5th of April, 1998
Brooklyn is 32, Janet is 31, and Michael is 39

Michael: "Those are my children, Michael! How could you take them all the way across the world?!" Brooklyn yelled in my ear.

I had no idea why I even accepted her call.

"You're stressing out, babe. This isn't good for you. You should rest." I said.

"Like you even care! And don't call me 'babe'."

I rolled my eyes and looked outside at the beautiful beach.

"It's not like you cared about me when you disrespected me, then tried to go to Tucson when I specifically told you I don't want you to." I snapped.

"You do know this is considered kidnapping."

"They're my children, Brooke. It can't be kidnapping if I'm their dad."

It was quiet on her end for a few moments, until I heard her whimper.

"I never even got to hold Paris properly." my wife whispered.

"You should've thought about that before you put both you and her in danger." I mumbled, hanging up.

I looked down at my right hand and examined my wedding ring.

I played around with it before deciding to take it off.

~

Janet: Brooke groaned and threw the phone across the room.

She stood up and started pacing.

"I need to go get them." she murmured.

"You can't go on a plane after having a baby, Brooke. You should rest." I told her.

"What do you expect me to do, then? Wait till he comes back? You know that might not happen."

I sighed, crossing my arms. What a mess.

"God, I forgot to call Paul and Linda..." she said and slapped her forehead.

As I watched her leave the room, I couldn't help but think about what happened with La Toya and Lisa.

Maybe I should tell her. But it'll break her heart.

Her heart was already way too broken.

How could my brother do such a thing? He took it way too far.

~

Brooklyn: "I'm hanging in there." Linda said weakly.

"I'm so sorry for not showing up. It's been a couple of crazy days." I apologized.

"Brooke, you had a baby girl. That's so exciting. Don't worry about me right now, you should focus on her."

"Yeah, about that... Michael got a little mad that I went into labor after he told me to stay home... He sort of took Prince and Paris on a little trip."

"What?" she asked.

"What you heard. He took them away from me. He claims I don't deserve to have them." I rolled my eyes.

"That's just mean of him." Linda mumbled.

"I didn't even get to hold Paris." I sighed.

"Once your doctor says you can get on a plane, go."

"I will... But I'm scared Michael will find out and take them somewhere else."

"He won't. He already traveled enough with two little babies, believe me, he won't do it again." my friend reassured.

I heard her cough. She kept coughing, and I was afraid she was on the verge of death.

"Brooklyn, we'll call later, okay?" Paul asked. "Linda needs to rest."

"Sure, Paul... Can you just tell her I love her?"

"Of course, love. She loves you, too, so much." he said before he hung up.

I took in a deep breath, then started planning my trip to Cannes.

~

10th of April, 1998
Brooklyn is 32, Michael is 39

Brooklyn: "Are you sure this is it?" I asked the driver.

"Yes, ma'am." he nodded.

He helped me out and gave me my bags.

"Goodnight, ma'am. Enjoy your stay in Cannes." he said.

I walked up to the house, and knocked on the door loudly.

~

Michael: I groaned as I rolled out of bed to open the door.

I made sure to check on Paris before dragging myself to it.

I unlocked all of the locks. The door burst open.

"Where are they?" Brooke yelled.

"Are you crazy? Be quiet, you'll wake everyone up!" I hurried to put a hand on her mouth.

She wiggled out of my hold and dashed into the house.

I heard Paris cry, but then it became quiet again.

I walked into my bedroom to see Brooklyn rocking our daughter.

"Mommy's here now..." she whispered with tears streaming down her cheeks.

I crossed my arms and leaned against the door frame.

"What are you doing here?" I said.

"I'm taking my children back." she stated.

I shook my head, "My children, and they're staying here."

"What did you ever do for them, huh? I carried them for nine months, I gave birth to them. All you did was fuck me." she mumbled.

I felt the anger build inside me again.

"You really should watch it, Brooke." I warned.

She scanned me with her eyes. "Where's your ring?"

"I took it off." I told her.

"So that's it, then? Our relationship is ending because of your bad temper?"

"First, I don't have a bad temper," I said, making her roll her eyes. "Second, this is all your fault."

"Well, how do you think it makes me feel when you take my children away from me, ignore my calls all week, then take off the only thing that made me feel like there was still something to hope for?"

I looked down at my feet.

"I didn't know that's how you feel." I sighed.

"You treated me like you didn't want me around anymore." Brooke's voice cracked.

"That's not true." I murmured.

She wiped her tears. "Look me in the eyes and say it. Tell me I didn't just fly around the world for nothing. I need to know if you still want us to continue, because I can't stand thinking that we might be over."

"Actually, there's another reason I took my ring off..."

~

Brooklyn: As soon as Michael said that my heart stopped.

"No... Please tell me-"

"I want a divorce."

I shook my head, trying to deny what he just said.

He doesn't mean it. He's just mad.

"Brooke, this will be good for us. No more fights, no more lies... No more hurting each other." Michael whispered, taking a seat next to me.

"But we just started being a family." I sniffled, looking down at Paris.

"And we'll continue being that."

"How can we continue being a family when I live in a different house? When Prince and Paris have to travel from my place to yours? Do you know how much they'll hate us?" I asked.

He didn't answer. He just simply turned to a nightstand next to him and took out a big envelope.

"Just go over these... Maybe they'll help you change your mind."

Michael opened it, handing me divorce papers.

I flipped to the last page, shocked to see his signature on the bottom.

It hurt to know he was ready to give up on our marriage so quickly.

"Are you seriously willing to throw everything away, just like that? This means saying goodbye to not only our romantic relationship, but also those beautiful years of being friends. All those years when we used to be dance partners... How can you let all that go?"

"It's what's best for us." he said.

I couldn't believe he was really going with it.

I stood up and put Paris back in her crib, then sat back next to Michael.

"Please," I begged, taking his hand. "I know I messed up... I know I didn't listen to you, and I know I put Paris and I in danger... But you have to understand, when Paul told me Linda was dying, I had to be there for her. I am slowly losing her... I wouldn't be able to handle losing you, too."

"You and the kids are everything to me... But what if we keep fighting, what if we keep hurting each other? I don't want that anymore, Brooke." he sighed, and looked down at our tangled fingers.

"Every marriage has its ups and downs. Hell, ours has been through so much. But we still love each other and that's what matters. You- you still love me, right?"

I was so scared by what his answer might be.

"Of course I do. Didn't I tell you to never doubt my love for you?" my husband looked up at me.

I had to stop myself from attacking him with kisses. Luckily, he didn't.

Michael pushed his lips onto mine, and pulled me on top of him.

"You are the best thing that's happened to me. From meeting you, up to this moment... Never think that I don't love you. You've made me the happiest man on earth. But I can't be happy if you keep disrespecting me all the time." he said against my lips.

It was my turn to kiss him, "It will never happen again. But do you love me?"

He kissed me again.

"I love you... I love you... I love you..." Michael mumbled in between kisses.

The tears kept falling as he kissed me more and more.

"Then why did you even suggest to get a divorce?" I asked and looked him in the eyes.

"Because I'm stupid. I thought we already established that." he chuckled.

"We'll work on us. We'll work on being better partners," I promised. "I can't lose you, Michael."

"That's good, because I can't lose you, either."

He pulled me into his arms, and I cuddled close to his chest. I watched as it went up and down slowly, his muscles relaxing. Hearing his heartbeat made me feel safe.

"Hey, Mike?" I questioned.

"Mmhm?" he hummed sleepily while playing with my hair.

"Get rid of those papers."

He laughed and picked them up, ripping one my one.

~

I woke up from Paris crying.

Michael wasn't in bed. Instead, the smell of sizzling bacon was noticeable throughout the house.

I hurried to get out of bed and take Paris into my arms. It seemed like she grew so much in this short week of her life.

I changed her diaper and fed her, then freshened up myself.

"Good morning." I said as I walked into the kitchen.

"Ma-ma!" Prince shrieked.

Michael took Paris from me and I ran to scoop him up.

"Oh, mommy missed you so much!" I said, inhaling his scent.

Michael smiled at us. I looked at his hand, glad to see his ring on his finger.

Prince hugged me tightly, his small hand rubbing my shoulder.

"So who's hungry?" Louise asked, putting food around the table.

~

"How I've waited for this moment to be by your side
Your best friend wrote and told me you had tear drops in your eyes
Daddy's home, your daddy's home to stay..."

Michael sang softly to Paris and I listened.

I closed my eyes and just listened.

How I missed hearing him sing.

"Babe, she's not falling asleep." he suddenly whined.

I sighed, entering the master bedroom.

"This never happened to me with Prince. He always fell asleep in my arms."

"Don't worry about it," I assured him. "She's gonna be a total daddy's girl."

He gave me Paris. I savored her baby smell, rocking her little self.

My husband smiled, "Um, I thought about it, and maybe we can fly to Tucson after going home for a bit. Is Linda's still, you know-"

"Yes, she's fighting it." I said sadly.

"Good. It's set, we'll go home tomorrow night."

I gave him a kiss, then noticed that Paris fell asleep.

"Can I suggest something?" I asked.

"Sure, go ahead, babe." he answered,

"I know you hate it, but I've been thinking... There are a lot of couples who go to therapy..."

"Do we have to?"

I nodded. "It could help us work out our problems, Mike. You're the one who said you don't want fights anymore, right?"

"Right." Michael nodded.

I gave his lips another peck. "I'll ask Julia if she knows any good couple's therapist."

"Ma-ma! Da-da!" Prince called loudly.

"I'll go get him." Michael told me and stood up.

He stretched and yawned exposing his stomach. I poked his skin while letting out a giggle.

"Don't poke me, woman." he yawned, again.

"You're cute when you're tired," I grinned, giving him another poke. "Go get him already."

He left the room, and came back with a sleepy Prince who put his head on his father's shoulder.

He pointed at Paris, "B- b- baby!"

"That's right, honey. It's your baby sister." I cooed.

Michael placed him on the bed and he cuddled close to me.

"Baby." he said, again.

I put Paris in between his legs and he touched her little head.

Michael joined us all, putting an arm around me.

"We have a family. Can you believe it?" he whispered.

I shook my head, still looking at our two babies.

He kissed my neck, "My beautiful family. I love you." 

~

12th of April, 1998
Brooklyn is 32, Michael is 39

Michael: "Welcome home!" Helen said when we walked through the door.

"Shh." Brooke put a finger on her lips. She looked down at Paris who slept in her arms.

"I was wondering when you two are gonna show up." La Toya walked in from the kitchen.

I blinked, slightly surprised to see her in my home.

"Hey, Brooke. I see the lovebirds are happier than ever."

"Well, of course we are. Why wouldn't we be? We just had a baby." my wife whispered.

La Toya smirked. "Oh, I don't know..."

Paris stirred a bit, making Brooklyn focus on her.

"I'll go feed her. Excuse me." she told us.

I gave her a kiss, and Paris too, before she went upstairs.

"Helen," I looked at her. "Could you take Prince outside? I'll be there in a minute."

She nodded, and picked him up.

"I thought you were mad at her." La Toya scoffed.

"Why do you care?" I rolled my eyes.

"Because I'm your sister, Mike. She didn't listen to you. And that's not the first time this happens..."

I listened to her go on and on about all the things Brooke has done in the last few years.

"...Not to mention she killed three babies."

That did it.

"Shut the hell up, La Toya! I know all about your scheme with Lisa, so don't come into my house uninvited, thinking you can talk about my wife like that!" I screamed, coming so close to her I could feel her breath.

"W- what are you talking about?" she stuttered.

"Don't act dumb. Janet saw you when she came to pick you up the day Paris was born, but you were too busy trying to ruin my life!"

"Oh, that..." she said.

"Yeah, that. What the hell was that all about?"

My sister snickered. "It's just so unfair. She took my place. Once Janet brought her to our home, mother fell in love with her. She never focused on me. It's like I wasn't her daughter anymore. It was always, 'La Toya, go see what Janet and Brooke are up to', 'La Toya, help the girls'. Then you two started being friends, and she didn't just take my sister and mother from me. No, she had to get my brother, too. I completely lost it when I heard you two were dating. Everyone in this damn family loves her, when she's not even a real Jackson. Little bitch, trying to steal my family."

"No one is trying to steal your family. And watch your mouth when you talk about her like that," I said. "Now come with me and tell her the truth."

"You wish. I ain't gonna help you."

I grabbed her wrist and yanked her up the stairs.

"Michael, let me go." La Toya hit my shoulder.

"Once you tell her, I will."

~

Brooklyn: "Babe," Michael said as he walked into Paris's nursery with La Toya behind him. "La Toya has something to tell you."

I put Paris in her crib, curious why he looked so upset.

My sister-in-law crossed her arms and scoffed.

"I'm not gonna tell her, Mike." she mumbled, heading towards the door.

Michael hurried to stop her. "You will tell her, now, La Toya. You're the reason everything got fucked up over the years."

"What are you talking about?" I scrunched my eyebrows.

"She's responsible for everything that happened with Lisa. Am I right, La Toya?"

La Toya looked down and nodded.

"You took my family away from me, Brooke. Everyone loves you much. Even Joe. It was like I stopped existing when you came into our lives," she started. "I lost it once you and Michael started dating... I just couldn't handle you taking my brother. Slowly, I came up with a plan... I never planned on it being Lisa, but I needed something that could break the two of you up. So I thought if Michael cheated, it would work perfectly. Then, I decided it should be someone famous, because that'll break your heart. I met Lisa a few years back, so I asked her. She agreed to do it. But of course, something had to go wrong. My brother here has such a good heart, that no matter how much I told Lisa to seduce him, it didn't work. After that, she suggested to become your friend. I let her gain your trust, then leaked those pictures of her and Mike kissing, and that was enough to make him mad at her. I knew that would pick up a fight."

I stared at her.

"Look, Mike, I made the bitch speechless."

"Watch it, La Toya. Now, get the hell out of our home, and don't come back."
my husband growled.

"Whatever." La Toya rolled her eyes and walked out the door.

"Hey," Michael came to me. "You okay?"

Honestly, I was a bit broken inside. I actually started liking Lisa. And to think La Toya would do such horrible things...

"You know she's just jealous. Don't listen to her..."

"Yeah." I said, holding back the tears. It hurt to know she really hated me.

"Forget about her and Lisa, you don't need them." my husband continued, as he tried to cheer me up.

"I'm fine, Mike. Can we just forget it happened?"

"Sure."

He suggested we'd go pack for Tucson. That just made me sadder, because I knew I was going to see Linda die. But she needed me, and I was determined to help her.

~

OH. MY. GOD.
I am so sorry for the long wait! I've been really busy this week, and I got sick for the last two days, so it took me time to update... But I had to get the chapter done!

I hope you liked it! Vote & comment, please!

~ShoamEmily