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 hand and hold it

"What..."

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

first woke up. It was only when

but her thoughts turned

With his arms still fastened firmly around her, he walked her over to

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 or the baby in

him, throwing her arms around his neck, the corners of her mouth turning upward into a small

Nicole and caught her curves in an alluring

"you are

blazed with

intensity made Nicole blush deeply. She tried to push him

before

sharp knock

Nicole jumped and stared wildly in the

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

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

"What's wrong, Jay?"

of Jay. Seeing the boy frowning nervously, she

had a nightmare, Mommy. Can I

looked at his mom expectantly before stepping forward

patted his back gently, comforting the boy.

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