18th of April, 2008
Michael is 49, Angela is 44

Angela: "I'd like to call Mrs. Angela Brown-Jackson to the stand, please."

I pushed myself up carefully, holding my lower back as I waddled to the stand.

I took the oath, then sat back down when I was asked to.

"Mrs. Jackson," Rob started. "We've heard a lot of versions of your life and relationship with Mr. Jackson, over the last couple months. How all this information effects this custody trial is still not very clear to me, but we'd like to hear your version today."

I nodded.

Rob smiled, "Tell me how you met Michael."

"Um, it was at his birthday party back in 1994," I said. "My boyfriend at the time, Jake, was a very good friend of his. He was working at the rehab center Michael was admitted to in 1993. That's how they met... So he introduced me to him when we were invited to his party."

"Did you have a good relationship with Michael back then?"

I shook my head. "I actually didn't like him that much. But we did visit Neverland, a lot. Jake and I even got married there, in a very private ceremony. Michael was the best man.

"Our kids grew up together. Michael had Prince and Paris while Jake and I had Lily and Eric. And then-"

I stopped myself when my throat became a little scratchy from the tears that threatened to spill.

"Do you need a break, Mrs. Jackson?" the judge asked.

I shook my head, then continued. "It was the end of 2003, Michael was charged with child molestation again. Jake, being a really amazing friend, drove all the way to Santa Ynez to be there for Mike. He got into a car crash, and was killed on the spot.

"It was a week later when his attorney gave me his will. When I read it, I couldn't  believe my eyes. I thought he was crazy when he said he wanted me to marry Michael. I mean, we didn't get along, so marrying him? And giving him a child? Crazy."

"But you did it." Rob raised his eyebrows.

"Of course I did. I felt so obligated to Jake... I truly loved him, I still do. And thinking I could've stopped him from driving to Neverland so late, I had to do it. The truth was, I was a widow with two little kids. Yes, I had a great job and enough money, but Lily and Eric needed a stable home and a loving family. They got exactly that when I married Michael. And I did too. I've never felt so loved before.

"So Michael and I had a plan, that we'd 'date' for a while, then he'd propose, and finally we got married. I got pregnant with Rose and Jared about 4 months after the wedding. During those long 8 months, I realized why Jake wanted me to marry him. He's the most loving father a child could have. He won't let anything happen to his kids, ever. And as it turns out, he was a good husband too. Always taking care of me, making sure I had everything. In the process of it all, we fell in love... I don't know how it happened, but it did."

"Thank you, Angela. That's all from me, your honor." Rob sat back down.

Amanda Goodwin, Debbie's attorney, stood up and walked in front of me.

"Mrs. Jackson," she said my name coldly. "Would you say Jake, whom you claim you loved and loved you back, forced you to marry Mr. Jackson?"

"No, no at all. He simply wished for it; I'm the one who decided to do it eventually."

"But you claimed you and Mr. Jackson never got along. Was it really worth it at the time?"

"Yes. My kids and I needed some steadiness in our lives." I said.

She scrunched her eyebrows, "And how did his kids take it?"

"They were happy to have more members to their family. I mean, they've known my kids since forever, so fitting into their lives wasn't so difficult."

"Did they know about my client, Ms. Rowe?"

"They knew they had a mother who gave them as a gift to their dad. But no, they didn't know exactly who she was." I told her.

"My client said that she was hired by your husband a little over a year ago as your personal nurse, correct?" Goodwin asked.

"Yes," I nodded. "My last pregnancy was very difficult. Michael wanted someone he trusted to take care of me while he was working on some records."

"And do you recall asking Mr. Jackson to keep my client away from her kids?"

"I do, and I did it knowing they don't remember who she was. I'm the one raising them, and she gave up her rights to be their mother."

"But when she did try to reconnect with them you refused to let her see them." Goodwin shot.

"It was a mutual decision Michael and I made, we thought she's a bad influence. And it turned out to be true, she lied about being pregnant with Michael's child and she pushed me down, making me go into labor. Not to mention she attempted to drug me while I was in the early stages of my pregnancy-"

I was cut off by the attorney. "Do you have proof of that, Mrs. Jackson?"

"We do, actually," Rob smirked. "I'd like to call another witness to the stand, your honor. Dr. Samuel Haring, would you please come forward?"

I saw my former doctor standing up. He helped me down the stand so we could switch.

"It's good to see you, Angela." he whispered.

Deciding not to respond, I simply took my seat. I was getting tired. Of everything.

The last couple months have been tough. With the trial being restored, my stress levels have gone to the roof.

Although everything was going as planned, and Rob promised that bringing Dr. Haring into this would only benefit us, I was doubtful. Debbie's lawyer knew exactly what to say and when to say it.

Not to mention, I was nearing the end of my 7th month. The baby inside me seemed to grow perfectly, despite everything going on.
Dr. Holden assured me of that. He did instruct me to rest a lot and except for being in court a few times a month, I've been doing just that. The older kids were very helpful when it came to managing their little siblings. They all seemed to mature a bit since Michael's been in a coma.

"Dr. Haring," Rob started. "How long have you treated Mrs. Jackson?"

"I've been her OBYGN since January, 2006, until around 5 months ago."

"So you've treated her during her last pregnancy, correct?"

"Yes." The doctor nodded.

Rob continued, "Do you remember Mrs. Jackson ever coming to you with complaints about feeling sick?"

"I do. She was at the end of her third month, and she said she had been throwing up all day. So we took a blood test. I called her later that night to tell her I've found traces of Emetics in her blood. I asked if she'd taken them by accident and she swore that she didn't." Dr. Haring said.

"I have the blood test results right here, your honor," Rob placed a file on the judge's bench. "Care to explain what Emetics are, doctor?"

"They are tablets that make you sick. Patients take them in case of food poisoning, or if they had taken something that could harm their body."

"And these are prescript tablets, right?" my lawyer asked.

"Right."

"So only a person with a medical license, like a doctor or a nurse, could get them easily. Correct?"

"Yeah." Dr. Haring answered.

"Take that into consideration, you honor. That'll be all. Thank you, Dr. Haring." Rob sat next to me, giving me a thumbs up.

"I will look at these new facts and evaluate. Next court session will be next Wednesday." the judge declared.

"This went amazingly well. Debbie's going down, I promise." Rob said to me as everyone started scattering out of the courtroom.

"I hope." I sighed, trying to stand up. Rob steadied me and gave me a genuine smile.

"We should get going," Javon appeared next to me. "You have an appointment in an hour, and we need to pick up the kids."

"Right, we should go. Thanks for everything, Rob."

We gave each other a kiss on each cheek, then Javon led me out of the courtroom.

~

"And... Take a big breath, Mrs. Jackson. Ready? One, two, three..."

I flinched when Dr. Holden checked my cervix.

"Everything's perfect, like always. Are you taking your vitamins?"

I nodded and he pulled his fingers out of me.

"Good," the doctor said. "Keep it up. Should I call your kids in and we'll see that beautiful baby of yours?"

Smiling, I told him to call my kids. They all gathered around the examination bed as I pulled up my shirt.

It still felt surreal that I was pregnant again. And that Michael wasn't actually here to see it happening.

"Ready?" Dr. Holden asked my children while spreading the cold gel all over my skin.

They all nodded impatiently.

I closed my eyes and listened when a heartbeat was heard.

"Mommy, can we please find out what this baby is?" Blanket begged.

"No, honey. I want it to be a surprise." I reached out to put a piece of loose hair behind his ear.

Prince perked up. "It's a boy, I'm telling you."

"No, it's another girl!" Lily said.

"It doesn't matter, as long as they're healthy." I told them.

Dr. Holden cleared his throat, "They're very healthy. A little big, but still very healthy. Really."

I asked him to print out the pictures, so he left and I stood up slowly with the help of Lily and Paris. I got dressed, then called Javon from outside the examination room.

"We're good. Nothing changed." I informed.

"I'm glad, Mrs. Jackson." he smiled kindly. "We should say goodbye to Mr. Jackson before we head home. Dr. Moore says he had a rough night."

I sighed sadly, grabbing my purse. With one hand on my lower back and the other on my protruding stomach, I followed the bodyguard until we reached Michael's room.

"Daddy's okay, right?" Paris tugged on my arm.

"I'm sure he is, sweetheart." I said half-heartedly. I didn't even believe that myself.

Javon stopped in front of Michael's room and let the kids go in first. Dr. Moore stopped me before I went in myself.

"He had three seizures last night, Mrs. Jackson," he looked me straight in the eyes. "I know you don't want to do it, but taking him off might be what's best for him. I really think it's not fair-"

I cut him off, "What's not fair is you promising me 6 months ago that he'd come out of that surgery alive and well. So you don't get to tell me what to do with my husband's life."

I joined my kids. Paris held Michael's hand while Eric tightened the blanket around him.

"He's okay, mom." Prince reassured and hugged me. I placed a light kiss on his head.

When I sat down next to my step daughter, the baby started kicking. They always do this when I come in here.

"The baby's kicking." I grinned.

"He should feel it," Paris hurried to place her dad's cold hand on my bump. "Woah."

"Yeah," I laughed at her reaction. "They're kicking hard, huh?"

I intertwined my husband's fingers in mine. His hand was a little warmer due to being on my stomach.

"I love you." I whispered to Michael.

All of a sudden, a sharp pain pierced my body. I let out a wail.

"Mommy?" Blanket asked. But I couldn't focus on any of the kids who were calling me.

"Mrs. Jackson, breathe," Javon placed two hands on my shoulders. "Prince, go call someone."

The bodyguard crouched in front of me, making me look at him. "Breathe with me, Mrs. Jackson."

I only let out another wail as the pain got worse.

Without any warning, Javon scooped me up. And that's all I could remember before passing out.

~

"Angela," I heard my dad's voice when I started waking up. "Hi, honey."

"Mrs. Jackson, how are you feeling?" Dr. Holden showed up next to him.

"I think I'm good... What happened?"

"Nothing serious. You had some very intense Braxton Hicks."

I groaned, leaning back in the hospital bed. "Why?"

"Why were they so intense?" The doctor asked making me nod. "I don't know. Everything's okay with your baby, though."

"Can I go home, then?"

He smiled. "Sure. But I want you grounded in bed for a few days."

"Fine," I sat up quickly, dad helping me off the bed. "How grounded?"

"Try not to be on your feet for at least 3 days now."

I rolled my eyes. I was doing fine up until now. What the hell, baby?

"Thank you, doc." dad shook his hand. "Come on, Ange. I'll take you home."

~

The ride back to Neverland was quiet, until one of Michael's songs came on the radio. They've been playing his music a lot since word of what happened to him got out.

"Angela," dad cleared his throat, turning the radio down. "Michael's doctor talked to me. He feels like you're hanging on to something that might not be there anymore."

I shot my father a look. "Michael's there, dad. I know he is. I'm not going to kill him by taking him off, okay?"

"But it might be what's best for him."

I shook my head violently.

"He's going to wake up. Maybe not now, but he will one day." I said.

Dad sighed deeply, reaching his hand to hold mine, "If you really believe that, I'm gonna support you all the way."

"Thanks, dad."

"That baby is getting big." he chuckled.

"Yeah, too big for my taste. They're even bigger than AJ was." I laughed along.

It was true, I had stretch marks everywhere. Even more than my pregnancy with Rose and Jared.

"I'm glad you decided to keep it. I can't wait to meet him or her."

Honestly, I was glad I kept the baby, too. I had something to look forward to and I always had a little piece of Michael with me. And the kids were very excited to meet their baby brother or sister.

"Did you think about names?" Dad asked.

"Nope. I'm hoping the kids would have some ideas," I answered. "Oh, no."

I groaned when I felt those hard kicks again. "Ugh, I hate that they're so active."

"Maybe try and rest for a while? It'll calm them down." my dad suggested.

I nodded, closing my eyes, and falling asleep pretty fast.

~

20th of April, 2008
Michael is 49, Angela is 44

Angela: I was sitting in bed, with Rob standing next to it, giving me new information about our case.

"So the judge talked to the jury, and it looks like we're taking this one home. They're calling Debbie an unfit mother due to the new evidence we provided. Prince and Paris staying here."

My eyes watered with joy. Michael would've been so happy.

"There's this one thing, though..." my lawyer sighed. "They want to take her baby boy away from her and put him under Mark's care only."

"Shit." I mumbled.

"Yeah, I thought you might not like that. But at least no one's taking Prince and Paris away."

I smiled, "Thank you so much, Rob. I can't even begin to explain how happy you made me."

"Of course. I'm always here if you need me."

We shook hands and he left. Although I wanted to feel glad about what's going to happen, I couldn't help but feel sympathy for Debbie. But then she did do all those awful things to Michael and I.

I ran a hand over my stomach. "Your brother and sister are staying here." I whispered.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. Grace was helping Rose and Jared into the room while holding AJ.

They all grew so much; Jared looked more and more like his dad. While Rose and AJ were starting to look very much like me. Except AJ had Michael's smile and those same loving eyes.

"They wanted to see you." Grace said.

"Yeah, of course. Come here, babies." I reached my hands out and she put my baby girl in my arms.

"Daddy?" Rose asked.

"We'll go see him in a couple of days, okay? Mommy has to rest a little before that." I told her.

She nodded. AJ sat up with ease and leaned against my belly. I played with her curls.

At that moment all I could think about was how blessed I got. Prince and Paris were staying home, for sure. All my children were healthy.

The only thing missing was Michael.