3rd of January, 1996
Brooklyn and Janet are 29, Michael is 37

Michael: The past two months have been eventful.

After Paul and Linda left, Brooke fell into that awful place of depression again.

So I tried to help her get through this without breaking down myself.

She slowly accepted everything. By this time she was smiling again, she was laughing again. Real laughter.

We were in Rio. I was mostly filming 'They Don't Care About Us', but I took the chance to make this trip for her to relax.

And since tomorrow we're celebrating her birthday, along with the tenth anniversary for our engagement, I thought we could celebrate it away from home.

I got Cynthia and Janet to join us, so she would have company with her while I was roaming the streets of Rio.

We all really needed to shake off Chris's death, because the sadness just didn't leave.

The helicopter Brandon and I were in landed on top of our hotel after the long day of shooting.

My soon-to-be brother-in-law kept talking on the phone the whole way down the elevator.

Him and Janet are supposed to get married in April. It's just so exciting.
I'm the best man, of course, along with Brooke who's the maid of honor.

He smiled as he hung up, "We got little visitors waiting for us in your suite."

I raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, Mr. Muscle." I said, turning to the mirror to fix my hair.

"Mr. Muscle? Where did that name come from?" he cackled and rolled his eyes.

"Have you seen yourself? I get why Dunk always talks about your body with my wife."

"She does?" his eyes lit up.

I puked a little in my mouth before turning back to the mirror.

We heard a 'ding', and stepped out of the elevator.

Walking down to Brooklyn's and I's hotel room, I vaguely heard screams of joy from it. They belonged to little children and I immediately knew who joined our trip.

Jason and Katie were jumping up and down on our bed. Naturally, I put the biggest smile on when they noticed us.

"Da-da!" Kate's big eyes popped out when she saw Brandon.

He caught her when she jumped into his arms, hugging her tightly.

"Hey, uncle Mike." Jason said.

He put his hand up in the air, making me high-five him.

"How was the flight, buddy?" I asked and ruffled his hair.

"You know I don't like when you do that, uncle Mike," he crossed his arms and groaned. "Where's my mom?"

He seemed to be very irritated with everything.

"Ma-ma?" Kate turned to her father.

"I'll go see where the girls are. Let's go, Katie." Brandon mumbled, leaving with Kate.

As soon as he left I took a seat next to Jason.

"What's up?" I asked him.

"Nothing." he answered, not looking at me.

I swear, this kid was just like his aunt, his dad, and his grandfather. Stubborn.

"Come on," I nudged his shoulder. "Tell me."

He sighed and attacked me in a tight hug, "I miss my daddy."

"We all do." I said, rubbing his little back soothingly.

~

Janet: "Oh yeah," I moaned. "You are so great, Pablo."

"Thank you, Ms. Jackson." the Brazilian masseur said and winked.

"Pablo, she's getting married in three months. Don't even think about it." Brooke told him.

I smiled. I am getting married in three months, and to the most perfect man in the world.

We were having a very relaxing day at the hotel spa. It was absolutely perfect, and Pablo's hands were amazing.

"You know, Brooke, I've been talking to Joshua a lot lately... He's asking when you and Michael are planning to get pregnant again." Cynthia told my best friend.

Brooklyn sighed, "I don't think we're ready yet."

"Do you ever talk about adoption?"

I knew that hit a sensitive spot. She wanted to give Michael a child, his child. Their child.

"It never came up. We want a child of our own, Cyn."

She nodded as if she understood. I didn't even understand. Just like Cynthia, I already had the joy of a child.

But I did know this: Michael wouldn't hesitate to agree if Brooke suggested the idea of adopting. It was her that wanted a child of their own so badly.

"Girls?" I heard Brandon's voice from outside the door.

"Come in, babe." I said.

He came in with Kate in his arms.

"Having fun?" he asked.

"Mmhmm." Brooke let out a relieved breath when her masseur pressed on her exposed back.

"Brandon, meet Pablo, Gabriel, and Rafael. Guys, meet my fiancé, Brandon. And that's my little girl, Kate." I said.

All of the muscular men waved, then got back to their work.

"When are you done here?" Brandon raised his eyebrows.

"Whenever we want."

"Fair enough. I'll let Mike know."

He left the room, and I gave my attention back to Pablo's strong hands.

~

Brooklyn: My legs were wrapped tightly around Michael's hips as they thrusted against mine.

His lips were all over my neck, leaving small love bites, while mine bit slight into the skin of his shoulder.

I felt his hands touch everywhere, which made me insecure.

I truly hated myself. Every part of my body. My thighs were a lot bigger, and my stomach wasn't as flat as it used to be.

Though this trip was supposed to help me get my mind off things, all it did was make me feel worse.

Not to mention Michael was planning on celebrating my 30th birthday here in Rio, along with the tenth anniversary of our engagement.

It made me beat myself up. Soon we would be celebrating ten years of our marriage as well, and still there was no baby in our lives.

And it was all my fault.

I stared up at the ceiling as my husband's lips sucked on my sweet spot, and tried to ignore the pleasure he was sending to me.

My orgasam washed over my body before he came inside the condom he was wearing.

Michael pulled out of me, "Why are you so obsessed with condoms lately?"

"You know why." I breathed.

"Babe, the world won't end if we get pregnant again."

I turned my back to him. I couldn't take the chance, because I gave up. After losing three babies, there was no way another one would survive.

He wrapped an arm around me and kissed my sweaty shoulder.

"Let's make a baby." he whispered.

I shook my head. He is not going to convince me. Nope, not gonna let that happen.

"I don't want to have this talk again, Michael." I said.

He sighed, letting go of me.

"Okay," he hummed. "Just remember this trip is for you to relax."

"Thank you," I turned back to face him, and gave his lips a soft peck. "I love you."

As expected, he said it back, but the same question pondered in my mind as I couldn't believe it.

Why does he still love me?

~

4th of January, 1996
Brooklyn is 30, Janet is 29, and Michael is 37

Michael: "Do I have to, Mike? Come on, it's my birthday. Let me sleep." Brooke whined.

She took another pillow and covered her head with it.

"Brooklyn, I'll be late if you don't get your ass out of bed." I told her.

"I never went with you the whole stay here. Why do I have to now?"

"Because I said so."

She groaned, "But it's my birthday."

"Get up," I ordered. "Eat your breakfast, and get ready. We're leaving in an hour."

She groaned, again, before slowly sitting up.

~

Brooklyn: Michael sat silently across from me at the small rounded table in the hotel suite, and watched me eat.

"Are you really shooting today or is this just a way to get me out of the hotel so Janet and Cynthia could organize a party?" I mumbled, putting scrambled egg into my mouth.

"No questions. Just eat." he said.

The suite door flew open, a cheerful Janet walking in.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, dear Brooklyn! Happy birthday to you!" she sang at the top of her lungs.

I smiled widely, attacking her in a giant hug.

"Thanks, Jan." I told her.

"Good morning to you, too, Dunk." Michael said.

She looked at him with a puzzled expression on her face. "Why are you dressed like you're going to work?"

"Because I am going to work. We're finishing the shoot."

"But it's Brooke's birthday." my best friend crossed her arms.

"She's coming with me." he told her.

Janet scoffed, "I was planning to take her shopping!"

"Too bad." my husband shrugged.

"Ugh, whatever. As long as you bring her back."

She seemed like she didn't know anything. Either they are acting and there's a party planned, or Michael didn't plan anything.

"Yeah, yeah. We really have to get going soon, so can you please let her finish her breakfast?" he asked.

"You're so annoying." she said, rolling her eyes.

"I love you, too. Now, out."

Janet murmured something on her way out, and shut the door.

"What was that all about?" I asked.

"Nothing, we'll be late," he answered. "All done with breakfast?"

I looked down at my feet, "Yeah, I lost my appetite."

"Go put some clothes on. Something short, it's really hot out."

~

After three long hours of shooting, Spike Lee yelled "That's a wrap!".

I was so relieved. Was this really how Michael planned to celebrate my birthday?

He shook some hands before approaching me with a big smile on his face.

"That was fun," he laughed. "Now let's get going, we have a long day ahead of us."

~

Janet: "Is this good?" Brandon asked, stretching his arm.

"Higher." I said.

He held the decoration higher, "Like that?"

"Perfect!"

He sighed as he got off the latter.

"So she had no idea?" he asked.

"Nope. We are such good actors. You should've seen her face, she looked so horrified with him." I answered.

"When's he bringing her?"

"Around 7. Everyone already landed, and are on their way."

"This is so exciting. I can't believe she's already 30."

We are old.

"Okay, enough talking. We have this whole ballroom to decorate!" Cynthia said, making us go back to work.

~

Brooklyn: I walked hand in hand with Michael on the beach.

At first, I thought this whole day was going to be for work. Which it mostly was.

Until now, we were meeting fans, signing autographs, taking pictures.

"Happy birthday." he whispered.

"Thank you." I smiled, kissing his cheek.

"Can you believe ten years ago I proposed? It seems like it was yesterday."

It really was unbelievable. Ten years, Jesus. I felt so blessed.

I decided to shake off everything I've been feeling so far. I needed to enjoy this time with my husband, not dwell in my own self pity.

We kept walking in silence until Michael stopped suddenly and kissed me.

The kiss was passionate, and loving. He cupped my check with his hand, his other arm wrapped tightly around my waist.

My arms were draped lazily around his neck as I played with the ends of his short straightened hair.

I was so intoxicated with him that I totally forgot we were on a public beach where people saw us, and three bodyguards were standing a few feet away.

"I... Think... We... Should... Stop..." I said in between kisses.

"No." he declared, pulling me closer.

My breath hitched when I felt his hand slid under the sundress I was wearing.

I saw a flash in the corner of my eye, but I couldn't care less about pictures going out to the press. This was just me and my husband having fun on the beach.

"If I could, I would make sweet love to you right here..." he said as we broke apart. "But we're already late, so we gotta head back to the hotel."

So he turns me on for nothing? What a jerk.

He let go of my waist, "Let's go, baby."

I followed him though I wanted to stay at the beautiful beach forever.

~

The bathroom door opened only to reveal Michael with a towel around his waist.

"You're still not dressed?!" he gasped when he saw me.

"I don't know what to wear." I sighed.

"I already told you, something pretty. I doubt that'll be hard since everything looks good on you."

I rolled my eyes. "Then you pick me something, because I can't decide." I said, showing him the pile of dresses I took out of my suitcase.

He picked up a bright red dress that usually sat tightly on my body, showing every curve and every line.

"I always love this one on you." Michael smiled.

My cheeks turned hot, and probably matched the color of the dress he still held up.

I stood on my toes, placing a kiss on his cheek, "Thanks."

Suddenly I felt the towel I wore fall from my body.

"Whoops." I giggled.

Michael had a smirk on as he pulled my naked self to him.

"We have time for at least one time..." he licked his lips.

"But I thought we were already late..." I told him.

He waved me off. This man.

I reached my hand down and took the towel off his lower torso.

My husband quickly threw the pile of clothes from the bed, then tackled us onto it.

He lay between my legs, his fingers tracing all of my body.

"Mike, condom." I reminded him.

"Party pooper." he sighed, but still got up to get a condom.

~

Janet: "Where are they, Janet?" Tito asked.

It was already 7:35 PM, and the guests at this surprise birthday party were already getting impatient.

"They're probably fucking each other." Brandon whispered in my ear.

"Probably." I mumbled.

Brooke's laughter was heard from outside the big doors, and everyone fell silent.

"Surprise!" we yelled.

She had the biggest smile ever as she approached us all.

"I can't believe you're all here! Oh, my God! Thank you so much!" my best friend beamed.

Michael winked at me as he followed her to greet everyone.

~

Michael: I shook Ross's hand when I finally got the chance to see him and Rachel.

I was surprised to see her baby bump. According to Ross, they were expecting a girl in May.

"Congratulations." I smiled warmly.

"Thank you, Michael." he returned a smile.

"I'll go see where Brooke is. Excuse me." Rachel said.

"How is she doing, you know, since Chris passed away?" Ross asked.

"A lot better... It was hard for a while, but then everything seemed to brighten up." I answered.

"That's good. I'm glad she's happy," he put a hand on my shoulder. "Are you planning on having a baby any time soon?"

"Oh, uh, I don't think so. We had another miscarriage recently."

He sighed, "I'm sorry to hear."

I nodded, not really wanting to talk about it. I've been dreading to try again, but Brooke insisted we would use protection every single time. It drove me crazy.

"Do you ever think about surrogacy?"

"Surrogacy?" I scrunched my eyebrows.

"Yeah. There are thousands of surrogate mothers in California. I'm sure all of them would be thrilled to help the King of Pop and his wife have a baby." Ross said.

It actually didn't sound like a bad idea; maybe even the best idea I've gotten.

If Brooklyn is so afraid of getting pregnant again, this could be our solution.

~

12th of March, 1996
Brooklyn is 30, Janet is 29, and Michael is 37

Brooklyn: I was in the library, searching for a cook book. Ever since Chris passed, I've been cooking.
It was always something I loved doing.

Michael was locked up in his office like he usually would be before starting to plan a world tour. I couldn't wait to get back on stage, I missed performing along side my husband.

I've been getting a lot of offers to choreograph music videos for different artists since Mariah Carey's video came out. But I declined everything, because I knew I would get busy soon.

"Mrs. Jackson?" Helen's voice scared me. "I'm very sorry to interrupt, but your husband is asking for you."

I nodded, "Thank you, Helen."

Walking to his office, I wondered what could be so important that after a few hours Michael was calling me.

I knocked on his office door when I reached it, hearing a faint "Come in".

I was surprised when I saw Debbie Rowe, Michael's dermatologist's nurse, sitting across from him.

They were always close, and I knew it. But what was she doing here?

Michael's lawyers were standing behind him. Next to Debbie sat another lawyer, the gray hairs shining from his head.

"Babe, come sit." my husband said, motioning to the chair on the other side of Debbie.

"You remember Debbie, right?"

"Yes, of course," I gave her a smile. "What's all this about?"

He took in a deep breath, "Well, it's why I called you in here. I've been given this idea, of um, surrogacy. I thought about it for a while until I made the decision to contact the lawyers. And we'll do this only if you agree, I promise. I thought maybe Debbie could be a surrogate mother for us."

"A surrogate mother?" I questioned.

"Yes. She'll carry a baby for us, Brooke. I went to her because I wanted someone we know, someone we can really trust."

I took it all in. Is he serious about this?

Then, it hit me. I realized what this really meant.

He gave up on me. The one person who I thought still had faith in me, had given up.

"Brooklyn? What do you say?" Michael asked.

"Brooke," one of his lawyers spoke. "It's all very formal. This is a deal made between both of your sides. If you and Michael will sign these papers, you are agreeing to a series of treatments and checkups. Ms. Rowe will be getting a payment that's already been discussed-"

"Ron, step out for a few moments. I want the three of us alone." Michael cut him off.

All of the lawyers left the office quickly.

"Babe, talk to me. I need to know how you feel about this."

"Will she carry a baby for us or only for you?" I spat.

This felt like it was Lisa Marie all over again. He was trying to replace me again.

It made me furious.

How can he even think about this when he knows me so well? When he knows all I want is to give him a child? A child I will feel, a child I will give birth to?

"For you both, Brooke. I want to do this for you, I swear. I believe you both deserve to be parents, together, and I'll be more than happy to give that to you." Debbie told me.

"How much is he paying you?"

She hesitated before answering, "15 million was our agreement."

I couldn't believe it. He was willing to buy us a baby, while giving up on me.

"No." I said.

Michael's face fell. "No?"

"No. I'm not doing it." I said, standing up.

I couldn't be in here anymore, I felt like I was about to choke.

"Where are you going?" he asked, his voice desperate.

"Away from here." I mumbled and opened the door.

"Brooklyn, wait! This is our only chance!" he called.

That hit me, hard. He really did give up.

I blinked away the tears that threatened to escape, "Fuck you, Michael."

I found my car keys fast enough, and ran out the kitchen door to find my car.

As soon as I passed the gates, I called Janet.

"Hey, Brooke. Can I call later? Brandon and I are in the middle of trying cake flavors." she said when she picked up.

"I need you." I sniffled, still trying to hold in my tears. My tone came out sadder than intended it to.

"Oh, God, what did he do now?" she sighed. "Okay, go to Cynthia's, I'll be there sooner than you think."

I wiped the tears that now rolled down my cheeks, trying to make it safely to my brother's house.