(Note: This chapter is rather short, it wasn't my intention but I do apologize. Thank you for all of the support.)

Chapter 13: Just Keep It In The Closet…

Michael POV

I woke up to find myself alone in bed. My baby got up before I did, and I didn't even notice any shifting in the bed. I looked over to the bathroom to see if she was in there taking a shower but the light wasn't even on so that was a bust. I got up out of bed to look for her, and I started by heading for her room. There she was in her room sitting on the bed. She was holding her cell phone and had this blank stare on her face. As I got closer to her, she snapped back to reality and smiled at me, but I already knew my baby. Something was indeed bothering her. I sat on the bed, facing her, and gave her a good morning kiss.

"Hi," I said with a smile.

"Hi," she said.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Um, Roxy called earlier," she said.

"Oh yeah?" I said.

"Yeah," she said, "She suspects something."

"She doesn't know," I said.

"No," she said, "but she's suspicious."

Nadine's phone then beeped.

"Who is that?" I asked.

"It's Derrick," she said.

"What did he say?" I asked.

"Roxy called to be nosy. Secret is safe with me and Mom. Love you," Nadine said. She grinned at the message and replied with a thank you.

"I wouldn't worry about Roxy," I said.

"I feel so guilty hiding this, hiding us, from her," she said, "Yet at the same time, I don't care. Is that bad?"

"No," I said, "You don't always have to share everything. It's okay to keep some things to yourself."

Nadine smiled and then let out a chuckle.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"I find it ironic that you said that," she said, "Given you're always in the public eye."

I smiled and bit my lip at her, moving in closer.

"Stop that," Nadine said with a smile.

"Why?" I asked.

"You're making me want you," she said, being coy.

I leaned over to kiss her, touching her face and moving my way down. Nadine at first was receptive but then suddenly she stopped me and pushed me away from her.

"Not right now though," she said, slightly wincing.

"Alright," I said, confused.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"Don't apologize," I said, "What would you like to do today?"

Nadine stretched her arms behind her head and moved next to me.

"Well, I was thinking of just staying in today," she said.

"Then we shall do that," I said.

Nadine and I got out of bed and walked to the dining room, where Damon had just prepared parts of breakfast like eggs and bacon. We sat down at the table and Nadine requested French toast, which Damon fulfilled without a problem. After breakfast we headed over to the theater that was upstairs. I figured that we could spend the day watching movies. Kiss and touch, nothing much, let it blow just touch and go…hmm, I like that. Mental note, I thought. I asked Nadine which movie she wanted to watch and I couldn't stop smiling when she said Peter Pan, my favorite. She went on to tell me that she and Derrick used to watch it all the time with their father growing up. They would wait until he had come home from work, no matter how tired he was, he watched the movie with them. I had a spot in the theater where it was a couch rather than the conventional seats and I suggested that we sit there, mainly so I could cuddle with her. When the movie started, I already felt like I was Peter and Nadine was Wendy. Not too far into the movie, my phone lit up and it was a text from Janet.

"Peter! I need help!" she said.

"What's wrong Tink?" I texted back.

"Need a choreographer for my video. Do you know anyone?"

I looked over at Nadine, who was watching the movie intently, her head leaning on my shoulder.

"I might. Will get back to you. Watching movie with Nadine," I texted back.

"Okay. Talk later. Love you."

"Love you more. Bye."

I looked back over at Nadine, who turned over to cuddle with me. I held her close and kissed the top of her head as we kept watching the movie.

Nadine POV

I didn't know what was up, but I was feeling a little off. I had French toast for breakfast and I never liked French toast. I just had a taste for it, I guess. I went to cuddle with Michael because the movie was reminding me of Dad, and I wanted to hold someone before I could cry reminiscent tears. Michael held me close, and whispered, "Second star to the right and straight on till morning." I smiled and held him tighter. When the movie finished, I got up from the couch to stretch my legs and sat back down. Michael leaned back on his end of the couch and I moved over to lie on his chest. He started rubbing my back, then took his fingers and stroked them in small gentle circles. I had noticed Michael texted a couple of times when the movie started from out of my peripheral vision.

"Who was texting?" I asked.

"Janet," he said with a smile, "Don't be jealous."

"I'm not," I said with a laugh.

"She's looking for a choreographer," he said, "Know anyone?"

I looked up at Michael, and he gave me a smile.

"You're joking," I said.

"I'm serious!" Michael said with a laugh, showing me the text on his phone. I sat up and looked at the message in disbelief.

"You haven't told her anything, though," I said.

"No, I wanted to ask you first," he said.

"Is this for a video?" I asked.

"Yeah," Michael said, "I was going to recommend you. That is, if you want me to."

"Yes!" I said, leaning back on his chest.

Michael texted Janet back to tell her he had found someone for the job, and I was ecstatic. I was going to get my first choreography job working for Janet Jackson…with some connection, but still. My dream was to be a choreographer, and here I was about to have that chance. I wanted to get up and scream, but I kept my composure. I couldn't wait to tell Mom and Derrick about the great news.

"She says that you're hired," he said, "Congrats!"

I kissed Michael hysterically with joy.

"Thank you," I said.

"Anything for you," he said.

I blushed because I knew he meant it, and didn't know what to say.

"Want to watch another movie?" he asked.

I started stroking my fingers on his chest, slowly removing his shirt over his shoulders.

"No," I said, being coy.

"Well, what do you want to do then?" he asked.

I kissed Michael again but more slowly and with care. I didn't know what was coming over me, but I wanted to make love right now. Michael was passionately receptive, his hands around my waist as he took over me on the couch. We were in a ravenous embrace, clothes on the floor, and it was thrilling. We held each other on the couch, keeping each other warm with a blanket Michael kept nearby. I enjoyed the moments after we made love, because I felt that deeper sense of connectedness. My eyes were getting heavy, and soon I was asleep.

Michael POV

Nadine was asleep in my arms, and with all the talks we have had and just her mere presence, they were giving me ideas. I wanted to get them all out, so I sat up on the couch to put on my clothes without waking Nadine. I kept her wrapped in the blanket as I picked her up and carried her back to my room to sleep. Upon making sure she was comfortable, I took a shower, got dressed and decided to go take a walk outside to let these ideas manifest. I climbed up one of my favorite trees and sat there for a while with my pen and paper. The first thing that came to mind was Nadine's talk about her parents and the issues of race. So her father was black and her mother was white…it shouldn't matter if you're black or white. Wait, that's it, I thought as I wrote that last thought on my paper. Then I remembered when Nadine said used to give in to her ex's demands, and the thought "Give in to me" popped into mind. I started mouthing off possible riffs for these two songs and kept writing more ideas for songs. I guess it was time to start working on another album. In the midst of my thoughts, my cell phone started ringing. It was Mother, so I picked up.

"Mother," I said.

"Michael," she said, "Are you back home?"

"Yes," I said, "I came back yesterday."

"Oh, but what about the girl?" she asked.

"She's here with me," I said.

"I really would like to meet her," she said.

"I know," I said with a smile.

"Actually, I'd like to see everyone," she said.

"How about this Saturday?" I suggested, "Family get-together?"

"That sounds wonderful Michael," Mother said.

"Everyone can come over here," I said

"It would be great to see all of my babies," she said, "Especially you, Michael."

"I'd be happy to see you too," I said.

"I'll get to see the young lady as well?" she asked.

"Yes, I can't wait to introduce you," I said, "She is amazing."

"Okay Michael," she said, "I'll call everyone. Saturday it is my dear."

"Saturday it is," I repeated.

"I will see you then," Mother said, "I love you Michael."

"Love you more," I said, "Bye."

I hung up the phone and sat up on the tree for a few minutes longer until I came back down. I wanted to check on my baby and see if she was still sleeping. I walked back into the house and was greeted by Ana as I headed back for my room. Nadine had taken a shower and was in one of my robes sitting up in bed. She smiled upon seeing me and got up to kiss me. I decided to take a shower to get out of these clothes and find a white shirt and pajama pants to wear. I sat on the bed with Nadine and we were both lying on our side, facing each other. My hand touched the side of her face and moved down her neck to pull down part of the robe to feel her shoulder.

"Where were you?" she asked.

"I went outside," I said, "Had to get some things out."

"Oh," she said.

"So, have you told Mom and Derrick about your new job?" I asked with a smile.

"Not yet," she said.

Nadine's cell phone started ringing and she reached over to the bedside table to see who was calling.

"Speaking of the two," she said, smiling.

Nadine POV

"Hi Mom," I said as I picked up the phone.

"Kalere! How is California?" Mom asked.

"I love it so far," I said.

"We miss you so much sweetie," she said. I could hear my brother screaming my name in the background.

"Stop that," I said, "I miss you guys too."

"Tell her the news," Michael whispered to me with a smile.

"Oh I almost forgot," I said.

"Almost forget what, baby?" Mom asked.

"I got a choreography job for a music video!" I said with excitement.

"Really, for who?" she asked.

"Janet," I said.

"Janet, as in Michael's sister Janet?" Mom asked.

"Ms. Jackson if you're nasty!" I heard Derrick say in the background.

"Derrick you're so stupid," I said, laughing.

"Let me talk to her!" I then heard him say. I could hear Mom giving him the phone.

"Kalere!" he said.

"Little brother!" I said.

"So you're going to be working with Janet, huh?" he asked.

"Yep," I said.

"Maybe you could hook me up?" Derrick asked, "Help a brother out."

"You can't be serious," I said.

"Hey, thought I'd try," he said, "Since you're going to be working for her and all."

"Silly brother," I said.

"Okay, I'll give Mom back the phone now," he said.

I heard ruffling for a couple of seconds and then Mom was back on the line.

"Hey baby," she said.

"Hi Mom," I said.

Michael at this point was rubbing his hands all over my waist, brushing over my stomach. I had that feeling again, and I didn't know where it was coming from. He pulled me to him and I turned my back to him so I could still talk on the phone. Michael kept his arms around me, lightly nibbling at my ear and kissing my neck.

"So you are doing okay over there?" she asked.

"Yes I'm fine," I said, "I promise."

"Michael's treating you right?" she asked.

"Yes, he is," I said with a smile, looking over at Michael.

"Good. Keep having an open heart and mind," she said.

"I will Mom," I said.

"Well, I'm going to let you go," she said, "I love you Kalere."

"I love you too," I said.

As I was saying good bye and about to hang up, I heard my Mom yell my name.

"Yes?" I answered.

"One more thing," she said.

"What's that Mom?" I asked.

"I had a dream about fish last night…"