January 16, 2004

(If you love Mike and Lexi…make sure you read/listen to the song that he sings to her in this chapter…alot of you will already know it, but the lyrics fit them so perfectly right now, at least I think)

“It came out really good”

Lexi handed the toy back to Michael and started brushing her hair again.

“Yeah it did huh, I’m happy he was able to fix it for her.”

Michael checked the seam of the stuffed duck one last time before setting it down beside him on the chair, then took the opportunity to watch Lexi for a brief moment. The two months since she had returned home had healed her body but her mind was still on the mend. Her fear still gripped her at the most intimate of times and Michael had learned to be patient…even though he longed to become one with her again.

“Do you think I should talk to the counselor before we give it back to ‘lannah?”

Staring at the curve of her ass in her jeans he hadn’t heard her question.

“Should we?”

Lexi turned and caught his eyes before he quickly averted them away from her gaze.

“I’m sorry; did you say something to me Lex?”

“Yeah, should I talk to ‘lannah’s counselor before we give her back the duck?”

Michael ran his hands down the front of his jeans before standing up,

“Sure if you think we need to girl. I don’t want to upset her.”

“Well, it was a big deal, you know if she wouldn’t have hidden my ID and money inside of it all those months we couldn’t have gotten back across the border and up here to The Ranch.”

“I know, it’s crazy that at seven years old thought to do that.”

Picking up his hat, Michael turned to Lexi before continuing,

“I guess all the times you went back and forth across that border she was paying attention.”

Lexi handed him his jacket,

“Yeah, and she is a Jackson so you know she was going to make sure we had money too.”

Laughing together, Michael hugged Lexi before heading for the door,

“OK, I’m gonna go check on Joseph and the kids. You wanna go?”

He already knew her answer but asked anyway,

“I will come over and kiss the kids in a little while. Where is your Father sleeping tonight?”

“In town with Jermaine, you’re good. I’ll call you for dinner.”

Nodding to him as he walked out of the door, Lexi sat down in the chair picking up the duck, absently mindedly stroking the now soft clean material that Bush had fixed for them. But still all the while she worried over Michael’s impending arraignment in the morning.

_____________________________

Michael was nervous, the reality of the morning ahead sinking in with a crushing finality that couldn’t be denied. Shuffling through his CDs he picked some favorites and slid them in the carousel, adjusting the volume so as not to wake Lexi.

The cottage was quiet, with the kids including ‘lannah sleeping back in the main house. His oldest child was snuggling once again with her duck. Michael and Lexi had mistakenly left it carelessly on the chair and she joyfully hugged it tight and never let go after she found it.

Remembering the happy smile on her face filled his heart, even as he sat futily trying to read over the notes on his case. After thirty futile minutes he gave up and relented to sitting in the dark, with only the flames of the fireplace illuminating the room. Luther Vandross’s “Wait for Love” began to play over the stereo and Michael’s mind wandered back to meeting Hunter on the train. Closing his eyes as the lyrics washed over him he tried to remember the sound of her voice, the smell of her skin after a shower, but all he could feel was the wave of emptiness that came with the effort. Removing his glasses, he wiped tears from his eyes only to open them and find Lexi watching him from the entryway to the bedroom.

“Are you all right Michael?”

He nodded, the movement being barely perceptible to Lexi in the darkened room.

“Do you care if I join you?
“No..no that’s good. Come here girl.”

Lexi joined him, lying down on his lap.

“I’m nervous too Michael, let me come with you this morning. Don’t you think it will be fine.”

“Oh god, Lex…it’s gonna be crazy, and you know there will be all kinds of questions if you go. Stay here with the kids; they need you more than me right now.”

He could hear her sigh and saw the tears threatening her eyes.

“They aren’t going to keep you are they?”

“No, Mark says I will be home, so we are planning the party and everything.”

They both sat quietly, listening as Luther’s voice faded away and Lexi finally spoke.

“Let me testify, I want to tell them what life around you is really like Michael. Let me tell the world about us, about our family, our babies…everything. Don’t you think this is the time?”

Pulling her up and to him, Michael grasped her tightly,

“That scares me Lex that scares me so bad.”

“It’s not as bad as losing you forever Michael. What would I do…what would we do?”

Burying his face in her hair Michael tried to keep it together,

“Girl, we have both lost people precious to us. Even if the worst happens I won’t be gone…not like that.”

“I don’t care; I won’t let it happen to you Michael. I’ll go to the press, I swear to you I will.”

Standing up Michael brushed her cheek lightly,

“Mark is good; you know he is a good lawyer. He won’t let that happen.”

He could see her defiance in her silhouette as she stood and moved to in front of the fire,

“I don’t trust him. He took this other case…that guy killed his wife and unborn baby. Peterson he did it, it makes me sick. How can he defend someone like that? I don’t want you associated with someone who would protect somebody like him.”

Her voice shook with anxiety and fear,

“I went through that and so did your daughter. I find it crazy that now your lawyer is defending it.”

Taking a long, deep breath Michael came to her side.

“I know…believe me, I bothers me too. But he says he can honestly defend him.”

“Damn it, I want to help you Michael.”

“I know you do, but the best way you can do that is by concentrating on getting healthy.”

“I am, I already feel better. The antibiotic IVs are helping and so are the new breathing treatments.”

“Yeah I can tell. Baby, gah…you don’t have to be a hero anymore. Not for me or anyone else. That’s how you got sick, running into those towers and working all that time…its crazy that it gave you this cough or whatever.”

“There are people sicker than me, or the ones who didn’t make it.”

His lips grazed her forehead,

“I know babe, I know.”

Yet again the music shifted on the stereo and as the piano riff swirled around them Michael clasped her hand,

“Dance with me.”

Pulling her close he felt the warmth of her body against his and he sang softly along

I’ve been so many places in my life and time
I’ve sung a lot of songs, and I’ve made some bad rhymes
I’ve acted out my life in stages, with ten thousand people watching
But we’re alone now, and I’m singing this song to you.

…..Lexi felt her heart begin to beat faster as Michael spoke to her through the song

I know your image of me is what i hope to be
I treated you unkindly, but darling can’t you see
There’s no one more important to me, baby, can’t you see through me
Cuz we’re alone now, and I’m singing this song to you

…..She struggled to hold back her tears, something about the way he was holding her..singing to her. He meant every word

You taught me precious secrets of a true love withholding nothing
You came out in front when i was hidin
But now I’m so much better
And if my words don’t some together
Listen to the melody, cuz my love is in there hiding

…”Listen Alexis, listen to what I’m gonna sing to you right now.” Michael whispered in between the verse
I love you in a place, where there’s no space or time
I love you for my life, you’re a friend of mine
And when my life is over, remember when we we’re together
We we’re alone and i was singing this to you.

….”I love you so much girl, I love you…don’t ever forget, no matter what happens.”

I love you in a place, where there’s no space or time
I love you for my life, you’re a friend of mine
And when my life is over, remember when we we’re together
We we’re alone and i was singing this to you.

We we’re alone and I was singing this song to you
We we’re alone and I was singing this song to you
We we’re alone and i was singing this song to you…

Michael opened his eyes and looked onto Lexi’s tear streaked face.

“I love you so much too Michael. No…nobody has ever had my heart like you do.”

His lips met hers, the salty taste of their tears mingling as they both felt the spark of passion alight.

“You still have mine too Alexis…”

“I do…really?”

“Mmm hmm…”

His words were lost as he buried his face against her neck, his hands entwining in her hair. Lexi stumbled backward, dizzy from emotion and overcome with the intensity of the moment.

She felt the hardness of a table press into her leg preventing her fall just as Michael’s lips found hers. She didn’t have time to think about being anxious, because it finally felt so natural to be in that place and back in his arms.

‘Don’t be scared Alexis…”

Michael felt her body relax into his, just as he lifted her onto the dining table.

“I dont want to Michael…I know I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”

The deep breath that he took after she spoke was one of relief and happiness and he blindly reached out and swept the table clean of its contents while lying her down underneath him.

A flower arrangement and a plate left over from dessert crashed to the floor causing Lexi to momentarily flashback to a time long before…when Michael had pushed her onto a table in a fit of fury and passion.

The recognition flashed in his eyes as well,

“That’s not me, Baby I left all that behind. I would never do you like that now.”

Lexi brushed the hair out of his eyes…

“I know, I know. Come here…stop all this talking…love me Michael, love me.”

Once again their lips met, both of them moaning with desire as tongues twisted and turned, fueling the passion that had sparked so suddenly.

Lexi’s back arched up, causing the robe she was wearing to fall away and expose her body to his hands.

Michael explored it with his lips, down the pulsing artery of her neck and over to the hardened bud of her nipple.

“Aye…más bebé más” Lexi moaned as his teeth tugged on her tender skin again.

“Babe…” Michael’s voice whispered as he gathered her breasts in his hands, massaging them gently while flicking the tip of his tongue over each nipple.

Nails dug deep in his arms as he moved lower; caressing her stomach with tender touches until he finally stopped and gently pushed her knees apart.

He felt her shaking, her fear beginning to overtake the desire she was feeling. Looking up at her face he saw her brow knit together in frustration, as if she was fighting her own private battle with the demons the months away had brought to her life.

“Alexis, we can stop, we don’t have to…”

“No, Michael…I want you, so much. I want to be with you. Please…”

“But Lex…”

“Not again…we’ve stopped too many times. I want you, and I want to make love to you…again.”

Now it was Michael’s time to be nervous, he felt his stomach flip as Lexi took his hand and placed it over her growing wetness.

“Lex…I want to make love to you too.”

She felt like all the oxygen was drawn out of the room as his mouth connected with her body. All the fear, all the anxiety finally faded away as he slowly swirled his lips and tongue gently along her swelling sex.

“Mmm girl you taste so sweet.”

Lexi’s breathing was rapid, her hips grinding uncontrollably,

“Michael, oh god…I forgot how you make me feel so, uh oh…gah”

Michael ached to connect with her. He had since the night she had finally come home but he had waited knowing that she had to mentally and physically ready herself for the experience. But now she seemed to want him, to welcome the advances that he had to halt so many times before.

Standing up he stripped himself of his pajamas, all the while watching her as she lay on the table in front of him. She flinched under his gaze and started to draw her robe back across herself.

Catching her hand, Michael pulled the material back.

“You’re beautiful, you have always been beautiful…let me look at you Alexis. Let me look at you. I want to watch you in the firelight.”

He was surprised when she reached for him and tentatively began to stroke his hardened shaft.

“I’m ready, I know I am.”

His eyes closed and he bit his bottom lip while she moved with more confidence up and down, faster and faster. She heard the whimper that escaped his throat right before he stepped forward, ending her movement. Moving her open he pushed himself against her entrance. They both gasped the anticipation of the moment almost as intense as the instant he slipped inside her body again after so long.

“Michael….Michael!”

Lexi’s exclamation stopped him before he could continue his deep slide back and forth.

“Should we stop…do you want me to stop?”

Her eyes flashed open, filled with tears and Michael felt his heart sink. He finally had been able to feel her after all this time and again the fear had taken over.

Leaning over he kissed her softly preparing to pull out and walk it off, but he felt her squeeze him tightly working him internally with her muscles. Then her legs wrapped around his hips pulling him tightly to her body.

“No…no baby don’t you dare stop. I’m so happy right now and it feels so right.”

Burying his face in her chest, Michael took a deep breath before standing. Slowly he pushed his hips into Lexi. In and out, in and out, in and out…gradually getting faster and faster while she pushed against his movement. Soon Lexi had risen up off of the table and Michael was supporting her in his arms, thrust after thrust he ground into her,

“I’m gonna come Lex.”

Michael grimaced as he felt himself tighten

“I’m coming, Mmm I’m com ahhh…”

Lexi ground down on his shaft crying out as her swollen sex connected over and over. It wasn’t long before the burning familiarity began for her too. Spasms shook her once, twice, then a third time as she cried out for him.

“Yeah, Michael oh my god”

__________________________

It was silent except for her occasional coughing spell as they lay beside the fire, winding down from their lovemaking.

Michael finally spoke,

“Are you OK girl?”

Lexi reached up and stroked his face,

“Yeah I am fine, no…no I’m great.”

“I was hoping you wasn’t gonna get scared again.”

“I did.”

“You did? I told you we could stop. Why didn’t you let me stop?”

Rolling over she sat astride him, untying her robe again before speaking.

“Because I’m tired of being afraid.”

She brought his hands up to her breasts and tossed her head back slightly,

“Because I’m tired of letting that monster control my life.”

Reaching under the blanket she started to stroke him again,

“Because after thinking about it, I want to take every second we have been given and celebrate our time together.”

…and with that she slowly slid down and took him between her lips, making it clear that she was conquering her intimacy issues head on.

____________________________

The Judge’s admonishment for being late to his arraignment was still fresh in his mind as he stepped out into the bright sunshine of the day. The slight smile he had was because he knew the reason he had been late was due to the fact he had been wrapped around Lexi and couldn’t bear to leave her regardless of the punishment.

 The cheers of the fans were uplifting and he directed security to hand out invitations to some of the most devoted of them to the party later at The Ranch. He also wanted to thank the many supporters who had traveled such a long way, so Michael jumped onto the roof of the Escalade to wave to them all; flashing some of his famous dance moves while he was at it, something he had done a hundred times before. The press took their pictures and rolled their tape. His display only lasted a moment and he was on the way home trusting that his name would soon be cleared.

Little did he realize…it had only just begun.

To Be Continued

Please Rate This Chapter Below

Lexi slept for most of three days, except for the time that she spent locked behind the door of the bathroom. When she came out, she laid right back down again on the palette they had made on the floor. It consisted of two mattresses pushed together, the four children plus Michael and her during the night. During the day, Michael was followed everywhere by Alannah. She had become his shadow, perhaps even closer than a shadow, because she clung to him like a second skin. Even denying her brother and sister the pleasure of playtime when they asked it of her. Michael held her when he could and tried to be as comforting as possible, hoping that she like her Mother would soon break her silence and let him in on what had happened while they had been missing.

_________________________________________________________

“We’ll be leaving in the morning Sally. I promise you that we will come there as soon as we can.”

Michael stood with his cell phone to his ear talking to Lexi’s Mother in Los Angeles.

“Yes, I know you are worried. I am too.”

Reaching down he stroked ‘lannah’s hair as she stood by his side,

“No not a thing, she hasn’t mentioned anything yet. I still don’t know what happened.”

He felt tears begin to burn behind his eyes,

“You don’t need to come up here, we will see you tomorrow. I am going right now to go check on her. Thanks so much Sally. Yeah…Love you more….bye.”

He paused as he folded the cell phone into his pocket and looked down at his daughter,

“I’m going to see your Mom. Miss Grace needs to stay with you for a few minutes Babygirl.”

Her whisper was barely audible as he knelt down,

“I wanna stay with you Poppa…please.”

 “Listen, Miss Grace is going to take you shopping and get your hair fixed up, you really need it done. Wouldn’t you like that?”

Alannah barely shook her head her eyes cast down towards the floor.

“Why not ‘lannah, you have always loved to go get your hair done up like a princess.”

“No…I don’t wanna go. I need to stay with you.”

Michael could see her trembling and he hugged her close,

“What is it? What happened Baby?”

Pulling back he studied her dark eyes closely and finally gave in,

“All right, you don’t have to go. But ‘lannah…the Doctor is coming. You remember Miss Annabelle don’t you?”

He waited as she wiped her face and nodded her head,

“OK, well she is going to talk to your Mom. I’m worried about her and I want to make sure she is going to be better.”

Alannah launched herself at Michael, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck and she whispered,

“Help her Poppa, Please?”

“I’m trying, I promise ‘lannah I am trying.”

Knocking on the door he prepared himself for a confrontation. He didn’t blame her, but he couldn’t help it either. She always knew where his heart belonged and he never lied to her or let her believe that he loved her.

“Hey…I don’t know how long I will be, can you fix up her hair too?”

“Of course, I will do that for her; then she can play with Prince and Paris. Take your time….”

Grace raised her eyes up from looking at Alannah, to gaze defiantly at Michael and continued,

“We will all be fine, it just takes time.”

Nervously smoothing his hair out of his own eyes he searched for the right words, finally settling for simplicity,

“I couldn’t do this without you. Everything…right now, it’s just all so much.”

“Michael…go take care of it. Alannah will be Ok.”

“Yeah…alright. Thanks…thanks so much.”

He turned leaving Grace’s bungalow with a huge weight off of his shoulders and one less problem to deal with as he walked towards his long awaited confrontation with Lexi.

  ________________________________________

Water ran in small streams down her back and she shivered slightly as she settled down once again onto the mattress on the floor. Unwrapping her towel from around her body she ran it down the length of her legs and finally over her still damp hair hoping to stem the chill that never seemed to fade from her limbs. The steam from her shower had caused her to begin to cough again and she bent over clutching her chest just as Michael opened the door and stepped inside. He studied the line of her spine as she arched forward and the trace of a bruise was still visible above the dimple where her kidney lay.

Luckily her coughing spell didn’t last long and he was grateful to see her up and awake. Her face scrubbed and flush with color after the much needed shower, of which the smell of berries still lingered in the air.

“You look great this morning Lex, how do you feel?”

“Ok I guess.”

She tilted her head up to look at him and he tried not to flinch when he saw her still bruised eye.

“Babe…um ‘lannah is um with Grace and the kids this morning.”

Lexi didn’t respond as she mindlessly combed her hair, staring through Michael like he wasn’t even there.

“Lex? Alexis!”

Somehow the tone of his voice seemed to startle her back to reality,

“Yeah…?.”

“Lex, Belle is here.”

“Belle? Really?”

“Mmm hmm, she is…I asked her to come check you out. You need to see a Doctor.”

Finally her eyes seemed to focus,

“No…I don’t need a Doctor. Please, Michael. I’m fine…all I need is you. You, ‘lannah and Neverland, please don’t make me see her.”

“Lex she won’t be long and I will feel a lot better about us leaving for LA tomorrow.”

Lexi sprang to her feet, forgetting that she was still naked from her shower.

“No…I don’t want to leave The Ranch. Please Michael, don’t make us leave here.”

Her eyes became wild and Michael reached out for her to try to calm her down,

“Alexis, we won’t be gone long. Your Mom really wants to see you and I need to see my lawyer.

Lexi had fallen to her knees in front of him, her eyes full of tears.

“Don’t make me go..”

“Lex….It’s Ok…”

“Michael, I…we, please”

Before he had a chance to answer; she pressed against him, her hand searching inside the waistband of his pajamas for what would soon be swelling inside her mouth.

“Babe…Lex, what are you mmmm”

“See, don’t you want me to stay?”

Drawing him out of his clothing she ran her lips and tongue over his still flaccid member leaving enough saliva for her hand to run down his length and back again. As Michael began to grow hard under her touch she felt his body relax, as he leaned back on the dresser behind him for support.

“Lex…damn girl that feels so good. I’ve missed you so much.”

Lexi felt no emotion, no attachment. She went to the place in her mind she had gone to so many times since she had been gone…she did what she had to do, and as long as it kept her and ‘lannah safe that’s all that mattered.

“I know you want me here…tell me Michael.”

Michael was oblivious to everything but how it felt. He had imagined finally being with her again and now she was all over him at last. Her lips and tongue caressed every inch of his growing shaft, and he yearned for more. Michael pushed his hips forward and welcomed her fully, not realizing the extent of the trauma Lexi had been though. Until at last he glanced down wanting to see her beautiful face as he remembered it, but what he saw broke his heart.

She slid her lips off of him and mumbled between whispered sobs,

“Don’t make me leave…please baby, don’t make me leave.”

He snapped from the moment and pushed her away with one hand. His breathless demand catching him by surprise,

“Stop, Alexis please stop. We can’t…we can’t do this, ahhh god we can’t do this right now.”

He ended up bent over for a moment trying to relax from the erection and emotions Lexi had aroused in him. She remained on her knees, like some kind of obedient servant, waiting on the next order while her tears still streamed down her face.

“Get dressed Lex please, Belle needs to see you.”

Wiping the back of her hand across her mouth she staggered to her feet and found a robe and lay back down in the bed while her sobs still reverberated in the room.

Michael collected himself and called to the main house for Annabelle to meet them at the bungalow. He was terrified what she might find wrong with Lexi, but he knew he had to find out to begin to help make her well again.

Taking a moment to sit with her before Belle arrived he stroked her forehead,

“I’ll do everything I can to help you Lex. They’ll have to take me away from you this time.”

“Michael, I’m afraid for you. What they are doing to you”

“Don’t be.”

What he couldn’t tell her was that he was afraid too.

___________________________________________

The cell phone was hot against his ear as Geragos continued to talk and talk about the strategy they would take in the case. Michael tried to concentrate but the miles continued to click by as they made their way towards Los Angeles. He couldn’t help but become more distracted as he thought back to what Belle had told him after she saw Lexi, a whispered description of the mysterious injuries that marked her body.

“Mark…excuse me Mark, my phone reception is bad here in the mountains and I am going to have to hang up. I will see you first thing tomorrow morning. Goodnight.”

Closing the phone with a slight sigh, Michael glanced over at Lexi who sat curled against the door of the Escalade wrapped up in a blanket.

“Sorry that took so long.” Michael offered

Lexi shrugged slightly in the dim light, shifting away from him as she readjusted her weight.

“Lex, I talked to Belle, she said that…”

“I don’t want to talk about it Michael!” Lexi cut him off mid-sentence.

He spoke softly, “I know it must be hard.”

“You have no idea, please leave it alone.” Her voice dropped low and her eyes drifted to look out the window at the fading light.

“OK, I’m here then….um whenever.” Michael bit his bottom lip nervously not knowing what else to do for her at the moment.

For several miles they both sat in silence until the Escalade had to stop for traffic on the two lane road.

“Get back Mr. Jackson…get down please in the vehicle.” Michael’s security guard requested as someone ran down the line of cars.

The panicked man begged for help, “Somebody please help, there’s been an accident. It’s really bad.”

Michael’s bodyguard looked at his phone, “No service…Mr. Jackson do you have service.”

“No…none.” Michael replied

Michael heard Lexi mumble under her breath, “What Lex?”

“I’m going…” Lexi glanced briefly at Michael before opening the door of the Escalade.

“Mr. Jackson, I can’t allow her to leave.”

The bodyguard began to go after Lexi but Michael interrupted, “Let her go.”

“But, it’s not safe for you.” The bodyguard countered.

“I said let her go, that’s an order!” Michael exclaimed

He watched as she carefully made her way through the maze of cars until she was out of sight. He wished with all his might he could join her, even walk closer and watch her work again…like that first night so long ago. He imagined her back in her element saving the person in the car with precision and grace. Before long the distant sounds of sirens were heard and eventually Lexi made it back to him.

“I need to clean up.” She said quietly

Michael stared at her expecting a story but receiving nothing. “All right…traffic is starting to move we can stop up the road at the rest stop.”

As they moved past the accident Michael stared at the wreckage, wondering how anyone could have survived.

“Lex, are those people OK?”

“The passengers are dead. The driver made it…he was drunk, killed his wife and son tonight.”

Her eyes were cold, her tone harsh and businesslike.

Michael blinked back tears at what she had told him.

Again the car was silent as they drove on to the rest stop, Lexi stoic in her composure…Michael trying to retain his.

Finally arriving, Lexi found some sweats from her suitcase and entered the bathroom to clean up from helping out at the accident scene.

One of Michael’s bodyguards stood outside the door for her protection as Michael and his driver waited in the Escalade. Grace called to tell him they had arrived in L.A. and she was treating the kids to pizza. He briefly talked to them all before finally hanging up, promising to tuck them into bed as soon as he arrived. Noticing it had been much longer than it should have taken and he boldly stepped out of the vehicle.

“Mr. Jackson, you can’t get out here. It’s not safe.” exclaimed the driver.

“It’s just us, it will be fine. I am just going to check on her. Besides that’s what I pay you guys for.” Michael shook his head as he turned into the bathroom.

“Lex? Lex…no no no, Lex girl. What happened?” Michael ran towards Lexi who was crumpled, wet, and nude on the floor of the rest room.

“My hands…mah mah my hands. Michael my hands.” Lexi held her hands out in front of her as she broke down in hysterics.

Michael tried not to panic as he turned off the water pouring out of the faucet. “What Baby, what about your hands…tell me. Let me help you.”

“The tha tha blood. Michael, the blood it was all over.” Her cries were shrill in the bathroom and in his ears as he pulled her sweats on and zipped a jacket up to dress her.

“Come on, baby lets go get in the car. You can tell me in the car OK? Michael coaxed her slowly but surely to follow him back to the Escalade where he immediately rolled up the privacy glass.

Still hysterical, Lexi clung to him gasping for air. “I didn’t mean to…Dah Dah Danny he wanted to go. Michael, I didn’t mean to. I didn’t mean to.”

Michael grasped her face in his hands, “What Baby, what didn’t you mean to do.”

“I had to save ‘lannah, I had to get home to you. Please promise you won’t hate me Mah Mah Michael please.”

“Alexis, all I care about is having you and ‘lannah back with me. You’re safe now, that’s what matters.”

“No Michael…no. I left. He was horrible, I hate him….Michael, god what have I done?”

Collapsing onto his lap, Lexi wept with the release of emotions she had held in since the escape from Mexico. The few tears she shed when she had first seen Michael had quickly dried and her guard had been up to try and prevent the breakdown that the accident scene had finally unleashed.

Stroking her hair Michael let her cry, hoping she would finally confess her secret.

Eventually they were past Ventura when she sat up staring at him with swollen eyes, “I left him to die, I’m a doctor and I left him to die.”

“You were protecting yourself and ‘lannah. Alexis, you did what you had to do.” Lexi could feel Michael’s dark eyes searching for hers in the darkness of the backseat.

“No, it..it wasn’t like that. It is a long story but Danny…Michael it was Danny from Germany that helped me get away.”

Michael shifted in his seat and his voice deepened, “The stalker? Lex I swear to god, did he do this to you?”

Lexi’s voice was soft and reflective, “No, no he was working for Patrick…my um boyfriend.” Her voice cracked as she said the word.

“The last time I spoke to ‘lannah she said something about a Patrick.” Michael tried not to sound disgusted. He wanted her to keep talking but it hurt to hear it.

“Yeah, he..he was the guy you saw in the driveway that time on my birthday. We met again after we broke up. He was in Cabo and we started to see each other, he seemed like a nice guy….at first.”

“and then?” his voice was a whisper

“I was sick. Michael I’ve been sick, since I last saw you. I have this cough that won’t go away, and I can’t get well. “

“Belle said your lungs are bad, she needs you to get an xray tomorrow.”

“I already know what it will show.”

Michael rubbed his hand over his face, trying to keep the tears at bay,

“Lex, please god, Lex…please tell me the cancer is not back?

“No, at least not yet. It’s some kind of chronic bronchitis; they don’t really know exactly what it is. It’s painful, and that’s, um something else I need to talk to you about…”

Pulling her close, Michael ran his fingers softly down the inside of her arm, “It’s Ok, Baby. Let me help you now.”

“I’m sorry, I let myself get lost Michael. I was sick and unhappy and I didn’t care anymore. Alannah saved me, she wanted to come home to you, her Daddy. And that’s when he started, you know. I tried to leave, but he knew…Michael he knew about Blanket. I swear to you I never told him a thing though. All he wanted was the story for his stupid tabloid, and to control me. The crazy thing was he could never figure out ‘lannah was yours too.”

“How long did this go on Lex?”

“Months, until he had Danny come to the house in La Paz. I guess he thought he could trust him. Danny had a boat and they were going to go fishing that day but he came inside and saw me in the kitchen.”

“You must have been really scared Lex, I mean the last time you saw that guy he was trying to hurt you.”

“I was terrified Michael, but you know what happened? Our baby walked in at the same time and I dunno, I saw some kind of change in him.”

“Really? Like nice?”

“Yeah, he nodded towards the dock and I whispered to ‘lannah to get ready to run. She picked up Brandon’s duck..”

“The Duck?”

“Our daughter is incredible Michael, you wont believe what she did.”

“OK, so you took the boat?”

Lexi’s eyes started to water again,

“Pat, hmmm, Patrick was in the boat house getting his tackle and we ran for the boat. Danny told me to cast off as he powered up, I settled ‘lannah in the bow and just as I got to the stern and cleats Patrick had made it to the dock.”

“Oh god, Lex what happened”

“He kicked me in the face, that’s how I got this black eye and busted lip.”

Michael’s voice was low and he spoke though clenched teeth,

“He kicked you in the face? THE FACE!”

“Mmm hmm, yeah. Somehow I pushed him and he fell in the water…fell in the water right as Danny put the boat in gear. Michael the prop ran over him, his arm…it was gone. GONE!”

Her sobs were back at full strength but Michael didn’t console her,

“Da..da..Danny, I made him stop and the water it was full of blood. I tried to drag him on the boat, My hands they were full of blood….but Danny he took off. We left him in the water to die. Michael what have I done, what have I done? I’m a Doctor…what have I done.”

“You survived Lex…you survived, and now you both are home where you belong. I needed you here so badly, I prayed for you and those prayers were answered. Look, you are right here in my arms.”

“I don’t know if I can live with myself.”

“Live for me Lex….live for ‘lannah, and B and Paris and Prince then you can live with yourself.”

“I love you Michael.”

“I love you more Alexis….I love you so much more.”

To Be Continued

Please Rate This Chapter Below

Two and a half years ago we lost our beloved Michael Joe Jackson. Most of us have become family in the time since that horrible day and in turn have leaned on each other through many dark and sad hours.

Today we were able to join together again as one united family as we witnessed justice finally prevail for Michael.

Thank you to David Walgren and Deborah Brazil, their brilliant witnesses as well as Judge Pastor and his perfectly run courtroom.

My heart feels empty though, for as pleased as I personally am with the outcome…I miss him. I miss his beautiful laughter, his silly sense of humor, his love of children and our planet and yes his love of life.

Michael we will forever defend your name, your honor, and your legacy.

Thank you in turn Michael Jackson for all your L.O.V.E. You are beautiful and perfect and always will be.

Full Verdict Clip:

They are just great kids…

Click here for the link to the video and story ( aka Blanket speaks)

Michael’s Bday in Gary

August 27, 2011 (GARY, Ind.) (WLS) — As Gary, Ind., celebrates what would have been Michael Jackson’s 53rd birthday, his children got a glimpse of what their father’s childhood was like.

The Jackson siblings made a rare public appearance in Gary this weekend with their grandmother Katherine Jackson and other relatives for the city’s celebration of their father. Jackson’s official birthday is Monday.

“We adjusted over the past years. And I think that coming here, seeing our dad’s old house, and all the fans coming out, I think it is really sweet they did that,” said Paris Jackson, Michael Jackson’s daughter.

It wasn’t long ago that the world watched as Prince, 14, Paris, 13, and Blanket, 9, bid farewell to their father. On Saturday night, the children posed for pictures and signed autographs for fans during the town’s three-day celebration.

“It’s good to see the place where our dad grew up,” said Blanket Jackson, Michael Jackson’s son.

Michael Jackson’s childhood home at 2300 Jackson remains a beehive of activity as throngs of fans pay tribute at the legend’s stage.

“I am happy for this type of a thing not only going on here, but going on all over the world,” said Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson’s father.

The Jackson family says seeing the community and fans from everywhere honoring Michael makes them feel wonderful as they vow to keep his music and his legacy.

When asked how she wants her father to be remembered, Paris Jackson said: “As one of the greatest and nicest guys ever.”

(Copyright ©2011 WLS-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

Music Industry Veteran Frank DiLeo, Dead at 63

Posted by Jack Silverman on Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 12:16 PM

Longtime music industry veteran Frank Dileo, who managed Michael Jackson for much of his ’80s heyday and again during the last months of Jackson’s life, died at his home in eastern Ohio at age 63, after a long illness. We just heard the news from a family friend, who said she thinks Dileo passed this morning, though the exact time hasn’t been verified. Dileo was the subject of a November 2007 Scene cover piece outlining his storied career. And we mean storied. He worked his way up from the bottom of the music industry to become one of the most powerful men in the biz. During his tenure at Epic Records, he was instrumental in signing or developing the careers of Culture Club, Cyndi Lauper, REO Speedwagon, Quiet Riot, The Clash and of course Jackson. Dileo lived in Nashville briefly in the ’70s and then moved here in January 2007 to start a management business, though he spent much of the last three years in Los Angeles after returning as Jackson’s manager, and then handling issues with the late pop singer’s estate.
His larger-than-life persona landed him a couple of movie roles, most famously as Tuddy Cicero in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas. Not only did he play the brother to Mafia boss Paulie Cicero, but he was responsible for one of the most legendary mob hits in cinema history, putting a bullet in the back of Joe Pesci’s head in the film’s climactic scene.
An excerpt from the Scene story, about Dileo’s ever-present cigar:
There’s speculation that when he emerged from the womb, 60 years ago last month, Frank Dileo already had a cigar in his mouth. Look at the pictures on his office walls and in his photo albums, and more often than not he’s either holding or chomping on a fat, unlit stogie. As a mystique-building accessory, those cigars have long since earned their keep. On the wall of Dileo’s Music Row apartment hangs a framed cartoon by the renowned late cartoonist for the London Evening Standard, Raymond Allen Jackson (known as Jak). An enormous lit cigar, so big that four men are holding it, is coming through the front doors of the Mayfair Hotel. The smoker is not yet visible. The caption reads, “I don’t know about Michael Jackson—but here comes his manager.”
Add to the cigar his gold watch, pinkie ring, manicured hands and Music Row-casual attire, and Dileo could be the poster boy for National Dress the Part Week. At 5-foot-2, he looks like he stepped out of Central Casting’s Music Biz Dealmaker file. And whether or not such visual signifiers are essential to success in the music industry, Dileo’s track record—by 21 he was RCA’s national singles director, by 35 one of the most powerful men in the business—proves they certainly don’t hurt.

Music Industry Veteran Frank DiLeo, Dead at 63 | Pith in the Wind

At some point between Indio and the Arizona border the children fell asleep in the large bed, their bodies giving in to the tension the adults were emitting around them. Michael sat in the rear of the bus, away from prying eyes and ears…at least until Grace sat down beside him.

“It will be alright Michael.”  She said with all the confidence she could muster.

“It won’t, they are going to twist my words. I never should have trusted him, Lex warned me and I refused to listen.”

Staring out into the dark at the desert he felt dead inside. Everything shattered and torn, nothing seemed safe in his life any longer.

Sitting in silence they listened as the rhythm of the wheels turned on the asphalt for mile after mile, taking them both farther away from the security of Neverland.

Finally with a sigh Michael leaned the seat back while he reached for a blanket, pulling it over them both as he settled her back in his arms and softly whispered,

“Lay with me…will you?”

Her answer was left unspoken as his lips found hers in the dark and she responded with the tenderness his body and mind needed.

“I’m not feeling well ‘lannah, can we do this tomorrow after your studies?”

A barely imperceptible nod from the child was all it took for Lexi to bolt to the bedroom solidly slamming the door behind her. The bathroom had become her sanctuary and she locked herself away most of the time.  The solitude felt like a blessing; a blessing because she was ashamed of what she had let herself become…nothing but a no good user.

Patrick didn’t inject her any longer; she had figured out what was happening not long after Thanksgiving. The chronic bronchitis still had her in its grasp but it was the morphine that kept her down. It helped ease the pain it was true, the pain from the coughing, and the pain from the fluid in her lungs but mainly it helped the pain in her heart. As she opened up the cabinet and her shaking hands took out her kit; she had a brief moment of uncertainty. Maybe she should take Alannah and run…she had finally run out of places to run to, and she was so tired of running.

Michael stood just outside the bus at sunrise; a blanket over his head as he clenched it in his fist under his chin. He looked to the south at the border crossing in Nogales. South at Sonora, south at Mexico and what he knew was waiting for him somewhere on the other side of the fence.

Grace’s voice softly called from inside the bus,

“Michael you should come back in before someone spots you.”

 He just stared straight ahead until he felt her presence beside him.

“Are you hungry Michael, we can go in for you somewhere and get you some breakfast. I am sure they would have some good Mexican food for you here.”

“Stop it; please don’t talk to me right now.”

Her voice was soft but stern and she didn’t heed his warning,

“Please don’t tell me you are thinking about her right now? She has ignored your calls for months, and took that child from you again.”

Strangely he was calm, and merely said,

“Get your ass on the bus Grace, go check on my children like I pay you to do.”

She did as she was told, scared that he would leave her in the middle of Arizona if she spoke out again. She thought that she had finally begun to earn her spot with him but he knew how to make her realize that she was only his employee….one with very special benefits, but his employee none the less.

Michael remained in place until the sun had fully risen; contemplating many thoughts but before he turned to board the bus he whispered to the wind,

“I know something’s wrong Lex; I can feel it. You promised me that you wouldn’t take ‘lannah away again. Come home, come home to me…I need you.”

As he stepped up into the bus he told the driver,

“Take us back to Los Angeles please, we need to fix this mess right away.”

And with that the doors shut and the air brakes released with a loud sigh as the bus turned around and headed west towards Los Angeles, with Michael ready to do battle with a turn coat journalist, a rabid tabloid media, and the twisted lies of a gullible family.

 ”Yeah he is back in LA. He got back here yesterday on his bus.”

“Did you get any pictures?”

“Some, but nothing you will want to use and nothing with that kid from the documentary.”

“What about the baby, I need a clear shot of his face.”

“No, nothing we really want, just more of the same insanity he usually pulls.  Mask, hat…you know the crazy shit. So how is that lead you have been working on? Is it panning out?”

“Not as good as I planned. Don’t get me wrong I have thoroughly enjoyed the research but it has been real slow to deliver. I think I am sitting on a gold mine though and sales will go through the roof if I can prove it.”

“Patrick you have always had a good nose for sniffing out a story, I mean look at what you did for those ugly ass shoes during the Simpson trial. By the way when are you coming back to California for good? You are still working on your art gallery right?”

“I am not quite finished with this research; I just need to find proof. Besides I met someone who is keeping me busy, if you know what I mean.”

“Ah…a little Senorita?”

“Yeah, I suppose you could call her that Danny. The art gallery is going to open soon though and I need to find a home to buy since I am leaving Boca. I don’t think it’s going to be possible to move back into the offices even after they finish the clean up from the anthrax. The life of a tabloid publisher is not easy my friend, It helps getting my business done being out west, I can be incognito…at least for now.  Listen I am about to go through this storage locker so I am going to let you go, but do your best to get those shots of Jackson for me. I want as many as we can in case he is with that kid. Regardless he is going on the cover for the next issue.”

“You got it boss. Oh Diane told me to tell you hello and that she still has all her old sources working on this if you need her help, for a price of course.”

“Oh of course….that’s great Dan. I will call you tomorrow.”

Danny flipped the cell phone closed and repositioned himself in the front seat of his old Dodge pickup. He hated these paparazzi stake outs, he was an audio engineer. He had a craft, but it had all been taken away from him because of his love of a woman. So there was something, no make that someone he hated more than sitting for hours on a stake out and that would be the object of his hunt…Michael Jackson. 

July 2003

Michael sat in front of the library fireplace at Neverland. It was July and the bright light and warmth that could so entrance and invite him had long since been extinguished from its hearth. Paris lay sleeping with her head on his lap and he tried to focus on a book but his thoughts kept bringing him back to the conversation he had earlier in the evening with Bernadette. The family was frantically looking for Lexi and Alannah but to no avail. It was if she had simply vanished into thin air. Michael had been holding out hope that she had just wanted to be alone but now he was becoming increasingly worried that something had happened to them. So he had quietly called his private investigator to go look for her while he battled the investigation that had just been opened on him at the District Attorney’s Office. Somehow it would all work out, it had to.

“Alannah, come over here and sit by me.”

Lexi called to her daughter but was ignored.

“Babygirl, come and keep me company.”

Swinging her legs around she stood up and glared at her Mother and began to walk towards the house,

“Hey, don’t be like that…come here.”

“No!”

Lexi tried to jump up but was unsteady on her feet and it took her a moment to gain her balance. That gave ‘lannah the time it took to sprint to her room.

She found her lying on the bed clutching Brandon’s yellow duck. The sight of her so angry lying there looking so much like her Father shook Lexi for a moment.

“Hey, what’s wrong with you?”

“You don’t care, leave me alone.”

Lexi sat down on the bed and stroked the back Alannah’s neglected hair,

“Talk to me, you know I care.”

“No you don’t not anymore; all you want to do cry and sit in the bathroom. I want to go home. I want to see Daddy. Why won’t you let me see my Daddy?”

Looking at her in shock Lexi replied,

“But you just saw him, it’s only been a couple of months ‘lannah.”

It was then that Alannah started to cry, big shaking sobs so unlike her tough personality usually allowed her to show,

“No…no Mommy that was last summer, I want to go home. Please can we go home?”

As her daughter climbed into her arms she was frightened by what she had said, had it really been that long? What was she letting happen to them?

“Were going to go home Babygirl. I’ll take you to see your Daddy, Grandma Sally and Tia Bernie too.”

The sound of the garage doors rising shook her from her thoughts and she had a brief flashback to happier times in Santa Monica when she was with Michael and he would come home after a long trip on the road. Bracing herself for what was to come she sat up straight and put on her best smile for Patrick.

His presence in the house suddenly felt oppressive, she had never noticed that before and she became wary. Watching as he wheeled his suitcase in he gave her the same greeting as he had so many times before but she felt uneasy and unsure of herself.

“Hi Babe, its good to be back here, LA is so terrible. Man, It is so much better being here with you.”

Bending down to kiss her he ran his hands tenderly over her bare shoulders and she felt a chill.

“That’s great, I’m happy that you are back safely.” Lexi did her best to keep calm.

Propping open his briefcase he emptied out the contents; peanuts from his flight, a Wall Street Journal, and a tabloid with a lurid headline and front page picture of Michael and the scandal surrounding him. Lexi visibly swallowed but tried to maintain her composure. She had been cut off from television, from the news, from her life…and there it was in front of her. Michael desperately needed her and she had abandoned him again.

Patrick didn’t miss the flicker of recognition when he tossed the magazine on the table but he went about his routine hoping Lexi would mention the magazine cover and open up the conversation.

“Patrick, can I make you a drink?”

He was surprised, normally she would be ready to feel the fire in her vein and he would be taking care of her instead of the pleasant offer of a mixed drink.

“No, I’m great. You look beautiful tonight Alexis, you must be feeling better?”

“Um, I guess. A bit better I suppose. Listen Pat, I know you just got in but I need to talk to you.”

“Sure whatever it is I’m here for you.”

Lexi took a deep breath,

“Well Ok then, Pat…Alannah and me well we are ready to go back to California. I um…I um think we want to leave in the morning.”

He didn’t say anything at first, he just picked up one of the packets of airline peanuts and swung it back and forth between his fingers beating it against the palm of his hand over and over as he thought about her words. Lexi became nervous and mindlessly reached out a picked up the tabloid staring at Michael’s picture while she waited. Finally he cleared his throat and spoke, his words soft but menacing.

“No Alexis, I don’t think you are going to go back to California. Not in the morning, not the next day, not even next year. You see no one knows where you are, and nobody cares….”

He turned and stared directly into her eyes and she suddenly became scared with the coldness that looked back at her.

“No one cares anymore….not your Mother, your Sister, or even your freak ex boyfriend.”

Lexi recoiled, startled by his words and tone,

“What! What do you mean Patrick? They know where I am, I sent my Mom a letter before we left Cabo it had all of our information on your house here.”

His smirk was what most would call evil and it finally sunk in to her that she was in real trouble and she felt trapped,

“…I guess you are remembering asking me to take it to mail for you now aren’t you….Doctor Garcia?”

“What do you want…is it money. I can get you money?”

“Oh you are right, I want money. But like I said neither you nor that little girl of yours are going anywhere.”

Her eyes began to flood over with tears and she held the magazine close to her heart without thinking.

Patrick ripped it out of her hands and tore it in two, throwing it onto the floor at their feet.

“I told you he doesn’t care, he has his own problems and they are going to put him away for a long, long time. It’s just what he deserves too…”

Trying to get away Lexi pushed herself backwards over the cushions as he pursued her,

“Don’t hurt my baby…please don’t hurt ‘lannah.”

Falling backwards onto the floor he landed on top of her, his voice snarling in her ear,

“Oh trust me it’s not the little girl I want. I’m not like him…”

Pushing her dress down around her waist and he roughly squeezed her breast and continued,

“I want a real, grown woman to fuck.”

Lexi struggled against him kicking and clawing, trying to get leverage but he was strong and she was weakened by her illness and addiction.

“Stop…please stop..don’t, dont do this…no.”

Her cries turned into sobs and then soft whimpers as he took the last of her pride away from her on the tile floor of the Villa in La Paz….its rustic beauty a million miles away from where she had left her heart in Neverland.

November 2003 

It was the first time Michael had visited Las Vegas in over a year that he hadn’t called Diamond. She was with him but only because she was working for him this time. She was proud that she was playing the part of an extra in the video for “One More Chance” that was being produced for the Number Ones collection. As for Michael, it felt good to be moving forward being productive and finally making decisions about his future. He was ready to make movies now too. His heart needed to heal from all the hurt before he could put the music down on the page again.

Hearing their song play over and over on the production was an act unto itself for him. It had been four months since he had hired the private investigator to find Lexi and Alannah and nothing had turned up. Not even a phone call had been made by them. Her house in Cabo San Lucas had been empty since a few weeks after she left California. The PI had scoured the town looking for any sign of them but had come up empty, even the house yielded no clues. He told Michael that it looked like they had packed for a trip and never returned but that was the best information he could provide. Michael decided though that he wasn’t going to give up hope. No he wouldn’t give up hope…and each night he prayed that God would keep them safe.

Just before midnight though, he found that he needed God to keep him safe. Michael was shaken out of what little bit of peace he had by a phone call…they hadn’t just come to search his home, they came to destroy it….and him too. They videotaped and cataloged, dumped his belongings onto the floor and even went through his laundry. Nothing was sacred, from the warrant for his arrest to the prying eyes of the law, it was then that Michael finally lost his famous cool. His temper overflowed and he trashed his hotel room, leaving it for his Mother Katherine to clean. Lashing out in frustration and fear of what was to come, and terrified that they might try to take away his children. As he sat amongst the remnants of the room in Las Vegas he tried to figure out how he had arrived at that particular moment….he wondered why he just couldn’t have had the peace he craved.

Hunter’s smiling face at the top of the stairs was the moment it all really changed. From the moment he left her that day long ago;  young, beautiful and full of love for him his life had seemed to not be in his control. He spent hours crying for the insanity of it all, crying for how unfair life could be…he was a good man and only wanted to help people. Finally he cried for the promise of Hunter’s and their babies lives that were taken so soon. He decided they were not going to be lost in vain, he was going to fight. Fight for himself, for his kids, for his fans and for their memory, even if he was the only one left on earth that remembered it. She would want him to stand up for what was right and spend the rest of his life with his family….with someone, with Lexi…he would find her again and they would be happy.

The damage was less noticeable downstairs except for his office and he had been warned that his bedroom was destroyed. Although he dreaded it, he had requested that the housekeepers leave it for him to see so it sat untouched as he made his way up the stairs.

Michael’s mind barely registered the crews madly working around the property attempting to repair the damage that had been made to his home. His focus was solely on the doors to his bedroom, and he dreaded going in. What had they done to his private space and all the memories and precious things that were held inside?

His gasp was loud as he walked through the door of the main bedroom. Clothes, books and his artwork were scattered about as well as his music. His mattress was stripped of the designer bedding and several holes had been cut out of it as it stared back at him like an ugly monster….his bed, their precious bed was ruined.

He had given orders not to be disturbed and he breathed out a soft, “Oh god.” as he slowly sunk to his knees and buried his head in his hands. The immensity of what had occurred to his life surrounding him, all of it torn and tattered.

Trying not to lose it, he gulped down huge breaths of air and squeezed his eyelids tightly together wondering if he could make it through the torment that was becoming his life.

….and that’s when he felt a caress on his cheek, tentatively at first, but as he opened his eyes he began to focus…focus on who was near. Listening to who was calling his name over his cries…

“Michael…Michael baby…oh god babe…”

Michael wiped his eyes thinking he was dreaming, but he wasn’t.

“Lex? Oh my god….Alexis? Is it you?”

Pulling her close he was overcome with emotion and relief,

“Oh Lex where have you been….they took it away. Neverland is gone. Neverland is gone.” Their gut wrenching sobs shaking them both uncontrollably for several minutes as they held each other tight.

She saw his face drop as he looked at her, and she hung her head so he couldn’t see in her eyes.

“Hey…hey”

He said lifting her chin up with his fingers in that familiar way,

“I love you…”

 Michael watched her tears splash onto his hand as he pulled her in for a soft kiss. She still made his heart beat fast and his body come alive by her mere presence.

“Where’s ‘lannah? I wanna see my girl.”

Lexi was still crying and she stumbled over her words as she answered him,

“On the…on..on the floor on the other side of your bed, we’ve been here a couple of hours. They let us in, don don’t be mad at them Michael.”

She didn’t even think he heard her because he was already on his way to his daughter.

“She has grown so big, Lex….” He exclaimed as rounded the bed.

Carefully he scooped her off of the floor and they made their way down the stairs and out towards the bungalows. Michael pretended not to notice Lexi’s slight limp as she slowly followed him along the path.

As they approached The Giving Tree Lexi paused,

“Michael, I need to stop here…please just for a moment.”

Her face was still covered in tears and he didn’t have the heart to tell her how much his arm hurt from the contusions the handcuffs had left, or how badly his back ached as he held ‘lannah. He was just so relieved to see them again, he merely nodded and held tight to his daughter and watched as Lexi walked up to the base of the tree and gently placed her hand against the trunk and reverently whispered,

“Thank you…thank you for listening when I had no one else. I know you protected us when we were truly scared Hunter. I will take care of him for you just like I promised. I will do everything I can to take care of him, thank you so much for helping us finally come back home.”

She stumbled as she turned back towards the path and Michael was afraid she might fall so he made his way to her side,

“What happened to you Alexis, where have you been?”

He gently put his arm around her as they started to walk. Lexi’s shoulders shook from her sobs but she started to stand a bit straighter as she stood beside him.

“I don’t want to talk about it yet…not yet Michael.”

“Whenever you’re ready Babe, whenever you’re ready.”

To be continued….

Please rate this chapter below….

November 14 2002 Santa Maria/November 19 -20, 2002 Berlin

He really, really hated court rooms. Every time he had to be inside of one it ended up costing him money, lots and lots of money. The past ten years seemed like one court case after another, disrupting his life and assets. He regretted that his insurance settled the first time, and now he wasn’t even sure why he was testifying. One thing he was sure of, was the ever-present press turning out in full force in Santa Maria and he was not ready to face them. Relying on his mask he readied for the onslaught that was to come and stepped out of the Escalade.

_________________________________________

The view of the ocean through the window was astounding, azure waters rushing upon sugar colored sand called out to her as she lay in her bed. Sitting up carefully she felt the rush of blood leave her head and the dizziness return; her brow beaded with sweat and her ears rang with the hiss that the threat of approaching unconsciousness may soon bring her. Lexi swallowed hard, trying to fight off the urge to vomit. Praying to stay in the moment, praying to stay awake…praying for her survival.

_________________________________________

Michael had been up for days, stressing over the backlash of the press and their negativity over his appearance during his testimony at the trial. It hurt him deeply that people could have such a visceral reaction to him. He had heard the gasps when he was ordered to remove his mask by the Judge and it took all he had to not shed actual tears in the courtroom. Even now as the van drove through traffic in Berlin, he became lost in a myriad of thoughts. Like how he was even more aware of the people and children he had visited so many times in the hospitals all over the world and their pain and suffering. If HE could be mocked…what did they have to endure because of their illnesses?

Still contemplating this, he was soon shaken out of his thoughts as the van made the final turn to the hotel. Michael leaned forward and asked his security,

“Wait…we are staying at Hotel Adlon?”

The answer was a brief nod as they began to assess the entrance for any threats to Michael or his family.

Clenching his teeth he looked up briefly, the railing of the balcony visible for a moment before they pulled into the VIP parking area. Michael’s mind again began to race,

“Why here, why now, I can’t do this. God, I really can’t take this right now.”

His whisper was barely audible and the guard closest to him asked,

“Mr. Jackson, is everything acceptable? Can I assist you?”

All he received from Michael was a curt shake of his head before they swept through the lobby and up to the Presidential Suite….the same suite that Michael had shared with Hunter so many years before.

______________________________________________

“Mommy? Mommy look at the TV.”

Small hands pushed into her back as her eyelids fluttered open.

“Baby, Mommy can’t get up right now.”

Again she felt the push of tiny hands,

“Mommy, wake up. You have to see.”

Blinking against the harsh light of the afternoon sun, Lexi felt the room spin and reached for the bucket next to the bed. It was only a moment before she vomited up what little she had in her stomach and laid down again shaking uncontrollably against the cool comfort of her pillow.

Alannah had fallen silent, already used to the routine that seemed to play out every afternoon….while for Lexi the faint sound of the television filtered though to her consciousness.

But unlike every previous afternoon, ‘lannah suddenly jumped and turned the up volume, once again pushing her Mother to pay attention,

“Look Mommy, its Poppa and the baby. They keep showing them on the TV.”

Finally rolling over Lexi pushed a strand of unwashed hair out of her face and watched the video tape footage of the love of her life and their son on the balcony of Hotel Adlon for what would be the first of hundreds of times that afternoon.

Quiet tears spilled down Lexi’s cheeks as she listened to news anchors opinions and man on the street interviews as they analyzed what Michael had or hadn’t done in those few seconds on that balcony. Soon she began to cough, hard dry hacking spells that ended with bright red spatters of blood on her tissue. In time Alannah finally went to her room and Lexi turned off the television; scared for Michael and Blanket and wondering what had really happened in that room a half a world away from her. Hoping to speak with him she tried to dial the phone but couldn’t get it to work. Eventually Lexi laid her head back down in defeat and prayed for her family who felt so distant, and she was scared.

______________________________________

“It was everything. This place, the fans, the award tomorrow…just everything.”

Michael was pacing the suite glad that Bashir had finally left and he could relax. He was on the phone with the publicists back in Los Angeles and everybody in his camp was expecting a statement to release to the press.

“Of course, of course I want to acknowledge him, he is my Son.”

Bringing a shaking hand to his forehead he closed his eyes listening to the excited voice on the other side of the conversation before interrupting,

“Listen…listen just take this down. Are you ready? Here is my statement:

I offer no excuses for what happened. I made a terrible mistake. I got caught up in the excitement of the moment. I would never intentionally endanger the lives of my children”

Again he listened as it was read back nodding along with the speaker.

“Yes, yes..it is fine. No I don’t want to speak with anyone about this, my fans will understand. Just issue the statement. I have to get going; yeah I have to go change to take my kids to the zoo.”    

Looking around the room, Michael looked towards the dining table. The same dining table that Frank DiLeo had surprised him and Hunter with their first romantic dinner on so many years ago; it was just one of the hundreds of memories that were making him crazy with anxiety.

_______________________________________

Before the nanny had left for the evening she had brought Lexi a note that had been delivered to the house,

Hi,

I have tried to call you but your telephone is not working. I will be back at the beach house this evening. I can’t wait to see you, and I hope you are feeling better.

Love,

Patrick

Knowing she had to finally get up, Lexi struggled through a shower…sitting on the cold tile and having ‘lannah help wash her hair. When she was finished she stared at her reflection in the mirror wondering why she couldn’t get any better. She took her antibiotics and breathing treatments regularly, but she knew she was getting sicker. The Doctor told her that her cancer hadn’t returned but something was wrong….seriously, seriously wrong.

A chill was in the air and Lexi sat in front of the chimenea draped in her Great Grandfathers poncho. Patrick seemed to have not stopped talking since he had walked in the door and she was doing the best she could, to keep up with his conversation.

“So, the last of the shipment arrived from Boca and can you believe it…one of the crates had damage all over one side. Lexi, it had a Renoir inside and it had this horrible damage.”

Lexi watched Patrick as he took a drink of his wine and continued on with his story,

“I wouldn’t even let them open the crate. I called the adjuster and the shipping manager to be there first, thank god it was fine. My shots all made the trip all right as well.”

Pulling the poncho tight she smiled slightly,

“That’s wonderful…”

Alannah appeared from the house and stepped up to her Mother,

“Mommy I am tired, I am going to watch a movie in bed.”

“OK Baby, let me come with you.”

Interrupting Patrick stood,

“Lexi, you are tired. If you and Alannah don’t mind I can take her in. When my girls were little; they always told me I did a great job at bedtime.”

“I don’t mind Momma.”

Looking between the two of them Lexi felt a moment of apprehension but finally relented when Alannah took Patrick’s hand and smiled sweetly at her and led him back to the house. Lexi, tired as usual, laid her head back against the chair struggling to hold the burning sensation of her cough back.

____________________________

“Look that’s the one, see her. The one I hugged earlier in the parking area.”

Michael stood with his bodyguard, parting the curtain slightly and looking out over the sea of bodies that stood below.

“Yes sir I remember.”

“I want to talk to her….alone”

“Yes Mr. Jackson, right away sir.”

Touching up his face in the bathroom mirror, Michael quickly swallowed his medication. His hair was acceptable and he quickly mixed a drink before she arrived…after all she was a fan.

_________________________________________

“Would you like a drink of water Alannah?”

“No”

“That’s no thank you to your elder’s you know?”

He was met with an icy stare as Alannah sat in the bed.

“Well then, OK…what movie are you watching tonight?”

“Men in Black II”

“Men in Black II, alright…let me have it and I will put it on for you.”

“It’s ready; I will watch it when you go away.”

Patrick looked towards the television and then back at ‘lannah, a curious look on his face.

“Men in Black II? How did you get that, it is not out yet.”

Again her face was like stone as she stared at Patrick waiting for her answer.

At last Patrick sat on the edge of the bed next to her and softly spoke,

“Alannah, I know it must be hard to have me here with your Mom. I mean you have had her all to yourself for so long and all…”

Interrupting ‘lannah said,

“She had my Daddy.”

“I know sweetie but he died when you were very little.”

Her tiny body jerked forward, a retort on the tip of her tongue but she eventually just fell back upon her pillow letting him finish.

“I don’t ever want to try and take his place, but I do want to be your friend. Can we be friends?”

Her eyes searched his, dark brown pools that somehow seemed so familiar looking deep in his soul,

“I am ready to go to bed now. Goodnight.”

Patrick was taken aback, her dismissive answer shocking him.

“Oh…OK then. Goodnight Alannah.”

He heard the beginning of the movie start as he shut her door and he knew that opening her heart would take much, much more than tucking her in to bed.

___________________________________

He had felt her nervousness. She was shy and quiet and he was surprised that she took the drink he offered her. Security had stayed in the private suite for some time before silently slipping away. Another well rehearsed dance of Michael’s team that appeared so natural but was really executed with precision timing. She asked about how he was feeling since she was worried about all that had happened the day before with his young son. Taking his cue he offered to show her the view from the window. Standing behind her at the curtains he cracked it open slightly to show her the fans below,

“See, isn’t it fantastic to see how beautiful you all look from up here. It can get very exciting sometime. I just wanted to show him to all of you.”

“Everyone looks like a carpet all together like that. It is beautiful.”

Michael moved closer smelling her hair as he whispered softly in her ear,

“I think you look beautiful. I could see you out of all those people…all the way up here.”

She froze, shaking from being so close to him.

“Don’t you know you are beautiful girl?”

His voice was tender and his arm pulled her back against his chest before he spoke again.

“Will you turn around? I want to see your face.”

“Oh Michael”

Her breathless cry in her lilting accent only added to her appeal as she slowly turned, her head slightly tilted as she waited for his lips.

Sliding his hand around it rested on her rib cage where his thumb moved towards her breast, while his tongue delved into her mouth; hesitant, moist caresses that soon began to turn into an urgent need for fulfillment.

Michael felt her soft hands at the back of his neck, pulling him in…asking for more even as he pressed her against the wall beside the window.

“I cannot believe this is happening, that I am here with you.”

“Shhhh, you are girl…”

He sighed as his lips found their way on her neck

“you are…so let’s make the most of it.”

As their tongues twisted together he felt her piercing, hard yet smooth as it swirled delicately together around in his mouth. Inadvertently he groaned as he imagined it sliding over his shaft and he grew hard against her lithe body.

Pushing her sweater up, his fingers caressed her nipples and discovered another piercing. The large piece of jewelry held securely in place by the bar running through her erect nipple.

“Damn…god Mmmm”

Michael’s voice was shaking as he brought his lips over the metal, sucking hard as it brushed his tongue.

“and the chain goes down to your belly button and below?….thats so sexy.”

Her sweater dropped to the floor as she reached for his zipper,

“Are you sure you want me Michael?”

Watching his face as her hand found his erect shaft, she smiled slightly at the look of bliss that spread across it at her touch. Her thumb spread the liquid that had spilt at the end and she felt his hands bury themselves in her hair as she sunk to her knees before him. The first stroke of her tongue caused him to moan in desire as the ball of her piercing slid underneath the tip and into the crease. Unable to take all of him at once, she made up for it with her hands and thoroughness. Her mouth was everywhere, literally proving how much he meant to her. As she worked up and down he leaned his forehead against the wall, the coolness of it in stark contrast to the raging inferno she was creating below. As she pulled him in by grasping his legs with her hands, he could feel the now heated metal of the piercing on her nipple pinch his thigh. Looking down he watched the chain as it dangled from her breast to her belly button ring and lower…lower to a spot he knew was also pierced. He imagined running his own tongue over the hidden piercing as she moved her mouth against him and it was finally too much to bear. He felt himself twitch as he gasped and pulled her in by her hair until at last he released three climatic shots that were expertly swallowed.

Closing his eyes he had a rush of thoughts,

Fuck that was great

I want to taste her too

Make her leave

Let her stay

Hunter was so beautiful when I made love to her in the loveseat I’m leaning on

Fuck you Lexi…I hate you. Why did you leave me?

Eventually he opened his eyes and zipped his now flaccid member back inside his pants, all the while feeling her eyes upon him.

As he made another drink he softly said,

“I..um, I have to check on my kids.”

He looked over as she pulled her sweater back over her head,

“I need to go too I guess, I left my friend down there waiting.”

Picking up her purse she started for the door as he interrupted,

“Hey…um I need to ask you something can you hold on a sec?”

Nodding, she waited as he opened a briefcase and fetched a piece of paper placing it on the table in front of them,

“Um…can you sign this, it’s a standard form we have all the visitors fill out when they come up.”

She smiled brightly, stars still in her eyes as she signed her name to the non-disclosure document. Michael glanced down at it briefly as he walked her to the door,

“Thank you for visiting with me…Helen. Maybe you and your friend can come back tomorrow night after the awards?”

“Oh yes, we would like that very, very much. Thank you. Good night.”

Awkwardly she kissed him on the cheek and closed the door….hearing the dead bolt lock align as she walked down the hall to the elevator.

_____________________________________

The breeze felt cool as it flowed into the bedroom from the balcony and across the bed. Lexi stared out at the stars as Patrick sat down next to her,

“I picked up your medications at the Pharmacia. Let me help you with them.”

She smiled up at him gratefully, glad that he was back in Mexico after being gone for the last five days.

“It was hard while you were gone Pat; I was so weak and sick. I seem to do better when you are here.”

“Well I like to wait on you. Here sit up, turn your head so I can give you your shot.”

“I will really be glad when I don’t have to take these antibiotics anymore…c’mon let’s get it over with.”

“Oh take these pills first…”

Lexi swallowed the pills then offered up her arm for the shot…

It pinched as the needle pierced her skin and a drop of blood trickled out, then in a rush it filled the syringe before the contents plunged into her vein. Lexi looked into Patrick’s beautiful blue eyes and smiled slightly before the warm feeling invaded her mind. It made her dizzy, the medicine made her dizzy but it also made her free and the pain…yes the pain in her heart went away. The pain that only Patrick seemed to be able to help her hide went away.

“That’s it Lexi, lay back and relax. I’m going to take real good care of you now. Real, real good care of you….and your little girl too.”

Spreading her legs as he sunk down to use her body again she turned her face, looking out blankly at the night….and fell into her dream of watching stars fall and suns rise at Neverland.

To Be Continued……

Please Rate This Chapter Below

Due to the high number of bots the forum and site recieves, I am asking that if you are interested in becoming a member of the forum please email me first before filing out the registration.

dangerouspyt@gmail.com

That way I can be aware of your interest and know that you are not an automated computer program fishing for a home to send spam to unsuspecting nice people.

After you have had an actual conversation by email then by all means send in your registration request for approval.

Also, if your membership is not working right now it might have become purged due to the large number of these bot “members” I had to delete at the request of our host provider. Again please email me at the address above prior to re-registration.

We would love to have you on the forum, it is a lovely place to chat about not only MJ but lots of things.

Thanks,
Dangerous

Love Dangerous!

Victim Of Love: X

August 2002

The whir of the camera taking pictures was in stark contrast to the chattering of the birds that flitted from wire to wire above the parking lot of the restaurant. The convoy of black Escalades surrounded the Land Rover in a precision dance at an ordinary mall in Chatsworth on an ordinary summer afternoon in August. Taking a deep breath the photographer tried to steady his hand; sure that his money shot was forthcoming. Alas all he ever snapped in his frame was the flurry of umbrellas that snapped open and a burly bodyguard type standing between the vehicles. In moments it was over and the parade of SUV’s moved away into the bright afternoon sun, again leaving the photog wondering what mystery the bizarre superstar was hiding behind the darkened tint of his glasses. He was positive he had a new playmate, another youngster that spent an inordinate amount of time with him at his ranch and was bought and paid for with money and riches from greedy parents who only wanted to be exposed to the lifestyle. Snapping a final picture of the Land Rover before it drove off making sure he got a good shot of the tag, he wanted to show his boss that he finally had that lead they had been looking for all this time.

_________________________________________________

Michael sat back against the leather of the seat missing Alannah and the sweet sound of her chattering voice. Lexi had apparently become involved in her new life and he probably needed to move on too.  He was thinking about finishing up the last album for the label, or even perhaps working on the films he had thought about for so long ….maybe even trying to meet someone new. He missed her terribly though; especially during the moments when Alannah was around and all the kids were playing, or at night when his body ached for her touch. It hadn’t mattered what he had done to satiate the longing…Grace, Diamond, the magazines –  he was still alone when it was over, and the ache still weighed heavy in his heart.

The handmade birthday card sparkled in his hand and he looked at it again as the convoy sped away from the airport. Alannah’s puffy clouds against the blue sky and the limbs of the Giving Tree that sported bright red ribbons for his birthday brought another smile to his face as he read the large childish scrawl inside:

Have the best Happy Day ever

I Love you Poppa

Michael glanced behind him, making sure the car with the kids was safely following him through the heavy traffic. Dreading the stay at Trump’s Hotel this time, it just seemed too contain too many memories and too much pride stood in his way and so he ignored the continued ache in his heart and reached for the Hennessy. A quick escape before he had to put on a brave face in front of the world.

___________________________________________________

“But they told me it was for the award, I wouldn’t have come all the way here to get a cake. That’s just stupid; I can have cake at my home, with my children.”

Michael’s voice was soft, but cold and cynical as he spoke on the phone to his management.

“I’m done, for twenty years now I have been more than happy to be there for that network but I’m done….and I want you to tell them that. You can tell them my videos are off too.”

“Of course…of course I am. I’m totally serious.”

His voice raised in pitch and finally exclaimed,

“When I’m gone, THAT’S when they can put them back on the air!”

Pushing the end button on his cell he disconnected before he said anything else he might regret. The prior night’s award ceremony was supposed to be a fun evening and a celebration for the fans. But the network had apparently pulled a bait and switch by not actually bestowing the promised Artist of the Millennium award on him but merely presenting him with a large birthday cake. Things had been rushed as he came on stage that he was as lost in the confusion as Britney. Lost, alone, shy and afterwards overwhelmed with embarrassment. Now he was angry, angry at being a doormat once again for someone else’s gain and amusement.

“Grace!”

His voice was loud and echoed through the suite.

She appeared silently, waiting on his order,

“Pack our things, we are leaving. I need to get out of here.”

Grace’s eyes narrowed,

 “Where are we going?”

As he brushed past her and made his way to the bedroom he softly said,

“I’m going to Mexico.”

_______________________________________________________

Their bags were stacked by the front door to the suite and Grace worked on the final packing for the kids. Paris played with a doll and Prince had his remote control car zooming through the rooms and between the feet of the adults at break neck speed. Holding Blanket after he had eaten his lunch, Michael cooed and made faces at his son. The flurry of telephone calls had quieted down after the initial change of plans and the redirecting the Michael Jackson machine back towards California. Now they enjoyed a nice happy moment as they all waited to make their way back home before Michael ventured south of the border.

But as happy moments tend to get interrupted, this one did and Michael’s phone rang in his pocket and distracted him from his playtime with Blanket.

“No”

“No, I am not expecting anyone, we are about to leave.”

“On this floor?”

It was then that he heard the disruption outside the door and he flipped the phone closed knowing exactly who it was before the security staff even had a chance to fill him in.

“Grace take Blanket.”

Reaching out for the baby she moved behind the dining table protectively as Michael moved to the suites front door. The raised voice in the hallway sounded irritated and to Michael it seemed like it had only been a few months since he had last heard the sound in his ears,

“Get off me, get the hell off me!”
She was about to push the bodyguard away when Michael stepped into the hall,

“It’s alright, she can come in.”

The body guard received a chilling look as she side stepped around him and then her face lit up at the sight of Michael.

“I know I should have called. I really need to see you though.”

He stared at her coldly, doing all he could not to let any of his feelings show. Not his temper, his pride, the hurt or as hard as it was to admit…the of love he still felt inside. He held it all in and just clenched his jaw slightly before he finally answered,

“Why are you here Lisa, shouldn’t you be on your honeymoon?”

_____________________________________________________

It had been an eternity since he had heard the audible sound of Grace’s gasp come from inside the suite as he waited at the door. An eternity since he sent everyone away to shop and an eternity since he had poured himself a glass of wine as Lisa Marie sat across from him in what felt like the smallest luxury suite in all of New York City.

“Michael I can’t believe I did this, that I rushed into this marriage. How can I get out of it?” Her voice was deep but unsure.

“Leave him and get a divorce.” He replied and then mumbled “You seemed to have left me pretty easy.”

“What did you say?”

“I said you left me pretty easy.”

Standing, she began to pace the room.  

“I came back though…for years, FOR YEARS.”

“How can I help you, things are kind of crazy for me right now too.”

Michael shifted uneasily on the couch and took a drink off of the wine glad for its diversion.

Lisa stopped her pacing and stared out of the window at the picturesque view of Manhattan before finally returning to the couch where she sat down beside him,

“Are you alone…I mean, are you seeing anyone right now Michael?”

She had caught him by surprise. He hadn’t expected her of all people to drop her guard so quickly,

“Well um…the girl, the woman I was with, you know…we just broke up. Not really by my choice though.”

“What do you mean by that? Who are you talking about, do I know her?”

Again he took a drink from the wine but stared straight ahead.

“Michael, who is it?”

“It doesn’t matter. I think it’s over, I am on my way to see her when we leave here to try and work it out…but I dunno girl.”

Sighing with realization, Lisa sat back and closed her eyes understanding just who he was talking about.

“So the Doctor is the baby’s Mother?”

His lips pursed together as he nodded and flicked a piece of fuzz off of his black pants.

“Lexi, the ghost of our relationship is still around?”

“Yeah, I ran into her in LA a few months after you and me broke up for good….I found out that she had a baby, our baby. We have a little girl. She is…um she is a few months older than Prince.”

Reflecting for a moment on his words, the realization of his revelation sank in, but as it did he saw hurt and anger cloud her eyes.

“Wait, a few months older? You…you, Michael! That would mean that we, that we….”

He finished her sentence for her,

“…yeah that we were still married. True in the legal sense Lisa, but it was the week before I left for Brazil, The week before you filed for divorce. We hadn’t really been Husband and Wife in months.”

“I can’t believe you, you were fucking not just the baby maker but now after all this time you tell me this? That you had been having another affair too”

“Don’t you dare talk about Alexis, Lisa, I swear to god…don’t even start.”

Her stunned silence sat heavy between them for several tense minutes until she finally spoke.

“How did you end up with your new son Michael?”

“We have an agreement.”

Michael began to feel uncomfortable discussing the baby and stood to pour another glass of wine, but she followed right behind him.

“You have two children with her now? Is that right?”

Lisa was right on his heels and reached out for his hand,

“Michael…please talk to me.”

“LISA!”

Very familiar with the tone in his voice she automatically shrunk back knowing he was on the edge of exploding. It wasn’t something he was proud of but something he did when he was hurt, scared and most especially angry.

Taking a deep breath, Michael swallowed down a gulp of wine and turned to her,

“You know, she thinks I am stuck on Diane, you think I am stuck on her, Debbie always knew I was stuck on you. Lisa if you think you are going to divorce Nick and that I am going to take you back, I can assure you it is not going to happen.”

“Is that why you think I came here today Michael?”

 “Well isn’t it?”

“Damn it, I don’t need you to save me Michael.”

His eyes looked at her up and down, slowly assessing her as he gathered his thoughts,

“You don’t?”

Michael took a step in front of Lisa blocking her path. Lifting her hand up to his mouth he looked at the lavish ring upon her finger and placed his lips upon it as he stared in her eyes. Her body stiffened but she didn’t resist when he leaned in pressing her into the wine rack,

“Tell me why you are here then Lis…why did you run back to me?”

“I, I…I want you…Michael, god…”

Brushing her hair behind her ear, he whispered against it,

“So that’s it, you want me? You show up wearing my jewelry on your finger, my perfume on your neck, and my clothes on your back…should I take you right here Lisa?”

Moving to find his lips she moaned her response, reaching for his shoulders to pull him close.

“Mmmm girl, Lisa…it’s been so long. You’ve been missing this huh?”

“Yeah…Michael fix this, fix us.”

“Is that what you want then Lis…you want us again?”

“Yes Michael, I want us. I want you, I’m so unhappy.”

Michael kissed her deeply, allowing himself to fall back in the memories of times gone by. His body reacted to her touch and his mind sorted through the emotions that seemed to be clouding his judgment.

Feeling her touch upon his chest he was startled to hear her say,

“I only married him to get back at you.”

Michael’s eyes closed, even as his lips pressed against her neck,

“Pardon?”

“I just wanted to get your attention Michael, you know so you would realize that you still cared. That’s why I married him.”

Stepping back Michael rubbed his thumb over her swollen bottom lip, trying to control the disappointment that was building inside of him.

“Lisa, I will never stop loving you, I told you that… years ago I told you that?”

“No…Michael don’t, your drunk. You don’t want to do this again.”

Her eyes reflected the look of his remorse and rejection he had held onto for so long.

“I’m a weak man, you know that Lis especially when it comes to you. But you made your decision to marry him. I have my family now, and I want to be with her somehow, I want to work it out.”

Suddenly she lashed out, pushing him away violently,

“Fuck you, you son of a bitch. You drunk son of a bitch, if I would have kept my mouth shut you would have fucked me on the bar…but your god damn pride is too much for you. Fuck you.”

“Lisa….it’s not like that, come on we are adults.”

“No! Bullshit. You manipulated me and deliberately made me vulnerable just so you could reject me again.”

Her tears began to flow freely and she moved to find her purse,

“I’m leaving, just forget I was ever here. Forget I was ever in your life Michael.”

“How can I ever do that? Damn it Lis, I was crazy about you…I do miss you and the kids.”

Her eyes cut him in two,

“You are so full of shit….”

Michael pulled her in for a final kiss, his hands caressing her face while his lips softly moved over hers. When he finally pulled back she saw the tears that stained his cheeks,

“Lisa Marie, no matter what you think I will always love you….even if I can’t be with you.”

“Why do you always rip my heart out Michael, I don’t think I can ever forgive you.”

“I didn’t ask you to come over here today…”

Moving towards the door Lisa paused before she opened it,

“You know if she’s smart, your little Doctor won’t take you back…how many times can you break her heart too Michael? I can only imagine what you have done to hurt her.”

He finally felt the annoyance that had threatened to invade their conversation sink in and he let it out with a acid tongue reply,

“Well Lisa, the difference between Lexi and you, is that she gave me the babies she promised me and you didn’t. Good luck with Nick.”

With one last go to hell look she slammed the door and was gone. Michael sunk back down onto the couch wondering what had just happened. Wondering why she had ran back to him again. There had been a moment when he almost had slipped and let her in, dropping his guard and making love to her just like the old days.

He wondered where it had all went wrong for them, there had been a time when they had loved each other so hard it was impossible to imagine having ever loved anyone else. Perhaps that’s what the problem was, too hard, too fast, too hot, and too late. He had to focus on the future even with the bite of her kiss still lingering on his lips….

_______________________________________________

Waiting in the Escalade on the tarmac for their luggage to be loaded, Michael smiled as the country code and phone number from Mexico rang though on his cell,

“Hola Babygirl”

“Poppa?”

“Yes, how are you. I miss you.”

“I miss you too.”

“What have you been doing?”

“Well, today was really fun. Do you wanna know why?”

Michael giggled, the sound of her voice making him happy,

“We went sailing on the ocean and I saw dolphins.”

“Really? Was it a family of them?”

“Yeah, they were jumping and swimming by the boat.”

“Wow, that’s great.”

Security swung open the back door of the Escalade and Michael climbed out and up the stairs of the plane,

“What else did you see?”

“Not much, but Patrick says we will go look for whales next time. He says they come with their babies.”

“I see, Patrick is a boat man ‘lannah?”

“Oh, well he has a big sailboat. But he has a motorcycle and an airplane too. Just like you Poppa?”

“Oh OK”

“He told me that he wants to be Mommy’s boyfriend.”

Michael sat down quickly, letting Grace attend to the children for the moment.

“What does Mommy think about that?”

“She likes him; you know how I know Poppa?”

Michael felt like he was going to be sick and grasped the armrest of his seat,

“No Baby, how is that?”

“I saw them kiss last night when they thought I was asleep.”

“Um ‘lann…”

Michael’s voice caught from emotion and he had to clear it and start over,

“’Alannah, I have to hang up now because the airplane is going to take off. I will call you tomorrow OK?”

“Oh OK Poppa, I love you.”

“I love you more…and Babygirl?”

“Yes?”

“Tell your Mommy I love her too please.”

“I will, bye”

“Bye”

His voice was barely audible when he hung up the phone and he only took a moment before he stood and approached the cabin and asked to speak to the Captain.

____________________________________________

With a nod the flight attendant placed the can of soda in front of him as he picked up his cell for one final call,

“Hi it’s Michael”

“Yeah, I want to do it…thanks. I think it’s a really great song Barry.”

“We can work on it in your studio then?”

“ Great!”

“Ok, I will see you tomorrow.”

Again he hung up the phone, powering it down for the flight just as the Captain came over the intercom.

“Ladies and Gentleman…on behalf of your crew I would like to welcome you aboard our flight. We have had a change of plans this evening. So instead of heading to California will be heading south to beautiful Miami, Florida. Our flight time is approximately two hours and forty five minutes. Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight.”

Sipping off of the wine in the soda can he closed his eyes, trying to block out the thought of Lexi moving on with her life. Knowing another man was spending time with his daughter, becoming the figure in their lives that they were beginning to look up too. He felt so alone, so lost and like Lisa had earlier in the day he too wished he had somewhere to run.

*************************************************************

The pinch of the needle pierced the vein

Crimson ribbons drop like rain

If only the ache of you would leave my soul

Whispers of dreams

Never seeming to unfold

Living only to exist

Surviving only to be

My love, my life

Will you ever see

You..yes you are the best part of me

…..The warm rays of the sun faded into the sea as the medicine gently took its effect, leaving only sweet memories and the ever present pain far behind.

To Be Continued

Please Rate This Chapter Below

What a smart young lady she is. I know her Father is so proud of her.