Chapter: The First Month Check-Up
(AUTHOR'S POV)
One month since the pregnancy news.
One month of Keifer being overly protective.
One month of Jay eating strange food combinations.
One month of Aries and Percy being annoying uncles-to-be.
One month of Keigan and Keiran planning the baby's entire life.
Today was the day.
The first month check-up.
Jay's first official doctor's visit since finding out she was pregnant.
Keifer was nervous.
Terrified, actually.
But hiding it.
Badly.
---
The Morning – Watson Mansion
Jay woke up in Keifer's arms.
Cat beside her.
Keifer's hand on her belly.
Always.
She smiled.
Didn't move.
Didn't want to.
His voice.
Rough with sleep.
"You're awake."
"Mmm."
"Nervous?"
She thought.
"A little."
"Excited?"
"More."
He kissed her head.
"Good."
"Me too."
"Both."
She looked up.
"You're nervous?"
He hesitated.
"Yes."
"But hiding it?"
"Badly."
She laughed.
"My brave hubby."
He smiled.
"Your brave hubby."
"Terrified inside."
"Bravely terrified."
She kissed his chest.
"Love you."
"Love you too."
"Ready for today?"
She nodded.
"Ready."
---
The Kitchen – Breakfast
They walked downstairs.
Hand in hand.
The kitchen was already chaos.
Aries and Percy were arguing about coffee.
Keigan and Keiran were making pancakes.
Disaster pancakes.
But pancakes.
The moment Jay appeared—
Everyone stopped.
Aries pointed.
"SHE'S AWAKE!"
Percy nodded.
"THE PREGNANT QUEEN RISES!"
Keigan ran to her.
"Hipag! Hipag!"
"Yes, Keigan?"
"I made you pancakes!"
He pointed at the kitchen.
They looked.
The pancakes were...
Interesting.
Some burned.
Some raw.
Some shaped like ?????
Jay smiled.
"They're beautiful."
Keigan beamed.
"I tried!"
Keiran walked over.
"I supervised."
"Clearly."
Jay laughed.
Patted both their heads.
"Thank you."
"I'll eat them all."
Keifer raised an eyebrow.
"All?"
She looked at him.
"I'm eating for two now."
He nodded.
"Fair point."
---
The Drive – To the Doctor
Keifer drove.
Jay in the passenger seat.
Aries, Percy, Keigan, Keiran in the back.
All of them.
Insisting on coming.
"FOR SUPPORT!"
Aries had declared.
"FOR THE BABY!"
Percy had added.
"FOR HIPAG!"
Keigan had shouted.
Keiran just nodded.
He was the quiet one.
But he was there.
The car was crowded.
Loud.
Chaotic.
Perfect.
Aries leaned forward.
"Jay."
"Yes?"
"Are you scared?"
She thought.
"A little."
"Don't be."
"Baby Watson is strong."
Percy nodded.
"Comes from strong stock."
Keigan added.
"From you AND Kuya!"
Keiran finished.
"Best combination."
Jay smiled.
Warm.
"Thanks, idiots."
They beamed.
Proud.
---
The Clinic – Mrs. Peralta's Office
Mrs. Peralta's clinic was nice.
Clean.
Calm.
Professional.
Jay and Keifer walked in.
The chaos crew followed.
All of them.
Mrs. Peralta looked up.
Saw the parade.
Raised an eyebrow.
"Mr. Watson."
"Mrs. Watson."
"And... entourage?"
Keifer nodded.
"They insisted."
Mrs. Peralta smiled.
"Family support."
"Important."
"Especially for first check-up."
She gestured to the waiting area.
"They can wait here."
"The examination room is just for parents."
Aries deflated.
"But—"
Mrs. Peralta's look.
Firm.
Kind.
"No buts."
"Parents only."
Percy sighed.
"Fine."
Keigan pouted.
Keiran patted his back.
"We'll wait."
"Guard the door."
Jay laughed.
Kissed their heads.
All of them.
"Good boys."
They melted.
---
The Examination Room
Jay lay on the bed.
Keifer beside her.
Holding her hand.
Tight.
Mrs. Peralta prepared the ultrasound.
"Ready?"
Jay nodded.
Keifer nodded.
Mrs. Peralta applied the gel.
Warm.
Jay flinched.
Keifer squeezed her hand.
"Okay?"
"Yeah."
"Just cold."
Mrs. Peralta moved the wand.
Searching.
Quiet.
Focus.
Then—
There.
On the screen.
A tiny flicker.
A heartbeat.
Small.
Fast.
Strong.
Mrs. Peralta smiled.
"There."
"Your baby."
"Heartbeat is perfect."
Jay stared.
Tears filled her eyes.
Keifer stared.
Tears filled his eyes.
That tiny flicker.
That tiny heartbeat.
Their baby.
Their love.
Their future.
Jay whispered.
"That's— that's our baby?"
Mrs. Peralta nodded.
"That's your baby."
"Healthy."
"Strong."
"Perfect."
Keifer couldn't speak.
Just stared.
At the screen.
At the tiny life.
At his child.
His hand tightened on Jay's.
She looked at him.
Tears falling.
Happy tears.
"Keifer."
He looked at her.
"Yeah?"
"We made that."
He nodded.
"We did."
"Together."
She smiled.
Kissed his hand.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"Both of you."
Mrs. Peralta watched.
Smiling.
Warm.
"I'll give you a moment."
"Take your time."
She left.
Quietly.
Just them.
And the tiny heartbeat.
On the screen.
Forever.
---
The Waiting Room – Chaos Crew
The boys were waiting.
Nervous.
Pacing.
Aries.
Percy.
Keigan.
Keiran.
All of them.
Aries spoke first.
"How long does it take?"
Percy shrugged.
"I don't know."
"Never done this."
Keigan looked at the door.
"Should we knock?"
Keiran shook his head.
"No."
"Let them have their moment."
Aries nodded.
"Good point."
"But I'm nervous."
Percy agreed.
"Same."
Keigan raised his hand.
"Me too."
Keiran nodded.
"All of us."
They waited.
Together.
Family.
---
The Door Opens
Mrs. Peralta walked out.
Smiling.
They ran to her.
Aries grabbed her.
"WELL?!"
Percy behind him.
"IS EVERYTHING OKAY?!"
Keigan jumping.
"BABY?! BABY?!"
Keiran waiting.
Calm.
But hopeful.
Mrs. Peralta laughed.
"Everything is perfect."
"Baby is healthy."
"Heartbeat strong."
"Mom is good."
They cheered.
Screamed.
Hugged each other.
Jumped.
Cried.
Happy chaos.
Jay and Keifer walked out.
Holding hands.
Smiling.
Tears still on their faces.
Aries ran to them.
Hugged them both.
"CONGRATULATIONS!"
Percy joined.
"BEST NEWS EVER!"
Keigan hugged Jay's belly.
Carefully.
Gently.
"Hi, baby."
"I'm your Uncle Keigan."
"Nice to meet you."
Keiran hugged Keifer.
"Good job, Kuya."
Keifer laughed.
"Thanks."
---
The Ride Home
The car was full.
Happier than before.
Louder.
More chaotic.
Aries couldn't stop talking.
"WE SAW THE HEARTBEAT?!"
"ON THE SCREEN?!"
Jay nodded.
"Yes."
"Tiny."
"Fast."
"Perfect."
Percy grabbed his chest.
"I'M GONNA CRY."
Keigan already crying.
"I'M ALREADY CRYING."
Keiran patted his back.
"Same."
Keifer drove.
Hand on Jay's knee.
Squeezing occasionally.
Checking.
Always checking.
She smiled at him.
"I'm okay."
He nodded.
"I know."
"Just—"
"Happy."
"Terrified."
"Happy."
She laughed.
"Same."
---
That Night – Watson Mansion
Everyone gathered in the living room.
Photos from the ultrasound passed around.
Aries held it reverently.
"That's my niece or nephew."
Percy grabbed it.
"Let me see."
"Tiny."
"So tiny."
Keigan pointed.
"That's the head?"
"And that's the body?"
Keiran nodded.
"Tiny human."
"Growing."
"Inside hipag."
Keigan's eyes widened.
"That's— that's amazing."
"And weird."
"Mostly amazing."
Jay laughed.
Took the photo back.
Looked at it again.
Her baby.
Her family.
Her heart full.
Keifer sat beside her.
Arm around her.
Looking at the photo too.
"Best photo ever."
She nodded.
"Best photo ever."
He kissed her head.
"Love you."
"Love you too."
"And baby."
"And this chaos."
He smiled.
"And this chaos."
"All of it."
"Forever."
---
The End
(For now.)