With Michael

Chapter 43 - Concur

13th of March, 1996
Brooklyn is 30, Janet is 29, and Michael 37

Janet: I pulled Brooke's car up to the main house at Neverland.

"I can't believe you're siding with him." she mumbled.

"I'm not. I just think you were being unreasonable. At least he's trying to find a solution for you, okay? All you do is deny everything." I said.

She crossed her arms over her chest, "He gave up on me, what do you expect me to do? Say yes?"

"He did the opposite of giving up on you! He respects your fears of getting pregnant again, so he just wants you to find another way to have a child," I told her the exact words Michael said to me last night over the phone. "Just hear him out."

"Whatever."

She knew I was right, as much as she didn't want to admit it. I get why she was hurt, but my brother didn't intend to do that.

"He gave you an option, Brooke. He didn't force you to agree, right? He said you'll only do it if you agree. Go in there and tell him how you feel. Michael will understand, he'll respect you."

"Do I have to?" she asked.

"Yes." I answered.

My best friend sighed and got out of the car. I watched her walk to the front door, soon disappearing inside.

~

Michael: The warm water sprayed down on my body, rinsing away the day before.

I felt so stupid. I should've known Brooklyn would reject the idea of surrogacy.

Arms were suddenly wrapped around me, and I heard my wife sigh.

"I'm sorry for running away. It's a habit." she said into my back, putting her lips on my skin.

I turned to meet her giant green orbs staring up at me.

"I was so clouded by the feeling of being replaced again, I couldn't think straight."

I hugged her, "It's okay. I should've talked to you in private first, it was unfair that I just threw it at you. And don't ever think I'll replace you. I'm truly sorry for making you feel that way."

Brooke pecked my lips and hugged me tighter.

"Are you willing to give it a try?" I quietly asked.

"No. But," she looked at me with a slight smile. "I am willing to try for another baby. And only if it doesn't work again, I'll consider Debbie as a surrogate."

My heart fluttered. I was dreaming, there was no way this could be happening.

"I see Janet talked some sense into you." I murmured.

My wife looked down at her feet and nodded.
"I really thought you gave up on me, you know? If me giving up on myself wasn't enough already-"

"That's why you wanted us to use protection all this time... Oh, baby, why didn't you tell me?" I caressed her cheek.

"What was I supposed to say? That I gave up because my body can't do the one thing it's meant to do? It would break you. I couldn't do that." she told me.

"Let's not think about that right now, okay? We'll go back to Dr. James, and we'll figure this out. You'll rest at home. I guess I'll have to call your understudy to replace you on tour."

She scoffed at my words, "Michael, I'm not giving up on touring, forget it."

"It's up to you. A baby, or tour. You decide." I said.