Athena Tyler and Michael Jackson are married to people they don't belong with. The history between Michael and Athena isn't complicated; they met on We Are The World, sparks flew, but they never stayed in contact.
When their respective spouses sugg...
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This set off alarms in Athena's head. Had she done something wrong? Was she not giving him enough attention? Was she being too clingy?
"Did I do something?" she asked in concern, "Am I not giving you enough attention? Too much attention? Am I too clingy?" she asked, her thoughts racing a million miles a second.
Michael shook his head, holding her close so she could feel his heartbeat against her. "No, baby, it's not about what you've done or haven't done. I savor every bit of affection I get from you. You're not always in this cuddly of a mood."
"Are you saying that when you want affection, you feel you can't just come get it?" Athena asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Sometimes," Michael confessed, "It's like.....when I try to give you my affection, you don't seem willing to let it happen as it should and that frustrates me. It's like you're holding something back, baby."
Athena's eyes widened in realization, "I do that?"
"Yes," Michael nodded, "And when you come to me for attention and affection, I don't push you away. Instead, I pull you closer. Do you know why, baby?"
Athena shook her head, feeling a mixture of guilt and curiosity, "No, why?"
"Because I love you unconditionally," Michael whispered, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat, "And I want you to feel that love every moment, without reservations or doubts. But that's not what I wanted to talk about, though," he added, "We need to talk about this......reluctance you have, with your name."
"Uh......I'm not sure what you mean," Athena frowned in confusion.
Michael sighed, "I have noticed how.....well, I've noticed a few things, actually. One, your father has never been there for you, and yet you still cling onto the Tyler name as if it holds the answers to all your pain and questions. Two, there's this invisible wall you build around yourself whenever someone tries to get too close to you, and it's like you're afraid of letting anyone in. And three, every time I mention leaving the Tyler name behind, you pull away from me as if I'm attacking a sacred part of you," he said, "Now I know they say 'Every father is a daughters first love' and all that, but your father hasn't been that for you. Then who should have you be this attached to the Tyler name that it's like someone is personally attacking you every time they mention the possibility of changing it?"
Athena's eyes glistened with unshed tears as Michael's words hit home. She had never truly confronted her feelings about her father and the burden of the Tyler name she carried, "My brothers have the same last name," she said quietly, "Shouldn't I keep it for their sake?"
"Actually, I was talking to your brothers last night," Michael said, "They all said they were planning on changing their last names to their wives. And those that aren't married said that as soon as they do get married, their names will be changed to their wives' last name."
Athena's heart ached at Michael's words. The realization that her brothers were ready to let go of the Tyler name while she held onto it tightly for reasons she wasn't even sure of was a tough pill to swallow. She felt the weight of her past, the absence of her father, and the burden of carrying a name that didn't define her.
"I know," Athena shyly looked up at him again, her eyes filled with vulnerability and love, "It's just......I guess I feel like I owe him something. My father,"
"Your mother behaved the same way toward you as your father did, all your life," Michael reminded, "And yet, you don't feel like you owe her anything. So why do you feel like you owe your father something?"
"I guess this whole time, I've been trying to find myself without losing the part of me that is a Tyler," Athena tried to explain, "It's like I was trying to build a life with you but.....somehow without you in it, when really, you're the literal foundation of my life."
Michael's heart swelled with emotion at her words, his love for her only growing deeper as he saw the depth of her feelings. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her, feeling the way her body trembled against his.
"I know, baby," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion, "You've been the foundation of my life too, always have been."
"My fathers' last name isn't my lifeline," Athena confessed, "Despite what you may think—you are."
Michael's heart melted at that, "And you're mine, baby girl. Whenever I'm stressed, the thought of you and your love is what gets me through. You're the calm in my chaos, the light in my darkness," he said, cupping her face gently in his hands, "Would you consider taking my last name, Athena?" his voice was soft, hopeful.
"I want that, Mikey. You have no idea how much I want to take your last name," Athena sighed, "But is it a good idea? I've had my name changed so many times."
"How many times has it been changed?" Michael asked curiously, pulled her into his lap and wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.
"Well, when I was born, my mother and father argued over what my last name would be so they gave me both of their last names—Madden and Tyler. Then a year later, in 1973, my mother demanded that my name be changed to hers—Madden. Four years later, she wanted it changed back to the hyphenated version, being Madden-Tyler; but my father said no and that if my name was being changed again, it would be to his last name—Tyler," Athena tried to explain in the best way possible, "Cut to 1982 when I was fourteen and forced into that marriage with Liam, my last name was changed to his—Barlowe. I felt like I had lost a part of myself by taking his name—it felt like he owned me, and I didn't like feeling like I was owned by someone. So I went back to Tyler when I was around the age of....say twenty-five, right before the Seven Year Switch thing," she added to her explanation, "Then when I married you, it was changed to Tyler-Jackson. But my stage name has always been Athena Tyler."
"So you mean to tell me that your name has been changed a total of six times?" Michael asked with an incredulous look, "And only two of those times were your choice?"
Athena nodded sadly, her eyes reflecting the turmoil she felt inside, "Yes, only twice by choice. The rest were decisions made for me." She leaned back against Michael's chest, seeking comfort in his presence, "Much like a lot of what happens in my life and career."
Michael's heart swelled, his hand tightening around hers, "I would be absolutely honored if you would take my name, Athena," he said softly, "And if you want, we can make it official. We could get married again! I swear, it would be the last time you ever have to change your last name. I will never, ever, ever divorce you. You're stuck with me for life, baby girl."
"I'm happy with that," Athena said with a soft smile, "Just let me think about it, okay? Just a few weeks."
"Okay, baby," Michael whispered, kissing her cheek, "Take your time. I'll be here."
