1st of December, 1996
Brooklyn and Janet are 30, Michael is 38

Brooklyn: I tried calling my dad all day, but it was no use.

After yesterday, he just didn't want to speak with me.

I've been locked up inside the bedroom since last night. I haven't eaten anything, not even the dinner or breakfast Katherine begged me to take from the other side of the door.

And I didn't close my eyes the whole night. I felt so guilty about what happened with Marie that it made me sleepless.

But I had no idea why I was feeling guilty about something I wanted to say for so long.

My stomach grumbled loudly, just in time for Janet to knock on the door.

"Brooke, mother says lunch is ready."

"I'm not hungry." I lied, laying on my left side.

"I know you're lying."

I sighed deeply, just wishing she would leave me alone.

"I said I'm not hungry, Janet." I groaned.

"You have to eat." she urged.

"I'll come down when I feel like it." I told her.

I heard murmurs from outside the door.

"Uncwe Mike!" Kate suddenly screamed.

My heart fluttered. There's no way he's home.

Another knock was heard.

"Babe?" Michael's soft voice came through.

I quickly threw the blanket off me, and ran to the door.

Michael was wearing his golden tour outfit as he stood there.

Damn, those pants.

My arms instantly wrapped around his neck tightly.

"What are you doing home?!" I asked, pulling him as close as my bump allowed.

"Janet called me yesterday just before the show... So I cancelled it and got on a plane." he answered and stroked my hair.

I pulled away, only to see the tiredness in his eyes.

"You flew all the way from Australia? Mike, you can't do that, it'll mess your sleep-"

I was shut up by his lips that pressed firmly on mine.

Baby Michael started kicking as soon as his father's hand traveled to my bump.

"Sorry, baby boy. Didn't see you there." Michael chuckled, crouching down in front of me.

He lifted up my shirt, then placed a soft kiss on my skin.

"Hey!" he said. "I knew I saw a stretch mark somewhere!"

I looked down, horrified, and saw him hold back a laugh.

"Don't play games with me." I shot him a glare.

He smirked as he stood up, "I heard what happened yesterday."

"I just don't get it. If I keep everything inside, someone gets hurt. If I say what I feel, someone still gets hurt. And by the way, that's the last time you talk to Marie. Michael, I swear, if you do that again, you're a dead man."

"Jeez, I'm actually scared."

"You better be."

I walked back to the bed and lay down.

"Oh, my God," Michael giggled. "You're waddling."

"Not I'm not."

"Yes you are."

"Michael, shut up. I am not in the mood." I groaned and stared at the ceiling.

"Is Joshua that mad?" he asked, laying next to me.

I sighed, "You have no idea. He won't answer my calls, nothing. And I just don't get why he's defending Marie when he was hurt from what she did... You know, when she came back the last time, Chris told me he remembered the way it effected dad, it doesn't make sense. What did she say that he decided to forgive her for leaving him with two little kids?"

Quiet. Absolute quiet.

"Mike?"

I heard light snores and turned to my husband.

He had fallen asleep with one arm behind his head and the other on his chest.

I bit my lip, adoring how cute he was when sleeping. I shut the lights off and hurried to get back into bed with him.

~

Michael: The sound of a ringing phone interrupted my sleep.

I groaned and reached out my hand to take it.

"Hello?" I asked groggily.

"Are you ready? We need to get to the airport." Brandon said.

I wiped my eyes, "Huh?"

"Mike, Frank said you can be home for a few hours- Wait, were you sleeping?"

"Yeah, I think I fell asleep." I said.

Just then I noticed Brooklyn who had her head on my chest, her arm draped lazily around me.

"Get up, then. I'll be there in thirty minutes." my brother-in-law told me and hung up.

I groaned again since I didn't want to leave.

Looking down at my sleeping wife, I couldn't help but smile. She was so big, it absolutely amazed me how beautifully this pregnancy was going. This baby was our little miracle.

It still hasn't sunk in that in two short months I'll be a father.

Gently, I pulled Brooke's shirt up to feel my baby boy. He was moving around, and every now and then kicked.

Brooke stirred a bit before opening her eyes.

She stretched, "What time is it?"

"About 7." I smiled.

She studied my face, then frowned.

"You have to go, don't you?"

"I came for a few hours, babe. I have a show tomorrow, and it's a long flight."

My wife sighed heavily and hugged me tighter.

"I can't believe we spent your time here sleeping," she said. "We could've done other things."

"Like what?" I bit my lip.

"Like strip you out of these gold pants." she mumbled.

I chuckled and kissed the top of her head.

"I gotta pee." she declared.

Brooklyn slowly got off the bed, waddling on her way to the bathroom.

It made me laugh. She snapped her head towards me, "What's so funny?"

"You're still waddling."

She ignored my comment and closed the bathroom door after her.

I myself had to get up, but our comfortable bed avoided me from doing so.

Brooke soon came back, and I saw tears in her eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked.

"I don't want you to go." she whispered.

"Oh, babe," I cooed, standing up to hug her. "You know I have to, I can't just drop everything and stay."

"But I need you." she cried into my shoulder.

I placed soft kisses on her neck to calm her down. She knew I couldn't stay, she understood.

"I'll be back for Christmas, then there are a few more shows and that's it. I'm here for good." I promised.

My wife sniffled, "God, I'm sorry. I'm just so hormonal lately."

"It's okay." I said, pulling away.

I leaned down to kiss her lips. Soon enough her tongue licked my lip, asking for permission.

If the kiss got too passionate, I knew I wouldn't be able to control myself.

"Brooke... We can't-" I mumbled into her mouth.

"Dr. James cleared me at last week's checkup. She said we're welcome to fool around how much we want."

"In that case..." I trailed off, kissing her again.

I pulled her shirt over her head and took her to the bed.

~

Brooklyn: Michael had to leave as soon as Brandon and Janet came back to Neverland.

I barely got to say goodbye before he was taken away from me.

Janet studied me when I went to the kitchen after our husbands left.

"What?" I asked.

"You two had sex." she stated.

"I'm not denying anything," I smirked. "But I am hungry."

"I thought you weren't allowed to have sex." my best friend said.

"Dr. James said I can, last week."

I saw her do a gag reflex, just in time for Ronda to walk in.

"Look who decided to come out of her room," she smiled. "What would you like for dinner, Mrs. Jackson?"

"Anything, really." I said.

"Yeah, that baby must be starving by now." Janet murmured.

I rolled my eyes as I struggled to get up on one of the island stools.

"Could you give me the phone?" I asked her.

"Who are you calling?"

"Lisa, then Joseph. I'm apologizing for being such a pregnant cow yesterday."

I dialed Lisa's number quickly, and put the phone to my ear.

"Hey, Brooke." she chirped.

"Hey... Listen, I just called to apologize for last night. My mother's presence is something I'm still getting used to... I'm sorry for being so rude, hormones, you know."

"It's okay, I get it. We still had fun with your in-laws. And Janet... Well, she was Janet."

I laughed at that, making my best friend groan.

"What?" I mouthed.

She just shook her head.

"I would love to have you for dinner tonight... Our cook just started making it, and you're welcome to join us." I told Lisa.

"Of course, we'll be right over." she said and hung up.

As soon as I put the phone down, Janet hit my arm.

"Ow! Jan, what the hell was that for?!" I winced.

"For inviting that bitch again! What happened to the Brooke who used to hate her trashy ass? Huh? I liked her better, that's for sure!" she scoffed.

I can't lie, she seemed jealous.

"What's up with you? I'm just being nice." I told her.

"You shouldn't be nice to her!"

"I-" I was about to respond, but a pain was felt in my lower abdomen.

Janet's face softened when she saw my pained expression.

"You okay?" she questioned, coming closer.

I was terrified. No, my baby's fine. He has to be.

"I think she might be having a contraction... Braxton Hicks, maybe?" Ronda suggested, relieving me a bit.

My cook was right; a couple of minutes later the pain faded away.

I took a deep breath in before I felt the baby kick. Sighing in relief, I glanced at Ronda's and Janet's worried looks.

"Here, drink." Ronda handed me a glass of water.

I smiled thankfully and gulped it down.

"Kate! Kate!" I suddenly heard a child scream.

Benjamin barged into the kitchen with an excited smile on.

"Ms. Janet, where's Kate?" he asked my best friend.

"She's on a walk with her granny, she'll be right back." she answered.

Lisa walked in after her son, along with Riley.

"It's so good to see you cheerful again." she said as she hugged me slightly.

"I had a visitor today," I blushed when thinking about my husband. "Michael was here."

She raised her eyebrows, "Weird, and he didn't tell me?"

"It was a last minute decision. And he was only here for a few hours." I shrugged.

"Which they spent sleeping with each other, in the same bed, naked." Janet snapped.

"Oh... How nice." Lisa looked away.

"Um, let's go sit somewhere more comfortable. My back is killing me." I admitted.

I was helped down from the stool by the both of them, and we went outside to enjoy some needed fresh air.

~

Janet: I played with the food in my plate as I watched Lisa and Brooke talk from the other side of the table.

They were becoming closer with each passing day, and I did not like it at all.

She's my best friend. She should talk to me, not that trashy piece of ass.

"Honey, are you alright?" mother whispered.

"I'm perfectly fine." I lied.

"Are you jealous, Janet?"

"Mother, please," I snickered. "Why would I be jealous?"

"Maybe because she's drawing Brooke away from you." my mother said.

"Bullshit." I mumbled.

"Language!"

I rolled my eyes and turned my attention to the food in my plate. Nope, still not hungry.

Brooke caught my eye suddenly, and gave me a confused look. I turned my gaze away so she wouldn't see the jealousy in my eyes.

~

2nd of December, 1996
Brooklyn and Janet are 30, Michael is 38

Michael: Brandon took a seat next to me and sighed when I looked outside the plane window.

"Homesick?" he asked.

I nodded slightly and closed my eyes.

"I should've said no. Janet could've easily get Brooke out herself." I said.

"I highly doubt it."

That little visit at home made me want to stay by my wife's side forever. I thought I could leave her for a few months, but truth is, I was just so used to having her with me on tour that it was absolutely impossible not to miss her.

And I was terrified that being away might cause her to lose the baby, although he seemed perfectly healthy. She needed me but I couldn't be there for her.

"Mike, it's just three more weeks until Christmas." my brother-in-law said.

Three, long, agonizing, weeks.

He groaned, "Come on, you know I can't see you down. Get hyped, there's another show tonight!"

"It's not worth it without Brooke." I told him.

"Stop being such a pain in the ass. Cheer up already!" Brandon hit my shoulder.

"Like you don't miss Janet and Katie." I rolled my eyes.

"I do, but I need to do my job. If not for me, you'd be ripped to shreds by now."

I cracked a smile at that.

"HA!" he clapped his hands. "Now that's the smile I want to see from now on."

~

4th of December, 1996
Brooklyn and Janet are 30, Michael is 38

Brooklyn: I put on a shirt and grabbed my car keys.

My dad still refused to talk to me, even when Janet called and tried to convince him.

So I decided to go and talk to him myself. He wouldn't kick me out of his house.

"Janet!" I called, earning a groan from her.

I carefully went down the stairs to find her playing with Kate.

"Could you take me to my dad's?" I asked. "I rather not drive right now."

"Why don't you ask Lisa Marie to do it?" she mumbled.

"Janet..." I sighed.

"I'm serious. I'm not going, and it looks like you found a new best friend."

"Are you kidding me?"

"No, I'm staying here." she said.

I snickered, "Fine, I'll just call Steve."

~

My dad's gates were filled with paparazzi when we arrived.

I brought Dan and Bill along since I knew this would happen.

I was very upset with what happened with Janet earlier. I'm just trying to be a good host to Lisa, and if that means spending time with her and being friendly, then so be it.

I hated to admit it, but I was starting to like her. I tried to deny it, I did, yet I couldn't.

Once I looked over the thought of her being cold-blooded bitch, she turned out to be a nice person.

As soon as the cameramen saw our black SUV, they ran to it.

Bill walked in front of me, making a path through the crowd. Dan guided me while putting a hand on my lower back.

I spotted a few fans and waved at them. They screamed louder, yelling loving words.

I've missed seeing the outside world. Being cramped up inside the ranch was getting on my nerves lately.

And maybe the press seeing me pregnant would distract them from my husband's supposed affair with Lisa.

Bill opened the gates and let me in quickly.

"Tell Steve to come back in a couple of hours, okay? If anything changes, I'll give you a call." I told them.

"I think one of us should stay. Mr. Jackson would not like the idea of you being anywhere without a bodyguard." Bill said.

"Fine." I sighed.

"I'm right here if you need me."

I gave him a thumb's up and made my way to the door. I rang the doorbell, patiently waiting for someone to open it.

Marie's smile faded when she saw me.

"Oh. It's you." she spat.

I looked down at my feet, "Can I come in?"

"Why should I let you in after you rudely kicked me out?" she asked.

"Marie, you wanted to leave, I didn't force you." I said.

"But you didn't stop me either."

I groaned internally.

"I came to apologize... Now, please, let me in. I need my father." I begged.

"This is my house, I don't owe you anything." my mother crossed her arms.

Her house?

"This is my childhood home, Marie. Now move it." I murmured, trying to pass her.

Of course, she stopped me.

"I said no. Now please leave, I don't want to hurt you and especially not your baby." she threatened.

Marie closed the door in my face. I felt my blood boil.

Luckily, I knew this house well enough to know my dad always leaves the back door open during the day.

I crept in quietly and closed the door behind me.

My dad was preparing something in the kitchen.

He jumped when I hugged him tightly. How I missed him.

"Sweetheart, what are you doing here?" he questioned, hugging me back.

"I wanted to apologize to you and Marie, but she wouldn't let me in."

"Here, sit." he said, pulling a chair for me to sit on.

I leaned back and saw him smile at me.

"Dad, I'm sorry for being so rude to my mother. I just had to let my feelings out."

"Is that really how you feel?"

I nodded.

"Okay, I can respect that." he told me.

Dad took a seat on a chair next to me and stared at my bump.

"Why is he so big?"

I laughed, "I don't know. Katherine says all her children were big, so who knows."

The baby inside me kicked like he was begging for his grandfather to feel him.

Without asking, I took my dad's hand and put it on my stomach.

"Jesus Christ, sweetheart," he gasped. "What do you have in there, a soccer player?"

"Nah, he kicks high just like his daddy." I joked.

That made him laugh loudly.

"Josh?" Marie called. "Who's there?"

I saw the confusion in her eyes when he saw me.
"How did you get in?"

"I grew up in this house, Marie." I rolled my eyes.

Dad removed his hand from my bump and sighed.

"Marie, can you give us a few more minutes alone?"

"Fine."

"Why are you forgiving her?" I asked when my mother was out of sight, actually curious this time.

"To give you that answer I'd have to tell you a whole story." he said.

"I have time."

He smiled, "Remember how you always asked me why I was so young?"

"Yeah..." my dad was young. He was only 51.

"Well, it all started in 1960. Your mother and I were 16, she was a new girl from Wisconsin who joined our school. I was asked to accompany her for her first week, to help her get settled into the school. She was beautiful, I fell in love with her almost instantly. I spent the time with your mother to show her around just to have an excuse to be with her.
We became great friends. We were very close, and she always had my back. Unfortunately, I never had the courage to tell her how I feel. Until New Year's Eve of '63. We had a party with some of our friends. You can imagine that, in the mid 60's it was all about sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll.
It was almost time for the big New Year's countdown. There was a slow dance for couples who wanted to make it romantic, and Marie dragged me to the dance floor just before the clock struck 12. Then, out of nowhere, she asked me for a favor. She wanted me to take her virginity. She claimed that being an 18-year-old virgin wasn't acceptable. To convince me, we even kissed. But like I said before, I was madly in love with her, so I didn't need persuasion."

He paused to study my face.

"What happened then?" I urged him to continue.

He chuckled and blushed.
"I agreed. We rented ourselves a motel room, and I showed her my love. A couple of months later, she calls and tells me she has some important news. I swear, I almost fainted when she told me she was pregnant with Chris. Of course, the first thing that popped into my head was marriage. We were young, it seemed like the logical thing to do. We tied the knot a week after she told me, then I was determined to find a steady job. So I did, and that was it. Christopher was born seven months later."

I took in a deep breath. Wow.

"Everything seemed fine, until we found out she's pregnant with you," my dad continued. "Your mother was terrified of having another baby, she really was. Especially when I was never home because of work. Your birth wasn't the easiest, either. It took you 30 hours to come out. And don't get me started on your pregnancy. She could barely walk to the bathroom without something hurting. But the minute you were in her arms she fell in love with you. She loved you so much, she still does.
Yet, there she was, a 21-year-old with two little children. Marie wanted to chase her dreams. She dreamed of being a model one day, you know? She always talked about how she was going to be the next Marilyn Monroe or Elizabeth Taylor. And she wanted to travel the world. I guess she never gave up on her dreams, because when you were about 2, she came to me and asked if she could follow them. She told me it was never her plan to be a mother, that she wants to see the world and live her life while she's young. I wanted her to be happy, so I supported her, saying that I'll take care of you and your brother. A year later I took her to the airport very early in the morning so Chris wouldn't see her leave. I was depressed for a while because I let the love of my life go, and I honestly didn't know when I would see her again. Sweetheart, I am not forgiving her, I'm just simply welcoming her back."

I was shocked. I didn't know what to say, this was so overwhelming.

"Didn't you ever think of the consequences of Chris and I growing up without her?" I questioned.

"Of course I did, but I couldn't make her do something that wasn't in her heart." he said, taking me hand.

My breath was caught in my throat. It was all too much for me to take.

"I'm gonna- I'm gonna go home, okay? I feel like I'm suffocating." I said, standing up.

The walls felt like they would close on me any second.

"Sweetheart, sit down. Take a few deep breaths." dad ordered, catching me when my legs gave up.

"Marie! Call 911!" was the last thing I heard before everything went black.

~

Sorry it came out so long, haha! I hope you like this chapter, I'll update soon!

~ShoamEmily