It seems like ages since I've added an imagine to this collection!
My previously published story seems to have failed a little (I knew it would but wanted to publish it anyway), so here's a sweet one to make up for the morbid one I last published.

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{Dangerous era – 1994; Michael IS famous.}

With so many bags full of presents, you and Michael walk into the children's hospice together. You and Michael have been together for about three years, and for this Christmas you're hoping more than anything that he'll finally make your relationship official by proposing. However, that's the least of your worries as you enter the hospice, greeted by the main nurse.

"Mr and Mrs Jackson, it's such an honour to meet you. I'm Shanice, and I'll be showing you 'round. The children are so excited!" she beams, almost looking on the verge of tears herself.

"That's great," Michael smiles, clearly keen to meet them all.

"But we aren't married – yet," you add, hinting obviously with the latter word that you do want it to happen.

Michael doesn't even seem to react in response to you, and instead holds up the bags in his hands. "I got all the children a little something. That's okay, isn't it?"

"Oh, Mr Jackson, the children'll be so happy. You really didn't need to do that; just being here is more than enough!" She clasps her hands together, sighing contently at your boyfriend's kindness.

"It's a pleasure to make them happy," he replies, brushing the subject off. "I'm very happy to be here, too."

"Let's not waste any time," Shanice grins, leading you both to the first part of the building. "These are the children who have ... well, slightly longer left, to be polite."

As you scan the room, you see the many faces of tired, sick children in their beds. It breaks your heart to see them this way.

"Hey there." Michael has already gone ahead and started to visit the children by their beds. "I'm Michael. What's your name?"

The child – a young boy with little doe eyes – immediately perks up at the sight of Michael. He smiles faintly and reaches his arms up, as if asking for a hug. "Archie."

Michael quickly allows Archie to enter his embrace, and he slicks back some of the child's fair hair. You can see clearly that Michael's eyes are welling up with tears, but he's smiling because he knows he's making the child happy.

"Archie? That's a wonderful name. And how old are you?"

"Six." The boy seems worn out just speaking, so he falls forward into Michael's arms again, which Michael is more than happy to accept.

He smiles at Archie, even though his smile won't be seen by the child; Shanice then moves towards Michael to explain what's wrong with him. Michael looks up at her, nodding in understanding, though pained to know of the suffering he's going through.

"Would you like a present, Archie? Seeing as it's Christmas?" Michael offers sweetly, gently pulling away from him as not to hurt him. With a nod from the boy, he brings out a beautifully wrapped parcel, and hands it to him. "Merry Christmas, little fighter. I hope you achieve your dreams."

Archie smiles up at Michael with a face full of gratitude, before opening his present – with guidance from Michael, of course. You approach the bed and caress the child's cheek as he finishes opening the package, to reveal a blue toy car with a remote control.

"Thank you Michael," he says quietly, obviously pleased with what he's been given.

"It's a pleasure. Keep fighting for me, won't you? Because you're a strong little soldier. Very brave." A saddened smile spreads across his face as he answers, before he kisses his hand and presses it lightly atop Archie's head. "Have a lovely Christmas."

With that, you and Michael move to the next bed, to visit the next child.

* * *

As you progress through the hospice, you both hear the stories of every child; some cause you to hide tears, whilst some cause you to smile from their hopeful or promised happy endings. Each one touches your heart in a different way.

The final bed you come to is one of a little girl who has gorgeous brown eyes and olive skin.

"Hello sweetheart. What's your name?" Michael questions softly, bending down to kiss her forehead.

The girl gives a faint smile, most likely because she recognises Michael. "I'm Marni," her tired voice lets out.

"Marni is such a beautiful name," Michael answers.

The way he approaches and talks to children leaves you close to tears. The love he has in his heart for them is simply beautiful; you've never known anybody to be this way to anybody, let alone children.

Shanice bends down to mutter to you both. "She has the HIV and AIDS viruses. She doesn't have much longer left, the poor angel."

Michael's eyes immediately fill with tears upon hearing this, but he remains positive towards Marni. "So, how old are you, sweetheart?"

"I'm ten," she breathes, clearly full of fatigue despite wanting to talk.

"That's wonderful. What do you want for Christmas this year, sweetie?" he asks softly, using the back of his hand to carefully stroke her cheek.

The girl looks up at him with glazed-over eyes, as she lies in her bed weakly. "I want to get better and go home ... "

This response causes Michael to choke up so badly, he has to clear his throat violently to avoid crying. He swallows his emotions, instead forcing a smile. "Well, I'm not sure what will happen in the future. But who knows? Maybe Peter Pan will take you to Neverland one day, and you can fly high with him and Tinkerbell."

Marni smiles a small smile at this. "I wanna be a Lost Girl ... " she answers hoarsely.

Michael gives a mellow smile, nodding in certainty. "You will be, little angel. You'll be the first ever Lost Girl. And Peter will treat you like a little princess. I know he will."

"Will you come to Neverland with me?" Marni asks quietly, her voice giving out.

He beams, taking her hand in his, and squeezing it slightly. "Of course, Marni." He nods, which causes his curls to shake a little over his forehead. "We can go on adventures together, and fly with Peter and the Lost Boys. We can also annoy Tinkerbell together." He lets out a soft chuckle. "How's that sound?"

Marni grins at this; this is the liveliest you have seen her since you arrived at her bed. "Can we look for treasure and say hey to the mermaids, too, Michael?"

He licks his upper lip, trying to remain free from showing any tears. "Anything you like." He then leans forward, and whispers something into her ear.

Upon pulling away, she grins. "Yeah, Michael!"

His grin matches hers, as he brings his bag of presents up onto his lap. "Great! And would you like a little present for Christmas?"

"Yeah," she answers quietly.

Michael hands her the present, but you don't particularly focus on her opening it because you're curious about what he whispered into her ear.

"Michael, what did you whisper to her?" you ask him, shuffling a little closer to him in your chair.

He taps his nose with his forefinger twice. "It's a secret between Marni and I—" His eyes avert from you to the girl, as he snickers. "—Right, Marni?"

"Yeah!" she giggles softly, opening her present.

Inside, she finds a Peter Pan doll, and a Wendy to go with it. She smiles in appreciation, taking them out of their boxes. "Thank you Michael."

"That's a pleasure. Just make sure to give them lots of adventures before Peter comes to take you to Neverland. You will, won't you? You'll give them lots of adventures from your imagination?" His voice raises in pitch in excitement as he describes what he wants her to do for him before she dies.

"I will Michael," she assures him, waving them around in front of her. "They're flying!"

"Wow! They're really flying!" Michael laughs, taking the Peter Pan doll and raising it above his head. "Look! Peter is real high, now! See? He's higher than the sky!"

Little giggles of happiness come from Marni as she acts as Wendy. She and Michael "fly high" to Neverland, meeting all the Lost Boys and the mermaids, before finally "returning" home. By the end of the adventure, Marni is livelier than most of the children we've seen so far today.

"Did you enjoy the adventure?" Michael asks her sweetly, giving her back the doll.

"Yeah!" she answers enthusiastically. "Michael, please can we have another adventure next time?"

Michael hesitates a moment, knowing that there may not be a "next time". However, he gives a closed-mouth smile, and nods. "Of course, little Wendy. I'd love to go on another adventure with you next time."

She grins, extending her arms out to invite herself into Michael's arms. He allows this, and leans forward to hug her in farewell. "Thank you Michael."

"That's okay, Marni. Remember I love you, very much." He pulls away slightly, kissing her forehead. "Don't forget to have more adventures whilst I'm gone. I want to hear about them next time! And I'm sure the Lost Boys in Neverland would love to hear them when you go there, too."

"I'll have a lot of adventures," she promises. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Angel." He blows one final kiss, leading you away from her bed.

After you've said your goodbyes to everyone in the hospice, and signed a few autographs for the nurses, you finally leave the premises. As you get outside, you both realise it's snowing.

"Michael, look." You point up at the sky, as if it weren't obvious already.

He chuckles, pressing a hand protectively against the small of your back. "Snow. Isn't it beautiful?"

"It sure is," you agree, in awe of the many snowflakes that slowly flutter towards the ground, covering you both.

"So ... I asked everyone else what they wanted for Christmas. Now, it's your turn," Michael starts, facing you now. "What do you want for Christmas, my love?"

You remain silent for a moment, not wanting to admit that you want a proposal. As much as you want him to be aware, you want him to think of the idea himself.

"Well ... " you start, but Michael interrupts.

"Because I had an idea of something, but I wanted to get your opinion on it first, in case you don't like it. Wanna see?"

"Uh ... sure," you answer, a slight hint of disappointment in your heart.

He nods, before lifting the body of his jacket a little, in order to reach the inside pocket with his free hand. From this pocket, he brings out a small box, which causes you to stop breathing for a moment.

"I got this," he starts, opening the box to reveal a gorgeous ring. "But obviously, if you don't like it, I can always take it back."

"It's beautiful," you smile, accepting it without really saying the words.

"I got you something to go with it," he continues, before searching his pocket again. When he finishes searching and has nothing in his hands, he shrugs. "I don't have anything physical to go with it, I'm afraid. But I have words."

"Go ahead," you usher him on.

He smiles, slowly bending down onto one knee. "I love you, so much. I know I've waited a while for this, but now I'm sure. If you wanted to know what I whispered to Marni, I was asking her whether or not I should ... do this." He smiles up at you shyly. "So ... Marry me?"

Tears fill your eyes as you nod frantically. "Yes! I'll marry you!"

He laughs, standing up from his kneeling position and sliding the ring onto your finger. After this, he hugs you for a moment, then kisses you deeply. Upon pulling away, he smiles down at you.

This has to be the most beautiful, meaningful Christmas you have both ever experienced.

~~

Before you say it; I know, I know – they wouldn't have been able to have a whole proposing scene outside without the paparazzi taking over. But I wanted it to be cute! 😭
Anyway ... I hope you enjoyed this imagine! Have a great Christmas! :)