5th of November, 2007
Michael is 49, Angela is 43

Angela: There was a moment after Dr. Moore told me what happened to Michael, that I felt anger. Then the sadness took over.

But all of those feelings disappeared in an instant, and I was completely numb.

It seemed like I lost the ability to do anything. I couldn't think, I couldn't move, and I found it harder to breathe.

"We should do something. She can't keep staying here." I heard my dad vaguely.

"We tried everything, dad. She won't budge." Luciano sighed.

Then their conversation faded away again and all I could hear was Michael's heart monitor.

He was hooked up to so many things, and in the past week that I've been here I counted them over and over. Exactly 26 tubes and wires.

I ran my thumb over the back of his hand that I was holding, crying silently to myself again. That's all I could really do. Cry.

A hand was placed on my shoulder but I didn't move. "Angela."

The familiar voice of my mother-in-law seemed very far away.

"Staying here like this won't bring him back, honey," she rubbed my shoulders. "And the kids need you to be home... They're confused and scared."

I only held Michael's hand tighter. He was so cold.

"I- I can't-" I started, but stopped myself when I realized how sore my throat was from crying.

"Yes, you can. You need to get up, go home, take a hot shower, and see your kids. They need you."

"M- Michael, h- he.... H- he might-"

Katherine sighed, "He won't wake up. You heard what the doctor said. There's nothing we, or anyone else, can do right now."

I shook my head. "I- I'm not l- leaving h- him."

Katherine let my shoulder go, and I hoped they would all just leave me be. There was no way I was leaving Michael.

Everyone followed her as she left the room. I closed my eyes, glad that I was finally alone.

~

6th of November, 2007
Michael is 49, Angela is 43

Angela: I stirred around, the feeling on a nice comforter around me soothing my body.

Where am I? Did I fall asleep?

The weird thing was, I never remembered actually falling asleep.

Slowly, I opened my eyes and was surprised to find myself back in Neverland, surrounded by our bed's warm sheets.

What am doing here?!

I hurried to get up and find some clean clothes, then put on my shoes. I ran out of the bedroom, but was stopped by Javon.

"Good morning, Mrs. Jackson," he smiled slightly. "Did you sleep well?"

"Who brought me home?!" I demanded.

"Mr. Jackson's mother instructed me to get you home when you fell asleep at the hospital."

"Get me back there. Now. Michael needs me."

"I can't do that." Javon said.

"I have to be with him, Javon. Please." I begged.

"I know, and I understand. But everyone agrees that what you're doing is not good. You can't keep torturing yourself by staying at his side. He's not going to wake up, Mrs. Jackson. At least not in the near future. So I'm very sorry, but you're going to have to stay here."

I looked down and felt my eyes water. I didn't want to believe his words, and I couldn't.

There was no way I lost Michael, too.

Then I felt myself drifting off again. Everything was surreal.

"Let's go see the kids, alright? They need you, too, Mrs. Jackson."

Javon took me by my hands, leading me to the living room, where the kids were sitting with their grandmother.

"Mom!"

"Mommy!"

"Mama!"

The older kids were the ones who hugged me first. And in that instant I snapped out of my trance, knowing I have to be there for them.

Paris cried into my stomach, "Grandma told us what happened to daddy..."

She sniffled loudly into my shirt, making me hug her tighter.

"He's not going to wake up, right?" Prince asked. The sadness was clear in his voice and it tore me apart.

Prince, Paris and Blanket lost the one person who's been there for them since forever; The pain they must feel...

"Dada? Jared mumbled.

He was picked up by Lily, "Can we go see him, mom?"

I wanted to respond but my mother-in-law hurried to speak.

"Soon," Katherine promised. "When your mom feels better. She needs to rest for a while, so it's for the better if we all stay here and help her."

She glanced at my stomach and I understood that she knew about me still being pregnant.

It was the last thing I thought about since I got the news about Michael.

"Why? What's wrong with mommy?" Blanket questioned and took my hand.

"You want to tell them?"

I sighed, nodding, and took a seat, with the kids following me.

Here goes nothing. "The morning of our last court session, your dad and I found out that... That we're going to have another baby.

"But right now, I don't know what happen, with everything going on. With your dad and the condition that he is in, I don't think another baby will be good for our family..."

"Why not?" Eric smiled. "Mom, it's another baby brother or sister..."

"I know, but... Michael's not here."

"But we are."

I grinned at my son's words.

"Yeah, mom, we'll help." Paris said and wiped her tears.

"I'll have to think about it, guys," I took in a deep breath. "You know AJ's pregnancy wasn't the easiest."

Just then, Grace showed up with AJ in her arms.

"Welcome home, Mrs. Jackson. It's good to have you back."

"Thanks, Grace. Can I have her?" I nodded towards my baby girl.

AJ instantly hugged my neck when she was placed in my arms.

"She rolled over for the first time a couple days ago, and since then she wouldn't stop. I thought you should know." Grace told me.

I sighed sadly, "Thanks, Grace. I appreciate it."

She left and I turned to my kids.
"So what else did I miss?"

"Um," Javon cleared his throat. "We should talk later in private, but Rob has some legal news..."

"Right. Could you tell him to come in later today?"

He nodded, taking out his phone, quickly texting who I guessed was Rob.

"I heard they might be taking us away..." Prince said. "Please don't let them take us, Angie."

"I won't. You're staying with me by your dad's side." I promised, pulling him into another hug.

~

I paced back and forth with AJ in my arms.

"I really tried, Angela." Rob sighed loudly.

"Why does Debbie have to such a bit-" I stopped myself when I remembered my baby girl whom I was holding. "Michael is on his deathbed, and she still won't let this go? Prince and Paris want to stay here."

"I know, but the odds are in our favor. I heard the jury were shocked by what happened to Michael, and are going to consider your current position as a single mother to eight kids. I don't think they're planning on separating two kids from their legal mom."

"At least they have some heart." I rolled my eyes, still pissed at Debbie.

"Whatever will happen, I'm going to fight for Prince and Paris to stay here. Alright?"

I nodded, "Thanks, Rob."

He shook my hand and kissed my cheek before he left.

AJ fussed a little so I decided to go put her down for a nap.

And that's when my phone rang loudly in my pocket.

~

Javon led me through the hospital once again. Tears blurred my vision so he had to hold my hand and make me follow.

Dr. Moore met us outside Michael's room.

"He's stable, Mrs. Jackson," he assured when he saw me. "Breathe. He's okay."

"W- what happened?" I stuttered.

"He had a seizure. It's not unusual, but-"

"But what?"

He sighed deeply, "If this keeps happening frequently from now on, I suggest you consider to, um... Take him off."

"Off what?" I asked, dumbfounded.

Dr. Moore cleared his throat. "Take him off life support."

Anger rose inside me. How dare he even suggest such a thing?

"We could talk about this later," Javon spoke before I could burst out at the doctor. "Let's go see Mr. Jackson."

He opened the door for me and I rushed to Michael's side.

My husband looked the same. With all 26 tubes and wires connected to him still, his heart monitor beeping steadily.

"Mr. Jackson's mother asked if it's okay to bring the children. She says they won't stop begging to see him." Javon said.

"Y- yeah. They need to be here."

"Okay, I'll go call her."

He left me alone with Michael as he went to talk in the hall.

I took a seat next to the bed, clutching Michael's hand tight.

Bringing my lips to his knuckles, I kissed them lightly.

"Don't scare me like that again." I begged against his cold skin.

My tears rolled down his arm. "If you were wondering, I'm still pregnant... And I told the kids. They seemed to be excited, saying they'll help. But I'm still not sure about this, Mike... There's so much going on and you're not here. I don't know if I can do this..."

I felt helpless again, like the world was closing in on me.

But then I could've swore Michael squeezed my hand. I laughed happily and kissed his knuckles again and again.

"I'm here, okay? I'm never leaving you," I said. Then, I pulled up my shirt and placed his hand on my flat stomach. "We're never leaving you."

~

The children joined us soon.

All of them cried at the sight of their dad.

"It's no fair." Prince said, clutching my neck as he cried.

"Oh, honey, I know... But he'll be fine and he will wake up. He squeezed my hand just now, Prince. He's there. We just have to believe that he'll come back."

He nodded into my shoulder but still didn't let go.

Rose and Jared sat on the bed, at Michael's feet. They looked very confused with everything.

"Dada?" Rose pointed at her daddy.

"You heard mommy," Blanket smiled. "Daddy's going to be absolutely fine, Rose."

"Mom, what are you going to do with the baby?" Paris asked suddenly.

"Um... I haven't decided fully yet."

"You should have it," Lily said. "For dad."

"Yeah, mom. For dad." Prince agreed.

Did he...? He actually called me 'mom'.

For the first since I got the news about Michael, tears of joy welled up in my eyes.

I opened my arms wide and all of my kids came in for a group hug.

"Okay," I sighed. "For Michael."

I was going to fight for Prince and Paris to stay with me, I was going to fight for this baby, and most of all I was going to make sure Michael stays alive and well.

And in that moment I knew, that whatever happens- I'll never let go.

~

There you go! Can not believe I actually finished this story!

I want to thank every single one of you for taking your time to read, vote, and comment. I love you all so much and hopefully you'll hear from me soon in the sequel.

And I know it was yesterday, but I hope everyone made it through the day. RIP, Michael. Thank you for inspiring me every day.

Once again, thank you all so much ❤️

Much love,
~ShoamEmily