3rd of April, 1998
Brooklyn is 32, Janet is 31, and Michael is 39

Michael: "Michaellll," Brooklyn yelled from our bedroom. "MICHAEL!"

I dashed upstairs, worried she might've gone into labor.

She was sitting on the bed with a pout on her face as she held her stomach with both hands.

"Baby time?"

She shook her head, "I'm hungry. Do you mind getting me something?"

I sighed deeply and gave her a disbelieving look.

She was almost two weeks overdue. Dr. James said the baby was absolutely fine and that she just wants to stay in there a bit longer.

But our patience for her was running out. I knew Brooke was tired of being pregnant, and I just wanted to hold her already.

"What?" my wife asked innocently.

"That's the third time today, Brooke. You promised you won't scare me like that anymore." I said.

"It's not my fault you're so stressed out. Relax, she's not planning on coming any time soon."

Sighing, I took a seat next to her.

"Maybe we should try the methods Dr. James gave us..." I suggested.

"I did try, Mike. My feet are sore from all the walks around the ranch, and my back is killing me because someone claims sex is a solution." she rolled her eyes.

"It should work."

"But it isn't. Now can you please get me something to eat?"

"Only if you come downstairs." I smiled.

Brooklyn groaned and struggled to get up on her feet.

~

Brooklyn: "Come out already!" I spoke to my bump.

The little girl inside of me kicked harder than ever.

Michael looked at me with a smile on his face as he was feeding Prince his breakfast.

"What the hell are you smiling about?" I snapped. "This is all your fault!"

"Your mommy's cute when she's hormonal." he whispered to our son.

"I heard that!"

"You were meant to!"

"What are you two fighting about now?" Janet asked when she stepped into the dining room.

"We're not fighting, your brother is just annoying, like always." I answered.

The phone went off.

"I got it." I told my husband and best friend. Carefully, I stood up, taking the nearest phone.

"Thank Goodness you picked up!" Paul's frantic voice said. "Who's this?"

"It's me... What's up?" I questioned, his tone freaking me out.

"L- Linda, she got weaker all of a sudden... She says she feels like this is it... She wants you here."

What? No, this can't be happening now.

"I'm not sure I can, Paul. I passed my due date, I really shouldn't be anywhere but home."

"Please, tell her I can't go without her." I heard Linda from Paul's line.

My heart broke into a million pieces.

"O- okay, tell her I'll be there." I stuttered, hanging up.

~

Michael: The tears were clear in my wife's eyes as she hung up, but then dialed another number.

"Yes, please. Thanks, Bill. Make sure it's Brandon." she mumbled into the receiver.

She hung up again and left the dining room.

"What was that all about?" Janet raised her eyebrows.

"I have no idea," I shook my head. "Keep an eye on him, will you?"

Prince scoffed when I placed a kiss on his forehead, and I hurried to follow Brooke.

"What are you doing?" I asked when I saw her pack a small suitcase.

"I'm going to Tucson." she said.

I looked at her like she was crazy. "As in Tucson, Arizona? Have you lost your damn mind, Brooke? You can't go anywhere right now."

"They need me."

As soon as she said that, I realized who called.

"Brooklyn Clare Jackson, stop packing," I ordered. "You are not boarding a plane when you're overdue with my daughter."

"Michael, Linda is dying. Actually dying. I am going."

Brooke closed her suitcase and made her way to the door. Before she could even reach it, I blocked it.

"Let me through." she said, looking pissed.

I honestly didn't care if she got mad. There's no way I'd let her fly to Tucson like this.

I shook my head, making her look me dead in the eyes.

"Janet!" my wife called.

Janet showed up behind me with Prince in her arms.

"What now?" she sounded irritated.

"Tell him to move his ass before I beat it." Brooklyn crossed her arms.

"She wants to go to Tucson," I told my sister. "Over my dead body."

Janet sighed, "Sorry, Brooke. I'm with Mike on this one. We can't know what might happen."

"Thanks, Dunk." I said.

"Michael, please. My friend is dying."

"I said no. Now get back in bed." I murmured.

~

Kate tackled me to the ground with her little body wrapped around my legs.

"Got you, Applehead!" she smiled victoriously.

I laughed, pulling her into a hug.

"I wanna feel the baby kick again." my niece said.

"You can't, Katie. Your auntie is sleeping." Janet lied.

I hated that I had to lock her in our bedroom because I was afraid she might try to get out.

But if it means her and the baby are safe, I'll do it again if I have to.

"But auntie Brooke just woke up!" Kate scoffed.

"She was tired, baby. Is there anything else you want to do?" Janet asked.

Katie thought for a little while, until she perked up. "Maybe we can all go on the train!"

"That sounds perfect, Katie," I said and took the hand she held out. "Let's go, Dunk."

My sister got up, taking Prince with her.

"Shouldn't we tell Brooke where we're going? Just in case she knows where we are if something happens."

I nodded, "Start walking, I'll catch up with you."

I went up the stairs and knocked on our bedroom door.

"Babe?" I called, earning a groan from Brooklyn.

"What do you want?" she mumbled.

"Janet and I are taking the kids to the train. Call the station if you need me." I said.

"Whatever."

"I love you."

She didn't respond, making me feel bad. I had to remind myself this is for her, so I shook it off.

I hurried to catch up with Janet and the kids.

~

Brooklyn: "You have to come get me, Brandon, please. I have to be there for her." I begged over the phone to my brother-in-law.

I couldn't live knowing Linda might be taking her last breaths and I won't be there to hold her hand.

"Are you insane? If Mike won't kill me, Janet will. I am not taking that risk." he said.

"Please. Forget about them, they'll forgive us eventually."

I felt the baby girl inside my belly move around and kick. I pulled up my shirt and rubbed my skin, but she wouldn't calm down.

Brandon sighed. "Fine. Where are you?"

"Locked inside my bedroom."

"You have got to be fucking kidding me."

~

The door handle jiggled and Brandon opened the door.

"Did you just break in?" I widened my eyes.

"It was a part of our training," he shrugged. "Where are Mike and Janet?"

"On a train ride with Prince and Katie, so we better hurry before they come back." I said, standing up.

He took the little suitcase I packed earlier and helped me down the stairs.

Once we were safely inside the car, I spotted Michael and Janet with the kids, walking towards the house with a smile on their faces.

"Go, Brandon! Now!" I screamed, buckling my belt.

Betrayal was written all over my husband's face as we passed them.

"We are dead." Brandon stated.

We luckily passed the gates, making me let out the breath I was holding.

~

Janet: "I'm gonna kill him, Dunk!" Michael said, throwing his arms in the air. "I hope you're ready to become a widow."

"Mike, relax. She'll come to her senses soon, and they'll be on their way back." I told him.

I hope.

"I thought you know how stubborn she can be. Once her mind is set on something she won't let it go." he snapped.

I hated to admit he was right.

"Let's just hope nothing goes wrong, okay?" I asked, pulling his arm so he'd sit down.

He jumped up instantly and started pacing again.

"I just can't believe her!"

Wait until I get my hands on Brandon.

~

Brooklyn: I chewed up on some chips I bought as I watched Brandon fill up the car.

There was a change of plans. I decided we would be driving to Tucson, to be safer. I already called Paul to tell him I'll arrive in about ten hours.

"You do realize I just lost my job, right? I can believe this, I've been working with Mike for ages!" Brandon whined.

"I'll get you your job back," I rolled my eyes. "Just think of this as a fun road trip with your beloved sister-in-law. Here, eat something."

I held out the bag of chips for him, but he shook his head and put the gas pump back in its place.

"Let's get going." he said.

"I gotta pee first." I chuckled, climbing down from the passenger seat.

He groaned and followed me to the gas station bathroom.

~

I started getting uncomfortable a couple hours into the ride.

We were driving through LA, and traffic was pretty bad at this hour.

I took in a deep breath when I felt everything I ate earlier come up. So I opened the window in hopes to get some fresh air, but it only made everything worse.

"You okay?" Brandon asked, taking his eyes off the road to look at me.

I nodded and inhaled deeply.

"You look paler."

"I'm fine, Brandon. Just keep driving, we need to get there as fast as possible."

I covered my mouth to stop the food from coming out of it.

"That's it, I'm pulling over." my brother-in-law said.

I quickly got out when the car came to a stop, bending over as I hurled.

Brandon grabbed my hair and rubbed my back.

"I'm sorry you had to see that." I apologized. I took the water bottle he offered and washed my mouth.

"Don't worry about it," he smiled. "I'm just going my job."

His smile faded as he looked down. "Did you just pee yourself?"

I looked down myself, confused. My sweatpants were soaked, and a puddle was forming underneath me.

"T- that's n- not pee, Brandon." I said once I realized my water broke.

"What?"

"My water broke."

"No, this can't be happening..." he rubbed his face. 

"You have a daughter." I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, and if you remember her birth you'd know that I wasn't there."

"Brandon, chill. Let's get in the the car, and drive back to Santa Ynez-"

I stopped myself when I felt a contraction.

"Car. Now." I ordered.

Brandon hurried to help me back in the car, then put the belt around me.

"Deep breaths, Brooke." he rubbed my back.

"Just drive already!" I barked.

I looked down at my stomach and sighed.

Why now?