back and looked at him.
He was smiling, though his eyes were wet. The great Keifer Watson, the man who never cried, had tears clinging to his lashes.
"We completed our one year of marriage," I said, smiling through my own tears.
"And we'll spend our whole lives with each other," he said and kissed my cheek. His lips lingered.
I stood on my toes and kissed his jaw. It was rough with stubble. I loved it.
"I love you," I said and wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my face in his neck. He smelled like his cologne—the expensive one he only wore on special occasions.
He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me off the floor. My feet dangled. I laughed.
"I love you too, more than anything, more than my life," he said, and a wobbly laugh escaped from me.
He put me down and rested his forehead against mine. His breathing matched mine.
"Thank you for forgiving me and for marrying me," he said.
"Thank you for not giving up on me, on us. When I was on the verge of giving up," I said, and a tear escaped from my eye. It rolled down my cheek and dropped onto his hand.
"I never gave up on you. On us. And I never will," he said.
He brought his face closer to mine. I also leaned in, and our lips met.
The kiss was soft at first, then it deepened.
His tongue brushed against my lower lip, and I parted my lips slightly, letting him in. The world around us disappeared—the lights, the decorations, even the balloons. All I could feel was him. His hands tightened on my waist, pulling me flush against him.
I fisted his shirt in my hands, pulling him closer. There was no space between us. Just heat and breath and the quiet sound of our mouths moving together.
A small giggle broke us apart.
We both turned to see Kade watching us, a balloon clutched in his tiny fist, his big dark brown eyes curious. He had no idea what was happening, but he was entertained.
Keifer let out a low laugh, resting his forehead against mine again. "Looks like someone wants attention too."
I smiled and wiped my wet cheeks. "He's always watching. We have to be careful now."
Keifer looked at our son, then back at me. "Worth it," he whispered, then pressed a quick kiss to my lips—just a peck, a promise.
He let go of me and walked over to Kade, picking him up. Kade babbled happily, reaching for the hanging pictures. His little fingers swiped at the air.
"Look, champ," Keifer said, pointing at one of the photos—our wedding picture. I was in my white dress. Keifer was in his suit, his hand on my waist, looking at me like I was the sun. "That's the day your mama made me the luckiest man alive."
My heart swelled.
I walked over to them, and Keifer wrapped his free arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his side. Kade immediately leaned toward me, and I took him in my arms. He patted my face with his open palm. Gentle. Curious.
Then I saw the cake.
It was sitting on a small table in the corner, surrounded by tea lights. A small white cake with elegant gold letters that said "One year down, forever to go." Two candles were lit on top. The flames flickered softly.
My breath caught.
"You did all this?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
Keifer shrugged, but I could see the pride in his eyes. "I had help. Kade picked the balloons."
I looked at Kade. "Did you, baby?"
He shrieked happily.
I laughed. "He's a natural."
"Come on," Keifer said, taking my hand. He led me to the table, then positioned me in front of the cake, standing behind me with his arms around my waist. Kade was still in my arms, watching the candles with wide dark brown eyes. The fire reflected in them.
"Together?" I asked, looking back at him.
"Together," he said.
He placed his hands over mine on the knife. Kade's tiny hand joined on top of his, completely by accident, and we both laughed.
"Looks like Kade wants to help," Keifer said.
We cut the first slice together—the three of us. It was messy, the knife wobbled, and frosting got on Kade's fingers, but it was perfect.
The slice came out crooked and lopsided, and half the frosting stayed on the knife. But none of that mattered.
Keifer took the slice and placed it on a plate. Then he picked up a piece with his fingers and held it to my lips.
"Happy anniversary, my queen," he said softly.
I took a bite, the sweetness melting on my tongue. Vanilla. Buttercream. Love.
Then I picked up a piece and fed it to him. Some of the frosting smeared on his upper lip. I wiped it off with my thumb and licked it.
He stared at me, his dark brown eyes darkening further.
"Stop looking at me like that," I said, feeling my cheeks flush.
"Like what?"
"Like you want to eat me instead of the cake."
He grinned—slow and dangerous. "Maybe I do."
Kade reached for the cake again, and I gave him a tiny taste on my fingertip. He smacked his lips, decided it was acceptable, and demanded more by slapping the table.
"Okay, okay, little monster," I laughed, giving him another tiny smear.
Keifer pulled me closer, Kade squished between us, and kissed my forehead. "I love you," he said.
"I love you too," I whispered back.
Kade let out a happy squeal and clapped his frosting-covered hands together, making both of us laugh.
"Now you're both sticky," Keifer said, looking down at his shirt where frosting had flown.
"Welcome to parenthood," I said.
He didn't look annoyed. He looked… happy. Really happy.
---
(Late night — after cake)
Kade was now starting to fuss because it's past his bed time.
"He should sleep now" I said and sat on the couch and put him on my lap nursing him.
His eyes was closing and he fall asleep.
Keifer came and sat beside me.
I leaned on him and he wrapped his arm around me.
"Sleep?"
"Who wouldn't?"
He suddenly stood up.
"Give him to me" he said and took Kade from me.
He headed up stairs.
Wow.... Just wow...
He left his wife on our anniversary?
Traitor.
I laid on the couch cursing him under my breath.
I closed my eyes when I felt couch was falling and I was in the air.
I opened my eyes and I was in the air.
I was about to pass out when I saw keifer.
Ohh... Je carried me.
I leaned against his chest.
He took me to bedroom and laid me on the bed.
He laid beside me.
"Good night" he whispered and pulled me close.
I didn't reply because I was already half asleep
_____.
Hey guys!
I hope you like the chapter..
Givee ideas for their anniversary.
Target
50+ comments,
20+ votes.