[Jay's POV]
The morning of the third-month check-up felt like the launch of a space shuttle. This was the big one—the end of the first trimester. The "Lemon" was officially becoming a "Peach," and according to the "Watson Pregnancy Manual" (which Keifer had basically memorized), this was a major milestone for the "Software Development."
Keifer was a mess of controlled energy. He had cancelled three international calls and was currently double-checking the emergency medical kit in the back of the SUV.
"Hubby, we are going to see Ci N," I said, catching his hand as he paced the foyer. "He's practically your brother. It's the safest building in the city."
"The building is safe," Keifer muttered, pulling me into his side and kissing my temple. "It's the variables between here and there I don't trust. But Ci N is waiting. Let's go."
The Arrival at Peralta Hospital
The private wing of Peralta Hospital was quiet, but the air felt charged. As we walked toward Ci N's office, I noticed the nursing staff whispering—not with gossip, but with a kind of reverent awe. The "Watson Empress" and her "CEO" were a sight to behold, especially with Keifer looking like he was ready to tackle anyone who breathed too loudly near me.
Ci N was standing by the door of the exam room, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed. He looked at Keifer's intense face and let out a dry laugh.
"Still haven't relaxed, have you, Watson?" Ci N said, stepping forward to give me a gentle, brotherly squeeze on the shoulder. "Jay, you look radiant. The third-month 'Glow' is 100% operational."
"Tell that to the man who tried to make me wear a padded vest in the car," I teased, hopping onto the exam table.
The Screen: 12-Week Update
The room dimmed, and the familiar hum of the ultrasound machine filled the silence. Ci N's expression shifted instantly—from "Teasing Brother" to "Elite Physician." He applied the gel (which Keifer had requested be warmed to exactly 37°C) and moved the wand over my stomach.
Suddenly, the image appeared. It wasn't a flickering pixel anymore. It was a human. We could see the tiny profile, the miniature fingers, and—the most incredible part—the baby was moving. A small, rhythmic kick against the wall of my womb.
"Analysis, Ci N?" Keifer's voice was barely a whisper, his eyes glued to the screen.
"Look at that," Ci N said, his voice full of pride. "The spine is perfectly aligned. The brain structures are developing with high-speed efficiency. And that heartbeat... it's a drum, Keifer. This child isn't just 'good' anymore. This child is a powerhouse."
He paused, zooming in on the baby's hand. "Look, Jay. It's waving at you. Or maybe it's just checking the security perimeter."
The Brotherly Moment
After the scan, Ci N sat us down in his private office. He handed me a bottle of water and looked at Keifer with a serious expression.
"You're entering the 'Golden Trimester', Jay," Ci N explained. "The risk levels are dropping to almost zero. The software is locked in. You can breathe now. Both of you."
He looked at Keifer. "I'm clearing her for light exercise and more social activity. Stop keeping her in a glass box, Watson. She's an Empress, not a fragile prototype. Let her enjoy the 'Glow'."
Keifer looked at the ultrasound printout—the clearest one yet—and then at Ci N. He stood up and, in a rare move, reached out and shook Ci N's hand firmly.
"Thank you, brother," Keifer said, the "CEO" mask finally dropping to reveal the "Dad" underneath. "The information is noted. The protocol will be adjusted... slightly."
The Exit: A New Confidence
As we walked out of the hospital, I felt lighter than I had in weeks. The "Lemon" was strong. The "Peach" was waving. And even the thought of Bridget's jealousy felt small compared to the life growing inside me.
Keifer opened the car door for me, but before I got in, he pulled me against him, his hand lingering on my small, firm bump.
"He said 'Powerhouse,' Wiefy," Keifer murmured, his eyes glowing with pride.
"He did," I smiled, pulling his face down for a kiss.
"Then the nursery needs a gym," he declared, making me laugh as we drove away. "A Watson Powerhouse needs a training facility."