New Year's Eve, 12/31/1987
Neverland Ranch, Los Olivos, California

Michael's point of view

Here we go, 1988. I really couldn't wait to start another year. It's like June and I would get a brand new start: a fresh, drama free, and happy new start. I think we really needed that. We needed to put this awful year behind us, and we prayed for 1988 to be better for our relationship. We had our ups and downs, just like regular couples have, but it was quite intense, and we really wanted to put this behind us. And what a good way to do it by celebrating the end of the year with my dearest friends and the love of my life?

Elizabeth, who was eager to meet June since I told her about her, invited the both of us to celebrate New year's eve at her house of Bel Air. We both gladly accepted the invitation. June has always loved Elizabeth and her work. She saw all of her movies, and she thinks she's the most beautiful woman on this planet. To be honest, I never saw one of Liz's movies, and I'm quite ashamed about it. The thing is, I really lack of free time these days. When I got some spare time, I just spend it with June. The good thing is, Elizabeth is not mad at me about it. She understands my lifestyle, and I'm really lucky to have a friend as good as Liz is.
Liza Minnelli, Whitney Houston, Katherine Hepburn, Eddie Murphy... They were all invited there, and I knew for sure this would be an amazing night.

We left New York the day after June's birthday to head to Neverland. Of course, June took care to ask Dr. Warren if she was able to fly again, and he gave her the thumbs up. She was ecstatic about the news. She missed Neverland, and I missed it too. I missed Bubbles too. This chimp makes me laugh so hard. It's fun to be around him.

June's birthday party was great. There wasn't as much people as there were at Christmas: only her mom, Jake and Tim, and me were there, but she was really happy about it. Of course, she ended up crying a bit because it was also the first birthday without her father. She told me they both had a tradition on their birthdays: they had to guess the present they bought one another. The last one her father gave her was this necklace she always wears, with an infinity pendant. He told him "I am forever" when he gave it to her, and since that particular day, she always keeps it around her neck. She really treasures it.
Her mom's gift was pretty moving. She framed and enlarged a beautiful photo of June and Antoine laughing hard in a beautiful white and golden frame. June was really moved about it. Tim, on the other hand, lightened the mood by making a little show for her as her present. He did a kind of buisness presentation, telling why June was the best godmother ever. His arguments were: 1) She's really funny; 2) she gives the best hugs ever; 3) she's always up to joke around; 4) she gives the best gifts ever; 5) she loves him very much; 6) she's the most beautiful woman of the word; 7) she'll never leave him; 8) he loves her very much.
Finally, my gift for her was a romantic dinner in a fancy restaurant, a spare key to the main house of Neverland, and a night full of love making. It was already planned for her to move in with me after my tour is over, but I couldn't wait any longer, and asked her to move in with me during my break. She liked the idea, but was also a little bit hesitant at the idea to leave the city where she grew up, but most important, to leave her mother alone. Her mom, on the other hand told her to go for it, and not to waste her time. After deliberation, she accepted, and it made me the happiest man in the world.

When we came back to Neverland, we were like two kids. We ran around the amusement park, went to see the animals of the zoo, rode the carousel even before we set foot in the main house. June had only a few things with her, she didn't bring everything. We decided to wait after New year's day to finalize her move out.

As we were in my bedroom, or should I say, our bedroom, getting prepared for tonight's event, I heard June cursing in the bathroom. When I opened the door, she was only in her bra and panties, looking for something.

"Are you okay?" I gently asked behind her.

"No! It looks like I fucking forgot my fucking eyeliner!"

"Keep calm, and stop cussing," I softly told her, and opened a drawer. "Here, take mine," I said, handing her my eyeliner.

"Oh God, you're my lifesaver," she declared, sighting with relief.

"Are you nervous?" I asked, rubbing her bare back.

"No," she lied, applying her eyeliner.

"Baby..." I warned.

"Okay, I'm nervous as fuck," she admitted. "Sorry," she apologized, looking at me in the mirror.

"You know I love that mouth, but I don't love it when curse words come out of it."

"I know, I'm sorry, baby. I'll stop cursing."

"Good girl," I said, then laid a kiss on her temple. "What dress are you choosing?"

"I don't know yet," she sighed heavily. "Which one is your favorite?"

"Baby, I bought the three of 'em for you, so I obviously love them all," I laughed.

"Don't you have a slight preference for any of them?"

"Well, I love your legs, and the black and silver one is shorter than the other, but my favorite color is red, so I like the red one, but the blue one would make your eyes look even more wonderful... As a conclusion, sorry sweetheart, but I don't have any preference."

"Well, thank you but not thank you, baby," she laughed. "What do I do with my hair now?"

"Curl'em," I said, without hesiation this time. "I definitely want to see you with curly hair again."

"Anything to please you, Mr. Jackson," she seductively said, before placing a soft kiss on my lips.

I smiled at her, and took a shower while June was curling her long blond hair next to me. I was out of the shower ten minutes later, and dried my rebellious hair with a towel. If I dried it with a hairdryer, I would probably look like a sheep, and I didn't want this to happen.

"Hey babe, I can't reach that strand of hair, can you curl it for me, please?" June asked me as I was fixing my still damped hair.

"Sure," I smiled, and did as told. "You're so beautiful," I whispered behind her.

"So are you," she told me. "And don't tell me you're not," she warned.

"Yes ma'am," I laughed. She doesn't like when I say I'm not beautiful. That's what I think though. "All done!" I cheered, putting the iron down.

"Thank you, honey," she said, turning around to face me. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and gave me a passionate yet tender kiss. My hands travel from her shoulders to her lower back, my lips never leaving hers. Sadly, June put her hands on my bare chest and slightly pushed me from her. "We should stop, before I want to rip that towel off of your waist, and lead you to the bedroom."

"Or maybe you could do that, and give your man a little love," I said, licking my bottom lip.

"And ruin all of this?" She asked, gesturing to her face. "Uh-uh, no way. You'll have to wait til tonight, sexy," she said, her back facing me as she watched herself in the mirror.

"What if I can't?" I asked her, hugging her from behind, brushing my hands over her flat tummy.

"You have to," she said, shrugging.

"Urgh, why do you have to be so sexy?" I growled in the crook of her neck.

"That tickles," she said, giggling. "Come on," she said, caressing my hand which was still placed over her tummy, "we need to be ready in less than an hour now. Elizabeth won't be happy if we're late."

I kissed her cheek, and let go of her. I headed the walk-in-closet, and picked up my outfit for the night: some black jeans, as always, with a black dress shirt and a long red blazer on top of it. I decided not to put loafers but some black Allen Edmonds dress shoes. I returned to the bathroom to put a bit a make up on to try to hide my skin discoloration, and a bit of eyeliner. Even though June keeps telling me I look better without any of it, I can't believe her. She's so beautiful naturally, I don't think I am. She's just blinded by love. Vitiligo makes me look like some freak.

***

Bel Air, Los Angeles, California
Elizabeth Taylor's Mansion

We arrived in front of Elizabeth mansion's gates around seven in the evening, and I could feel June tensing up with every step we took toward the door. She had a tight grip on my hand, and never wanted to let go of it. Before ringing the doorbell, I stopped in front of the door, and took both of her hands in mine.

"It's going to be just fine, baby. They'll love you," I reassured her, before giving her a soft kiss. "Liz already loves you."

She smiled up at me, and I rang the doorbell. A few seconds later, Liz opened the door, and gave me a huge hug, telling me she missed me, and that she was glad I could make it there. When she broke our embrace, she took a look at June, and smiled big at her, before putting her in another warm embrace of hers. 

"I'm so pleased to meet you, dear!" She exclaimed, breaking the hug with June. "You're even more beautiful than I thought."

"Wow, thank you. It means a lot coming from a woman as beautiful as you are," she politely said, a little bit starstruck.

"I think we're going to get along very well, Michael," she said, looking at me with a beautiful and sincere smile before letting us in. 

***

June's point of view

After half an hour, Michael finally finished introducing me to his friends. I was so starstruck when I got to meet Whitney Houston. I've been a fan of hers for years. She has an amazing voice, and she's beyond beautiful. I was back at the shy and clumsy girl I once was. I was just stuttering and saying silly things, but I guess she kind of liked it. She said I was really funny. The thing is, I really didn't mean to be funny. I couldn't make a proper sentence while talking to her without babbling or stuttering.

"Excuse her, Whitney, she's normally not like this, but she really likes you," Michael laughed, his hand rested on the small of my back. I gave her a stupid smile, shrugging my shoulders, which made her laugh even more.

"Don't. She's really funny," she chuckled. "Would you like to have a drink with me, love? You could tell me more about you," she smiled widely at me.

"Um, wow. Y-Yeah, um s-sure! Of course," I stuttered again. "Oh God...," I muttered, feeling beyond embarrassed at that point. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't apologize, dear. You're cute," she admitted, taking my hand in hers. "Come on, follow me."

I gave Michael a smile, and he laughed at me, shaking his head from side to side. He stood there for a couple of seconds before Eddie came next to him. The both of them looked at me, and Eddie waved at me, laughing as well. Thanks boys, that's really helping me.

Whitney and I both sat at the bar, and ordered our drinks: two Sex On the Beach cocktails.

"So, tell me about you, June. Where do you live?"

"I'm from Brooklyn," I revealed. "I've lived there all my life."

"At the other end of the country? Wow. How do you guys cope with it? I mean, Michael's from here, it's quite a long trip to go to New York."

"Yeah, that's why I'm moving in with him in the next couple of days," I said, feeling my cheeks heat up. I began to feel a bit more comfortable talking to her. Our drinks were served, and we thanked the barman.

"Really?" She happily cheered. "I'm so happy for you guys!"

"Yeah, thank you," I shyly smiled.

"How did you two meet?" She curiously asked, before taking a sip of her beverage.

"At one of his concerts in New York, in August. He asked Bill, one of his bodyguards, to come and get me from the crowd after the show because of that sign I held in the audience where I asked Michael to um... to marry me," I said, burying my face in my hands. I felt so embarrassed about it when I look back at it. I mean, I'm glad to see where that sign brought me, but it was so pathetic.

"Oh God," Whitney laughed at me. "Did you think that sign would bring you where you are now?" She asked, chuckling.

"Of course not," I laughed. "I just wanted to do it to joke you know. But I'm glad it brang me here though," I admitted, smiling.

"And what happened then?"

"Well," I began, playing with the rim of my glass, "we became close friends. He invited me at Neverland and I had a real blast there with him. I got to discover him, and I guess I rapidly fell in love with him. Everything went so fast, it's unbelievable. He's so easy to love."

"Yeah. He's an extraordinary person," Whitney agreed. "Did you meet his family already?"

"Yeah, all of them," I smiled. "They're amazing as well."

Whitney smiled once again. This woman is so nice, I swear. She kept telling me my parents did an awesome job, that I was really beautiful and kind. When she asked me about them, I had to tell her my dad and brother passed away, but I didn't get into details. I didn't want to ruin the mood.

Three cocktails and some funny stories later, everyone was called by Elizabeth to come and take a seat because we were about to eat. I scanned the room for Michael, but I couldn't find him. I was standing there, all alone, before someone came behind me and wrapped his arms around me.

"Looking for me?" His soft voice whispered in my ear.

"Of course," I smiled. Michael took my hand and we took a seat around a circular table, where Eddie, Liza, Whitney and two other men I didn't know were already seated. An empty chair remainded next to me. Do I smell bad? I asked myself.
Of course, Michael pushed my chair for me, as the gentleman he is, which obviously caused Eddie to tease him. Michael laughed it off, and sat next to me, placing his hand over mine, which was rested on the top of the table.

A few minutes later, Elizabeth sat between me, and the man I didn't know. She explained me he was her boyfriend, Larry Fortensky, and the other man next to him was his brother, Josh.

"It looks like I kept the better seat for myself," she chuckled. "Is it bothering you if I sit next to you, dear?"

"Oh, of course not. It's great to have you next to me. I'm a huge fan," I admitted, but I already regretted it. What is she going to think about me?

"Why, thank you, love! I hope Michael over here didn't say anything bad about me," she asked, looking at Michael beside me.

"You know I love you Liz," Michael said truthfully.

"He really does," I verified. "He told me he was lucky to have as a great friend as you."

"Awww," the people around the table said, which caused Michael to blush hard. Oops.

***

Dinner was delicious, and the atmosphere was really friendly. After a little hour, I felt finally comfortable around all these celebrities. They were just normal people after all, just like me. Eddie is really funny. He got me almost peeing on myself because of his impressions. He did an impression of Michael, and it was so, so funny. He tried to mimick his soft voice and tried to dance like him and it was hilarious how he failed.

Talking about dancing, Michael invited me to dance with him, and of course I gladly accepted. It was actually the first time we danced together in public, and I enjoyed it very much. We danced on I Will Always Love You that Whitney was actually singing live. She gave me chills. She has such a wonderful, powerful voice.

I rested my head on Michael's chest, my ear against his beating chest, and we swayed back and forth in sync. He kept whispering sweet things in my ear, and I melt into his arms, never wanted this moment to end.

"I love you," he said in my ear. I wrapped my hands around his neck and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

"I love you too," I mouthed him.

A photographer then came to us and asked us to pose for him. He explained it was for Elizabeth's personal archives, so we did as told and posed together. Michael placed himself behind me and rested his chin in the crook of my neck.  I looked at him lovingly, and we heard the click of the camera. The photographer asked for another one, and we both looked at him with beautiful smiles on. He thanked us, and walked around to photograph some other guests.

Michael and I danced until Elizabeth announced the countdown to midnight was close in the mic. We all looked at the giant clock, and began counting.

"10...9...8...7..." The entire room counted in unison.

Please, make this year better than the last one, I said to myself.

"6...5...4...3..."

I turned over Michael, still counting down, and took both of his hands in mine.

"2...1... HAPPY NEW YEAR!" We all cheered, and the balloons and confetti that were once held to the ceiling fell upon us. 

Michael grabbed me by my waist and gave me one of the most romantic kiss I ever received. No one around us mattered, it was just the both of us, celebrating our brand fresh new start. When our lips separated, Michael cupped my face between his two large hands and pecked my lips one more time.

"May this year be happier that the last one for you, baby," he sincerely told me.

"May this year be our year," I said back, looking into his sparkly eyes. "Happy new year, baby."

"Happy new year, sweetheart."

I wanted this year to be happier, drama free, but we don't always have what we wish for in life.