Chapter: More Surprises
(Jay's POV)
The mansion had finally gone quiet again.
After Aries ran away laughing with his phone, probably sending that embarrassing video to everyone he knew, I refused to leave Keifer's room for a while.
Not that he complained.
We were sitting together on the large couch in his room now. The evening light came through the tall windows, filling the room with a soft golden glow.
For the first time today…
Everything felt calm.
Too calm.
My legs were tucked under me while I leaned back against the couch, trying to process everything that had happened in the last few hours.
Five years of misunderstandings.
Five years of thinking he hated me.
Five years of convincing myself that I had moved on.
And now suddenly…
I was sitting in his room again like nothing had ever changed.
Keifer was beside me, one arm resting along the back of the couch behind my shoulders.
Close enough that I could feel his warmth.
Close enough that my heart still kept reminding me he was really there.
I glanced sideways at him.
He noticed immediately.
"What?"
"You're suspiciously calm."
He smirked slightly.
"I've had five years to prepare for this moment."
I frowned.
"What moment?"
"You storming into my house, screaming my full name."
I rolled my eyes.
"You deserved it."
He chuckled quietly.
"Probably."
For a moment we sat there in comfortable silence.
Then suddenly something crossed my mind.
I turned to him again.
"So…"
He raised an eyebrow.
"So?"
"What happened with everyone while I was gone?"
He looked thoughtful for a moment.
"A lot."
I sighed dramatically.
"That's not helpful."
He laughed softly.
"Alright, where do I start?"
I leaned back into the couch cushions.
"Surprise me."
He rested his elbow on the back of the couch and looked at me.
"Well… you already know about Aries being dramatic."
"Unfortunately."
"And Percy becoming even more sarcastic."
"Not surprising."
He paused.
Then said casually,
"Denzel and Grace had a baby."
I froze.
"…what?"
He nodded.
"A baby girl."
My eyes widened.
"Wait— since when?!"
"About two years ago."
I sat up straighter.
"Two years?!"
He laughed quietly at my shocked expression.
"You've really been gone for a long time."
"What's her name?"
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Grazel."
"That's cute."
He looked at me carefully.
"Grazel Jay."
My brain stopped working for a second.
"…what?"
He repeated it slowly.
"Grazel Jay."
I stared at him in disbelief.
"They named their daughter… after me?"
He nodded.
"Yes."
My chest suddenly felt tight.
"But… why?"
He shrugged slightly.
"Because Grace said you saved her life once."
I blinked.
That memory came back instantly.
The accident.
The hospital.
The night everything almost went wrong.
I swallowed slowly.
"She still remembers that?"
"Of course she does."
I leaned back again, staring at the ceiling.
"That's insane."
Keifer watched me quietly.
"You should meet her."
"I definitely should."
Then suddenly another thought hit me.
"Does she know about me?"
He smirked slightly.
"Oh yes."
"What does she call me?"
He chuckled.
"From what I heard… she calls you 'Jay Aunty.'"
I groaned.
"Oh no."
He laughed.
"Yes."
I shook my head, still trying to absorb the information.
"A baby girl named after me…"
"That's not the only surprise."
I turned to him again.
"There's more?"
He nodded.
"Yes."
"Should I be scared?"
"Maybe."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Keifer."
He laughed softly.
"Okay, okay."
Then he said,
"Cin is in a relationship."
My eyes widened slightly.
"Cin?"
He nodded.
"With Rakki."
For a moment I just stared at him.
"Wait…"
"Yeah."
"Cin… and Rakki?"
"Yes."
"That Rakki?"
"Yes."
I blinked slowly.
"…wow."
He laughed at my expression.
"That's exactly what I said."
"When did that happen?"
"About a year ago."
I shook my head in disbelief.
"I miss five years and everyone's lives become a drama series."
"Pretty much."
I leaned back against the couch again.
"My brain needs a break."
He smiled softly.
"You're not done yet."
I groaned.
"Please tell me that's the last surprise."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Well…"
"What."
"They're coming tomorrow."
My eyes snapped toward him.
"…who?"
"Cin and Rakki."
"Tomorrow?!"
"Yes."
"Here?!"
"Yes."
I covered my face with my hands.
"Oh my god."
He laughed quietly.
"What?"
"I'm not mentally prepared for this."
"You'll survive."
I peeked at him through my fingers.
"You say that like you're not the reason all this chaos started today."
He grinned.
"I think Aries deserves that credit."
"Fair."
I slowly lowered my hands.
"So tomorrow I meet a baby named after me…"
"Yes."
"And Cin and Rakki show up as a couple."
"Yes."
"And your brothers probably already told the entire family about us."
"Definitely."
I sighed dramatically.
"This is too much."
Keifer laughed again.
Then suddenly his arm moved around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him.
I didn't resist.
In fact…
I leaned into him.
After everything today…
It felt natural.
Comfortable.
Safe.
My head rested against his shoulder.
"You know…"
He looked down at me.
"What?"
"I missed this."
His voice softened.
"Me too."
For a moment we just sat there quietly.
Then I muttered,
"If Aries actually posted that video somewhere… I'm killing him."
Keifer chuckled.
"I'll help."