FOR ALL TIME & ETERNITY

11. Immortal

Saturday, June 25, 2011

London, England

O2 Arena

They all told Michael that the trip to London was a family getaway and that their evening at the O2 Arena was to see a Cirque Du Soleil show. Michael didn't question it. He was happy to be out and about with his wife and kids. It had been years since they were all out together like this. Little did he know, his entire family and industry acquaintances were in attendance too.

Michael and Jasmine had been better than ever. The scare in 2009 of almost losing Michael, the scare that happened exactly two years ago on this June night, forever pushed them back together and stronger. The incidents of the past that drove them away from one another was finally discussed one night openly and honestly. The trust between them would take time to repair but they were dedicated to doing so.

The Jackson family was also living again in Neverland. They had moved away in 2005 after an unfortunate episode of betrayal by one of Jasmine's friends, an occurrence that ultimately started a quiet crumbling of Michael and Jasmine's marriage. The female friend had been down on luck and needed a place to stay and Jasmine and Michael let her into their home. Two months after, children visiting Neverland found the friend passed out on the bathroom floor with a needle in hand. Parents were told. Parents were angry. Michael and Jasmine were mortified.

After the police were called, an investigation of the entire property was underway and in the friend's guest room is where a disturbing collective of drugs had been found. After some back and forth, Michael and Jasmine were found innocent and truthful that they had no idea. But Michael was embarrassed as the entire ordeal had been broadcasted to the world, and it was Jasmine's friend so he partially blamed his wife for being so blind to let a person like that into the home where their children slept. Neverland's image of endless wonder was ruined so Michael packed up his family and moved out of the country.

Jasmine was the only one who somewhat stayed behind, renting a place to remain close to work in L.A. Traveling back and forth was a headache but she did it for three years. Then in 2008, Michael told Jasmine he was going to do another tour. Jasmine expressed her strong feelings against it, even saying to his face that she didn't think he could physically handle it, and offended, Michael drifted away from her. That's when Jasmine stopped flying overseas and the kids started flying back to the States instead to visit Mommy. And that's when Jasmine became too close to her buddy Ryan and was caught kissing a friend by her five-year-old daughter.

That one open and honest night, Jasmine admitted she and Ryan got closer but that she hadn't slept with him. Michael believed her, but Ryan couldn't be a part of their lives anymore. And once the couple moved their family back to Neverland, they became extremely cautious about who they let past the gates. The two learned from their mistakes in the past and as a result, things were improving for them and their family.

Now, the night was finally here, the surprise Cirque show Jasmine had been keeping from Michael for nearly two years. The lottery that went out to This Is It ticket purchasers was even quiet about the true nature of the show. She still couldn't believe she and her team pulled it off. The Jacksons were all in the theater waiting amongst his fans.  Even Michael's sister Joh'Vonnie was invited and present. Though still not "close", she wasn't so much "estranged" any longer with her siblings. 

The room was packed and anxious waiting for the show to start. When Michael walked in with Paris by his side, Jayla on the other, and his youngest Jace in his arms, the crowd went wild. Screams of desire filled the arena. They all reached for his attention from wherever they were placed and once he got to his seat in the front row, he turned around and gave it to them. A single wave and air kiss magnified on the two large screens sitting at each side of the stage sent some of his fans unconscious.