Warning: sentimental content.

~

23rd of June, 2009
Brooklyn is 43, Michael is 50

Michael: "MICHAEL, BROOKLYN, ARE YOU TRYING FOR ANOTHER BABY?" a reporter shouted through the crowd of cameramen.

I tried hiding a smirk as I looked down at Brooklyn who had a smile on as well.

She successfully hid her baby bump, somehow. She didn't look pregnant at all.

Bill opened the door to Dr. James's clinic for us, and I let Brooke go in before me.

Dr. James was talking to her receptionist. She noticed us, so she excused herself and approached us.

"I'm so glad to see you two. Michael," she smiled, extending a hand. "It's been a long time."

I shook her hand, "It's really good to see you again."

She changed so much in the time I haven't met with her. Her hair was now a dark shade of grey. She also had a few wrinkles here and there.

"Come into my office." Dr. James said.

"Brooke, lay down please. So, Michael, how is the tour coming through?"

"Great." I told her, sitting next to Brooke who carefully climbed the examination bed.

"When my daughter heard you were doing another tour, she begged me to buy her tickets. She wouldn't shut up about it, until I actually bought them. So guess who's flying to London next week?" the doctor laughed as she put on a pair of medical gloves.

"I'm so flattered," I felt my cheeks turn hot. "Maybe I can arrange for you to come say hi backstage."

"Can you really? My daughter would freak out." she gasped.

"Consider it done."

"Um, I hate breaking this up, but can we focus on what we came here for?" Brooke asked with a little bit of attitude.

"Right, let's see this baby." Dr. James put some gel on my wife's stomach.

I held her hand as I looked at the screen, a nervous sigh leaving my lips.

"You're acting like this is the first time," Brooke said to me. "Relax, Mike, he's okay."

"I know, I'm just nervous to see him."

Her eyes moved to the screen as well, and a picture of our baby popped up.

"Wow, he's so big." she giggled.

"Yeah, and he's also looking great. A perfect heartbeat, all toes and fingers in place..." Dr. James joined her laughter.

I laughed as well, adoring the image of our baby.

"Well, I think we're all done... I just need to take some blood from you, hun, to make sure everything's perfect."

Brooklyn nodded and sat up once the doctor cleaned the gel.

I looked away as she stuck a needle in my wife's arm.

"I'll give you a call with the results within a week." Dr. James said.

She gave me the new pictures of our baby boy, and we said our goodbyes.

"I'll see you on tour." I winked to her.

~

We sat back in the car, and Steve started driving back home.

"Oh, babe, I totally forgot to tell you that I have a day off the day after tomorrow, so maybe we can go baby shopping again." I said.

"Sorry, Mike. Janet called me yesterday and asked if I want to go shopping."

"Oh, okay. As long as you have fun."

She pecked my lips. "And what else does this baby need, huh? He already has enough."

"I want to start working on his nursery." I shrugged.

"Aww, you're so cute when you're excited. But we'll have time to do that in London." Brooke pinched my cheek, giggling.

"Yeah, I guess." I sighed and leaned back in my seat.

I was so tired. I got almost no sleep at all this week. It was either staying up all night or waking up ten times a night. I had to suck it up for Brooke, knowing it would make her leave me if I'd take anything.

But last night was the breaking point. I secretly took a couple of sleeping pills before going to bed. All I wanted was to sleep.

I felt terrible right after, but there was no way I'd tell her. It would make her stress, and I didn't want that right now. Not to mention I was scared she might take the kids away again. Being without my family was unbearable. They were the only reason for me to live now.

Steve entered the gates of our home and stopped in front of the house.

"Call me before you come home." Brooklyn kissed me before stepping out of the car.

"I love you." I told her.

"Love you, too."

She walked into the house, and Steve took off.

My phone told me I had a message, so I took it out.

It was from Dr. Murray, asking if I needed him anytime soon.

I texted him back, and told him to come on Thursday morning.

~

Brooklyn: "Good morning, mommy." Paris smiled as she walked down the stairs.

"Morning, baby. What are you doing awake so early?" I asked her.

"I just woke up. Where's daddy?"

"He went to work."

She sighed, "I miss him."

"You got lucky, he'll be home in two days, so you can spend some time together. I'm going out with auntie Janet that day." I said.

"Yay!" she squealed.

"Am I really that boring?" I frowned at her excitement.

"Not at all, mommy. You're a lot of fun... When you don't get mad at every single noise we make..."

If my daughter is complaining, then I've definitely been way too uptight lately.

I couldn't help it, though. With what's been happening with Michael and all these nights I've stayed up with him, I was more exhausted than ever.

And these pregnancy hormones weren't helping either.

"You wanna go back to sleep, right?" Paris questioned.

"I am tired, but since you're up early, let's go do something together." I smiled.

"Like what? Daddy doesn't want you to do anything."

"Daddy isn't here. He can't stop me from doing whatever I want with my beautiful daughter."

She looked at me with eyes that reminded me of my brother when he was happy, "Can I see my baby brother first?"

I chuckled, giving her the few ultrasound pictures from today, and we walked together to the living room.

~

"Mommy, there's a car outside!" Blanket said. All the kids were awake by now.

"It might be daddy!" Paris chirped.

"No, it can't be. He's coming home late tonight." I shook my head, getting up.

I walked to house entrance with Paris, Kamron, and Blanket behind me.

Kamron excitedly yanked open the door. My children's smiles widened when they saw Jermaine and Katherine get out of the car that parked right up front.

"Grandma!" they all ran to them.

"What a surprise," I approached my brother-in-law and hugged him. "What are you doing here?"

He kissed my cheek lightly. "Nothing much, we just came to check up on you."

"And to see my beautiful grandchildren." Katherine said.

"Why do you need to check up on me?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Michael asked us to. He said you didn't get much sleep lately, and he was worried you might over-do yourself by watching the kids."

"I'm doing fine." I scoffed.

"I'm sure you are, babe, but we're staying." Jermaine hugged my kids as well.

"Yeah, mommy, you could always go upstairs to rest." Paris told me.

I sighed deeply, knowing a few hours of extra sleep won't hurt. "Fine, I guess I can go take a nap."

"Great," Jermaine smirked. "That way you won't be cranky at us while we're here."

"Watch it, Jermy." I warned, walking back into the house.

~

When I woke up it was just in time for dinner.

The amazing smell of Katherine's cooking was all over the house. It made me lick my lips, wishing I could dig into it right now.

I went down the stairs, and was surprised to find Michael sitting in front of the TV in the living room with our children next to him. These past week he only came home after 12 o'clock.

"Mike?" I asked, making him turn around.

"Hi, babe." he said.

"You're home?" I took a seat next to Blanket.

"Yeah. I decided to finish early tonight, I had some things to buy."

"He got us presents, mom." Prince smiled widely, showing me a new video game.

"That's nice, honey." I said.

Blanket excitedly showed me his present as well.

"Mikey," Jermaine sang from the kitchen. "Mother says dinner's ready!"

"Kids, go." Michael ordered our children.

He shut off the TV as they ran to the kitchen.

"I got you something, too," my husband pulled out a small box from his pocket. "Just a little something for my beautiful wife."

He opened the box and revealed a rectangular locket. It had what looked like diamonds all over it.

"It's white gold. Open it, I had it made especially for you."

I did as he said, gasping when I saw the pictures of my family inside the two sides of the locket.

"Michael, this is beautiful..." I mumbled, running my thumb over the picture of Michael and I from a few years ago.

"It's a token of my gratitude. I wanted to thank you for sticking with me, even after what I did. Again." he whispered in my ear.

I kissed his plump lips, then pulled him into a hug.

He fell back on the couch, with me in top of him.

"Oh, Jeez, are you okay, babe?" he questioned, obviously worried.

I giggled and kissed him again, this time with a little more force.

His hands held me by my waist tightly.

"Mikey, are you coming- Oh, Brooke, you're awake." Jermaine said as he walked into the living room.

"We'll be there in a few." Michael told him.

"I- yeah, sure."

"Can you put it on me?" I handed my husband the locket.

We both sat up and he put it around my neck. "Perfect."

"Come on," I stood up. "I starving."

Michael laughed lowly, pulling me by the sides of my body to him. He lifted my shirt up slowly, and put his lips on my skin.

"You are so loved, baby boy. You have to know that." he said quietly.

"Mike, can we please go eat? I'll let you do baby talk later." I whined.

"Fine, let's go."

~

25th of June, 2009
Brooklyn and Janet are 43, Michael is 50

Michael: "Goodnight, sir. Get some sleep, you need it." Bill said, patting my shoulder as we entered the house.

"Goodnight, Bill." I sighed and started making my way up the stairs.

Brooklyn was in bed, watching TV. I expected her to be mad at me for coming home so late at night, but she looked too tired to care.

She glanced at me, a smile on her face.

"How was today?" she asked quietly. She got out of bed and walked over to me.

I shrugged.

My wife helped me out of the grey jacket I was wearing, then started massaging my shoulders.

I pulled away from her, "Babe, I'm really tired, can we just try to sleep?"

"Of course."

"I'll be right back." I said, and went into our closet room.

I changed into black pajamas. After that, I searched for the pills Dr. Murray hid in one of my drawers.

~

"Brooke, I can't sleep..." I nudged her arm after an hour of tossing and turning.

"Just close your eyes." she muttered.

"I can't."

She turned around to face me, clearly not wanting to wake up.

"I'll be exhausted tomorrow if I don't sleep, Mike... Come here and close your eyes."

She wrapped her arm around me and sighed.

"Goodnight." Brooklyn kissed my chin, closing her eyes again.

But it didn't help. I couldn't sleep, even in her comforting embrace.

~

"You sure you want to wear that?" I asked Brooklyn as she applied eyeliner.

"Yes." she answered.

Her outfit for today included a nice pair of jeans, and a top that was too exposing for my taste. Not to mention it made her stomach pop out.

"And what about the baby bump? I thought we weren't exposing it yet."

"I guess we are. I want to enjoy a day with my best friend without caring for once. Can I do that, please?"

"Yeah." I sighed.

I checked my phone for the millionth time today to see if Dr. Murray sent me anything.

"Thank you," she said, looking into the mirror before turning to me. "Who keeps texting you?"

"What? Oh, no one." I hurried to close my phone and shove it in my pocket.

A car horn came from outside.

"That must be Janet. I better go before she gets impatient." Brooke pecked my lips.

Before she could walk away, I grabbed her arm and pulled her back for a longer kiss.

"I need go." she mumbled into my mouth.

I nodded, letting her go.

"I love you, Mike. Have fun with the kids."

"I love you, too, babe. Tell Dunk I'll see here some other time."

She blew me a kiss and left our bathroom.

The phone in my pocket buzzed. Immediately I took it out. Dr. Murray sent me a message.

I'll be there in 30 minutes.

Closing my eyes, I prayed Brooklyn would forgive me.

~

Brooklyn: "HOW COME YOU AND MICHAEL CHOSE TO HAVE ANOTHER BABY, BROOKLYN?" a big man with a big camera asked as Janet and I carried our bags to the car.

It was definitely a bad idea to do this without bodyguards. But we both wanted a day just for us, and having three or five men walking around us the entire time wasn't acceptable.

Janet got into the driver's seat and I followed next to her.

"Why do they have to be so nosy? What if you actually did decide to have another baby, what's so wrong with that?" she scoffed.

"Want to go grab some lunch? This pregnant woman is hungry." I said.

"Yeah, I noticed, your stomach wouldn't stop grumbling." my best friend laughed as she drove out of Beverly Center parking lot.

I rolled my eyes at her and turned on the radio.

There was a song I wasn't really listening to, so I decided to call Michael to check on the kids.

I scrunched my nose when he didn't answer his phone. He's probably busy with keeping them entertained.

The baby inside me started kicking rapidly.

I groaned, rubbing my stomach.

"What is it?" Janet took her eyes off the road for a quick second to look at me.

"I don't know, he just started kicking all over the place." I said.

The song that played from the car speakers suddenly stopped, and a man spoke.

"Breaking news: an ambulance was seen a few minutes ago, leaving Michael Jackson's rented mansion in Beverly Hills. Sources say the King of Pop suffered a heart attack and is now on the way to UCLA Medical Center-"

Janet snickered, "What is this shit? Change the channel."

But just as I was about to do as she told me, my phone rang loudly.

My heart began beating fast since I saw my home number on the screen.

I pressed the green button and put it to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Mommy!" Paris screeched. "Something's wrong with daddy, he's not breathing!"

"W-what?" I asked her.

"Mom?" Prince's shaking, but calming voice said.

"Prince, what's going on?"

"I don't know, mom, but you have to come home... They just took dad to the hospital."

My vision blurred as my eyes filled with tears.

"Jan, pull over." I tried to say.

My best friend stopped the car, and I went back to my son. "Baby, explain to me what happened."

"After you left, dad told us to go to our rooms, unless we wanted to do something else, because he said he was tired so he's going to take a nap. E- everything was okay, until a few minutes ago when I heard Paris scream for him to wake up. I ran out of my room and Paris and I saw paramedics all over that room next yours." Prince cried.

Janet's phone went off. I saw her confused face when she picked up. Her eyes widened and she looked at me.

"Y- yes, mother. We'll get there soon." she stuttered.

"Prince, just hold on, okay?" I asked when I heard him sniffle. "I'll call Jason to pick you up. Don't move."

"O- okay." he sniffled again and hung up.

With shaking hands, I tried finding Jason's number.

"Mother says her, Joseph, Jermaine, and Tito are at the hospital. We need to get there, now." Janet told me.

"Auntie Brooke, what's up?" Jason sounded cheerful when he answered.

"Jason," I breathed. "I need you to go to my house and pick up the kids. Get them out of there fast, and all of you go to your grandparents' house. I'll be there as soon as I can, I promise."

"Woah, slow down. They're supposed to spend the day with uncle Mike, right? Prince invited me over to join them yesterday, they're fine-"

I cut him off. "Something's wrong with him, Jason, and I need to go to the hospital. Just please do this for me, okay? Don't let them watch TV, or listen to the radio, or even answer the phone. Just take them straight to my dad's."

"What's wrong with uncle Mike?" his voice cracked.

He sounded like his little self again.

"Jason, please." I begged.

He let out a shaky sigh, "A- alright."

"Thank you, Jase."

I covered my face and sobbed once I hung up.

"He's fine, he has to be fine. It's Mike, he's strong, I'm sure when we get there he's gonna be awake." Janet reassured, but I couldn't allow myself to believe her.

~

I paced back and forth down the long hospital hallway, where a few members of the Jackson family were either biting on their nails or bouncing their legs up and down.

"Brooklyn, sit. You're making all of us nervous as hell." Tito said.

"This is all my fault." I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"For once, I agree with you." La Toya joined everyone.

She looked down at my stomach and shook her head, "Now this baby's gonna grow up without his daddy. Great job, Brooklyn. Not only did you squeeze another baby out of him,
you also killed him."

"Shut the fuck up, La Toya. What are you doing here, anyways? Mother didn't call you." Janet stood in front of me, as to protect me from her sister.

"My brother is nearly dying and you think I won't come to share the loss with my family?"

"We don't know anything yet, La Toya. You can't come here and accuse Brooke of doing something she didn't do. If you really did come to get emotional support from us, then act like it. Don't be a bitch right now." Jermaine snapped.

"Don't fight, please. This isn't the time for fighting." Katherine said just above a whisper.

Joseph wrapped his arm around her and she wept into his shoulder.

My heart grew heavy as I watched my mother-in-law crying over her son. A mother always knows.

Jermaine offered a very comforting hug, just as a doctor came into view.

I took Janet's hand and held it tight, still being hugged by my brother-in-law.

"Jacksons?" the doctor asked.

Everyone stood up, immediately gathering around him.

"I'm very sorry... We tried everything, but the pulse never came back..."

"S- so what you're saying is, Michael's dead?" someone said, but I was already crying too hard to understand who it was.

"Shhh." Jermaine cooed, stroking my hair.

"What happened?" La Toya questioned.

"It looks like an overdose." the doctor sighed.

I whimpered, now knowing I was the one to blame for this. I should've never left him alone.

Sadness was suddenly replaced with anger, and I pushed Jermaine away.

I turned to the doctor, my face probably red because of my tears. "Why didn't you try harder?! 'Tried everything' my ass! You tell me my husband is dead, but claim you did your best to save him?!"

"He was already gone when he got here. I'm truly sorry for your loss, Mrs. Jackson." he said calmly.

"No, no, no! He was fine this morning, he can't be dead, he just can't!" I screamed, breaking down on my knees.

Janet hurried to hug my shoulders tightly and cried into the back of my neck.

Michael... My Michael, he was gone, and it was all because I left him alone.

~

Oh, my God. I really cried writing this. If you're wondering, no, the story is not over. There are a few more chapters to go!

I'm really sorry for updating late, I just kept pushing it to the side because I didn't want to reach this moment, but I guess I had to.

Please tell me how you felt about this chapter, because I know I was very emotional...

Love you so much!

~ShoamEmily