*2 days later*

Michael's POV

I'm out with Electra right now, looking for a prom dress for her. It's been two days since I promised her, and her prom's in, like, five days time. She's cheered up a little now, and she's looking forward to going to prom.

Becky is currently at home with the boys, Dexter and Ryder. I tell you what, I love all my children, they're all wonderful. Watching a part of me grow up into what they have done is just.. a lot to take in. They're all beautiful.

"Dad, I'm not sure about this one," Electra complains from the dressing room.

"Well, come out, let me see," I reply.

Moments later, she comes out in a lovely red dress. She looks beautiful.

"That one's gorgeous, sweetheeart," I smile.

Electra smiles at my comment.

"Thanks.. but I don't think it works with my hair colour," she walks back into the changing rooms, and I stand and wait for a few more moments.

"What about this one?" she finally asks, walking out in a blue one.

It doesn't look great, but I can't be blunt, it'll upset her.

"It's pretty," I say. "But try another one. What about that one?" I ask, pointing to a purple dress.

Purple, me and Becky's lucky colour. I know Electra will look amazing in it.

"Ok, dad," Electra grabs the dress and walks back into the changing rooms.

I lean my back against the wall, and place my hands in my pockets. I whistle casually, waiting for my little girl.

"Hmm, I think this one could be the one," Electra calls.

"Well, let me see!" I chuckle, and then it happens.

My gorgeous princess walks out, wearing the purple dress. Oh, she looks stunning!

"Leccy," I gasp. "That is the one you're having!"

I hug her tightly, and then look at her one last time.

"You look beautiful," I say, trying to control myself.

Electra looks down at herself, then at her reflection in the full-body mirror next to me.

"You really think so, dad?" she asks innocently.

"Yes! And I'm certain on that," I say.

Electra smiles, and squeals with excitement.

"I can't wait for prom now!" she giggles.

"And I can't wait to see the look on that Sydney guy's face when he sees princess Electra walk into that prom in a few day's time," I chuckle, stroking her hair gently. She slaps my hand away.

"Hey, don't dare touch my hair!" she protests.

"Sorry, Leccy," I reply.

She smirks, and leans her head against my shoulder.

"I was kidding. You can stroke my hair if you want," she smiles, and I kiss her forehead.

"So, you definitely want this dress?" I ask. Electra nods.

"Yes, I do daddy."

We walk to the counter, and I place the dress on the counter.

"Good day, sir. Just the dress?" the woman says.

"Yes, please," I reply.

"Alright," she scans it. "That'll be $65 please."

"I'll pay, daddy," Electra says childishly.

"Of course you won't, Leccy. I'll pay. Daddy's treat."

"No, I insist, and it's a thank you to you for bringing me here, and for.. well, being the best dad ever."

She brings out her purse, and opens it. She takes out a $50, a $10 and a $5, and I stand with my eyes widened. Where did she get all that money?

"Sweetheart, where did you get all that money?" I ask. Electra smiles sweetly.

"Oh, just savings," she says.

I brush the subject off. "Alright."

"So, can I pay?" Electra asks.

"I guess so, if you're that desperate," I chuckle, and Electra hands me her credit card instead, and I use it to pay for the dress.

After Electra has tapped in the pincode, the woman places the dress neatly in a bag and hands it over to me.

"Thank you sir, good day."

"And you, good day."

Me and Electra leave the shop, and get in the car. I start the ignition, but then I hear a tap on the window. I see the woman from the counter outside the car. I roll the window down.

"Sorry to stop you, sir, but.." she pauses for a moment, to try and think what to say.

"But..?" I rush her.

"But you.. your credit card came up as stolen."

I look over at Electra, who has no expression on her face. I turn back to the woman.

"Look, I think you're getting this wrong. Electra never stole anything," I defend her.

The woman shakes her head and folds her arms.

"Sorry, sir, but our card machine never lies."

I look back at Electra, who looks a little worried.

"Electra, you didn't steal the card, so it isn't your fault, darling," I comfort her, and I stroke her hair gently.

I turn my head to the woman.

"I think you should let us go now, my daughter did nothing wrong. Now, if you don't mind, I'm starting the ignition, and me and my daughter are leaving."

"Sir, if you don't stay, I'll have to call the police."

I stop in my tracks. Police? Really?

"Leccy, just tell her that you didn't do anything wrong, and that this is just a mistake," I smile sweetly at her, but her face is still expressing worry.

"Leccy?" I repeat.

"I.. I.." she starts. She looks guilty.

"Leccy, please tell me you didn't steal that credit card.."

"I'm sorry dad, I'm really sorry.. Lacey made me, when I went out with her the other week!"

"I expected more from you, little miss," I turn back to the woman. "I'm so sorry about my daughter. Look, I'll pay for the dress myself, if that would be ok?"

"I'm afraid that a stolen credit card is rather serious, sir. I may have to contact the police."

"But my daughter is only thirteen! She didn't know what she was doing!" I cry.

"A crime is a crime, sir."

She folds her arms, and I get out the car. Electra does, too.

"Please, just let us go. I'll pay for the dress, and we'll find the credit card's owner. Please, just let us go," I plead.

"Hold up," the woman says.

"What?" I ask.

She squints her eyes and looks at me closer.

"Are you.. by any chance.. Michael Jackson?"

How'd she know my name?

"Uh, yes. I'm Michael Jackson.. why'd you ask?"

The woman chuckles.

"Do you not recognise me? Oh, it's been such a long time!" she grins.

I don't recognise her, not in the slightest.

"Uh, no.. sorry. Please give me a hint..?"

The woman chuckles.

"I forgot to put my name badge on this morning, that's why! My name's Brooke! Brooke Shields! Don't you remember me?"

Oh hell no.

Heeeeelllll no.

I remember her now.

"Oh, I didn't recognise you," I say quietly. Brooke smiles.

"Well, I could never forget a face as sweet as yours. God, how long's it been? Must be.. twenty-five years!"

"Yes, around about that," I reply.

I'd been trying to forget all about her, to be honest. And I did, until now.

I'll tell you the story.

Before I moved to Gary Prep, where I met Becky, I went to a college for students aged 19-21. I was 20, so I fit perfectly. Brooke was there, and we were in the same classes for nearly everything.

One day, we went to the park together, and she told me she had feelings for me. So, I told her I had the same feelings for her, and one thing led to another, and we kissed. We dated a few months, which turned into a couple years, but somehow, just somehow, we avoided any kinda sexual relationship.

Then, it came. Our three year anniversary of being together, and I was gonna propose to her. I took her out to dinner, made it all fancy and romantic and cute, I got down on one knee, proposed to her in front of a whole restaurant of people, and..

She said no. She was in love with another man.

I still don't know who it is, even today. But it broke my heart, and I tried to forget about it. And I did, when I met Becky. She completely made me forget. Until now. She's changed rather a lot, I must say. I didn't recognise her at first.

"So, how's your life now?" she asks.

"Uh, I'm married, three kids, life's alright.. and you?"

"Oh, divorced, two kids. Two boys, both trouble," she chuckles.

"Ah, well, I got my daughter Electra, here, and two boys at home."

"Yes, I can see. Who's the lucky girl to be married to you, then?"

"Oh, someone I met in Gary Prep about sixteen, seventeen years ago. Becky Costello, now Becky Jackson. And, hey, I'm sorry about the divorce."

"Oh, it's cool, it's ok. He wasn't right for me, so I don't mind."

"You never told me.. when you said no to my proposal, who did you say yes to?"

"Oh, that's a long time ago, Michael. We're talking twenty years or so.. I can't really remember."

"Dad, when can we go?" Electra asks.

"Not yet, we've still gotta sort out this credit card issue," I hiss, then turn back to Brooke.

"And, if there's any way we can solve it, without the police getting involved, please--"

I'm interrupted by Brooke shushing me with her fingers over my lips.

"I'll find a way, Michael. Anything for an old friend."

"That's very sweet of you, Brooke. I.. I'm glad you're not getting the police involved."

"Oh, that's ok. If you could just pay for the dress with your own money, and I'll try finding the original card owner. Everything should work out fine."

"Thank god for that," I sigh, handing her $65 and the credit card. "That's a weight off my mind. And look, it's been nice catching up."

"It has," Brooke smiles. "I've missed you, Michael."

"We were very close," I say.

"Yeah, we were. I don't know why I said no to your marriage proposal. Biggest mistake of my life. Every other guy has been an idiot, a liar or a cheat."

"Well, who knows. Maybe the right guy will pop up soon," I smile.

"Yeah.. maybe you're right," Brooke agrees.

I turn to Electra. "Get in the car. I'll talk to you in a moment."

"Yes, daddy," she says sheepishly, then opens the car door and gets in slowly.

"Anyway, I best be going," I say, offering my hand for Brooke to shake.

"Yes, you better be. Your wife'll be waiting, won't she?"

"Yes, yes she will. So, see you whenever I see you," I reply.

Brooke takes my hand, and shakes it slowly.

"That you will, Mr. Jackson."

I smile, and get in the car, where Electra is waiting nervously.

"Daddy, I'm sorry--"

"Save it, Leccy. You could have gotten us into such big trouble then!" I scold her.

"Daddy, Lacey made me do it.. y'know, the girl I met at Sydney's 13th birthday party.. we went shopping together and she made me do it."

"I don't care if she made you do it. If she "made" you jump off a cliff, run in front of a moving train, would you still do it?"

"Well, no, but.."

"There are no 'buts,' Electra. Your mother will know about this."

"I'm sorry, real sorry dad.. if I could turn back time, I would!"

"Well, you can't. Now, we'll forget about it all--"

"Oh, thank you, daddy!--"

"Once you've been grounded for three weeks--"

"But you just said we'd forget it all!" Electra protests. "And I have prom in five days!"

"I realised that, sweetheart," I say calmly. "And that's the only day you're un-grounded for."

"Well, that's something, I guess.."

"And you can't buy anything until this credit card issue has been solved."

"Ugh, fine," Electra hisses.

"Good. Now, let's get home," I say.

--

The car journey was silent. Electra's obviously giving herself time to think. She has commited a rather serious crime, and we're lucky I knew Brooke, otherwise, we coulda been in deep crap there.

We get out the car, and Electra takes her bag from the car, and walks in ahead of me. She opens the door, and walks in. I follow after.

"Mum, we're home!" Electra calls.

Becky walks in the hallway, a smile on her face. I've missed her beautiful face. I really don't know how she can hate her appearance.

"Hey, baby," I say softly, kissing her lips once.

"Hey, did you get the dress?" Becky asks.

"Yes, and.. Electra has something she wants to tell you."

"Oh, what?" Becky asks.

Electra widens her eyes. She obviously thought I'd be the one to say it. Well, nope.

"Uh.. well, I offered to pay for the dress, and I kinda did, but--"

"But she said she left her credit card in her room, so I had to pay for her," I interrupt her.

Electra widens her eyes again, and looks at me nervously.

"Uh, yeah. That was it. Totally lost it," she says unsurely. Becky chuckles.

"Well, if that was it, then I'll start dinner."

"Oh, that would be wonderful, sweetheart, I'll be in the kitchen in just a moment. I need to talk to Electra about her.. dress," I say, before kissing Becky's lips and dashing out the room with Electra.

"Dad, why did you lie for me?" she asks.

"We don't have to tell your mother, she'd go mental. But, you're still grounded. Just don't tell your mother that. And, if she tries to take you out somewhere, just make an excuse, like you're sick, or busy.. just say something else."

"Are you sure, daddy?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Now go to your room, and go put your dress away. It needs to be neat for prom."

"Thanks, daddy," Electra pulls me into a hug. "I love you."

"I love you too," I smile, watching her run to her room with her dress.

I can't say I forgive her for what she's done, but she's my daughter, and I can't hate her, no matter what.

Kids today, huh?

Author's note: oooh, Electra! Badass or what? Heehee, so now this Brooke girl has been introduced... will Michael see her again? Will Electra stay grounded without Becky finding out? Hmm, intriguing ;)