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.

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

"What..."

Nicole could finish her question, she registered the familiar breathing beside her. Casting aside all her worries and tensions, she basked

his hands. He'd been waiting for this moment since he first woke up.

desire, but her thoughts turned to the baby.

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

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

Nicole. She reached for him, throwing her arms around his neck, the corners of her mouth turning upward

shone on Nicole and caught her

"you are

eyes blazed with

burning intensity made Nicole blush deeply. She tried to push him away. Despite the intimacy of

gripped her outstretched hand in his palm before bringing

a sharp

stared wildly in the direction of the sound, pushing

Kerr just couldn't

"Mommy..."

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

door, she opened it and flicked the lights on. There was Jay, standing in the doorway and clutching his pillow in his small

"What's wrong, Jay?"

of Jay. Seeing the boy frowning

Mommy. Can I sleep in here with you

at his mom expectantly before stepping forward

patted his back gently, comforting the boy. "Don't

from him for a while,