With Michael

Chapter 74 - Signs

10th of April, 2009
Brooklyn is 43, Michael is 50

Brooklyn: "Ooh, I like her." Michael said, pointing at the blonde dancer on the stage.

"Yeah, me too. She's really good." I smiled.

"Kenny, what do you think?" he turned to the director.

"Your choice, Michael." Kenny told him.

I leaned closer to Michael, "I think we should take her."

"I agree."

"Okay, everyone, thank you!" Kenny yelled, and all the dancers scattered around the big stage.

"That was a long day." I sighed.

I was so tired. For no reason whatsoever, I've been staying awake almost every night. I couldn't fall asleep, no matter how hard I tried.

Now that Michael and I were working for almost twelve hours straight, if not more, getting sleep at night was something I only dreamt about. Michael, surprisingly, slept like a baby each night.

These auditions were getting on my  last nerve, and Michael saw it.

"Wanna go home?" he asked, rubbing my shoulder.

"Yes, please." I answered.

He stood up and offered me a hand.

I took it, making him pull me to my feet.

As soon as I was standing, my head started spinning.

I clutched his hand tighter in fear I would fall.

"Babe?" my husband sat me back down. "Hey, you okay? Can someone get Brooke a bottle of water, please?"

"I'm fine, Mike..." I said.

"What was that?"

I only shook my head because I didn't know either.

I took the offered water bottle someone held out, and drank a few sips.

"We're definitely going home. Right now." Michael declared, this time helping me up slowly.

~

"I think it's just the pressure of working so much." I told my mother over the phone.

Since we got home I've been in bed with a huge migraine.

"Are you sure, honey? Maybe it's something else..." she trailed off.

"Like what?"

"When was the last time you and Michael had unprotected sex?"

"Mom!" I exclaimed, not wanting to talk to Marie about it.

Yes, I started calling her 'mom'. It took me some time, but I eventually let myself open up to her completely. It happened back when the second allegations broke out. The kids stayed at my parents' house almost the entire time of the court, and I went to my mother for emotional support. She really helped me stay strong for Michael.

She chuckled, "What? I'm just wondering if you might be pregnant."

"Uh, no. I'm too old to be having babies." I said.

"You are not," Marie snickered. "So when was the last time?"

"I don't know, we've done it many times in the last couple months..."

I tried thinking of the last time Michael didn't put a condom on, but I couldn't figure out anything.

"Well, take a test and tell me the results." Marie said.