1st of September, 2008
Brooklyn and Janet are 42, Michael is 50

Janet: "Mom, I already said I'm sorry! Please come out, we need you." Kate cried through the door.

I've locked myself in here for almost two straight days. I just wanted to be alone.

"Janet, please..." Brooklyn begged.

I was heartbroken and confused. But most of all, I felt self conscious.

What did I do to make Brandon stop loving me?

I put my face in the pillows, trying to hide my frustrated cries.

Suddenly, I heard the window open. I lifted my head, but my tears blurred my vision.

"You know I don't like to see you cry." Brandon's familiar voice said.

"Get the fuck out, Brandon."

"No. You're gonna listen to what I have to say."

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"Katie called." he answered.

I rolled my eyes at my daughter's name.

"Don't to that, Janet," he sighed. "And don't blame her. She was just lying for me."

"That's exactly my problem, Brandon. She was lying. I taught her better than that. And don't defend her, either. She's a big girl, she can decide for herself. She could've told me. You could've told me. You know you can talk to me about everything."

"But this was something I could never tell you. It would break you."

"You- What made you stop loving me? Was it something I did?" I questioned.

"God no," he hurried to say. "You were perfect. I'm the one to blame here, okay?"

"You can't just stop loving someone. There must be something I did." I looked up at him.

"You did nothing."

"Stop saying that! I need to know what I did! This doesn't make sense, Brandon! I gave you everything! I gave you my heart and soul. I gave you three beautiful daughters... I gave you a strong marriage. I gave you my trust. And I love you. That's the most important thing. I've loved you for so long, I can't even remember not loving. I love you, I love our life together, I love everything about us! You know how hard it was for me to commit to you? Why does Katie have to tell me that her dad, my husband, cheated because he doesn't love me anymore? And that he's been with a cheap ass whore? That he loves her and not me?"

Brandon pulled me into a tight hug and let me cry into his chest. "I'm sorry you had to find out this way, I really am... Believe me, I wanted to tell you. I just couldn't find the right way... I mean, how do I tell the love of my life that the love I had for her ran out?"

"You don't. You stay with me and you tell me you love me even if you don't mean it." I said.

"I can't lie to myself... That's not how I was raised. You were raised on the same values. Always be true to yourself, right?" he caressed my hair, placing a soft kiss on my forehead.

I nodded and sniffled.

He was right. But I couldn't help feeling like there was something I did to cause him to stop loving me.

"Can I meet the slut- I mean, Veronica?" I asked.

"Only if you promise to act nicely." Brandon said.

"I'll try."

He laughed, hugging me tighter. "Thank you for understanding. Promise me we'll never drift away from each other, okay? You're my everything."

"I promise."

"Thank you, beautiful. I-" he paused. "I love you, so much."

~

Brooklyn: "I mean, I get it, but it still hurts, you know?" Janet wept.

I nodded, although I could never understand her. I knew Michael would never stop loving me, and he made sure to show me that, more than needed.

"Ladies?" Michael knocked on the door.

"Go away, Mike. This is best friends time." Janet told him.

"I have ice cream." he announced.

I walked over to the door and opened it. My husband was holding a pint of Vanilla ice cream, and three spoons. I took the ice cream and two spoons.

"Thanks. But seriously, it's girl time. Go entertain the kids." I said.

He leaned in to place a kiss on my lips, but I stopped him.

"Not now." I whispered.

He sighed and smiled at Janet before leaving. "I was planning on that ice cream, by the way."

"Too bad!" my best friend smirked.

I closed the door, returning to my place next to her.

We ate each spoonful at a time, while Janet cursed out on Brandon.

"You know, I get that he couldn't tell me, but if not me, then who? And why the hell did he bring her into our bed? I bet he didn't even tell her we had sex in that bed only two days before." she said.

I widened my eyes, "Did you really?"

"Yup. Hot, steamy, sex. We went for like, seven rounds."

I giggled, shaking my head.

"We should find you someone new." I suggested and stuffed my face with more ice cream.

"Yeah, right," Janet laughed loudly, hanging her head back. "Who would want a divorced woman with three girls? My vagina is at its worst. Even more than yours, and I've only been through two pregnancies."

"You don't hear Michael complaining." I winked.

"Ew. Don't even talk to me about that." she cringed.

"Oh, so you can talk about Brandon, but I can't talk about Mike?" I snorted, making her shake her head. I decided to tease her. "You have no idea how good he is in bed... Especially now. He gets better with age."

"Out of all the women in the world, he had to fall in love with you." she sighed.

I ignored her comment, "I'm gonna set you up. I have a great date, and I don't want to hear anything about it."

"Whatever. As long as he's nice."

"Oh, believe me, he is."

~

Michael: A little annoyed with the girls not letting me in, I walked down to my office since I had things to settle with Frank over the phone.

As I passed Prince's room I couldn't help but over-hear his conversation with Kate, who sat quietly on the edge of his bed.

"I just think they would be happier apart." she said.

I saw the guilt on her face as she said that.

I shook my head, continuing my way downstairs.

I couldn't believe my sweet, little, niece Katie would do something so not like her. Something that is not right for a kid like her to do.

She used to never lie. The most honest girl I knew.
Disappointed wasn't even enough to explain how I felt.

As I waited for Frank to pick up, I looked at the few pictures on my desk. A grin formed on my face at the picture of Brooklyn and I kissing.

I giggled, remembering what I had said to her that second to make her cheeks blush so deeply.

"Hey, Mike." Frank said on the other line.

"Well?" I asked, anticipated.

"You've got it. AEG will fund the tour." he answered.

"That's good...," I smiled, satisfied with his answer. "And what did they say about Brooke?"

"They, um, want younger dancers to participate. You know, bring the young spirit into it."

I rolled my eyes. "Frank, Brooke's been choreographing music videos this entire decade. All the things seen today are her ideas."

"Don't you think I know that? I manage her, too, in case you forgot. Maybe... Maybe I can get her to be a choreographer on this tour. What do you think?"

"Well, it's better than nothing... And she does know my every move... Fine, but I still expect you to fight for her." I told him.

"Will do. I'll give you an update when I know something," my manager sighed, before he kept on speaking. "Are you sure you're fit for this, Mike? I mean, you're not as young as you used to be, and-"

"I'm perfectly fine, Frank. Don't worry. Just do your job, please?" I cut him off.

"Fine. Have a good day."

"You, too."

I put the phone down, just in time for Brooke to come in.

"Mike, I need a favor." she said.

I looked up at her, surprised to see the mischievousness in her eyes.

"Oh, no, what is it now?" I questioned.

"Remember that Qatari business man we met two years back? What was his name? Wissam, right?"

"Yeah, Wissam Al Mana... Why?"

"Don't you think he'd be perfect for Jan?" she bit her bottom lip.

"Jan as in Janet my little sister who just got the worst news that her husband doesn't love her anymore and now she won't stop crying in our guest room?"

My wife nodded excitedly.

"You have to be kidding me." I huffed.

"Nope. I'm a hundred percent serious. If Brandon can get over his relationship with her so easily, she should, too. Plus, Wissam is a great guy. She'd love him."

"Sorry, babe. It's not right, let her deal with it in her own way." I said.

"Please..." Brooke came closer.

She took a seat on my lap, putting her arms around my neck gently.

She kissed me softly at first, and the next thing I knew, our tongues were in the other's mouth.

"Ugh, gross. Seriously you guys, save it for when we're not around." I heard my eldest son's voice.

I broke away from the kiss and Brooklyn hurried to get off of me.

"Do you need something, baby?" she asked Prince.

"I wanted to ask if I could go over to Ryan's." he answered, referring to his best friend from school.

"Sure, I'll drive you," his mother told him. "Go wait for me in the car."

She turned to me, "So can I have his number? I'll treat you to a very sexy night..."

"Fine," I told her, opening my phone. I quickly found Wissam's number, then wrote it down for her. "And I want you in that beautiful red lingerie you have."

Brooke kissed me again, taking the little note from me.

~

Brooklyn: "Have fun, baby." I kissed Prince's cheek.

He made a grossed face and told me he'd call if he wanted to return home.

"Hello, Mrs. Jackson." Ryan smiled at me.

"Hey, Ryan." I smiled back.

I waved to the both of them, and pulled out of Ryan's driveway.

It wasn't that long of a drive home, so I got there pretty quickly.

I stopped the car and took out my phone. After dialing the number Michael gave me, I waited impatiently.

"Wissam Al Mana." Wissam answered with his thick accent.

"Wissam? Hi, this is Brooklyn Jackson. Remember me? We met a couple of years ago."

"Yes, of course. It's good to hear from you, Mrs. Jackson," he said. "What a pleasure to get a call from you. Is there a reason for your call?"

"Well, yes, actually." I told him.

"What can I help you with?"

"I have an offer you can never turn down."

~

Janet: I looked for Katie everywhere, hoping to apologize for how I acted towards her.

Brandon was right. She shouldn't be the one to blame for what happened.

But I couldn't find her anywhere. She wasn't in Paris's room, where she was staying. She wasn't outside, and non of the other kids saw her.

I asked Michael if he saw her, but of course, he didn't.

When he offered to help me, I didn't refuse.

Where is she?

"Katie!" I yelled out, frustrated.

"We'll find her, Dunk, don't worry." Michael reassured. "You go look outside again, I'll search the bedrooms, alright?"

I nodded, watching him run upstairs.

~

Michael: Just as I suspected, I found Katie where no one would think of looking for her.

As I walked into our closet room, I heard small sniffles and munching.

I smiled to myself, thinking of how much Katie turned out like Janet.

"You know, your mom used to eat when she was upset, too." I said.

"Get out, uncle Mike." she mumbled.

I rolled my eyes and followed her voice. She was hidden behind a few of my jackets, a plate full of cookies in front of her.

"Who made these?" I asked.

"Ronda." she answered, looking away from me.

"Can I have one?"

She shrugged, "Do whatever you want, it's not like I'll be able to stop you, right?"

I sat next to her and took a cookie.

"Your mom is looking for you. She wants to apologize." I told her.

"Like I care." she spat.

I sighed, "Sweetie, running away from your problems isn't gonna fix this."

She scooted away, ignoring what I said.

"I swear, you are just like your mother." I chuckled.

"I am not," Katie scoffed. "Don't ever compare to her. I would never take away my children from their dad just because he fell in love with someone else."

"She's hurt, Katie, and she has every right to be. She loves your dad. Their relationship means so much to her... Their marriage made her the happiest I've ever seen her. Now tell me, just because I'm curious, did she ever have the 'talk' with you?"

"No, and you're the last person I'll have it with." she looked disgusted.

Teenagers.

"Just listen. Your mother's relationships before your dad were a mess. She... Well, she lost her virginity to someone who was just using her. You know how old she was? 16. That's not so far away from your age, Katie-"

"Okay, so I won't make her mistakes, and I won't have sex when I'm 16. Is there a point to this story, uncle Mike?" my niece cut me off.

"What I'm saying is, your dad means a lot to your mom. He got her back on track after a few failed relationships."

"What do you know about failed relationships?" Kate snorted. "You and auntie Brooke are, like, the ultimate couple. You've been married for God knows how long, you have four kids, and you worked together. I always hear you say you love her, and same for her. My parents never said that to each other. Not once did I ever hear them express their love. You married auntie Brooke because you love her, but my parents? They got married because my mom made another mistake, and she got pregnant with me. Do you know how it hurts to realize you've never been wanted by your own mother? She only kept me because dad wanted me so badly."

"That's not the only reason, Katie," I said. "Did I ever tell you why we had Prince so late?"

She shook her head, "I just thought you guys didn't want babies until that point."

"Oh, believe me, we wanted babies. Brooke was pregnant three times before we had him."

"Are you serious?"

"Very serious. She was pregnant in 1991, 1994, and 1995. When your mother was about five months pregnant with you, Brooke found out she was pregnant for the second time. So we went to see our doctor, and can you guess what she told us?"

"Yeah," she nodded, flinching. "But what does that have to do with anything I said?"

"After we lost that baby, Brooke was really depressed. She didn't want my help, or Janet's. Then we fought, and Brooke went to live with her brother for a while... It was your mother's 28th birthday, and she was really sad that Brooke wasn't coming because she was mad at her... So Brandon and I decided to invite everyone and planned a surprise baby shower... You should've seen the look on her face. She was so, so, so happy to be having you... And when you were born, she couldn't stop crying. Believe me when I tell you that she wanted you."

"Fine, I'll talk to her. Tell her I'm here." Katie said.

"Uh, no. You got enough crumbs on my jackets as it is. These cost a lot of money, young lady."

"You're such a party pooper, uncle Mike. It's nice and quiet here."

I stood up, offering her a hand. She smiled before taking it.

I pulled her into a tight hug. She returned it, saying how much she loves me.

"I love you, too, Katie," I put my chin on the top of her head. "And just so you know, Brooklyn and I have been through a lot. We've been on the verge of breaking up a few times..."

"I believe that's a whole different story, so excuse me, but I'm gonna go find my mom." Kate pulled away, then left.

I sighed, glad to be having some peace around here finally. I picked up the plate my niece forgot, and followed her downstairs.

~

Janet: I was hopeless. Katie was nowhere.

"Mom?" I suddenly heard her call.

I ran back inside, to see her standing up straight, her cheeks stained with tears.

We looked at each other for a few moments until hugging tightly.

"I'm sorry, baby."

"I'm sorry, mom."

I laughed when our words collided, and hugged her tighter.

"What do you say we go do a little mother-daughter shopping trip?" I asked, wiping away fresh tears.

She nodded excitedly.

"Alright, let's do this."

~

Michael: I let my hands travel up Brooke's back, taking off the red lingerie bra she wore.

She put her lips on mine, "Do you know what I arranged?"

"A date for Janet with Wissam?" I questioned, loving the attention her hand was giving to the bulge in my briefs.

"A double date," she said and took off my shirt. "With us. Tomorrow night."

"I guess I can approve of that." I mumbled.

"Like you even have a choice..."

I chuckled as she removed her panties, "I know I don't..."

Brooke kissed down my chest, until she reached the waistband of my briefs.

We looked at each other, a smirk on both of our faces.

She lifted herself up and connected our lips again.

I flipped us over, making her shriek.

"You forgot one thing, baby," I whispered against her soft lips. "I'm in charge."

Quickly, my briefs were off as well, and I pushed myself inside her.

"Oh, Jesus Christ..." Brooke moaned. Her legs wrapped around my waist.

I could tell she was reaching her high, just like me.

"Go faster, Mike." she breathed.

Just as I picked up the pace, there were loud knocks on our door.

"Mommy, daddy, I can't sleep!" Blanket knocked louder.

"Keep going." my wife ordered.

"But babe-"

"Keep. Going."

"Mommy, can I come in, please?" Blanket asked.

"No!" Brooklyn and I yelled together.

"We're finishing what we started. Now keep going, Michael." she said.

"Blanket, go to your room, I'll be there in a second!" I told my son.

As soon as I heard his footsteps go away, I went back to give my wife the attention she wanted.

Once we both came, I pulled out and got out of bed.

"When I think about, Mike," Brooklyn panted. "We never went on a second honeymoon... A few weeks away from the kids could really be good..."

"I'll plan something." I grinned, actually liking the idea. I did not mind having a little time for ourselves.

"And maybe Janet and Wissam could join us..."

"How do you even know they'll like each other?"

"I just know."

I snickered, putting on my clothes.

I left her naked in our bed, then made my way to Blanket's room.

"Daddy, what took you so long?" he whined. "And what were you and mommy doing in there?"

I blushed, "Grown ups stuff."

He had that too familiar irritated face I used to make as a child.

"What is it, Blanket?"

"You'll think it's stupid." he said.

"No, I won't. I promise I won't." I told him.

"I miss Kammy. I don't like being in my own bedroom."

A few months ago, Kamron decided he was too old to be sharing a bedroom with his little brother. So we let him take one of the spare bedrooms.

I pulled my youngest son to me. "Baby boy, it's okay to miss your brother."

"I just feel so lonely here sometimes, daddy." he sniffled.

I wiped his tears, pulling him closer.

"They all think I'm a baby because I cry a lot. Especially Prince. He hates me." he sniffled again.

"Prince does not hate you," I said sternly. "He's your brother, and he loves you so much. And there's nothing wrong with crying. You're just a bit more sensitive."

Brooke always insisted Blanket was a spitting image of me, in every way. It was partly true. He got her straight hair.

"But I don't like being sensitive." Blanket sighed.

When he said that, it took me back to when I was about his age.

One time, Joseph found me crying. It was after a long night of performances. He asked what was wrong, and I told him I don't want to do it every night.

'No one likes men who cry, Michael. Man up', he told me.

"Daddy?" Blanket snapped me out of my flashback. "Why are you crying?"

I then noticed that I really was crying.

"I was thinking about something. But you see? It's okay to cry. When you're frustrated, or confused, or sad, it helps to cry." I kissed the top of his head.

Blanket nodded slightly.

"Can I- can I sleep with you and mommy tonight?" he asked.

"No," I removed some hairs from his face and put them behind his ear. "But you can ask Paris. I'm sure she'd love your company."

"Okay. Goodnight, daddy. I love you." he hugged me.

"Goodnight, Blanket," I said, and he ran out of his room. "I love you, too, so much."