Chapter 28

"Yes, I know. It has to be big. Everything has to work out just the way I said," Is muffled through the walls.

I hear Michael's voice in another room as I awake from my sleep. It's only seven o'clock, so I decide to follow his voice. I leave the bed and find him talking on the phone in his office. I knock on the wall twice and his eyes shoot up.

"Sorry, I'll call you back alright?" He clicks off the phone and puts it back in its holder.

I make my way to sit on the window seat across the office.

"Good morning my sweet," Michael comes to sit next to me on the cushion, encasing me with his arms around me.

"Good morning. Who were you on the phone with?" I ask.

"Oh, just one of my friends." He replies.

"Have I met this friend?"

"No, but you will soon." He softly chuckles.

"Okay, fair enough."

The truth is I'm a little suspicious as to who he was on the phone with but I honestly didn't have the strength to speculate. He hasn't given me a reason not to trust him so I think everything will be alright.

"Aren't you going to get ready for your classes?" He asks. I shake my head.

"No, there's no school today. There's a holiday of some sort."

"Good! I want to take you somewhere very special." Michael says.

"Will it be better than staying in pajamas all day? That was my initial plan," I say.

"Oh trust me, it's better than most things. Go get ready sweetheart."

I agree and head back to the bedroom and into the shower.
I decide to wear something nice when I get out. I put on a black skirt and a white lace top. I pull out a pair of sandals and leave my hair wet and down.

To speed up time, Michael had been taking a shower in the guest bathroom. When I come downstairs, I'm blown away.

"Michael, you look wonderful," I say with a big smile.

He's clad in his usual black slacks and loafers, and he has on a red and white letterman jacket. His hair is tied back and for once, he doesn't have on shades.

"So do you Alondra." He walks up to me and spins me around.

"You are so beautiful." His tone is serious and endearing. His arms are wrapped around me from behind and I feel my face flush.

"Thank you," I whisper.

He takes my hand and we walk out to the car where the driver is already waiting. Once we get inside, the driver backs out of Neverland and exits through the gates.

"So where's this very special place you're taking me?" I ask.

"You really don't want to ruin the surprise for yourself," Michael says.

"Well, is it private?"

"Nope." I expect him to elaborate but that one word answer is all I get.

I try to guess through the whole three hour ride until Michael says, "All your questions will be answered if you just look up."

It's true. I lift my eyes to see Children's Hospital Los Angeles. My eyes widen and I look at Michael smiling.

"Well let's go!" I'm so excited and this time it's me dragging Michael to the entrance.

"I always try to find time and visit children. They inspire me and you can learn so much from being around them. Their innocence, their playfulness.."

His voice trails off as we enter the hospital. The lady at the front desk is already smiling as we walk up to her.

"Mr. Jackson, we've been expecting you. Most of the kids are outside at the tables for brunch." The lady says.

"Thank you, and please. Call me Michael," he gives her a smile and then leads me down the hallway and outside.

There's a beautiful, healthy garden in the back. Flowers of all sorts bloom and fresh vegetables too. One child turns around and spots Michael.

"Oh my gosh!" She squeals and starts jumping up and down. I notice her head is shaved.

"Come on," Michael says. We go over to her and sit down.

"Hello honey, what's your name?" He asks the girl.

"I'm Brianna, wow it's so incredible to meet you. I love all your music," she says.

He chuckles and gives her a hug. Then she turns to me.

"Hi! Are you guys friends?" She asks with a huge smile.

"Yes, you can say that. I'm Alondra by the way." She comes over and gives me a tight hug.

Michael gets tugged by some other children who just want a playmate.

"Come play with us Michael!" They chant. He giggles and then lets them guide him to another table.

Another young boy and girl come over to me.

"Hi, how are you?" The girl shrugs and sits next to Brianna and the boy reaches his arms up. I lift him onto my lap.

"That's Violet. She just feels bad for me but I tell her not to worry. She's not sick anymore, but she tells mommy she is so she can come see me. And that's Theo. He doesn't talk much."

"Nice to meet you Theo and Violet," I say.

We start talking about things and then Neverland comes up.

"Have you ever been?" Violet asks.

"I have. In fact, I live there with Michael." I answer. They all gasp. Even Theo, who hadn't said anything in our talk previously.

"Really? What's it like?" He asks. I tell them about how magical, fun and beautiful it is.

"I just love it there," I say.

"I wanna go. Maybe it will help me forget about my stupid cancer."

My eyes widen and my heart fills with sympathy. No child should have to go through that like Brianna.

"Yeah, stupid leukemia. I hate it. I got it when I was six and it's been three years. But I don't get sad because then I'll feel worse."

There's no doubt in my mind that I wasn't as strong as Brianna at nine years old. Michael was so right, she truly does inspire me.

"Honey it's okay," I hold her hand because I want to stay strong for her. I admit it's hard.

"I'll run that idea by Michael. I think it's a great one." I say.

"You really will? Oh thank you Alondra." Brianna claps excitedly and then Michael comes back to us.

"What's up?" I say to him.

"Just having fun. We'll have to leave soon though," he replies.

"Aww. Before you go let's sing a song?" Violet asks.

"Of course!"

They start to sing Billie Jean and we all start to dance. I spin Brianna around and it nearly brings tears to my eyes to see all the children so happy.

"Michael, I really don't want to leave," I whine after good byes were said, pictures were taken, and autographs given.

"Me either, I always love coming here." We wave to the children one last time before heading back to the limo.

"The kids really want to come to Neverland. Maybe we should make that happen," I say.

"Really? I was thinking the same thing. You just beat me to saying it."

We start planning a day that all the children who choose to can come and spend time with us at Neverland.

"I never knew you liked children so much," he tells me.

"I love them! Even more because of this trip." Michael suddenly starts blushing.

"What? Did I embarrass you?" I ask.

"No. But the question I'm about to ask certainly will." He says.

"Well ask it."

He chuckles nervously and scratches his head.

"Um.. Have you ever thought of having children with me?" He questions. I'm slightly surprised.

"Honestly I haven't. But I like the idea." His eyes get brighter as he looks at me with hopefulness.

"You really do?"

"Michael of course. I love you. Maybe in time we'll spend our lives together and settle down with our babies."

I look back at him and he's flashing his perfect, white teeth at me.

"Well, I can't wait for that," he whispers before pulling me in and giving me a kiss on the forehead.

I smile and rest my head against his chest. I doze off to the sound of his heartbeat and envision our future life together.

--

Chapter 28.. Sorry this is a filler. It gets good very soon, I promise.

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~Joy ✌️