Night Guardian

Chapter 4, Part 1

"Meet the Family"

"Michael, don't you think you should be resting a while? I thought you said you were burnt out from all of your duties?" Kayla inquired.

"I will take a break, but there's something I need to do first," Michael replied. "Today you're going to meet a member of my family...the last living Jackson from my generation. Her name is Janet. Let me show you something." He beckoned her to follow him. They walked down the hallway until coming to ten framed portraits of the Jackson family.
"I miss them a lot," he said, sighing. "Even my father."
Joseph, Katherine, Tito, Jackie, Rebbie, Marlon, Jermaine, Randy, Janet, and Latoya were introduced. "Only Janet and I survived as remaining Guardians in the family. No one else gained immortality, unfortunately. But they did live for a very long time."
"I noticed she and Latoya look so much like you, it's eerie. Are you sure you're not a triplet?" Kayla joked.
He giggled. "I might as well be. Though Janet and I think the most alike." He continued down the hall, and she followed. "She's coming here today, along with other magical beings. You'll actually get to meet her."

"I can't wait to meet her...I hope she likes me,"

"Don't be silly girl, she'll love you! My mother would have too."

They stopped in front of another portrait, which was obviously of Michael. In this one, he had natural hair and darker skin.

"I suppose I need to explain why my skin is lighter than it used to be...the sicknesses I was struggling with weren't known very well at the time. Now it is called vitiligo, a rare condition where the skin pigment is destroyed. I could've changed myself back with magic once I gained these abilities, but I don't want to give up the traits that used to make me human. It feels more normal this way. Anyway, it's obvious I got my nose done, and I decided to straighten my hair."

"Hey, I'm not judging. I completely get where you're coming from. You're just as handsome then as you are now."

He was unable to meet her eyes. Compliments were always hard for him to accept. "Thank you."

A loud knock was heard at the front double doors, so they decided to see who it was. Three people, Kayla had never seen before were there. She instantly recognized Janet, her jaw nearly dropped as she realized she was almost identical to Michael. Her eyes were just as all-knowing and unnerving, and she seemed less reserved than her brother. The other two supernatural beings that accompanied her were her companions.
"Hey Mike, I missed you so much!" Janet said, hugging her brother. "This must be your boo," she teased, looking at Kayla with a curious yet warm smile. "Hello Kayla, it's so nice to meet you finally. Mike told me all about you."
Kayla was suddenly nervous. All she could do is utter a shy "Hello Janet." She extended her hand to shake, but Janet pulled her into a hug.

"Don't be gettin' all shy on me. I don't bite, really," she said in a light airy voice. "These are my friends, Enrique and Cleo. They were all introduced to each other, and Michael called his companions to be acquainted as well. Everyone sat down for an impromptu meeting and game plan. Feeling useless, Kayla was about to give them privacy when Michael insisted she stay. "I have something to ask you when everyone leaves," he said quietly.

Janet would be staying at the mansion for a while since she hadn't seen her brother in a long time. Her friends decided to stay nearby. All help was needed in finding the mayor, who disappeared the night of the fair incident. Michael knew he was in on this somehow.
"What a hypocrite," he said in disgust. "He preaches so much about Christianity and how what I do is so bad, but I bet my house that he's in on this with Carlos."

'Mike, for all we know, he could be possessed," Kayla said. "I know he's not the most likable person but he doesn't seem like the type to dabble in anything like this. He's a religious zealot."

"Either way, they both need to be found. Approach Mayor Sneddon with extreme caution." Sondra said. "We've finally found an antidote to bring things back to how they should be. However, it can only be administered if the affliction hasn't taken over completely. By then, it's too late. Tomorrow we will start this mission when the rest of the guardians arrive."

They all went to their respective places in the house. Only Michael and Kayla remained in the ballroom. 'Now about what you were trying to ask me..."She went to shut the door quietly and turned around to find him down on one knee.

Kayla just stood there, in shock.

"Is this what I think it is?" She practically whispered. It felt like her ability to form a sentence had vanished.

Michael was practically beaming. "Yes...Will you marry me, Kayla Marie Ford?"

She said "yes" with no hesitation, and started crying uncontrollably as her now fiancé placed a beautiful diamond on her finger.

He kissed her. "I love you so much that it hurts sometimes Kay. Since we're already living together, I couldn't imagine waking up without you. The first time you were in my arms I knew it'd be a permanent thing... It's so hard to explain."

"I don't know what to say, except I love you just as much," she replied. " I never thought I would be getting married!" She squealed with excitement and he chuckled.

"We can't tell the others yet, I want to surprise them by letting them notice your ring."

"Okay," She wiped her eyes, trying to act natural. "Dammit Michael, you better hope no one sees me with these puffy eyes!"

"Everyone is busy, so I doubt they will. Let's go for a walk. You look like you need some air," he joked.