The 4th Month Glitch: High-Frequency Mood Swings
[Author's POV]
By the fourth month, the "Double Powerhouse" in Jay's womb had reached a new level of dominance. If the first trimester was a "System Error," the second was a Total OS Override. Jay wasn't just an Empress anymore; she was a weather system—unpredictable, high-pressure, and prone to sudden, violent emotional thunderstorms.
The Watson estate was currently operating under "Condition Black." The security team spoke in whispers, the brothers avoided eye contact, and Keifer... well, Keifer was just trying to survive the "Data Corruption" of his wife's hormones.
The Cravings: [Keifer's POV]
It was 3:00 PM on a Tuesday. I was in the middle of a global board meeting via hologram when the door to my study didn't just open—it was perforated by Jay's entrance.
"Keifer," she said. Her voice was dangerously calm. This was the "Pre-Storm" frequency.
"Yes, Weify? I'm just finishing up with Tokyo—"
"I don't care about Tokyo," she interrupted, her eyes beginning to shimmer with tears. "I need a spicy tuna roll. But I need it wrapped in a crêpe. And I want maple syrup on the side for dipping. And Keifer?"
"Yes?"
"If there isn't a side of pickled ginger mixed into vanilla ice cream, I am going to delete every file on this hard drive."
I looked at the hologram of the Tokyo board members. They were all staring in stunned silence. I didn't even hesitate. "The meeting is adjourned. The Empress has a 'Hardware Requirement'."
I spent the next forty minutes in the kitchen, watching Mamma Serina try to wrap raw fish in a French pancake while Bridget guarded the ice cream like it was the Crown Jewels.
The Mood Swing: [Jay's POV]
Ten minutes after I finished my Tuna-Crêpe-Syrup disaster (which was 1,000% delicious), I looked at Keifer, who was sitting across from me, watching me eat with a look of pure, terrified devotion.
Suddenly, my heart felt like it was being squeezed.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I sobbed, the tears erupting like a dam had burst.
Keifer froze, a piece of ginger halfway to his mouth. "Like what, Jay? I'm just... observing the 'Glow'!"
"You think I'm a monster!" I wailed, burying my face in my hands. "You think I'm a giant, hungry, mood-swinging monster who's eating all your money and your sushi! You're going to leave me for a 'Compliant' woman who doesn't want spicy fish in her pancakes!"
[Keifer's POV]
"Jay! Weify! Logic check!" I scrambled around the table, pulling her into my lap. "I love the 'Powerhouse' in all its forms. I don't want 'Compliant.' I want you. I've lived through a memory wipe; I can handle a few crêpes!"
"Really?" she sniffled, looking up at me with big, watery eyes.
"1,000%," I promised.
"Okay," she said, her face instantly turning cold and serious. "Then why is the air conditioning set to 22
∘
C? Do you want the twins to freeze? Are you trying to 'Cold-Boot' our children, Keifer? Change it to 24
∘
C now or sleep in the guest wing!"
The Family Fallout: [Author's POV]
The chaos spilled into the hallway. Keiran walked by, whistling, and accidentally looked at Jay for one second too long.
"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT, KEIRAN?" Jay snapped. "Is my face too 'Double-Heir' for you? Do you have a 'Comment' on my swelling?"
Keiran turned pale. "I... I just liked your sweater, Jay!"
"It's a metaphor for my life!" she cried, turning back to Keifer. "He hates my sweater!"
Bridget walked into the room, holding a bag of salt-and-vinegar chips. "Jay, honey, I got you the—"
"I DON'T WANT CHIPS!" Jay screamed. Then, she paused, grabbed the bag, and started eating them. "Thank you, Bridget, you're the only one who understands the 'Perimeter'."
Bridget looked at Keifer and mouthed: 'Good luck, Boss. I'm going back to the shooting range. It's safer there.'