Just heard about Debbie... It's actually really sad. I hope she'll be okay 😔

#PrayForDebbie

I can't believe how much Michael's kids have gone through these last few years. I really love his kids, I feel really close to them for some reason. I just hope they can handle everything.

Tell me your thoughts about this chapter, I really love reading your comments, some of you are really funny 😝

And I'm apologizing in advance, again, I won't be able to update this week. I'll be in Holland, Belgium, and France! So excited! We're going to Disneyland, and the last time I was there was when I was 8.

Of course don't forget to vote! I love you! ❤️

~ShoamEmily

~

20th of March, 2007
Michael is 48, Angela is 43

Michael: Angela groaned and held my hand tighter as another contraction started.

I sighed, reaching my hand to rub her small bump that was hard as a rock.

"She can't come now, Michael. It's too early." my wife whimpered.

"And she won't. Dr. Haring will be here soon, he'll sort everything out."

I kissed her head, and left my lips there.

She's been having contractions for a few hours now; and when we got to the hospital, we requested they call Dr. Haring, because Angela refused being touched by another doctor.

But they did hook her up to a few machines, mostly to monitor the baby, and instructed her to lay on her left side until he gets here.

A knock on the door was heard and Dr. Haring came in.

"Thank Goodness." Angela sighed in relief.

"I heard you're having contractions." Dr. Haring said and then instructed her to lay on her back.

"They're pretty tough, I think it's because she was under a lot of stress today." I told him as he checked her dilation.

"Well, there's barely any dilation, but I do believe this is the beginning of premature labor."

When he said that, my face fell.

"Don't worry. We'll try to prevent it by giving you medicine, and I want to keep an eye on you for the next few days, alright?" Dr. Haring smiled, taking off the gloves he was wearing. "This will work, I promise. I'll go get a couple of nurses to help me."

When he left, Angela rolled back on her left side to face me.

"I knew I'm too old to have another baby. Now she's gonna be born early and it's all my fault." she sniffled.

"You heard him, Angie. They're going to stop labor. Stop worrying, okay? Everything will be just fine, and she'll be born a healthy baby girl." I took her hand and kissed it.

She closed her eyes, making the tears roll down her cheeks as another contraction started.

I knew Rosa's visit was going to be bad for her, but I didn't realize it would this bad. Not to mention Luciano's call was really what caused this. They need to just stop. They already put her through too much pressure, and this was the last straw.

~

21st of March, 2007
Michael is 48, Angela is 43

Angela: Contractions stopped an hour after the medicine started flowing into my arm, and I thanked God he didn't let my baby be born so soon.

A nurse was always near the room in case my treatment didn't work.

"What do you think she looks like?" I asked Michael to get my mind off things.

"Who?"

"AJ."

"She'll be a little clone of Rose. With my annoying hair, but everything else would be yours. Your eyes, your smile..." he chuckled, rubbing my stomach lightly. "I'm sorry for those curls, baby girl."

"I love your curls, Mike. And come on, that little baby afro that Rose has is the cutest." I said.

"It is." he smiled, looking down.

"What is it?" I asked.

Michael sighed, "I feel like I haven't spent enough time with her and Jared. I mean, what if I suddenly, you know, die? It happened to so many before me. And then AJ wouldn't know who her daddy is... I can't imagine my kids growing up without me."

"Don't talk like that, Mike. What's this sudden urge to talk about you dying?"

I couldn't even think about him dying, especially after what happened to Jake. I can't lose Michael, too. I'd be completely crushed if that happens.

"I don't know... It could happen, Angela. I was never a healthy person, to say the least."

"And you thought this is the best time to express your feelings about such a sensitive thing?" I wiped the tears that started to form. "While I'm trying as hard as I can to keep our baby girl inside me, so she could maybe have a better chance to live?"

Michael ran his fingers across my cheek, "I'm sorry, baby..."

"Just don't talk about it anymore, okay?"

He nodded, taking my hand in his.

"It's going to be just fine," he whispered and gave the top of my bump a small kiss. "You're not coming so soon, AJ."

~

"It's all looking great. No dilation, and contractions have stopped... Well, now all we have to do is check your baby girl's vitals every few hours, and keep you here for a few days to make sure you don't go into labor again." Dr. Haring explained as I closed my legs.

Michael smiled, "You see, Angie? I told you it'll be fine. You were worried for nothing."

"Not for nothing, Michael, but yes, I was sure this was going to work. It's a good thing your water didn't break, or else we would've been in big trouble."

Dr. Haring instructed me to drink lots of water and stay on my left side to relieve the pressure on my body, then left Michael and I alone.

"I can't believe I can't see the kids for two whole days now." I frowned, thinking of my babies.

As far as Dr. Haring was concerned, the kids could visit me anytime they wanted. But the hospital wouldn't let me see them, saying women with my condition aren't allowed to have family members except for the husband around for the first few days.

"That's why I talked to the chief and asked for a special permission to get our babies here." Michael said.

"Did you really?!" I gasped.

"You know it. Your mom's bringing Rose and Jared while I go home to see the other kids."

"I wish I could hug you."

"You can kiss me." he smirked and leaned down to place a long kiss on my lips.

But of course, something had to ruin this beautiful moment. His phone rang loudly, making him pull away.

"It's mother," he sighed. "I'll take this outside, okay? You try to rest until your mom comes."

Michael pecked my cheek.

"I'll be right back." he said before leaving the hospital room.

~

Michael: "Debbie, I can't talk right now." I said into the phone once I closed Angela's room door.

"Don't you want to know how the mother of your child is doing?" she scoffed.

"Of course I do, but not now. I'm busy, you know. I have a family to worry about."

"Well you also have a baby to worry about, so I suggest you start acting like you care for it. I'm serious, Michael. I only kept it for you." Debbie said.

"Listen, Debbie, you know that I'm grateful that you're doing this. I really am, I just can't do this right now. Angela almost gave birth today, she needs me." I rubbed my face.

"What?"

"You heard me. She went into early labor. So I'd appreciate it if you don't call me for the next few days, okay? I cherish you more than ever for carrying another child for me, but I have to be with my family. My baby girl and her mother need me."

"Alright, Michael, I get it. You have a family to worry about. Just don't forget about me and your baby. That's all I'm asking you to do." Debbie sighed.

"Of course not. I'll call you next week, I promise," I told her. "Thank you for understanding, Debbie. Tell baby Jackson I love him or her, okay?"

I hung up, a small smile on my face. But when I turned around, my smile faded. Luciano was standing there with a glare on his face. His eyes burned a whole inside me.

"You got another woman pregnant?!" he whispered while also yelling. "Is what my sister giving you not enough?! You had to get yourself another damn surrogate-"

He stopped when he examined my face, trying to read my expression.

Luciano widened his eyes, "Wait, that's not even the case, huh? That's the same guilty look my former brother-in-law gave me when I realized he was cheating on Rosa. I knew you were no good for Angela. Wait 'till she hears about this."

He made his way to the door, but I hurried to stand in front of it.

"You can't tell her." I said.

"Why not? So she could be with you and live a lie her entire life? I have to tell her her angelic husband is a backstabbing cheater." he mocked.

"You can't tell her because she's in a very fragile state right now that you caused," I pointed at his face. "You and Rosa made her go into labor. My baby girl and my wife were almost in a life threatening situation because you and your sister couldn't keep your mouths shut."

"And it's our fault?! If she didn't marry you, non of this would've happened!"

"Well, she did, and we're finally happy. So you better not try to ruin that, Luciano. I will tell her about what I did when it's the right time."

"When will that be?" he snickered. "When your baby momma gives birth?"

"That's non of your damn business. Now go, you can't be here." I said.

"Why not? I want to see how my sister's doing." he rolled his eyes.

"You can't, the hospital won't allow any visitors because she needs her rest."

"You're lucky she needs you, or else I would've punched you senseless already." Luciano grabbed my shirt.

"Sir, your mother-in-law is here- Do you need help?" Javon walked into the hallway, his eyebrows raised.

"No, it's all good here. Right, Luciano?"

My brother-in-law nodded quickly before letting me go. I think he was intimidated by how big Javon actually was.

"Tell Angela I'm sorry for what happened." he gave me one last annoyed look, then was escorted by another bodyguard.

"You can bring Maria, Javon." I said.

I heard the babies squeals and saw Rose running as fast as her small feet allowed.

Jared hurried after her. They both ran into my arms and I hugged them tightly.

"Mama?" Jared asked.

"Mommy's in there, she missed you guys so much." I answered, pointing at the door.

Rose gave her adorable little smile that matched Angela's, then Maria walked up to us, breathless.

"I put them down for only a second, and somehow they already knew where to find you," she said, clutching her heart. "How is my daughter? Is the baby okay?"

"Yeah, they're both doing good." I told her, but kept my attention on my children.

Rose was playing with my hair, while Jared thought it was funny to stick his finger into my face.

"Jared, è che il modo in cui si tratta di papà? (Jared, is that how you treat your daddy?)"

I looked at her confused when my son stopped poking me.

"They understand Italian?" I questioned.

"Of course they do, honey. They've been hearing it since they were born."

"Already smarter than everyone else in this family," I chuckled. "I can barely understand Spanish, and believe me, I was a hard working student."

"What are grandmas for if not to teach their grandchildren new things?" Maria smiled.

I smiled back, "You're right about that. Come on, babies. Let's go see your momma."

Maria opened the door and revealed Angela who was on the verge of sleeping.

Her eyes were already half closed as she was taking slow breaths.

"Oh, my poor baby... She must be so tired." my mother-in-law sighed.

Rose looked at me with a frown on her face.

"She wanted to see you guys, she really did," I assured the twins who were now both about to cry. "How about you guys stay here with your grandma and wait until mommy wakes up?"

Their frowns soon turned upside down.

"Good. I'll be back soon, I'm just going home to check on their siblings." I said to Maria as I handed her the babies.

She nodded, kissing my cheek. "Have a safe drive, honey."

"Call me if anything happens."

"Of course."

I thanked her, placed a kiss on my two children's heads, and Angela's forehead, too.

~

Angela: I woke up to my mother's voice, and thought I was back home, and everything that happened was just a bad dream.

But when I opened my eyes, I saw her with my two babies.

"Where's Michael?" I asked, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.

"He went home to be with the older kids for a while. He should be back soon." mom said, holding a very impatient Rose and Jared who tried escaping her arms.

"Hey, you guys." I smiled at them.

I moved back a bit and let my mom place them next to me.

"Mommy missed you..." I cooed, kissing both of their chubby cheeks.

The door opened and Michael walked in with a small smile on his face. "I see you woke up."

I giggled, "Yeah."

He looked like he just got out of the shower; his hair was slightly wet, and he had some comfier clothes on.

I loved when he was just himself. When he didn't have to worry about how he'd look, and just throw something on as an act of pure laziness. It was a rare sight that I barely got to witness.

"I got you clothes for when you get out of here, and some snacks in case AJ feels hungry." Michael said, sitting the bag he held on a table that was in the room.

He came over and kissed me before joining the twins on the edge of the hospital bed.

"I'll be back, you all have your family time." my mom said, standing up.

Michael hurried to thank her for bringing Rose and Jared. She gave him a hug, telling him to take care of me while she's gone.

"Your mom is a special woman," he told me. "It's such a shame we can't go on that family vacation I planned for all of us."

"What vacation...?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"To Italy. I wanted to take your parents with us, so they could enjoy themselves a little as well. And your mom would probably be a great tour guide."

"Now you made me want to go. Thanks a lot." I rolled my eyes.

"Hey, we'll all go, once AJ's born and no harm can be done to neither one of you."

I pouted, making Rose hug me.

"Your mother is just being annoying, baby girl. Don't let that cute face trick you." Michael scoffed.

"What if we ask Dr. Haring for permission? I'm sure that if I do a lot of resting he'd let me go on a plane."

"I doubt it, Angie," he sighed and rubbed my exposed leg. "You went into labor, that's too much for him to let you do anything until the end of the pregnancy."

I knew he was right, but a trip to Italy sounded amazing. I wanted to see my grandmother, and go to my grandfather's gelato shop that was now run by my uncle. His gelato is the best in Sorrento.

"You're thinking about Italy, aren't you?"

"I just haven't seen my grandmother and my mother's siblings in so long... And my cousins, too..."

"And you'll see them all," Michael smiled. "In five months."

"Fine." I huffed, and then yawned.

I suddenly felt so tired, like I didn't even sleep at all.

"Good. Now, I'll tell Maria take these two rascals home so you can get some actual sleep, okay? You need to sleep."

I pulled my two babies to me. "But I barely got to be with them."

"I know, and I promise they'll be here tomorrow. Come on, let's go."

Michael reached out to take them, but they just hugged me tighter.

It took them sometime, but eventually, Rose and Jared knew they had no choice and went with Michael.

"Mommy loves you!" I told them as my husband gave them to my mother.

When he came back to sit next to my bed, he closed the lights.

"Goodnight, baby." he whispered in the darkness.

"Goodnight, Mike."

~

25th of March, 2007
Michael is 48, Angela is 43

Angela: "Home sweet home." I sighed in relief when the car pulled up to the main house at Neverland.

Michael helped me out of the car, and carried me inside.

"I can walk, you know." I rolled my eyes.

"I know, but I don't want you on your feet too much." he said.

When we were inside the house, I thought he was going upstairs to the guest room we were sleeping in so I can get some sleep.

We came back at a perfect time; the kids were at school, mom and Grace took the babies to the carousel.

I can sleep with no interruptions, with Michael by my side...

But instead of going upstairs, he walked through a hallway and stopped at a big double door.

"What are we doing here?" I asked him as he put me down.

"What are you talking about? This is our room." he answered with a smirk.

"No, we sleep upstairs in the guest room- Ooh," I gasped when I realized what he meant. "You finished redecorating it?"

"Yeah, it's all ready for you and AJ. Perfect timing, huh?"

I snickered, "Well are you gonna show me or keep bragging?"

He opened the door before taking both my hands in his and pulling me inside.

"So this is the main bedroom, where we sleep, and do other things..." Michael winked.

I hit his chest lightly. "Is that all you ever think about?"

"Of course not. I sometimes think about my career, the kids, my mother..." he joked.

"Stop trying to make me laugh, my feet hurt and that bed looks amazing." I groaned.

"It is. The mattress is especially made for you, so you could be as comfortable as ever."

"Great, can I go to sleep now?"

"But we're not done with the tour yet, Angie." Michael whined.

"I know, but I'm tired, Mike... Please? AJ and I want to sleep."

"Okay," he sighed and picked me up again. "Let's go to sleep."

When I was in bed, I couldn't help but love how soft and comfy the mattress was.

I closed my eyes and leaned back, just waiting for Michael's strong arms to cuddle me.

"Ange, I'm gonna use the bathroom for a second." he said, leaving me alone and disappointed.

I looked around the room, actually amazed by how beautiful it was.

But my thoughts were interrupted by Michael's phone.

"Babe, can you see who's calling? It could be my mother, she wanted to come over today!" Michael called from the bathroom.

"Sure!" I told him, reaching my hand out to his nightstand.

My eyes widened when I saw who's calling.

Debbie's name flashed bright on the screen, and my blood started boiling.