A Million Way's To Love You™∽For All Time∽♥Book 5

∽Chapter 34∽

*Marilyn's Point Of View*

After a satisfying visit to the rehabilitation center, I return home all smiles.  Maybe I'm smiling too much. Entering the kitchen, I am greeted by my mother and Patrick. "Someone is happier I see...", Mother teases, wrapping one of the fifteen goodie bags for Jordyn's birthday party.

Patrick grins foolishly. "I know why... But I don't blame him, or you.", He winks, passing mother the last of the candy. I shake my head. "I have no idea what you're talking about... ", I giggle out, walking over to the finished goodie bags. "Whatever you say Miss Jackson, So how is Michael?", Patrick asks, lending me a hand with the goodie bags that I was sadly struggling with.

"Yeah how is he holding up?", Mother chimes. "Well, he's okay. He just really wants to get out of there.", Patrick and mother nod. "Pssh, I would too. Hopefully he'll be returning soon.",-"Yeah, I hope so too.", I agree, following Patrick out of the kitchen. "I can't believe peaches is turning two!", Patrick exclaims as we enter the dining room.

I giggle. "Me either, she's growing fast. Seems like yesterday she came into the world.", I reminisce, placing the goodie bags in a neat stack along with the other princess themed decorations. Patrick chuckles to himself, shaking his head in amusement. "What's tickling your funny bone?", I ask raising a curious eyebrow.

"Nothing, it's just, you and Michael are something else. Four kid's... Yet y'all still find time to have sex and argue. That's just funny to me.", He chuckles out, glancing at his work. "Why does everyone say that? We barely have time to... you know, plus we don't argue a lot...", Patrick shrugs.

"Your mother and I argue, but I find that a good thing in a marriage... to an extent. It shows passion. ", He explains. "Yeah, I guess.",-" Don't say it like that. But anyways, What's up with Brandon and Dave?",-"David?", He nods. "Dave, David... same difference.",He casually shrugs. I sigh heavily. I hate talking about that situation.

Noticing my hesitation, Patrick pushes for an explanation. "Tell me what's going on. The truth please.",-"It's a sham. We allowed our son to marry a man who doesn't love him. The world wanted it to happen so we're giving it to them. Plus, I think there's some money in it for David so that when they divorce, he will walk away quietly. Don't tell anyone. Please.", I spill like a can of bean's.

Taking a long silent glance at me, Patrick rubs his temple's. "I don't understand this. Their marriage is a sham?",-"Yes.", I reply, avoiding his disappointing gaze.

"Is this what Hollywood does? Turn my son in law into a prescription drug addict and my daughter in law into a terrible liar and sham? I'm not going to tell anyone, but I advise you to get this straightened out before it blows up in your face.", He stresses, exiting the dining room. I silently curse myself for being a big mouth. I just hope he'll keep this to himself.

*Michael's Point Of View*

"Marcus you were supposed to clear this shit up last week! Her birthday is today dammit! ", I screech, tossing the paper's onto the table in front of me. Marcus sighs, trying to gather the paper's orderly. "Mike, I swear I did. I don't know what the Hell happened.", He stresses, flipping through the paper's violently.

Trying to calm myself down, I inhale a couple of times. Exhaling slowly, I rebuttal. "Look, I just want to go home for at least two day's. Today's my little girl's birthday, I want to be there. Just try it again.", Marcus nods, glancing over at Darrel. "Can you give us a minute?", Darrel nods, glancing at me for assurance.

I gesture an approving, okay. He quickly obeys, exiting quietly. I turn my attention back on a clearly stressed Marcus."Mike I know your family is really important to you, but I need you to Be in full health. Not just physically. I'll talk to Doctor Wilson for you, okay?",-"Okay. Just do that Now. Her party starts at two o'clock, it's twelve-forty-five.", He jots something down before nodding.

"Gotcha. Just hang tight bud. Marcus has you.", I playfully role my eyes. "just get me a discharge, we'll celebrate later. Thank-you.",-"Yes sir! But Hey, what are publicists for?", He chuckles, gathering his thing's. "Would you hurry up, please?",-"I'm going I'm going, Calm your tits' ha-ha", I squint my eyes at him.

"Watch it Marcus...", I warn. He chuckles again, exiting the room with a silent wave goodbye. I turn my attention back on the paper's in front of me. They all say I am discharged, but they all say I have to wait. I don't understand that. Not at all. I want to be with my family.

Especially after this morning, I need my babygirl. Sighing, I stand from my chair and proceed out of the door, for yet another session with loneliness and lost hopes.

*Yuli's Point Of View*

Looking around you wouldn't think that there is nothing wrong. All of the puzzle pieces are perfectly arranged; looks are deceiving. Behind Brandon's smile, I is resentment and hatred. Behind Marilyn's smile, is loneliness and longing. I've spent year's befriending the Jackson's and can honestly say at times, they are great with illusions.

It worries me, but I know they are only doing it to protect themselves. "Babe are you okay?", Ryan asks, rubbing my shoulder's gently. I sigh and glance over at Marilyn who was laughing and giggling with Jordyn locked in her arm's. "I know it's killing her that Michael isn't here.",  I say softly, turning my attention back on my husband.

"Babe, you have to just keep her happy. She's okay right now. Let her enjoy it.", He stresses, turning me to face him. "You worry too much babe. Just go have fun, I'll make sure Carson isn't running a muck, okay?", He suggests, pecking my forehead. I reluctantly nod in agreement.

"Good girl.", He smiles, pushing me forward by my butt. I continue reluctantly walking towards the adult table with Marilyn's Avon coworkers and a few other friends...

To Be Continued...