Michael's POV:
"Michael, Michael wake up sweetie"

I heard the sweetest voice call me and my body begin to shake gently.

I groaned a bit turning over seeing Mother. I hated waking up, but seeing her face first thing in the morning brighten my day.

"Get up sweetie your father said the whole family has to go to a meeting."

The whole family? A meeting? I was so tired of this last minute stuff, I just wanted to relax today. Not only that I invited Tay over to talk things out. Even though we been dating for almost a year, I still cared about her. Considering we were friends before we became involved. I especially now cared since she was carrying my child, my first child.

Mother remained sitting on my bed. I guess waiting for me to sit up, so I did so. She sighed before she spoke. "Michael you know I do not agree to some things your father says, but last night you talking back to Joseph is something I don't condone. He is still your father, right or wrong you respect him."

Mother often remained quiet trying not to interfere with Joseph's fatherly duties of being the disciplinarian. I wish sometimes she would speak up more. I don't understand how someone as sweet, gentle, and loving as mother fall for someone like Joseph. Half the time I wish she would leave him. If only she knew just what he was doing behind her back.

"Mother Joseph is wrong you know he is. I care about Tayler a great deal so for me to turn my back on her just because she is now pregnant is wrong. I don't want to be like everyone else, turning their back on her like she's nothing."

Since she became pregnant Tayler has really been left by the people she thought cared the most. First her best friend has stopped talking to her, then Motown letting her go, and everywhere she goes people stare and talk. Just hearing her tell me about everything broke my heart. She always tried to be strong she only cried twice about her pregnancy, once when she confessed to her being pregnant and the other when Motown got rid of her.

I sympathized with her only because I could never imagine someone forcing me out of doing what I love and not being able to do that for a long while.

"Listen sweetie I know you care for her trust me I do. I been in her shoes before. But your father just wants to protect you, you love what you do? (I nod smiling) your fans are the people allowing you to do what you love. Now think of your fans walking away from you all because they think you have gotten her pregnant?"

The fans were my main concern all the older brothers are married, just leaving Randy and I. Me being the front man I was always the one capturing hearts and if word broke out about me being a dad I would be the one to break them. Also causing our fans to walk away because now they don't have a chance at any Jackson.

For a while I resented my brothers for getting married, crushing our fans' hearts. Not only that leaving me in the process. My brothers were my best friends growing up. Traveling and performing gave us bonding time with one another, they were the only friends I had because I was too busy to make more. Now that they have all moved out and have wives I feel alone with no one.

"But Mother won't my fans understand? If they love me won't they try to understand?"

Who am I kidding they won't. These days I feel like I'm disappointing them with my changed looks and not to mention my voice.

"Mother my fans mean more to me
than anything they made us The Jacksons. They allowed us to have this house and this life, but with that we have a life of our own. Won't they understand?" She just sat and listened. "I don't know baby." She patted my cheek leaving me with my mind wondering on what to do next.

I disappointed the fans. I'm disappointing Tayler. I'm going to disappoint Mother soon once she finds out.

When I got into the shower I sobbed to myself. The warm water droplets was suppose to put me at ease, but my mind still wondered.

*

Tayler's POV:

I should've listened to Lydia because now my feet are swollen to capacity. To top that my lower abdomen has had this pressure in it all morning.

No matter how bad I feel I would not let that stop me from seeing Michael. Seeing him last night put me at ease I believe everything will be fine soon. He will be there for me and our baby. Speaking of baby I hope he can make it to my appointment tomorrow.

Being a teen I have many responsibilities: chores, working, and school work. Times like this I wish I still had our maids around. I always had a sense of being independent. I wanted to do everything on my own.

My dad even told me as a baby teaching me how to walk I would try to push his hands away as he supported me.

Having maids I never had anything to do for myself. I wanted to learn how to take care of myself because I didn't want to be one of those spoiled rich kids with a maid in the kitchen and a chauffeur driving me around.

Coming into school late they even tried to push me a grade back because my home school grades would not transfer into their system. I worked my ass off earning A's all semester and keeping my GPA high. I was a force to be reckon with.

I solidified myself as being a woman.

With my swollen feet I managed to clean up my room, my bathroom, and make breakfast for my parents. Of course me being pregnant they did not require me to do much, but I wanted to at least show them I appreciate what they have done for me and pull my weight around.

Besides, I needed to prove to myself I could manage a household since my bundle of joy would be here soon.

While in the kitchen I even made Ham Crochets to take to the Jackson residence. Michael loved my cooking. I think that is the one thing he loved about me cause I could be someone he could marry, I was just like his mother.

As I looked in the mirror I took the rest of my roller out my hair and fluffed out my hair. Donna walked in my room smiling.

"Going somewhere?" I turned to her finishing my hair. "Yeah I'm going over to Michael's he's back home." She instantly smiled she loved Michael for the right reasons and for the wrong ones.

"How is that going? Are you guys working things out?" I sighed knowing exactly where this was headed. "There is nothing to work out we just wanted to catch up and hang like we used to do" I grabbed my purse.

"Well I still think you should try to work it out, Michael would make the best husband for you. He could take care of you and the baby-" I waved my hands stopping her mid-sentence.

"I don't need him taking care of me Donna I got this." Now that I was pregnant, marriage crossed my mind more; however, I didn't want to marry Michael because of this child I want to marry Michael because I love him.

"I know but think about it like this the baby can have a father figure, you'll have a husband. You guys could be a family. That is what the baby needs." I sigh again becoming frustrated with this. "Donna I love you, but listen to me I do not want Michael to marry me, in fact I need no one to marry me. I am what my child needs and I will be the best damn parent."

"I know baby girl I just don't you to worry about anything. Being a mother is scary, I want you to be stable. I'm sorry I know I can be a bother." I place my hand on her shoulder to make her feel comfortable.

"Its fine" I gave her half a smile and she hugged me. "I love you, make sure you are home before dark." She looks at me with her eyebrow raised.

"Before dark Donna I'm 18, not eight." She places her hands on her hips "I don't care how old you are you will be back before night. I don't want what happened last time to happen again."

She tried to dance around the situation, but she was clearly talking about me being raped. Ever since I made up that story my parents have been overprotective, but still allowing me to have my freedom.

I just nod grabbing my keys and the container of Crochets I made.

*

I enter the gates of Hayvenhurst after I was faced with the small crowd of girls outside the gates. I guess they heard about all the boys being back home. I was scared about them seeing my stomach, but they could only see my face not my body. The word was already spreading about Baby Doll having a baby.

I looked at myself in the mirror fluffing my hair and making my way to the door. I noticed a car sitting out front with two carseats in the back. I knew Dee Dee Tito's wife was here.

Dee Dee was a warm friendly person. I envied her being the wife of a Jackson and raising two smaller Jacksons all the while being accepted.

But me, well you know the story..

One of the maids let me in instructing me to go to a small sitting area. When I did I saw Dee Dee and Carol, Marlon's wife. Michael and I double dated with her and Marlon. Even with their secret marriage she was accepted, I just hope when this secret comes out they welcome me with open arms the same way.

"Oh my gosh! Ooooo look at you!" Katherine walked over to me snuggling me in her arms. "And that hair girl" I heard Carol shout. "Me?! What about you, all you ladies look fab as always. Mama look at you looking like a foxy mama."

I adjusted right back in my outgoing attitude that attracted his family to me. I noticed Dee Dee holding Taryll their new addition to the family with little Taj drinking from a sippy cup next to his mother.

I was now envious again.

"They are so adorable look at them getting big. Hi" I waved at Taj and then leaning over Taryll tapping his nose getting a giggle out of him. "And bad as ever." I giggled at Dee Dee "Well look who their mom is." Dee Dee sat at up posing a bit. "Thats why they bad now." I teased Dee Dee then sat down next to Katherine.

"Do you want something to eat or drink?" Katherine asked me politely. "I might look like I'm in need of a meal, but I'm fine. I bought some crochets." Carol snatched the container from my grip "Good! Cause girl I was about to say whatcha got for me." Her and Marlon were perfect, they were always humorous.

Katherine thanked me as Carol and Dee Dee dug into my crochets. "Do you make house calls because girl I will pay you by the hour." Carol chimed in "Nahh the second, I'll go broke messing with you. These are good." "Food is only that good when you're hungry." I stated.

"So what brings you by sweetie?" Katherine asked. "Uh Michael actually invited me over." I then looked around realizing nobody was around. "Well everyone is at a meeting and I have no idea what time they'll be back."

Damn, I hated when Michael did that. I understand his schedule is out of his control believe me I do, but have the damn decency to call. I could've been home in my bed resting my damn fat ass sausage toes. I was heated, but I refuse to let it show.

"Is LaToya here?" I haven't spoken to her in a while, and it will feel good to catch up. Before me and Michael dated, her and I were really good friends. LaToya had a lively spirit I loved, it was so much positivity surrounding her. Though her and I wasn't close as me and Lydia I cherished her friendship.

"No everyone is gone. Randy and Janet too." Wow this must big since everyone is gone. "Yeah Marlon has been talking about this show for weeks." Carol chimes in.

"Show? They are having a show?" I smile, but in the inside I was boiling how come Michael haven't said anything. "Yeah last month CBS offered them their own summer series, you know Joseph jumped on the opportunity" Katherine smiled.

Yeah opportunity to make money and have his family up under his thumb.

"The last two weeks they have been practicing their buts off. Poor Tito coming up with these corny jokes and I have to remind him baby stick to playing the guitar and singing." "Wanna be Flipp Wilson" "Nahh Carol Dip Wilkins." I joked again. The ladies laughed in unison

Two weeks? Thats why Michael hasn't seen me. This is why I get mad because he is constantly leaving me in the dark. Not telling me anything, leaving my mind wondering.

"You ready for this baby to come?" Dee Dee asked. "Yes I'm tired of being a water buffalo. I can't even see my feet."
The ladies laughed at my attempt trying to peek at my feet. "I know them days all too well."

"Are you excited?" Katherine questioned me. "I am, but a little scared. I am not afraid of being a mother, I just want to be the right mother." Katherine patted my knee "Honey I was terrified, your first time you will be overwhelmed-" "Thanks mama Kat I feel better." She chuckles "Its true but when your baby comes its instinct you just know what to do. There are going to be mistakes and mess ups. There is no such thing as being a right mother. Just being a mother."

Dee Dee nodded in agreement. "Being a mother is a wonderful thing, don't worry about what you THINK or what others have said, cause I know people have tried to scare you because they did it to me.You be the mother you feel is right for your child."

She held Taryll up right in her lap.

Hearing from The Jackson Women themselves I felt at ease.

"Well you do know that your not the only one expecting." My eyes immediately met Dee Dee's as she held a sly grin and Carol blushed nudging her. "Carol your pregnant?" She nodded giggling. "Girl I have long ways to go before I get where you are, but I am."

"Wow Congratulations. Marlon a daddy, who knew." "Yeah you would've thought he thought he would be a clown first." Dee Dee poked fun at Marlon. "Hey lay off my man." Carol playfully warned Dee Dee.

Katherine beaming with excitement at her daughter-in-law only made me wish she would just be that happy for me. There I go again feeling out of place.

~
Michael never did come home or called that night...