New Year's Eve, 1989:

You walk along the sidewalk, looking at all the couples kiss and hug each other. You sigh, wishing Michael was home to do that with you. He's unfortunately away on his tour, although he said that he'll be back just in time for the new year. Kind of like how he said he'll be home for Christmas, which was only for one day.

You want your babyboy back. You need him, and he knows goddamn well that he needs you too.

You've had enough of this. So, you call the limo to come pick you up, and soon enough, you're off back home.

You walk inside the house and spot your eleven year old daughter Allison and her friend, Quinta, on the couch, chit chattering away.

"Haven't you guys had enough of looking at each other yet?" you joke, hanging your coat, scarf and bag on the rack.

"Nope," says Allison and Quinta at the same time.

You sigh and place a hand on your forehead.

"What's wrong, Mom?" Allison asks.

"Oh it's just...your dad."

"Oh yeah, when is he coming back?" she asks.

"I don't know sweetheart, i don't," you say in a tired tone. "It's alright though," you try and smile, seeing the disappointed look on your daughter's face as she doesn't know when she will see her father, "it's okay though, he'll be here."

"O-Okay..." she says, still sounding unsure.

You look out the window. "He better be here," you mumble.

Allison's P.O.V

Mom walks upstairs and i'm left with my best friend Quinta once again. We weren't totally alone today, when Mom goes out she leaves us with the nanny, Misha. She's nice, i guess, but she's not Mom or Dad. I miss my Daddy.

"So, what's the deal with your dad?" Quinta asks.

"He's just never home," i respond.

"Well, he is Michael Jackson," she says with a chuckle. "And you're Allison Jackson."

"I know, but i don't like to think of it that way. I just want him here, but also i want Mom to be happy as well. She's been moping around all year because she doesn't get to see him often. And worse - their anniversary for the first time that they met is January 1st!"

"Wow, on New Year's Day?" Quinta beams.

"Yep, New Year's Day 1980."

"How romantic."

"Well it's not going to be romantic if Mom is mad with Dad for not being here. It started 9-well, nearly 10 years ago when my dad was running around the streets of California on New Year's Eve/Day, lost. Then, my mom helped him out and they started talking, you know, before she realised who he was. And she was totally okay with it."

"So what happened?"

"Well from there they became friends and a couple years later, they started dating. And before you know it, in 1985 they got married and adopted me a little while afterwards."

"That's so sweet," says Quinta.

I bite my lip. "I just wish there was something i can do to make Dad get here...kind of like meeting up together again at the same spot, same time, same place!"

"Allison, are you sure that'll work?"

"Well sure it will, i have all the details."

'

"Are you sure you're supposed to be in here?" says Quinta, standing near the door for lookout as we rummage through the phone books in the basement.

"Relax! I just have to find my dad's manager." I flick through some pages in the phone book; Mom and Dad sure know a lot of people. I go to the 'F' section and slide my finger down until i find...FRANK!

"Yes, got it!" i beam and rip the page out. "Let's get out of here," i say and grab Quinta's arm, running downstairs.

I pick up the telephone and Quinta grabs my arm. "What?" i ask.

"Are you sure you're supposed to be calling anyone?" she asks.

"There's a lot of things i'm not supposed to do."

I dial Frank's number. "What are you gonna say?" asks Quinta.

RING RING RING

"I'll think of something," i say.

"Hello?" says the voice on the other line.

"Hello, this is (Y/N) Jackson, i must get my husband back home pronto, Frank," i answer, trying my best to imitate my mom.

Quinta is trying to hold her giggles in.

"I'm terribly sorry Mrs. Jackson, but Michael is extremely busy at the moment. Can i put you on the line with him instead?"

I giggle a little then straighten up. "No no, that won't be necessary. I need him here now, there's been an emergency. There has been..." i look around the room, trying to think of a good excuse, "R-RATS!" I slap my forehead.

"Rats?" Frank repeats.

"Yes, rats and mice, way too many of them actually. My child and i have been evacuated from the house and we need my da - i mean Michael to come over pronto."

"Well okay, i mean, if it's that necessary, then alright."

I high five Quinta. "When will he get here?" i add.

"Uh, maybe if he leaves now he can make it by tomorrow."

"Good. Oh and there's something else...could you tell him to meet me at this address at this time?"

Michael's P.O.V

"That's a long way out, don't ya think?" Frank answers over the phone.

I just finished my concert here in Toronto. I feel guilty for not being at home but the schedule was absolutely insane, especially after the life-long break i took, my fans deserve a makeup concert from me being away for too long.

I wipe the sweat off my forehead with a towel. God, my "the way you make me feel outfit" is actually pretty warm onstage.

"Okay, bye bye." Frank hangs up the phone and turns to me.

"Who was that?" i ask, drinking some water.

"(Y/N), she said that you needed to come quickly because of rats infesting the house or something."

"What? Oh God, rats?!?"

"Yeah, but the thing is, she gave me this address for you to meet her there." Frank hands me a piece of paper with the address:

124 Culver Road pier, California.

"Recognise it?" Frank says, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, yeah i do. This is the place where (Y/N) and i met. Why would she be meeting me there? It's so far out of Santa Barbara."

I can never forget 124 Culver Road. Where the magic all began.

"Don't know. Probably should leave then if you wanna make it on time," Frank says, looking up at the clock.

I frown, staring at the address. "Well, alright."

Allison's P.O.V

"YES! WE DID IT!" i yell excitedly as i hug Quinta.

"Awesome, but what about your mom?" she asks.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, how are you going to get your mom out there?" she states the obvious.

"I actually haven't thought about that yet. She'll be so mad if she finds out i called in Dad from his work. We haven't got much time though, my dad's coming back from Toronto and it takes about 4 hours to get back to Cali. It's 8pm now."

"Well what do we do now?" she asks.

"I'll have to think of something...fast."

Your P.O.V

Three hours later...

You roll over on your side next to a stack of tissues you've used to dry your tears. He's really done it this time, you think.

Obviously disturbing him isn't an option, although you want him to be back in time like he said he would, you always let him have it his way because you care about him and support what he does. And there's nothing wrong with it besides the fact of leaving you and your little girl all alone.

Suddenly, you hear the bedroom door creak open slightly, and in walks Allison. "Mommy, can i ask you something?" she asks sweetly, looking all cute. Oh boy, what does she want this time?

You roll your eyes playfully at knowing that she's going to ask for something. "What is it, Ally?"

She walks in the room and sits on your lap. "Mommy, why were you crying?" she asks, wiping some of my tears away.

"Baby, Mommy's not crying." You sniffle.

"Yes you are."

I try to smile. "What is it Princess?"

"Well i was just wondering...can we go to that candy factory and get some cotton candy from that shop on Culver road?" she asks in her sweetest voice possible.

You sigh, suddenly feeling bad if you don't take her. You don't know what it is, but you're really not in the mood to say no to Allison these days. She has her friends over for hours, you take her anywhere she wants, and if it makes her happy, your happy. Besides, you just really, really, really fucking miss Michael.

"And there's fireworks playing at 12am. You and i both love fireworks, remember?" She says, pouting.

You sigh. It's late, but how can you say no to that face?

"Alright fine. Get ready, we're leaving now, it takes an hour."

"YAY!" she squeals and hugs you, before skipping off.

Culver road, you think. That sounds familiar...Oh, shit.

The memories are real. You try not to let a tear slip out of your eye.

Come on, woman up. Do it for Allison.

'

An hour later...

Allison keeps turning her head, looking for someone, which you think is fairly odd. You already bought her all the candy she wanted. Suddenly, Quinta comes running to her.

"Allison!" she calls.

"Oh hey Quinta!" Allison calls back. The two exchange hugs.

So, that's who she was looking for.

"Ally you didn't tell me Quinta will be here," you say and smile.

"Well she is, i told her to meet me."

"And your mom is okay with it?" you ask Quinta, smoothing her hair back.

She smiles. "Yes, she is."

"Did you see him yet?" Quinta mutters to Allison.

"Not yet," Allison mutters back. Although you couldn't really hear, you just shrugged it off as you figured they were just talking about random things.

"Hey mom, let's go stand by that pier," Allison says, pointing to a beautiful bridge pier with headlights and a lake in front of it, usually where the fireworks extend out to every New Year's Day. You can't believe it's nearly 1990.

"Pleeeeassee," she whines, "it's nearly 12am which means it's nearly 1990." She pouts.

You decide to cut her some slack. "Oh, alright."

She and Quinta exchange smiles and i lead her over to the nice, peaceful, quiet, pier. "Is this what you wanted to see?" you ask her.

"Yes, isn't it beautiful?" she asks.

You sigh, remembering Michael saying that to you. Isn't it beautiful.

Then, the countdown is starting. People up ahead start chanting, "10, 9, 8," you whisper along, then looking to your left - Allison is gone.

"Sweetie? Allison?" you call, looking around.

"7, 6..."

it's hard to hear over the noise.

Then suddenly, as you turn around, you spot Michael running to you from a distance. You're in pure shock. Everything just turns into slow motion as you see your husband right in front of you, calling your name, "(Y/N)!" he calls.

"5, 4, 3, 2....1!!!"

"MICHAEL!" you scream and run into his arms. He picks you up and spins you around. He holds you for what feels like forever and gives you endless kisses on the cheek.

He leans in and gives you a special, passionate kiss on the lips. Right then, nothing mattered because this man before you, the love of your life, is here with you on the same day as you met.

Fireworks blast everywhere.

He pulls away. "Ten years ago right now, my life changed. I love you (Y/N), and God i'm so thankful for everything. If i hadn't gotten lost like the nut i am, i never would've found you. I missed you so much, and i love you. God, do i love you," he says with all of his heart.

A tear escapes from your eye. "I love you too Michael. I can't believe your actually here. I just-" you're unable to stop the tears from flowing, as he hugs you with his magical hugs for a long time. You just feel so warm and safe. "Who would've thought this man would become my husband?" You giggle.

"I guess God brought us together," he says, caressing your cheek.

"But, what about-" you turn around and see Allison and Quinta watching from behind one of the headlights. "Hey you girls, come here!" you say.

Allison and Quinta sigh. "I told you she'll catch us here. Anyway, i gotta go, my mom is expecting me back. See you Allison," says Quinta.

"Bye," Allison says and waves goodbye.

Allison walks up to you and Michael and starts laughing.

"So, i heard about our house being infested with rats..." Michael says.

"I did not call you about any 'rats' Michael," you say, confused.

"I did," Allison admits, shamefully.

Michael kneels down to her height. "My little troublemaker, why would you do that?"

"So that you and Mommy can get back together again. I know you're working Dad, but i wanted this to be special. It just seemed like the perfect plan."

"So, the phone call...?" says Michael.

Allison raises her little hand. "Guilty." She giggles.

You and Michael exchange looks. You both then burst out laughing, feeling very impressed of what your little girl is capable of.

"I actually really appreciate it Allison, thank you," you say.

"And i," Michael says, picking her up. "love you too," he says.

"Me too," you say, kissing Allison's cheek.

"She's eleven years old, damn how did she pull that off?" you whisper to Michael.

He giggles. "I don't know, we got some clever cookies in our family."

And for the rest of the day, you enjoyed the new year with your family and had loads and loads of fun.

♡