Note: I'm getting myself back into the groove of this story. Here is Chapter 26.

Chapter 26: She's Out of My Life…For Now

Michael POV (Three months later)

These past few months without Nadine and Sefra were destroying me, but I had to move on. I was grateful that Derrick was helping me but it wasn't the same. I wanted my babies back home with me. In the meantime, I finished filming the "Remember the Time" short film (I didn't like the term "music video") and I was getting ready for the Dangerous tour, which was coming up in a couple months. I was putting my all into this tour, many hours of rehearsal with other dancers and getting all the special effects put together. Because I loved kids so much, I also was entertaining children at the Neverland Ranch but sometimes seeing their happy faces made me miss my daughter even more.

I woke up around seven on Thursday morning alone in my bed thinking about Nadine, missing her soft and warm body next to me. I wanted to text Derrick to see how they were doing but I knew that he was probably working on some new talent at the studio. I had rehearsal today and was meeting up with Norman about stuff for the Dangerous tour. I wanted this tour to top the last one, which was my first solo tour. I got out of bed, took a shower, and got dressed in a white t-shirt with a blue long sleeve shirt and black pants. As usual, I wore my black penny loafers and a ponytail to complete the ensemble. I walked down the hall to get to the dining room, and sometimes doing that was hard because Sefra's room was on the way. I had Ana keep that room closed because I know I would start crying if I looked inside. I got to the dining room and took a seat at the table as Damon walked in from the kitchen.

"Good morning," he said.

"Good morning," I said.

"What would you like for breakfast?" he asked.

"Eggs and toast," I said, "and a cup of coffee."

"Regular toast or Fre-," Damon started and then caught himself, "I'm sorry."

I smiled at him.

"It's okay," I said.

"I miss her too," he said.

"I know," I said.

"I will have your breakfast ready," he said as he went into the kitchen. I sat at the table debating whether to call or text Derrick as my phone started to ring. I looked at my phone with delight as it was Derrick sending a picture message. I opened it and it was a picture of Sefra with two developing teeth smiling. I smiled so hard seeing such a milestone.

"She's growing so fast," I texted him back.

"Kalere cried when she discovered Seferah's teeth," Derrick texted back.

I smiled. I could see Nadine crying at such a milestone.

"How is Nadine?" I asked.

"She is okay, teaching dance again at her studio," Derrick replied.

I was going to answer back when Damon returned with my breakfast. I couldn't help but show him Sefra's teeth.

"She's already teething?" Damon asked in shock.

"Yep," I said with a smile.

"Next thing you know she will be walking," he said.

"I know," I said, smiling.

"Anywho," Damon said, "Here is your breakfast."

"Thank you," I said.

As I was about to start eating, Ana walked into the dining room.

"Good morning Michael," she said.

"Hi," I said.

"Norman is coming to pick you up around ten for rehearsal," she said.

"Thank you," I said.

"You're welcome," she said as she turned to leave.

"Wait," I said, "Wanna see Sefra?"

"Yes I would love that," she said, turning back around.

I show her the picture of Sefra teething and Ana put her hands to her mouth.

"She's teething already?" she asked, almost tearing up.

"Yeah," I said, "I just wish I was there when her milestones are happening."

"I believe that they will come back," she said, "Keep the faith." Ana winked.

I smiled at her.

"Thank you," I said.

Ana turned to leave the dining room as I continued to eat breakfast. Even under the current circumstances, I was a proud papa. I had about another hour before Norman would come to pick me up, and by then I would have some temporary relief of the pain I was feeling through my music. I would occasionally look across the table, imagining that Nadine was there looking back at me with her beautiful smile. God, I missed her so much, please bring her and Sefra back to me.

Nadine POV

I was happy to be back in Atlanta to help Mom with her illness, but something was missing. I was missing Michael, but I wasn't ready to give up the simple life. I often wondered, was I being selfish? During the past few months I had been trying to recreate the life I had before meeting Michael by getting my studio back up and running, all while being a dutiful mother and daughter. I caught up with my friend from college (who also had her own studio) and asked about Jacob, and she informed me that a performing arts school in New York had given him a scholarship for dance. It delighted me that one of my students was going to take the opportunity at a performing arts school. The students I have now have a drive to perform as much as I had before meeting Michael, it was like being back at home. It seems like I had fixed every aspect of my life except my relationship with Roxy. According to Derrick, she was still mad that I didn't tell her that Michael and I were dating. I was in limbo whether I wanted to fix that relationship or not. I missed Roxy and the closeness we had, but…I just didn't know.

I woke up to the sound of Sefra's laughter, as Mom was playing with her early in the morning. My baby was now nine months old, crawling and teething. She didn't cry as much except when her growing teeth were giving her pain, which killed me because there wasn't much I could do to relieve that. I was grateful for Mom being there to take care of Sefra despite her illness while I was at work, but I wanted to know why she couldn't tell me that she was sick. I figured that now was the time to ask.

"Good morning," I said.

"Good morning Kalere," Mom said. Sefra looked over at me and reached her arms out to me smiling.

"And good morning to you sweetie!" I said to Sefra as I took her from Mom. She giggled and played with my face.

"How did you sleep?" Mom asked me.

"I slept okay," I said, "How about you?"

"Okay," she said, running her hand through her hair, which was now low cut due to the chemo.

"Can I ask you something, Mom?" I said.

"Sure," Mom said as her eyes lit up.

"Why didn't you tell me you were sick?" I asked.

"Oh Kalere," she started.

"I'm serious," I said, "Why not?"

"I didn't want you to worry about me while you had a life with Michael," she said, "Which makes me want to ask you something."

"Sure," I said, although I already knew where this was going.

"Did you and Michael break up?" she asked.

"Um, not exactly," I said, "I mean, I did leave him."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because you were sick," I said.

"Is that all the reason?" she asked.

I was silent. Mom knew when I would lie, so I didn't bother trying.

"Did you have cold feet?" Mom asked.

I bit my lip and looked away.

"It's okay to have cold feet," she said, "It would have been better if Michael knew."

"I just…I just didn't have the heart to tell him," I said, "Tell him I was leaving."

"I hate to tell you this, but I'm your mother," Mom said, "That's a bit selfish."

"I know," I said, looking away.

"Do you love him?" Mom asked.

"Yes I love him, it's just that…," I started.

"You felt that you would be leaving us all behind," Mom finished.

"Yeah," I said.

"Baby, we're family," Mom said, "You would never be leaving us behind."

I smiled, not only because of what Mom said, but because Sefra gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"Come on Kalere, I'll make breakfast," Mom said.

"Okay," I said as we got up and headed for the kitchen. I sat Sefra on her high chair as I prepared to make puree French toast (Sefra's favorite) and Mom prepared to make omelettes for us. We began eating when Mom turned on the TV that she had set on the kitchen counter and it showed Michael's "Remember the Time" video, which had came out a month or so prior. I had to say that the Egyptian theme worked really well and the tutting was on point. As we continued watching, Michael was being interviewed about his upcoming Dangerous tour and what his fans expected to see. It would be a matter of time before the reporter would ask about his personal life, also known as me and our daughter.

"So what happened between you and Kalere Nadine?" the reporter, a woman, asked.

"Well," Michael started, contemplating whether to continue the thought or change the subject, "I'm not sure if even I know."

"You're not sure if you know?" she asked.

Michael waved his hands out and half smiled.

"I don't want to talk about it," he said, "I will say that it still hurts, but no more than that."

Hearing him say that stung me, mainly because I never wanted to hurt anyone but out of my own selfishness I did. The interview ended shortly after that and it started showing the local news.

"He's still hurting, Kalere," Mom said.

"I know, I was watching," I said, feeding Seferah.

"Do you have to work today?" she asked, changing the subject. I didn't want to talk about Michael anymore and she could tell.

"Yes, but not until later this afternoon," I said.

"Okay baby," Mom said.

We had finished eating breakfast and cleaning up when Derrick called me and wanted me to stop by the studio before I head for work. I enjoyed the time I spent with my brother and figured I could have my laugh by listening to some "special demos" before work. In the meantime, I was holding back tears.

Michael POV

I was in the limo with Norman on our way to the stadium for rehearsal and I was staring at the picture Derrick sent me earlier of Sefra. Looking at the corner of my eye I saw that Norman seemed annoyed at my behavior.

"I don't want to say 'I told you so'…" Norman said.

"You already did," I said, slightly put off.

"Did you actually think she was going to stay, given who you are?" Norman asked.

"Shut up," I said. How insensitive, I thought.

"No really," Norman continued, "Did you think some dance teacher, dancer, or whatever was going to settle down with you?"

I rubbed my temple blowing Norman off. I didn't want to hear him, especially when he thought he was right. It was only a few more minutes until we made it to the stadium for rehearsal. I got out of the limo and saw many of my fans screaming outside with signs, fedoras, and gloves, and it made me smile despite my pain. I gave the peace sign as I put on my aviators and walked into the stadium. When I made it inside, I saw the choreographers, back-up dancers, the director, and the entire tour crew welcoming me by shouting my name and applauding.

"The man of the hour!" Bob, the director, said.

Everyone cheered. I came up to everyone and gave them each a hug before getting started on the rehearsal. We stretched and done relaxation exercises with the choreographers on stage, which was set for "Smooth Criminal". I was excited about this one because we were setting the stage like the "Roarin' 20s" with neon signs and mafia suits. I got on the stage and stood behind the large sheet that showed my silhouette and began doing my signature moves before I gave the cue to begin the song. The song began at my cue and this rush of adrenaline came through me and I felt my music being a form of therapy from the pain I was feeling. I needed a few hours to dull the hurt being without Nadine and Seferah.

Nadine POV

I was getting dressed for my afternoon dance classes when Derrick texted me that he was waiting for me to show up at the studio. I had put Sefra in her crib for a nap as I got dressed in a loose v-neck and black pants and left the house. Both Derrick's studio and my dance studio were within walking distance, so I grabbed my dance bag and headed out of the house. Although it had been a few months, I still was getting the effects of dating Michael Jackson and by that I meant the paparazzi following me. The tabloids haven't changed, they were still writing heinous stories about Michael and I and whether I cheated on him and that Sefra wasn't his daughter, which stung me. I made it to Derrick's studio and the secretary led me to my brother, who was in the control booth. I hoped that he could cheer me up.

Derrick POV

I got up from my seat upon seeing my sister and gave her a hug, she looked like something was bothering her.

"How are you sister?" I asked.

"Honestly," she said, "I could be better."

"What's wrong?" I asked her.

"Um, nothing in particular," she said, scratching her head.

I looked at her and made a wild guess.

"Would this have to do with Michael's interview this morning?" I asked.

Kalere's eyes widened.

"No," she said, but I knew better.

"Then what's wrong?" I asked, playing along.

"It's nothing," she said.

"Okay, if you say so," I said, swirling around in my chair.

"So, how have been things at the studio?" she asked.

"Things have been okay," I said, "Some good talent's coming along here, and of course the not so good ones."

"You know I want to hear those, right?" Kalere asked with a smile.

"Of course," I said as pulled a couple of demos from the shelf. I started playing the first one and it took everything for us to not bust out laughing and fall out of our chairs. For me, the demo was funnier the second time around…or maybe third.

"Did she actually think she could sing?" Kalere asked.

I shrugged.

"My job was to record them," I said, "She hasn't been picked up yet, though."

"Why am I not surprised?" she asked, and then looked at the clock. I turned to look at the clock and saw that it was time for her to get to her studio.

"Do you have to leave?" I asked.

"Unfortunately yes," she said, getting out of her seat. I got up and gave her a hug again.

"I love you Kalere," I told her.

"I love you too, brother," she said, kissing my cheek.

"I might be stopping by the house later when I get off work," I said.

"Okay," she said, grabbing her bag.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked.

"I'm a little better," she said, "Thanks."

I walked with her out of the studio and gave her another hug and kiss before heading back to my booth. I had a hunch that she was upset about Michael, who was still hurt by the "break up" judging from that interview from this morning. I just don't get it, a couple who were meant to be together, aren't…

Michael POV (That evening)

I was in the limo resting as I was headed back to the Ranch when I kept playing what Norman said this morning, and maybe he was right. Nadine was never going to stay with me, although I would always have a connection to her through Sefra. Will I ever find a love like I had with Nadine? I'm not sure whether to keep the faith or move on. I would still have updates coming from Derrick about my baby, and maybe that is good enough…hell who am I kidding? If given the chance, Nadine I still love you, but at the moment she was out of my life for now…