13th of March, 1996
Brooklyn is 30, Janet is 29, and Michael 37

Janet: I pulled Brooke's car up to the main house at Neverland.

"I can't believe you're siding with him." she mumbled.

"I'm not. I just think you were being unreasonable. At least he's trying to find a solution for you, okay? All you do is deny everything." I said.

She crossed her arms over her chest, "He gave up on me, what do you expect me to do? Say yes?"

"He did the opposite of giving up on you! He respects your fears of getting pregnant again, so he just wants you to find another way to have a child," I told her the exact words Michael said to me last night over the phone. "Just hear him out."

"Whatever."

She knew I was right, as much as she didn't want to admit it. I get why she was hurt, but my brother didn't intend to do that.

"He gave you an option, Brooke. He didn't force you to agree, right? He said you'll only do it if you agree. Go in there and tell him how you feel. Michael will understand, he'll respect you."

"Do I have to?" she asked.

"Yes." I answered.

My best friend sighed and got out of the car. I watched her walk to the front door, soon disappearing inside.

~

Michael: The warm water sprayed down on my body, rinsing away the day before.

I felt so stupid. I should've known Brooklyn would reject the idea of surrogacy.

Arms were suddenly wrapped around me, and I heard my wife sigh.

"I'm sorry for running away. It's a habit." she said into my back, putting her lips on my skin.

I turned to meet her giant green orbs staring up at me.

"I was so clouded by the feeling of being replaced again, I couldn't think straight."

I hugged her, "It's okay. I should've talked to you in private first, it was unfair that I just threw it at you. And don't ever think I'll replace you. I'm truly sorry for making you feel that way."

Brooke pecked my lips and hugged me tighter.

"Are you willing to give it a try?" I quietly asked.

"No. But," she looked at me with a slight smile. "I am willing to try for another baby. And only if it doesn't work again, I'll consider Debbie as a surrogate."

My heart fluttered. I was dreaming, there was no way this could be happening.

"I see Janet talked some sense into you." I murmured.

My wife looked down at her feet and nodded.
"I really thought you gave up on me, you know? If me giving up on myself wasn't enough already-"

"That's why you wanted us to use protection all this time... Oh, baby, why didn't you tell me?" I caressed her cheek.

"What was I supposed to say? That I gave up because my body can't do the one thing it's meant to do? It would break you. I couldn't do that." she told me.

"Let's not think about that right now, okay? We'll go back to Dr. James, and we'll figure this out. You'll rest at home. I guess I'll have to call your understudy to replace you on tour."

She scoffed at my words, "Michael, I'm not giving up on touring, forget it."

"It's up to you. A baby, or tour. You decide." I said.

"Fine," she groaned. "A baby."

I couldn't keep the smile off my face before I leaned down to kiss her.

"Good." I said when we pulled away.

~

9th of April, 1996
Brooklyn is 30, Janet is 29, and Michael is 37

Brooklyn: We landed in Paris, Janet's and Brandon's wedding destination.

"I absolutely love this place." Michael said as we made our way to the waiting limo.

"Me too." I smiled.

It was the perfect place to have a wedding. And Janet planned a Disneyland wedding, which made me extra excited.

My best friend getting married and having Disneyland for ourselves for a whole night? Couldn't get better.

But it did get better. Michael and I were trying non-stop for a baby. It's only been a couple of weeks since we started. Each night I found myself underneath him, or the other way around, clinging onto his toned, naked, body as he was on a mission to impregnate me. I was worn out, physically. Sore everywhere. I knew he loved being the one to do that to me, because after every time he had a victorious smile on.

"I hope the hotel beds are strong." he whispered in my ear.

I giggled and pushed him away when I felt his lips on my jaw.

"Mike, you know I can barely feel my legs anymore." I shook my head.

"That means I'm doing a good job." he smirked.

He put his lips on my neck, slightly biting my skin. I saw him wave to the driver, then heard the partition close.

"My body needs a break." I breathed.

"But Brooooke," Michael whined. "We can never know when you'll conceive..."

I snickered, "You say that every night."

"Because it's true!"

Rolling my eyes, I pulled him by his collar, making him lay on top of me.

"Just one night of sleep?" I asked.

"Look where we are! In the city of love! There's no better place for us to make a baby!" he urged.

I squinted my eyes at him.

"Pretty please. If you love me." my husband puckered his lips.

"But I'm in pain."

"I'll give you a full body massage in a hot bath, right after we make love."

"I hope you're preparing those big hands of yours, because I want them to press everywhere." I said.

"You got it." he chuckled.

~

We wasted no time when we got to the hotel. We put our things on the floor, locked the door, and started stripping each other.

"I'm gonna take my time with you..." Michael said as he lay me on the bed, taking a look at my naked body.

"As long as you don't forget the massage you promised."

He shut me up with a kiss, making me give into his touch.

~

Michael: It was round number four, and the headboard was shaking again as I held onto it.

Brooke moaned my name over and over.

Just as I was about to reach my high, Janet knocked on the door, "Brooke, Mike, open up! I can hear you!"

"Ignore her." my wife mumbled.

Her fingernails clawed my back when her walls clenched around me, and released everything.

I groaned, "Oh, baby... I- I'm about to-"

"MICHAEL JOSEPH JACKSON, YOU BETTER STOP FUCKING MY BEST FRIEND AND OPEN THE GODDAMN DOOR!"

Sighing, I pulled out and lay next to Brooklyn.

"I still need that massage." she said as she got up. I saw her find her clothes quickly.

My eyes followed her every move. I really couldn't be happier that she agreed to try again. It seemed like she finally had hope for herself. For us.

And I was determined to make this work. When we'll find out she's pregnant, the first thing I'll do is take her to the doctor. I'll need to figure out how I'll take care of her when I'm on tour. Maybe I'll get mother to stay with her.

You're getting your hopes up, Michael. Get her pregnant first, make sure nothing goes wrong, and only then work out the other things.

My wife left the bedroom, leaving me naked and breathless under the sheets.

"Where's your dress?! God, nothing is ready!" Janet screeched.

"Jan, relax. My dress is right here, okay? You gotta chill."

"Don't tell me to chill when I'm getting married in two days and nothing is ready! Where's Michael?"

I hurried to cover myself more, just in time for my little sister to walk in.

"Jesus, Mike. Put some clothes on, now. And get your ass out of bed, Brandon needs your help with Kate." she ordered.

I never thought Janet would be Bridezilla, but this was amusing.

"What are you smiling about?! Get up!"

~

"Come on, Katie. Say 'uncle Mike'! Say it!" I encouraged my niece.

"She ain't gonna say it, Mike. She barely says 'mommy' and 'daddy'." Brandon mumbled, coming out from the bathroom, wearing his tux.

"M- Mi-" Kate stammered. "M- Mike!"

Brandon huffed, "Gee, thanks, baby girl. It's nice to know you can say your uncle's name but can't pronounce the name of the man who gave you life."

"Go, Katie!" I cheered.

He rolled his eyes before turning to me.

"So what do you think?" he asked, showing off his suit.

"It's clean." I answered and turned my attention back to Katie.

"That's it? I thought you were here to help. You aren't helping."

"Dunk said I'm babysitting, and that's what I'm doing," I said. "Wait, why am I babysitting? Didn't you have a nanny?"

"We did, until Janet fired her." he sighed.

"She fired her?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Yeah. She thought she saw her flirting with me."

This day just keeps getting better.

"So how is the baby making going?" Brandon smirked.

"Pretty good."

"Will she be able to walk down the isle?"

"I doubt it. She says she can barely feel her body." I blushed.

"Sounds like you're doing a good job." he winked.

"That's what I said!"

~

"Keep going." Brooklyn told me.

I did as she wished, and pressed harder into her tense muscles.

When she said she was in pain, she meant it.

"Do you think I can hire Gabriel to give me a massage?"

"What? Who the hell is Gabriel?" I asked.

"He was my masseur in Rio... Oh, his hands were absolutely Divine." she answered, closing her eyes and sighing.

I snickered and continued to massage her body.

"Aww, Mike, don't be jealous. Your hands are good, too." my wife smiled.

"You wish I was jealous," I said, and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Do I need to remind you why you're in pain?"

That shut her up.

"Let's work on your legs, I think your back got enough attention."

~

10th of April, 1996
Brooklyn is 30, Janet is 29, and Michael is 37

Janet: I gulped down another shot of Tequila. This stuff was strong. After four shots I was already tipsy.

"Okay, Brooke, truth or dare?" I asked.

"Um, truth." she smiled.

Rebbie chuckled, "Is it true that limp was caused by my brother and those hickeys weren't there yesterday?"

"This night is not about me," Brooke blushed. "We are celebrating Janet tonight."

"You said truth, you have to answer. Either that or take another shot." Cynthia told her.

"Ugh, fine. Yes, it was caused by Michael. Now can you get off my back? I rather not drink while trying to get pregnant."

I poured myself another shot and gulped it down.

"Janet, stop drinking. You're ruining the whole point of the game!" La Toya scoffed. "What's a bachelorette party without games and booze?"

"Exactly, now let me drink." I mumbled.

There was a knock on the door.

"Jan, go answer it." Brooke ordered.

I groaned, getting up.

"Room service!" a man said.

Opening the door, I saw a tall man in a suit holding two bottles of more alcohol.

"Janet Jackson?" he questioned.

"Yeah?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Welcome to the best last night of your single life!"

He pushed me back into the room, and was followed by two more men in suits.

Oh, my God.

"Are the strippers here?" Rebbie asked.

One of the men picked me up, making me squeal in surprise.

He soon placed me with my bridesmaids and music was played before each man stripped.

~

11th of April, 1996
Brooklyn is 30, Janet is 29, and Michael is 37

Brooklyn: Janet let out a shaky breath.

I closed the zipper of her custom made Versace dress and hugged her shoulders.

"I'm doing it." she said.

"You're doing it." I smiled at her through the mirror.

She turned to me so we could hug properly.

"The guys are waiting for us, Brooke." Cynthia said.

I nodded and pulled away from Janet.

"I'll see you out there." I winked, what made her smile widen.

Walking out of the dressing room, I met Michael's excited eyes.

He looked so handsome in a tux.

We linked arms, going to find our place at the top of the line.

I took in a deep breath when the music started playing and we walked down the isle.

~

"Do you, Brandon Adam Knight, take Janet Damita Jo Jackson to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the minister said.

"I do." Brandon bit his bottom lip.

"And do you, Janet Damita Jo Jackson, take Brandon Adam Knight to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Janet showed her perfectly lined teeth, "I do."

They exchanged rings and I could see my best friend shedding a few happy tears.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

They kissed, making everyone clap and cheer.

I wiped my own tears and looked at Michael who had the proudest smile on.

~

28th of April, 1996
Brooklyn is 30, Michael is 37

Brooklyn: "Are you sure?" Michael asked, again.

He was getting on my nerves. I got my period yesterday, and since I told him he didn't shut up.

"Michael, I have my period since I'm 14, I think I know when it's here." I mumbled, putting down the knife I was cutting vegetables with.

"But it doesn't make sense, we knew when you were ovulating. Damn it, we had so much sex to get you pregnant with hundreds of babies!"

"You should know more than anyone that it doesn't always happen. Remember? It took us two years to get pregnant with Destiny. We need to give it time." I said.

I probably sounded upset, because I was. Or maybe my hormones were just going wild.

My husband sighed and hugged me from behind, "Hey, I don't want to annoy you."

"Well, you are. And I have a big knife in my hand so I'm warning you."

"If you keep cooking every day Ronda will be on the way to unemployment." Michael chuckled, trying to take the knife away from my hold.

I pushed him away with my elbow, but he kept trying.

Eventually, he succeeded and put it on the counter, then turned me around to face him.

He had the biggest smile on.
"I love you."

"I love you, too, Mike. Can I go back to cooking?"

"No..." he said.

Michael held me by my waist as he leaned down to kiss me.

"I never thanked you for giving this another chance. I know how hard this must be for you."

I opened my mouth to speak, but the sound of a phone ringing didn't give me the opportunity.

My husband took out his phone. I saw the smile form on his lips again, "It's Janet."

"Give it to me!" I ordered, snatching the device from him. "Jan! How's your honeymoon?"

"It's great." she told me.

"Yeah? Is Brandon doing you good?"

"Girl, you know it."

We talked for a few minutes, mostly about what they've done in their two weeks of vacation.

"So, are you pregnant?" she asked.

"No." I answered, sighing.

"I'm sure you'll get pregnant soon." Janet hurried to reassure.

"I know, I'm not worried."

"Then why do you sound like you are?"

I decided not to answer her question, and held out the phone for Michael to take.

He looked suspicious, so I avoided him by returning to make dinner.

"I'll talk to her," I heard him say. "Bye, Dunk. Love you."

"What's worrying you?"

Let's think. Here I am, trying to get pregnant with a baby that has almost no chance of surviving. And I know I'm not doing this for me. It's all for Michael, because he deserves to finally have a child.

"I'm just scared. Can't I be scared?" I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat.

I felt Michael hands on my shoulders as his thumbs stroked the back of my neck gently, "Oh, Brooke, of course you can. I'm scared, too. But I have hope... This is finally it, I promise."

"I have hope, too, yet there's still that little voice in my head saying it will fail... You know when you hear something over and over you start believing it?"

"You're stressing yourself out, babe. Deep breaths," his voice was soothing. "Everything will be fine, I promise."

~

The picture is just a little visual for how I imagined Janet in this chapter! I absolutely adore Janet in that dress!
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Thank you for 10k reads! WHAT?! I love you all so much!

~ShoamEmily