FOR ALL TIME & ETERNITY

2. Velvet Rope

Jasmine was sitting in Michael's chair in his room. He kneeled down in front of her and placed his hand on her knee. "What's wrong, Jasmine?"

She stopped crying but her eyes were still red. "Don't call me Jasmine. I hate it."

"What do you want me to call you?"

She shrugged her shoulders and smiled. "I don't know."

"Just remember you chose for us to be this way," he said.

She rolled her eyes and he stood up and reached out for her hand. But she didn't take it. "I can't believe you slept with her?"

"You slept with him."

She looked up at Michael. "Are we doing the right thing?"

"I don't know," he confessed with a heavy sigh. He sat in the chair sitting next to hers. "Let's just continue on the path we've been going. Please." He sounded very frustrated. "We can't do this again."

"Fine."

He stood up and walked out the room. Jasmine felt weird being in what she used to call her bedroom all alone. So she stood up and walked out too a minute later. 

~*~

The next day was the birthday party. It was mainly set in Neverland's amusement park but the train was running to take the guests back and forth to the petting zoo. There were a lot of kids there, both family and friends. Everyone was having a fun time and Michael was happy to see all of the Jacksons running around enjoying themselves. Some of his friend's came by with their kids too. 

Jasmine's new boyfriend showed up to the party late. He wasn't being very social so he was getting talked about left and right.

Katherine called Jasmine over. "What's up with your boyfriend?"

"What do you mean?" Jasmine asked smiling.

"He doesn't talk much." Katherine frowned. One could say it was the sun but Jasmine knew it was her man. Still, she made excuses. She told Momma K Shawn was shy. "Yeah, okay."

"Ma, I'm serious. He's a really nice guy."

"Introduce me then."

Jasmine went to go get Shawn who was sitting on a bench alone people watching. "I want to introduce you to Ma."

"Who?" he said looking at her funny.

"Michaels mother."

"You still call her Ma?"

"Yes. Ever since I met her she's been more of a mother to me than Adriana has ever been," she laughed. "Come on."

"Why do you want me to talk with all these people? It's his family, not yours. Why would I want to meet them?"

"Because they're your future stepchildren's family so I think you should become acquainted with them," Jasmine said with an attitude.

"The only person I need to be acquainted with is Michael and that kills me enough."

"Can you hide your jealously because it's turning me off."

Katherine walked up behind Shawn and tapped him on the back. He turned around and smiled once he saw her.

"Hey!" he said. He gave her a friendly hug. Joseph was right behind her so he gave him a handshake. "How are you, Sir?"

"Good, how you doin'?" Joseph looked him up and down.