Chapter: The Morning After the Storm
(Jay's POV)
I woke to warmth.
Not just the warmth of sheets or the soft morning light filtering through the curtains.
But him.
Keifer's arms wrapped around me like I was something precious. His chest against my back. His breath slow and even against my hair.
Every muscle in my body ached.
But it was the good kind of ache.
The kind that reminded me of last night.
Of him.
Of us.
I smiled against the pillow.
Then I felt it.
His lips on my shoulder.
Soft.
Gentle.
Tracing a path up my neck.
"You're awake," I whispered.
His arms tightened around me.
"Mm."
"Been awake for a while."
"Just watching you."
I turned in his arms.
Faced him.
His eyes were soft.
Content.
Happy.
"Good morning," he murmured.
I touched his face.
"Good morning."
He kissed me.
Slow.
Sweet.
Nothing like last night's frenzy.
This was morning love.
Quiet.
Tender.
Perfect.
When we finally pulled apart—
I rested my forehead against his.
"Last night was—"
"Intense?"
I laughed.
"Yeah."
"Intense."
He grinned.
"Good intense?"
I looked at him.
At this man.
This ridiculous, wonderful man.
Who loved me like I was the only woman in the world.
"The best intense."
He kissed my nose.
"Good."
"Because I have a feeling—"
"Tonight will be the same."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Confident?"
He pulled me closer.
"Hopeful."
I laughed.
Buried my face in his chest.
"We have wedding planning today."
He groaned.
"Don't remind me."
"Angelo will kill us if we're late."
"Again."
I peeked up at him.
"Worth it though?"
He looked at me.
Really looked.
"Every single time."
---
An Hour Later – The Kitchen
We finally dragged ourselves out of bed.
Barely.
Stumbling.
Laughing.
Stealing kisses between making coffee.
I stood by the counter in one of his shirts.
Nothing else.
He leaned against the opposite counter.
Also barely dressed.
Also staring at me.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing."
"You're staring."
"Admiring."
I rolled my eyes.
"You're ridiculous."
"You love it."
I smiled.
"Unfortunately."
He walked toward me.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Pinned me against the counter.
His lips found my neck.
I tilted my head.
Gave him access.
"Keifer—"
"Mm?"
"We have to—"
"Go—"
"To Angelo's—"
He kissed higher.
"Five more minutes."
"Keifer."
"Four."
"Keifer."
"Three."
I laughed.
Pushed him away gently.
"You're impossible."
He grinned.
"You love me."
I kissed him quick.
"I do."
"Now go get dressed."
"Before your brothers start calling."
As if on cue—
Both our phones buzzed.
Angelo: 10AM. DON'T BE LATE.
Angelo: I MEAN IT.
Angelo: BOTH OF YOU.
Aries: THEY'RE DEFINITELY DOING IT AGAIN.
Percy: 100% doing it again.
Cin: Respect.
Rakki: Jealous.
Denzel: Please don't let Grazel see this.
Grace: She's already seen everything.
Grazel: KEIF! SMOL! WUV!
I stared at the screen.
Keifer stared over my shoulder.
We looked at each other.
Same thought.
Same realization.
Same—
"They know."
He laughed.
"They always know."
I buried my face in his chest.
"I'm never leaving this house."
He kissed my head.
"Fine with me."
Another buzz.
Angelo: 10AM. I WILL COME GET YOU.
Angelo: WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY.
Angelo: INCLUDING GRAZEL.
Grazel: SMOOOOL!
I sighed.
"We have to go."
"Five more minutes."
"You said that already."
"And I'll say it again."
"Every day."
I smiled.
Looked up at him.
"Every day?"
He kissed my forehead.
"Every single day."
---
The Drive to Angelo's
Hand in hand.
Sun shining.
Normal.
Peaceful.
Perfect.
Until—
My phone rang.
I glanced at the screen.
Freya.
I answered.
"Hey—"
"JAY WHERE ARE YOU?!"
Her voice.
Panicked.
"We're on our way—"
"EVERYONE'S HERE!"
"Angelo is pacing!"
"Aries is making bets on when you'll arrive!"
"Percy is checking himself in every mirror!"
"Grazel is asking for Smol every five seconds!"
I looked at Keifer.
He heard everything.
He smirked.
"Tell them we're almost there."
I relayed.
Freya sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
"But hurry."
"Before Angelo actually loses his mind."
She hung up.
I looked at Keifer.
"This is our life now."
He squeezed my hand.
"Best life."
I smiled.
"Yeah."
"Best life."
---
Angelo's House – The Living Room
The moment we walked in—
Everyone turned.
Silence.
Then—
Angelo.
Arms crossed.
Glaring.
"You're late."
I checked my watch.
9:58.
"We're two minutes early."
He blinked.
Looked at his own watch.
Frowned.
"Oh."
Aries burst out laughing.
"HE CHECKED!"
Percy pointed.
"HE THOUGHT HE WON!"
Angelo shot them both a death glare.
They ignored him.
Grazel ran toward me.
"SMOL!"
I scooped her up.
She hugged my neck tight.
"Smol late!"
I laughed.
"Smol sorry."
She nodded seriously.
"S'okay."
"Smol here now."
I kissed her cheek.
"Best reason to hurry."
Grace walked over.
Took Grazel.
"Sorry about her."
I shook my head.
"Never apologize."
"She's perfect."
Grace smiled.
"She really is."
Keifer's hand found my lower back.
Warm.
Present.
Mine.
Angelo clapped.
"OKAY EVERYONE!"
"WEDDING PLANNING STARTS NOW!"
The room erupted.
Chairs moving.
Papers shuffling.
Everyone talking at once.
Chaos.
Beautiful chaos.
I looked at Keifer.
He looked at me.
Same smile.
Same thought.
Same—
"This is insane."
He kissed my temple.
"The best kind of insane."
---
Hours Later
We had somehow survived.
Plans made.
Decisions decided.
Color schemes chosen.
Guest lists finalized.
And now—
Everyone was scattered around the house.
Resting.
Talking.
Being family.
I sat on the back porch.
Watching the sunset.
Keifer beside me.
His arm around me.
Mine around him.
"Tired?" he asked.
"Exhausted."
"Happy?"
I leaned into him.
"The happiest."
He kissed my head.
"Good."
We sat in silence.
Watching the sky change colors.
Orange.
Pink.
Purple.
Beautiful.
Peaceful.
Perfect.
Then—
A tiny voice behind us.
"Keif! Smol!"
We turned.
Grazel.
Standing at the door.
Holding her stuffed rabbit.
Grace behind her.
"Sorry— she escaped."
I smiled.
"Come here, baby."
Grazel ran.
Climbed onto my lap.
Snuggled against me.
"Smol warm."
I hugged her.
"Yeah."
"Smol warm."
Keifer looked at us.
His eyes soft.
Full of something.
Something deep.
Something real.
"What?" I asked.
He shook his head.
"Just—"
"Looking at my future."
My heart melted.
"Keifer—"
He leaned over.
Kissed me.
Soft.
Sweet.
Over Grazel's head.
Grazel looked up.
"Keif kiss Smol?"
We laughed.
"Yes, baby."
"Keif kiss Smol."
She nodded seriously.
"Good."
"Smol like kisses."
Grace covered her mouth.
Trying not to laugh.
I buried my face in Grazel's hair.
Hiding my blush.
Keifer just grinned.
Proud.
Happy.
Him.
---
Later – Leaving
Everyone said their goodbyes.
One by one.
Hugs.
Promises.
See you tomorrows.
Finally—
Just us.
And Angelo.
He stood at the door.
Arms crossed.
But smiling.
"Next month."
I nodded.
"Next month."
He pointed at Keifer.
"Take care of her."
Keifer nodded.
"Always."
He pointed at me.
"Take care of him."
I smiled.
"Obviously."
Angelo grinned.
Pulled us both into a hug.
Surprising.
Warm.
"Proud of you two."
I hugged back.
"Thanks, Kuya."
Keifer nodded.
"Thank you, Angelo."
He pulled away.
Wiped a fake tear.
"Now go."
"Before I cry for real."
We laughed.
Walked to the car.
Drove away.
Watching Angelo's house shrink in the rearview mirror.
---
The Drive Home
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Hand in hand.
"You know," I said.
"Hm?"
"Today was chaotic."
He squeezed my hand.
"It was."
"But also?"
I looked at him.
"Perfect."
He smiled.
"Yeah."
"Perfect."
I leaned my head on his shoulder.
"I can't wait to marry you."
He kissed my head.
"Me neither."
"Next month feels too far."
I laughed.
"After six years?"
"One month is nothing."
"True."
"But also?"
"What?"
"I just want to be your wife already."
He was quiet for a moment.
Then—
"Same."
"Every day."
"Every night."
"Every moment."
I looked up at him.
At his profile.
At the man who had waited six years.
The man who loved me.
The man who was mine.
"We have forever," I whispered.
He glanced at me.
Smiled.
"Yeah."
"Forever."
"And tonight?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"What about tonight?"
His eyes darkened slightly.
That look.
The one that made my stomach flip.
"I was thinking—"
"We could start celebrating early."
I laughed.
"Keifer."
"Jay."
"We have wedding planning tomorrow."
"Again."
"Worth it?"
He pulled into our driveway.
Parked.
Turned to me.
That smile.
The one that made my heart race.
"Every single time."
---
That Night – Our Room
He didn't wait.
The moment the door closed—
He was on me.
Lips.
Hands.
Heat.
"Mmm— Keifer—"
He kissed down my neck.
"You're wearing too much."
I laughed.
"So take it off."
He looked up.
Eyes dark.
"That a challenge?"
I pulled him closer.
"Always."
He grinned.
"Good."
"And I always win."
I raised an eyebrow.
"We'll see about that."
He kissed me.
Deep.
Desperate.
Hungry.
And the night—
Became ours again.
---
Hours Later
I lay in his arms.
Breathless.
Sated.
Happy.
His heartbeat under my ear.
Mine matching his.
"Jay?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
I smiled against his chest.
"I love you too."
"More than anything."
He kissed my head.
"More than everything."
I looked up at him.
At this man.
This ridiculous, wonderful, perfect man.
"The wedding—"
"Next month—"
"I can't wait."
He smiled.
Soft.
Tender.
"Me neither."
"But tonight?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"What about tonight?"
He pulled me closer.
"Tonight, you're mine."
"And I'm yours."
"And that's enough."
I melted.
"Yeah."
"That's more than enough."
He kissed me.
Soft.
Sweet.
Full of promise.
And outside—
The world kept spinning.
But in that room—
There was only us.
Only love.
Only forever.
The end.
(For now.)