Timing:- 4:00 a.m
For the first time in their marriage-
Jay woke up before Keifer.
Not because of sunlight.
Not because of dreams.
But her stomach twisted violently.
Her eyes snapped open.
For a second, she didn't understand what was wrong. Then the nausea hit again-sharp, sudden, unforgiving. Her hand flew to her mouth as she sat up abruptly.
No ... no no no-
She barely had time to slide out of bed before she rushed toward the bathroom, one hand on the wall for support. Her legs felt weak, like they didn't belong to her.
The sound woke Keifer.
He stirred, confused at first.
"Jay ...? " his voice was sleepy, instinctive.
Then he heard it.
The retching.
His heart dropped.
He was out of bed in seconds.
By the time he reached the bathroom, Jay was kneeling on the floor, one hand gripping the toilet seat, the other pressed to her stomach. Her face was pale. Her hair is messy. Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes-not from pain, but from the sheer discomfort.
Keifer froze for half a second.
Then he knelt beside her, instantly.
"Hey-hey-breathe," he said softly, pulling her hair back gently so it wouldn't fall forward. His hand trembled as he rubbed her back in slow, careful circles. "I'm here. I've got you."
She gagged again, body shaking.
"I'm sorry," she whispered weakly between breaths. "I-I don't know why-"
"Don't apologise," he said immediately, panic hidden under calm.
"Never say sorry for this. Never."
He reached for a glass of water, his hands shaking more than hers, and held
It was near her lips when she was done.
"Small sips," he said. "Slowly."
She followed, obedient and exhausted.
Her head dropped against his shoulder.
Keifer swallowed hard.
This wasn't the glowing pregnancy scenes he imagined.
This was real.
And it scared him.
"You should've woken me," he murmured, guilt heavy in his chest.
She gave a weak, breathless laugh. "You looked ... so peaceful. I didn't want to disturb you."
His jaw tightened.
"I want to be disturbed," he said. "I want to know everything. Every ache. Every sickness. Every fear."
She closed her eyes.
Another wave of nausea hit, and she leaned forward again. Keifer held her steady, whispering nonsense-random reassurances, broken prayers, promises he didn't even realise he was making.
When it finally passed, she slumped against him, drained.
"I feel awful," she whispered. "My head hurts. My stomach hates me. I don't even want to smell water."
He pressed a kiss to her temple.
"'I'll fix it," he said softly.
She smiled faintly. "You're not a doctor."
"I'm your husband," he replied. "That's better."
He helped her stand slowly, guiding her back to the bed like she was something precious and breakable. He tucked the blanket around her, adjusted the pillows, then hesitated.
"What if it happens again?" she asked quietly.
"Then I'll be here again," he said without hesitation.
She watched him as he sat beside her, worry written all over his face..
"This is going to happen a lot, isn't it?"
He nodded slowly. "The doctor said it might."
Her eyes filled. "I didn't know it would be this ... uncomfortable."
He took her hand and placed it over his chest.
"Then we'll be uncomfortable together."
She smiled through tears.
A few minutes passed in silence.
Then her nose wrinkled.
" ... Keifer."
"Yes?"
"You smell like coffee."
He stiffened. "Is that bad?"
Her hand flew to her mouth again. "Very."
"Oh-oh God-" he panicked, jumping up. "I'll throw it away. I'll burn it.
I'll ban coffee from this house forever."
She laughed weakly, even as she gagged again.
He rushed back to her side, holding her hair, rubbing her back.
"I'm sorry," he said miserably. "I didn't know."
She looked at him, eyes watery but warm.
"You're learning."
He smiled faintly. "So are you."
When it was over, she lay back, completely exhausted.
Keifer lay beside her-but not too close. Still careful. Still afraid..
"You okay?" he whispered.
She nodded slowly. "Just ... tired."
He kissed her forehead.
"Our baby is already strong," he murmured. "Making their mother this powerful."
She rolled her eyes weakly. "Or this is miserable."
He chuckled softly, then grew serious again.
"I'll change everything," he said. "Food. Smells. Schedule. Office hours. I'll stay home if I have to."
She reached for his hand.
"Don't disappear from your life because of me."
"I won't," he promised. "I'll expand it. For you. For us."
Her eyelids grew heavy.
As she drifted back to sleep, her fingers still curled around his, Keifer stayed awake, watching her breathe, memorising the rise and fall of her chest.
And parenthood didn't feel like a dream.
It felt like responsibility.
And he had never loved anything more.
Keifer leaned closer and pressed a gentle kiss to Jay's temple.
Not hurried.
Not loud.
Just a promise.
His fingers slid slowly through her hair, careful, reverent, like she was made of glass. He rested his forehead against hers and whispered, his voice barely audible,
"Baby ... don't worry your mommy too much."
A sad smile touched his lips.
"She's so fragile already."
His hand drifted down to her stomach, warm and protective, and he whispered again-this time to the tiny life only he believed could hear.
"I know you're strong. But be kind to her, okay? She's doing her best ... for both of us."
Jay slept, unaware of the quiet conversation happening for her. Keifer stayed like that for a moment longer, then carefully reached for
his phone.
He stepped onto the balcony, closing the door softly behind him, and dialled the doctor's number.
It rang once.
Twice.
"Doctor," Keifer said the moment the call connected, his voice calm but tight. "She woke up with nausea. She threw up. Is this normal?"
The doctor's voice was patient, practised.
"Yes. Very normal," he said. "But it varies. For some women, nausea comes only a few times. For others ... it can be frequent."
Keifer closed his eyes.
"So this might happen again?"
"Possibly," the doctor replied. "Let's pray she handles it well. The first trimester can be hard."
Keifer swallowed. "What can I do?"
There was a pause, then the doctor spoke gently.
"Listen to her," he said. "Completely. Whatever she says, listen. The next
six months won't be easy. Her mood may change often. Estrogen and progesterone will affect her emotions, her reactions, even her personality at times."
Keifer nodded, even though the doctor couldn't see him.
"I'll listen," he said immediately. "I promise."
"And food," the doctor continued. "She should avoid oily food, spicy food, strong smells, caffeine, raw items, and anything too heavy. Small meals. Light food. Ginger helps. Warm water. No stress."
Keifer repeated everything in his mind like a sacred list.
"I understand," he said. "Thank you."
When the call ended, he didn't go back to bed.
He went straight to the bathroom, took a quick shower, and changed quietly. His movements were quick but controlled and focused.
Then he headed to the kitchen.
It was barely 6 a.m.
The chefs looked surprised when he arrived so early.
"From today," Keifer said calmly but firmly, "no strong spices. No fried food. No coffee. No heavy smells. Everything light. Ginger-based. Simple. If you're unsure-ask me."
They nodded instantly.
"And keep food ready in small portions," he added. "She might eat little, but often."
"Yes, sir."
Only then did he return to the bedroom.
Jay was still asleep.
He sat beside her, brushing his thumb gently over her knuckles, watching her breathe. The worry didn't leave his eyes, but something
else was there now, too.
Resolve.
It was still early.
Still quiet.
And Keifer chose to spend that quiet morning exactly where he wanted to be right beside his wife
Learning how to be a father.
Jay woke up again, but before Keifer could asked anything she rushed towards bathroom.
She barely reached the washbasin before throwing up again. Her hands trembled as she held the edge, eyes watery, body shaking with every breath.
Keifer stood beside her, one hand on her back, rubbing slow circles like he always did.
"I'm here," he whispered. "Breathe ... slowly."
But it didn't stop.
Jay threw up again, and this time she let out a small, broken sound-half sob, half frustration.
"I- I feel like I'm dying," she said weakly, voice cracking.
"This won't stop ... it hurts."
Her knees felt like they would give up any second.
Suddenly, in pure irritation and helpless anger, she turned and slowly punched his chest, not hard, just tired taps.
"It's all your fault," she cried.
"All your fault that I'm feeling this pain ... I hate this ... I hate vomiting ... "
Her strength disappeared mid-sentence.
Jay's body leaned forward, and before she could fall, Keifer caught her, pulling her into his arms.
"Shh ... shh ... "
He held her tightly, one hand cradling her head.
She cried quietly against his chest, exhausted, drained, defeated.
"I can't do this anymore," she whispered.
"I'm so tired."
Without saying anything, Keifer lifted her gently and carried her back to the washbasin. He helped her rinse her mouth, wiped her lips softly, and cleaned her face like she was fragile glass.
She didn't protest.
She didn't have the energy.
Her clothes were messy, uncomfortable, and she felt dirty, but her body refused to cooperate anymore.
So when Keifer quietly changed her clothes into fresh ones, she just stood there, leaning into him, eyes half-closed. No embarrassment. No objections. Just trust.
He knew she wanted to bathe.
But he also knew she was too weak.
So he did everything slowly. Carefully. Respectfully. Like she was precious.
When he was done, he lifted her again, this time bridal style, and carried her to the bed.
He sat beside her, pulling her gently into his arms.
"Do you want to eat something?" he asked softly.
"Or drink?"
Jay rested her head on his chest and answered in the tiniest, cutest
voice:
"I'm hungry ... "
"But I don't want anything ... "
"I might vomit again."
Keifer sighed quietly, kissed her forehead, and held her tighter.
"Okay," he said. "We'll go slow. I'm not going anywhere."
He stayed there, just watching her breathe.
Jay lay quietly in his arms, eyes closed but mind restless. The bitter taste in her mouth refused to leave, and her body still felt weak, like it might give up any moment.
Keifer's POV
He knew she felt disgusting.
Keifer noticed it. And pulled her close to me.
"It's your office time," she reminded him softly leaning to his touch.
Keifer didn't even blink.
"I'm on leave."
Jay straightened immediately, eyes widening.
"What?"
"You shouldn't do that," she said, slightly annoyed now.
"So many people are here to take care of me."
Keifer smirked.
"But, Queen Jay," he said dramatically, bowing his head a little,
"There's no one like this lovely servant of yours."
He tightened his hold on her.
"Let me guard you, my queen."
Jay stared at him for a second.
Then she huffed, pushing his chest lightly.
"You're so annoying," she muttered.
"And dramatic."
Keifer laughed softly, resting his forehead against hers.
"Mission successful," he whispered.
"You forgot about the bitter taste for two minutes."
Jay didn't reply.
But the small smile on her lips told him everything.
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