25th of September, 1991
Brooklyn and Janet are 25, Michael is 33

Brooklyn: "Mac! You cheater!" Michael yelled at Macaulay Culkin.
I laughed as Mac got hit by another water balloon.
Janet came running over to me, screaming. She was soaking wet. Yes, they were having a water balloon fight, it was every man to himself.
"It's too bad you can't join us." she said and frowned. She knew how much I loved water balloon fights.
"Nah, I don't need to join you. You all seem to be having fun without me." I told her.
My best friend looked at her brother, and sighed. "He's being over-protective."
"I know, but he's right. I'm carrying another person inside of me, so it's best I just sit and watch. Go, have fun, I'm right here if you need me." I smiled.
Then, I heard a splash, and Janet's back got hit by a balloon.
"I'm gonna kill you, Mike!"
I couldn't help but laugh along with my husband as he ran for his life.

~

17th of October, 1991
Brooklyn is 25, Michael is 33

Brooklyn: I took off another shirt and placed it back on the shelf. I groaned in frustration.
Since my stomach started growing not so long ago, everything in my wardrobe has gotten smaller. And, unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to buy new clothes yet.
If that wasn't enough, Elizabeth Taylor was coming over in a matter of minutes for a visit, she wanted to see us. I didn't mind, I loved Liz. But finally Michael had a day off from working on the album, and I wanted to spend it with him, alone.
I pulled up another shirt.
This is going nowhere.
"Hey, babe, where did you put the gift we got for Liz?" Michael asked from the bedroom.
"It's in here!" I answered.
"Are you ready, 'cuz she's gonna be here soo-" he said when he walked into my closet room, but stopped when he saw me.
"What?" I questioned. He just stared at me.
Then, I noticed what I was wearing; only a bra and a pair of black sweatpants.
I blushed and looked away. I knew I shouldn't be shy with my body around him, but I couldn't help it, especially when it was changing like this.
"No, no, no. Don't do that," my husband hurried over to me, turning my head so I'd look at him. "It' just... It's the first I'm seeing it."
I looked down at the little bump and smiled, his large hand covering it. I pecked his soft lips.
"It's up there." I pointed at the wrapped box on the top shelf.
"Why aren't you dressed yet?" Michael asked as he reached up to the box.
"I, um... Nothing fits me." I confessed, a bit embarrassed.
He chuckled and put the present down.
"Wait here." he instructed, leaving the little room.
While he was gone, I tried on a few more tops, but I had no luck.
My husband came back with a white shirt in his hand, "Wear it."
I took the shirt and put it on my body. I sighed. I wanted to dress nicely for Elizabeth, even if she was like family and didn't care. Plus, I was exhausted.
"You don't have to see her, you know. She always comes over, she won't mind if you rest up here." he said.
"I'm not tired, Mike." I mumbled.
"You're not a liar, either, so stop lying."
"I'm not."
Michael raised his eyebrows. Of course he didn't buy it.
"I want to see Liz. I haven't seen her in a while, I missed her." I told him.
He just nodded, "Whatever you say."
I took his hand, leading him out of my closet room.

~

Michael: "You look great, darling." Elizabeth told Brooklyn as we sat down.
"Thank you." my wife smiled at her.
She was tired, I could see it. She was just so stubborn sometimes.
Liz kept her eyes on me when we talked, but every now and then she would glance at Brooke's bump.
It was very distracting to me as well. I still couldn't believe it; but her protruding stomach made it all so real.
"How far are you, Brooklyn?" Liz smiled excitedly.
"Thirteen weeks," my wide told her, "Excuse me for second."
She stood up and started making her way upstairs.
"I can't believe you're becoming a father. I'm so proud of you." Elizabeth voice was a bit shaky when she spoke. I hugged her tightly.
"Excited, huh?"
I nodded, "Oh, yeah."
"I should go check on her." I said when I noticed that Brooklyn was gone for too long.
"Of course, go ahead. I'm right here." my friend smiled.
"Thank you." I kissed her cheek.
I hurried after my wife.
She was leaning against one of the big windows in our room, struggling to open it.
"Need some help?" I asked.
"Y-yeah. I just needed some fresh air." she said.
I reached my hand and quickly opened the window.
"Thanks."
She took a few deep breaths, and her hair moved in the cool wind from outside.
Brooke turned to me, a smiled covering her beautiful face.
Suddenly, her expression changed and her skin turned pale. She covered her mouth, quickly running to the bathroom.
Here we go again.
I pulled her hair up and sighed.
"This shouldn't be happening now. That's why it's called morning sickness." my wife mumbled before holding onto the toilet again.
"Let it out, babe." I said, rubbing her back. I hated seeing her like this.
It took her some time to finish. When she did, she leaned her back against my chest.
"I ruined your shirt."
I rolled my eyes and rubbed her shoulders.
"Let's get you cleaned up. Then, you're gonna get some rest." I smiled.
"But Liz-" Brooke started saying, but I cut her off,
"Liz understands. She doesn't mind."
I picked her up.
"Take a shower, I'll be right back." I said, helping her out of my shirt.
I turned on the shower for her, and kissed the top of her head before returning back to Elizabeth.
"How is she?" she asked.
"Not too well," I answered. "You don't mind her resting for a while, right? She really needs it."
"No, not at all. You know you don't even need to ask."
I hugged her, again, and thanked her.
"Go, take care of your wife. I'll be heading home, she needs you right now." Liz pushed me towards the stairs.

~

Brooklyn: I felt awful about all of this. My stomach was turning, and I ruined our day with Liz.
The hot water from the shower fell slowly on my body, making me want to stay in there forever.
Hands wrapped around my waist, and I felt Michael's soft lips on my right shoulder.
"How you doin'?" he asked.
"Better, thank you," I smiled. "Why are you in the shower with me when there's a guest in our living room?"
"Oh, Liz went home."
That's just great.
"I'm sorry."
He shook his head, "I need to take care of my wife, don't I? You know that you and this baby are my first priorities."
I turned my body to him, and kissed his lips.
"Come on, you need to get some rest." Michael said, turning off the shower.

~

22nd of October, 1991
Brooklyn is 25, Michael is 33

Brooklyn: "Just as we thought this couple couldn't get any cuter - Michael and Brooklyn Jackson have been seen buying maternity clothes yesterday! Rumor has it that the couple, that's been married for five years, are now expecting their first child-" I shut the TV off as soon as I saw that article, again.
Finally, yesterday, Michael took me shopping for new clothes.
Of course, we didn't leave the house without heavy security.
Like always, the paparazzi never stopped following us. I got used to it by now, but it was still a pain in the ass.
"Hey, babe."
Michael walked into the living room, smiling. It was another one of his days off. And this time, he really didn't work. Well, as much as he could stop himself from working.
"Guess whose 'rumored' pregnant wife is all over the media?" I asked as he sat next to me, lifting my feet up on his lap.
I loved having him home.
My husband rubbed my thigh, "We have to expose it at some point, Brooke."
I knew he was right, it didn't really matter how much I didn't want it to be in headlines all over the world. Someone always finds out, somehow.
"Oh, before I forget," Michael said. "Paul called earlier, him and Linda are in town tomorrow. I invited them to the set, so you're coming with me to work."
He meant the 'Black or White' short film shoot. He was working so hard on it.
I sighed. Of course he forgot.
"Michael, I can't tomorrow. I have another checkup on the baby. You're supposed to be there, too, to find out what we're having." I told him.
His eyes widened.
"Oh, Jeez..." my husband trailed off.
"You forgot, huh?" I raised my eyebrows.
"No... It just slipped out of my mind."
"Don't worry about it. You need to work, I'll just drop by when I'm done."
He stayed quiet.
Michael leaned in to kiss me, pulling my shirt up to my bra line in the process, exposing my growing bump. He then parted our lips and put his to the sensitive skin of my stomach.
"I'm sorry I won't get to see you tomorrow." he whispered.
I chuckled and played with his curls.
"I forgive you, daddy." I said in a baby voice.
My husband lifted his eyes to meet mine, his lips turning into a smile.
"Wanna do something?" he asked.
"Sure." I answered.
"Let's take a walk. Then, I have a surprise for you and our baby."
I rolled my eyes and grabbed his hand.

~

We walked through the property. Michael was humming the tune of 'Will You Be There'.
I loved that song. I was actually in the recording studio when he recorded it, a couple of weeks ago.
I looked up, seeing that his giving tree was only a few feet ahead.
He saw it, too, because he stopped humming so he could speak.
"Do you mind if I go up there and clear my head for a while? I'd invite you with me, but I can't let you climb trees right now." he said, half smiling.
"Didn't you have a surprise for me, though?" I asked.
"I do... You know what? Give me fifteen minutes to be up there, and then come and get me. Deal?"
"Deal." I kissed his cheek.
He ran towards the big tree, and I watched him as he started climbing it.
I sighed, finding a seat on the grass near by, and leaned on a different tree trunk. I made myself comfortable, looking around at my surroundings. It was all just so breath taking.
I put a hand on my bump, "You have such a special daddy, baby."
"I heard that!" Michael's voice was clear from above.
The branches were avoiding me from seeing his face, but I knew he was laughing to himself.

~

Fifteen minutes had passed quickly. I looked at my watch, deciding to get up and call my husband.
I made my way to the giving tree, and looked up.
Michael was still looking at everything, a small smile on his face. He looked so peaceful, I didn't have the heart to ruin that for him.
So, I decided to start walking back to the main house.
I was already halfway back when a large hand was put on my shoulder.
"You were supposed to call me." my husband told me.
"I know, I didn't want to interrupt you."
He rolled his eyes and we kept walking towards the house.
"Now, you wait here. I gotta go check on your surprise," he said as we stepped into the big living room. "I'll come get ya when it's ready."
I simply nodded.
Michael kissed my temple and ran upstairs, fast. I sighed, feeling so content.
The doorbell rang.
Who could that be?
I walked over to the front door, and opened it. Joseph was standing in front of me.
"Hello, Brooklyn." he said.
"What are you doing here, Joseph?" I asked.
"I came to talk to you and Michael. I wanted to congratulate you two." he answered, looking at my visible bump.
I sighed. Since when did he care? He didn't even want to come when we told everyone about this baby. "Come in."
I took him to the living room, and offered him a drink. He politely declined.

~

Michael: I looked around the white nursery. It was absolutely horrifying to be in here, thinking that in five short months my child will be here.
The room wasn't painted; I waited to know what we were having.
There was a white crib in the corner of the room with a rocking chair next to it. It was perfect.
Go get her, Michael.
I started walking down the stairs, "Babe, it's read-"
I stopped when I saw my father.
"Joseph?"
When did he get here? I was gone for two minutes!
"Michael, sit." Brooke ordered, patting the seat next to her on the couch. She was sitting across from Joseph.
"He wants to talk to us."
I raised my eyebrows. Probably another conversation about talking some sense into me.
"Boy, please." my father said.
I walked over to sit next to my wife, and looked at him.
"Thank you. I just wanted to come here and apologize."
"Took you long enough." I mumbled.
Brooklyn sighed, "Michael."
I knew she hated it when I was being rude, I hated being rude, too. But with Joseph it was different.
"No, Brooklyn, he has every right to be mad," he told her. "I just want you to know that I'm very happy for you."
Is he serious?
"If you don't mind me asking, Joseph. Why now?" Brooke asked.
"Well, I saw an article about you two buying maternity clothes, that it's rumored you're pregnant... No one told me about it." he looked disappointed.
"No one told you about it because you didn't show up when we told the entire family. I asked mother to hide it from you until you figured it out yourself and come lecture me again." I said.
"But I'm not here to lecture you, Michael. I came here to say that I really am happy for you, and that I really am sorry for causing you trouble all these years."
I looked him straight in the eyes, trying to see if he was lying. When Joseph is lying he would usually look away. But he didn't.
It was quiet for a few moments.
"We'll think about it." I finally told him.
My father nodded, and stood up. "Thank you."
We led him to the front door, quickly closing it after he left.
"You didn't have to be so rude, Mike. He might actually be sorry." Brooklyn said.
"It's different with Joseph. Do you really think he regrets it?" I asked her.
"I think so. In my opinion, he's glad to become a grandfather again."
"What made him change, though? I mean, he never really liked you, the last time we actually kind of had a real talk with him was at the wedding an-" I started saying, but she cut me off.
"That's not true. We saw him and talked to him at your family's events, Mike. And he did like me, a lot, before we started dating. You know that."
"Okay, whatever, but it still doesn't heal like that. I'm honestly pissed at him. I'm his son, he should've been happy for me."
She sighed, "I know, but he really looked sorry."
"I'll think about it." I said.
"Good. You know what I want now?" my wife smiled playfully.
"Hmm?" I hummed, still in thought about Joseph.
"The surprise you promised me." she told me, and I looked at her.
"Right. Come on." I whispered in her ear as I covered her eyes with one hand, steadying her with the other.
Brooklyn held onto my arm for support.
"Watch out for the last step."
The door to the nursery was opened, like I left it. I walked my wife into the white room,
I removed my hand from her eyes, and she looked around, amazed.
"I know it's not painted yet. We can start painting after we find out tomorro-" I started explaining, but I was cut off by Brooke's lips attaching to mine.
"You're amazing, you know that?" she asked when we parted, looking me straight in the eyes. "I mean it."
I could feel myself blush.
"I really am sorry for forgetting, baby."
She shook her head, "I shouldn't be complaining. You're already doing so much for me and this baby."
"I try my best." I shrugged.