JAY-JAY POV
I woke up slowly, the world hazy, my body heavy.
For a moment, I didn't know where I was — only the hum of machines, the faint cries echoing somewhere nearby, and the ache that seemed to run through every part of me.
Then I felt it.
Warmth.
Pressure.
Someone holding my hands.
I blinked, forcing my eyes open, and there he was.
Keifer.
His head bowed, his grip tight, his thumb tracing circles against my skin as if he was afraid to let go.
"Keif…" My voice was weak, barely a whisper, but his head shot up instantly.
His eyes were red, his face pale, and relief flooded his features the second he saw me awake.
"Jay," he breathed, his voice breaking. "You're awake. Thank God."
He kissed my forehead, his touch grounding me after the storm.
"Where are the kids?" I asked, my voice weak but desperate.
"There," Keifer said softly, pointing toward the crib. My eyes followed, and there they were — three tiny bundles, swaddled and safe, their cries soft but insistent. Around them, Section E hovered like a protective wall, their faces lit with awe and chaos all at once.
My heart clenched. "Can you give them to me?" I whispered, the need overwhelming.
Keifer nodded without hesitation. He moved toward the crib, his hands gentle as he lifted the first baby. The room quieted, Section E leaning in, holding their breath as he carried our son to me.
When he placed the baby in my arms, tears spilled instantly. His warmth, his weight, the tiny sound of his breath — it was real. I kissed his forehead, my lips trembling, and whispered, "Mama's here."
Keifer returned with the second, then the third, placing each carefully into my arms. My lap was full, my heart fuller. Two boys, one girl — our chaos, our miracle.
Section E crowded closer, their voices overlapping in wonder. "Ate, they're so small." "They look like you." "No, they look like Keifer." "Don't drop them!"
I laughed through my tears, clutching the babies tighter. "They're ours," I said, my voice breaking. "All three. Our world."
Keifer sat beside me, his arm wrapping around my shoulders, his eyes glistening as he looked at us. "You did it, Jay. You carried the storm. And now… look at them."
And in that moment, surrounded by chaos, love, and the cries of new life, I realized: this was the beginning of everything.
"Jay, it's not fair," Keifer muttered, his tone somewhere between sulking and teasing.
I frowned, still cradling the babies. "What happened?"
He pointed at the boys, his lips twisting. "Look at them. They look like you."
The room erupted in laughter instantly.
"I mean, he's not wrong, you know," David said, his voice soft but amused, leaning closer to peek at the triplets
Ci‑n smirked and teased "Look, the boys already have Jay's don't annoy me face. It's like they're born ready to glare."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help laughing.
Rory chimed in, his grin wide. "But Keifer… your daughter looks exactly like you. Like a cardboard cutout of you, man."
"Let's just hope she doesn't get Keifer's grumpy face," Aries teased as he stepped closer, peering into the crib with a mischievous grin.
Keifer groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Really? You all just can't let me live, huh?"
Jare leaned in beside Aries, his expression softening as he looked at the three tiny bundles. "They look beautiful, all three of them," he said quietly, awe in his voice.
Percy shoved his way forward, puffing out his chest dramatically. "They're more handsome and beautiful than me," he declared, earning a chorus of laughter from the others.
Ci‑n snorted. "That's not hard, Percy. Babies win every time."
Percy shot him a glare, but even he couldn't hide the smile tugging at his lips as he watched the newborns squirm.
I laughed, clutching the babies closer.
"You're all ridiculous. But thank you." My voice broke with emotion, the chaos around me melting into something tender.
Keifer sat beside me, shaking his head at the group's antics but smiling despite himself. "See, Jay? They're already stealing the spotlight."
I kissed our daughter's forehead, whispering, "Good. Let them. They deserve it."
Section E crowded around, their voices overlapping in jokes, admiration, and playful chaos.
And in that moment, I realized — our storm had not only brought us three little lives, but had also filled the room with laughter, love, and family.
"Jay, what's the kids' names?" Kuya Angelo asked, his voice breaking through the chatter, eyes wide with curiosity.
Keifer straightened, pride flickering in his tired smile. "Jaden Kevin Mariano Watson for the first one."
I added quickly, brushing my hand over the second boy's cheek. "The second one is Jay Kade Mariano Watson."
Then I looked down at our daughter, her tiny fingers curling against my chest.
My voice softened, trembling with emotion. "And the girl's name is Jean Serina Kiara Mariano Watson."
"Wow, nice name, Jay," David said, smirking as he leaned against the crib. "Honestly, I thought you were going to name your kids after food because of your obsession."
The room burst into laughter.
Keifer groaned, rubbing his temples. "Don't give her ideas, David. I barely survived the pregnancy cravings — I don't need a son named Burger Watson."
Ci-n jumped in immediately, eyes wide with mischief. "Oh my god, Jay , imagine! Jaden Kevin Mariano Watson… aka Kevin the Kare‑Kare!"
Kade stirred in my arms, yawning, and David chuckled softly. "See? He's already tired of Ci-n nonsense."
Eman grinned, wagging his finger. "Hey, don't knock food names. If one of them was named after adobo, I'd be honored."
I laughed through her tears, shaking her head. "You're all ridiculous. My babies are not food items."
Edrix leaned closer, smiling. "Still, David's right. It's a miracle you didn't sneak in a food reference somewhere."
I kissed Kiara's forehead, whispering, "Don't worry, princess. Daddy won't let me rename you Pancit."
The group howled again, their voices overlapping in chaotic jokes and teasing.
But beneath the laughter, I saw it — the way they all leaned in, their eyes soft, their hearts already wrapped around Kevin, Kade, Keiara
And in that storm of jokes and chaos, I realized: our children weren't just ours. They already belonged to this family too.