The next morning, the sunlight was gentle as it slipped through the curtains. The house felt warm and peaceful, like it had been waiting for a new day.
Jay was sitting at the dining table with a cup of coffee, watching the steam rise slowly. Keifer was beside her, his presence calm and steady like always.
He seemed quieter than usual—like something was weighing on him.
Jay noticed. She didn't ask yet, because she didn't want to push.
But Keifer finally spoke, as if he had been holding the words in for too long.
"Jay," he began, voice soft. "There's something I need to tell you."
Jay looked up, her eyes searching his. "What is it?"
Keifer took a breath, and for the first time in a while, he seemed a little vulnerable.
"My family in the UK… they're a joint family," he said slowly. "My parents, my brother, my cousins—they all live together. And… they want to meet you."
Jay blinked, surprised. Her heart skipped.
"They want to meet me?" she repeated, unsure if she heard right.
Keifer nodded. "Yes."
A quiet silence followed.
Jay stared at her coffee, her mind racing. She had never expected this. Not because it was too much—because it meant he was serious.
And it also meant he had been holding something back.
Jay finally looked up, eyes steady. "Why didn't you tell me earlier that you had a family?"
Keifer's expression changed. It wasn't anger. It wasn't guilt. It was something deeper—something that showed he had been afraid.
"I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to feel pressured," he said quietly. "I didn't want you to think… that I was rushing you into something you didn't want."
Jay frowned slightly, not because she was angry, but because she felt a sting of hurt.
"You think I would feel pressured?" she asked softly.
Keifer's eyes met hers. "I think… I was afraid you'd see it as a reason to leave."
Jay's chest tightened. She hadn't expected that.
"Why would I leave?" she whispered.
Keifer's voice lowered. "Because you've already had to leave before."
Jay's eyes softened, and she felt her throat tighten.
She looked down again, then lifted her gaze slowly.
"I'm not leaving you," she said firmly. "I'm not going to run away because your family exists."
Keifer's face softened, and he let out a breath he'd been holding.
"I just wanted to protect you," he said.
Jay's fingers tightened around her cup. "You don't have to protect me by hiding things."
Keifer nodded slowly. "I know. I know that now."
Jay stood up, moving closer to him. She reached for his hand, and he didn't pull away.
"Your family matters to you," she said. "So they matter to me too."
Keifer's eyes glistened slightly, and his voice became gentle. "Are you sure?"
Jay nodded. "Yes."
Keifer's grip tightened on her hand, as if he was afraid to let go of this moment.
"Okay," he said. "Then we'll do this properly."
Jay smiled, a small one, but it carried so much meaning.
"When are they coming?" she asked.
Keifer glanced at her, and his smile was soft. "Soon. They want to meet you this month."
Jay's heart fluttered, and she felt something warm spread through her chest.
This was real.
This was serious.
And it felt… right.
She leaned in and rested her forehead against his shoulder.
"I want them to like me," she whispered.
Keifer's voice was quiet and reassuring. "They will. Because you're part of my life now."
Jay looked up, eyes shining. "Then tell me everything about them."
Keifer smiled, a gentle one, like he was finally letting her in.
"Okay," he said. "Let's start with the family dinner we'll have this weekend."
Jay's heart skipped again.
A future was beginning to feel possible.
And for the first time, she didn't feel afraid of it.
The day of the family meeting arrived faster than Jay expected.
Keifer had been calm all morning, but Jay could tell he was tense underneath. He was quiet, focused, and kept checking his phone like he was waiting for a message that would change everything.
They arrived at the UK family home in the late afternoon. The house was big, warm, and alive with the kind of energy that only a joint family could create—laughing voices, clinking dishes, and the gentle chaos of people who had known each other forever.
Jay's heart raced as they walked inside.
Keifer's family looked up immediately, and there was a moment of silence—like everyone was sizing her up, but not in a bad way. Just… curious.
Keifer's mother was the first to approach. She was elegant, with kind eyes and a calm smile that felt like a hug.
"Keifer," she said warmly, and then her gaze turned to Jay. "You must be Jay."
Jay bowed slightly, feeling suddenly shy. "Yes, ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Keifer's mother smiled. "Please, call me Mum."
Jay nodded, and for a moment, her nerves eased.
Keifer's father stood behind his wife, his expression gentle but serious. He nodded to Jay, then looked at Keifer as if checking that everything was okay.
Keifer's brother was the next to greet them. He was loud, friendly, and instantly made Jay feel like she was already part of the family.
"Hey, Jay! Welcome!" he said, clapping her shoulder lightly. "Keifer's been talking about you for weeks."
Jay blinked. "He has?"
Keifer gave her a quick glance, and she felt her cheeks warm.
Then came the cousins—young, loud, and full of energy. They surrounded Jay quickly, asking questions, teasing her gently, and making her laugh despite herself.
The house felt alive.
And Jay felt like she was being accepted—slowly, but truly.
They moved into the dining room, where a large table was already set with food. The aroma of home-cooked dishes filled the air, and Jay's mouth watered despite her nerves.
Keifer's mother sat beside Jay and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"You're welcome here," she said quietly. "We've heard a lot about you."
Jay smiled softly. "I hope it was good."
Keifer's mother chuckled. "It was."
Keifer sat across from her, watching Jay carefully. He seemed relieved when he saw her relax slightly.
The first few minutes were filled with small talk—about the weather, the house, work, and how Keifer's family liked to keep things loud and happy.
But then Keifer's father spoke, his voice calm.
"So," he said, looking at Jay. "Keifer tells us you are important to him."
Jay looked at Keifer, surprised.
Keifer nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, sir. She is."
Jay felt her heart beat faster.
She hadn't expected Keifer to say it so openly, not in front of everyone.
Keifer's father nodded slowly, then smiled faintly.
"That is good," he said. "Because family is important to us. If you are important to Keifer, then you are welcome."
Jay's eyes filled with tears—soft, quiet ones. She blinked them away quickly, not wanting to make a scene.
Keifer reached across the table and gently squeezed her hand under the table. The touch was simple, but it meant everything.
Jay looked at him, her voice trembling slightly. "Thank you."
Keifer's mother leaned in, smiling warmly. "Now, tell us about you. We want to know everything."
Jay took a deep breath, and for the first time in a long time, she felt safe.
She began to talk, and the family listened—really listened. Not with judgment. Not with suspicion.
Just with curiosity and kindness.
As the evening went on, Jay realized something important:
This wasn't just a meeting.
It was a welcome.
And for the first time, she felt like she had a place to belong.