That night, the Watson mansion felt different.
Not louder.
Not grander.
Just… fuller.
Jay sat on the edge of the bed, one hand resting unconsciously over her stomach, the other fidgeting with the corner of the blanket. The laughter from the hallway had faded, the doors were closed, and for the first time since she had asked that question… her chest didn't hurt anymore.
Keifer came out of the bathroom quietly and stopped when he saw her like that.
Small. Thoughtful. Soft.
He walked to her and knelt in front of her without a word.
"…You're still thinking about it, aren't you?" he murmured.
Jay nodded slowly.
"I thought… I would be judged," she whispered.
"I thought… I would disappoint everyone."
Keifer lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips.
"You didn't disappoint anyone," he said gently.
"You scared yourself for nothing."
Her eyes trembled.
"I've never had something that belonged to me like this before… a family… a place… people who won't leave."
Keifer's throat tightened.
He stood up and pulled her into his chest, holding her so firmly that she could hear his heartbeat.
"They won't leave," he said quietly.
"I won't leave."
Jay's fingers clutched the back of his shirt.
"…Promise?"
He smiled against her hair.
"I swear on everything I am."
He slowly slid his hand over her waist and then—hesitated for half a second—before resting it softly on her stomach.
Not possessive.
Not rushed.
Just careful.
Just real.
"Our little miracle," he whispered.
Jay broke into a small, shaky laugh through her tears.
"No one called it a miracle today," she said.
Keifer pulled back just enough to look at her.
"They didn't need to," he replied.
"They already treated it like one."
Her eyes softened completely.
Outside the room, the mansion slept peacefully.
Down the hallway, Serina quietly switched off the lights.
Keizer stood beside her, his hand resting on her shoulder.
"They'll be fine," he said softly.
Serina smiled.
"No," she corrected.
"They'll be happy."
Back inside the room, Keifer laid Jay down gently and lay beside her, pulling her close until her head rested under his chin.
For the first time in her life…
Jay fell asleep without fear.
Not as someone waiting to be accepted.
But as a daughter.
As a partner.
As a mother.
And as a permanent part of the Watson family.