I Just Can't Stop Loving You

Chapter 36. Peter Pan, Denise and Randy

On Saturday, Maria and Jason Johnson arrived at Hayvenhurst to find the house filled with Jacksons, half-Jacksons, friends of Jacksons, and spouses and significant others of Jacksons. Mia, Nicole, and Mickey's theatrical debut was going to be a huge event indeed. What was initially going to be just Michael and Beth seeing the show was turning out to be a huge Media Event with a capital M.

"Auntie Mariiiiiiiiiiiiiiia!" shouted Nikki, jumping up and down in the foyer. She was wearing a t-shirt, Osh Kosh denim overalls. She had one sock on her right foot and the other was bare. One pigtail was unbraided and the other was done. Nothing about her appearance said that she was going to be starring in a show in four short hours, Maria thought as the little girl hugged her around the waist.

"Hello, Nik-Nik," said Maria. "Where is your mot—"

"Uncle Jason, pick me up! PICK ME UP – WHEEEEEEEEEEE! AAAAAAAAAAIEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Maria shook her head as Jason swung Nikki by her arms in a circle. "Miel, put mi sobrina down, ahora!"

"Nikki!" called Nneka, coming into the room. "It is your turn to get dressed."

"Aww!" said the little girl. "No fair!"

"Do you want Melissa to take your part?" Melissa Witherspoon was Nikki's understudy for Tinkerbell – a third grader.

"No, Miss Neka! I'm comin'!" She turned to Maria and Jason for hugs and kisses. "Ooh, Auntie Maria, Uncle Jason, wait till you see us! Just you wait!"

"I can't wait!" laughed Maria. "So where is your –"

She didn't finish. Nikki had skipped into the house, Nneka shaking her head.

After they walked past the foyer, Maria and Jason could see how crowded the Tudor-styled mansion had become. There didn't seem to be a Jackson missing... even Janet tapped Maria on the shoulder, saying 'hey!' with her famous broad smile. Several of the girlfriends were there with their husbands and kids.

As Jason got caught up with his buddies on the Jacksons' security team, Stephanie waddled over to Maria. Her midriff was noticeably rounded again.

"How's Beth?" she asked.

Stephanie shook her head. "Trying to pretend as if it's not gonna be a media nightmare at the school tonight. You know Beth."

Maria nodded. "She's not gonna try to go, is she?"

"She's insisting. Michael tried to put his foot down and said he'd have their people videotape it, but she went off on him and everyone else. She says those are her children, and she'll be damned if she's not in the audience."

Maria shook her head. "Same old Beth!"

"Yep! Wanna go see her? She's in with the kids..."

The two women made their way up to Michael's old suite, which he, Beth, and the kids were using while they were staying at Hayvenhurst. Inside, the main room was in absolute chaos – with toys and clothes strewn everywhere. Heather was wearing a ballet costume, doing the positions in the corner with her cousin Valencia. Mickey was getting a rip in his footed pajamas sewn by his Aunt Rebbie, and Nikki (now dressed in her fairy costume) was getting glittered up by Nneka.

Beth, Michael, and their pediatrician Dr. Savoy had a different problem on their hands. Mia was sitting on her father's lap weeping and being comforted as Beth talked to the pediatrician. Beth looked up, saw her friends coming toward her, and immediately filled them in.

"She's had an allergic reaction to the stage makeup," Beth explained calmly.

"Oh, no!"

"Oh, yes. She's apparently inherited her father's sensitive skin. We're waiting to see if her puffiness goes down."