Keifer's PoV
A week had passed, and the house had settled into a quiet rhythm. Jay was healing slowly, but steadily, her laughter returning in little bursts, the tightness around her eyes softening.
Even the baby, fluttering inside her, seemed calmer somehow—responding to her soothing hums and my constant presence.
But reality had a way of barging in when you least expected it.
"Jay… London," I said, voice careful, as we sat on the couch, her legs tucked under her. "I leave in two days. For the exchange program. Classes, meetings… all that."
Her eyes widened, and she clutched her stomach instinctively. "Two days?"
"Yeah," I said, trying to keep my tone light, though a knot was forming in my chest. "But hey… online classes for you. You won't have to miss anything at school. We'll… we'll figure it out."
Jay's bottom lip trembled. "And you'll be… there?"
I smiled, brushing her hair behind her ear. "No matter where I am, I'm always there. Just… digitally sometimes. That's all."
She exhaled sharply and leaned against me. "Digital Keifer… better be good at tech."
I laughed, feeling the tension ease slightly. "I'll survive. For you and the baby, I can survive anything."
She rolled her eyes but stayed close, letting me wrap an arm around her shoulder. And then, as if on cue, the doorbell rang.
"Who…?" Jay mumbled, still nestled into me.
I got up to answer, and the familiar chaos of Section E spilled into our living room—Ci:n, Calic, Felix, Dezel, and a few others, all grinning like mischief incarnate.
"Surprise!" Ci:n shouted, holding a box that smelled suspiciously like pastries.
"Farewell, Keifer!" Calic added dramatically, placing a small banner across the mantle that read 'See You in London!'
I glanced back at Jay, who was now sitting up, laughter bubbling despite herself. "You guys… this is—"
"Mandatory party," Felix said, plopping down on the couch beside her. "No excuses. You're leaving us, and we're making it memorable."
Dezel handed me a small wrapped box. "Open it later. Something to remember us by… or to scare you with."
Jay laughed, shaking her head. "I can't believe you all… in my house."
I smirked. "Section E does have a way of showing up where they're least expected."
The next hour was chaos in miniature—snacks everywhere, laughter bouncing off the walls, and Jay finally letting herself relax fully, even showing me how the baby fluttered with her movements.
I caught her hand in mine during a quiet moment, our fingers entwining naturally. "See? Everything's going to be okay," I murmured.
She smiled, eyes shining. "Yeah… okay. Just… don't forget us while you're in London."
"Never," I said, pressing my forehead to hers. "No matter the miles, you, the baby, and me—we're always together."
And as Section E sang loudly and horribly off-key in the background, I realized that even goodbyes could feel like home.