The day of the Baby Shower had arrived, and the Black Box had been transformed into a surreal, high-security wonderland. Thousands of blush-pink lilies and white orchids draped from the ceilings, and the air smelled like expensive vanilla and sterilized hope.
Despite the beauty, the tension was palpable. Jay was the centerpiece, ensconced in her "throne"—an adjustable medical bed draped in $1,000$-thread-count silk, positioned perfectly under the glass dome of the sunroom so she could see the garden without moving a muscle.POV: Keifer (Mark Keifer Watson)
I stood by the entrance, adjusting my cufflinks. I was wearing a charcoal suit, looking every bit the "Monster" CEO, but my eyes never left Jay. She was wearing a custom-made, loose silk gown that made her look like a goddess of the moon.
"Guests are arriving, Kuya," Keigan whispered, checking his earpiece. "Section E is at their stations. Erdix has the facial recognition running on every guest—even the cousins."
"Good," I muttered. "And the medical team?"
"Ci n and Freya are in the next room with a full surgical kit and four units of Jay's blood type on ice," Keigan confirmed. "They're dressed in suits, but they've got their stethoscopes in their pockets."
I walked over to Jay, taking her hand. It was warm, but her pulse was a little fast. "Are you ready, wifey? If you get tired, I'll clear the room in ten seconds."
"I'm ready, hubby," she said, her "Savage" spark returning to her eyes. "I've been stuck in this bed for weeks. I need to judge people's outfits."
The Arrival of the Chaos
The room filled quickly with the Mariano and Fernandez clans. Pa Pa (Jasper) and Ma (Jeena) were the first to approach.
"You look like a star, Jay," Pa Pa said, kissing her forehead.
"I look like a very expensive marshmallow, Pa Pa," Jay countered, though she was smiling.
Then came the Section E gift parade. It was a tactical disaster of "Alpha" males trying to be sentimental.
Erdix & Rory: They presented a custom-built, bulletproof stroller. "It's made of the same carbon fiber as the Black Box's security shutters," Rory bragged. "And it has an encrypted GPS tracker."
Jay's Response: "Rory, she's a baby, not a fugitive. Does it come with a cup holder for my iced coffee, or did you forget the only thing that matters?"
Mayo & Kit: They brought a life-sized rocking horse carved from solid oak, with real silver stirrups.
Jay's Response: "It's beautiful. Who's going to move it? It weighs more than Felix. Speaking of which—Felix, why are you wearing a tie? It looks like a leash. Go sit in the corner and fix the Wi-Fi."
Emman: He presented a "Lifetime Presidential Suite" voucher for his hotel.
Jay's Response: "The 7th richest hotel, Emman? When Astraea is born, I expect you to be at least Top 5, or she's staying at the competition."
POV: Jay (Jasper Jean Mariano)
I was having the time of my life. Being on bed rest meant I had a captive audience.
Percy (Blue Eyes) walked up with Honey, carrying a large box. "Don't say anything about my eyes, Jay. It's a happy day."
"I can't help it, Percy. They're distracting the guests. Why are they so... aggressive today?" I teased. I opened the gift. It was a pair of tiny, high-definition binoculars. "For what?"
"So she can spot the boys coming from a mile away," Percy grinned. "I'll be the one helping Keifer guard the gate."
I laughed, but then I saw Aries (Horoscope) approaching with Ella. He was carrying a giant, glowing Himalayan salt lamp shaped like a crescent moon.
"Aries, if you tell me this lamp is going to align my chakras, I will throw it at you," I warned.
"It's not for your chakras, Jay!" Aries protested. "It's for Astraea's dream-state. It vibrates at the frequency of the heart chakra!"
"See? I knew it. Go put it in the hallway, Horoscope."
The Heart of the Shower
As the afternoon light began to fade, the atmosphere shifted. The jokes slowed down as Alexander walked to the center of the room. He was carrying a small, wooden box.
"Mumma," he said, climbing onto the edge of my bed. "This is from me and... and the sister in the clouds."
The room went silent. Keifer stepped closer, his hand resting on my shoulder.
Alexander opened the box. Inside was a tiny, knitted bonnet—half-finished, with a small needle still tucked into the yarn. It was the one Ma had started for Aurora before she died. Beside it was a new, silver rattle with Astraea's name engraved on it.
"For the new ninja," Alexander whispered. "So she knows she has two big brothers. Me, and the one watching from the stars."
I felt the tears spill over. Ma (Jeena) sobbed into her hands, and Pa Pa held her tight. Even the "Monster" Keifer had to look away, his jaw working as he fought for composure.
"Thank you, my little commander," I choked out, pulling Alexander into a hug.
The Vow
The party didn't end with a bang, but with a quiet, powerful moment of unity. Section E formed a semi-circle around my bed, and the families stood behind them.
"We are three weeks away," Ci n said, his voice loud and clear. "This baby shower isn't just a party. It's a declaration. Astraea Solene Watson is coming into a world that is already her fortress."
Keifer looked around the room at the men and women who would die for us. Then he looked at me. "To the Queen and the Princess," he said, raising a glass of sparkling cider.
"To the Queen and the Princess!" the room echoed.
As the sun set, I felt a calm I hadn't felt since the 3rd month. I was scared—terrified of the blood and the pain that was coming—but looking at the macaroon tower, the bulletproof stroller, and the faces of the people I loved, I knew one thing for certain.
The stars were aligned. And the Black Box was ready for its greatest miracle.