A/N: R.I.P Michael Joseph Jackson. You were always misunderstood, and it is sad that death had to bring the skeptics and the media to see you in a positive light. Despite the allegations and scandals, you remained a loving and devoted father to your children; something you never had. I know I may not have gotten the chance to meet you like I wanted, nor attended any of your concerts, but I don't need to be close family to be able to say how gentle and caring you were, and how your benevolence and generosity touched millions. Your life and your music has had a profound impact on my life as well as countless others. You were a hit and an inspiration not just in the U.S., but around the world; the first music video I saw of you wasn't even here in the states, but when I was living in Martinique at the age of four. Going to an arts school for middle school, and now in an arts high school as a music major, music has been an integral part of my life. Amid all the composers of the renaissance, baroque, classical, and romantic periods, your musical genius has left a mark on modern music and pop culture. Your uniqueness will always be remembered, and you will always be remembered as The King of Pop.

Sorry to those of you who aren't fans, but I had to include this :(

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Jason's POV

Why was I even here? I should be at the hospital, lying next to Elizabeth right now. But Audrey had forced me to go home and spend some time with my mother. I didn't want to go against her wishes, and I had to admit that I felt guilty for not being home enough. Poor mom had to deal with Emily all by herself.

I threw my keys onto the counter as my mother looked up from the medical magazine she was reading. "Hey," I said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. She pulled me into a tight hug. Now I definitely felt bad for not coming home as often.

"No need to apologize," she said, reading my mind.

I hate it when moms do that.

"You were where you needed to be. How is she doing by the way?" she asked me. "I'm always so busy at the hospital I barely get to stop by to see her for more than two minutes at a time."

"She's doing better I guess. She's getting out in a few days," I shrugged. "Where's Emily?"

"Away from me," my mom said, rolling her eyes. "It seems that without you here to annoy, and without Elizabeth to bother, she's found a lot of time to hang out with dear old mom. I don't know how you guys do it."

I laughed and decided to go check in her room.

"Hey kiddo," I said after knocking.

"Fancy meeting you here. Being in love with my best friend leaves you with no time to hang out with your favorite sister," she grinned.

"You mean my only and annoying sister," I teased.

"Yeah, yeah," she said in between bites of a brownie. I was about to pick one up when she swatted my hand away. "Go get your own, I'm hungry," she hissed.

"I might just have to take you up on that," I said, suddenly realizing my own hunger.

"I'm warning you, they're not as good as your girlfriend's," she called after my retreating form.

"Whatever," I said. "And leave mom alone," I added for good measure.

After raiding the kitchen, I brought my loot into the room I haven't slept in in nearly a week. Sleep soon found me, as my bed was far more comfortable than the chairs in the hospital rooms. The muscle cramps were well worth it though.

The next morning, I awoke with the intent of going to see Elizabeth, even if it was just for a few hours. I quickly showered, downed some orange juice, grabbed my keys and was about to head out the front door when I heard a soft knock.

I was more than shocked to see Sam standing on my porch, even more so because she was so modestly dressed in a sweater and a pair of jeans, but I tried not to let it show.

"Hi," she said quietly, looking down at her feet.

I eyed her warily; Sam had never been the shy or nervous type, so what was making her start now?

"Look I know you probably weren't expecting to see me, and probably want nothing to do with me, but here," she rambled, extending a package towards me.

I took it from her gingerly, noticing that it was an envelope of photos.

"They're the pictures from the play," she explained. When I didn't answer she added "I'm sorry about the flyers."

"It doesn't matter," I dismissed. The past was the past, and if it weren't for the offending leaflets, I probably wouldn't be as close to Elizabeth as I am now.

I am a sorry, selfish bastard.

I started looking through the first couple of pictures of me onstage with Lainey, and chuckled at the disgusted expression she gave me when she shoved me in my shoulder like she was supposed to. That was always the worst part of rehearsal, but I had a feeling that I was the only one who felt that way.

God, it felt like it happened centuries ago.

"It's like she chose you," Sam said, bringing me out of my reverie.

"I don't even know why," I admitted, shaking my head as the pictures helped me relive the night that changed my life.

"I do," Sam said quickly, pecking me on the cheek before descending the steps and disappearing into her car.

I stood there feeling awkward and confused. I know that Sam wasn't necessarily the best girlfriend, and I probably wouldn't even fool myself trying to say that I was the best boyfriend. I suddenly felt bad for the way I treated her, even if she did deserve it for the most part. But it wasn't just Sam. There were all of my other 'conquests' too. Well, there's nothing I can do about it now, I thought to myself. So I drove off to General Hospital to be the good boyfriend that Elizabeth deserved.

I walked off the elevator and turned down the familiar corridor. Upon entering her empty room I immediately began assuming the worst. Why wasn't she in her room? The doctor said she was fine. My heart started palpitating and I found it hard to commit the basic subconscious task of breathing. She couldn't have died, could she? Running out into the hallway ready to demand answers from the closest person I could find, I ran into Audrey pushing Elizabeth in a wheelchair. I let out a shaky breath that I didn't realize I was holding, when I noticed that Elizabeth was not wearing her hospital gown.

"Jason! I get to go home early!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

Confused, I asked "I thought you were supposed to be here for a few more days?"

"Jason, your father arranged and paid for Elizabeth to be seen at home. Please give him our thanks," Audrey explained.

I stood frozen in my spot, unable to believe the news. My dad? "Yeah," I answered absentmindedly, still in a daze.

Audrey pushed Elizabeth into the awaiting belly of the elevator as I tried to gather my thoughts.

Once again, I found myself pulling to a stop in front of the now familiar residence that the old me would not have dared to venture near in another hundred years. I bounded the porch steps, surrounded by the neatly manicured lawn and decorative plants. I took a deep breath trying to calm myself down while I pondered what I was going to say. What did you say to the man who broke your mother's heart? What would you say to the man who broke his promise to his family? What were you supposed to tell the man you've purposefully been trying to avoid for the past few years. How was I supposed to stay angry at the man who through a completely selfless and needlessly gratuitous act managed to put a smile on the face of the love of my life? When did you let go of the grudge and loyalty you felt you owed to your mother and sister to ignore the man who was able to bring a light in a time of darkness to the tiny Webber family of two? The questions swirled in my head as I tried to bite back my tears, still no closer to figuring out what I would say if and when he opened the door. But it was to no avail as the droplets stung at my eyes. I rapped on the door, not quite sure what to expect. Would he welcome me with open arms? Or would he turn me away? Maybe he would go for surprise and skepticism. I mean it wasn't everyday that I showed up on his doorstep to…

What am I here for?

To say thank you. And then what?

"Jason?" he said squinting at me after opening the door. I guess he was going for reaction C.

"Thank you," I managed to choke out.

"You're welcome son. It was the least I could do," he said, looking genuinely concerned.

"I'm sorry dad," I sobbed. "So sorry." I don't know what came over me as I pulled my dad into a tight embrace. And I still couldn't figure it out when I was clutching his shirt and ruining it with my tears while he awkwardly patted my back. I just kept repeating the same phrase over and over.

"It's alright, son," my dad said. "It's alright."

And for a moment I felt like it was. Like he never left, and Elizabeth didn't have cancer, and her parents never died.

I hugged my dad for the first time in years that night. Come to think of it, I actually called him dad for the first time since he left. It wasn't a fully fledged talk, or an engaging discussion, but it was a start. Sometimes you just have to let it out.

Like Elizabeth said that one night in the cemetery, I'd have to forgive him eventually.

So why not now?

Life was too short, and Elizabeth was a living testimony to that.

A/N: I actually wrote this chapter early last week, but after hearing the news of Michael's death, decided to hold off from posting in order to write something nice at the beginning. I just realized what I had written at the end, and thought how uncanny?

Just thought I'd share.

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