Spotlight || MJ/Prince

Spotlight || Chapter 14

1995

Angela "Angie" Powell

"Paisley!" My daughter Jamie, now three years, old, squealed, adorably referring to Skip by the name of Paisley Park. We both could've cared less. As long as these two respected each other, Skip would just beam and there was no better feeling here.

Backstage, we both visited Skip after he finished performing for another award show. Crew members vanished before I could even step into this particular room. Strangers would've spooked my child. We all knew that certain truth, of course.

"Hey, Princess." Skip already carried my child on his left hip, sharing this hug for each other. My own heart swelled for the umpeeth occasion. We all hadn't seen one another in quite some time for obvious reasons, so this reunion was long overdue.

"I missed you so much." My little Jamie pouted, but Skip kissed her cheek to make the frown disappear. My daughter giggled, which made us all feel better. Her toothy smile prompted Skip to chuckle once more, and he just walked with her in his arms.

"I miss you, too. Are you being good for Mommy?" Skip glanced between his favorite Princess and me. I smiled in return, quickly wishing that I'd picked up my camera from home. Times like these between them were absolutely priceless.

"Uh huh. I gotta go to school now." Jamie seemed to frown again, but before I could walk over and even say anything, Skip lifted up her chin. These two then sat on the couch and started one of their first real talks together. I understood.

"School isn't a bad thing, okay. Learning is good. What's wrong?" Skip asked her. I nodded in turn, even though I'd already had this kind of conversation with my daughter. I could only imagine how Skip felt with this moment in time, even now.

"I love school. Kids don't like me. Real mean." Jamie slowly spoke up in her little voice. My heart shattered anyway. I planned to walk forward, but she offered this expression that told me to stay standing. She wanted time with her "best friend."

"What do the kids say?" Skip glanced toward me and locked eyes with the most disappointed expression of his own. I soon blinked away tears, remembering exactly what moment in time my princess meant. I'd never felt so bad. Ever.

"No Daddy, Jamie got no Daddy." Jamie scooted herself away from the couch and ran into my arms. I scooped her up, cradling as she now cried in tiny whimpers against the crook of my neck. Skip folded both arms, waiting for me to answer.

"What the hell is Michael doing now?" Skip whispered to me, furrowing his eyebrows. His arms soon crossed in protest as well. Once my daughter calmed her tears and sniffled though, Skip handed over the tissue box. We needed this conversation.

"Acting oblivious. He wants a family with Lisa, too. There was a Daddy-daughter day at school not long ago and Jamie was by herself. Even when I showed up, it just wasn't the same." I offered more and more details, but Skip wouldn't beam.

"Why didn't you call me? Forget about the press. I would've been there." Skip stood ground, pacing the floor in his famous heels. Even as his Goddaughter tried to smile across the room, he just wouldn't stop frowning about my entire situation now.

"You had tour dates around the same time. I couldn't bother you like that." I offered the truth. Skip knew that I was exactly right. Cancelling shows for me would've been out of the question, no matter what. I wasn't stupid, of course.

We then fell silent as soon as someone else knocked on the door. I didn't know what to think until Skip walked over and answered for both of us. I still cradled Jamie in my arms, but she soon used her little left hand to wipe away tears.

"Hey, we gotta..." Mayte Garcia showed up out of nowhere. Even Skip wanted to slam the door, but we kept ourselves together. Acting pissed off would've scared Jamie. Yet, I felt upset. Skip told everyone before to leave him alone until I left.

"Sorry, but this is a bad time." Skip reached out to hold Jamie in his arms again, cradling her on his hip once more. Jamie then smiled, feeling better piece by piece. No matter our relationship, Skip knew that my princess was joyful around him.

"Who's that, Paisley?" At least near Skip, Jamie didn't panic. I kept up my own brave face for obvious reasons, but Mayte wouldn't leave us alone yet. She just stood in that doorway, flabbergasted by the new people who stood backstage here.

"Mayte is a dancer." Skip answered. I felt proud. At least someone around here wanted to give my daughter the truth. On the other hand, I'd wanted sole custody when Jamie was born, but Michael soon acted as if she didn't exist, oddly enough.

"May-May." Jamie already struggled with that name. We all giggled, hoping that my daughter would feel better. She hugged Skip like a koala now, not even wanting to let go. To be honest, I didn't want to leave the room, either. We both were happy.

"Hi, Sweetheart. What's your name?" Mayte finally entered the room, still wearing an outfit from the stage performance. I nearly cringed, thinking of all the questions that my little girl would ask later on. This girl could've changed by now, but didn't.

Jamie kept quiet and drooped her braids onto Skip's shoulder instead.

That's my girl. My thoughts praised.