JAY JAY POV
I woke up warm, tucked into Keifer's chest like I belonged there.
His heartbeat was steady under my ear, his arms heavy around me, holding me like he never wanted to let go.
I looked up at him, still half‑asleep, hair messy and peaceful.
I smiled without even meaning to and brushed the strands away from his forehead.
"Why, Keifer?" I whispered. "Why is it every time I always fall for you harder than the first time?"
I traced my finger along the bridge of his nose and tapped it lightly.
"Mark Keifer Watson… I love you," I murmured, leaning in to kiss him.
And for a moment, I just thought about it —
how no matter what happens, no matter how much we fight, no matter how chaotic life gets…
I always end up right here.
With him.
Then—
"If you're gonna kiss me, then do it," Keifer said, eyes still closed.
I jerked back. "Gago, were you awake the whole time?"
He smiled — that stupid, smug, soft smile — and nodded.
Idiot.
I tried to sit up, but he grabbed my waist and pulled me right back into him.
"Please, Jay," he whispered, voice low and rough. "Let me kiss you passionately for once."
My breath caught.
I nodded.
And Keifer didn't waste a second — he pulled me closer, hand firm on my waist, and kissed me like he meant every promise he'd ever made.
We moved our lips together like we'd done it a thousand times —
maybe we had.
Maybe every version of us always found its way back to this moment.
Then Keifer pulled back, breath warm against my lips, eyes locked on mine.
"Jasper Jean Mariano… be my girlfriend," he said softly.
Girlfriend.
Not wife.
Asshole.
Before I could even roll my eyes, he smirked — that knowing, infuriating, perfect smirk.
"For now girlfriend," he added, "but soon… my wife."
I nodded, heart doing that stupid flip it always did around him.
Keifer's smile widened — slow, warm, full of something that felt like forever —
and he leaned in, kissing me again, deeper this time, like he was sealing the promise himself.
"I love you until scientists find the end of the universe," Keifer whispered against my lips.
I smiled, heart doing that stupid flutter it always did with him.
"I love you, Mark Keifer Watson," I whispered back. "Until scientists find the end of the universe."
He smiled — soft, warm, the kind that made my chest tighten — and he leaned in, about to kiss me again when—
BANG BANG BANG
"MAMA! OPEN THE DOOR!" Kade yelled like the house was on fire.
Keifer froze.
I bit back a laugh.
He looked at me with the most dramatic, betrayed expression.
"I can't even have a moment with my wife without getting interrupted," he groaned.
I pushed him lightly. "Go open the door."
He didn't move.
"Keifer," I warned.
He sighed like a man carrying the weight of the universe, rolled off the bed, and dragged himself toward the door like he was walking to his execution.
The moment Keifer opened the door, the kids burst into our room like tiny rockets.
I sat up immediately, arms wide open.
"My babies… already four," I said, pulling all three of them into a tight hug.
"Happy birthday, my cute little hurricanes," I added, kissing their foreheads and cheeks until they giggled.
Keira tugged on my shirt.
"Mama, where are our presents?"
I tapped her nose. "You'll get them soon."
Keifer came over, still half‑asleep but smiling, and kissed each of them on the forehead and cheeks.
"My chaos are getting old," he said proudly. "Happy birthday, princes and princess."
Keira scrunched her nose.
"Papa… your breath smells a little."
I burst out laughing.
Keifer gasped like she'd insulted his entire bloodline.
"Oh really?" he said dramatically — and then he attacked her with kisses.
Keira shrieked, laughing so hard she couldn't breathe.
Then he turned to the boys.
"Papa, please stop!" Kevin laughed, trying to push Keifer away, but Keifer only kissed him more.
"Papa, pleaaase!" Kade cried, holding his stomach from laughing too much.
Keifer finally stopped, standing there with the most satisfied dad‑face ever.
And the kids?
A giggling, breathless pile of birthday chaos.
"Let's go eat breakfast," I told them, and the three birthday monsters sprinted downstairs like it was Christmas morning.
When I reached the dining room, I stopped.
The table was full.
French toast stacked high.
Pancakes with chocolate chips.
Nutella jars open.
Fruit bowls.
Whipped cream.
Even tiny heart‑shaped waffles.
Everything my kids loved — all of it already set up perfectly.
I turned to Keifer slowly.
"Did you make the maids do this?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Keifer didn't even try to hide it.
He smiled proudly, chest puffed out like he'd just won Father of the Year.
The kids came running in, and Mia and Caleb followed right behind them.
"Jay‑Jay," Mia called as she came downstairs.
The moment I saw her, my eyes widened.
"Omg, Mia… you don't look so good. Are you okay?"
"She's been vomiting a lot," Caleb said, rubbing her back gently.
"She'll be fine," I assured him. "Her body's just adjusting."
I turned to Mia. "What do you want to eat?"
"Peanut butter on waffles," she said immediately.
I stared at her for a second.
Yep.
Pregnancy cravings had officially entered the chat.
"Give her what she wants," I told the maid.
The maids nodded and hurried off to prepare her plate.
Mia leaned down toward the kids, smiling softly despite looking exhausted.
"Happy birthday, my little tornado," she said, kissing their cheeks.
The kids giggled, already stuffing pancakes into their mouths like tiny gremlins.
After breakfast, the front door swung open and chaos walked in.
"JAY‑JAY, YOUR FIRST BORN IS HERE!" Ci‑N yelled, sprinting toward me and hugging me like he hadn't seen me in ten years.
Before I could even react—
"MAMA, I'M YOUR FIRST BORN!" Kevin shouted from across the room, hands on his hips like a tiny offended king.
Oh no.
Oh no.
These two.
These two are going to fight over this until the end of time.
"No, I was hers first!" Ci‑N argued, pointing at himself dramatically.
Kevin stomped his foot. "Mama carried me for nine months!"
Ci‑N gasped. "And she carried me emotionally for YEARS!"
I covered my face.
Keifer choked on his own breath trying not to laugh.
The rest of Section E started filing in, already entertained.
Aries whispered, "Round one. Fight."
Eman nodded like a commentator. "My money's on Kevin. He bites."
Kevin glared at him. "I do not bite!"
Ci‑N smirked. "You bit me last week."
"That was self‑defense!" Kevin yelled.
I stepped between them before the argument escalated into a full WWE match.
"Both of you," I said, pointing at Ci‑N and Kevin, "are my first borns."
They both froze.
Then—
Kevin: "Mama, that's not how it works."
Ci‑N: "No, no, let her cook."
I sighed.
"Mama," Kevin said, marching straight to me like he was ready to file a complaint.
"Jay‑Jay!" Ci‑N said at the exact same time, grabbing my arm dramatically.
I sighed.
Here we go again.
"C, you're eighteen," I reminded him.
"And you're twenty‑two with three kids—four including me," Ci‑N shot back without missing a beat.
I rolled my eyes so hard I almost saw my brain.
Before I could respond, Rakki appeared out of nowhere and smacked Ci‑N on the back of the head.
"Idiot," she muttered.
Then she turned to Kevin and her whole face melted.
"Oh my god, he is so cute."
"Hi, Rakki," I said, smiling at her.
She raised an eyebrow. "Wow, you actually remember me. Interesting."
I laughed. "Where were you for four years?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"Long story," I said, pulling her into a hug. "But I'm here now."
She hugged me back tightly.
When we pulled away, I smirked.
"I heard you and Ci‑N are engaged now."
Rakki's face turned bright red instantly.
"That idiot proposed to me," she muttered, glaring at Ci‑N. "And he didn't get up until I said yes."
Ci‑N puffed his chest proudly like he'd just won a whole championship.
Before I could roast him, Mica walked in, eyes immediately landing on Kevin.
"Is this your son? He is so cute," Mica said, practically melting.
"Yeah, he is," I replied, smiling.
"Hi, Jay," Mica said, pulling me into a hug.
"Hi, Mica," I said, hugging her back.
Then I noticed a little girl standing beside Calix — maybe a year younger than my kids, holding a tiny stuffed bunny and staring at everyone like she was judging us.
"This is Phoenix, my little girl," Calix said proudly, lifting her up a bit.
I blinked.
"Dang, Calix… I did not imagine you getting Mica pregnant at nineteen," I said, staring at him.
Mica nudged me hard. "Jay!"
I laughed, and she rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
Phoenix hid her face in Calix's shoulder "She gets that shyness from her mother." he said
I nodded
"Where are your other kids? Edrix said there were more," Freya asked as she walked toward me.
Before I could answer—
"MAMA! KADE TOOK MY PANCAKES AGAIN!" Keira yelled from the kitchen.
I pointed toward the chaos. "Over there."
Freya followed my finger, spotted Keira, and her whole face lit up.
"Oh my god, she is so cute," Freya said, rushing over.
Keira stared at her for two seconds… then yelled at full volume:
"MAMAAA! THIS TITA LOOKS LIKE A CANVAS!"
I nearly choked trying not to laugh.
Control.
Control.
Control.
"Keira, that's rude," I said, even though my lips were twitching.
Before I could recover, I saw Ella walk in.
Great.
Just great.
I didn't hate her… I just didn't like her.
But according to my horoscope‑obsessed brother, she and he were married now.
"Hey, Jay‑Jay!" she said, pulling me into a hug.
I blinked.
Okay… maybe she changed.
Maybe.
"Hi, Ella," I said, hugging her back.
Okay… maybe she did change. A little.
Before I could process that emotional whiplash, Kade tugged on my shirt.
"Ma, when can we open the presents?" he asked, eyes sparkling.
"Soon," I said.
Instantly, all three kids abandoned me and ran straight to Keifer.
"Papa, we want presents now!" they said in perfect unison.
Keifer looked at me like please help me, I'm being attacked by tiny humans.
"Keifer, not yet," I said firmly. "Kuya Angelo and Ate Ion aren't here yet. Also Aion."
Keira stepped forward, weaponizing her deadliest move —
the puppy‑dog eyes.
"Papaaa…" she said, blinking dramatically.
Keifer clutched his chest. "Jay, she looks so cute."
I narrowed my eyes.
"MARK KEIFER WATSON, don't you dare."
He straightened immediately.
"Sorry, princess. Mama makes the rules."
From behind him, Denzel snorted.
"Damn, Keifer, you're not even married yet but you're already listening to Jay‑Jay."
Calix didn't miss a beat.
"Idiot, you were scared of Grace's phone call."
Denzel froze.
And right on cue—
"Why?" Grace asked, appearing beside me like a summoned demon.
Denzel's soul left his body.
"Nothing, baby, they're just joking," Denzel said quickly, smacking Calix on the head before Grace could interrogate him further.
I turned to the rest of Section E, raising an eyebrow.
"So… what about the rest of you? Any plans of having girlfriends or, you know—"
"Jay, please—" Eren started.
I held up a hand. "No. Don't you dare talk. I don't want to hear it from you."
The guy was a walking red flag with legs. Absolutely not.
Felix crossed his arms, smirking like he was posing for a magazine cover.
"Jay, girls are lucky to be with me. And I want a girl who's nice, funny, and of course has a good heart."
I stared at him.
"I just don't understand why you're still single. You're pretty good looking."
Felix's smirk grew. "Exactly."
Ci‑N groaned. "Here we go. Felix and his delusions."
Felix flipped his hair. "Delusions? I'm simply aware of my value."
Eman snorted. "Your value is like… two pesos."
"Shut up, chef boy," Felix snapped.
The kids were watching them like it was a live comedy show.
Keifer's smirk was already dangerous, but the way he leaned in — lips brushing my ear, voice dropping low — yeah, this man was planning something.
"Jay," he whispered, "let's make a bet."
I raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
His smile widened — slow, confident, annoyingly sure of himself.
The kind of smile that said he already won.
He whispered:
Keifer's breath brushed my ear, warm and smug, and I already knew he was planning something stupid.
"If the kids choose me over you three times today, I win," he whispered.
I crossed my arms. "So what do I get?"
"You get whatever you want," he said confidently — too confidently.
I smirked.
He walked right into that one.
"You take care of the kids for a whole day," I said, "without calling me. Not even once."
Keifer didn't even flinch.
"Okay with me."
Oh, he was cocky today.
Then he tilted his head, eyes glinting.
"What about me?" he asked.
I raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?"
His smirk turned dangerous.
"You have to seduce your innocent husband."
I blinked.
Innocent?
INNOCENT?
This man who kissed me like he owned oxygen?
This man who whispered filth in my ear is innocent?
I stared at him.
"Keifer," I said slowly, "you are about as innocent as a wolf in a church."
He grinned. "Still. I want you to seduce me."
Keifer leaned in, eyes glinting with that dangerous confidence he only gets when he's planning to ruin my life in the most romantic, annoying way possible.
"Jay, it's okay if you think you'll lose," he pressed, smirk growing.
I scoffed. "Deal."
His smirk widened like he'd been waiting for that.
"You have to seduce me for two weeks straight," Keifer said.
I froze.
"Keifer," I said, staring at him like he'd lost his mind.
He just smiled.
Fine.
Two can play this game.
"Okay then," I said, stepping closer. "If I win, you take care of the kids for three days. Alone. Without calling me. Not even once."
Keifer blinked.
Three days with three chaotic four‑year‑olds.
He swallowed.
But he didn't back down.
"Fine, wifey," he said, grabbing my hand and shaking it firmly. "Get ready to lose."
The bet had barely been sealed when the universe decided to give us Round One immediately.
Keifer was still smirking, arms crossed, looking like he already won the whole competition.
"Jay, it's okay if you think you'll lose," he teased.
I rolled my eyes. "Keep talking."
He leaned in again. "Get ready to lose, wifey."
Keira came running in first, holding her unicorn.
"Keira," I said sweetly, "come to Mama."
She looked at me.
Then at Keifer.
Then at me again.
And then—
"PAPAAAAA!" she squealed, launching herself at Keifer like a missile.
Keifer caught her, spinning her around dramatically.
He smirked at me over her shoulder.
Keifer: 1
Jay: 0
"Jay, what are you two doing?" Freya asked, raising an eyebrow at me and Keifer like she'd just walked in on a crime scene.
I didn't even blink.
"Something really important," I said, dead serious.
Freya looked between us — me standing there with my arms crossed, Keifer smirking like he was about to win a championship
Kade came running in with his toy car.
"Kade," I called sweetly, "come to Mama."
Keifer crouched down too. "Kade, come to Papa."
Kade looked between us…
Then ran straight to Keifer.
"Papa, carry me!"
Keifer lifted him with one arm, smirking at me like he'd just won a trophy.
Keifer: 2
Jay: 0
I'm losing damm it
Kevin walked in next, holding his little drawing.
I knelt down. "Kevin, come to Mama."
Keifer opened his arms too. "Kev, come to Papa."
Kevin looked at me.
Then at Keifer.
Then at me again.
For a second, I thought I had him.
Then he sighed dramatically — like a tiny old man — and walked straight to Keifer.
"Papa, carry me too."
Keifer lifted him with his other arm, now holding all three kids, and smirked at me like he was posing for a magazine cover.
Keifer: 3
Jay: 0
Kevin looked at me innocently and said:
"Mama, Papa is taller. I want to be up high."
I stared at him.
This child.
This tiny traitor.
Keifer leaned in, whispering smugly:
"That's another point for me."
"You lost, wifey," Keifer said, smirking like he'd just won the Olympics.
I crossed my arms. "No, actually I didn't. Play rematch."
Keifer blinked. "Jay—"
"You said the kids have to choose you three times," I reminded him. "That was ONE round. Not the whole bet."
Keifer groaned. "Come on, don't be a—"
I raised an eyebrow.
He shut up immediately.
Then he sighed dramatically, rubbing his forehead. "Fine they just have to pick me two more times and I win"