25th of September, 1997
Brooklyn is 31, Michael is 39

Michael: Prince giggled when I tickled him.

"Say 'Da-da'! Say it, Prince!" I encouraged.

He looked up, his smile getting bigger. I turned around and saw Brooke come our way.

"Wow," I whispered to our son. "She's out of bed. Can you believe it?"

She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and kissed my cheek. "How are my boys? Enjoying the day?"

I nodded, sighing.

She's been in bed for two days straight, never interacting with no one.

"Are you two hungry? I could go make breakfast." my wife suggested, touching Prince's hands.

"Okay, I'll help you." I said.

I stood up and we walked into the kitchen.

She was distant. I could tell she's been doing everything to avoid me.

I put Prince in his high chair, then started helping Brooke with the food.

"Do you want to tell why you've been hiding?" I asked after a few minutes of silence.

She shook her head, focusing on the eggs she was making.

I stopped what I was doing and came behind her. I wrapped my arms around her waist, putting my lips to her neck, "Don't you think I have the right to know why you've been avoiding me for two days? Avoiding your son? How am I supposed to know if something is wrong if you don't talk to me? You gotta talk to me, baby."

Brooklyn pushed her elbow into my ribs. It hurt a bit, but I kept a tight hold on her waist.

I let my hands pull up her shirt and I caressed her stomach gently.

"Talk to me." I begged.

I could feel the baby girl inside her kick.

"We have to eat breakfast," my wife mumbled. "Before Lisa gets here with her kids."

I pulled away from her. "Lisa? As in Lisa Marie Presley?"

"Yes, Michael. I invited her."

I couldn't believe it. Why didn't she tell me?

Honestly, Brooke was the only one who talked to Lisa. Ever since those pictures of her and I kissing leaked, I decided not to trust her anymore. So I never called, I never spoke to her again. I didn't even think my wife was still talking to her.

"I don't want to see her." I confessed.

"Well, I do." she crossed her arms.

I turned away from her, taking Prince with me.

"Where are you taking him?" Brooklyn asked, running to me.

"We are going to mother's because someone doesn't care about us anymore." I spat.

I found a bag for my son and stuffed his things inside.

"Michael, you-"

I didn't let her finish when I closed the front door shut.

~

Brooklyn: I groaned as the door closed. The tears threatened to escape, and I wiped them so I wouldn't break down completely.

This was a mess. I wanted to tell Michael how I felt about this pregnancy, but I couldn't tell him not to get attached to his own daughter.

I didn't want us to get our hopes up.

Helen walked in, looking worried when she saw at me.

"Are you alright, Mrs. Jackson?"

I nodded. "Could you do me a favor, Helen? Call Lisa Marie Presley for me, and tell her we'll have her and the kids here another day."

"Sure thing. Do you need anything else?" she smiled.

"No, thank you."

I hurried to run to the front door and open it, only to find Michael still standing there.

"Can I come with you?" I asked. "Maybe a day away from home is what we all need."

"Whatever." he scoffed.

"Can I at least hold my son?"

He sighed, giving me Prince.

He cuddled close to me, making me relieved.

At least he's not mad at me.

"Isn't Lisa coming?" Michael said.

"No, I told Helen to cancel on her." I murmured.

I was sure I saw a smile on his face before I gave my attention to Prince.

"Hey, Mike?" I called. "It's a girl, right? We're having a girl?"

My husband bit his lip and nodded.

I smiled as he came to me, embracing Prince and I in a loving hug.

"Are you gonna talk to me now?" he questioned.

"Right now? No. But later, yes." I promised.

"Good. I don't like it when you hide from me. It just makes everything bad."

A car stopped in front of the house, and we got in quickly.

Michael buckled Prince inside his little car seat, then pulled me close.

He put his hand on my bump. I could feel his smile getting wider and wider as the baby kicked harder.

~

When we arrived at Hayvenhurst, Katherine and Joseph greeted us kindly.

"Look at you two, having babies all of a sudden! Do I get to take care of her this time, too?" Katherine said, hugging me.

"Sorry, mother. I'm home for this one." Michael smiled at her.

She frowned and pulled him into a hug as well.

"How are you, Brooklyn? Is my grandson giving you trouble in there?" Joseph asked as he hugged me, too.

"It's actually a girl." Michael told him.

"Even better."

"He got so big!" my mother-in-law beamed at Prince who was smiling at them. "What are you feeding him?"

"Kate, leave them alone."

My stomach grumbled, making everyone turn to me.

"Honey, are you hungry? I could go make you something. Did you even eat? Michael, why didn't you let her-"

"Mother," Michael cut her off. "Stop worrying."

I cracked a smile at Katherine's caring nature.

"Yes, Katherine, I'm hungry. And I would love some of your home made food that I missed so much." I said.

"Good! Come inside!" she exclaimed, taking my hand and pulling me in to the house.

~

Michael: Mother and I sat quietly on their living room couch as Brooke and Joseph played with Prince on the floor.

I loved seeing my father interact with the both of them.

"So, how far along is she?" mother asked.

"Four months." I answered.

"That's a good sign, right?"

I nodded, smiling.

"The both of you seem a bit... Out of it." she whispered in my ear.

"We're fine, mother. Really." I lied.

I know Brooklyn promised she'd talk to me later, but I didn't know when was later. She might try to avoid it, too.

"If you say so," mother sighed. "How about you stay the night? I haven't seen you all in so long, and I'd love to spend time with you."

"I don't know, mother... Brooke's pretty much nesting at the moment..."

"Brooklyn, honey! Would you like to stay for the night? I missed you and Prince so much, maybe a little time together could be good for everyone." my mother said, completely ignoring what I told her.

"Oh, I'd love to. Mike, can we?" my wife got excited.

"Sure." I murmured.

Mother patted my knee, "Thank you, son."

I closed my eyes and groaned internally.

Don't get me wrong, I loved being at Hayvenhurst. But today it just didn't seem like the right time.

~

"Oh, my God. I forgot how soft the beds here are..." Brooklyn lay down and moaned.

I rolled my eyes, getting in next to her. She was wearing some of Janet's old pajamas that we found, and were way too small for her pregnant body.

It was so quiet. Usually, Prince wakes up as soon as we're settled into bed.

Mother and Joseph volunteered to take care of him so Brooke and myself could get a good night sleep.

My wife cuddled against my chest and sighed happily.

"Babe, can we please talk now?" I whispered.

"If we have to." she sighed.

I tightened my grip on her, "What are you afraid of?"

"A lot of things... I don't want us to get too attached to her, I'm scared she might leave us too soon, like Destiny did. I might just be paranoid because she's a girl, but I can't stop thinking about it..."

I rubbed her back gently and placed a kiss on the top of her head.

"She's doing just fine, I promise... And I thought we moved on from Destiny." I said.

"We did, I did... But the thought she might not survive because we didn't have luck with girls still ponders. It'll go away soon, I'm sure." Brooke mumbled into my chest.

"I know it will, once she'll grow just a bit more. You'll see, she's gonna be just as healthy as Prince. And she'll look just like you because girls always look like their mothers." I smiled at the thought of having a mini-Brooklyn around.

"I think this time she'll get your beauty. That cute smile you and Prince have, and maybe some black curls... That would be perfect. People would start wondering if she's even my daughter. Just imagine how hilarious it could be."

I chuckled, earning a kiss from her.

"Shouldn't we be using this time to sleep?" she yawned.

"I actually like this... When was the last time we just talked about everything like the old days?" I said.

"Back then, probably. We had a lot of catching up to do at that time, but now we see each other too much."

I looked down at her with a smirk.
"Why are you always complaining?"

"It's my job as a pregnant woman to complain to my husband." she giggled.

I snickered, and gave her a kiss.

~

26th of September, 1997
Brooklyn and Janet are 31, Michael is 39

Michael: I stirred in my sleep when I felt Brooke get out of bed.

"MICHAEL!" she suddenly screamed from the bathroom.

I jumped up, turning on the lights to see her stand at the door with her underwear in her hand.

"I'm bleeding." her voice cracked.

"Oh, God," I breathed, quickly coming to her. "Are you in pain?"

She shook her head as the tears formed in her eyes, "I knew it was too good to be true..."

"We don't know anything yet, baby. Let's get you to the hospital, okay?" I told her.

"Okay."

I helped her into some clean clothes, then hurried to take her down the stairs.

"Michael?" mother and Joseph appeared at the top. "We heard a scream. Where are you two going so late?"

Joseph noticed the tears in Brooke's eyes.

"I'll call a car to take you. Kate, go with them, I'll stay here with Prince." he said.

"Thanks, Joseph."

He nodded quickly before disappearing down the hall.

"Let's get going." I mumbled when a car horn was heard outside.

~

Janet: The house phone went off, making me groan loudly.

Who the fuck calls at 4 in the morning?!

I decided to ignore it, but the person kept calling and calling.

"Damn it, babe, just answer the phone." Brandon said, turning away from me.

I reached out my hand to grab the phone and put it to my ear.

"Dunk?" Michael's tired voice asked.

I sat up immediately. I could tell something was wrong, his tone was way too sad.

"What's up, Mike?"

"Could you come to the hospital, please?"

I closed my eyes, praying that everything was okay.

"Of course... Is it the baby? Is something wrong?" I questioned, worried as hell.

"I don't know, no one told us anything yet. Whatever it is, we still need you here." he sighed.

"Yeah, I'll be there soon." I told him.

"Thank you."

As soon as he hung up, I shook Brandon's shoulder. "We gotta go, now. It's their baby, something's definitely wrong."

He sprinted out of bed, and we were soon on our way to the hospital with Katie still sleeping peacefully in her seat.

~

Brooklyn: "She's on her way." Michael reassured.

There was a knock on the door that made all of us jump.

I was relieved to see Dr. Hayes, a doctor here, come into the hospital room.

He got Michael's attention, too.

The doctor had a look on his face that seemed like bad news was coming, and I was ready to just break into tears.

"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson," he started. "After the tests we've ran, I can assure you that your baby is absolutely fine. Healthy as ever."

Michael let out a breath and pulled me in a tight hug.

"You, on the other hand," the doctor continued, pointing a finger at me. "Need to start taking it easy for a while. Have you done any heavy lifting lately?"

"Not really." I said, wiping the tears.

"She's been lifting our son all day yesterday." my husband told him.

"Don't exaggerate. It wasn't all day, and I'm pretty sure that's not the reason."

Dr. Hayes cleared his throat, "Actually, it is. I went over your record. With your history, this is exactly what can cause bleeding, or even worse..."

I cringed at the thought.

"What do you suggest we do?" Michael asked him.

"Have her rest at home." he answered.

Great, five more months of being in bed and doing nothing. Just when I thought I might avoid bedrest again...

"Thanks, doc." my husband smiled, shaking his hand.

Dr. Hayes gave him a smile back and left.

I opened my mouth to say something, but Michael put a finger up to stop me, "I don't want to hear any complaints, or begging, because it won't work this time."

Crossing my arms, I huffed.

I refuse to be grounded again.

"Honey, if it's what's best for you and the baby, then go with it. If you want to, I'll be over to help you again. You know I don't mind, I love taking care of you." Katherine said.

"It's not that, mother. She's just upset because she won't be able to go anywhere."

"No, I just don't want to be limited. I want to go out with Janet and be able to hold my son." I told my husband.

He took my hand in his, "You'll do all that, but not right now. Maybe in a couple of months."

"Fine."

"Good," he grinned, placing a kiss on my lips. He then leaned down to my bump and put his lips to it. "Paris, baby, you can't scare us like that anymore."

I hit his arm.

"Her name isn't Paris." I told him.

"You'll come around, I just know it." Michael smirked.

I rolled my eyes, asking him to join me in bed. He gladly came by my side and cuddled close to me.