Chapter Eighteen: Brotherly Roast
The weekend arrived with perfect weather—sunny, warm, the kind of day that begged for lounging by the pool.
Jay had other plans.
She was in the kitchen, teaching Keiran how to make cookies. Flour covered every surface, including both of them. Keifer watched from the doorway, heart full, phone recording everything.
"Mamma! More sprinkles!"
"Baby, we already put sprinkles."
"MORE!"
"Okay, okay. More sprinkles."
Keiran cheered. Keifer laughed. Life was perfect.
---
The doorbell rang.
Jay looked up. "Expecting someone?"
Keifer frowned. "No. Percy and Aries said they were busy this weekend."
"Maybe it's C.N.?"
"Let's find out."
He headed for the door, Jay following with Keiran on her hip.
They opened the door to find Percy and Aries on the doorstep, both grinning.
"SURPRISE!" Percy yelled. "We come bearing gifts and chaos!"
Aries held up a bag. "Tita Gemma sent food. She was worried you weren't eating properly."
Keifer stepped back to let them in. "We're eating fine. Jay's a good cook."
Percy bounded inside, then froze.
His eyes landed on Jay.
Covered in flour. Keiran on her hip. Cookie dough in her hair.
"Oh no," he whispered.
Jay smiled sweetly. "Hello, brothers. What a nice surprise."
Aries, smarter than Percy, immediately sensed danger. "We can leave. If this is a bad time."
"Nonsense." Jay's smile didn't waver. "Come in. Stay. We were just making cookies."
Percy took a cautious step backward. "You're... you're covered in flour."
"I am."
"And cookie dough."
"Yes."
"And you're smiling like that."
"Like what?"
Percy looked at Keifer for help. Keifer shrugged, clearly enjoying himself.
"Like... like you're planning something," Percy finished weakly.
Jay laughed—a light, musical sound that made Percy flinch. "Percy. Brother of mine. Why would I be planning something?"
"I don't know. But you are. I can feel it."
"Don't be ridiculous." She turned, heading back toward the kitchen. "Come help with cookies."
Percy looked at Aries. Aries looked at the ceiling.
Keifer clapped them both on the shoulder. "Good luck."
---
The kitchen was chaos.
Flour everywhere. Sprinkles on the floor. Keiran singing at the top of his lungs.
Jay set him down and turned to her brothers.
"So. Percy. How's Honey?"
Percy lit up. "She's amazing! She's perfect! She's—"
"Did you know she told me you forgot your three-month anniversary?"
Percy's face fell. "She... she told you that?"
"She tells me everything. We're best friends, remember?"
"I—I didn't forget! I just... postponed the celebration?"
"Postponed." Jay raised an eyebrow. "For two weeks?"
"There was a thing! A work thing! Very important!"
"Honey said you were playing video games."
Percy opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
Aries snorted.
Percy whirled on him. "You're not helping!"
"I'm not trying to help. I'm enjoying the show."
Jay turned to Aries. "Speaking of shows. Ella mentioned you've been working late every night this week."
Aries stiffened. "It's a busy time at the office."
"Ella said you've been home by six every night."
"She... did?"
"She also said you've been falling asleep on the couch instead of coming to bed."
Aries's face went red. "That's—I've been tired—"
"She thinks you're avoiding her."
"I'm NOT avoiding her!"
"Then why are you sleeping on the couch?"
Aries looked at Percy for help. Percy was too busy trying to disappear into the floor.
Keifer leaned against the counter, thoroughly enjoying himself. Keiran had stopped singing to watch the drama.
Jay crossed her arms. "Well?"
Aries sighed. "I'm not avoiding her. I've just... been stressed. About work. About us. About—" He ran a hand through his hair. "I love her, Jay. You know I do. I'm just... bad at showing it sometimes."
Jay's expression softened slightly. "Then show her. She's not a mind reader."
"I know."
"Tell her you love her. Every day. Not just when it's convenient."
"I know."
"And stop sleeping on the couch."
"...I know."
Jay turned to Percy. "And you. Stop forgetting important dates. Write them down. Set reminders. Be better."
Percy nodded frantically. "Yes. Okay. I will. Definitely."
"And maybe don't choose video games over your girlfriend."
"Never again. I swear."
Keifer laughed out loud. Keiran clapped.
Jay smiled—the sweet smile that terrified them both. "Good. Now help with cookies."
---
They helped.
Percy measured flour (badly). Aries stirred (competently). Keiran directed (loudly). Jay supervised (mercilessly).
By the time the cookies were in the oven, Percy was covered in more flour than Jay had been. Aries had somehow gotten sprinkles in his hair. Keiran was declared the official taste-tester.
Keifer pulled Jay aside. "You were hard on them."
"They deserved it."
"True." He kissed her forehead. "But you were also right. They need to hear it."
"They need to hear it from someone who loves them." She looked at her brothers, laughing in her kitchen. "They're good men. Just clueless sometimes."
"The best men usually are."
She smiled up at him. "Present company included?"
"Especially present company." He kissed her softly. "I'm clueless about you every day."
"That's romantic."
"It's true."
---
Cookies finished, they moved to the living room.
Keiran demanded a movie. Percy demanded snacks. Aries demanded peace and quiet (he got neither).
Halfway through the movie, Jay struck again.
"Percy. Honey mentioned you snore."
Percy choked on his cookie. "I do NOT snore!"
"Honey says you do. Loudly. She's been wearing earplugs."
"She... she has?"
"For three months."
Percy looked devastated. "Why didn't she tell me?"
"She didn't want to hurt your feelings."
"But—but—" He sputtered. "I can fix that! There are things! Nose strips! Exercises! I'll do anything!"
Jay patted his knee. "Good answer."
Aries snorted again.
"And you." Jay turned to him. "Ella said you leave your socks everywhere."
Aries froze. "That's—that's different."
"It's not different. It's annoying."
"I'll... pick them up?"
"Good answer."
Keifer laughed so hard he nearly fell off the couch.
Keiran, confused but delighted by the adults' drama, clapped along.
---
By evening, Percy and Aries were thoroughly roasted.
They'd been called out on forgetting dates, snoring, leaving socks everywhere, working too much, not working enough, being dramatic, being too quiet, and approximately seventeen other things.
They'd also been fed cookies, hugged repeatedly, and reminded—constantly—that they were loved.
As they prepared to leave, Percy pulled Jay aside.
"Hey. Baby sista."
"Yeah?"
"I know you were teasing today. But... thanks. For caring enough to notice. For caring enough to say something." He hugged her tight. "You're the best sister ever."
She hugged him back. "You're the best brother ever. Even if you snore."
"I don't snore!"
"Keep telling yourself that."
Aries approached, more restrained but equally warm. "You're good at this, troublemaker."
"At what?"
"Keeping us in line. Making us better." He kissed her forehead. "We're lucky to have you."
She blinked back tears. "I'm lucky to have you too."
Keifer appeared, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Ready to go, you two? It's getting late."
Percy grinned. "Eager to get rid of us?"
"Always."
They laughed, hugging goodbye. Keiran waved from the doorway, cookie in hand.
"Bye Tio Percy! Bye Tio Aries! Come back soon!"
"We will, little man!" Percy called. "Bring more cookies!"
---
The door closed, leaving peace behind.
Keifer pulled Jay close. "You were magnificent today."
"I was just being honest."
"That's what made it magnificent." He kissed her. "I love you."
"I love you too." She smiled. "Even if you leave your socks everywhere too."
"I do not!"
"Keif. I've seen your room."
He paused. "...Okay, maybe sometimes."
She laughed, pulling him back inside.
The night was warm, the cookies were delicious, and Keiran was already asking for more sprinkles.
Life was perfect.
---
End of Chapter Eighteen