JAY JAY POV
"Yuri, I'm giving you a second chance. Let her go," Keifer commanded, voice steady but filled with authority.
Yuri's eyes flickered with defiance as he shook his head. "No way, asshole," he snarled, his grip on my neck tightening. His knife pressed uncomfortably against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.
Yuri's gaze drifted to my belly, a twisted smirk on his face. "What the fuck, Jay? You're still sexy even now, at eight months," he said, placing his hands on my bump as if he was claiming what wasn't his.
"Please… let me go," I sobbed, tears streaming down my face. My voice cracked with desperation, my body trembling with fear.
"Jay Jay, baby, look at me, okay? Don't cry," Keifer's voice was soft, trembling with desperation as he tried to reach through the chaos.
But before he could finish, Yuri yanked me back by my hair, causing a sharp jolt of pain.
"Asshole!" Keifer yelled, his voice cracking with fury.
"Oww!" I cried out, clutching my head as the pain shot through my scalp.
Yuri pressed me closer to his chest, his lips brushing my neck in a possessive, twisted kiss.
"YURI, I'm warning you—touch her again, and I will kill you," Keifer growled, voice dark with menace.
Yuri sneered, voice dripping with contempt. "Sorry, Keifer. She's just so fucking hot—even pregnant. No wonder you're so obsessed with her."
I struggled, tears falling freely now.
"Please… let me go," I begged, voice trembling with fear and pain.
Yuri's grip tightened, and he pressed the knife harder against my neck, causing a sharp, searing pain. The blade didn't cut deep enough to kill me, but enough to draw more blood, making my vision blur with the pain.
Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse—
my water broke.
"I—I think my water just broke," I choked out, crying harder now, the shock and pain overwhelming me.
Keifer's eyes widened with alarm. "Jay, stay with me—stay calm," he said desperately, his hands trembling as he looked at me.
Yuri's eyes flickered with a cruel, mocking smile, but I could sense the flicker of doubt lurking beneath it.
In that moment, Kevin and Kade burst into the room from upstairs, their small faces filled with urgency.
"Papa, here!" Kevin called out, tossing Keifer what looked like a gun.
My eyes widened in shock. Where the hell did they find that?
Keifer caught the gun smoothly, a smirk curling on his lips as he quickly pointed it at Yuri.
"Son of a bitch, Keifer," Yuri sneered, eyes narrowing. "You're really good. Your boys? Damn, they're impressive."
Yuri's voice grew colder, more threatening. "But just so you know—your wife is in labor right now. If you trigger that gun, I'll take her with me straight to hell."
Keifer's grip on the gun tightened, his jaw clenched. His eyes flicked between Yuri and me, a fierce determination burning within.
Someone suddenly struck Yuri from behind with force, causing him to stumble forward.
I turned sharply and saw Keira and Kade—tiny but fierce—swinging vases with all their might, their eyes blazing with determination.
"Let go of my mom!" Kade shouted, throwing another vase at Yuri's head.
That distraction was enough for Keifer. Seizing the moment, he yanked me free from Yuri's grip, his eyes burning with fury.
"FUCK," Yuri yelled in rage as he realized what had happened. His eyes widened and he lunged toward Keira and Kade, a wild, desperate attack.
Keria's eyes widened in horror as Yuri closed the distance. Kade quickly pulled Keira behind him, shielding her with his small body, his face set with resolve.
Before Yuri could reach them, Kevin burst into the scene, grabbing both Keira and Kade and pulling them back toward us with frantic strength.
"Come on, guys!" Kevin shouted, dragging them away from the danger zone.
Keifer didn't hesitate. With a fierce roar, he lunged forward and punched Yuri square in the jaw, sending him stumbling backward.
"Keifer!" I cried out, tears streaming down my face. "Are you okay?"
Kevin's worried voice broke through the chaos. "Mama, are you okay?"
I looked at my brave little ones—so small yet so fierce—and managed a trembling smile.
"I'm fine, my babies," I whispered, leaning into their tiny faces. I pressed a gentle kiss to each of their foreheads, overwhelmed with love and gratitude.
"So brave," I murmured, tears falling freely now, proud of their courage in the face of chaos.
Then suddenly—
"OWWWW!"
A sharp pain shot through my stomach, so strong it knocked the breath out of me.
Before I could even process it, the front door BURST open.
Percy.
Aries.
Kuya Angelo.
Section E.
All of them stormed into the house like they were ready for war.
They took one look at me, one look at Yuri, and everything snapped into motion.
"Jay, are you okay?" Ci‑N asked, rushing to my side.
I shook my head, tears spilling. "My water broke."
"FUCK" Ci‑N stopped himself, eyes wide. "No time. We need to help you right here."
Kuya Angelo, Aries, and Percy immediately grabbed Keifer before he could launch himself at Yuri.
"Keifer, GO. Jay needs you right now," Kuya Angelo ordered, voice firm.
Aries glared at Yuri. "We'll handle him."
Keifer was shaking with rage. "Make sure this son of bitch stays alive. I want to finish this later."
"KEIFER!" Percy snapped — serious, deadly serious, which was terrifying because Percy never used that tone. "Later. My sister needs you. She's about to give birth. Handle her. Comfort her."
Keifer froze.
Then he looked at me.
Really looked.
And everything in him shifted.
Felix, Rory, and David rushed to the kids, pulling them back gently.
"I want to be with Mama!" Kevin cried, reaching for me.
"Kevin, please," David said softly. "Mama needs space right now."
"Mama!" Kade yelled, panicking.
"I'll be fine," I said, forcing a smile through the pain. "I promise."
Ci‑N turned to Keifer. "Let's take her to your room. It'll be easier."
Keifer didn't hesitate.
He came straight to me, scooped me into his arms like I weighed nothing, and held me tight against his chest.
"Jay, I've got you," Keifer whispered, voice shaking.
He carried me into our room and gently placed me on the bed, but the second I lay down—
Ci‑N's eyes widened.
"Jay… the baby's head is already visible."
My heart dropped.
"Eman!" Ci‑N yelled.
Eman practically slid into the room.
"WHAT?!"
"Get hot water!" Ci‑N ordered. "And towels — lots of towels!"
Eman sprinted out like his life depended on it.
Ci‑N turned back to me, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"We're doing this the old way. Right here. Right now."
My breath hitched.
Old‑style.
No hospital.
No machines.
Just towels, hot water, and panic.
Another contraction hit me so hard I arched off the bed.
"OWWWW—KEIFER!" I cried.
"I know, Jay, I know," he said, trying to stay calm. "Just breathe. We've got you."
Keifer was beside me, wiping my tears with trembling hands.
"I'm right here," he whispered again, kissing my forehead. "I'm not leaving."
Eman rushed back in with a huge bowl of steaming water, towels stacked up to his chin.
"Hot water!" he yelled like he was announcing treasure.
Percy, Aries, and Kuya Angelo stood guard at the door, blocking anyone from coming in — especially Yuri.
Section E formed a wall behind them, like a full SWAT team.
Felix, Rory, and David kept the kids outside, even though I could hear them crying.
"Mama!"
"Mama, we're here!"
"Mama, please!"
My heart broke, but another contraction hit and I screamed again.
Keifer squeezed my hand.
"Jay, look at me. Look at me."
I did.
His eyes were full of fear and love and panic all at once.
"You're doing so good," he whispered. "You're so strong."
Ci‑N positioned himself at the foot of the bed, towels ready.
"Jay, listen to me," he said firmly. "This is happening now. We're going to help you bring your baby into the world. Old‑style. Just like our grandparents did."
I nodded, tears streaming.
"Okay," I whispered. "Okay."
Keifer kissed my forehead again.
"I've got you," he said. "I've always got you."
And then—
Another contraction hit.
"OWWWW!" I screamed, grabbing the sheets as another contraction slammed through me.
Keifer squeezed my hand so hard his knuckles turned white.
"I'm here," he whispered, voice shaking.
Ci‑N leaned forward. "Jay, the baby's right there. One more push."
I tried.
I really tried.
But the pain hit like a wave and my whole body went numb.
My vision blurred.
My ears rang.
The room tilted.
"Keifer…" I whispered.
And then everything went dark.
KEIFER POV
"Jay? Jay!"
Her head fell back.
Her hand slipped out of mine.
My heart stopped.
"Ci‑N, she passed out!" I yelled, voice cracking.
"She's breathing," Ci‑N said quickly, not looking up. "She's exhausted. The baby's coming now."
I couldn't breathe.
"Jay… baby… please wake up."
My voice didn't even sound like mine.
It was shaking, breaking, begging.
Then her eyelids fluttered.
She blinked up at me, confused, exhausted, in pain.
"Keifer…" she whispered.
I swear my knees almost gave out.
"Oh thank God," I breathed, pressing my forehead to hers. "Jay, you scared me."
But before I could say anything else, her whole body tensed.
A contraction hit her so hard she grabbed my arm like she was drowning.
"OW—KEIFER!"
"I'm here," I said instantly, holding her hand with both of mine. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
Ci‑N leaned in, focused and steady.
"Jay, listen to me. The baby is coming now. You're almost there."
Jay shook her head, tears falling.
"I can't—"
"Yes you can," I whispered, brushing her hair back. "You've done everything alone before. But not this. Not now. I'm with you."
Another contraction hit.
She screamed.
I felt her nails dig into my skin, but I didn't care.
I'd take every ounce of her pain if I could.
Ci‑N's voice cut through the chaos.
"Jay, this is it. One strong push."
Jay looked at me — terrified, exhausted, shaking.
"Keifer…"
"I've got you," I said, kissing her forehead. "Do it for our baby. I'm right here."
She took a breath.
And pushed.
The room blurred around us — voices, footsteps, towels, hot water — but all I saw was her.
Ci‑N's voice rose suddenly.
"Okay—okay—stop. Baby's out!"
And then—
A cry.
A tiny, sharp, perfect cry.
My heart stopped.
My breath caught.
Ci‑N wrapped the baby in a towel and turned toward me.
"Keifer," he said softly, "your daughter is here."
I didn't move at first.
I couldn't.
My chest felt too tight.
He placed her in my arms.
She was so small.
So warm.
So real.
I looked at Jay — exhausted, crying, shaking — and I felt something inside me break open.
"Jay…" I whispered, voice cracking. "She's here. You did it. Our baby's here."
Jay reached out with trembling fingers, touching the blanket.
I leaned down, letting her see her daughter up close.
"She's perfect," I whispered. "Just like you."
I kissed Jay's forehead, then our newborn daughter's tiny head.
Ci‑N checked his watch. "Keifer, I already called the other doctor. They'll be here soon with equipment."
Jay blinked slowly, exhausted.
"Ci‑N…"
"Yes?" he answered, leaning closer.
"She's here too soon… she's a—"
"Yeah," Ci‑N said gently. "She's a preemie. But she's healthy. Nothing to worry about."
Jay exhaled in relief.
Then her eyes fluttered.
And she passed out.
"Jay!" I yelled, panic ripping through me.
Ci‑N grabbed my arm. "Keifer, she's okay. She's just exhausted. Give her space."
I nodded, even though my whole body was shaking.
I held my daughter closer, trying to calm myself.
Then I noticed it.
Silence.
Too much silence.
"Ci‑N… she's not crying," I said, my voice cracking.
Ci‑N's head snapped toward me.
"What?"
He took her from my arms immediately, his expression shifting from calm to focused in a heartbeat.
"Ci‑N, what's happening to my daughter?" I yelled, my chest tightening.
Before he could answer, the door burst open.
Kuya Angelo.
Aries.
Percy.
All of them rushed in.
"What happened?" Angelo asked, eyes darting between me and the baby.
"I don't know!" I choked out. "She—she stopped crying and Ci‑N—he's trying to help her—"
Percy didn't hesitate.
He came straight to me and pulled me into a tight hug.
"Nothing will happen to her," Percy said firmly. "After all… she's your daughter too."
My knees almost buckled.
I held onto him, shaking, staring at my tiny baby in Ci‑N's hands, praying harder than I ever had in my life.