(Note: Sorry for the delay, but I appreciate you all being patient with me. Here is Chapter 14.)

Chapter 14: Will You Be There?

Michael POV

I woke up around six Wednesday morning alone in my bed again. Nadine for some reason wanted to sleep alone after the talk she had with her mother last night, and although I respected her wishes I didn't understand why. I already missed holding her while I slept and even though she was a few rooms down it felt as though she was across the country again. In truth, as silly as it sounded, it was unbearable. But today was important, because I had the interview with Music on Beat at ten, and Norman was sending a limo to pick me up around nine.

I got out of bed and took a shower, then while drying my hair with a towel looked into the closet for something to wear. I contemplated on wearing something casual, but I was pretty sure they wanted me to be on the next issue's cover so something a little bit more formal was in order. I finally decided on a black and gold ensemble with a dragon design on the front and gold band on the sleeve. As for my hair, I teased it with a pick on the top and allowed the rest to stay wavy instead of the usual ponytail. I looked at the clock to see that it was almost eight. I headed for Nadine's room to check up on her, and she was still sleeping. I climbed into bed and sat next to her, gently stroking her brown hair. She moved a little as she opened her eyes and smiled.

"Well hello sleepy head," I said, smiling.

"Hi," she said groggily.

"I didn't mean to wake you," I said.

"No, it's okay," she said.

Nadine held onto the pillow she was resting her head against while I leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"You're all dressed up today," she said.

"I have that interview today," I said.

"Oh that's right," she said, sitting up.

"Norman's coming over in an hour," I said, "Want breakfast together?"

"Sure," she said.

Nadine and I left the room to head for the dining room, and Damon was ready for us as we sat down at the table.

"Good morning," Damon said to us.

"Good morning," I said.

"Hi," Nadine greeted.

"What would you like for breakfast?" Damon asked us.

"Bacon, eggs, and pancakes for me," I said.

"And for you, Miss?" Damon asked Nadine.

"The same," she started, "and a lot of French toast, please."

Damon and I stared at her.

"What?" she said.

I smiled as Damon went into the kitchen to make our breakfast. That was a lot of food, I thought. After twenty minutes Damon came back with our breakfast, and it amazed me how Nadine was putting it all away. She was slender so I wondered where the food was going, especially the eight pieces of French toast, washing it all down with orange juice.

"Hungry?" I asked her.

"Starving actually," she said.

Damon came back from the kitchen to check on us.

"How is everything?" he asked.

"Great," I said.

"Yes," Nadine said, "Another glass of orange juice please."

"Sure," Damon said as he fulfilled her request.

I sat at the table watching Nadine drink her juice, still in awe that she just put away a smorgasbord in front of me. Then I realized it was only a few days before the family would come over to meet her, and the thought made me smile.

"Why are you smiling?" she asked.

"Thinking about this Saturday," I said.

"What's this Saturday?" she asked.

"My family is coming over to Neverland," I said.

Nadine smiled nervously.

"There is nothing to worry about," I said, "They will love you."

By then Ana had walked into the dining room to tell me Norman was here to pick me up. I excused myself from the table and kissed Nadine good bye as I met with Norman outside. I put on my aviators as I got inside the limo and upon having everything set we were headed off to Music on Beat's headquarters, which was near the Encino area. Norman and I made it over to the headquarters in roughly thirty minutes and we were greeted by the interviewer, Denise Mitchell, tall and slender with glasses.

"Good morning Mr. Jackson," she said, shaking my hand.

"Michael," I corrected her.

"Michael," she said with a smile.

"This is Norman, my manager," I said.

"Hello," Denise said, shaking Norman's hand.

"Hello Miss Mitchell," he said.

"Ready for our interview, Michael?" Denise asked.

"Yes," I said, "Lead the way."

Denise lead us inside the headquarters and up to her office. Upon getting in her office, she closed the door and offered for me to sit on the couch that was provided. I took off my shades and kept them in my pocket while Norman sat off by the corner. Denise picked up her notepad and tape recorder and sat on the other side of the couch facing me with a smile.

"Now that I'm situated, let us begin shall we?"

Nadine POV

I can't believe that I ate so much food for breakfast, especially in front of Michael. I didn't know what was going on with me. The second day in a row that I've had French toast, another taste for it I suppose. Now I was nervous, because Michael's family was coming over this weekend and I wasn't sure how I was going to be accepted, especially his mother Katherine. I knew he valued her opinion more than anything. After Michael left to go to his interview, I got up from the table to go take a shower and dress in my loose v-neck and black pants. I felt like dancing to take my mind off of the anxiety of not only meeting Michael's family, but of what Mom told me on the phone last night about the fish dream. That usually meant that someone was expecting, and I already knew it wasn't me. It couldn't be me, so the only other person I thought it could be was Roxy or possibly another family friend. That was a transition in life I knew I wasn't ready for, so I did away with that idea.

I asked Ana where I could find a dance room in the house and she kindly showed me the way. Turned out that the dance room was next to the theater and I wondered to myself why I didn't notice it there before. I thanked her as I walked in the room and started stretching my legs. I also felt that I needed to be on my toes for when I start working with Janet, which I hope was soon. I was still excited about the opportunity it all felt too surreal. I looked at my reflection in the mirror as I did basic plies and Pointe work with my feet. Ballet seemed to always calm my nerves, one of the more graceful styles of dance. Just when I was getting into the groove, my cell phone rang. I looked to see it was Derrick and answered.

"Hey little brother," I said.

"Kalere!" he said, "How are you?"

"I'm fine," I said, suddenly winded.

"You're sure?" he asked, "You sound exhausted."

"No," I lied. I was tired all of a sudden.

"I miss you big sister," he said.

"I miss you too little brother," I said.

"So what are you up to?" Derrick asked.

"Nothing, just doing some ballet," I said.

"Where's Mike?" he asked.

"He's off doing an interview," I said.

"Did Mom scare you yesterday with her dream?" Derrick then asked.

"Not really," I said.

"That would be crazy if you were-," he started.

"Stop," I said, cutting him off.

"What?" he said.

"Just don't go there," I said.

"Go where? All I said was-," he started again.

"Derrick!" I snapped out of nowhere.

"Whoa sister," he said, "That wasn't necessary."

"I'm sorry," I said, calming down.

"It's okay," he said, "I still love you."

"Thanks," I said.

"So when do you start working with Janet?" Derrick asked.

"I'm not sure," I said, "Won't know until Saturday."

"What's going on Saturday?" he asked.

"Michael's family coming over to Neverland," I said.

"Oh man you're meeting everyone at once?" he asked.

"I know, I'm really nervous about that," I said.

"I wouldn't worry," Derrick said.

"I'm trying not to," I said, suddenly wincing.

"Mike's pretty convicted with you," he said, "I don't know if you've noticed."

"I know he is," I said with a smile.

"Well sister, I've got some things to do at the studio," he said.

"Oh okay," I said, "I will talk to you soon."

"Yes, you will," he said, "I love you Kalere."

"I love you more," I said, then caught myself.

"How cute," he said, "You're starting to sound like him."

"Hush," I said with a laugh, "Bye little brother."

"Bye Kalere."

I hung up the phone and sat down, leaning against the mirror all curled up. Suddenly I wasn't feeling too good. All of that food wasn't sitting well in my stomach. I kept thinking about pleasant thoughts, but the more I kept diverting my mind to other things the more I felt sick. The feeling kept getting worse and I couldn't take it anymore.

I ran to the bathroom and threw up.

Michael POV

This interview was going well; Denise was asking me questions on the surface, like my past concert in Atlanta and previous tours. I was sure though that I would be asked about my personal life.

"So tell me Michael," Denise asked, "Is there a special lady in your life?"

I let out a laugh and bit your lip.

"Wouldn't you want to know?" I said, being coy.

"Of course," she said, "A lot of women want to know if they still have a chance."

"Let's just say, I've been a lot happier in recent weeks," I said.

"Hmm, I'll take that as a yes," she said.

"Yes," I said, smiling.

"Who is she?" Denise asked.

"I'd like to keep that a secret," I said.

"Fine," she said.

I shifted on my side of the couch.

"So, getting back to the music," she said, "Is there another album in the works?"

"Yeah," I said, "I'm getting back in the studio next week. It's time."

"What do you expect your fans to hear on the next album?" she asked.

"A lot of new found inspiration," I said, "That's all I will say."

At that point Denise turned off the tape recorder. We both stood up from the couch

"I think that's it Michael," she said, "Thank you so much for your time."

"You're welcome," I said, shaking her hand.

"If you don't mind, could we get a couple of shots for the next issue?" she asked.

"Sure," I said.

Denise then took me to the photographer, who was shooting another musician for an article in another room. When he finished, we discussed ideas for the cover story and went ahead with the shoot, which was rather quick. After we were done, Norman talked with Denise while I went back into the limo with aid of security. I wanted to get back home to my baby, who I missed terribly. Norman got into the limo and we started heading back to Neverland.

"I don't think you should have mentioned about the girl," he said.

"Her name is Nadine," I said.

"Nadine," he said, "You shouldn't have mentioned her in that interview."

"Why not?" I asked, "Besides, they don't have her name."

"Given who you are Mike, the paparazzi are going to be all over this," he said.

"Aren't they already all over me?" I asked.

"You're used to it," Norman said, "But Nadine isn't. How do you think she'll handle all of that?"

I was quiet for a moment. I really didn't think about that. Perhaps I was still living in the moment of just having Nadine around. We were both quiet as the limo pulled up into Neverland. Security came up to the limo and opened the door. I moved to get out but stopped as my legs were outside the limo.

"Mike," Norman said.

I turned to look at him.

"It takes a special woman to handle the life you live," he said.

"Yeah," I said, getting out of the limo.

I shut the door behind me and turned to wave at Norman as he pulled away. Security escorted me inside and I saw Ana doing some polishing off of the mantle as she greeted me with a smile.

"Hi Michael," she said.

"Hey Ana," I said.

"How was your interview?" she asked.

"It went well," I said, "Where's Nadine?"

"She's lying down in bed," she said.

"Is she okay?" I asked.

"She's not feeling too well," she said.

I went to Nadine's room to find her curled up in bed under the covers in the dark. I walked up to her and sat on the side of the bed, my hand gently rubbing her side. I started to pull the chain to turn the lamp when I heard Nadine move.

"Please don't turn the lamp on," she said.

"What's wrong?" I asked, leaning close to her.

"I don't know," she said.

"No?" I said.

"I threw up all of that food," she said.

"Well, you did eat quite a bit this morning," I said with a laugh.

"I know," she said with a laugh but I could tell she was in pain.

"I'm staying with you," I said.

"I'll be fine, I just need to sleep," Nadine said.

"Well, I'm keeping you company anyway," I said, kissing her forehead.

I took off my coat and got in bed with her. She was cautious about moving too suddenly so I brought myself to her and held her close. Nadine tugged at my white undershirt gently.

"How was your interview?" she asked softly.

"It was fine," I said, "but I want you to rest right now."

"Okay," she said.

Nadine dozed off to sleep almost immediately and I couldn't help but to think about what Norman said in the limo. As soon as Nadine steps out into the world outside of Neverland, they will never leave her alone. She was worried when we were on the plane, I should have taken note. I started to worry whether my life was going to be too much for Nadine to handle.