Jay's POV]The front steps of the Watson Mansion looked like a scene from a movie. The fleet of black SUVs was idling, the headlights cutting through the early morning mist, but no one was looking at the cars. The entire "Operational Command" was gathered for the final send-off.Keifer stood beside me, his hand resting firmly on the small of my back, his eyes already shifting into "Travel Mode"—efficient, protective, and $100\%$ focused on getting me to the jet.
The Squad's Final Assault
"Jay-Jay! If he doesn't let you buy at least three leather jackets in Florence, you call me and I'll initiate a hostile takeover of his credit cards!" Lia shouted, crushing me in a hug that smelled like glitter and expensive perfume.
"Don't worry, Lia," I giggled, hugging her back. "I think the 'Husband Protocol' includes a shopping budget."
Mica, Freya, and Ella crowded around, snapping "last-second" photos for the group chat. "Send us pictures of the pasta! And the sunsets! And Keifer looking like a model on a yacht!" Freya squealed.
Calix stepped forward, giving Keifer a manly pat on the shoulder that was a bit too hard. "Try to keep your eyes on the road and not just on the Empress, Watson. Italian drivers are crazy, but you're crazier when you're in love."
The "Kuya" HandoverKuya Angelo stepped up last among the friends. He looked at Keifer, his expression serious for once. He didn't say a word; he just gave a sharp, meaningful nod."She's in your system now, Watson," Angelo said, his voice low. "If the signal drops, I'm coming to find her.""The signal will never drop, Angelo," Keifer replied, his grip on my waist tightening. "The redundancy is $100\%$."
Angelo pulled me into a one-armed squeeze, kissing the top of my head. "Have fun, lil sis. You earned this."
The Family Goodbye
Mamma Serina stepped forward, looking elegant even at 4:00 AM. She reached out and smoothed the collar of Keifer's jacket before cupping my face. "Go be happy. Forget the Board, forget the mansion. Just be Jay and Keifer for a while."
Pappa Keizer shook Keifer's hand—a firm, legendary Watson handshake—and then gave me a rare, small smile. "The jet is cleared for all flight paths. Safe travels, Jay."
Then, there was Keiran.
He walked up holding a small, crumpled brown paper bag. He looked up at me, his eyes wide and worried. "Ate Jay? I checked the weather. There are no bees in Italy right now, but I put a jar of honey in your carry-on anyway. Just in case the moon is sticky."
I felt my heart melt. I knelt down and hugged him tight. "Thank you, Keiran. I'll bring you back the best Italian chocolate in the world, okay?"
"Okay!" he beamed, finally looking relieved. Keigan stood behind him, rolling his eyes but giving me a small wave. "Don't let Kuya spend the whole time on his laptop, Jay. Throw it in the ocean if you have to."
The Final Departure
Keifer opened the door of the lead SUV. He waited until I was safely tucked inside before turning back to the crowd. He didn't say a long speech. He just raised a hand in a final salute—a silent promise that he was taking care of his Constant.
As we pulled down the long, winding driveway, I looked back through the rear window. The whole group was still standing there, waving, Lia still firing her bubble gun into the mist.
"Analysis, Jay?" Keifer asked, pulling me into his side as the mansion disappeared behind the trees.
The family variable is 100\% stable," I whispered, resting my head on his shoulder. "But the 'Honeymoon' variable is currently at 1,000\% excitement.""Correct," Keifer murmured, kissing my temple. "Next stop: Italy."