With Michael

Chapter 65 - Visitors

17th of February, 2000
Brooklyn is 34, Janet is 33, and Michael is 41

Brooklyn: I wasn't gonna let the recent events effect me.

Yes, I was crushed about losing a baby, and I felt too responsible for his loss.

But knowing I'll have Kamron soon made it better. I think Michael realized that, too, because he seemed to be taking this okay.

We celebrated Prince's third birthday. Michael decided it should be this huge party with the entire family, and their children, of course.

Paris sat on my lap as I tried to get her to speak. She was already a year and nine months old, but she barely said a word. When Prince was her age, he was very talkative.

"Can you say 'ma-ma', Princess? Please..."

She looked up at me with her big eyes that were a mixture of Joseph's sea-like eyes, and Chris's piercing blue ones.

Then, her eyes traveled to the side, her smile getting bigger, too.

"Da-da!" she squealed.

Obviously, that's the only word she actually can say.

Michael walked to us while putting on his shades.

"Babe, I'm heading out." he said, kissing Paris's head.

"Where to?" I asked.

"A meeting, I'll be home around 7. Oh, and I want to take you and the kids out for dinner, so be ready."

I nodded, "Have fun."

My husband placed a soft kiss on my lips before saying goodbye.

"Wave to daddy." I told Paris, who gladly did as I said.

Her eyes turned sad when Michael disappeared.

"We'll see him tonight, baby girl," I smiled. "Now say 'ma-ma'! Please, Paris."

My daughter smiled back. "Da-da."

I scrunched my nose, making her giggle.

~

I put Prince and Paris in their beds for their nap, and quietly closed the door.

Just as I started walking down the stairs, the house phone went off.

I sighed then picked it up.

"Neverland Ranch." I murmured.

"Hello, Brooklyn." Paul said.

I gasped, tightening my grip around the phone.

"Paul!" I exclaimed loudly.

I haven't talked to him in so long. He's been really depressed after Linda was gone.

Right after the wedding, I got a call from Stella. She told me Paul was in a really bad shape, and that her and her siblings need help. I left the kids at home with Michael and got on the first flight I could get to Tucson.

I could never get the image of his broken self out of my mind. It was awful to try and console him. I was there for over a month, but he never came back to the happy Paul I usually knew.