He Saved Me

Chp 48

Michael's POV
I ignored the call. I wasn't about to let anyone or anything ruin this moment for me. I'm finally going on a real vacation after ages. I'm not about to let anyone take this away from me. I went back into researching when my phone began to ring again. Lisa Marie's name shot up on my phone in big letters. I ignored it again. If it's important, she'll text me. The phone rang a third time. Jesus Christ.
"Hello?" I answered. All I heard were sniffles. "Lisa?" I asked. "Are you there?"
"H-hi," she squeaked through her sniffles.
"Uhh what's wrong Lisa? Are you okay? Why are you crying?" I asked concerned.
"Mike... I really need you right now... I—" she sobbed.
"Okay just calm down and tell me.... tell me where you are," I responded hesitantly. It killed me that she still had this power over me. Ugh!
"I'm outside the gates," she said in between sobs.
"Gates of what...?" I asked confused.
"Neverland," she responds quickly. I rubbed my temples, while I weighed my options. I don't know why Lisa Marie would put me in this compromising situation. Not only are the kids home, but they are also wide awake this time. I almost didn't live down the last time she came over.
"Lis-Lisa Marie," I sighed in desperation. "We discussed this before. I can't do this in front of my kids. It confuses them," I explain.
"Michael please! I'm begging you!" she said with a strain in her voice. Something was definitely wrong.
"Okay, come on through. I'll give the security at the gate my approval," I said making my way into the family room. I gave my "ok" through the intercom, letting Lisa Marie through the gates. And then right on cue, Mia and Blanket come out of their classrooms. Mia comes running to me, to tell me all about what she learned in school today. Great. How am I supposed to explain Lisa Marie to them? Just then, Paris decides to join us too.
This is about to be a shit show, I can feel it. All of a sudden, Paris and Mia start bickering over who gets to sit next to me on the couch. I can't even pay attention to these two right now, afraid of what's to come. Blanket went upstairs, wanting no part in this battle for my attention that my girls were displaying. A few seconds after snapping back into reality, I noticed they were still going back and forth. "Girls cut it out! We're about to have company. Behave yourselves please," I called out.
"Who's coming Daddy?" Mia asked innocently.
"A friend of mine," I reply quickly.
"Do we know this friend?" Paris inquired.
"Sweetheart, why don't you take Mia and go to the theater? Watch a movie or something, I'm gonna be a little busy with the guest," I said avoiding her question. Paris looked at me suspiciously, while Mia paid no mind to what was going on. She was busy playing with my curls while blabbering about some joke her tutor made.
"Um no... I think we're going to stay right here. Right Mia?" Paris asked.
"Huh?" Mia turned around confused.
"You wanna stay here with Daddy right?" Paris made clear. Mia quickly nodded her head yes. Well of course Mia won't want to leave, she never wants to leave my side. As I silently panicked inside, I heard the front door bell ring.
"I'll get it," I call out. Before I leave the room I turn around to look at them one more time. "Girls. Remember, best behavior," I remind them. Both of them nod yes without even looking at me. Whatever, at least I got some sort of acknowledgement out of them. I make my way to the front door and slowly open it. Lisa Marie stood there in her big aviators and a tissue in her hand. She glanced at me and fell into my arms. Her sobs filled the room, alarming the girls from the family room.

Mia's POV
Paris and I heard loud crying, so we followed the noise and found Daddy at the door... hugging some lady. "Paris, who is that?" I whispered. Paris looked stunned, with her mouth slightly open but no words coming out. Getting impatient with everyone's frozen actions, I called out Daddy's name. He turned around with the lady, still in his arms. I got a better look at her face this time, realizing who she was.
This is the same friend from that night! What is she doing here? Why are they always hugging each other? Daddy quickly pulled away from her and walked closer to where Paris and I were standing. "Girls, this is Lisa Marie," he said while gesturing towards her. "She's a friend of mine." I noticed Paris forcing a smile and saying hello. I knew it was a forced smile because too many of her teeth were showing. I stayed silent while staring at this "friend". Daddy glared at me before finally nudging me. "Mia, be polite and greet our guest," he scolded.
"Hi," I managed to squeak out. The "friend" gave a warm smile to both of us. We all sort of stood there awkwardly. Paris and Daddy had a stare down, while I had one with Lisa Marie. At least I think I did. I couldn't see much past her shades. Paris put her hands on my shoulders, while slowly pushing me towards the staircase.
"Well I guess we'll give you guys some privacy," Paris said. I shook her hands off my shoulders and ran up to Daddy.
"No I wanna stay here with Daddy," I said while wrapping my arms around his waist. Daddy removed my arms and crouched down to my eye level.
"Babygirl, we'll spend time together later ok? Lisa Marie and I have some grownup talking to do," he informed me. I was feeling territorial, and didn't want to leave him alone with this stranger. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, not sure if on purpose or not. Daddy rolled his eyes. "Mia, what did I tell you about forcing yourself to cry like that?" he said sternly.
"To cut it out before you really give me something to cry about," I said innocently. Daddy tried to hide his smile, while I heard a slight chuckle come out of Lisa Marie. Well, it's true. That's what he always says to me when he knows my tears aren't genuine.
"Mhmm, now go upstairs with your sister. This won't take long," he reassured me. I accepted my defeat and followed Paris up the stairs. Why was that lady here again? And why was she crying?
     "Paris? Who's that lady?" I asked.
     "You really don't know who that is?" she inquired. I nodded my head no. I really didn't know.
     "That's Daddy's ex wife Mia," she replied. My eyes bulged in shock.
     "That's your mom?" I questioned.
     "No, that's Daddy's first wife," she informed me. "Daddy got married twice Mia," Paris said. Paris noticed the complete shock on my face. I really don't know Daddy as much as I thought I did. "You okay Mia?" she asked concerned.
     "Why is she here now? Do you think they're gonna get married again?" I asked her. She looked like she was in deep thought before answering me.
     "God, I hope not. I think they're just friends. At least, that's what he tells us," she said suspiciously.
     "I wouldn't mind having a mom," I said without much thought. It was true. I never had a real mom when I think about it. My old mom was mean. She wasn't like everybody else's mom. I want to know what it's like to have a normal one. I'm sure Daddy would find us a mom just as nice as him.
     "No Mia. We have Daddy. We don't need a mom," she said glaring at me.
     "Yeah but don't you think—" I began before Paris cut me off.
     "Mia! Just no, ok? Drop it. We have Daddy and that's enough," she said raising her voice. I felt bad for upsetting Paris. I know she already has a mom but I kind of want one too. I think Blanket does too. Think being the key word.
     "Sorry," I mumbled. Paris pulled me into a hug and kissed my forehead.
"It's okay," she smiled. "How about we do something fun? Pick anything you wanna do. We'll have a sisters day," she said trying to drop this topic. I placed a finger on my chin, trying to think of what I can ask for. I don't normally get to pick activities with my siblings, being the baby and all. I internally rolled my eyes. Only time I get to choose is when Daddy forces them to let me.
"Can we put on makeup?" I asked with my eyes lighting up. Paris has a huge makeup collection that I always wanted to play around with. But I don't want to touch it without her permission. Plus, I don't really know how to put it on either.
"Really? That's what you want to do? Makeovers?" she chuckled. "I really thought you'd wanna go on the rides or something," she pointed out.
"I would but I'm on punishment. I'm not supposed to go on the rides," I explained sadly.
"That's fine, we can do makeovers. You want me to do your makeup?" she asked sweetly. I nodded my head yes. "Ok pick out what you want me to do first."

Michael's POV
I sat down with Lisa Marie in my wine cellar. I poured both of us a drink to calm her nerves. She took off her glasses, revealing her red puffy eyes. She's clearly been crying for a while. "What's going on love?" I asked gently.
"It's Michael," she blurted out.
"Huh? What did I do?" I chuckled. I was confused as to what she was trying to say.
"Lockwood," she mumbled.
"Oh," I replied simply. I was in no mood to talk about the current man in my ex wife's life. I don't think I'll ever be in that mood. But I pushed through my insecurities and tried to be a shoulder she could cry on for the moment. "What about him?" I questioned.
"We're getting a divorce," she replied while looking down. Is this woman really coming to me crying over her current divorce? I could be planning my vacation right now. Hell, I could be with my babies right now. Yet I'm sitting here, listening to her talk about her fucking marriage.
"Well you did cheat on him. Several times if I may remind you," I said with an attitude. She didn't think of her marriage every time she came begging for a night of lust, why cry now?
"I know," she replied while rolling her eyes. "And to tell you the truth, I don't regret those nights at all. But he knows Mike. He got suspicious and tracked me. He knows I've been coming to you the past few years," she confessed. I raised my eyebrows, kind of shocked that he's been aware this whole time.
"If he knew all this time, why did he wait till now to ask for a divorce?" I asked.
"I don't know. I guess he was hoping that it would be a phase. I guess he really wanted this marriage to work. But it got too much for him to handle," she replied. Well I don't blame the man. No man would be able to handle what she's been doing. I know I "assisted" her in a way, but she's grown. A grown woman making grown decisions. Who am I to judge?
"Hmm I see. Well, what do you want to do?" I asked. I wasn't too keen on having this conversation with her. But I was too deep in now to not have this talk.
"I don't love him Mike. I don't think I ever did. It's you, it's always been you," she said with tears falling out. I let out a sigh, realizing why she showed up here.
"Lisa Marie... I-I can't go there again. You know that. We tried this so many times, it never works," I said with a heavy heart. I hate having to reject her time after time. I know what it does to her. I know how she spirals down, but she leaves me with no other choice.
"But Mike... it's us," she emphasized.
"Doesn't matter. Love, I'm not in my 30's anymore. I can't invest in us the way I used to. Each time we called it quits, it took the life out of me. And God knows how much it killed you," reminding her of all the struggles she had to go through to get back up each time. "And girl, you need to learn how to live without a man by your side. You can't latch on to just anyone each time, when your heart isn't even in the right place. Come on, you know this Lisa," I pointed out.
Lisa Marie began to sob, breaking my heart. It's been years, yet we still keep running in this same circle. "Baby, I'm only focused on raising my children. And they're older now. I can't expose them to this mess. They notice these things, and it'll only hurt them."
"Hurt them, or hurt you Michael?" she said pointing a dagger at my heart.
"Both," I confessed. "Try to understand Lisa. What we had... it was magical. I never felt that way about anyone again. I don't think I ever will. But there's too much hurt and pain there. We can't go back there," I said gently. I pulled her into my embrace, as I ran my fingers through her hair. She sobbed into my chest, letting out all her frustrations and pain from her past mistakes. "Why don't you stay at the ranch for a few days. I'm taking the kids on vacation this weekend, till then you're welcome to stay at one of the guest houses," I offered.
"Ok," she said in almost a whisper. I didn't really think she was going to take me up on that offer, but I was glad. I'd rather have my eyes on her during the next few days. I don't want her getting involved in her regular mess. The drugs and the drinking, they always seem to make a comeback when she's this low. We stayed silent in each other's arms, both of us reminiscing on a love that was once there.