Hey guys! I'm back!

Finally got to do some writing, I hope it doesn't suck and you love it.

Don't know when I'll get to write some more but enjoy this chapter for now.

One of my fave Queen songs right there so go ahead and listen to it, I hope it gives a feel of what I was trying to do in this chapter.

Thank you for all your support and patience ❤️

With love,

~ShoamEmily

~

12th of June, 2008
Michael is 49, Angela is 44

Angela: I looked around the white examination room as I bounced my leg nervously.

It's been almost three weeks since Leo was born and I was finally feeling better.
These last couple of weeks have been more than eventful, with our new baby keeping us up at night, me being grounded, and Michael still settling in, we had our hands full.

"Would you stop that, please?" my husband sighed. "You're making me nervous."

"I'm making you nervous? If I don't pass this stupid check up, I'm the one who's still going to be bedridden for who knows how long." I rolled my eyes.

"You know I'm just worried about you-"

Michael was cut off by the door opening. Dr. Holden was smiling widely when he saw the both of us.

"How are we feeling today?" he asked.

"Good." I answered shortly.

I was not in the mood for any of this. All I wanted was to get back home and be with my baby.

Michael cleared his throat, "She's been having some pain in her stomach."

"Oh?"

"I'm fine, it's nothing-"

"Mind of I check?" the doctor said.

I shook my head, laying down on the bed. Dr. Holden put some gloves on as I pulled my shirt to my chest.

He then gently pressed on my stomach where the scar was still a healthy shade of pink.

"Your abdomen seems okay, and the incision looks like it's healing well. Do you feel any pain right now?"

"Nope."

My doctor sighed, "Alright, I'll do an ultrasound later to make sure everything's perfect."

Dr. Holden proceeded to check my blood pressure, saying it was still a little low. He ordered me to stay in bed for a couple more weeks, but I was allowed to take a little more care of Leo.

"So there's nothing to worry about... Right?" Michael asked.

"She seems perfectly fine to me." the doctor reassured him.

I saw my husband sigh in relief before Dr. Holden started on the ultrasound.

~

It felt so good to finally properly hold my baby boy in my arms.

Leo was gently sucking on the bottle I was giving him, looking up at me with dreamy eyes.

Michael left me alone because he knew I needed some time with our son.

"You're so gorgeous..." I whispered and rubbed his chubby cheek with my pinky.

A knock on the door made me look up. Javon stood there, a grin plastered on his face.

"I figured I'd find you here," he said. "How are you feeling, Angela?"

"Better, thanks... Where have you been? I haven't seen you around lately."

"Mr. Jackson gave me a couple weeks off, said I could use some well needed rest."

Javon came further into the nursery, "It's a boy, huh? He's very handsome."

I smiled, nodding. "He is, isn't he?"

The bodyguard came closer and took a seat on the floor in front of us.

"That's because he looks like you."

I blushed, looking away from his eyes. I should talk to him, to set things straight.

"He knows," I said quietly. "Michael. About us. He figured it out himself when you came checking on me the day Leo was born."

"Yeah, I understood that when he sent me on time off. Did you know I never had a day off since I started working for him?"

"No, I didn't. Did you have fun?"

Javon chuckled, "Kinda. It was weird, mostly, I didn't know what to do with myself. But I did see my sister who I haven't seen in three years, so I guess it was worth it."

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." I smiled.

Leo fussed and his bottle was empty so I gently put him against my shoulder.

"Do you mind if I do it?" Javon asked.

"You really want to?" I said.

"Of course."

He stood up and held his arms out. I placed Leo in them, watching him closely.

Javon held my son like he was the most fragile thing in the world. It honestly made my heart melt.

"Oh, he's just the cutest..." the bodyguard cooed as he patted Leo's tiny back. "It was worth it, wasn't it?"

"What was?" I cocked my head.

He settled my baby back in my arms, making sure his face was as close as it could possibly be. With a low voice, he whispered,

"Everything you've been through these past seven months. He was worth it, right?"

"Y-Yeah." I stuttered. Why is he making me so nervous?

Javon placed a finger under my chin and licked his lips. I closed my eyes shut.

Then he kissed me gently but I was quick to pull away.

"J- Javon, we can't... You know we can't..." I said breathlessly.

"Why not?"

"Because," I sighed. "I'm a married woman who loves her husband. I know how it feels to be cheated on and I won't make him feel that way, it's awful. You've been very kind to me and gave me a shoulder to cry on when I needed one. I appreciate you very much for it, but I can't betray Michael. Especially now when he needs me most."

Javon's eyes turned sad and he looked down, "But- He doesn't love you back! I do. You deserve to be loved, Angela."

"He loves me, he just needs to be reminded that he does."

I truly believed it now. Michael will learn to love me again, eventually. It'll take time, but he will.

"And you," I lifted his head so he'd look me in the eyes. "You need to find someone who'll love you back. Preferably someone who is your age and isn't married plus nine."

The bodyguard let out a little chuckle.

A knock on the door interrupted us. It was Michael.

"Angela? Can I come in?"

Javon hurried to straighten up right before my husband opened the door.

"Javon. I thought you said you were patrolling around the house." he crossed his arms over his chest.

Javon cleared his throat. "I- I was. Just making sure Mrs. Jackson and the baby were safe. I'll be going now."

"Thanks, Javon. I appreciate it." I gave him one last smile.

He looked sadly between Michael and I before he left.

~

Michael: Angela let out a little moan right after Javon exited the door.

"Take him, will you?" she held Leo out for me. "I should get back to bed."

I wanted to ask her what happened between her and Javon just now, but I could see how tired she suddenly got so I let it be and took Leo from her.

Ever since I found Javon sitting at her bedside in the hospital, with his hand on her pregnant stomach, I've been suspicious that something was going on between them. But when I confronted Angela about it she promised nothing happened.

Like I had told her, I really did understand. My head of security has been there for her for the last 7 months or so while I was in a coma. And I'm sure that my stupid memory loss didn't help the situation, making them become closer.

Angela kissed my cheek before slowly making her way to the staircase that led to our bedroom.

"Are you feeling alright, Angela?" I called after her.

"Yeah, don't worry, I just got a bit tired all of a sudden. I'll sleep it off." she reassured and disappeared down the stairs.

I sighed, looking down at my baby boy. His still grey eyes were starting to close slightly so I placed him in his crib.

"Goodnight." I whispered and kissed his tiny forehead.

My head suddenly ached. Here we go again. Maybe I should call Dr. Moore and get checked again.

I made sure the baby monitor was turned on before heading downstairs after Angela. Her sudden tiredness worried me a bit.

"Angela?" I said into our lightly-dimmed room.

But she was already fast asleep in bed, cuddled up in the sheets. Seeing her so peaceful made me smile.

It's been a few very stressful weeks for her. Being in bed most of the time while everyone else around her were running around all over the place, doing what she couldn't. It must've drove her crazy.

I must've drove her crazy.

I was a handful nowadays, and I knew it; I was finding it harder and harder to find my place in this family that seemed very well-grounded, which was absurd considering it was my family.

So trying to make my way around everything was difficult and I turned to Angela many times for help, which she gladly gave.

She seemed very patient, something I don't remember her being towards me, ever.

Suddenly something compelled me to join her in bed, to make sure she's actually alright. So I did.

I wrapped my arm slightly around her, feeling her shallow breathing. Angela definitely noticed me there because she sighed in her sleep and pressed her back against my chest.

"Mmhm," she hummed sleepily. "Michael, I missed you..."

Then she fell into a deep sleep again and I realized what I was doing.

Quickly, I let her go, scooting away from her.

This is exactly the opposite of what I should be doing, which is focusing on my family. There's no time to fool around like this.

I hurried to get out of bed and head to the door.

"No, Michael... Don't go, don't leave me alone again..." Angela cried.

I turned around to see that she was still very much asleep, her eyes moving fast under her eyelids as she was dreaming.

Sighing, I knew I had to calm her down. So I got back in bed and cuddled her. Angela relaxed almost instantly.

Soon enough I drifted off myself.

~

Angela: I woke up from Leo's fussing that came from the baby monitor.

Groaning, I tried getting up to see what was bothering him, but failed as strong arms were holding me in place.

Someone was cuddling me. No, not just someone. It was Michael.

I gasped slightly. He's cuddling me? What's gotten into him?

Although I knew this would be very awkward for him when he'd wake up, I didn't move a muscle and instead enjoyed myself.

How I missed the feeling of his arms around me, how I missed hearing his heartbeat as I lay on his chest.

This has to be a dream, there's no way he'd actually get in bed with me.

I found myself staring at his relaxed face, hoping to wake up soon because this couldn't be real and I've been torturing myself enough.

He's so beautiful. So... breathtaking.

I felt myself shedding a few tears. He'll love me. He has to.

Then Leo's cries snapped me out of my daze and it made Michael wake up, too.

"Shit," he jumped up, letting me go. "I fell asleep, didn't I? I'll go see what he needs."

Before I could ask him why he was even in bed with me in the first place, he dashed upstairs.

Still confused, I got up to wash my face. I looked away from my reflection as it resembled someone who could've been my mom's age.

When I came back to the bedroom, Michael was rocking Leo back and forth while walking around.

"Look, Leo, mommy's here..." he cooed. "He just needed a diaper change. Do you want some time with him?"

I nodded, making Michael place our son in my arms. He then said he's going to see if the kids were back.

"Wait, Mike," I grabbed his sleeve with my free hand. "Why were we cuddling? I thought you weren't comfortable with being in bed with me-"

He cut me off quickly, "I'm not, it's just, uh, you were crying in your sleep so I tried to calm you down but ended up falling asleep myself..."

"Crying?"

"Yeah, um, can we talk about this later? I really want to see if the kids are back and you should spend some time with Leo."

"Sure." I said although I knew he was dodging this talk.

My husband smiled slightly and kissed the top of Leo's head before leaving.

Great, I really didn't need another reason for him to avoid me. But that just happened.