Michael's POV:

As I walked back to the pool I couldn't help but to feel guilty, she was right.

What hurt most of all is to hear her say I am like Joseph, but in all honesty if I was I would be there for my child like Joseph was there for all of us.

"Did I cause problems with you two?" Stephanie questioned as she sat on the edge of the lounge chair.

"Huh? what? no not at all, its not your fault" I tried to explain.

"I knew you guys dated before, but if something is going on I can just leave" Stephanie tried to reason with me.

"No you don't have to, nothing is going on"

Not anymore and even saying that came up my throat like bile, so bitter.

"Is she carrying your baby?"

"Oh no! do you know what my family would do to me?"

Do you know what they would do to me if they found out that is my baby? Who am I becoming? Denying my child. I know I never laid eyes on him, but I love him more than anything I just don't know how to love him. I don't want to disappoint mother and Joseph and my fans, but having her hurt by me makes me disappointed in myself.

"Poor girl, well I'm glad cause I would hate to ruin a family and I like you Michael. And I love spending time with you."

Stephanie placed her hand on my thigh and smiled at me as we both stared into each other's eyes.

I smiled back and kissed her sweetly on the cheek.

"It doesn't have to end Steph I'll go get us something to drink. Stay here."

She giggled and nodded.

What am I doing? I need to go get my girl but I'm tired of reassuring her that I'm in love with her maybe this is for the best.

~

I sipped water from the fountain and closed my eyes to get some type of relaxation. Today is rehearsal for our new variety show, we'll be taping and I hate it.

I always wanted to act, but this is not the type of acting I want to do. This is commercialized comedy, the jokes are generic and the producers and even the audience at home watching is only laughing because I'm Michael Jackson.

I'm not even funny! I know I'm not but that never stopped Tayler from laughing. That's what I miss our friendship, aside from being lovers, we were friends. We joked, talked about music, not our music, but music that sparks my interest never "Michael Jackson's" music. She would always sneak me in places, she just made me feel normal.

"Hey Mike" LaToya greeted.

LaToya tapped my shoulder and I opened my eyes.

"Hey Toya what's going on?"

"Nothing I just want to talk to you privately, while we're on break."

"Ok"

I agreed and we went to a desolated hallway.

"Are you ok?" She asked with a raised brow.

"Yeah I'm fine, just a little tired."

Because I stayed  up all night looking at my baby boy's sonogram and imagining what he may look like and thinking how my life would be with him in it.

"Randy told me what happened between you and Tayler yesterday" LaToya revealed.

Leave it to Randy to run his mouth.

"Yeah that was nothing, she just thought Stephanie was using me, but she heard it from an unreliable source so she blew up." I attempted to lie.

LaToya looked distressed, she looked at her feet and clamped down on her bottom lip.

"Michael I like to think that me and you are close so please don't keep anything from me."

"Of course." I nodded not sure of what she was getting at.

"Are you the father of her baby?"

The million dollar question. I would tell LaToya, but she has a tendency of telling mother everything, every time we do something bad.

"Michael if you are please tell mother and Joseph, its not good to lie to mother. That girl has been going through a lot and she needs support its not easy for her. Although, Joseph has said and done horrible things he has never abandoned mother."

There I was feeling guilty again, feeling that bile come up bitterly. I wanted to swallow it badly.

"Toy I know that! and if it was mine I would step up."

She pulled something from her bra.

"Toya please don't do that again" I warned looking disgusted.

I looked at what she pulled out and my stomach dropped to my shoes.

The sonogram.

Where the hell did she get that?!

"I found this in your room care to explain?" She asked as if she read my mind.

"What were you doing in my room? Going through my things!" I became upset.

"Mother wanted me to find Randy some socks so I explained to you, explain this to me."

I was so caught, but I couldn't say it I just couldn't.

"You just said she needs my support think Toy we were friends first. I'm not going to turn my back on her cause she's having a baby before she left she gave them to me, its just a baby's sonogram."

I snatched the pictures from her.

"I wish everyone would get off my damn back about her. Me and her are over and that baby isn't mine!"

I stormed off leaving LaToya to catch flies with her opened mouth.

The more and more I told that lie, the more I believed it. Now I see the constant scrutiny she goes through. I can't imagine going to school pregnant and working a nine to five, where the public knows me. I can't do this to her anymore--I can't do this anymore.

I decided to be there for her and be there for my son.

Tayler's POV:

As usual Dad was working. Donna was out doing whatever and I was getting ready to go to work at Sears, I hated being on my feet, but I would rather be a cashier than work inventory or floor.

Today was a long day at school, why is attendance still required? I am about to graduate in a few weeks. I can't wait to receive that Diploma and tell them to kiss my whole ass.

I was sitting down on the couch watching Sanford & Son eating strawberries and pineapples. Being pregnant I had to eat more healthy, anything for my king. As I was watching TV, the doorbell sounded.

Who the hell is here now?!

I got up from a comfortable position to see what ass clown was at the door. I opened it to reveal the cause of Lydia and I's argument.

Jackie? with flowers?

"Jackie you're the ass clown" I rolled my eyes and shifted my weight to my left foot.

"What?" He questioned with a slight chuckle.

"Nothing, Lydia isn't here"

I folded my arms. 

Jackie was a cool guy, but any man that cheats on his wife goes on my shit list and because Lydia is my blood Jackie is the shittest of them all.

"I didn't come here for her, I came here for you, these are for you."

"Jackie look you might've snatched up Lydia's cookies, but you won't be tasting mine so please go before I throw a brick at your car."

"What?! No I don't want you-"

Before he could finish I interrupted him

"What you mean you don't want me?  What's wrong with me? I ain't fine?!"

"No, look I just didn't come here to flirt with you or ask you out. I came here to talk to you about a business opportunity and to congratulate you on the baby."

He pushed the flowers close to me with a smile.

Damn that Jackson smile! No wonder Lydia doesn't know whether to scratch her watch or wine her ass!

I instantly smiled and smelled the lilies not my favorite, but he isn't my man so it does not matter.

"What kind of business opportunity?"

"Can I come inside?"

"Nope nosey neighbors and my parents aren't home."

I'm 18 but I disrespected my parents house enough plus I'm sick of the Jacksons and I want nothing more to do with them, just Jackie's presence alone is irritating me.

"I understand, to make it short and sweet I want to record a demo of you. Maybe even a song."

"I beg pardon" I stood there with my lips parted.

"I want to put you in the studio baby doll." He smiled more.

"Why?" I asked, questioning his motive.

"Me and the brothers are allowing singers to record in our Encino studio and I know Motown dropped you. I know you love music and I know you don't want to give up. You have a gift your voice is so powerful not only will recording a demo restore faith  within yourself, it will put faith back into record companies to sign you. So what do you say?"

I begin to blush. Wow! many people have touched me, but not like this someone still believes in me besides my parents.

"But why though Jackie. Look given the history of me and your brother, why help me?"

"Honestly its just business I'm in a position to help and I don't like how you're being treated in this situation that night that guy took something from you he took more than just sex."

I shifted uncomfortably cause little does he know his brother put me in this situation.

"Jackie you have no idea how much your words have touched me but why, what's in it for you?" I further pushed for an explanation.

Jackie took off his shades

"Tayler, I just want to help you plus it gives us small exposure. People will not only know us as musicians and writers, but producers too."

I thought about it. That's not bad.

"How much money am I being charged."

"Free of charge." Jackie replied with a huge smile.

"You got yourself a deal."

Jackie leaned in to kiss my cheek and hugged me so close.

This just reassured me everything will be ok.

Baby doll will be back before anyone knows all because of Jackie.

Michael's POV:

I sat there in the car and watched them hug and to think she made me feel guilty for spending time with Stephanie.

My own fucking brother.

I can't trust anyone, especially not her, but two can play at this game.