24th of March, 1997
Brooklyn is 31, Michael is 38

Brooklyn: Screeching from the baby monitor woke me up.

"Babe, could you please go check on him?" I groaned, turning to Michael.

It was light out but it felt way too early for me to be up.

"Michael." I whined, and opened my eyes. He wasn't there.

I sighed and got up, wiping the sleep out of my eyes as I dragged myself to the nursery.

Prince was crying loudly, making me pick him up.

"Are you hungry, baby boy?" I asked.

He cried louder so I rocked him in my arms before sitting down on the rocking chair.

His lips latched onto my nipple, and after a few minutes I started to feel that my eyelids were closing.

I was so tired. He was keeping up at night.

Surprised that Prince fell asleep sooner than usual, I placed him in his crib and walked back to the bedroom.

I sighed when I lay down, closing my eyes.

But, of course, that didn't last long. A few moments later, more screeching came from the baby monitor.

Where is Michael when I need him?

It took me an hour to calm Prince down. I decided to take him into bed with me so I wouldn't have to be so far away from him.

~

I was standing in the clouds. The place seemed way too familiar.

Prince was in my arms, wide awake, and smiling.

"Mommy!" I heard from behind me.

I gasped when turning around. Destiny stood there, her long curls fell onto her shoulders, and her big brown eyes looked at me.

They traveled to Prince, and her smile faded.

"Who's that, mommy?" she asked, coming closer.

I hesitated before answering, "This is Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr."

"Is he my brother?"

"Y- yes."

"He's so cute." Destiny said, touching Prince's hand. He grabbed her finger and squealed.

She watched him lovingly.

"Destiny?" I said.

"Yes, mommy?" Destiny didn't take her eyes off Prince.

"You're not mad?"

She looked at me, confused. "Why would I be mad?"

"You don't think we're replacing you?" I questioned.

"Oh, no, mommy. You and daddy are finally happy, I can't be mad at that. Plus, he's the most perfect baby I've ever seen."

It was quiet for a while after that, until Destiny spoke again.

"You know who I met?" she said. "My other brother and sister. But they're too small to see you."

"Your brother and sister?"

"Yeah, the two other babies you and daddy lost."

I opened my mouth to say something, but I was cut off by a familiar voice yelling my name.

"Brooke!" I saw Chris from a distance.

My heart beat faster and I ran to him.

He caught me in his arms in a tight hug. I felt myself crying as I clung onto his neck with my free arm.

"Hey, sis." he said in my ear.

"That's all you have to say?" I mumbled into his shoulder, still crying.

He laughed and hugged me tighter.

"I came to see my new nephew. Destiny told me he was born not too long ago."

"Yeah, he's a little over a month old." I said.

Chris pulled away, and I finally got a good look at his face. He looked way younger than 32. Maybe 18.

He took Prince in his arms, bringing him up to his face.

"Hey, little dude." he smiled and placed a kiss on my son's nose.

"Uncle Chris, we have to go." Destiny said, tugging on my brother's arm.

He nodded, putting Prince in my arms.

"I love you, sis. I'm so proud of you," he hugged me again, then took Destiny's hand. "Tell Mike I miss him."

My eyes fluttered open, and I took a deep breath.

Prince was still next to me, but he was wide awake.

He looked at me with those big greyish-brown eyes.

"That was some dream, huh?" I sighed. "Let's get up and see where your daddy is."

I gave him a kiss on his little mouth before taking him in my arms.

~

Michael: I helped Linda out of the car once it stopped in front of the main house.

Paul got out after us and we made our way to the door.

I left early to pick them up from the airport as a surprise for Brooklyn. And, they were so excited to finally meet Prince.

Brooke was sitting on the living room couch with our son in her arms.

Linda put a finger on her lips as she got closer to her, and covered her eyes.

"Guess who." Linda said.

"Oh, my God!" my wife screamed, getting up to hug her.

She hugged Paul next, then shot me a look.

"What?" I asked innocently.

"No more surprises like these! And I had to get up when it was your turn." Brooklyn whined.

"Remember when we used to take turns?" Paul sighed and looked at Linda.

She nodded. "Can we see him?"

My wife put Prince in Linda's arms. We all followed to the couch so they could sit down.

"What a beautiful baby," Paul beamed, playing with my son's little fingers. "He will swoon all the girls when he's older, that's for sure."

"My parents claim he looks like my brother." Brooke smiled.

Her parents. I loved hearing that. She finally accepted the fact that Marie was staying, and she forgave her. I couldn't be happier to know she was at peace with her mother.

"He's gonna be a heartbreaker." Linda laughed.

Thinking about Prince growing up made me want to keep him this small forever. He will always be my baby boy.

~

Paul, Prince, and myself sat outside while the girls decided to make dinner.

Most of the day was spent talking and catching up, while Prince slept.

"How's Linda?" I questioned.

"It gets worst every day. I don't feel like talking about it." he looked away.

"I am so sorry, Paul. You know we're here for you."

"Thanks, Michael. You really are a great friend."

We hugged, careful not to crush Prince who was in the middle of it all.

"Can I hold him? I love babies, they are the most precious things." he said.

"Of course." I smiled, giving my son to him.

He stirred a bit, but eased into Paul's touch almost immediately.

"Guys! Dinner's ready!" I heard Brooklyn call.

I groaned as I got up.

"Someone's getting old." Paul commented.

"Don't remind me." I murmured.

He shrugged, "I've been there. You learn to accept it at some point."

He stood up as well and we entered the house.

"Oh, my, it's been so long since I saw you holding a baby!" Linda gasped at Paul.

Prince suddenly started crying. Brooke hurried to take him.

"I think he's hungry. You guys go ahead and start eating dinner, I'll be there once he's finished." she said, going up the stairs before any of us had the chance to say anything.

~

Brooklyn: I was rocking Prince back and forth, hoping he would just fall asleep.

He already ate, but refused to sleep.

"Come on, baby boy, close your eyes." I begged.

"Maybe I can help." Linda said from the nursery door.

I nodded, giving her my son.

"Boys are hard. I only had James, and believe me, I'm so glad my other children were girls." she laughed, sitting down on the rocking chair.

"Michael always knows how to handle him. He sings and Prince magically falls asleep." I told her.

"Husbands always know how to handle kids better, apparently," Linda rolled her eyes. "But don't let it get to you. Every first-time mother thinks that. Really, you're all your kids ever want."

I smiled gratefully when I saw Prince's face relax, his eyes closed shut.

"You're a lifesaver." I sighed in relief. She put him in his crib and we quietly left.

When we were halfway down the stairs, she pulled me into an unexpected hug. "You have no idea how happy I am that I got to meet your child. It warms my heart to see you as parents. Really."

My eyes stung with tears that wanted to escape as I hugged her tighter.

"Maybe if you get better you could meet our future children." I said.

"Did Paul set you up for this?" she asked, running a hand through her now short hair. "He has to accept the situation. He's just making it harder for everyone around us."

"Paul doesn't even talk about your condition, Linda. It hurts him too much. I just think that if you want to, you can get better. It worked for my dad, it could work for you, too."

"That's the thing, Brooke. I'm old, okay? I'm as ready for death as I'll ever be."

I flinched at her words. Although I knew that her death was getting closer, and somewhere deep inside I accepted it, it still scared me to talk about it with her.

"Let's just forget about it. I'm sure the guys are hungry, and so am I. Let's get some food." I mumbled, going down the few stairs we had left.

Linda caught my wrist, "You're running away from the conversation, just like Paul. You two have to face it."

I ignored her and went to the dining room. Michael and Paul were waiting patiently, while talking between them.

"Hey, babe." my husband chirped.

"Sorry it took so long, he wouldn't fall asleep." I apologized.

Linda walked in after me, and took a seat.

"I'll help with the food, Brooke." Paul smiled, standing up.

Once we were in the kitchen, he pulled me into a hug.

"I know that look on your face. It's the same look my kids had when Linda told them she was ready to die." he sniffled.

I nodded into his shoulder, then started crying.

Paul rubbed my back, "It will be okay. We will remember her forever, that's a promise."

I couldn't help but feel guilty. I was crying over his wife.

That moment I swore to myself I'd help him through his grief.

~

Michael: My arm was around Brooke's shoulders as the four of us were in the theater, watching a movie.

I wasn't even paying attention to it. I had so much on my mind.

Maybe it was barely talked about, but Linda's condition was effecting everyone. The atmosphere was tense.

Her and Brooke haven't talked since dinner, which seemed odd. Something was definitely going on that I wasn't aware of.

I've also been thinking of asking Brooke for another baby. I was so caught up in the feeling of having a baby around, I just wanted another one. And I couldn't help imagining Prince as the best big brother ever.

"Maybe I should go see if Prince is okay." my wife whispered in my ear.

"Or, you can stay and stop worrying because he's just fine with the nanny." I told her, pulling her closer.

"Michael, I need to go there. Something's wrong, I can feel it."

She was only doing this to avoid being with Linda.

I sighed as she stood up and got out of the theater.

"Babe!" I called, getting Paul and Linda's attention. I quickly followed her. Thankfully, I caught up to her just before she got into the golf cart.

"I'm just going to check up on him." she mumbled.

"Then call the main house, you don't have to drive all the way there." I said, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Please." her voice cracked.

I saw the tears that wanted to fall out of her green eyes.

"Is everything alright?" I heard Linda say from behind me.

Brooklyn rolled her eyes and got into the cart.

She drove away, making me groan.

"I'll go after her." Linda said, walking to another cart.

Paul stopped her, "No, I'll do it, darling. Stay here with Michael."

~

Brooklyn: I held Prince close, his touch comforting.

I watched as his chest went up and down slowly when he slept.

The tears just wouldn't stop. I kept thinking about the day Linda would die and I'd have to let Paul cry on my shoulder.

He would be so crushed.

"Hey," I heard Paul whisper. "What happened back there?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to be with him."

"I doubt that's why you're crying."

His hand was suddenly on my shoulder, making me grab it.

"I can't watch her die, Paul. I won't do it. Why aren't you trying to convince her to go through treatment? She could be saved." I sniffled.

"I did try. Our kids tried... Everyone tried, she wouldn't listen." he said.

He wiped my tears, then took a seat on the couch next to me.

"Give her an ultimatum," I told him. "Do something. Fight for her. Fight her if you have to. I know she can be saved-"

"No, I can't, Brooke." Linda cut me off. She stood with her arms crossed at the nursery door, her eyes fixed on me.

"The cancer traveled to my liver. There's nothing to do anymore. I'm dying, whether both of you like it or not. All I want to do is spend this last year of the beautiful life I have had so far surrounded by people who love me. I won't be able to do that if you don't accept my death. Paul, I love you so much, but I need you to stay strong for the kids and yourself. Don't make it harder by denying this. And Brooke, you're one of the greatest friends I've ever had, words can't describe how much I'm thankful for the years with you and Michael. Don't run away from me... Help me, support me. God knows I'll need it."

I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat. Still, that didn't stop the tears from coming.

They fell on Prince's little face, making him stir. His eyes fluttered open, but he didn't cry.

Linda joined us on the couch, "I don't think he likes it when you cry. I know I don't."

Michael leaned against the door frame, looking at me with his piercing eyes. I knew he was telling me that Linda was right.

I turned my gaze back to Linda who was adoring Prince's face.

"I can't watch you die, Linda. It'll hurt too much." I mumbled.

"Then you won't. You'll be there for me until I do, because I need you. You'll be there for Paul, and for my children."

I nodded slightly. Almost instantly she wrapped her arms around me.

I closed my eyes and squeezed her tight, scared of what might the future hold.

~

Michael: I cuddled close to Brooke as she lay down on our bed.

"Feeling better?" I asked, burying my face in the crook of her neck.

"Yeah, a bit." she answered.

"Good. I hate seeing you sad, especially when this is supposed to be a happy time for us..."

She turned her head to me and locked our lips.

"Thank you for inviting Paul and Linda here. I needed that."

"Even the crying?"

"Even the crying. It helped."

"Okay. But from now on, I want to see tears of joy..." I said, pointing at her face.

"You got it." she smiled.