Was he lying, was he not? Was the reason Nana died? The reason Michael is in danger? All because of me?

Michael decided to take me to this restaurant that's owned by a friend of his. He loved the soup here, and it was good because the paparazzi or fans can't harass us. We sat at a table-for-two, looking at the menu as Michael whispers,

"Maybe you should try the Matzo Ball soup, it's so good. I love it so much, I've been having it since a kid."

I look up at him while smiling, "Fine, I'll try this..soup. It better be as good as you say it is." He nods while smiling back at me, "I love it. You know my family lived in a Jewish neighborhood, and the nanny was Jewish so she always made this kind of soup for us."

It's good that he had some decent memories in his past.

I look over at the waiter who stood at our table, taking our orders and the menus before walking away. Michael sighs while rubbing the back of his neck, "Are you okay? You're so out of it." I clench the thick napkin on the table, "Just...thinking about today..what Paul said, everything." Michael looks down at his ice tea before speaking, "None of this is your fault. Seriously."

"But what he said about hurting you.."

"Lies. He won't hurt me or you."

"Bu-"

"Marina, I promise you. I won't let anything harm you. I don't care if I have to be with you, 24/7."

I gently smile at his stubbornness as he grins back at me. I love this man. The way he tries to play tough, and the way he just cares about me. I had to trust him.

The waiter finally comes back with two bowls of the matzo ball soup as he sets the steaming hot bowl in front of both of us. I had to admit, it looked really good. Michael wasn't kidding. It did have chicken, which surprised me since Michael really didn't eat meat.

"Baby, I thought you didn't eat meat?"

Michael sighs, "My doctor thinks I'm too underweight after the touring and everything, it's only temporary though."

How dare he replace me as his doctor. But, this was our little date and I wasn't gonna start.

As I grab my spoon, I could see Michael drooling over the soup. He grabs his spoon and dipped it into the soup, slurping it quietly while groaning pleasurable, "Baby, you got to try it. The flavor, the thick texture of it all." I squint at the soup as I dip the spoon into the chicken broth and slurp some of the soup. My eyes closed as the warm liquid slid down my throat as I engulf the fluffy, white matzo ball.

"Michael baby...this must be the best soup I've ever had!"

He smiles widely, "I told you! I told you!" He was an excited little kid to know that I loved his favorite soup. It was really adorable to watch as he giggles contently. I loved that contagious little giggle he had. I never heard anything like it.

I continue to eat the soup while Michael hummed happily, finishing his soup within minutes. It felt good to feel so..normal with him. We were a functional couple that just knew how to have fun together. Momentarily, I finished my soup as well as he looks at me, "Would you like something else?" I shook my head as he tries to get the waiter's attention.

"Yoo hoo!"

The waiter eventually comes over as Michael smiles, "Can I have some matzo soup to-go with some crackers as well? Also, the check please." The waiter nods before walking to the back as I giggle softly, "You are really something you know?" He wiggles his eyebrow curiously, "I am?" I nod while sliding my hands through my hair.

"Marina, I never really asked you, but why did you cut your hair? I loved your long curls."

"Well, there was this hair donation company in the children's cancer ward while you were gone on tour. All the hair donations went to this company that will make like wigs for children with cancer. I just...thought of you and decided to do it. I mean I had long enough hair to do it."

Michael's smiles widen as he showed off his beautiful pearly whites, "You're a jewel, you know that? That's so selfless, see this gives me an another reason to love you. But, I really think you're sexy with that shoulder length bob you're rocking." I roll my eyes playfully as the waiter comes back with the receipt and Michael's to-go food. I pull out my pocket as Michael frowns, pulling out his.

"What are you doing? I'm paying for this."

"Michael, you always pay for stuff, let me do it for once."

"A lady should never be paying for a man. Let me be the gentleman to pay for it."

I sigh at his stubbornness. Michael was so old-fashioned, he didn't like if I try to pay for him or even buy him stuff in that manor. I just didn't want to seem as though I wasn't independent, hard enough I live with him. He feels like the type of man to make me quit my career so that he could be the sole provider of me. He pays the bill, and we both stand up to leave the restaurant through the back door so we wouldn't be bombarded.

His limo was parked as we got in, and the driver drives away. I look out the windows, still thinking about what Paul said. My thoughts were distracted by Michael resting his hand on mine. I turn to him as I look down at his soft, massive hand over my tiny little hand.

"I just want you to know that I love you, Marina."

I giggle at his words, "I love you too, Michael. Thank you for today, I know how much you wanted to go to the studio and work." He shakes his head, "I do, but you're more important than all of that. I would give it all up for you." I scoot closer to him, resting my head on his shoulder, "Don't say that..you love your music and I don't want to be the reason you give it up." He sighs, "Baby, you are my soulmate in every way possible, you're my first priority. I love everything we do today, and I mean everything."

I lean my head up, looking at him as he smirks mischievously which caused me to slap his arm, "Oh my gosh! Michael!" He giggles before pulling me back into his arms. I snuggle against his chest as he whispers, "I was house hunting and I think I found a good house for us to settle in together. I mean, if you want to." I lift myself off his chest, looking at him excitedly, "Really?!" His expression was enthusiastic as well, "Yeah, it's kind of far from here, you know Santa Barbara?" I frown, "Yeah, isn't it like a hour from Encino? That's kind of far from your family." He shakes his hand nonchalantly, trying to shush me so he could explain, "Here me out. There's a ranch. Sycamore Valley Ranch. And I think the house there is great. It's far in the distance with lots of land and hills and trees. The press will never drive to Santa Barbara for silly ol' me."

I fold my arms while grinning at how happy he seemed about this place. He was like a child on Christmas morning. The way he was rambling on and on about how he could have a petting zoo and possibly carnival rides. I lean to peck his lips to calm him down. He quiets down and whispers, "Will you come see it with me? You will fall in love with it as much as I had, just like you did with the Matzo ball soup." I nod while laughing, "Of course I would see it, chatterbox. You seem so happy about this ranch." He rests his back against the leather seat, "I do! It's perfect for me. For us. I want to live in a place that's not always gonna be bombarded with fans and everything. Just our secluded place." I nod before looking away.

I wanted this but...if we really do move from Encino, I couldn't drive to the hospital everyday. I would have to transport to a new hospital. New job. New life. But, I didn't want to make Michael upset. He looks and seems so elated about this place.

We finally arrived home, and Michael helped me out of the limo as I smile, "Such a gentleman." He winks, "Your favorite one." My arm was linked to his as we walk inside the house. The family was playing some card game as all their eyes looked at us when we walked in. They all greeted me in unison,

"Hey Marina!"

I wave at him as Michael scoffs, "Why couldn't you guys greet me!" The group began to mumble to one another before Michael rolled his eyes and we walked upstairs to his room. I yawn before stretching my arms in the air as Michael grins, "Tired?" I nod before taking my shoes off and sitting in the bed, "It was a long day."

"Well I got this to-go container of Matzo soup to make it better."

I groan softly, thinking about the delicious five-star flavored soup, "Mm, come. Gimme some!" He takes off his loafers as he sits in the bed, taking the container out the bag with the two spoons. I lick my lips as he hands me a spoon, and we took a spoonful of soup into our mouths. He chuckles before grabbing the remote, turning on "The Three Stooges." Michael really loved how funny they were, I never really truly got the hype but him? He was laughing his ass off. Sometimes he would cry, literally cry because they were that funny to him.

We continued to eat the soup, eating the matzo balls and vegetables as Michael chuckles, "Do the honors." I drink the rest of the liquid as Michael bites his lip, staring at me. Such a flirt.

"What?"

"Oh nothing.."

I roll my eyes, "Please don't tell me that turned you on." He shakes his head, "No, no it didn't." His lips curled into a mischievous smirk before turning back to the tv. Eventually, he rested his head in my lap as I comb my fingers through his thick, ebony curls. He moans softly as my fingertips gently massaged his scalp. I couldn't help but lean down and kiss him. He smiles as he looks up into my eyes, "Do you have work tomorrow?" I nod, "Yes." His hands were rubbing my thighs playfully, "How about I come over to the hospital. I want to donate some toys and stuff to the children there."

I shrug, "I don't think that would be a problem. You would make so many children happy." He nods before lifting his body up, turning to me, "They're just so cute..do you think we will have children some day?" My lips gaped open at his question while my cheeks turned cherry red. I couldn't believe he was asking me this.

"I would..love to have some children, yes."

"Five or six?"

My eyes widen, "Five or six?! More like two or three!" He frowns, "Oh. I just really see us having a big family." I scratch my head, "Mr. Jackson, carrying children is a lot of work! How you want to carry six children for you!" He smirks as he lays me down on the bed, "But it would be so much fun to make them.." His lips were gently nibbling my earlobe as I moan, "I know but..six children?" He looks up at me, "How about we adopt! I mean I've always wanted babies from different sides of the world. Different races." My hand rested against his cheek, "Whatever you want, baby. But, right now. Not now."

He nod before sighing, "Yeah, yeah." I close my eyes, breathing in and out slowly as I felt his warm, plump lips against my skin.

"I love you. And I can't wait for the day that we have children and everything. I just want to be with you when it all happens."

I open my eyes, staring into his innocent, doe eyes.

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