24th of March, 1994
Brooklyn is 28, Janet is 27, and Michael is 35

Michael: Brooke tightened the blanket around her as I walked into the bedroom.

She's been hiding, grieving, again. It hurt me to see her like that.

The weird thing was, she hasn't shed any tears. Not a single one.

I kicked off my loafers and got into bed next to her.

Wrapping my arm around her, I inhaled her scent.

"Are you still in pain?" I asked.

Brooklyn tried escaping my hold, but failed.

"Michael... Please..."

"Don't push me away again." I whispered.

She only sighed and hid her face under the covers.

"Are you still in pain?" I asked again, still concerned about her physical state.
After the operation she went through, she kept showing signs of discomfort.

"Not really," she said. "Can I go take a shower?"

I unwillingly let her go and watched as she closed our bathroom door.

Closing my eyes, I decided to go see Janet.

~

Brooklyn: I stood in front of the full-length mirror, examining my naked body.

I've gotten curvier and my thighs were thicker. God, I hated myself so much.

Not only my body changed due the pregnancies, but I also didn't understand how Michael could still bear with me.

He wants children. No, he needs children. Maybe I'm just not the woman to give him that.

I twisted my face when another wave of pain went through my lower abdomen.

Boy, how awful I felt about losing another baby. I also had this feeling like God was testing me. He gave my best friend a baby, a healthy baby, when she didn't even want it. While I tried so hard to give my husband one.

I looked away from myself and turned on the shower.

I didn't even realize I was staring at the wall as the water were running. My mind was absolutely numb.

The thought of never giving Michael children crept in again, making a tear slide down my cheek. It was followed by many more as I slid down the shower wall and finally let all my emotions out.

~

Janet: "Oh, my God. You got a kicker in there, Dunk." Michael said, pressing his big hands a bit more into the sensitive skin of my stomach.

I forced a smile and leaned back.

All I wanted to do was ask how Brooke was doing, but I couldn't find the courage to.

I would probably make unwanted emotions burst out of him.

Soon my brother's soft hands became a discomfort, so I gently pushed them off.

Do it. Ask him, get it over with.

"How is she?" I managed to say.

"In pain," he looked away. "She's pushing me away again, I don't know what do to."

Finally I understood his frustration, since she was pushing me away as well. Even though it made sense, I couldn't help but feel hurt.

I pulled Michael into a hug. His tears fell onto my shoulder, making me hug him tighter.

He sniffled, "I really thought it would work this time."

"I know, Mike. I know." I cooed.

My brother escaped my embrace and I saw his broken eyes.

I groaned as I felt the baby inside me kick me, sending a pain in my lower back.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I just need to get myself comfortable." I answered.

He hurried to take a small pillow and put it behind my lower back.

"Thanks." I smiled, rubbing my stomach in hopes it would calm my baby down.

"So I'm guessing you won't want to come to Neverland with me." Michael mumbled.

"For what?" I scrunched my eyebrows.

He sighed, "Dunk, she needs you. She really does."

His words gave me hope. Maybe she doesn't hate me after all.

"She told you that?" I asked skeptically.

He nodded.

But then I saw hewasn't telling the truth, just by the simple fact that he was playing with his fingers.

"Yeah, right, Mike. I bet she isn't even talking to you," I rolled my eyes. "I want to help, but I'm probably the last person she wants to see."

He hung his head back, sighing deeply.

That just made me feel worse.
"Well, I think it's time I take a nap. You can stay if you want, as long as you don't make noise."

"I have some things to take care of at home. I'll call you soon." he said, getting up.

He kissed my cheek before quickly leaving my house.

~

Brooklyn: The bedroom door opened and exposed an annoyed looking Michael.

"Where were you?" I asked.

"Janet's," he answered, frowning when he saw my annoyed expression. "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry for visiting your pregnant sister." I said.

He looked frustrated. Probably because he was in the middle of this undeclared fight going on between me and my best friend.

"She didn't get pregnant on purpose, Brooklyn." he mumbled.

"But it's so unfair. Five years, Michael. Five, long, agonizing, years of trying to give you a child. Just one tiny baby, that's all I want to give you. And there goes Janet, getting pregnant with a child she doesn't even want! She's only doing this for Brandon since he was so excited to be a dad."

"It still doesn't make it right for you not to talk her because she accidentally got pregnant."

How dare he take her side? He's hurting just as much as I am.

"Go to hell, Michael. And get out of my room." I ordered, trying to stay calm.

"I'm not leaving, this is my room as much as it is yours." he rolled his eyes.

I groaned, "Get out. I'm dead serious, I can't deal with your attitude right now."

"Well, I can't deal with yours, either." my husband snapped back.

"Fine," I gave up. "Then I'll go."

I took the blanket off of me and walked past him.

Going into one of the many bedrooms, I locked the door.

~

16th of May, 1994
Brooklyn and Janet are 28, Michael is 35

Brooklyn: "Why aren't you coming to auntie Janet's birthday party, auntie Brooke?" Jason asked.

"Because I can't, Jase. Go and have fun with your parents, okay?" I smiled and kissed the top of his head.

Chris rubbed my shoulder before taking Jason in his arms and leaving along with Cynthia.

I've been staying at their house for over a month now.

After my fight with Michael, he apologized the next day.
But a couple of days later he visited Janet again, and came back with the same frustrated behavior. He asked again why I was ignoring her when she needed my help, making a fight emerge.

It was the same pattern for a couple of weeks; he would go to her, come back, and take his frustration over this whole thing on me.

I got hurt and tired of it, so I decided to take a break from my husband.

I couldn't handle him.

Chris's home phone rang loudly. I answered, "Caseys' house."

"Brooke?" Janet's too familiar crying voice asked.

It shuttered my heart into a million pieces.

"Please answer me. I'm begging you."

"I'm here." I said flatly, trying to hide the sympathy I felt.

"Oh, God, thank you," she whispered. "Please tell me you're coming today."

"No."

"Please do. I can't celebrate my birthday without my best friend. And I'm pretty sure Brandon and Michael are planning a surprise baby shower, I need you here. I'm absolutely terrified of continuing this pregnancy without your support."

I inhaled deeply. I didn't want anymore drama. And seeing Michael after the way he treated me wasn't gonna happen.

But I had to do this for my best friend. She'd do the same for me if it was the other way around.

"Okay. But I'm only coming for you, I don't want to see Michael or anyone else. I'll stay until it's over. Can I hide somewhere?"

"Of course, you know no one goes into my room except for Brandon. He'll be too busy, anyways."

"Alright. Give me forty-five minutes?" I said.

"Yay! Oh, come from the back, unless you want to catch everyone's attention." I could feel her smiling widely.

I chuckled, "I'll see you soon."

~

Janet leaned against the door frame, her pregnant belly popping out.

I quickly got out of my car and made my way over to her.

I went in for a hug, but she stopped me.
"Let's get you inside first."

Music and talking were heard from her big living room as she quietly took me by my hand to her bedroom.

When we were closed safely in her room, she attacked me in a giant hug, almost making the both of us fall.

"Woah, Jan, how much does this baby weigh?" I joked.

She pulled away and shot me a playful glare.

I laughed, taking her into another bone-crushing hug.

"Can I?" I put two hands on her stomach.

Janet nodded, sitting down on her bed.
I followed and she pulled her shirt up.

"You should consider yourself lucky," she murmured as she leaned on her arms. "I don't let anyone touch me. Not even Brandon. He hasn't felt his own baby in like, a month."

I smiled at her hormonal state. Even though I wished we could both enjoy this moment as two pregnant best friends, I couldn't help but feel so much joy.

The baby kicked hard. Very hard.

She groaned while I was enjoying it, feeling my new niece or nephew try to interact with the outside world.

"Wow, they got a chance and they are taking it." I widened my eyes as the baby kicked harder.

"It's a girl." she smiled though I knew it bothered her that the baby was kicking so much.

I probably had the biggest smile ever because she laughed at me.

My best friend put a hand on her bump when the baby kicked harder than ever.

"Ooh," she moaned, closing her eyes shut. "Baby girl, stop it. Stop hurting mommy, she loves you."

"Could you?" she asked, slowly turning around and pointed at her lower back.

"Oh, it would be my pleasure." I chuckled.

With two thumbs over Janet's lower back, I gave her the best massage I could ever give someone.

"Janet, baby? Where are you?" Brandon's deep voice came from outside the room.

He opened the door, looking at us, a shocked look in his face.

"Brooke? What are you doing here?"

"I asked her to come," Janet sighed in relief when I pressed a sore spot. "To be with me. But she doesn't want anyone to know she's here. Don't tell."

"Fine, but you need to return downstairs. We have a surprise for you." he told her.

She groaned, gave me an 'I-told-you' look, and stood up.

"I'll be back in less than an hour." she waved as Brandon helped her out.

~

Two hours later I realized something good must've happened because Janet didn't come back.

So, I decided I finally had enough of hiding, and went downstairs.

"Oh, wow, mother! This is absolutely perfect! Thank you!" Janet chirped.

Everyone were sitting all over her living room, while her and Brandon were on her loveseat.

Wrappers were all around the room, along with more presents.

I stood quietly in the back and watched. My eyes instantly traveled to Michael. He was sitting next to this woman, who looked way too familiar.

The heartbreaking thing was, they were holding hands. They silently laughed at each other's jokes, and she was constantly giving him small kisses on the corner of his mouth.
And he looked happy.

I felt the tears in my eyes.

What is he doing?

Janet looked up and saw me, her smile fading away when she realized what I just witnessed.

I turned around to leave before anyone realized I was there.

"No, Brooke, wait!" I heard Janet call.

I already made my way to her kitchen and stormed out of the back door.

I struggled to open my car as my hands trembled, the tears blocking my view.

"Brooklyn!" Michael called as well.

Just a I opened the driver's door, a hand gripped my wrist, avoiding me from moving.

Michael's eyes showed nothing but regret as they met mine.

"Let me go, Michael." I mumbled.

"Not until you listen to me-"

"MICHAEL LET ME FUCKING GO!" I screamed, trying to yank my wrist from his hold.

He pinned me to the car door with so much force it closed.

"Listen to me, baby, please. Look at me." he begged.

I turned my head and shut my eyes.

The tears just wouldn't stop.

"Michael, let her go." I heard Chris say.

"NO! She needs to listen. I'm not a cheater, I-"

My husband was pulled from me by my brother and Jermaine.

I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

Janet ran to me, "Don't go. Stay in my bedroom, please. I'll make sure everyone goes, especially Michael."

I nodded, soon feeling lightheaded, and my heart was heavy in my chest.

~

Janet: Brooke lay next to me on my bed, crying helplessly.

"Just when I thought everything was gonna be okay..." she mumbled.

"Who is she?" she asked.

"Who?"

"That bitch."

I cracked a smile at her name calling, "Lisa Marie Presley."

"Whore. Going after my husband."

We honestly thought Lisa was harmless. Michael brought her along, saying she's just a friend who really wanted to celebrate with the family.

I guess all of our attention went to the baby shower that we didn't even notice them being all... Gross on each other.

But of course Brooke would see it.

"Wait," my best friend furrowed her eyebrows. "Isn't she-"

"Yup. Elvis Presley's daughter." I sighed.

Then her tears came again. And again, and again, through the whole night.

What the hell was my brother thinking?