1st of October, 1995
Brooklyn is 29, Michael is 37

Brooklyn: I looked at the positive pregnancy test.

"Babe, come on. I'm getting impatient over here." Michael said through the door.

Maybe it's best he doesn't know. I can't give him hope again, especially if it doesn't work.

I made sure to hide the test deep in the trash before washing my hands and stepping out of the bathroom.

Michael rushed over to me, "Well?"

"It came out negative." I lied.

He looked disappointed but shook it off quickly.

"I guess we just need to keep trying." he smirked.

I rolled my eyes and hugged him. It seemed like hiding this pregnancy was the best thing to do.

"I convinced Joshua to see you. We're going later today."

I pulled away, overwhelmed by what he just said.

"You did?" I asked.

He nodded, the smile never coming off his beautiful face.

"You're so amazing! THANK YOU!" I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I love you!"

I heard him laugh in my ear.

"I'm telling ya, he's so stubborn. He just wouldn't do it. He kept saying he doesn't want you to see him because you need to stay calm. I mean, it's true, but you two have to see each other."

I hugged his neck tighter to let him know how thankful I was.

My husband placed a kiss on my cheek before putting me down.

I kissed him deeply, and thanked him again.

~

Chris: "Hey, dad." I said and hugged my dad.

I had to admit, he looked way better. The chemo was definitely working. It made this whole thing a bit more easy.

"Where's Jason?" he asked.

"Still at school, I'm gonna go pick him up soon." I answered, looking at the clock.

"Good. I missed him."

I smiled. No matter what, dad could always make my day brighter. It was something he could do ever since I was little.

"I heard what happened with your sister. Michael told me everything." he said.

Of course he did.

"Dad, she's being selfish." I mumbled.

"You know I asked her to have a baby, Christopher. It shouldn't bother you. She's doing this for me."

"I know... I just don't get why you won't see her."

"Because she doesn't need all of this right now," he explained. "Did they even tell you what's going on?"

"No..." I said, scratching the back of my neck.

"She can't stress out. Apparently it's what caused the miscarriages." dad told me.

I'm such an awful brother. I yelled at her for nothing.

Marie gasped, making me, dad, and Cynthia turn to her. "Miscarriages? As in more than one?"

"Yeah, she miscarried again last year."

"Jesus. I knew about the one in '91, but I didn't think- Oh, God." my mother looked away from us.

"Marie, there's something I just can't seem to understand. You left us, alone, when we were little children. You left dad. You didn't care. Why does it matter to you so much now?" I raised an eyebrow.

"You're my children. I'll always love and care for you."

"Then where have you been for the last twenty-six years?"

She opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed it as she didn't know how to respond to me.

I heard dad sigh. Why is he forgiving her? She hurt him so much.

I looked at my watch, "I need to go pick up Jason from school. I'll be back soon."

I gave Cynthia a light kiss and my dad another hug.

Quickly, I walked out of the room, and went to the parking lot.

~

I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel as the Doobie Brothers played through my car.

Stopping at a red light, I let my mind wonder to Marie.
I didn't understand why my dad was forgiving her, she doesn't deserve his forgiveness.

I continued driving, the thought of my mother still pondering.

Maybe dad realized he doesn't have much time, and all he wants is to see his family together again.

A car horn was heard in the distance; I looked up and saw I accidentally steered to the other lane. A car was nearing mine, making me snap back to reality.

I made a sharp turn to the right, hoping to get back to my lane.

I failed horribly. My car flipped over the edge of the road and a sharp pain went through my head before I blacked out.

~

Brooklyn: I was surprised to find Cynthia in my dad's hospital room when we arrived there.

"Cyn? What are you doing here?" I asked as I hugged her.

"Chris and I came together... He just went to get Jason. Weird, he should've been back already." she said, checking her watch.

Her phone went off suddenly, making me jump.

I saw her scrunch her eyebrows before answering.

"Hi, Mrs. White... Yes, Chris was supposed to pick him up... Okay, I'll come. Thank you for calling."

She sighed, "That was Jason's teacher, she said Chris didn't show up. I need to go myself. Maybe I'll find him on the way. Michael, can I use your driver?"

"I'll do it, you stay here." Michael smiled.

"You sure?"

"Yeah," he said. "I promised him I'd pick him up one day. Seems like the perfect opportunity."

"Thanks." Cynthia hugged him.

"Don't mention it."

Michael gave my father a hug, and for me he left a kiss on the cheek before leaving with Bill and Dan who were guarding the door.

I turned to my dad. He had the biggest smile on his face, what made me smile as well.

"You are glowing." Cynthia commented.

I bit my lip. Please don't-

"Oh, my God!"

So much for hiding this pregnancy.

"What?" my dad said, looking confused.

"It's obvious, Josh," Marie had a slight sparkle in her eyes. "She's pregnant."

He gasped before I felt his arms pull me into a tight hug.

"Dad, you need to get back in bed." I mumbled as I felt my bones being crushed.

He only hugged me tighter, completely ignoring my orders.

~

Michael: We drove through the streets of LA, until Steve stopped the car in front of a small school.

"You sure that's it?" I asked.

"Yeah, pretty sure." he answered.

I opened the door and stepped out.

"Guys, stay here. I don't want him intimidated by two giant bodyguards." I ordered Bill and Dan.

Dan widened his eyes, "Sir, there are three hundred students in there. If they see you and we won't be there, it won't be pretty."

"I'm gonna be fine. I'll do it quick, I promise."

Before any of them could protest I dashed towards the entrance.

A sign near the doors read '1st Grade' and gave directions down the hall, letting me know where to find Jason.

I found him with a few kids and their teacher, all ready to go home.

"Uncle Mike!" he chirped and ran to me.

I crouched down so he could hug me properly. He was already too big to pick him up.

"You came!"

"You're Michael Jackson! Jason, you didn't lie!" one of the kids gasped.

"I told you I didn't! He really is my uncle!" Jason said, looking proud.

He took my hand in his, "Let's go, uncle Mike."

Bill and Dan looked pissed when we sat in the car.

"Don't ever do that again." Dan murmured.

I shrugged as I put the buckle around Jason.

"Are we gonna see grandpa?" he asked excitedly.

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Daddy told me."

I chuckled and ruffled his hair.

"You have to stop doing that, uncle Mike," he scoffed. "You're messing up my hair!"

"That's the whole point, Jase." I smiled down at him.

He stuck out his tongue and crosses his arms.

Steve started the car, driving off.

Jason was way too excited to see Joshua, and kept bouncing in his seat.

"Uncle Mike, look! That's daddy's car!" he tapped my shoulder.

I turned my head to the window, seeing a tow truck lifting a car that really looked like Chris's.

It was completely wrecked, and glass was shattered all over the road.

That can't be his car. He's probably on his way back to the hospital by now.

"Jase, that's just a car that looks the same." I told him.

"Oh. That's good." he said.

~

Nurses and doctors rushed through the halls of the Santa Ynez hospital, as usual.

"I need a neurologist to the ER right now!" I heard someone yell. "A white male, at the age of 32, was found unconscious in his car."

A white male? 32?

All the pieces started connecting together, making me fear it might be Chris they were talking about.

"Take him to Joshua's room." I ordered Bill. He nodded and took Jason with him.

My suspicions were justified when I walked to the emergency room with Dan by my side.

My brother-in-law was rolled in on a gurney with an oxygen mask on his face and his head covered with bandages.

"Oh, God." I let out a whimper.

"Mr. Jackson we can't be here... People will notice you-"

"It's Michael Jackson!"

I was too in shock to even move.

"Sir..." Dan said.

Eventually I heard screams everywhere, which made my bodyguard pull on my arm.

I didn't even notice he was taking me to Joshua's room. All I thought about was what I just witnessed.

Chris, my wife's brother, was in a car crash.

"Sir, get in there." Dan ordered.

I gulped and held in my tears as I opened the door.

"Hey, babe." Brooklyn greeted.

"Michael, is everything alright, son?"

"C- Chris, h- he..." I couldn't finish as a lump in my throat formed.

I slid down the door, the tears ready to just pour out.

A hand came in touch with my face and I met Brooke's worried eyes.

"What happened to Chris?" she whispered.

I hid my face in my hands quickly so I wouldn't have to tell. I didn't want to.

"Michael, please. Just talk to me."

I finally let myself break down, and sobbed loudly.

~

Brooklyn: I watched Michael as he cried.

What happened to Chris that made him so upset?

"Michael, what is it?" Cynthia asked, crouching down next to me.

Jason joined us as well, curious why his uncle was crying.

My husband let out a whimper before removing his hands from his face and crossing his arms over his knees.

"I s- saw C- Chris in the emergency r- room... He was h- hurt..."

My heart stopped for a split second.

"What do you mean?" I heard Marie say.

He hid his face again.

"Is my daddy hurt?" Jason's little voice asked.

That just made Michael cry harder.

"Are you sure it was him? Maybe- maybe you didn't see his face right." Cynthia mumbled.

"Jason and I saw his c- car on the way b- back, it was all wrecked..." he replied.

A knock on the door made us all jump.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," an unfamiliar voice said. "But I'm looking for Cynthia Casey."

Though they weren't married, Cynthia took our family name.

It took us a few minutes to convince Michael to move from the door.

A nurse came in and cleared her throat, "Your um, husband, was involved in a car accident. I'm very sorry... He hit his head hard, and we rushed him into surgery. I need you to come with me, please."

Cynthia had tears in her eyes, and I could see she didn't want to go with the nurse, but nodded anyway.

"Mommy, I want to come with you!" Jason told her.

"No, honey, you have to stay here with your auntie, okay? I'll be right back."

She hurried to leave before he could protest.

The news about my brother still sunk in.

"Jase, come hug me." Michael said, opening his arms for my nephew.

He nested himself in his arms, cuddling against his chest.

I had to sit down when I felt my head spin. Dad held my hand tightly when I found myself crying as well.

Please, let him be okay.

~

It has been almost three hours. I couldn't sit down the entire time we waited.

"Brooklyn, you're making me dizzy. You shouldn't be standing, either." Marie said.

I shot her a look. I did not want to tolerate her.

She cleared her throat, "I'm going to the cafeteria to get something to eat... Does anyone need anything?"

Everyone shook their heads and she got up from her seat.

As she left the room I noticed a picture that fell from her purse.

I picked it up. It was me, her, and Chris together. We were so little.

This is some trick. I'm sure of it. She left us, she doesn't care.

There was a knock, and the same nurse returned, without Cynthia.

"We were able to stable him... But unfortunately, there was too much damage done to his brain from the hit..." she explained.

"And what does that mean?" dad looked at her.

"He didn't make it. We put him on life support, but there's no chance he'll wake up. I'm very sorry."

I covered my mouth as I felt the tears emerge again.

No. This can't be happening. He was just here, he was fine when I last saw him.

"Can we see him?" Michael asked with a shaky voice.

Jason had fallen asleep in his arms, and was now clutching his shirt tightly in his little fist.

Oh, no. I haven't even thought about Jason. When he wakes up he'll be getting the news his dad- NO.

"Not all at once... And I'm not sure Joshua can leave his room. For now, two people." the nurse smiled.

This was all a bad dream. I was sure of it.

Dad sighed, "Sweetheart, go with Michael."

"What? No, I can't, dad. I can't see hi-"

"Yes, you can. You need to. Now go."

I inhaled deeply. Michael gave me a weak smile, then put Jason on dad's bed.

We followed the nurse with only Bill accompanying us. We were both shaking like hell as we walked quietly hand in hand.

I was so regretful. The last time I saw my brother we fought. I didn't even get to work out things with him.

What did he ever do to deserve this?