Rock With You: A Love Story

twinkling waters

November 14th 1987
Melbourne, Oceania

Michael's POV

We have now completed the Asia leg of the tour, and are currently in the beautiful Melbourne. Everyone is marvelling over the tour, and my album is increasing in sales by the minute. It couldn't be going any better. Belle is loving the tour life, along with everyone else who is apart of it.
Last night, we kicked off the Oceania leg in Melbourne, Olympic Park Stadium, the crowd being one of the hugest yet. We have one week break here, until we travel over to Sydney for a show, so I am spending every minute I can to endure in quality time with my beautiful girlfriend.

"How far is this journey?" Belle sighs as she slumps against the back of the leather limo seat.
"We only have ten minutes, babe. Think you can cope?" I raise my eyebrows with a chuckle.
"It's just so beautiful, I want to be outside!" She exclaims, her eyes fixated out of the glossy car windows at the view.
"The Yarra River, correct?" The Australian driver asks, as he turns his head back at us. I gave Ben and Simon a few days off to enjoy Melbourne, meaning I have a temporary Aussie driver, which I didn't mind.
"Yes, please." I smile towards him, as he flicks his dark hair while he turns back to face the front. The limo zooms down the street as the scenery fills with stunning trees and colourful plants.
A few minutes later, we have pulled up beside the extravaganza that is the Yarra River.
The wide body of water stretches down the centre of Melbourne, lined with gorgeous greenery and glass skyscrapers. The water sparkles in the blinding sunlight, as I cover my eyes with my hand to block the sun.
"Wow. It's even bigger than I thought!" Belle squeals, as she beams down at the deep blue water.
"She's a beauty." The driver shrugged, casually leaning against his limo. "What are you guys doing here? Kayaking? Boating? Just a look?"
"I think we are going to try the kayaks, what do you recommend?" Belle smiles. Her skin glows in the sunlight, as she fiddles with her straightened dark hair.
"The kayaks are ace!" He raises his perfectly trimmed eyebrows. A shark tooth necklace hangs around his neck, laying on his open blue shirt.
"Nice necklace." I point at the tooth, causing the driver to take it into his fingers.
"Thanks, man. I never got bitten by a shark, I just thought it was cool." He chuckles, sitting back in the drivers seat. "Do you guys want me to wait here for you?"
"No, it's cool. We'll be a while, I'll call you back in a few hours." I nod thank you, as he shuts the door and starts up the car.
"Ready?" I take Belle's little hand in mine, as we stroll down beside the glistening river. A few security guards walk in front and behind of us, but I try to forget they're there.
"Where do we hire the kayaks?" Belle whips her head side to side in search for a hire port.
"Ah! I think there." I point towards a small wooden shack on the edge of the river, kayaks hanging by ropes all around it.
We stroll across towards the shack, bathing in the sunlight, as we chat about the beauty that is Melbourne.
"Michael Jackson? No way. You're totally awesome, man." The worker at the shack's face lit up as he saw me, making me smile.
"Hi." I chuckle awkwardly, shaking his hand.
"I respect you. You're a good man." He nods, his light curls falling over his face.
"Thank you! I appreciate it." I flash a genuine grin, as we hire one double kayak for Belle and I.

"You look so cute in you're little life jacket." Belle simpers, as she tightens the straps around my chest.
"Hey, there's nothing cute about me." I pull a masculine facial expression, presenting artificial toughness.
She plants a sweet kiss on my lips before I step down into the fluorescent yellow kayak floating on the river surface. It bobs around making me slightly uneasy, but I manage to sit down safely on the back seat. I reach my hand out for Bel, as she takes it and nervously steps down to the front seat.
A few drops of lukewarm water had leaked inside the kayak, sending chills down my body as it touches my legs.
"Here's you're oars, man. Have fun. Honour to meet you, Michael. Enjoy Melbourne." The worker hands us two wooden oars as he pushes us out gently.
"You too, and thank you." I smile, gripping my oar tightly with both hands.
"Do you know what to do?" Belle looks back at me, holding her oar cluelessly.
"Just go left, right, left, right. I guess..." I suggest as we begin to power through the body of water.
A few security guards had to stay nearby, so they decided to also hire kayaks and swim around us in a loose circle.
"This is so pretty, wow." Belle exhales at the gorgeous view around us. She leans back onto me, her back against my chest. I look down at her face, her eyes closed as she takes in the warmth of the sunlight. I plant a gentle kiss on her lips, upside down, as a smile appears on her pink lips.
"I love you." She says quietly.
"I love you more." I respond, stroking her arm with the back of my hand.
"Look at us. Floating down Yarra River in Melbourne. Who would of thought." She sighs with joy.
"I know, I feel incredibly lucky." I gaze down at the crystal water beneath me.
"Do you miss Neverland?" She frowns slightly.
"What made you think of Neverland?" I say sweetly.
"I miss it, a bit. It's like where we really got close, it feels like home to me." She shrugs, speaking her mind.
"It is home." I say.
"It's you're home." She snickers.
"It's our home." I grin at her, as she instantly opens her eyes.
"What?" She says, confused.
"Do you want to move in with me? You're already there most of the time, why not make it official." I suggest, slightly nervously. I'd been awaiting for the perfect time to ask her this.
She sits up to face me. She places her hands against my chest, "Really?"
"Yes, of course." I stare into her eyes.
She abruptly wraps her arms around me, her head resting on my shoulder.
"I'll take that as a yes?" I giggle.
"I'd love to, Michael. I really would." She says softly into my ear.
"Good, because I'd love you to too." I chuckle. She pulls out of the hug as her lips press powerfully against mine.
We kiss passionately, as everyone else in the world dissolves into nothingness.
"I love you so much. I can't believe how much. I never thought I'd find a love like this. Like you. You literally are the perfect person." Belle gushes, her tiny hands holding my head.
No one has ever said something so genuinely pure and kind to me before. It suddenly hits me quite how much Belle means to me. Without her, I'd be...nothing. I'd feel useless, empty. I want to spend my whole life with her and I'm sure of it.
The idea sits at the back of my brain, as we continue this beautiful ride down the glorious river. We both have unremovable smiles painted across our faces the entire time, each other's presence fulfilling the others emotions.