Dad passed away on June 25th 2009, due to cardiac arrest at exactly 2:26pm. Nobody has been the same since. I was driving down the streets of Los Angeles in my car, going back to my house to Amanda and Jasie one afternoon, when suddenly my phone rings. I pick it up and it's grandma Kate telling me to come to the UCLA medical centre immediately; Dad was in trouble.

  I drove as fast as I could to the hospital, but by the time I got there, the only thing I heard was grandma Kate screaming to my aunt LaToya over the phone, "HE'S DEAD, HE'S DEAD!"

  I suddenly lost it. I collapsed on the floor on my knees and broke down crying. I think I even passed out.

  I knew I had to tell Prince, Paris, and Blanket soon. Everybody else just stood there, crying, not knowing what else to do. I guessed I had to be the one to break it to them. And when I did, I wished I could've taken it all back...

  "Wake up, from this...horrible, horrible nightmare, I wished someone had told me," I tell the story to the audience at the funeral, standing on the stage, shaking, trying not to break down, "but no one did. It was real, and the moment I realized, I couldn't stop crying. Pain isn't even the word to describe how I felt – I was devastatingly hurt.

  It's the most amount of devastation I ever felt, ever since twenty years ago when I found out my mother was dead. Now, I'm going through that exact same pain for my father."

  "And," I continue, pushing the tears back up, "even though I was adopted, he loved me as if I was his own blood. I feel like I've told the story so many times, and that everybody knows it now. Although he's taught me so many great things in life, and one of them was not to take anything for granted because some people have it a lot worse, and to do everything in our power to help others.

I could understand since I was once one of those people, until he took all of my pain away one day. But I would just like to conclude by saying one more thing," I look up, feeling the stage headlights shine down on me. Dad's favorite place to be. "God, You had a way of turning my trials into triumphs, I couldn't be more grateful, thank you. And Daddy...I love you."

  I begin sobbing now as the crowd claps loudly, placing the microphone in it's stand and sitting back down in my seat. Lisa then gets up as it's her turn to speak with a saddened facial expression.

  "Michael was an extremely gifted and talented man, as many of those would look at him to be. But not to me. I've known him practically my whole life," she takes a deep breath in, "and it's just so hard to see him leave me...us, so untimely. It makes me question why God has to take all of the good people away. And Michael did nothing but good in this world, and everybody took advantage of that...but luckily his kids and I, including the people who were close to him, reminded him everyday how much he was loved, because sometimes he needed to be reminded, since he didn't deserve any of the absolutely horrible things people made him go through. We've been married for such a long time, I don't think I'll ever be able to move on, but eventually, my heart has to heal. And so does everyone else's...and I believe we can. I love you my sweetheart – we, love you, Michael," she finishes on that final note and wipes her tears away.

  I clap along with everyone else, agreeing with everything she said. I hate how people treated him, he didn't deserve any of it. The only thing he did was bring joy, light, and happiness to people from all over the world through his talent. I could say so much more on that topic.

  My uncle Jermaine then comes out and begins singing the song, "smile."

  And it's true.

  On this day, even though our hearts are aching, we need to look up...and smile. What my dad wanted the whole world to do.

  When he finished up, he said a few last words on the matter and we applauded him. Then, my uncle Marlon comes up onto the podium, and we the family, stand behind him as he begins, "I-I, I stand here, t-trying to find words of comfort," he stops to take a breath while the other brothers comfort him, "trying to understand why the lord has taken our brother to return home for such a short visit here on earth. Michael, when you left us, a part of me went with you, and a part of you will live on forever within all of us.

Michael, I will treasure the good times, the fun we had – signing, dancing, laughing. I can remember when we used to come home from school, and we would grab a quick bite to eat, and we'd try to watch The Three Stooges as much of it as possible before Mother would come in saying it's time to go to the recording studio."

I also, Michael, remember a time when we went into the record store, and there was this man who was purchasing a lot of CD's, and he would go and grab another batch of CD's. He was an older gentleman – he had a short afro, bold crooked teeth, and his clothes were rumpled. I walked up behind him and said, "Michael, what are you doing in the store?""

  The audience laughs a little and he continues, "And he turned to me and said, "Marlon, how did you know it was me?" and I told him, "You're my brother. I can spot you anywhere regardless of your makeup. I know your walk, I know your body language, and those shoes did not help." Michael wore the same shoes wherever we went. But I guess that was his way of trying to experience what we take for granted. We would never, ever understand what he endured. Not being able to walk across the street, without a crowd gathering around him, being judged, ridiculed, how much pain can one take? Maybe now Michael, they will leave you alone."

  The audience claps, and here come my tears again...

  "Michael was the voice of our angelic tropes, and he will continue to be that voice, that angelic voice in heaven, near our creator. Awaiting us to when our day comes to pass, Michael I love you, I will miss when we said our good-byes. When I said I loved you, your response was always, "I love you more." You know the lord has a purpose for everything, and sometimes we just can't see or understand it, but it will be made clear to us when we reach that ultimate, ultimate reward of being in His presence.

And Michael you're there, you're right there. You have finished your work here on earth, and the lord has called for you to come home to Him. So I thank you Michael, I thank you for all the smiles, that you've placed in many people's hearts, and I thank you for everything that you've done for others across this globe in the lord's name. And I have one request Michael, one request...I would like for you to give our brother, my twin brother, Brandon, a hug for me. I love you Michael and I'll miss you," he chokes up on the last part and we all comfort him, gathering around as the crowd applauds on his final note.

  Then, my now fifteen year old sister Paris walks up to the microphone and says, "I would just like to say...Daddy was the best father you could ever imagine. And I just wanna say that I love him, so much," she turns around and buries her face in my chest. I hold her as we continue to cry together, the whole family gathering around and hugging; she reminds me of me.

It feels weird for me to see my siblings out in public without their masks, as they've always been protected growing up. I was old enough without a disguise, and everyone already knew me anyway, but I always made sure to stay safe. I ask Prince and Blanket if they'd like to say anything, but they just shake their heads sadly. I don't blame them, what else can you say when your father dies?

☾

After the memorial, I decide it's time for me to stop crying. I think of the place that I was the happiest I've ever been when I was with my daddy. I stop at the beach where him and Lisa got married on. It's late and dark out, but I like it since it reminds me of the night I spent with them there. My family suggested that I'd go home, but I couldn't just leave feeling sappy.

  I sit on the sand, watching as the waves crash lightly, remembering when he lifted me up over the sea and I held my arms out, listening to the eagles calling out to their fellow eagles, seeing the dolphins splash, feeling the breeze, spotting a whale again, and watching the stars twinkle – a crescent moon out, too. He would always tell me how beautiful my eyes twinkle, just like the stars.

  Dad always wanted to adopt more kids, but he never got around to it. I've decided to do that when it's my turn to get married. I look down at my sparkly engagement rock for a ring, thinking about how happy I am to be marrying my high school crush and long time friend, Daryl. I've also decided to turn Neverland into a theme park/tourist attraction for families to visit, taking part in the "Make a Wish Foundation" also getting my siblings involved. I figured it'd be a good thing to do, since I have to carry on his legacy somehow. He's gone now, but he will live in everybody's heart's forever.

  Lisa mentioned earlier about how she questions why God takes all of the good people away, but I've grown to realize something. The next time you wonder, ask yourself this: If you were in a flower garden, what kind of flowers would you pick? Because I pick the most beautiful ones.

  I stare out at the sea some more, straightening out my black flowey dress, stretching my legs out and looking out at the sky again. I'm twenty-nine years old, still  Daddy's little girl. I hope to watch this again with him someday soon. Hopefully, he'll be lifting my arms out so I can see the view. God, please tell me where to go in my next journey...I will follow You.

'

It's done! i truly love the readers who stuck with me from chapter one to the epilogue and read it through properly, you are truly all amazing, i love you so much.

BUT! It doesn't have to be the end yet...please check out my other works i have up if you're interested. And one day, i'll possibly make a sequel, maybe :)

I know Allison would want me to.