To Have and To Hold

Chapter 49

Hours later, the family was assembled in the garden of the rented villa for the adoption party, and Lisa and Michael had just signed the papers giving her full legal rights to be called the mother of Michael Jackson Junior, known by the family as Prince. As always, Prince was cuddled up in Lisa's lap, snuggled against her, holding his blanket in one hand and a lock of her hair in his other. Michael held Paris and sat with a rare feeling of total peace, watching Lisa kiss their son, knowing that all his dreams were finally coming true. When he thought of all the heart ached and pain they both had to go through. Talk about baptism by fire. If only she would agree to marry him, his life would be perfect. He had not brought the subject up recently, as he didn't want to seem pushy, but now he felt it was time to once again apply some pressure.

He bent toward Lisa. "Hey, baby, girl...when are you gonna make an honest man out of me? I mean, we got these kids now...don't you think it would help if we made it all real legal?"

"You think so?" Lisa smiled at him, her answer stunning him momentarily. What? No fight? No arguments? No eye-rolls? The usual objections? Was she sick?

Lisa picked up Prince, kissed him, and handed him to his mother who suddenly had an odd look on her face. What was going on here? Was it him or were people acting full on weird all of a sudden? For his family, weird was normal, but today, they were extra odd today. Which said a lot. Janet walked up to him and took Paris. Looking at her face, he suddenly was convinced that something was indeed about to go down. Oh bother. It must be time for the dreaded birthday surprise. He had hoped since his mother, who still was an observant Jehova's witness, was present, he would escape the birthday thing. He had no problem celebrating in private, but big parties honoring his day still made him feel very uncomfortable.

Lisa, who looked amazing in her cream white, flowing dress, rose and, grabbing his hand, pulled him up with her. Oh shit. He knew it sounded odd, but as much as he was used to performing before thousands of people, he still felt funny being in the center of attention at smaller gatherings.

"Lisa...what are you doing?" he whispered, trying to keep a fake smile in place.

"Chill..." she whispered back to him, while looking at his father, who very helpfully barked for everyone to be quiet.

Michael flinched. Oh no, his father was involved? This couldn't be good...

Lisa laughed a bit nervously.

"So, thank you all once again for joining Michael and our family on this special day. But the festivities are not over- not till, till I ask this guy here something pretty important."

She turned to him, and he stared at her without any clue what this little speech was about.

What ever happened to keeping things private and between the two of them, Miss Lisa?

Michael scanned his mind, wondering if he had done everything important she had asked him lately for which she possibly would want to garner familial support. A new house, maybe? Shoot- no- if his family heard that, they'd want to move in, as well. A puppy?

Interrupting his musings, Lisa took his hands, facing him. Her eyes were big and full of light, her hair framing her face, being blown about slightly by the wind, and she never had looked more beautiful to him

"Michael. I...I love you so much. You don't even know. Today, you gave me the most amazing gift: you allowed me to share your son with me. I mean, you've been great about sharing the whole diaper changing and feeding thing with me already, but now I get to be his Mom for real."