You Are My Life

Chapter 15- Children of the Earth

Michael’s p.o.v.

I opened my eyes and found myself tangled with Saria in the bed, a bitter sweet smile spread across my face as I tried not to remember how she exploded at me last night, but also how she held onto me when she slept. I slipped out and confirmed the arrangements for our day after I took a quick shower. I walked out to grab my clothes as I watched Saira lay there peacefully with a slight frown on her face. I changed into my outfit quickly and then made some breakfast for us. I was in the middle of making French toast when I heard someone shuffle in behind me. I smiled flipping the toast, “Morning sleeping beauty.” She sat down at the breakfast bar and stretched, “Morning Mikey…..” I put the toast on a plate than sat it in front of her and continued cooking the sausage to go along with our meal. Silence filled the room as I looked back over at her as she hadn’t touched a single thing on her plate. I sighed, “Saria what’s the matter?” she sighed as well putting down the fork and avoiding my eyes. “Its just….. I-Im ashamed of myself for the way I treated you yesterday. I know you forgave me but I still feel horrible for the way I yelled at you. All you did was try to comfort me and make me feel better and I chewed you out.” It was kind of true; all I tried to do was make her happy, that’s all I ever want to do for her. But there was no reason for her to be sorry for emotions she really can’t control, “Saria you being sad right now is making me sad. I understand you feel bad but even if you yelling at me were on purpose I’d still forgive you. There’s no need to still be sad, I realize you don’t have full control over your emotions at the moment. Please just don’t beat yourself up over this.” She looked up and me and I noticed tears sliding down her cheek, but before I could question why she was crying she pulled me into a warm hug, “Thanks Michael, thank you for everything…….. I could never hurt you on purpose.” I smiled as she said that and hugged her back warmly. We ate breakfast and she went and got herself ready. “Where are we going?” she asked as we left the room and down the hall towards the kitchen entrance. “Somewhere I always visit when I’m in L.A.,’ I said as I helped her into the limo. We made our way off of the interstate and towards what looked like the poor side of L.A. I looked at Saria as her expression went from excitement to concern; I slid my hand over hers and squeezed it gently. “It’s okay, I promise.” She smiled back at me as she continued to stare out the window. We finally pulled up to the huge unmarked brick building; I helped Saria out as we made our way up to the barred doors. I knocked lightly and a small meek woman poked her head in between the small crack of the opening. She smiled warmly at us as she closed the door and undid all the locks with loud clicks. She opened it widely as she spoke up eagerly, “Good day Mr. Jackson, I’m glad you decided to stop by again.” “Hello Susan, you know I always make sure I stop by to see you guys every time I’m in town!” Saria stood close to me as she looked around the area with an alert look; she looked back at me with an almost scared and confused look. I continued smiling, “Susan this is my very good friend, Saria,” “Well hello to you Saria, any friend of Michaels is a friend of ours,” Susan said putting her hand out for Saria to shake. She put on a beautiful smile and shook Susan’s hand, “Nice to meet you as well.” We made our way inside and headed down the hallway with cracked walls and creaky floor boards, Saria’s face was still puzzled until we heard the commotion nearing us. We made it to the last door and Susan opened it. “Children look who came to visit you little angles today.” The play room was filled with just as many children as I remember from my last visit. They all looked up from what little toys they had and stared in awe. I was automatically flocked by multiple little hands and voices. I turned to see Saira’s expression change to delight as she watch all of the innocent little faces light up in excitement in our presence.

Saria’s p.o.v.

I watched as Michael was mobbed by all the children in this place. My heart was so warm at the thought that these children didn’t have much, as we noticed the state of their home, but Mike made their day just a little brighter by coming and visiting them. I stood and watched with a smile on my face as he interacted with all the sweet adorable children, it made me think if I went through with this baby I would have to best person by my side to love and help me care for it. Even though Mike and I weren’t anything serious, I believe he was kind enough to be my support and strength to care for a child. Don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t depend on him for care like some sort of leech, but if I ever needed it I know Michael would be there to help. I looked around the play room at all the angelic little ones when I noticed a little girl sitting by herself brushing a doll’s hair, I decided to go and talk to her. I took a seat in the small chair next to her and picked up another doll. “Mind if I?” I gestured to the doll in my hand and another brush sitting on the table in front of us. She gazed up at me with the most piercing green eyes I’ve even seen; she nodded and gave me a heart-melting smile. I begin combing the hair as I begin engaged in a conversation, “So what’s your name?” “Piper and this is Sausha,” (Piper has a speech impediment so she says her ‘r’s kind of funny. She says her own name like pipour) she said pointing to her doll. “Well it’s very nice to meet you Piper…and you too Sausha.” She giggled and continued to focus on the hair she was combing. “Is that your friend over there?” she asked turning around and looking at Michael who was still flocked by a bunch of hands. “Yes, that’s Michael.” “…..He’s bootyful,” she said with her cute little speech impediment. “Yes he is, very much.” I said chuckling a little at that fact that not only was grown women falling for Mike all the time, but even some children. She looked at me with wide eyes as she watched me braid the dolls hair, “Can you do that to my doll??” she asked excitedly. “I sure can,” I said putting my doll down and picking hers up to braid its hair. After talking to Piper for awhile I got up and went to find one of the workers to ask them about Piper. There was a tall lady standing near the door watching the children, I walked up to her. “Excuse me ma’am. Could I ask you about the little one over there, Piper?” “Of course, she’s one of our special cases. Her mother brought her here a few months back after she had been raped by a family friend. She decided she didn’t want her so she put her up for adoption. It’s actually really sad, Piper asks when her mommy is going to come back but I don’t have the heart to tell her she’s not.” “Oh…..thank you,” at that moment I felt my heart shatter in a million pieces for Piper, this little girl was practically left alone because her mom deiced she didn’t want her anymore. At that moment I knew what I had to do. Later on after me and Michael played with the children a bit more, he signed autographs, and we all said bye, we headed out. I sat looking out the window and I felt Michael slide his hand on mine. “Saria are you going to be okay?” at that moment I burst out into tears. I turned to look at Michael who had a sympathetic smile on his face. “Michael, I’m sorry. I can’t believe I even considered leaving my own child alone. I decided after meeting Piper I wasn’t going to make the same mistake her mother did, I’m not leaving my child anywhere but with me, even if I go through hell to keep them safe and with me.” He moved closer to me and pulled me into one of the warmest hugs I’ve ever received. “Saria I’m so proud you’ve decided to do the right thing. No child should be left in an orphanage. They all deserve a home with a loving mother and father to raise them.” I wiped my eyes as I sniffled, “I am still beyond scared of raising a child on my own, but I know it’ll be fine.” Mike rubbed my hand gently, “I know you’ll be a great mother.” I smiled and cuddled into Michael’s chest as he wrapped his arms around me once again. I could smell his sweet sent as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “Hey Mikey?” he continued to rub up and down my arm as he embraced me, “Mhmmm?” “What else are we planning on doing here in L.A?” “Well what I have planned isn’t in L.A. but it’s still in California. What I have to show you I think you’re really going to like.” “How long will it be?” “Mmmm, maybe an hour or two,” “okay,” I said felling a little queasy. I decided I would take my mind off of my sickness and sleep a little.