One Week Later – A Beautiful Church
The church was small but pretty. Flowers everywhere. Sunlight through colored windows.
People filled the seats. Section E was all there. Mariano family flew in again. Watson family came too. Even Aries and Yuri.
Everyone dressed nice. Happy faces all around.
Jay wore a soft blue dress. Simple. Pretty. She held a small bouquet.
Keifer stood beside her. Handsome in a light gray suit. Hair perfect.
Ci-N whispered to Drew, "They look like the parents."
Drew nodded. "I bet 5000 pesos someone says that today."
Mayo grinned. "Free money."
Grace walked in first. Holding baby Grazel. The baby wore a white dress. Tiny. Perfect.
Denzel walked beside her. Proud. Happy.
They reached the front. The priest smiled.
Grazel was good. Looked around with big eyes.
The priest spoke. "Who presents this child for baptism?"
Grace and Denzel spoke together. "We do."
The priest continued. "And who will be her godparents? Her guides in faith and life?"
Jay stepped forward. Keifer stepped with her.
"We will," they said together.
The priest smiled. "Godparents, please come forward."
Jay and Keifer stood beside the baby.
Grazel looked at Jay. Reached tiny hands.
Jay's heart melted. "Hi baby."
Grazel made a happy sound.
Everyone in the church went "Aww."
Jane whispered loudly, "She loves her Tita Jay already!"
The priest poured water. Said prayers. Grazel cried a little.
Grace comforted her. The baby calmed down.
Then it was time for candles.
Jay held the godmother candle. Keifer held the godfather candle.
They lit them together. Hands close. Rings sparkling.
The priest blessed them. "May you guide this child with love and wisdom."
Jay looked at Keifer. He looked at her.
They smiled.
Ci-N fake cried. "They're already such good godparents!"
Rakki nodded. "Goals."
The reception was outside. Beautiful garden. Long tables with food. Flowers everywhere.
Grazel was awake now. Looking at everything.
People took turns holding her.
Jane held her first. "You're so tiny! I love you!"
Kyle took pictures. "She's got Jane's energy."
Percy held her next. "Hey little one. I'm your Tito Percy. I'm the fun uncle."
Grazel grabbed his nose.
Percy laughed. "She likes me!"
Jasfher held her carefully. "Another beautiful girl. Just like my princess."
Jeana stood beside him. "She is precious."
Keizer held her next. "Strong grip. She'll be a fighter."
Serina kissed her head. "Or a model. Look at those cheeks."
Keigan and Keiren fought over who would hold her next.
Keigan won. "MINE!" He held her gently. "Hi Grazel. I'm your Tito Keigan. I'll teach you basketball."
Keiren pouted. "I wanted to hold her."
Serina laughed. "Wait your turn."
Grace walked over with the baby. "Jay. Keifer. Your turn."
Jay's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Grace handed Grazel to Jay. "She's your goddaughter. Hold her."
Jay took the baby carefully. So carefully.
Grazel looked at her. Big eyes. Tiny mouth.
Jay whispered, "Hi baby Grazel. I'm your Ninang Jay. I'll love you forever."
Grazel smiled. A tiny gummy smile.
Jay gasped. "SHE SMILED! Keifer! She smiled at me!"
Keifer leaned close. Looked at the baby.
Grazel turned her head. Looked at Keifer.
Then she reached for him.
Jay laughed. "She wants you!"
Keifer's eyes went wide. "Me?"
Jay gently passed Grazel to him.
Keifer held her. So careful. Like she was made of glass.
Grazel grabbed his finger. Held tight.
Keifer's whole face softened. "Hi."
Grazel made a happy sound.
Everyone watched. Silent. Smiling.
Jane whispered to Kyle, "Look at his face."
Kyle nodded. "He's gone."
Percy wiped a tear. "My best friend. Holding a baby. With my sister. I'm not crying."
Aries patted his back. "You're crying."
Percy sniffed. "I know."
Serina spoke first. "Keifer. You look natural holding a baby."
Jeana nodded. "So does Jay."
Jasfher crossed his arms. "They do look good together with a baby."
Keizer grinned. "Makes you think."
Jane jumped in. "WHEN ARE YOU TWO HAVING ONE?"
Jay's face turned bright red. "JANE!"
Keifer's ears went red. But he was smiling.
Percy joined. "Yeah, sunshine. When do we get a little Jayfer baby?"
Ci-N yelled from across the garden. "JAYFER BABY! JAYFER BABY!"
Drew started chanting. "BABY! BABY! BABY!"
The whole Section E joined. Even Rakki. Even Grace.
Jay hid her face in her hands. "Oh my god."
Keifer still held Grazel. He looked at Jay. Smiled softly.
"They're not wrong," he said quietly.
Jay peeked through her fingers. "What?"
Keifer shrugged. "Someday. With you. I'd like that."
Jay's heart exploded. Her face got even redder.
Jane screamed. "HE SAID SOMEDAY! WITH YOU! DID YOU HEAR THAT?!"
Jeana and Serina hugged each other. "OUR GRANDCHILDREN!"
Jasfher's eyes went wide. "Wait. Slow down."
Keizer laughed. "Too late, friend. It's happening."
Mayo ran over. "Jay! Keifer! How many kids? Tell us!"
Kit nodded. "Boys or girls? Names?"
Rakki joined. "I want to be Tita!"
Mica smiled. "Me too!"
Grace laughed. "You'll have so many aunties and uncles, Grazel."
Grazel made a sound. Like she agreed.
Everyone laughed.
Jay finally looked at Keifer. "You really mean that? Someday?"
Keifer nodded. "With you. Yes."
Jay smiled so bright. "Okay. Someday."
Percy fake cried louder. "THEY'RE PLANNING THEIR FUTURE!"
Aries shook his head. "We're never going to survive."
Yuri grinned. "Worth it."
Jane became the photographer. "EVERYONE FOR GROUP PHOTOS!"
Everyone gathered. Mariano family. Watson family. Section E. Grace and Denzel with Grazel.
Jane arranged them. "Jay and Keifer in the middle! With Grazel!"
Jay held the baby. Keifer stood beside her. Arm around her waist.
Jane smiled. "Perfect! Say family!"
Everyone yelled, "FAMILY!"
Click.
Perfect picture.
After, Jane took a smaller one.
Just Jay. Keifer. Grazel.
Jay held the baby. Keifer kissed Jay's head. Grazel looked at the camera.
Jane's eyes filled with tears. "This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
Kyle hugged her. "Babe, you're crying."
Jane sniffed. "They're just so perfect!"
Jay laughed. "Jane, send me that picture."
Jane nodded. "It's going on the family group chat. Everyone needs to see."
Keifer smiled. "Good."
The sun set. Guests left. Garden quiet.
Jay and Keifer sat on a bench. Tired but happy.
Jay leaned on his shoulder. "Today was perfect."
Keifer kissed her head. "Yeah."
Jay looked at her ring. Then at the sky.
"Someday," she whispered. "Our baby."
Keifer held her closer. "Someday."
They sat together. Thinking about the future.
A future full of love. Full of family. Full of them.
Grazel's baptism brought everyone together.
And showed them what was coming.
Beautiful things.