Ceo Couple-Jayfer-Chapter 22 - 21: Lap Pillow and Love

Three days after Keifer came home. Watson house. Living room.

Keifer was supposed to be resting.

Instead, he was lying on the couch with his head in Jay’s lap, looking up at her with sleepy eyes.

"You’re supposed to be sleeping," Jay said, running her fingers through his hair.

"I am sleeping."

"Your eyes are open."

"Resting my eyes."

"That’s not how resting works."

He almost-smiled. "You’re pretty from this angle."

Jay rolled her eyes. "You’re delirious."

"I’m honest." He reached up. Touched her face. "So pretty."

"Keifer. Sleep."

"Make me."

She grabbed a blanket. Threw it over his face.

He laughed. Actually laughed. Then coughed.

Jay panicked. "Are you okay? Do you need water? Should I call the doctor?"

He pulled the blanket down. Still smiling. "I’m fine. Relax."

"You just coughed."

"Because you tried to suffocate me."

"That was love."

"Violent love."

"The best kind."

He grabbed her hand. Kissed her palm.

"I love you," he murmured.

"I love you too. Now sleep."

"Only if you stay."

"Where would I go?"

"I don’t know. The kitchen. Your house. Mars."

"You’re ridiculous."

"Your ridiculous."

She kissed his forehead. "Yeah. Mine."

He closed his eyes. Finally.

In the kitchen, both families were "casually" gathered.

Keizer peeked through the doorway. "He’s sleeping in her lap."

Serina smiled. "She’s playing with his hair."

Jasfer wiped his eyes. "My baby girl. Taking care of him."

Mama Reycee grabbed his arm. "Look at them. So peaceful."

Percy had his phone out. Recording. "This is gold."

Aries crossed his arms. "If he wasn’t sick, I’d tell him to get a room."

Ella elbowed him. "Let them be cute."

Keigan was also recording. From a different angle. "Archives. Definitely archives."

Keiren tugged Serina’s sleeve. "Mommy, why is Kuya sleeping on Kuya’s girlfriend’s lap?"

"Because he’s tired, baby. And she loves him."

"Oh." Keiren nodded. "Can I sleep on someone’s lap someday?"

Everyone laughed.

"Probably, baby," Serina said. "When you’re older."

"Good. Looks comfortable."

Back in the living room, Keifer wasn’t sleeping.

He opened one eye. Looked up at Jay.

"You know they’re watching, right?"

Jay glanced toward the kitchen. Saw heads duck behind the doorway.

"I know."

"Bothers you?"

"Nope." She kept playing with his hair. "Let them watch. We’re cute."

He almost-smiled. "We are."

"Very cute."

"The cutest."

She laughed. "Okay, sleepy. Enough talking."

"I’m not sleepy."

"Your eyes are closing."

"Am just resting them."

"You said that already."

"Because it’s true."

She shook her head. Smiled.

He reached up. Touched the necklace she still wore. The one he gave her.

"You never take this off," he murmured.

"Never."

"Even in the shower?"

"Keifer."

"Curious."

"I take it off for showers. Put it right back on."

He smiled. Soft. Real.

"I love that."

"Love what?"

"That you wear it. Always."

She leaned down. Kissed his nose.

"I love you. Now shut up and rest."

"Bossy."

"Your bossy."

He closed his eyes. Finally slept.

An hour later, Keiren couldn’t contain himself anymore.

He tiptoed into the living room. Stood by the couch. Stared.

Jay noticed. Whispered, "Hey, Keiren. What’s up?"

"Is Kuya asleep?"

"Yeah, baby. He’s resting."

"He looks peaceful." Keiren tilted his head. "Usually he looks grumpy."

Jay bit back a laugh. "Yeah. He’s less grumpy when he sleeps."

"Good." Keiren nodded seriously. "You’re good for him, Kuya’s girlfriend."

Jay’s heart melted. "Thanks, Keiren."

"Can I sit here? Quietly?"

"Sure, baby."

Keiren sat on the floor beside the couch. Leaned against it. Quiet.

Jay kept running her fingers through Keifer’s hair.

Keiren watched. Then whispered, "Can I ask something?"

"Sure."

"Do you love my Kuya? Like really really?"

Jay looked down at Keifer. Asleep. Peaceful. Hers.

"Yeah, Keiren. Really really."

"Good." He nodded. "Me too. He’s my favorite Kuya."

"He’s my favorite too."

They sat in silence. Comfortable.

Then Keiren whispered, "You’re my favorite Kuya’s girlfriend."

Jay laughed quietly. "I’m your only Kuya’s girlfriend."

"Still favorite."

"Thanks, baby."

In the kitchen, the families were losing it.

Keizer grabbed Serina. "DID YOU SEE THAT? KEIREN JOINED THEM?"

Serina nodded, emotional. "They’re all together. So sweet."

Jasfer pointed. "Keiren’s leaning on the couch. Jay’s petting Keifer’s hair. This is a painting."

Mama Reycee wiped her eyes. "I need a photo. Forever."

Percy already took one. "Sent to Honey. She’s crying at work."

Aries pretended to be tough. "It’s okay, I guess."

Ella poked him. "You’re smiling."

"I’m not."

"You are."

"...Fine. It’s cute."

Keigan had his phone on a tripod now. "Full documentary mode."

Keifer woke up an hour later.

Felt Jay’s fingers in his hair. Heard soft breathing.

Opened his eyes.

Jay was leaned back, eyes closed. Asleep.

Keiren was curled on the floor, also asleep. Using the couch as a pillow.

Keifer smiled. Real smile.

Two of his favorite people. Right there.

He shifted carefully. Sat up. Jay stirred.

"Hey," she mumbled. "You okay?"

"Perfect." He kissed her forehead. "You’re perfect."

She blinked sleepily. "What time is it?"

"Doesn’t matter."

"Keifer."

"Jay." He almost-smiled. "Rest. I’m awake now."

She looked at him. "You feel okay? Fever? Cough? Pain?"

He grabbed her hand. Kissed it.

"I feel loved. That’s enough."

She rolled her eyes. But smiled. "Corny."

"Shut up."

"Make me."

He leaned in. Kissed her. Soft. Sweet.

When they pulled apart, Keiren was awake. Staring.

"KUISSS," he whisper-yelled.

Jay laughed. "Sorry, Keiren. Did we wake you?"

"No. But kissing is gross."

Keifer looked at him. "You’ll understand when you’re older."

"No I won’t."

"You will."

"NO."

Jay laughed harder.

The families finally emerged from the kitchen. "Casually."

Keizer: "Oh! You’re all awake!"

Serina: "We were just... making snacks."

Jasfer: "Didn’t see anything."

Mama Reycee: "Nothing at all."

Jay raised an eyebrow. "Sure."

Keifer just shook his head.

Keiren ran to his mom. "Mommy! Kuya and Kuya’s girlfriend were kissing!"

Serina smiled. "Were they, baby?"

"Yes. Gross."

"You’ll like it someday."

"NO."

Everyone laughed.

Keifer pulled Jay closer. She leaned into him.

"Tired?" he murmured.

"A little. You?"

"Better. You help."

"Good."

"Always good with you."

She kissed his cheek. "Love you."

"Love you too."

Keiren made gagging noises. But he was smiling.