So my brain hurts from studying non-stop.

School ends on June 20th, but my last final is on the 23rd 😩

I have a few days off soon, so I'll be able to update a few chapters!! So sorry for the wait, by the way.

Love you ❤️❤️

~ShoamEmily

~

30th of January, 2007
Michael is 48, Angela is 42

Angela: The past two weeks went by smoothly.

Michael was being amazing and loving, mostly spending time with me and the kids.

Debbie wasn't as bad as I thought she would be. I don't know what happened, but she seemed happier and she was a little nicer to me.

My husband did leave me alone with her a few times since he had meetings here and there in the city, so I had no choice but to be left with her.

My bump was slowly starting to show, as I was going into month number 4. It was smaller than I was used to, but finally seeing it made me feel so happy.

Michael hasn't seen it yet, since we haven't really been active lately. The last time we had sex was two weeks ago, and I kept hiding my little bump with my clothes.

And he kept bugging me to talk to my siblings about what happened at Christmas, but I was stubborn.

We finally got the conformation from Dr. Haring to go to Jake's grave, and that's what we were doing today.

"It's not fair, Angie," Paris scoffed when I helped her put on her school uniform. "Why do Lily and Eric get to stay and we don't?"

"We already told you why, Parry." Michael said.

"Yeah, honey. Jake is their daddy, they have to come with us. But I promise we'll do something together when you come back from school. Sounds good?"

She nodded and hugged me.

Michael offered his hand, "Let's go, Paris."

Paris took her daddy's hand, then they both went downstairs for breakfast.

I stood up, looking down at my covered baby bump. I just can't wait for Michael to finally see it.

"Angela?" I heard Debbie call. "I've got your breakfast, come back to bed."

I sighed, knowing I have no choice but to go in there.

"I can't join my family today?" I asked her once I was in the room.

"Michael said he wants you to rest before going to the cemetery."

"Fine." I huffed, taking off my hoodie and sitting on the bed.

I noticed Debbie was staring at my stomach as she gave me the tray.

I raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"Oh, nothing. I just haven't seen a baby bump in a while," she said. "Angela, listen, I'm really sorry about what I did before... Honestly, I was a little jealous, I still am. You're pregnant and married to my ex husband whom I love dearly, and my kids, they adore you, while they don't even know me, their own mother. I never meant to hurt you or your baby... And I see how much Michael loves you, I can't ruin that for him. He's finally happy. The last time I've seen him this happy with someone was with Lisa Marie, but you probably know how that went down..."

"Yeah. You know, it took me some time to be happy with Michael as well, since Jake died..."

"How did he die?" Debbie questioned.

"Well, as you know Michael was accused of molesting another child, and Jake wanted to drive all the way to Neverland at 1 AM... Then he got into a horrible car crash. Some idiot with a truck just drove right into his car, he was killed on the spot." I told her, suddenly losing my appetite.

I held the tray out for her to take, "I'm not hungry."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I can't eat right now."

"Okay. If you need me, just call." Debbie smiled.

"Wait, Debbie!" I said before she left the bedroom. "I forgive you."

Things might as well start to be better between us. I need some peace and quiet.

She sighed. "Thank you."

Just as she left, Michael walked in with a slight frown.

"Why didn't you eat your food?"

"I'm not hungry." I shrugged, putting my head against the pillow.

I turned my back to him and felt the tears come.

Nope, still haven't excepted that Jake's gone. How could 3 years go by so fast?

"Oh, baby..." Michael cooed when I started bawling my eyes out. "Come here."

I heard him kick off his shoes before cuddling me close to him.

He let me cry into his chest while rubbing my back.

"I know it hurts... Gosh, I can't see you cry, Angie." Michael whispered, and pulled me even closer.

I think he realized there was a little bump between us, because I felt his hand suddenly travel there.

"Why don't we wash your face, then I'll get the kids and we'll go to the cemetery?" he offered.

"Do we have to?" I sniffled.

"We promised Lily and Eric they'd see their daddy's grave, Angela... I assure you we'll do something happier right after."

I nodded against his chest, letting out a whimper.

~

Michael: I am an awful human being.

Here I am, comforting my pregnant wife about her dead husband and my best friend, while all this time I've been betraying her.

Let's just say, these past few weeks, Debbie's been extremely jealous ever since I didn't show at her bedroom when she invited me.

So when Angela would want time alone or took a nap, Debbie would casually tease me. She did things like "accidentally" run a hand over my crotch or wear clothes that showed more of her new body than needed.

After about a week of her teasing me, and me being helpless, I caved.

I told Angela I had a meeting in the city while Debbie claimed she needed a day off, and I rented ourselves a hotel room.

Slowly, the guilt I felt started disappearing, and I was enjoying myself more.

It went on like that; Debbie and I would either have just a simple make out sessions in my office, or it would turn into a full set of rounds.

"Good luck today." Debbie said as we watched Javon helped Angela into the car.

"Thanks." I smiled.

"Are you free tonight?" she whispered.

"I don't think so, Angela needs some mental support for today. She hasn't been to Jake's grave in over a year, and if only the thought of going there got her crying, I don't know what actually being there would do." I sighed deeply.

"I understand. So when will you be back?"

"Probably late at night, Prince, Paris, and Blanket will be taken early from school today by the nanny, and all the kids will go somewhere together. I think Angela needs a little time alone with me, so I'm taking her somewhere to relax herself," I said. "You should take the day off. Go have some fun."

"Yeah, I think I'll do just that. Thanks, Michael. I'll see you tomorrow." Debbie kissed my cheek before disappearing into the house.

I helped Maria who was holding the babies get them into their little car seats, and took a seat next to Angela.

She was looking outside the car window, her face stained with fresh tears.

I rubbed her shoulder, wiping her tears away with my thumb.

Lily and Eric joined me by hugging their mother from behind.

"We love you, mommy." Eric said.

I smiled gratefully at them. They knew just how to cheer her up.

~

Lily put flowers neatly next to Jake's gravestone, while Eric made sure to hold Angela's hand tightly.

"I love you, daddy." Lily said and joined her brother.

I let Angela cry into my chest as my arm was wrapped around her. I shed a few tears of my own.

"I miss you, Jake. Thank you for being a part of our lives, thank you for being such a great friend to me." I sighed.

Angela hugged me tightly, "I love you so much, Jakey."

"May he rest in peace." Maria sniffled.

The babies looked at me and their mommy, with a sad expression on their faces as they didn't know why we were both crying.

We said a prayer, then Angela asked to be left alone.

"Are you sure?" I looked into her blue eyes that were now a light shade of grey.

"I need a few moments. I'll meet you in the car."

"Alright. Let's go everyone."

I took Jared in my arms and gave my other hand for Lily to hold.

"Javon," I said. "Stay with her."

He nodded.

A few bodyguards led us to the car, and I saw Angela sit down in front of Jake's grave.

~

Angela: "I miss you." my lips quivered.

I put two hands on my little bump and sighed.

"The kids always ask about you, you know? Especially Eric. He wants to know what you were like, what you liked to do..."

More tears poured out of my eyes.

"Three years is such a long time, Jakey," I cracked a smile. "If you would have been here to see all the things that happened, you'd be blown away. Your wish changed everything. I want to thank you for having that wish. I'm actually happy now, I think Michael might be the one.

I mean, you will always be my one, true, first love, but with Michael it's different. I'm pregnant again, can you believe that? It's just one baby though. But I'm the happiest woman in the world. Michael and I have a beautiful family and now we're having another baby. How amazing is that? And it's all thanks to you, Jakey."

I wiped my tears and sniffled. Did I finally confess that Jake might not be my one and only anymore? Maybe, but I knew I still couldn't tell Michael I love him. I felt like that would take me ages from now.

"I really love you and miss you. I hope you're happy now, just as much as I am."

I cleaned some dust from his name on the gravestone, and returned with Javon to my family.

~

The car stopped in front of the back entrance of 'Chuck E. Cheese's', making Lily and Eric squeal with excitement.

"You guys go with your grandmother, Grace is already there with Prince, Paris, and Blanket." Michael told them.

"Thanks, Michael!" they both hugged him.

I started getting up, but Michael stopped me.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked.

"To be with our kids...?" I answered.

"We're actually meeting them at home later. I'm taking you somewhere else."

The car started going again, making me lean back.

"Where to?" I sighed. I just wanted to go home and sleep this entire day off.

"You'll see." he smiled and kissed my forehead.

~

Michael: "Why are we at Neverland?" Angela asked.

"When was the last time we were here?" I said.

"I moved in when we started "dating", and a few weeks later, you told me to get the kids and get out of here as soon as possible."

"Exactly. You don't have many good memories from here, either. Right?"

She nodded a little.

"Well, I've thought about how I could make this day better for you," I started explaining. "And I decided this would be the best way to help you. This place might have bad memories, but there will always be more good memories. With my kids, with my friends, and with Jake. He loved this place, he really did. So knowing how much he loved it here, I thought I could finally show you what it's like to actually have some fun here. We won't go on anything too risky, and Dr. Haring said it's okay for you to go in the Ferris wheel."

Angela gave me a big smile. I love her smile so much.

"This is perfect, Michael. Thank you," she kissed me. "What are you waiting for?! Let's go!"

The driver stopped the car and she took me by the hand.

"What are we doing first?" she asked excitedly.

I chuckled. She's adorable.

"We can go on the train that'll take us to the zoo, I brought the animals back just for you." I told her.

"Aww."

I linked our arms and took her to the train station.

"Let's go."

~

Angela laughed as she gave Gypsy a melon.

"Mike, she's amazing! Come on, why are you so slow?" she said.

"Give me just a minute, baby!" I told her, taking out my phone to read the message Debbie sent me.

"I miss you, Michael. I've thinking about you all day... I'll be waiting for you in my bedroom after Angela falls asleep. Please come."

I sighed, typing in a quick answer.

"I'll try, okay? I promise."

She replied fast. "Okay. Love you."

I smiled to myself and hurried to join my wife.

"Who were you texting?" she asked.

"Oh, just Grace. I wanted to know how the kids were doing," I lied. "Did I ever tell you how cute your butt is?"

"Yeah, a few times." she giggled when I wrapped my arms around her waist.

I felt her small bump and gave it a gentle rub.

Angela put a hand on top of mine, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I think Gypsy needs a little break from me. Can we go on the Ferris wheel now?"

"Of course, Angie. We'll do whatever you want, this is your day to enjoy here." I said.

"You are so incredible, Michael." she kissed me.

As the kiss deepened, I couldn't help but let a little guilt come to my mind.

~

Angela and I returned home, and she was exhausted, to say the least. We had so much fun. After the Ferris wheel, we went swimming and then I showed her around the entire ranch.

"Oh, my poor baby..." I cooed when she plopped down on the bed, not even bothering to change clothes. "Does somebody need a cuddle?"

She nodded into her pillow.

I joined her in bed and pulled her close, just holding her as she slowly drifted off.

"Hey, Mike?" Angela mumbled. "Why don't we move back to Neverland?"

"You know why, Angie. There are a lot of bad memories from that place."

"But you yourself said that there are a lot more good memories. And I saw how much fun you had today... That's the Michael Jake always described, the one I never truly got to know... Don't you think the kids would love it there? And it's a bigger house. We're gonna need a bigger house."

"Shh, we'll talk about that tomorrow. Go to sleep." I kissed her forehead, wanting to avoid the subject.

I knew she was right, but I couldn't live there anymore.

Angela was finally fully asleep, and I allowed myself to scoot away from her a little.

My phone buzzed, and another message from Debbie showed up.

"Is she asleep?"

"Yeah, I'll be right there. Give me a few minutes." I texted her back.

Angela turned on her left side and I decided it was finally time to get up.

Just as I was about to open the door, I heard her say, "I love you, Michael."

She kept saying it in her sleep, but it wasn't enough for me. I needed her to really say it to me, and I was getting impatient.

We've been in counseling for too long for her not to say it already.

I shook my head and opened the bedroom door, determined to get to Debbie.

~

"That was good," Debbie sighed happily as I rolled off of her. "You're good."

I smiled a little and lay down. This woman actually loves me, and she expresses her love, too.

I ran a hand over her exposed back as she pressed her body against mine, wanting more of her.

"Oh! Wanna see what I found?" she laughed and pulled away from me to open her nightstand drawer.

She took out an old picture of us in the 80's.

"Oh, my God... I was so young." I covered my face in embarrassment.

"Please, you're still young."

I snickered, "Young-spirited, maybe."

"Stop it." she smacked my chest lightly.

I looked at the picture again, sighing. I really am old.

"Wanna go again?" Debbie whispered seductively in my ear and started kissing my body.

"Mmhm," I hummed. "I think I should go back to see how Angela's doing."

"Okay." she pouted and got up.

Debbie found her clothes, quickly putting them on and throwing me my own.

"We'll continue this sooner or later." she winked at me before I left her room.

I started walking towards my bedroom, but a small voice stopped me.

"Daddy, what were you doing in Debbie's room?" Blanket asked while rubbing his eyes tiredly.

I froze. Did my son just catch me?

"W- what are you doing awake, Blanket?"

"You didn't answer my question, daddy."

"I- it's nothing, Blanket," I came to him. "You can't tell your mommy about this, okay?"

"Why not?" he looked at me, confused.

"Because then mommy might hate me. You don't want mommy to hate me, right?"

Blanket shook his head. "No."

"Good boy. Come on, let's take you back to bed." I hugged him before taking his hand.