Chapter 12: Mamma Knows Best
The Morning After the Fire
Jay woke slowly.
Her body ached.
Her throat was raw.
Her head throbbed gently.
But she was alive.
In Keifer's arms.
In their room.
Home.
She smiled.
Pressed closer to him.
He stirred.
Mumbled something.
Pulled her tighter.
"Mmm.
You're awake."
"Barely.
You're heavy."
He laughed.
Quiet.
Rough with sleep.
"Rude."
"Honest."
He kissed her hair.
"Love you."
"Love you too.
Now let me sleep.
I almost died yesterday.
I'm tired."
He held her closer.
"Sleep.
I'll protect you from evil morning."
She snorted.
"Evil morning?
What does that even mean?"
"No idea.
But I'll protect you anyway."
She laughed.
Winced.
Her throat.
"Don't make me laugh.
Hurts."
He kissed her forehead.
"Sorry.
No more jokes.
Just sleep."
She closed her eyes.
Safe.
Loved.
Home.
---
Two Hours Later
Jay woke again.
Alone this time.
But a note on Keifer's pillow.
Gone to get you breakfast.
Mamma's orders.
Be right back.
Love you.
—K
She smiled.
Held the note to her chest.
Silly.
Romantic.
Perfect.
Then the door burst open.
Not Keifer.
Mamma.
---
Mamma Arrives
Mamma walked in with purpose.
Carrying a tray.
But her eyes were sparkling.
Mischievous.
"Good morning, sleepyhead!
I brought breakfast!
And myself!
We're having girl time!"
Jay sat up carefully.
Eyebrow raised.
"Girl time?
At 8am?
Before coffee?"
Mamma waved a hand.
"Coffee's on the tray.
Drink up.
We have much to discuss."
Jay took the coffee gratefully.
Sipped.
Watched Mamma settle into Keifer's desk chair.
Like she owned it.
Which, technically, she did.
"Okay.
What's so important?
Is everything okay?"
Mamma grinned.
"Everything's perfect.
That's the problem."
Jay blinked.
"I'm confused."
Mamma leaned forward.
"Jay, darling.
I've been watching you and my son.
For weeks now.
And I have QUESTIONS."
Jay laughed.
Almost choked on her coffee.
"Questions?
What kind of questions?"
Mamma's eyes twinkled.
"The important kind.
The kind only a mother can ask."
Jay braced herself.
"Okay...
Ask away."
---
Question One
Mamma held up one finger.
"Question one.
Does my son kiss as good as he looks?"
Jay's face went red.
"MAMMA!"
"What?
I'm curious!
He's handsome.
You're beautiful.
I need to know if the reality matches the packaging."
Jay buried her face in her hands.
Laughing.
Mortified.
Delighted.
"Mamma, I can't answer that!
He's your son!"
"Exactly!
Who better to ask?
Now spill.
Good kisser or great kisser?"
Jay peeked through her fingers.
Mamma's face was serious.
But her eyes were dancing.
"Great," Jay whispered.
"Really great."
Mamma nodded.
Satisfied.
"Good.
His father was the same.
Must be genetic."
Jay dissolved into laughter.
Tears streaming.
Throat hurting but not caring.
---
Question Two
Mamma held up two fingers.
"Question two.
Has he said the L word yet?
And I don't mean 'lunch.'"
Jay smiled.
Soft.
Real.
"Every day.
Multiple times a day."
Mamma clutched her heart.
"My cold, closed-off son?
Saying 'I love you' every day?
You've worked miracles, Jay.
Miracles."
Jay shook her head.
"He was always capable of love.
He just needed someone to trust.
Someone safe."
Mamma's eyes glistened.
"And you're that someone.
You're his safe place."
Jay nodded.
Tears in her own eyes.
"I know.
And he's mine."
Mamma reached over.
Squeezed her hand.
"Beautiful.
Absolutely beautiful.
Now.
Question three."
Jay laughed.
Wiped her eyes.
"There's more?"
Mamma grinned.
"Darling, I've just started."
---
Question Three
Mamma held up three fingers.
"Question three.
Have you discussed marriage?"
Jay choked.
Actually choked.
On nothing.
Just air.
"MAMMA!"
"What?
I'm old.
I want grandchildren before I die."
Jay stared at her.
"You're not old!
You're gorgeous and energetic and—
And—
Mamma waved a hand.
"Flattery won't distract me.
Marriage?
Discussed?
Yes or no?"
Jay took a breath.
Calmed herself.
"We've talked about...
Forever.
About always.
About never leaving.
But not...
Not specifically marriage.
Not yet."
Mamma nodded thoughtfully.
"Soon, though.
I can feel it.
The way he looks at you.
The way you look at him.
It's coming."
Jay smiled.
Small.
Hopeful.
"You think so?"
Mamma leaned forward.
"Darling, I don't think.
I know.
Mark Keifer Watson is going to marry you.
It's written in the stars.
And I'm never wrong about these things."
Jay's heart fluttered.
"Wow.
That's...
A lot."
Mamma grinned.
"Get ready, sweetheart.
The Watson men fall hard and fall forever.
You're stuck with us."
Jay laughed.
"Best kind of stuck."
---
Question Four
Mamma held up four fingers.
"Question four.
When you two have kids—
And you will, I've decided—
Will they have Keifer's serious face or your smile?"
Jay stared at her.
"We're not even engaged yet!"
"Irrelevant.
I'm planning ahead.
So?
Serious face or smile?"
Jay thought.
Actually thought.
Imagined little ones running around.
With Keifer's storm-gray eyes.
With her love of music.
With both their stubbornness.
"Both," she said softly.
"Hopefully both.
Serious when needed.
Smiling when happy."
Mamma nodded.
Approving.
"Good answer.
They'll be beautiful.
And spoiled rotten.
Fair warning."
Jay laughed.
"I expect nothing less."
---
Question Five
Mamma held up five fingers.
"Question five.
And this is important.
Very important."
Jay braced herself.
"Okay..."
Mamma leaned in.
Whispered.
"Does he sing in the shower?"
Jay burst out laughing.
"WHAT?"
"Sing!
In the shower!
Does he?
I need to know if he got his father's terrible voice or mine!"
Jay wiped her eyes.
Tried to breathe.
"I don't know!
We don't shower together!
Yet!
I mean—
Not yet!
I mean—
Mamma waved a hand.
"Details, details.
But soon, yes?
Showering together?
It's efficient.
Saves water."
Jay buried her face in the pillow.
Screaming with laughter.
Mamma patted her back.
"There, there.
First time talking about showering with your boyfriend's mother is always awkward.
You'll get used to it."
Jay lifted her head.
Face red.
Eyes wet.
Grinning.
"Mamma, you're impossible."
Mamma smiled.
Sweet.
Innocent.
"I know.
It's my best quality."
---
Question Six
Mamma held up six fingers.
"Question six.
And this is the most important one."
Jay took a breath.
"Okay.
I'm ready.
Hit me."
Mamma looked at her.
Serious now.
Eyes warm.
"Are you happy, Jay?
Really happy?
Not just content.
Not just comfortable.
But truly, deeply, soul-deep happy?"
Jay's eyes filled with tears.
Real tears.
Honest tears.
"Yes," she whispered.
"Yes, Mamma.
I'm happier than I ever thought possible.
Happier than I deserve."
Mamma shook her head.
Firm.
"You deserve all of it, Jasper Jean Mariano.
Every bit of happiness.
Every bit of love.
Don't ever doubt that."
Jay cried.
Quietly.
Gratefully.
Mamma moved to the bed.
Sat beside her.
Pulled her into a hug.
"My beautiful girl.
My daughter.
I'm so glad you're here.
So glad you're part of this family."
Jay hugged her back.
Held tight.
"I'm glad too, Mamma.
So glad."
---
Interrupted
The door burst open.
Keifer.
With a tray of breakfast.
Stopped dead.
Stared at his mother on the bed.
His girlfriend crying in her arms.
"What—
What's wrong?
Why is Jay crying?
Mamma, what did you do?"
Mamma looked up.
Innocent.
"I asked her if she was happy.
She said yes.
Then she cried.
Women are mysterious."
Keifer stared.
Then looked at Jay.
"Are you okay?
Really okay?"
Jay laughed through her tears.
Wiped her face.
"I'm fine.
Perfect, actually.
Your mother was just...
Being your mother."
Keifer set the tray down.
Crossed to the bed.
Kissed Jay's forehead.
Then his mother's.
"You two are dangerous together.
I can tell."
Mamma smiled.
"Good.
We're going to be best friends.
You're outnumbered, son."
Keifer looked at Jay.
She grinned.
Shrugged.
"Sorry.
She's right.
We're a team now."
Keifer groaned.
But he was smiling.
"Great.
Just great.
Two against one."
Mamma stood.
Patted his cheek.
"Three against one, actually.
Keiran adores her.
Keigan respects her.
You're doomed."
She walked to the door.
Paused.
Looked back at Jay.
"Same time tomorrow, darling?
We have so much more to discuss."
Jay laughed.
"Can't wait, Mamma."
Mamma winked.
Left.
---
Breakfast
Keifer sat on the bed.
Stared at Jay.
"She's planning something.
I can feel it."
Jay took a bite of breakfast.
Shrugged.
"Probably.
She's your mother.
Planning is what mothers do."
He narrowed his eyes.
"What did you two talk about?
Really?"
Jay smiled.
Innocent.
"Girl stuff.
You wouldn't be interested."
"Try me."
She considered.
Then:
"She asked if you're a good kisser."
Keifer choked.
"I'm sorry?
She what?"
"She asked.
I answered."
He stared at her.
Horrified.
Fascinated.
"What did you say?"
Jay smiled.
Took another bite.
"That's between me and Mamma."
"JAY."
"KEIFER."
He groaned.
Dropped his head on her shoulder.
"My mother is going to be impossible now."
Jay kissed his hair.
"She was always impossible.
Now she just has a partner in crime."
He lifted his head.
Looked at her.
Those storm-gray eyes soft.
"I love you.
You know that, right?"
She smiled.
"I know.
You tell me every day."
"Good.
Keep believing it.
Even when you and Mamma team up against me."
She laughed.
"Always."
---
Lunchtime
Jay finally emerged from the room.
Showered.
Dressed.
Feeling almost human.
The living room was full.
As always.
Keiran was building something elaborate with blocks.
Keigan was reading, as usual.
Percy and Aries were arguing about something stupid.
Pappa was in his chair, newspaper in hand.
Mamma was arranging flowers.
Everyone looked up when Jay entered.
Keiran launched himself at her.
"KUYA JAY!
You're up!
You're dressed!
You're better!"
She caught him.
Hugged him.
"I'm better, little monster.
Thanks for asking."
Keigan nodded at her.
"Good.
You look less dead today."
Jay laughed.
"Thanks, Koya.
I think."
Percy grinned.
"Mamma said you two had a 'private conversation' this morning.
Do tell.
What secrets were shared?"
Jay glanced at Mamma.
Mamma smiled.
Innocent.
"Girl talk, Percy.
You wouldn't understand."
Percy clutched his heart.
"Ouch.
Excluded.
Hurt."
Aries patted his shoulder.
"You'll survive.
Probably."
---
Afternoon
The day passed quietly.
Jay rested.
Keifer hovered.
Family surrounded her.
At one point, Mamma pulled her aside again.
Into the kitchen.
For "more tea."
Jay went willingly.
Curious.
Amused.
Mamma sat her down.
Poured tea.
Smiled warmly.
"So.
I've been thinking."
Jay braced herself.
"About what?"
Mamma leaned forward.
"About your future.
With Keifer.
With us."
Jay nodded.
Wary but open.
"Okay..."
Mamma took her hand.
"Jay, I know you've had a hard life.
I know you've fought for everything.
I know you're not used to being taken care of."
Jay's eyes stung.
"Mamma..."
"But I want you to know something.
You don't have to fight alone anymore.
You have us now.
All of us.
We're your family.
Forever."
Jay nodded.
Tears falling.
"I know, Mamma.
I know.
It's just...
It's hard to believe sometimes.
That this is real.
That I deserve it."
Mamma squeezed her hand.
"You deserve every bit of it, Jasper Jean Mariano.
Every bit.
And I'm going to spend the rest of my life making sure you know it."
Jay laughed.
Cried.
Hugged her.
"I love you, Mamma.
So much."
Mamma hugged her back.
"I love you too, my daughter.
My beautiful, brave daughter."
---
Evening
Dinner was loud.
Chaotic.
Perfect.
Afterward, everyone scattered.
Keiran to bath.
Keigan to homework.
Percy and Aries to a movie.
Pappa to his study.
Mamma to her phone calls.
Jay and Keifer ended up on the back patio.
Stars overhead.
Quiet.
"You and Mamma seem closer," Keifer observed.
"Good close or plotting close?"
Jay smiled.
"Both.
Definitely both."
He laughed.
Pulled her closer.
"I'm scared."
"You should be.
We're a formidable team."
He kissed her hair.
"I love you.
Even if you team up with my mother against me."
She turned in his arms.
Looked up at him.
Those storm-gray eyes so full of love.
"I love you too.
And I love your mother.
And your brothers.
And this crazy, beautiful family."
He smiled.
Soft.
Real.
"Good.
Because they love you too.
All of them.
Forever."
She stood on tiptoe.
Kissed him.
Soft.
Sweet.
Full of promise.
"Forever sounds perfect."
---
Later That Night
Jay's phone buzzed.
A text from Mamma.
Mamma: Same time tomorrow? I have more questions. Much more.
Jay laughed.
Typed back.
Jay: Can't wait. What's the topic?
Mamma: Babies. Definitely babies.
Jay choked.
Keifer looked over.
"What?
What's wrong?"
Jay showed him the phone.
He stared.
Then groaned.
"She's going to be impossible.
Both of you are going to be impossible."
Jay grinned.
"Yep.
Get used to it."
He pulled her close.
Kissed her forehead.
"Wouldn't have it any other way."
She snuggled against him.
Happy.
Loved.
Home.
Best family ever,
she thought.
Best life ever.
And somewhere, Mamma was already planning tomorrow's questions.
---
End of Chapter 12