Chapter 30

I wake up on the morning of my birthday feeling a little dejected. Michael isn't by my side and I have a feeling he forgot.

I shouldn't blame him though, it's not like he celebrates birthdays. But I can't help but feel a little upset.

I clamber down the stairs and am welcomed by no one. No balloons, cake or anything.

To clear my confused mind, I go out to the back and sit by the edge of the pool, dipping my legs into the cool water.

I slowly circle them in the pool and then I hear someone humming. It isn't a familiar voice though.

I turn around and then catch a glimpse of Michael. In a split second, he says "Boo!"

I scream and fall back into the water with a big splash. When I come up for air, Michael is surrounded with other people that look quite similar to him. They are all smiling, laughing, and holding a banner that says, "Happy Birthday Alondra!"

I'm completely shocked. So he did remember? Now all I feel is guilt for doubting him.

I step out of the pool, dripping wet, and give Michael a tight hug.

"Sorry about getting you wet, that wasn't the initial plan but we saw you by the pool and went for it! Happy Birthday sweetheart," he says.

"Thank you so much," I smile and then pull away from him.

"Of course, how rude of me. Alondra, this is my family. These are my brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Tito, Marlon, and Randy. Here are my sisters Janet and Rebbie, and my mother Katherine." Michael says.

"Wow, it's nice to finally meet you all," I say, greeting each of them.

"It's nice to meet you too. How old are you turning?" Jackie asks.

"Today I turn twenty," I respond.

"Oh, you are a fine young woman," Randy compliments.

"Randy, you're married!" Jermaine says. We all have a laugh at that.

"Excuse my sons," Katherine says with a chuckle. "I hope Michael is treating you right."

"Yes Mrs. Jackson, he is the best boyfriend I've ever had." I say truthfully. I see him blush.

"Well, you should go clean up since we sort of pushed you in the pool. Presents come later," Michael says.

"Presents? You really didn't have to," I reply.

"Too late, now go." He gives me a cheeky smile and then a kiss. His whole family teases him about it as I walk back up the stairs.

I take a quick shower, in haste to see what my presents might be. I wear my favorite pair of jeans and a stripped blouse. I put my hair in a braid as I go downstairs.

Michael's family is gathered in the living room area waiting for me. There's a stack of wrapped presents piled high in front of him.

"Come here," he says with a sweet smile.

I comply and sit next to him but he pulls me into his lap and kisses my cheek.

"Are you ready for your presents?" He asks.

"Yes, I am," I say excitedly.

"The first one is mine!" Rebbie says, grabbing it and handing it to me.

I open it up and pull out a pair of DKNY heels.

"Wow! These are amazing! How did you know?" I giggle.

"Every girl loves heels!" I laugh and give her a hug before going through the rest of my gifts.

They include jewelry, hair products, jackets, gift cards and more.

We finally reach Michael's present which is at the bottom of the stack. It's a very small box. I open it and pull out two pairs of earrings.

"Thanks baby," I say, giving him a hug.

"Here's a hint, flip them around." He says.

I turn them around and attached the the back is a plane ticket on each one.

"You're taking me somewhere?" I can't believe it.

"Check where."

I pull the plane ticket off and the destination is: Mexico City, Mexico.

"My hometown?! Oh, Michael!" I give him a passionate kiss as he laughs softly during it. I whisper to him, "Baby, I love you."

"Not as much as I love you."

"Alright alright, enough with the lovey-dovey stuff!" Jermaine says.

I pull away from him, embarrassed.

"Thank you all for being here, it means a lot to me," I let them know.

"Absolutely, no problem. Now, let's get to the fun stuff," Marlon says.

"Fun stuff?" I look to Michael for explanation but all receive is a smirk.

He lifts me off of him and sets me down before gathering his brothers and they go outside the house. I turn to Katherine, Janet, and Rebbie.

"What's this about?" I ask them.

"I honestly have no idea, it looks like only the boys are in on this one," Janet says.

"Oh, more surprises then."

We laugh and then start chatting with each other and I instantly warm up to Janet. Rebbie is friendly too but a little distant at the same time. When I talk to Miss Katherine, I now realize why Michael is so wonderful. He was trained by a very sweet and reasonable woman. My mother would have loved his mother.

In the middle of conversing, we hear the front door open again.

"Looks like the boys are back," I say. I notice all five of them are walking sideways with their hands behind their backs. I stand up.

"What are you guys holding?" Rebbie and Janet come over too.

"Now!"

All of a sudden, the five of them whip out water guns and start spraying us with them. Janet, Rebbie and I scream, shielding ourselves and running out the door. All the while, Miss Katherine is watching and laughing.

They run outside after us and into the huge backyard field.

"Okay, okay! Stop!" Janet surrenders for all of us against the boys while they high-five each other.

"You should've seen your faces!" Randy says.

"How about we do a little game of water gun? Whichever team gets wet first, loses. Boys against girls," Michael says.

"Five against three? That is so unfair!" I say. We stand in rows facing each other.

"Aww, she's going to whine about it," He coos. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.

"Fine, but we need one of those thingys too," I say.

They hand the three of us one water gun each.

"Good luck boys. You're gonna need it," I say with a laugh.

"Good luck kiss?" Michael asks. He walks up to me and leans down, but I put a finger against his lips.

"Think again, I'm going to win this," I smirk and turn him around and push him away.

His brothers pull him back and he shakes his head while looking at me. It took everything in me to deny that kiss.

We lay the boundaries and then the game begins. I immediately go on defense, running to the very edge of the boundary which is behind the shed. I make sure no one is watching before I sit down.

"Get your own hiding place birthday girl," I hear a voice next to me and jump. It's Janet.

"Oh I'm sorry," I start to get up.

"I'm only kidding, please stay. It was getting pretty lonely."

"Well here I am," I giggle. She shushes me so the boys won't find us.

"Looks like you and my big brother are really in love," she says.

"Yeah, we are," I blush.

"Aww! I wish I had love like that."

I'm about to answer but then I hear footsteps in the grass.

"I think they've found us," I whisper.

I poke my head around the shed and see both Jackie and Michael with their backs to us.

"We can get them first.."

I nod and slowly get up and inch my way toward them. They still aren't watching, so I tell Janet the coast is clear and we start getting closer to them.

We stand side by side and I count to three on my fingers before we aim and shoot the water guns at them.

"Ha!" I yell.

"Hey!!" They try to shoot us back but it's too late. It's ultimately clear that both Jackie and Michael are wet.

"And the boys lose like I knew they would," Janet says.

"Surprise!" I smirk and run up to Michael.

"I should be mad but I can never get mad at you," he says with a laugh.

"I'm just so lovable aren't I?"

"Yes.. Now here's what you get."

He sprays me with his water gun and I scream and fall onto the grass giggling.

Jackie and Janet run off to find where the others are. We finish shooting at each other and then I pull him into a hug.

"You got me so wet Michael," I say. He looks at me with a huge smirk on his face.

"Oh god, not like that!" I push him off of me and all he does is laugh.

"Mhmm.. Let's go change. Your birthday isn't over yet."

He winks and pulls me back into the house.

--

Chapter 13

Vote

Comment

Share

~Joy ✌️