Jey hadn't planned on staying.

When he stepped out of his car and walked back toward Natalia's house, his gut twisted with uncertainty. He had no idea what he was walking into. A son he barely knew. A woman he never really stopped loving. A past that had just become his future.

But when Nati opened the door and gave him that look-half-expectant, half-surprised-he knew one thing.

He couldn't leave. Not again.

"You came back," she murmured.

Jey nodded. "Told you I ain't runnin'."

She studied him for a long moment, then stepped aside. "Come in."

The house was warm, lived-in, with toys scattered in the corner of the living room. Jey's eyes landed on a small basketball hoop taped to the wall, tiny sneakers kicked off near the couch. Evidence of a life he hadn't been part of.

Then he saw him.

Malakai sat on the floor with a few action figures, his small fingers gripping them tightly. He looked up, big brown eyes locking onto Jey's.

"Hey," Jey said, feeling awkward as hell.

Malakai didn't respond right away. He tilted his head, eyes narrowing like he was trying to figure Jey out. "You left," he finally said.

Jey's chest tightened. He crouched down to Malakai's level, ignoring the way his heart pounded. "Yeah, lil' man. I did. But I came back."

Malakai studied him for another second, then-"You wanna play?"

Jey blinked. "Huh?"

Malakai held out an action figure, waiting. Jey looked at Nati, who just lifted an eyebrow like this is your moment.

Jey hesitated for only a second before taking the toy from his son's outstretched hand.

And just like that, he was in.

Hours passed in a blur.

Jey sat on the floor with Malakai, getting roped into an imaginary wrestling match between action figures. Every time Malakai made his tiny version of Roman spear Jey's character across the "ring" (which was really just a coffee table), Jey found himself laughing. A real, deep laugh that he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Damn, you really make your uncle win every time?" Jey teased.

Malakai grinned, his dimples deep-ones that Jey recognized too well. "He's the Tribal Chief."

Jey groaned, shaking his head. "Man, you just like ya uncles."

Nati, sitting nearby, let out a soft laugh. "He watches all your matches, you know," she said. "Knows your moves. Your theme song. Everything."

Jey's stomach tightened. Malakai had known him-even when Jey hadn't known Malakai.

He turned to his son. "Yeah? You like wrestling?"

Malakai nodded enthusiastically. "I wanna be like you."

Jey's throat went dry.

Nati must've noticed, because she stood up. "It's late," she said gently. "Malakai, go wash up for bed."

Malakai pouted but obeyed, disappearing down the hall.

Jey let out a slow breath, rubbing his hands over his face. "Damn."

"You okay?" Nati's voice was softer now.

Jey dropped his hands, looking at her. "I don't know what I'm doin', Nati. I feel like-like I missed so much. Five years, and I wasn't here."

Nati sighed, sitting on the couch. "You're here now."

"That enough?" Jey asked, voice raw.

"For him? Yeah." She met his eyes. "For me? I don't know."

Jey swallowed hard. "I never stopped thinking 'bout you, Nati."

She exhaled, looking down. "That doesn't change what happened."

Jey nodded. "I know."

Silence stretched between them. Not tense. Just... full.

Finally, Malakai came padding back into the room, pajamas slightly oversized, eyes sleepy but excited. "You gonna be here tomorrow?" he asked, voice small.

Jey's chest ached.

He glanced at Nati, who was watching him carefully.

Then he turned back to Malakai, reaching out to ruffle his curls.

"Yeah, lil' man," Jey said, his voice steady. "I'll be here."

And this time, he meant it.