With Michael

Chapter 60 - Getting Things Straight

5th of April, 1998
Brooklyn is 32, Janet is 31, and Michael is 39

Michael: "Those are my children, Michael! How could you take them all the way across the world?!" Brooklyn yelled in my ear.

I had no idea why I even accepted her call.

"You're stressing out, babe. This isn't good for you. You should rest." I said.

"Like you even care! And don't call me 'babe'."

I rolled my eyes and looked outside at the beautiful beach.

"It's not like you cared about me when you disrespected me, then tried to go to Tucson when I specifically told you I don't want you to." I snapped.

"You do know this is considered kidnapping."

"They're my children, Brooke. It can't be kidnapping if I'm their dad."

It was quiet on her end for a few moments, until I heard her whimper.

"I never even got to hold Paris properly." my wife whispered.

"You should've thought about that before you put both you and her in danger." I mumbled, hanging up.

I looked down at my right hand and examined my wedding ring.

I played around with it before deciding to take it off.

~

Janet: Brooke groaned and threw the phone across the room.

She stood up and started pacing.

"I need to go get them." she murmured.

"You can't go on a plane after having a baby, Brooke. You should rest." I told her.

"What do you expect me to do, then? Wait till he comes back? You know that might not happen."

I sighed, crossing my arms. What a mess.

"God, I forgot to call Paul and Linda..." she said and slapped her forehead.

As I watched her leave the room, I couldn't help but think about what happened with La Toya and Lisa.

Maybe I should tell her. But it'll break her heart.

Her heart was already way too broken.

How could my brother do such a thing? He took it way too far.

~

Brooklyn: "I'm hanging in there." Linda said weakly.

"I'm so sorry for not showing up. It's been a couple of crazy days." I apologized.

"Brooke, you had a baby girl. That's so exciting. Don't worry about me right now, you should focus on her."

"Yeah, about that... Michael got a little mad that I went into labor after he told me to stay home... He sort of took Prince and Paris on a little trip."

"What?" she asked.

"What you heard. He took them away from me. He claims I don't deserve to have them." I rolled my eyes.

"That's just mean of him." Linda mumbled.

"I didn't even get to hold Paris." I sighed.

"Once your doctor says you can get on a plane, go."

"I will... But I'm scared Michael will find out and take them somewhere else."

"He won't. He already traveled enough with two little babies, believe me, he won't do it again." my friend reassured.