The 9th Month: Day 01 — The "Precious" Negotiation
[Jay's POV]
The calendar officially flipped to the 9th Month. The "Double-Heir" countdown was in the single digits, and my body felt like it was 1,000% ready for the "Final Deployment."
I was propped up on a mountain of silk pillows, looking down at the massive, rhythmic mountain of my stomach. "Listen here, you two fellows," I whispered, poking the spot where a tiny foot was currently stretching. "You're enjoying yourselves in there a bit too much, aren't you? Don't worry, your lease is up. You'll be coming out to meet the world very soon."
The Hubby's Command: [Keifer's POV]
I walked out of the ensuite, drying my hair with a towel, my "Alpha" instincts already scanning Jay for any "Distress Data." I heard her talking to the bump and couldn't help but lean over, my voice dropping into that low, protective frequency I reserved only for them.
"And when you do come out," I added, looking directly at the bump, "make sure you don't give so much pain to your mother. That's a 'Mandatory Requirement' for your first 'Performance Review'."
I sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping under my weight. I looked at Jay—my Empress, looking 2,000% beautiful even with the 9th-month exhaustion. I leaned in, my lips inches from hers. "I need a 'System Sync' to start the day, Weify. Give me a kiss."
Jay tilted her head, a devious sparkle in her eyes. "Oh, no, Hubby. At 9 months, the 'Terms and Conditions' have changed. You have to earn the kiss today."
Before I could "Negotiate" the transaction, she managed a graceful (if slow) escape from the bed and headed downstairs.
The Fruit Defense: [Jay's POV]
I was in the breakfast nook, happily snacking on a bowl of chilled mango and dragonfruit that Mamma Serina had specially prepared for my "Morning Fuel."
Keifer appeared in the doorway, looking sleek and determined. He started to walk toward me with that "Predatory CEO" stride, his eyes locked on my lips.
"Stay away!" I laughed, holding up a piece of mango like a "Security Shield." "The 'Access Code' hasn't been verified yet. I told you, you have to earn the 'Precious Thing' today."
Keifer stopped, leaning against the marble counter with a smug, "Ice King" smirk. "Tss. I don't 'Earn' Jay. I get Jay. It's a 'Historical Fact' written into the Watson Mainframe. 1,000%."
"We'll see about that," I teased, popping the fruit into my mouth and waddling back toward the stairs before he could "Capture" me.
The "Unstoppable" Sync: [Keifer's POV]
I waited exactly three minutes—long enough for her to think she'd won the "Evasion Protocol."
I walked into our bedroom. Jay was sitting on the edge of the chaise lounge, looking out at the gardens. She looked peaceful, but I could see the slight "Glitch" of fatigue in her shoulders.
I didn't say a word. I sat down right beside her, the heat from my body immediately "Syncing" with hers. She started to open her mouth to give me another "Teasing Clause," but I didn't give her the chance.
I reached out, my thumb tracing her jawline, and pulled her in. I didn't ask. I didn't negotiate. I just started to kiss her—a deep, slow, 2,000% "Primary Connection" that tasted like mango and shared history.
[Jay's POV]
He caught me. The "Watson Alpha" didn't follow the rules of my game, and honestly? My "Internal Servers" weren't complaining. I melted into the kiss, my hands tangling in his damp hair.
"I guess the 'Earn' requirement was... 'Overridden'?" I whispered against his lips.
"1,000%," Keifer rasped, his forehead resting against mine. "The Empress always gets what she wants, but the CEO always gets his Empress."