10th of February, 1997
Brooklyn is 31, Michael is 38

Michael: I helped Brooke out of the car.

Five bodyguards surrounded us quickly, making a shield so we'd be protected from the paparazzi.

Unfortunately, they found out about Dr. James' clinic. It was our last checkup before the baby gets here.

"MICHAEL, BROOKE, IS THIS A BOY OR A GIRL?!" someone yelled.

"MICHAEL IS IT TRUE YOU ONLY STAYED WITH BROOKLYN BECAUSE SHE'S PREGNANT?! HOW DOES LISA MARIE PRESLEY FEEL ABOUT THIS?" another one asked.

I looked down at Brooke who rolled her eyes. I tightened my grip on her hand and kissed her cheek.

We were inside the clinic soon enough.

Bill, Dan, and Jaden stayed at the door in case the cameramen tried to get in.

Dr. James greeted us happily before asking Brooke how she was feeling.

"I would like to get this pregnancy over with." she groaned.

I smiled, and the doctor asked her to lay down.

"Okay, let's see that beautiful baby of yours."

Dr. James placed the scanner on my wife's giant bump. A heartbeat was heard almost instantly.

"Look, he's kicking." she said.

Brooklyn sighed, "Yeah, and I'm the one suffering."

I kissed her forehead. She's due in a couple of weeks, and I couldn't be more excited.

"He's looking fine. He is just about ready to come out." Dr. James told us.

"Maybe he should. I'm tired of carrying him." my wife mumbled.

I chuckled as the gel was cleaned off of her and she sat up.

"Michael, I know you might have a tight schedule, but I think it's best you stay near her. I have a feeling this baby's gonna come in the next few days." Dr. James whispered in my ear.

I nodded and helped Brooke down from the bed.

"I guess we'll meet in the delivery room." she smiled at our doctor.

"I guess we will."

~

12th of February, 1997
Brooklyn is 31, Janet is 30, and Michael is 38

Michael: "Babe..." I said, rubbing Brooke's back. "Come on, you have to get up. You invited Ross and Rachel over, remember?"

"I didn't think they would be here at 9 in the fucking morning." she said.

"Well, what do you want me to tell them?"

"To let this heavily pregnant lady sleep."

I sighed. She seemed more tired than ever today. "They brought their daughter. Ross really wants to see you."

She groaned and sat up.

"Jesus, my back hurts so much." my wife complained, putting two hands on her lower back.

I helped her up slowly.

"We have to make them leave soon, I'm really not feeling good today." she mumbled.

I nodded as I took off her shirt and led her to her closet room to change.

A few minutes after I left her there, she called for me, loudly.

I panicked, running into her closet room fast. Ever since Dr. James told me she might go into labor sometime this week, I was alarmed.

"What? Is it the baby?" I asked.

"No, I can't put on pants." she answered.

I rolled my eyes and crouched down to help her. She held onto my shoulders as I slipped the pants onto her legs.

"You can't scare me like that, okay? You almost gave me a heart attack." I told her.

"Why would you be scared? The baby's not due for a couple of weeks." Brooke scrunched her nose.

"It's nothing." I murmured, not wanting to worry her.

~

Brooklyn: I put on a smile as I hugged Ross.

His strong arms held me with ease when they were wrapped around me.

"It's so weird seeing you pregnant." he said, putting a hand on my bump.

"I know I'm fat, don't rub it in."

He laughed and hugged me again.

I turned to Rachel who held their daughter. She hugged me slightly, then introduced us to the cute little baby.

"Brooke, Michael, this is Layla."

Layla waved a little before burying her face in her mother's shirt.

She was adorable.

"Did you eat breakfast yet? Maybe we could all sit down. I know Brooke is definitely hungry." Michael smiled, nudging my shoulder gently.

Both Ross and Rachel agreed to eating breakfast and we all scurried to the dining room.

"When are you due, Brooke?" Rachel asked.

"In a couple of weeks." I said, moving around in the chair that seemed very uncomfortable today.

Michael shifted uncomfortably in his own chair. I looked at him with a questioning look.

He seemed very uptight ever since we had that checkup a couple of days ago.

He looked away from me, giving his attention to Layla.

"Michael said you're having a boy." Ross said, sitting next to me.

I sighed, "We are. And never again, he's taking the life out of me."

I ran my hand over my bump, feeling baby Michael kick.

Ronda came in, along with some of the kitchen staff, and they put plates around the table for us.

Mine had scrambled eggs and bacon on it, making me dig in almost immediately.

~

"Oh, yeah," I let out a relieved breath. "That's so great, Mike."

Michael laughed and brought my foot that he was massaging up to his lips. The feeling of them on my toes tickled slightly.

I went back to the maternity book I was reading.

When I flipped a page I felt my abdomen tighten slightly. I ignored it and tried giving my attention to the book and Michael's hands.

I asked him to give me a message because everything hurt more than ever today.

"Keep pressing, I want to be able to walk to the bathroom." I told my husband.

"You know, I read that increased pain is a symptom of labor." he said.

"Mike, I am not going into labor."

"Then why do you look uncomfortable?"

"Because I can't feel my legs," I mumbled. "Now keep going, please."

A few minutes later I felt that cramping feeling again, but a bit stronger. And it hurt this time.

I decided to ignore it again, although I knew that it was a contraction.

Michael moved to my other foot, and another contraction came. I accidentally let out a moan.

Of course, he noticed immediately.
"What? Did I hurt you?"

"It's time."

He gasped, "It's time!"

I clutched a pillow and breathed through the pain.

"Just like that, babe. I'll go get your bag."

Michael came back soon and helped me up.

"Baby's coming!" Michael yelled when we walked down the stairs and saw Helen.

She blinked, confused. "What?"

"Brooke's in labor!"

"Oh," she said. "OH! Oh, my, I'll call the security office!"

Helen disappeared to find the nearest phone.

"Do you feel anything?" my husband questioned, sitting me down on the living room couch.

"No, I'm fine for now."

"Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, Steve is right outside." Helen informed when she walked in.

Bill joined her, and took the bag from Michael.

"Take her to the car," he ordered.
"I need to call Janet. I'll be there in a second."

I held onto Bill's buff arm as he took me slowly to the car. Another contraction took over me when he placed me inside gently.

"Call. Michael." I breathed.

He nodded, trying to leave, but I held onto him tightly.

The pain was unbearable.

He flinched as I let out a loud groan.

"Okay, I'll go call him, but you have to let go." he said.

I shook my head and clutched onto him tighter.

"I'm here, I'm here!" Michael exclaimed, coming into the car.

I let go of Bill and took my husband's hand instead.

"Steve, let's go."

Pressure kept building in up in my abdomen, until I felt warm liquid trickle down my legs and pour onto the car floor.

Michael looked at me, terrified, then told Steve to speed up.

Only once we were out of the gates, it hit me that my dream of becoming a mom and giving him a child was finally coming true.

"Mike," I said, the smile not coming off my face. "We're having a baby."

He showed that perfect smile of his.

"We're having a baby." he repeated, placing a kiss on my lips.

~

Janet: "Brandon! We have to go, now! Brooke is in labor!" I yelled, grabbing my car keys.

"What?" he asked from Kate's room.

I ran to her room, "Michael called. He said the baby's coming. They're on their way to hospital and we should be, too! Get Katie ready!"

"Daddy, why is auntie Bwooke at the hospital?" my daughter questioned.

"Because your baby cousin is coming."

"So let's go, daddy!" she chirped, jumping up from her father's lap and grabbed my hand.

~

Michael: "No epidural, no nothing. We're doing this all natural." Brooke instructed the nurse who came to check on her.

"Will you stick to that decision when you scream in pain?" Janet asked her.

"Shut up, Jan. You're supposed to help, not make me angry."

"You're only three centimeters dilated," the nurse said, taking off the medical glove she wore. "Whatever you choose, we still have time."

Brooklyn groaned and leaned back. I could tell she was frustrated, just like me. The moment we'd be holding our son seemed so far away.

~

It's been ten hours since we got to the hospital.

Brooke was walking around the birthing suite, trying to relieve her pain.

She didn't let anyone touch her; not even me. Every time she had a contraction I tried to get up and help her, but she wouldn't let me.

She was at six centimeters now, and her contractions were about five minutes apart.

"Dear lord." my wife huffed, going down on all fours. I watched her as she swayed herself back and forth, her face red and sweaty.

I've had enough of seeing her suffer, so I got on my knees behind her, placing my hands on her lower back. I pressed them into her skin with slight force, and hoped it would ease the pressure.

"Thank you." she moaned.

"Any time." I said.

The door opened, exposing Dr. James.

"How are we doing in here?" she asked.

Brooklyn let out a shaky breath before going up to lean on me.

"I feel like I'm dying."

I wiped the sweat off her forehead and put a kiss on her shoulder.

"That's good, it means we have progress," Dr. James smiled. "I'll come again in thirty minutes."

Janet walked in after the doctor left, a smirk plastered on her face.

"You can still get the epidural if you just ask." she told my wife.

Brooke shook her head violently, "No way."

She asked me to help her back in bed and I gladly did.

"You're almost there, babe." I cooed, kissing her lips.

"I know, it just feels like I'm giving birth to Satan," she murmured as she turned her back to me. "That massage was good, though..."

I chuckled, taking the hint. I snaked my hands through her hospital robe and applied pressure.

"Oh, my God, here we go again." she grunted. I felt her muscles tense up.

I helped her breathe while pressing on her back.

"You will never touch me in a sexual way again." Brooklyn said, clutching my arm.

~

13th of February, 1997
Brooklyn is 31, Janet is 30, and Michael is 38

Janet: Brooke was leaning against Michael, every now and then moaning in pain. She was so calm about this whole thing.

Where are the screams?

Her contractions were closer together, and a lot longer. She held onto Michael's arms so tightly, she was probably cutting off his circulation.

"Deep breaths, baby. You're almost done." he rubbed her back.

She swatted his hands away and panted.

Seventeen hours have gone by since Michael made the call to tell me she was in labor. She was almost finished, hopefully.

"Janet, call Dr. James. Now." Brooklyn ordered as her body loosened up from the previous contraction.

I nodded quickly and darted outside. Our families sat patiently as they waited for news.

"We're almost there." I said. I spotted Dr. James at the end of the hall and told her to come.

She followed me into the room as fast as she could.

~

Brooklyn: My entire body was on fire.

I felt like someone was ripping out my guts. And I was completely exhausted.

But I had to stay calm. I told myself that if I stress out, my baby would come out into a stressed environment. I wasn't gonna take that chance.

Michael rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb as Dr. James checked my dilation.

"Brooke, hun, you're all ready to push." she smiled.

"Thank God!" I groaned, making everyone chuckle.

A couple of nurses walked into the room, and went to stand next to Dr. James.

She instructed Michael and Janet to hold up my legs, and I held onto the hospital bed.

"When you feel the next contraction, push."

It came soon, making me lean forward and groan.

"Good job, babe." Michael said, taking a look between my legs.

I pushed again, trying to ignore the pain. It was impossible, of course.

"Take a break, hun. Deep breaths." Dr. James told me.

I nodded, leaning back. My husband's fingers traced circles around my thigh, as Janet wiped the sweat off of my forehead.

A few pushes later, Michael screamed happily, "Oh, my, our baby has a head!"

He had tears of joy in his eyes when he took another glance.

The doctor looked at me with sympathetic eyes.
"You're doing great, Brooke. Now give me one more big push, and you'll hold him."

"Take a deep breath and just do it. It helps." Janet encouraged.

I did as she told, then saw Dr. James pull out a small, crying, baby.

He was placed on my chest, his mouth wide open as he took his first breaths in this world.

I started crying when I pulled him to me, his presence overwhelming.

"A healthy baby boy, born on February 13, at 5:22 AM."

~

Michael: I stared at my son as the nurse recorded the time and date.

He was so beautiful, our little miracle.

"Michael, would you like to cut the cord?" Dr. James asked.

I nodded, and she gave me a pair of scissors. With her guidance, I cut the cord.

"Michael, look at him. He's so amazing." Brooke beamed. I leaned down to kiss her, then placed a kiss on our son's forehead.

~

Brooklyn: "That's a Jackson head, for sure." Tito said as he held Prince.

Our big family was all around my hospital room, each member impatient to get his time with the baby.

"Yeah," Michael agreed. "It's big, isn't it?"

It was Marie's turn and she gasped.

"He looks just like Chris when he was born." she smiled.

That made my heart flutter.

"He really does, sweetheart." dad told me.

"Let me see!" Jason squealed, making Marie show him my son.

"I don't see it." he shrugged.

I chuckled, the tears flowing down my cheeks again.

I put out my hands to take him. My arms seemed lonely without his touch on them.

My mother put the fragile baby in my arms and I held him close to my chest.

He had a head full of hair, a cute, small nose, and lips that looked very much like Michael's.

I was absolutely in love.

~

17th of February, 1997
Brooklyn is 31, Michael is 38

Brooklyn: Prince and I were sent home the same night he was born.

The press got a little crazy at the hospital, and it was way too much for them to handle, so Michael decided we should go home.

I was hoping to get some sleep when we got home, but I was woken up every two hours or so to breastfeed our son.

Michael helped as much as he could, mostly trying to stay up with me as Prince ate loudly.

He ran his fingers over Prince's little head.

"He's so precious. Can you believe we made a life?" my husband asked quietly.

The baby stirred in my arms a bit. I smiled at him. He was all I ever wanted, and I couldn't be more thankful to be holding him.

He finished eating soon. Michael got up with him on his shoulder, patting his tiny back gently.

"I'm going back to sleep." I yawned, looking at the clock on the nursery wall that read 3:22.

I went to our bedroom and plopped down on the bed, letting sleep take over me.

~

I woke up at around 8 AM, surprised that I wasn't woken up for the last five hours.

After I freshened up I went to the nursery to find Michael sleeping on the rocking chair, Prince cuddled close to his chest, looking peaceful as well.

I carefully took our son from his hold and placed him in his crib.

"Mike," I whispered, shaking his shoulder slightly. "Wake up."

His eyes fluttered open, and he stared at me for a second before realizing where he was.

"Come here." he said and pulled me onto his lap.

"What?" I asked as he started at me with loving eyes.

"Nothing, I love you." Michael smiled cheekily.

I kissed him deeply, "I love you, too."

"Thank you for him, he's so amazing."

"I'm the one who should be thanking you for not giving up on us having a baby."

He attached our lips once more before Prince started crying again.

~

YAY!
By the way, if you don't remember how Chris looks like, go to chapter 38! That's how I always imagined him.
I hope that you like this chapter, thank you so much for sticking with me for over 50 chapters! I love you all!

~ShoamEmily