Chapter: The Toy That Changed Everything
(AUTHOR'S POV)
The morning after the toy request.
Angelo's house was peaceful.
For once.
Sunlight streamed through the windows.
Birds chirped outside.
Everyone was gathering in the living room.
Slow morning.
Coffee.
Talking.
Normal.
Then—
The front door burst open.
Aries and Percy walked in.
Grinning.
Dramatic.
Holding something behind their backs.
A giant box.
Wrapped badly.
With a massive bow.
Jay looked up.
Eyes sparkling.
"Did you get it?!"
Aries nodded.
"We did!"
Percy added.
"THE TOY OF THE CENTURY!"
Jay jumped up.
Ran to them.
"SHOW ME! SHOW ME!"
Aries and Percy exchanged glances.
Grinning.
Dramatic pause.
Then—
They revealed it.
A giant stuffed cat.
Fluffy.
Soft.
Huge.
With big sparkly eyes.
And a ridiculous happy smile.
It was almost as big as Jay.
Maybe bigger.
Jay gasped.
Her hands flew to her mouth.
Her eyes widened.
"OH MY GOD!"
She grabbed it.
Tried to lift it.
Stumbled.
It was heavy.
Very heavy.
Percy helped.
Aries helped.
Together, they put it in her arms.
She hugged it.
Squeezed it.
Buried her face in its fluffy fur.
"IT'S PERFECT!"
"I LOVE IT!"
"BEST TOY EVER!"
She spun around.
Slowly.
Because the cat was huge.
Everyone watched.
Smiling.
Amused.
Tita Gemma cooed.
"So cute!"
Tito Rachel lowered his paper.
Actually smiled.
Angelo shook his head.
But he was smiling.
Keifer watched.
Heart melting.
His wife.
With a giant stuffed cat.
In Angelo's living room.
In front of everyone.
Looking like a child on Christmas morning.
Perfect.
Jay hugged it tighter.
"Look, Keifer!"
"LOOK!"
He walked to her.
Stood beside her.
Admired the cat.
"It's very you."
She beamed.
"I know, right?!"
Aries crossed his arms.
Proud.
"We have excellent taste."
Percy nodded.
"The best."
"The fluffiest."
"The most ridiculous."
Jay ignored them.
Kept hugging the cat.
Then—
She pulled back.
Looked at Aries.
"Thank you, horoscope."
Aries glared.
"Don't call me that."
She grinned.
"Thank you, horoscope."
He sighed.
"You're welcome, tiny terror."
She hugged him.
With the cat between them.
Awkward.
But warm.
Then she hugged Percy.
"Thank you, blue-eyed monkey."
Percy gasped.
"HEY!"
She laughed.
"Love you both."
They softened.
"Love you too."
Jay pulled back.
Hugged the cat again.
Looked at it.
Really looked.
Then—
She turned.
Walked toward Keifer.
Still holding it.
"Hold this."
He took it.
Obedient husband.
She stepped back.
Admired them.
Him and the cat.
Giggled.
"Perfect."
He raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Just—"
"You and the cat."
"Same energy."
He looked at the cat.
Big eyes.
Ridiculous smile.
Floofy.
Looked back at her.
"I look like this?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
"Exactly."
He sighed.
But he was smiling.
Handed the cat back.
She took it.
Hugged it.
Happy.
---
The Moment
She held the cat for a long time.
Walking around.
Showing everyone.
Tita Gemma.
Tito Rachel.
Angelo.
Even the servants.
Everyone admired it.
Because they had to.
Jay was the boss.
Then—
She stopped.
In the middle of the living room.
Holding the cat.
Her face changed.
Confused.
"Jay?"
Keifer's voice.
She looked at him.
Opened her mouth.
Then—
The cat slipped.
Fell.
Thump.
On the floor.
Her eyes widened.
Then fluttered.
Then closed.
Her body swayed.
Keifer moved.
Fast.
Caught her.
Just before she hit the ground.
"JAY!"
Everyone froze.
Aries rushed forward.
Percy behind him.
Tita Gemma covered her mouth.
Tito Rachel stood.
Angelo moved closer.
Keifer held her.
Cradled her.
Panic in his eyes.
"Jay!"
"Baby!"
"Wake up!"
No response.
Unconscious.
Completely limp.
Keifer looked up.
Desperate.
"Call someone!"
"Call a doctor!"
Aries grabbed his phone.
"I'm calling— I'm calling—"
Tita Gemma stepped forward.
"Wait."
Everyone looked at her.
"Mrs. Peralta."
"Cin's mother."
"She's a doctor."
"The best."
"She lives nearby."
Aries nodded.
Dialed.
Fast.
"Mrs. Peralta?!"
"It's Aries!"
"Jay fainted!"
"Please come!"
"Quick!"
He gave the address.
Ended call.
Looked at Keifer.
"She's coming."
"Five minutes."
Keifer nodded.
Held Jay tighter.
"Stay with me, wifey."
"Please."
---
The Wait
Five minutes.
Longest five minutes of Keifer's life.
He held her.
Rocked her.
Whispered to her.
Everyone watched.
Quiet.
Worried.
Waiting.
Finally—
The doorbell rang.
Percy ran.
Opened it.
Mrs. Peralta walked in.
Calm.
Professional.
Carrying a medical bag.
Middle-aged.
Kind eyes.
Confident.
"Where is she?"
Keifer pointed.
"Here."
Mrs. Peralta kneeled beside them.
Checked Jay's pulse.
Her eyes.
Her breathing.
Her blood pressure.
Calm.
Methodical.
Professional.
Everyone watched.
Holding breath.
Waiting.
Mrs. Peralta finished.
Sat back.
Looked at Keifer.
Her face was serious.
Too serious.
Keifer's heart stopped.
"What?"
"What is it?"
"Is she—"
Mrs. Peralta held up her hand.
"Mr. Watson."
"Yes?"
"I have news."
Keifer braced himself.
"Tell me."
She paused.
Dramatic pause.
The longest pause in human history.
Then—
"Congratulations."
Keifer blinked.
"What?"
Mrs. Peralta smiled.
Warm.
Genuine.
"You're going to be a father."
Silence.
Dead silence.
Everyone froze.
Keifer stared.
"What?"
Mrs. Peralta nodded.
"She's pregnant."
"About six weeks."
"Healthy."
"Strong."
"Both of them."
Keifer's brain stopped.
Completely.
Short-circuited.
Reboot failed.
"P— pregnant?"
Mrs. Peralta nodded.
"Yes."
"Your wife."
"She's having a baby."
Keifer looked down at Jay.
Unconscious.
But peaceful.
Pregnant.
His wife.
His baby.
Their baby.
His eyes filled with tears.
Real tears.
Falling.
He couldn't stop them.
Didn't want to.
"Baby," he whispered.
"We're having a baby."
Jay stirred.
Mumbled.
Opened her eyes.
Confused.
"Keifer?"
"Yeah, baby."
"What happened?"
"You fainted."
She blinked.
"Why?"
He smiled.
Tears still falling.
"Because—"
"You're pregnant."
Jay stared at him.
Long stare.
Processing.
Then—
"What?"
He nodded.
"Pregnant."
"You."
"Us."
"Baby."
Jay's eyes widened.
Looked at Mrs. Peralta.
Mrs. Peralta nodded.
Smiling.
"Congratulations, dear."
"You're going to be a mother."
Jay's hand flew to her mouth.
Tears filled her eyes.
"Pregnant?"
"I'm— I'm pregnant?"
Mrs. Peralta nodded.
"Very pregnant."
"Well— early pregnant."
"But pregnant."
Jay looked at Keifer.
He looked at her.
Same thought.
Same feeling.
Same love.
Same shock.
Same joy.
"Baby," she whispered.
He nodded.
"Baby."
"Our baby."
She burst into tears.
Happy tears.
Grabbed him.
Hugged him tight.
He held her.
Cried too.
Both of them.
Crying together.
In the middle of the living room.
In front of everyone.
Not caring.
Because—
They were having a baby.
---
The Reactions
Aries was the first to speak.
"THEY'RE HAVING A BABY?!"
Percy grabbed him.
"PREGNANT!"
"JAY IS PREGNANT!"
"WE'RE GOING TO BE UNCLES!"
Aries screamed.
"UNCLE HOROSCOPE!"
Percy screamed back.
"UNCLE BLUE-EYED MONKEY!"
They hugged.
Jumping.
Screaming.
Tita Gemma was crying.
Happy tears.
"A baby!"
"A little one!"
"Finally!"
Tito Rachel patted her back.
Smiling.
Rare.
Genuine.
Angelo walked to Keifer and Jay.
Put his hands on their shoulders.
Squeezed.
"Congratulations."
His voice was rough.
Emotional.
"Both of you."
"Welcome to the next level of chaos."
Jay laughed through tears.
"Thanks, Kuya."
Keifer nodded.
"Thank you."
Angelo looked at Mrs. Peralta.
"Thank you, Doctor."
She smiled.
"My pleasure."
"Take care of her."
"Rest."
"Good food."
"No stress."
Keifer nodded.
"Absolutely."
"Whatever she needs."
"Always."
---
The News Spreads
Phones started ringing.
Aries called Cin.
"CIN! JAY IS PREGNANT!"
Cin's scream through the phone.
"WHAT?!"
"REALLY?!"
"BEST NEWS EVER!"
Percy called Rakki.
"RAKKI! BABY WATSON COMING!"
Rakki's voice.
"FINALLY!"
"TELL JAY I CALL DIBS ON GODMOTHER!"
Tita Gemma called everyone else.
Family.
Friends.
Relatives.
The news spread.
Fast.
Joyful.
Overwhelming.
Jay and Keifer stayed on the floor.
Holding each other.
Not moving.
Not caring.
Just them.
Just their news.
Just their baby.
---
The Cat
After the chaos settled.
After the calls.
After the tears.
After the joy.
Jay finally looked at the floor.
At the giant cat.
Still there.
Forgotten.
She laughed.
Weak.
Emotional.
"Look."
Keifer followed her gaze.
The cat.
On its side.
Big eyes staring.
Ridiculous smile.
Waiting.
"Our baby's first toy," she whispered.
He smiled.
Picked it up.
Handed it to her.
She hugged it.
Tight.
"Our baby's first toy."
He kissed her forehead.
"And you're our baby's first mom."
She smiled.
Tears fresh.
"Love you."
"Love you too."
"Both of you."
"Always."
---
That Night – Their Room
Jay in his shirt.
Cat beside her.
Keifer holding her.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Perfect.
"Keifer?"
"Yeah?"
"We're having a baby."
He smiled.
Kissed her head.
"We are."
"A real baby."
"Not a shuttlecock baby."
She laughed.
"A real baby."
He held her tighter.
"Scared?"
She thought.
"A little."
"Happy?"
"More."
"Much more."
He nodded.
"Same."
She looked up.
"What do you think?"
"Boy or girl?"
He considered.
"Healthy."
"That's all I want."
She softened.
"Good answer."
He grinned.
"Learned from the best."
"Who?"
"You."
She hit his chest.
Weak.
"No power."
He kissed her.
Slow.
Sweet.
"Love you, wifey."
"Love you too, hubby."
"Mommy and daddy."
She giggled.
"Mommy Jay."
"Daddy Keifer."
He smiled.
"Perfect."
They lay there.
Cat between them.
Baby inside her.
Love all around.
Perfect.
---
The End
(For now.)