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.

into the pitch blackness. She grasped for the light

"What..."

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

cupped Nicole's delicate face in his hands. He'd been waiting for this moment since he first woke up. It was only

desire, but her thoughts turned to the baby. She couldn't do it—it was

understood her concern. With his arms still fastened firmly around her, he walked her

truth, it was something 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 not to hurt her

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

and caught her curves in an alluring

breathed, "you are so

eyes blazed

blush deeply. She tried to push him away. Despite the intimacy of their connection, she couldn't help feeling

his palm before

a sharp knock at

wildly in the

just couldn't

"Mommy..."

small voice on 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

flicked the lights on. There was Jay, standing in the doorway and clutching his

"What's wrong, Jay?"

in front of Jay. Seeing the boy

Mommy. Can I

at his mom expectantly before stepping forward and throwing

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

away from him for a while, Nicole thought. Guilt swept