Natalia leaned against the doorway, arms crossed as she watched Jey and Malakai in the kitchen. The sight before her was almost surreal-Jey standing at the stove, flipping pancakes like he had done this a hundred times before, while Malakai sat on the counter, swinging his little legs and chattering excitedly.

Jey wasn't just going through the motions. He was here. Present. Engaged.

Like he had always been a part of their mornings.

Natalia's chest tightened as she listened to their conversation.

"Daddy, you gotta flip it high," Malakai instructed, his voice full of confidence.

Jey smirked, tilting the spatula in his hand. "Oh yeah? You tryna have me mess up breakfast already?"

Malakai giggled. "Nooo, you gotta do it like this!" He lifted his hands dramatically, mimicking a huge flip.

Jey chuckled. "Aight, aight, watch this." He carefully flipped the pancake in the air, catching it perfectly on the pan.

Malakai gasped, clapping his hands. "You did it!"

Jey turned, winking at Natalia. "Told you, I got this."

She shook her head, biting back a smile. "I see that."

He gave her a knowing look before turning back to Malakai. "Alright, little man, you in charge of syrup duty."

Malakai grinned, happily accepting the task as Jey moved the pancakes onto a plate. Natalia stepped forward, grabbing cups from the cabinet, feeling the warmth of the moment settle over her.

It was the kind of morning she never let herself imagine-Jey making breakfast, Malakai laughing, the three of them existing in a way that felt normal.

But normal was dangerous.

Because normal made her want to believe this could last.

As they sat at the table, Malakai chattering about his favorite cartoons between bites of syrup-soaked pancakes, Jey caught Natalia staring. He arched a brow, smirking slightly.

"What?" he asked, voice low enough so Malakai wouldn't hear.

Natalia hesitated before shaking her head. "Nothing. Just... this is nice."

Jey leaned back in his chair, his eyes holding hers. "Get used to it, Nati."

Her breath caught. "Jey..."

He reached across the table, his fingers brushing over hers. "I mean it."

She swallowed hard, her mind racing. She wanted to believe him. Wanted to let herself fall completely.

But fear still lingered.

Before she could respond, Malakai beamed up at Jey. "Daddy, can we go to the park later?"

Jey grinned. "Yeah, little man. We can do that."

Malakai cheered, completely unaware of the silent conversation happening between his parents.

Natalia exhaled slowly. Maybe she didn't have to figure everything out today.

Maybe, for once, she could just be.

And maybe, just maybe, Jey really wasn't going anywhere.