let me love you ~ michael jackson & ariana grande

getting better

                               March 4th, 2001

Ariana

I lean against the counter, waiting for the coffee to finish brewing. Michael walks in the kitchen with his crutches and I awkwardly turn back around to the pot. The day we shared when I came back to Neverland for the first time in a few weeks helped us figure out where we are in our relationship. I didn't want Michael to think that just because I'm here, it doesn't mean I completely forgive him for lying to me. He's made it clear that he understands that though and has been trying to make it up to me. What makes me trying to keep my distance so difficult is that Michael broke his foot just a couple days ago, it aches me seeing Michel in discomfort so I'm at his every move. Even if we aren't having the conversations we used to have, I can still help him out.

However, I have been standoffish ever since I broke down in his arms, this resulting in the air tensing up every time we were alone.

The coffee is ready to go and hot. "I made some coffee." I say, pouring myself a cup. "I can make you a cup."

He shows a little smile. "That'd be great." He sits himself down slowly in the seat, resting the crutches against the table.

I fill a mug up with the dark liquid and load it with cream and sugar. Michael and I are polar opposites when it comes to coffee.

I set the cup in front of him, and walk to the other side of the table, taking my seat. It's silent for what feels like hours. I hate it.

"Ariana..." Michael starts off, I shift in my seat limply. "I have some business to do in Europe and I'll be gone for awhile, I'd like you and the kids to come with me...if you want to."

Travelling was something that hasn't been on my mind in a long time, perhaps a trip could push our relationship two steps further.

"What will we do?" I question.

"We'll start off in England for a press conference about my new foundation and then we're set to go to Italy to meet some important people there."

I don't want Michael feeling obligated to invite me. "I'd love to go but I don't want to interrupt anything, after all this is about business like you said." I answer truthfully.

"It never feels like an obligation to invite you anywhere with me. I want you to come."

"Okay." I sip my black coffee. "This'll be good for us."

He grins. "I was nervous you'd say no."

I shrug playfully. "I think we need this trip anyway."

⊹⊱✫⊰⊹

                               March 9th, 2001

Ariana

"Are we here yet, dad?" Prince asks, pushing his face up against the window.

"Yep." Michael smiles, Paris is sleeping deeply, her head rests on his shoulder.

An overwhelming sense of traction rushes through my body and I know we're landing. The plane starts to glide smoothly across the pavement. We come to a stop and Dede finally takes her head out of a book, Harry Potter to be exact. She's been obsessed with the series ever since the first one was published and I can never get her to put it down.

"We're here?" Her eyes are tired. "We're here." I repeat.

My eyes fall onto Frank who's sleeping even heavier than Paris. I poke him over and over again until he bolts up. His sudden awakening has everyone laughing. "What? What is it?" His head snaps in ever direction, clearly flustered.