The Reunion After Seven Years

Just then, Jay lowered his head in frustration as he walked downstairs.

He glanced furtively at Kerr and then sank wordlessly into the seat next to Nicole. How could it be that Kerr took just a single minute to solve a problem that took him twenty?

Jay couldn't help feeling indignant about it.

The lack of conversation between Jay and Kerr stirred up weird feelings of confusion in Nicole. She dished some food onto the boy's plate.

Jay ate up in silence.

When dinner was done and the dishes cleared away, Nicole prepared a bath for Jay. Meanwhile, Kerr retreated to his study to take an international phone call.

Nicole passed a soapy sponge over the boy's back. "What's up, Jay?" she asked. "Don't you like Uncle Gu? Why did you look so sad when you came back here?"

Nicole made sure her tone was tender and careful. She knew that Jay had missed out on his father's love and care as a child. Now that Kerr was back by their side, it would surely take some time to adjust.

"I'm not sad! I'm very happy. As long as I'm with you, it doesn't matter where I am."

Jay looked up and beamed a huge smile at Nicole.

Relief flooded through her as she took in his reassuring words.

Tucking Jay into bed, she leaned over and gave him a soft kiss on his forehead. "Good night, baby," she whispered.

When Jay's eyelids grew heavy, lashes lowering towards his soft cheeks, Nicole went back to her room.

But Jay was only pretending to sleep. As soon as Nicole turned her back, his eyes flew open. He glanced at the door with a smug smile.

and walked into the pitch blackness. She grasped for the light switch but instead felt someone grab her

"What..."

all her worries and tensions, she basked in

He'd been waiting for this moment since he first woke up. It was only when she was safe in his arms that he felt truly at

her thoughts turned to the baby. She couldn't

understood her concern. With his arms still fastened firmly around her, he walked her over to the bed. "Don't worry. I'll be gentle,

Kerr had already thought about, and he'd asked Harley for advice. He'd found out what exactly he could do and how to

soothed Nicole. She reached for him, throwing her arms around his neck,

caught her curves in an

breathed, "you are

eyes blazed with

him away. Despite the

before bringing it to his lips in

there was a sharp

in the direction

couldn't wait

"Mommy..."

the other side of the door. Nicole didn't hesitate. She pushed Kerr again, more firmly this time. "It's Jay." She jumped from the bed, yanking a bathrobe from the nearby wardrobe and wrapping it tightly around

There was Jay, standing in the doorway and clutching his pillow in his

"What's wrong, Jay?"

Jay. Seeing

had a nightmare, Mommy. Can I sleep in here with

stepping forward and throwing himself into her

patted his back gently, comforting the boy. "Don't be scared, Jay. I'm right

was feeling insecure because she'd been away from him for a while, Nicole thought. Guilt