You guys I got my first tattoo!

I'm sure you can guess what this is- I just added a couple of purple rain drops to it 😝

And I'm so sorry for not updating sooner, I had a real bad case of writer's block. Plus, I had strep throat and it was so bad I had to be at the hospital for almost two weeks... But I'm perfectly okay now, don't worry! That, along with work, didn't give me time to write 😔

Just wanted to tell you guys what's going on with me, I hope you're not upset.

As compensation for not updating in so long, I'll be updating again in the next few days 😁

I also have an announcement about this book, I'm planning on ending it soon and starting a sequel which I hope would be up as soon as I'm done with this book.

Tell me what you think about this chapter and don't forget to vote ❤️

Love you all so so much 😘

~ShoamEmily

~

27th of September, 2007
Michael is 49, Angela is 43

Michael: It was our fifth day in Italy, and so far this has been the best vacation I ever went on.

Everyone was having so much fun; especially the kids, who seemed to enjoy themselves.

Prince was himself again. I was so glad to have my son back. He was spending a lot more time with Angela, and I could tell he no longer wanted to leave our safe household.

"Daddy, you have to come in!" Paris said from the water.

I smiled, wishing I could actually join my kids.

The ocean was so beautiful here. It was way different from the Californian beaches. It made me feel so peaceful. We went down there almost every day since we got to Italy.

Angela was sitting down on the sand with our twins who were attempting to build little sand castles.

Rose noticed Paris calling for me and soon enough was making her way to me.

"Daddy!" she pointed at the beach. "Swim."

"Sorry, baby. I can't go in," I frowned. "But maybe mommy will. Go ask her."

Rose shook her head, "Daddy."

I sighed and picked her up. How do you explain to a toddler that you have Vitiligo and can't be in the sun?

"Swim!" my daughter demanded, crossing her arms over her chest.

"What's going on here?" Angela, who was making her way over with Jared, asked.

"She wants to go in with me," I told her. "I hate to disappoint her."

My wife looked down at Rose. "Rose, do you want mommy to swim with you?"

"Daddy swim." our daughter said and clung onto my shirt.

"See?"

Angela giggled, "Come on, baby girl."

She took Rose in her arms, gave me a light peck on the lips, and made her way to the beautiful ocean.

I leaned my head back on the beach chair while closing my eyes.

"Hey, dad." I suddenly heard Prince.

When I opened my eyes he was sitting down next to me, his hair all wet.

I couldn't help but smile, "I noticed you're having a lot fun. You like it here?"

"I love it here." he beamed.

There were a few moments of silence before I decided to ask him what I've been meaning to ask him since the entire story with Debbie started.

"Son," I cleared my throat. "Do you really want to live with Debbie?"

"No, I just want a mom- My real mom. I mean, Angie's amazing, but she's not-"

"She's not your real mom. I get it."

"But I love her, and I do want to stay with you... But I also want to see my mom." he sighed.

I wish it was that easy.

"We should move here." Prince blurted out.

I chuckled, "Yeah, it's much more quiet here."

"Can we?"

"And leave Neverland again? I don't think I could do that again, Prince... Not to mention it's very far away from our family."

"We have family here."

"You know what I mean, son."

When I looked at him, I noticed his frowning.

"I'm gonna go swim again." he announced before standing and running towards the water.

~

Angela: After another long day, Michael and I settled in to bed.

"That was the best meal ever," Michael complimented the food we had just ate at my grandmother's. "And that amazing gelato... You weren't kidding when you said your grandfather made the best gelato in the world."

"Told you..." I smiled victoriously.

We hurried to get into some more comfortable clothes and cuddled with each other once we did.

He sighed happily and drew small circles on my back while my head was on his chest. "I don't think I've ever been this relaxed before."

"I'm glad..." I kissed his bear skin. "Hey, what happened at the beach today? With Prince?"

"What do you mean?"

"He hasn't talked to you all day... Something definitely happened."

"It's nothing. I just gave him an answer he didn't want to hear." Michael said.

I told him to continue.

"He said he loves it here," he explained. "And wanted to know if maybe we could move here, all of us, but I told him I can't leave Neverland again... Which is true, it'll break my heart all over again to leave that place..."

"Did you tell him that?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"Then tell him how you feel... I'm sure he doesn't want to leave Neverland either, he's just liking being away from it all, and he doesn't want this to end."

"Yeah, I guess."

I sighed and kissed him. "Just talk to him. That always seems to do the job."

Michael leaned his head against the headboard, "Sometimes I wish I wouldn't have even met Debbie, you know?"

"Don't say that. Without her, you wouldn't have had Prince and Paris. I'm sure you don't regret having them."

"I can't believe I'm even thinking about her when I'm on vacation."

"Then don't," I kissed him. "Think about the kids, about where we are, about me..."

I ran a hand over his bare chest and placed kisses on his jawline.

Michael moaned softly, "I love that you're trying to distract me, but I'm really not feeling it tonight."

I stopped my kisses then pulled away from him. He looked tired. Very tired.

"We can still cuddle, right?"

"That we can." he chuckled deeply and wrapped his arms around me.

"What if we go somewhere, just the two of us?" I suggested.

"But you said this is a family vacation. We're supposed to spend time with the kids."

"I know... But there are such romantic places here. We could go to Venice, just imagine how beautiful it'll be to sit on a gondola while someone serenades us, and then we'll go to a hotel room and make love like there's no tomorrow..."

"As tempting as that sounds, we should work on fixing our family."

"And we will, but one night alone, really alone, won't ruin anything. We'll work on our family for a few more days, then go to Venice." I offered.

"I'll think about it." he promised.

"How about this, we'll all go, and the two of us will take our own little suite for the night."

"Angie, I said I'll think about it. The kids seem to have much more fun here, and I want to keep them happy. Especially Prince who's having fun with Matteo's kids."

I huffed. "Fine."

Michael pulled me closer to him and kissed the top of my head, when we heard a knock on the door.

"Um, Mr. Jackson? There's someone here for you." Javon said.

My husband raised his eyebrows, "Who?"

"It's Mrs. Jackson's brother."

"Luciano? What is he doing here?" he looked down at me.

I shrugged. My brother and I haven't talked in months.

Michael rubbed my arm, "Do you want to see him?"

"He did travel all the way here... It would be rude of us to make him leave. We'll just see what he wants."

He nodded and we got up.

When we were downstairs, Luciano was standing with his arm around an unfamiliar girl.

"Luci?" I questioned.

"Angela!" he attacked me in a hug. "I missed you so much."

Considering I haven't seen him in almost 6 months, I hugged him back, before Michael cleared his throat.

"What are you doing here, Luciano?"

My brother pulled away, "Dad told me you guys went to Italy... So I thought we could join you guys. I went to nonna's house but mom said you have more space here."

When thinking about it, I wanted Luciano to stay. I missed him, but I also knew Michael would never forgive my brother what happened 6 months ago.

"Oh! I totally forgot! Ange, Michael, this is Britney, my girlfriend. Brit, these are Angie, my sister, and her husband, Michael." Luciano smiled widely as he introduced us.

"Girlfriend?" I asked, surprised. Luciano was known for only having one night stands, he never wanted to commit to even something as simple as having a girlfriend.

"Yeah, she's great," he took her hand, kissing her cheek. "She's amazing. I wish you could've met sooner."

Britney giggled and pulled away, "Stop it."

Michael crossed his arms over my chest, "You're planning on staying here?"

"We'd like that. Nonna's house doesn't have much room." Luciano smiled.

"Really?" my husband snickered. "Do you remember what happened six months ago, Luciano? Why would I let you stay here after you caused my wife to go into early labor, risking both hers and our baby girl's life?"

"Mike..." I sighed.

"No, Angela. You don't actually expect me to forgive him that easily, right? It was all his and Rosa's fault."

"Michael," Luciano interrupted our little argument. "You have no idea how sorry I am for what happened. I never meant for it to go that far. And I've been trying to apologize, but you wouldn't let me see Angela."

"I wouldn't let you see her because you put her in danger. I didn't want her to be hurt again from what you and Rosa said and did. It's one thing to do that to me, but to do that to your own sister? That's unacceptable."

"I know, and I'm trying to apologize for it. That's why I came here, I thought being away from it all could help us work on our problems."

"Problems you caused." Michael scoffed.

"Fine," my brother sighed. "I guess we'll find ourselves a hotel to sleep in. Thanks anyways."

He took Britney's hand and turned away.

"Wait, Luci, you can stay. Maybe just for one night, since it's so late." I said.

Michael shook his head. "Absolutely not."

"Don't mind him. There's an extra bedroom upstairs, first door on the right."

Luciano thanked me, hugging me and promising me that he'd make it up to me.

"I can't believe you," Michael said as my brother and his girlfriend made their way upstairs. "After everything he did, you forgive him that easily?"

"He's my brother, I wasn't going to make him go to a hotel when he can stay here. And don't lecture me about forgiving him. I forgave you for cheating on me. That's far worse than what he has done." I told him.

I really didn't want to fight him, but I had to make a point. And Luciano did travel here just so we could make things better between us.

"I'm going to bed," I kissed his cheek. "I'd like you to join me, if you want."

But he didn't. He simply said "Goodnight" and let me go upstairs.

~

28th of September, 2007
Michael is 49, Angela is 43

Michael: "Daddy! Get up!"

"Get up, get up, get upppp!" Blanket whined when I didn't respond to him, while poking my face.

"Daddy!" he said. "Uncle Luciano is here! And mommy says we have to eat because we're going somewhere today!"

I groaned, pulling the bed covers over my head.

"I'm telling mommy!"

I closed my eyes in hopes I would fall asleep again, but footsteps were heard from across the room and suddenly Angela was standing above me.

"Michael, you have to wake up," she ordered. "You need to pack your bags, we're going to Venice for three days."

"What?" my eyes shot open.

"You heard me. We're leaving in an hour."

She closed the door as she left, making me sigh heavily.

~

Angela: "They're coming with us?" Michael asked, shocked, as Luciano and Britney followed my kids into the car.

"Of course they are. I won't let them stay here on their own." I told him and got into a separate car where my mom was waiting with AJ, Paris, Lily, Rose, and Jared.

"Why is daddy mad?" my step daughter said.

"He's not mad."

"He looks mad, mom."

I turned to her, "He's upset about your uncle being here, that's all. He'll get over it."

"Get over what?" I suddenly heard Michael. He entered the car, taking a seat next to me.

"I should probably go be with the other kids, I'll see you all at the airport." mom put AJ in my arms before leaving.

I sighed, leaning back. I was not in the mood for talking to Michael, let alone spend the next few hours with him complaining about Luciano being here.

Luciano opened the car door next, "Hey, can I join you guys? Mamma said she wants to get to know Britney, so I suggested we'd switch."

"Sure." I smiled at him. He sat on the outer chair, and now I was in between him and Michael.

My husband rolled his eyes, then turned to the window.

"I heard you guys last night, you know, after Britney and I went upstairs," Luciano whispered in my ear. "I'm sorry if I'm making you fight."

"It's not your fault, Luci. I'm very happy that you're here, I really missed you... Michael just has to learn to let go sometimes."

"I can hear you." Michael snapped.

I crossed my arms over chest. "Good. Maybe the only way you ever listen to me is by talking behind your back."

"If you think I'm ever going to forgive him, then you're dead wrong. He hurt you, Angie," Michael pointed at my brother as he raised his voice. "He hurt our baby girl that you are now miraculously holding. I can't forgive someone who would do that to two people I love."

As if on cue, AJ started crying.

"Shhh, baby, it's okay. Daddy didn't mean to yell." I cooed, rocking her back and forth.

"Great," I snapped at Michael. "Look what you did."

He sighed, putting his hands out, "Let me calm her down."

"No. You've done enough."

AJ only cried louder. And to think I wanted this to be an enjoyable time.

"I'll do it, sis." Luciano smiled brightly at me.

"You're kidding me." Michael scoffed when I placed AJ in my brother's arms.

I ignored him and watched as Luciano calmed down my daughter. That, along with the moving car, made her fall asleep almost instantly.

Michael glared at me before turning away to talk to Paris.

~

"I get the big bed!" Prince exclaimed and placed his bag on the queen sized bed in the hotel room.

"That's not fair!" Lily scoffed. "Mommy, tell him."

"Prince, you're sharing the bed with Eric." I said, making him stick his tongue out.

I let my mother handle the kids, and moved on to Michael's and I's suite that we shared with the twins and AJ.

He was just putting AJ down in her crib while Rose and Jared were attempting to jump on the bed.

When Michael saw me all he did was roll his eyes, again, and gave his attention to our children.

"Please try to have fun, Mike. I'm doing this for us so we could enjoy ourselves a little." I said, coming closer and placing my hands on his shoulders.

He shook them off, "You shouldn't have brought Luciano, then. I won't be able to enjoy myself knowing he's here."

"That's too bad. Because I thought a double date on a gondola would be nice. But if you're not in the mood, I'll cancel."

I heard him sigh as I took Jared who held his arms up for me.

"Fine," Michael mumbled. "Don't cancel. But I can't promise I'll be nice."

I smiled to myself, simply placing a kiss on his cheek.

"You're going to love it, I promise. We'll have so much fun. And, Luciano agreed to watch the babies after our date so we could have a night alone..."

I saw him smirk. "Good."

"You wanna help me get these two into the bath?" I asked, and he nodded.

He took Rose, and before I could even enter the bathroom, he grabbed my free hand, pulling me to him.

"I love you." Michael said.

"I know," I kissed him. "And I love you."

~

Michael held me by the small of my back as he kissed me slowly.

We had just returned from our double date. We had the best night ever, and he didn't seem too bothered by my brother and his girlfriend being there with us. Their presence didn't stop him from kissing me and running his hands up and down my thigh, occasionally going way too far up.

"Is what you said two nights ago still relevant?" he asked as we broke away.

"What did I say two nights ago?" I said, my lips inching closer for another kiss.

"That you wanted another baby..."

"I said that?"

He nodded, "You were drunk, but you still said it..."

"Maybe my conscious knew what it wants..." I told him.

That made him smile.

"But," his smile faded when I spoke again. "Once we win, we can start thinking about another baby."

"Fine." he huffed.

I grabbed his shirt and pulled him close again. "We can still go to bed and have some fun."

"I'd like that."

We kissed again as he lifted me up and carried me bridal style back into the room.

"Maybe bringing Luciano wasn't the worst thing." Michael whispered in my ear as he placed me on the bed.

"See? You have to listen to me sometimes." I mumbled into his mouth while unbuttoning his shirt.

With a sigh, Michael hurried to undress me before we kissed for the millionth time that night.

~

26th of October, 2007
Michael is 49, Angela is 43

Michael: I woke up to a cold bed.

"Angela?" I called out, feeling she wasn't next to me.

"In the bathroom, I'll be out in a minute." she groaned and I heard the familiar sound of her hurling. When I entered the bathroom, I saw her crouched over the toilet, clutching it tightly. She's been like this a few days now, always waking up to puke early in the mornings.

We came back from Italy around two weeks ago; all of us feeling blissful and happier than ever.

Prince wasn't so pleased to go back to California, but as soon as he saw Kenya, he forgot all about wanting to return to Italy.

Court session have been restored, and our custody battle went on perfectly for us. It seemed like with the evidence of what Debbie did, the judge was on our side.

"Maybe you should call someone to check up on me," Angela said. "My stomach has been turning all night. I think I ate something bad."

I rubbed her back, "I'll tell your dad to come. Okay?"

She nodded and wiped her mouth. "Thanks."

I kissed her forehead and quickly took my phone out so I could call my father-in-law.

~

"It's probably the food she ate last night. I doubt there's something seriously wrong." Jared said after checking Angela who was clutching a pillow in front of her.

"But she's been doing this every morning now." I sighed.

"A stomach bug, probably. It's the reasonable explanation. You shouldn't worry, it'll go away in a few days."

"I hope so, I can't be sick. We have the battle on our minds right now," Angela murmured. "We're so close to winning."

"Don't think about that right now. Your next session is in a few days, right?" Jared asked and I nodded. "Good, then I want you to rest, maybe take some pills to keep you from throwing up all the time, and you should be fine."

My wife rolled her eyes at her father, "Okay, daddy, I get it. I'll stay in bed."

"Good. Make sure she drinks a lot, Michael."

We thanked him before he said he's going to spend some time with his grandchildren, and I took a seat next to Angela.

"I really hope it's nothing serious." she sighed deeply and put her head against my shoulder.

"Me too." I told her, placing a soft kiss on her cheek.

~

29th of October, 2007
Michael is 49, Angela is 43

Angela: I ran into the bathroom and hurried to crouch in front of the toilet.

"Babe, you okay?" Michael asked as I started hurling. "We gotta get going- Oh..."

"This is nothing, it'll end in a second. Go downstairs and get Prince and Paris ready, I'll be right there."

"Okay... But maybe it's better if you stay home..."

"And miss the judge saying we won? Are you kidding me? No way." I violently shook my head.

Today was the day the judge would finally make a decision and announce who won. And it looked we were the winning team. I mean, were they really going to give our kids to a woman who gave up her parental rights? I knew it could never happen.

"If you insist. We'll wait for you in the car." he kissed the top of my forehead.

When he left, I got up and washed my face. After that, I opened the cabinet above the sink so I could take a couple of pills to keep my stomach contents down for the court session today.

As I looked for pills to take so my stomach would calm down, I came across the way too familiar pregnant tests that were still stored in our cabinet since we tried to conceive again.

I scrunched my eyebrows. Could I...? No, there's no way. My dad said it's a stomach bug.

I pushed the thought of it away and found the pills I was looking for. Just as I was about to close the cabinet, I looked at the tests again.

After a few moments, I decided to take one. Just to be sure that my dad is right and this is really just a stupid bug that should end soon.

Slowly, I opened the box and followed the instructions.

Three minutes passed, and I was a little scared to look. My worries were justified, because I saw those two pink lines.