In the waiting room:

"Ed, I can't even-I can't even believe that." Donna said with so much shock laced in her words. 

"Why would she lie to us like that?" she continued staring at the floor while she was on the edge of her seat.

As Tayler was giving birth Mr. Holland was informing Donna of everything Michael said.

They were so shocked that they couldn't even be angry.

She then ran her hand down her face.

"Were we bad parents or something?" Donna looked at Mr. Holland with tears in her eyes.

"Dee please don't cry."

He hugged her then he sat down next to her and put his arm around her.

He held her so tight that her face was on his chest.

"I just don't understand. Did we ever make her feel that she couldn't come to us?" Donna questioned more.

"No Dee" Mr. Holland sighed.

"It was more than that, Michael said she was trying to protect him." He added.

Donna shook her head and sat up facing her husband.

"Protect him? She lied about being raped to protect him? No! Let me tell you something Ed, I been in that little girls life since she was four. I bathed her, fed her, washed her clothes, did her hair, read her stories, made sure she got to and from school, I took her to dance lessons and singing lessons, and most of all I loved her." she listed everything she could think of at the moment.

"Dee what does that have to do with anything? Don't beat yourself up over her dumbass decision."

"Ed I just can't understand I loved her and raised her, we shared everything. Tayler is a good kid. She wouldn't lie to us like that and she damn sure wouldn't lie to me." Donna explained.

As much as she didn't want to believe it, deep down in her heart she knew. She knew that she had lied. Donna just didn't want to accept that.

"Our little girl isn't like that. Its that Michael! Now I'm not doubting that may be his child, but her lying. No he put her up to that." Donna went on.

"What? Look Donna we both know Michael is a good kid. He wouldn't hurt a fly, he wouldn't do that." Mr. Holland said.

"A good kid? Would a good kid not show up to any of his child's Doctors appointment? Would a kid good allow his pregnant girlfriend to work, while he is living it up on easy street? Would a good kid knows his pregnant girlfriend is in the hospital because she almost lost her baby and not show up? Would a good kid allow his girlfriend to lie just to save him?" Donna sarcastically asked.

"Alright Donna I get the point." Mr. Holland sighed and put his head down.

"Do you Ed? Because that's your daughter in there. A girl who never got in trouble, got good grades, and did everything we asked. That boy allowed her to go through so much while she was pregnant and he wasn't even there. And you are sitting up here taking up for him."

Mr.Holland was already taken aback by the situation and he was angry.

Angry with his daughter for lying, angry at Michael for not being there; hell, he was even angry she was having sex in the first place. But Donna attacking him made him even more angry.

After Tayler's mom left and before Donna came into the picture, Tayler and her dad built a bond. Though she was young, they still had that typical father and daughter relationship that only blossomed as she got older. He couldn't fathom the thought of his little girl lying about something as serious as rape, he couldn't understand it. Especially for some boy, she could've just told the truth.

As a father he felt it was his duty to always protect his daughter and he felt that his duty had been compromised because someone had raped his little girl. He couldn't sleep, he couldn't think straight because his mind always kept him up about the images of his little girl being forced to have sex and her growing belly only made it worse. Now to hear all of that was a lie, that she had lied to him. He just couldn't understand.

"Donna let me tell you something." He lightly grabbed her arm and looked directly in her eyes.

"That's my daughter in there, mine! I watched her work her ass off in school, work, and at home while pregnant. I was there when she was in the hospital. Hell before you I'm that one that raised her. I know what she does, I know she is a good kid. But she made a mistake, she had sex with that boy and she lied to save his ass. Now I don't like it, but I know the truth. I'm not making any excuses, I'm mad as hell. But this right here is not the place nor the time."

He pulled her arm back making her sit back.

"Stop blaming Michael because our little girl ain't a little girl anymore." he finished.

Donna was ready to further the argument, but was stopped by someone clearly their throat.

The couple looked over and saw no one other then Mr. & Mrs. Jackson.

"I guess we should talk." Joseph spoke first.

"I guess so." Mr. Holland replied.

But there would be no conversation at the moment because they would all be interrupted again.

"We have to get him to the NICU and get him on some oxygen. I cleared his airway, but he's breathing faintly."

They looked in the direction of the commotion and saw the two nurses wheeling an incubator off down the hall.

Donna and Mr. Holland quickly stood up and ran to Tayler's room, leaving the Jacksons to assume that the baby was hers.

As soon as they walked in they saw the young couple crying.

"Oh Daddy" Tayler called out, but he stood still.

He didn't know whether to comfort her or leave her be. Of course it pained him to see his little girl crying, but he didn't know what to do. He was so disappointed and hurt himself.

Donna scurried over to Tayler and grabbed her from Michael's arm.

"Michael what's going on?" Katherine finally spoke up.

The two teenagers noticed that the Jackson's were standing right before them and that alone made Tayler go silent.

"What's wrong with the baby." Katherine asked again.

This time she walked up to Michael grabbing his face and wiping his fresh tears.

"Mother he wasn't breathing when he came out." Michael bit his lip to keep everything together.

That statement made Tayler weep into Donna's opened arms.

"He had the cord wrapped around his neck and they couldn't get it, but they said that he be ok. They said that my baby would be ok." Tayler chimed in, but only cried harder.

"It's ok baby, he's going to be fine. They are going to do everything they can, but you have to pray for him." Donna consoled her, but she too had tears forming her in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry folks, I know that this is an emotional time, but two people are only allowed in the delivery room." Dr. Jenkins cut in.

The room fell silent except for Tayler's sniffles.

"Me and Joseph will go out in the hall, Michael you stay here with her." Katherine said.

"No Katie. Michael you come out in the hall. Ed and I want to talk with you." Joseph finally spoke.

Michael stared at him unable to move. Although he talked a big game to Jackie and to Mr. Holland, he was still afraid of Joe.

"Come on" Joseph said.

Michael looked down and his Mother slightly pushed toward his father.

"Go on Michael, she'll be fine." Katherine encouraged.

"You folks can reunite again once we get her back in her room." Dr. Jenkins said.

As the men filed out of the room, Tayler broke down again.

Afraid of what they will say to Michael. Yes she was elated that he was there and that he didn't miss the birth of his son, but she was nervous about what would happen to him.

"It's going to be alright sweetie." Katherine said as she rubbed her shoulder.

~

In the hallway:

Michael's POV:

I was dreading this moment since I found out she was pregnant and here I am standing in front of her father and mine.

This moment makes me wish that I would've said something sooner because all I am concerned about is my son and Tayler.

Poor Tayler, she is so strong.

Seeing her give birth just made me fall in love with her all over again. Child birth is an amazing thing in itself and it really shows a woman's strength, but Tayler.

Wow.

I can't even describe what that felt like.

She gave birth to my son.

In that moment I felt whole, I felt complete. Nothing can bring me as much joy as my son did in that moment.

I would never allow anything to hurt him.

I would never allow anything to take him away from me because he is my reason for living. If I don't have him, I have nothing.

It's so crazy that a moment like that, a child, my child can make me feel like I have a purpose in life. I mean I didn't even get a good look at him before the nurses took him.

I didn't even get to see his eyes yet.

But he was so perfect.

Despite him having complications my child is perfect to me.

"What the hell is the matter with you boy?" Joseph broke the silence.

I looked up to see both men staring at me.

While my father looked at me with so much disappointment and anger, Mr. Holland looked like he was hurt more than anything.

I told myself I would never feel guilty again because I am proud of my son, but here I am feeling it creep up in me again.

"Michael out of all the stupid things you could've done, you go and get her pregnant and lie about it." Joseph said.

"You go and ruin your life! I told you about these girls, now its the end of the group. You think fans want to buy records and support someone who has a baby?"

"Joseph I understand you are upset, but that is my daughter in there. She isn't just some floozy that got knocked up by your son after a one night stand, have some respect." Mr. Holland said with so much anger.

I don't blame him for being upset, Joseph is out of line. Tayler isn't just some girl I slept with for thrills. I care about her, I love her, and we shared something so special. I gave her a piece of me that is so sacred and she gave it right back to me so we share something special that no one can break. I was tired of him treating her like that.

"Joseph, this does not mean the end for the group. Tito has kids, Jermaine is married and Hazel is pregnant, Marlon is married and Carol is pregnant, and Jackie is married. The fans are still buying our records and supporting us." I said.

"That isn't the same Michael, you are the front man. You are getting booked, being featured on magazines and TV shows, you are essential to this group. Not only because you are the front man, but because you bring a certain innocence to the group. What are your fans going to say?"

"Well he surely isn't innocent." Mr. Holland commented.

Joseph gave him the side eye and continued.

"Do you know how disappointed you have made your mother? Do you think we raised you to be that way! how could you be so stupid?"

I just sighed. I couldn't come up with a good excuse or reason as too why I was so careless. I felt so bad because I didn't want to disappoint mother nor Joseph, but mostly mother.

But I cannot feel bad anymore I have a son that needs me. He is here now and I will not be apologetic about his arrival, sure it was not ideal but he is mine.

"Joseph, Mr. Holland you two will never know how sorry I am. It was a stupid mistake; getting her pregnant and lying was a terrible mistake, but I was scared. I didn't want to disappoint my mother or you Joseph, but in the end I disappointed Tayler and myself. I have a son now and I will not be sorry or feel bad about that because I love him and I want to be there for him. I want to raise him." I said with confidence.

I let out a breath that I had been holding waiting for their reaction.

"Honestly Michael I do not blame you for this, but it was an idiotic mistake and lying about being raped. I can't even-I can't even process this shit right now, but when she gets out the hospital we all will sit down and talk about this."

I nodded and whole body heated up by just looking at Joseph. Something told me that he was holding back and not letting me have it because we were in the hospital, but most importantly because Tayler's father was there. I can only imagine what it would be like if we were home.

"So what are you going to do boy? you plan on marrying this girl?" Joseph asked leaning up against the wall.

There it was that word again.

Marriage

Truth be told, I didn't have a plan. It was only a few hours ago that I came to terms with being a father, now I have to decide to make an honest woman out of Tayler.

Don't get me wrong she deserves that, but she also deserves a man to prove that he is husband worthy and a man that marries her because he loves her.

"I don't want to force your hand son, but my daughter deserves the best. I don't want you in and out of her home playing house without any commitment. Now Michael you are a good kid, but I agree with Joseph. You have to marry her." Mr. Holland spoke up.

The only reasonable voice I was depending on and he was agreeing with my father.

"I want to marry her because I love her, I mean I do but I don't think I'm ready."

"But you were ready to put your dick in her right? Listen to me Michael, do you think someone like her will deal with you coming over and playing house because she has your child. Would you want some other man raising your son and him seeing someone else who is not his daddy make a woman out of his mama. A man is there for his family son and you remember that." Joseph stated.

He's one to talk about family and making an honest woman out of someone. Yes he has been there for every last one of us and he married mother once he found out about her being pregnant with Rebbie, but he can't even keep his damn hands to himself when it comes to his kids or the women on the road.

"Once she's out of the hospital we go down to the court house or go to the church and you two get married, you do this thing right." Joseph sternly said as he pointed at me.

"Uh Mr. Jackson"

I seen the young nurse that was in the room come down the hallway.

"Yes, is he ok? how is he?" I asked so quickly.

I just wanted to hear that he was ok.

"He had us scared for a moment, but he is fine." she said

I instantly sighed. I was relieved my son was ok.

Thank you God

"After a few minutes of oxygen, he was reaching and pulling that mask off his face. He is definitely a fighter and a bit feisty.

I chuckled to myself. He was just like his mama already.

"Can I see him?" I asked.

"Yes you can, he's in the nursery but we are bringing him to mom in a few minutes because he needs to eat."

I quickly took off not waiting to hear anything else she had to say.

"Its down the hall to the right!" she shouted behind me.

I turned right and I looked in the glass window.

We hadn't named him yet so I couldn't search by name, but there he was right in front row.

I was so anxious to see him that I almost missed him.

Front row to the left.

I gasped as I stared him as a nurse tended to him.

He was so perfect in every way. I couldn't take my eyes off him, even when the nurse waved at me I just had to ignore her.

He was so beautiful.

I felt a hand touch my shoulder , but I was too fixated on my son to look.

"Congratulations Michael." Joseph said.

I knew him and Mr. Holland were standing besides me, but it felt as if only me and my son were there.