JAY-JAY POV
It's been four months since we found out I was pregnant with triplets.
Four months of cravings, nausea, laughter, and tears. Four months of chaos wrapped in quiet moments.
And through it all, Keifer has been on cloud nine.
He's been there in the good times —
Holding my hand during doctor visits, grinning like a kid every time we hear three tiny
Heartbeats, whispering name ideas late at night like they're secrets only we can share.
And he's been there in the bad —
Rubbing my back when the sickness hit, pulling my hair away when I couldn't stop throwing up,
Staying awake with me when sleep felt impossible.
Sometimes I catch him staring at me, his eyes full of wonder, like he still can't believe this is real.
"Three babies," he whispers, almost to himself. "Three little pieces of us."
And I realize… even in the hardest moments, his joy is my anchor. His love is the steady rhythm that keeps me moving forward.
But right now, I was craving something.
"Keifer," I said, nudging him awake.
He stirred, blinking sleepily before smiling. "Morning, beautiful," he whispered, kissing me softly on the lips and then leaning down to press another kiss against my big belly.
"Morning, three little chaos," he said with a grin, his voice full of affection.
I giggled, rolling my eyes. "They're not chaos yet."
He smirked. "Oh, trust me, they will be. I can already feel it."
I pouted, tugging at his shirt. "Well, right now they're craving something."
He raised a brow, amused. "Craving? At eight in the morning?"
I nodded seriously. "Yes. And it's urgent."
He chuckled, brushing his thumb across my cheek. "Alright, Mama Jay. What's the order today?"
I whispered, "Chocolate with steamed dumplings."
Keifer blinked, sitting up straighter. "What?" he said, his voice caught between confusion and disbelief.
I giggled, covering my face with the blanket. "You heard me. Chocolate with steamed dumplings. That's what I want."
He rubbed his eyes, staring at me like I'd just spoken another language. "Jay… that's not even a real combination."
I pouted, tugging at his shirt. "It is now. My babies demand it."
He groaned, running a hand through his hair. "First chocolate at midnight, then mangoes at sunrise, and now… chocolate dumplings? You're inventing cravings."
I laughed, my cheeks burning. "Maybe I'm just ahead of the culinary curve."
Keifer shook his head, but his lips curved into a smile. "Fine. If that's what you want, I'll figure it out. Chocolate dumplings, coming right up."
I gasped, wide‑eyed. "You'd actually make them?"
He leaned down, kissing my forehead. "For you? For them? Always. Even if I have to invent the recipe myself."
I giggled, burying my face against his chest. "You're ridiculous."
He chuckled softly, holding me close. "And you're impossible. But I love you. And your chocolate dumplings."
He went downstairs. I followed him.
He went downstairs again, slower this time, smirking like he knew I was trailing behind. And I followed him again, rolling my eyes but refusing to let him out of my sight.
By the time we reached the kitchen, his brothers were already there, sprawled across chairs and couches, half‑awake and half‑nosy.
"Morning, Ate," Keiran said, flashing me a sleepy grin.
"Morning," I greeted him back, tugging at the hem of the oversized shirt I was wearing.
Keigan squinted, pointing straight at me. "Ate… that's Kuya's shirt."
I smirked, refusing to flinch. "So? It suits me better."
The room erupted with laughter — Keiran nearly choking on his coffee, Keigan shaking his head like he couldn't believe my audacity.
From the kitchen, Keifer's voice rang out, smug and unbothered. "She's right. Looks better on her anyway."
My cheeks burned instantly. "Keif!" I hissed, burying my face in the collar.
Kerian groaned dramatically. "Ugh, you two are disgusting. Domestic already."
"Oh, shut up," I muttered, rolling my eyes at the brothers' teasing.
Keifer came back into the room, still shirtless, balancing a plate in his hands. The smell hit me instantly — warm, sweet, comforting. Steamed dumplings.
"Here you go," he said, setting the plate down in front of me.
My eyes lit up, but before I could reach for one, he leaned closer, smirking. "But before you get it… I want a kiss."
I froze, cheeks heating. "Keifer," I whispered, half‑scolding, half‑embarrassed.
He grinned, lowering his voice so only I could hear. "Kisses, then dumplings."
I pouted, tugging at his arm. "You're impossible."
He leaned in, brushing his lips against mine, soft and lingering. My blush deepened, but my heart fluttered all the same.
"Now," he said, pulling back with a satisfied grin, "you can have your dumplings."
I giggled, finally reaching for the plate. "You're ridiculous."
He sat beside me, his arm draped around my shoulders. "Maybe. But I'm ridiculous for you."
"Ate, what are you eating?" Keiran asked, leaning over the table with a curious look.
"Steamed chocolate dumplings," Keifer answered proudly, sliding the plate closer to me.
Keigan wrinkled his nose. "Ate, are you okay? That's not really a combo."
"That's what I said," Keifer muttered, throwing his hands up.
I crossed my arms, smirking. "Why don't you ask your children? They're the ones who want it." I patted my belly for emphasis.
Keifer raised a brow, leaning closer. "Is it them… or you?"
I gasped dramatically, clutching my chest. "Excuse me? Are you accusing me of blaming my cravings on the babies?"
Keiran snorted. "Sounds exactly like what you're doing."
Keigan laughed, shaking his head. "Poor triplets. They're going to grow up thinking chocolate dumplings are normal food."
I stuck my tongue out at both of them. "Normal or not, they're delicious. And if they want it, they get it."
Keifer sighed, but his lips curved into a smile. "Fine. But when they're old enough to demand midnight dumplings, I'm sending them straight to you."
I giggled, popping one into my mouth. "Deal. I'll be the dumpling supplier."
"Jay, we have a doctor appointment," Keifer reminded gently.
"Right… I totally forgot. Thank you for reminding me," I said, leaning in to kiss his cheek.
He smiled, brushing his thumb across my hand. "Go get ready. The appointment's at 10 a.m., and it's already 9."
I nodded quickly and hurried upstairs, my heart racing with a mix of nerves and excitement.