The smell of breakfast filled the house before the sun was even fully up. Bacon sizzling, eggs frying, the rich scent of coffee brewing-it was the kind of morning that felt slow and easy, like time didn't need to be rushed.

Natalia stood by the stove, flipping pancakes while Jey worked on the eggs beside her. Every now and then, their arms brushed, the quiet intimacy of cooking together settling between them.

"You keep staring at my pancakes like that, I'm gonna start thinking you doubt my skills," Natalia teased without looking up.

Jey smirked, leaning on the counter. "I mean, I did see you almost burn the first batch."

She gasped, playfully shoving his shoulder. "Lies. That was a test pancake."

Jey chuckled, shaking his head. "Aight, aight. I'll let you have that one."

Behind them, the rest of the house was slowly waking up.

Jimmy was the first to shuffle into the kitchen, his hair messy, eyes still heavy with sleep. He inhaled deeply before grinning. "Damn, Nati. You tryna outcook me?"

Natalia smirked. "Already did."

Jimmy clutched his chest dramatically. "Ouch."

Trinity followed him in, rolling her eyes as she pulled out a mug for coffee. "You walked right into that one, babe."

Solo and his wife weren't far behind, their son trailing sleepily behind them. Malakai, still rubbing his eyes, wandered into the kitchen next, immediately latching onto Jey's leg.

Jey scooped him up effortlessly. "Morning, little man."

Malakai yawned, resting his head on Jey's shoulder. "Morning, Daddy."

The room went quiet for a beat.

Natalia stilled, her heart catching in her throat.

Jey froze, his grip tightening around Malakai just slightly. He pulled back just enough to look at his son, searching his sleepy face. "What'd you say?"

Malakai blinked up at him, confused by the reaction. "Morning, Daddy."

The words hit Jey like a punch to the chest-but in the best way.

It wasn't forced. It wasn't hesitant.

It was natural.

Jey swallowed hard, his voice rough when he finally spoke. "Morning, son."

Natalia watched the exchange, her eyes stinging. She hadn't pushed Malakai to say it, hadn't even brought it up, but somehow, he had known. He had felt safe enough, sure enough, to call Jey his father.

Jimmy exhaled, shaking his head with a grin. "Man... that's wild."

Solo nodded. "Real wild."

Jey was still looking at Malakai, something raw and unguarded in his expression. He kissed the top of his son's head, holding him close before setting him down. "You hungry, little man?"

Malakai nodded eagerly, climbing onto his chair at the table.

Natalia cleared her throat, blinking back the emotion in her eyes. "Alright, everybody sit. Food's ready."

As the family gathered, filling their plates, talking and laughing, Jey leaned close to Natalia, his voice just for her.

"This feels real now," he murmured.

Natalia looked at him, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "It is real."

And for the first time, Jey believed it.