Streets of Gold - A Michael Jackson Story

Chapter 51 - When A Child Is Born

Yonela

Thursday December 31st, 1987 - Los Olivos, Santa Barbara

It's New Year's Eve and the upper floor of the house is quiet while everyone awaits the big countdown. Conversation and laughter are audible downstairs as I make my way to the bedroom to rest for a while - it's about an hour before midnight and I feel awfully sluggish, so maybe a nap will help me ease into the new year. I'm just about to lay down when I'm distracted by an unusually moist sensation between my legs, as if I'm...

...breaking water?

Acting on instinct, I lift up my full-length dress to try and figure out why I can't control this leakage. Realising what's just happened, I walk to the bedside telephone and dial the line in the kitchen.

"Hello?" a cheerful male voice says after picking up.

"Michael," I breathe.

"Baby, is that you?"

"Michael, my water just broke."

"Wait, what?"

"I said my water just broke. We need to get to the hospital."

"Hold on, I'll be right up."

The line goes dead before I can say anything more. In less than ten seconds Michael comes in, and it's obvious he's starting to panic as he walks straight to where I'm standing.

"Miya?" he whispers, a hint of panic evident in the slight shakiness of his voice.

"Our baby's coming," I say to him calmly. "Please take the bags downstairs and have someone start the car. We need to leave as soon as I get out of the shower."

"Will you be alright?" he asks me before I nod.

"I'll be perfectly fine, baby. We're ready for this."

"We are?"

"Yes, we are," I assure him. "Breathe for me, baby. Just breathe, and stay calm."

"Okay..."

"Can you do that for me?"

"Yeah," he nods and smiles. Unexpectedly, he kisses my lips with a sweetness that I have not felt from him in what suddenly feels like far too long. Warmth and passion radiate from him, urging me to kiss him back and take hold of his face in my hands. Our lips part after a moment.

"I love you," I sigh with a half smile.

"I love you more," he whispers back with the same half smile. He gives me one more tender kiss before turning to the door and heading downstairs.

* * *

Michael

Thursday December 31st, 1987 - Santa Barbara, California

"Nurse!" I call out loud after pushing through the front doors at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. "My wife is in labor!"

"Who's her specialist, sir?" I'm asked by the lady behind the front desk.

"Doctor Leigh Mavens," I say, trying my hardest not to panic any more than I can already feel I am.

"I'm right here," her familiar voice says out loud as she emerges through a set of swinging doors. I'm so relieved to see that she's here already. "What time did her water break?"

"About an hour ago," I tell her.

"And where is she now?"

"In the car with my sisters."