Chapter Seventy-Six: The Little Surprise
The morning started like any other.
Jay woke up, stretched, and immediately felt her stomach lurch.
She bolted for the bathroom.
Keifer sat up, alarmed. "Jay? You okay?"
The only response was the sound of her being violently ill.
He was at the bathroom door in seconds. "Jay? What's wrong? Should I call a doctor?"
She waved weakly from the floor. "I'm fine. Just... something didn't agree with me."
"Food poisoning?"
"Maybe. I don't know."
He helped her up, concerned. "You're pale. Lie down. I'll get you water."
---
She spent the morning in bed.
Keifer hovered.
Akshi brought crackers. "My mom always said crackers help with—" She stopped. Looked at Jay thoughtfully. "With... stomach issues."
Chethan appeared with ginger tea. "My aunt swears by this."
Shreya sat with her, holding her hand. "You sure you're okay?"
Mithun, passing by, observed quietly. "Food poisoning usually passes quickly. If it continues, see a doctor."
Keiran climbed onto the bed carefully. "Mamma sick? Rex wants to help."
Jay managed a smile. "Rex can help by being cute."
"Rex is ALWAYS cute."
---
By afternoon, Jay was feeling better.
But a thought had planted itself in her mind.
She found Keifer in the study.
"Keif?"
He looked up immediately. "You okay? Should you be walking around?"
"I'm fine. But... I need to ask you something."
"What?"
She took a breath. "Remember when Keiran asked for a sibling?"
His eyes widened. "Jay. Are you saying—"
"I don't know. But I need to find out."
He was on his feet instantly. "We're going to the doctor. Now."
"It's probably nothing—"
"NOW."
---
The drive was quiet.
Jay held his hand. He held hers tighter.
"What if I'm wrong?" she whispered.
"Then we'll know. And we'll keep trying."
"What if I'm right?"
He looked at her. "Then our family gets bigger. And Keiran gets his wish."
She laughed softly. "Rex will be thrilled."
"Rex will be the best big brother dinosaur."
---
The clinic was quiet.
Tests done. Waiting.
Keifer paced. Jay watched him.
"You're going to wear a hole in the floor."
"Can't help it."
"Keif. Sit."
He sat. Took her hand. "I'm scared."
"Of what?"
"Of hoping. Of wanting this so much and maybe—" He stopped.
She squeezed his hand. "Whatever happens, we're okay. You and me. That's what matters."
He kissed her forehead. "I love you."
"I love you too."
---
The doctor came in.
Smiling.
"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Watson. You're pregnant."
---
The world stopped.
Jay stared. "What?"
"Pregnant. About six weeks. Everything looks perfect."
Keifer's grip on her hand tightened. "We're... we're having a baby?"
"You're having a baby."
Jay burst into tears.
Keifer pulled her close, tears streaming down his own face.
"A baby," he whispered. "Our baby."
"Our baby."
---
They walked out of the clinic in a daze.
Keifer called Keigan. "We're having a baby."
Pause. Then Keigan's voice, trying to sound cool but failing. "Oh. Cool. Congrats."
Keifer called Tita Gemma. She screamed so loud he had to hold the phone away from his ear.
Keifer called Aries. "You're going to be an uncle again."
Aries was quiet for a moment. Then: "Jay's okay? The baby's okay?"
"Perfect."
"Good. Congratulations."
Ella's voice in the background: "LET ME TALK TO HER!"
---
They drove home in a bubble of happiness.
As they pulled into the driveway, Jay looked at Keifer. "How do we tell everyone?"
He grinned. "I have an idea."
---
That evening, everyone gathered for dinner.
Akshi and Chethan were arguing about something silly. Shreya and Mithun sat near each other, not quite touching, but close. Keigan scrolled on his phone. Keiran played with Rex and Ganesha.
Jay and Keifer exchanged a look.
Keifer stood. "Everyone. We have an announcement."
The room quieted.
Percy, who'd arrived for dinner with Honey, leaned forward. "ANNOUNCEMENT? I LOVE ANNOUNCEMENTS!"
Jay stood beside Keifer. "So... remember when Keiran asked for a sibling?"
Keiran's head snapped up. "MUMMY?"
She smiled. "Keiran, baby... you're going to be a big brother."
---
Silence.
Then Keiran screamed.
"A BABY? A REAL BABY? LIKE GRAZEL BUT OURS?"
"Exactly like that, baby."
"REX! GANESHA! DID YOU HEAR? WE'RE GETTING A BABY!"
Rex and Ganesha seemed thrilled.
The room erupted.
Akshi screamed and hugged Chethan. Chethan picked her up and spun her.
Shreya was crying. "A BABY! JAY'S HAVING A BABY!"
Mithun, beside her, smiled. Actually smiled. "Congratulations."
She looked at him, still crying. "Isn't it wonderful?"
"It is." He looked at her. "You're wonderful with kids. You'll be a great aunt."
She blinked. "Thank you."
He held her gaze for just a moment longer than necessary.
---
Keigan approached awkwardly. "So... I'm going to be an uncle again."
Jay hugged him. "The best uncle."
"I'm the only uncle."
"Still the best."
He almost smiled. "Yeah. Okay."
Percy barreled into them. "UNCLE PERCY IS HERE! THE BABY WILL BE SO LOVED! SO CHAOTIC! SO—"
Honey pulled him back. "Let them breathe."
"BUT BABY!"
"Breathe, Percy."
---
Keiran ran to his parents. "Mamma! Pappa! When does baby come?"
"About seven months, baby."
"SEVEN MONTHS? That's SO LONG!"
"Babies need time to grow."
"Rex says he'll wait."
"Rex is very patient."
"Rex is BEST."
---
Later that night, after everyone had finally calmed down, Jay and Keifer sat on their balcony.
"A baby," she whispered.
"A baby."
"Our baby."
"Our baby." He kissed her softly. "I love you."
"I love you too." She rested her head on his shoulder. "Our family keeps growing."
"The best kind of growing."
She smiled. "Keiran's going to be an amazing big brother."
"He'll teach the baby about Rex."
"And Ganesha."
"The baby will be the most loved child in the world."
"With the most chaotic family."
He laughed. "The best family."
---
Inside, Keiran was already planning.
He sat on his bed, Rex and Ganesha before him.
"Okay. Baby needs to learn things. Rex, you teach about being brave. Ganesha, you teach about being wise. I'll teach about being fun."
Rex nodded.
Ganesha nodded.
Keiran nodded. "We're going to be the BEST big brothers."
Rex and Ganesha agreed.
The baby wasn't even born yet, and already had the best guardians in the world.
---
End of Chapter Seventy-Six