I feel like it's been ages since I updated and I'm truly sorry! Started working again after a while of taking time off.

So much happened this week! I was actually at a party for Michael's 60th birthday on Tuesday, it was so amazing. I love coming together with other Moonwalkers.

And what's going on with Wattpad? Seriously this app never seems to work properly lol

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter, I left you off with a little cliffhanger 😉

Don't forget to vote and comment, love you 💜

~ShoamEmily

~

26th of May, 2008
Michael is 49, Angela is 44

Angela: I woke up in bed, alone.

I didn't expect Michael to stay but I had hope.

After getting up and taking a shower, I went back to the room only to find my husband standing there. He seemed so lost as he looked around the room.

"Mike?" I asked. He jumped slightly and turned to me.

Michael blushed deeply when he saw that I was only wearing a bathrobe. "I'm sorry for not knocking first, I think I kind of remembered something so I rushed in here to tell you..."

"What did you remember?"

"I'm not sure, but it had something to do with a picture of Jake and I..."

I smiled, walking to his nightstand and taking the framed picture of him and Jake with the kids.

"This picture?" I gave it him.

He sat down next to me, his eyebrows scrunched.

"Yeah," Michael said. "This was at your old house, right? I think I remember you and I there... And a lot of Jake's clothes..."

I teared up a little. He actually remembered something.

"This was a little before I got pregnant with AJ. We were going through therapy at the time, since we just started dating, like actually dating. I needed us to talk to someone about our problems. So our therapist instructed me to push Jake away because even just the thought of him really interfered with our relationship. But I tried erasing him completely."

"That must've been bad..." he sighed.

I nodded, "It was. So because I was struggling so much, I went back to our therapist and she told me to clear the old house and only keep a few of Jake's things. That's exactly what I did, and you joined me, then you saw that picture and decided to keep it on your nightstand. Just like Jake used to."

Michael suddenly pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. I was confused for a second but quickly hugged him back.

"Thank you for that." he said into my shoulder.

When we pulled away, I still kept him close. I never wanted this moment to end. His beautiful lips were curled into a slight smile while his hands still held my waist.

My actions were so quick that I didn't even feel myself leaning in.

"Angela..."

"Please let me do this, I've been waiting for so long. I miss you so much." I begged, clutching his shirt.

His eyes scanned me and for a second I actually thought he was going to kiss me.

But he only pried my fingers away from his shirt gently, standing up. "I'm sorry but I can't."

He was fast to leave. And I felt myself caving in again, crying like a baby.

I want my Michael back.

~

Michael: I could hear Angela cry after closing our bedroom door, and it tore me apart knowing I caused this.

It felt wrong to kiss her.

"Dad?" Lily called. She looked unsure as she came to me.

Hearing her calling me 'dad' was very weird. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that her and Eric were legally mine.

"Yeah, Lily?" I smiled.

"Is mom feeling okay?"

"No, not really," I rubbed my forehead. "Can you go to her? She probably needs a hug."

Lily hurried to hug me, "It looks like you need a hug, too, dad."

"Thanks, sweetheart."

"I'm gonna go check on mom."

She entered the bedroom and I decided to go check on the other kids.

When I reached the living room I was surprised to find AJ in Javon's arms, along with the twins who played on the floor.

"Daddy!" Rose chirped and ran to me.

Javon looked up at me, "She was whining so I picked her up. But I think she wants Angela."

"You meant Mrs. Jackson, right?" I raised an eyebrow. "And she's not feeling well right now, so I don't think it's the best idea that AJ would be with her mother."

"I'm sorry, sir. Is there anything I can do?"

"No, it's okay. I got it from here."

Javon nodded and stood up, placing AJ in the carpet. He disappeared outside.

"Daddy, I'm hungry." Rose said.

"Alright, how about we all go see what the chef made for breakfast?"

Her and Jared nodded, so I put her down and took AJ in my arms.

The other kids were already at the dining table when we entered. Lily joined soon enough and we all sat down. She looked kinda down, probably because her mother.

"Is mom not coming to breakfast?" Prince asked as he started eating.

"No, she's not feeling well, Prince. But after you're done you should go see her, to cheer her up." I answered.

"I will."

I grinned at him. I still couldn't believe how big he and Paris were.

Lily was playing with the food on her plate.

I looked at her. "You okay, Lily?"

"It's mom... She was really sad before." she told me.

I didn't want to tell her I was the reason Angela was crying in our bedroom. The kids shouldn't be a part of whatever's going on between us.

"You know how hard everything has been for her lately. All we can do is support her in every way we can, right? So showing her how much you love her and care for her is the best thing to do. Okay?"

Lily nodded but didn't seem convinced, "She was never this sad before... Not even when daddy died."

"I'm sure she'll feel better soon. Your mom just needs to adjust to everything's that's happening." I said.

She went back to playing with her food, making sigh.

The last thing I need is for the kids to feel lost, too.

~

Angela: I couldn't stop crying.

That tiny bit of hope I had when Michael remembered, disappeared.

He will never be the same.

"Angela?" Javon called from outside the door.

"Go away, Javon." I mumbled, not in the mood for anyone or anything right now.

He knocked, "Mr. Jackson said you weren't feeling well... I'm worried about you. Can you please open the door?"

"No, Javon. I just want to be alone."

"I don't think you should be alone right now."

I groaned, standing up. He was getting on my nerves.

"What?" I barked at him when I opened the door. "What do you want? Why can't I cry alone in my bedroom, huh? A little peace and quiet, that's all I asked for-"

"Angela." I heard Michael suddenly.

Javon moved out of the way. My husband stood there with his arms crossed over his chest.

"You're not supposed to be out of bed."

Rolling my eyes, I went back to bed. He suddenly cares.

"There. I stopped crying and I'm in bed. Are you two happy? Now leave me alone." I scoffed.

Javon sighed as he left, but Michael stayed put.

"I'm not stupid, you know," he sat on the edge of the bed. "Javon's the head of security and my personal bodyguard. He has things to do, things that are way more important than checking on my wife. And I get it, Angela. He was here, while I was in a coma. But it's not my fault, so you have to stop making me feel like it is. Whatever's going on between you two needs to stop. It's distracting both of you from doing what you need to do."

"There's nothing going on, Mike. Like you said, he was here. I just needed a friend." I lied, a bit too quickly.

"If you say so. But the way he looks at you... It's like Jake used to look at you. Like you're his everything."

His words were like daggers. I wanted to tell him that he used to look at me like that.

"I'm gonna go see what the kids are up to. I'll ask someone to get you breakfast, you need to eat," Michael smiled warmly while grabbing my hand. "You have to know that I'm trying my best, Angela."

"I do know that. It's just... It's not fair. We were doing so well. I feel like I lost you."

"But you didn't. I'm here, and I won't be leaving anytime soon. So you don't have to worry about losing me."

I pulled him into a hug. He's what I need, no matter how much Javon has to offer.

"I love you," I sniffled into his shoulder. "And I'm sorry. Javon's been really good to me, you know?"

He rubbed my back soothingly, "Yeah, I understand."

And then it happened. He pulled away and pecked my lips ever so slightly.

"Michael..." I mumbled into the kiss. "You don't have to-"

But he only kissed me harder. As an instinct, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him to me.

How I missed this...

His lips left mine and started sucking on my jaw. I moaned loudly.

Michael then took off my shirt. His hand massaged my breast through my bra.

What has gotten into him?

"Mike," I whispered in his ear. "Are you sure you want to do this-"

I was cut off my his lips being smashed against my own again.

His fingers worked quickly to take off my bra as I removed his shirt and started unbuttoning his pants. I felt his member hardening under my touch.

My husband started kissing down my chest while his fingers trailed down and under my sweatpants.

That's when I felt wetness down there. And not a pleasurable kind of wetness.

Is it...? But it's too early.

"Michael." I grabbed his hand that was inside my underwear.

He looked at me, concerned. "What's wrong? Did I do something?"

"N- no, I- I think my w- water b- broke."