Author's Note: Okey dokey, here's Chapter 10 :) Enjoy ya'll

Chapter 10: Broken Promise

"We promise according to our hopes, and perform according to our fears" ~Francois duc de la Rochefoucauld

" Michael," I whisper, nudging him lightly with my elbow.

" Daniella," Michael mocks back, and I smile lightly.

" Can I ask you a question?" I ask, turning in my seat to look at him.

" Of course you can, doesn't mean I'll have the answer," he says, and I giggle.

" Okay Mr. Smarty Pants, can you be serious for just one second?" I ask, trying to stifle my laughter when he makes a goofy 'serious' face. "I was just thinking. You know my house isn't more than an hour from your place, I could always commute to work," I say, watching his face, trying to gauge his reaction.

" Well yeah you could, but that would mean getting up at like four in the morning to be at my place by five, and as I have witnessed for myself waking Carly-Ann up when she is sleeping can be dangerous, don't you think it would be easier if you just stayed at Neverland with me?" he asks, and he makes valid points.

" Well of course it would be easier. I just, I don't want us to be a burden," my words trail off when Michael smacks me upside the head with a pillow.

" You guys could never be a burden. Besides, Carly-Ann will love it. My family is going to love her, and you," he murmurs, his beautiful eyes growing deep. " Which reminds me, I want to put together a party. Sort of a kick off to the two month break. I want everyone there, the entire crew, my family, yours" My eyes widen at that.

" My family?" I ask, looking at him surprised.

" Of course. I cant wait to meet them," he says, and I smile at the thought. I slide forward, pulling out my notebook, sliding on my glasses.

" Well Mr. Boss Man, lets get to work," I say, smiling when starts rattling off ideas.

I step off the plane, lifting my face up into the California sunshine. ' God I missed this,' I think to myself. A limousine and driver are waiting for us, the door open. It had been a long flight and the hours that weren't spent lost in sleep went to Michael and I talking and planning the party. I smile when Carly-Ann curls into Michaels arms, her ruffled blonde hair standing out against his black shirt.

" She loves you, ya know," I say, Michael's eyes meeting me over my daughters head.

" The feelings mutual, get some rest Dani, it'll be an hour before we're home," he says, and I smile at the word 'home' as I lay my head back. It doesn't feel like it's been five minutes when someone's soft hand's shake my shoulders .

" Dani, wake up," I open my eyes, Michael staring down at me.

" I'm awake," I say, sitting up looking through out of the window. The house ahead of us takes my breath away. It's something far beyond all of my wildest imaginations.

" Welcome to Neverland Wendy," Michael says, smiling at me broadly. I grin as I step out of the limo, when the shouts of people calling Michael's name catches my attention. I watch standing off to the side with Carly-Ann, as Michael is embraced by his siblings. I smile at the undeniably deep connection that they share. The love that courses between them is almost blinding.

" Mother," Michaels says, taking a small woman into his arms, hugging her fiercely.

" Hey Mike, whose the pretty lady?" one of his brothers ask, and I blush, running my fingers through my hair nervously.

" Oh where are my manners, everybody this is Dane and her daughter Carly-Ann, Dani, Carly-Ann this is, well everyone," he says, and in a flurry of movement Carly-Ann and I are passed from person to person, being hugged and kissed by each one.

" Hopefully my brother wasn't too much a brute with you," Janet says, hugging me last.

" No, no he was great," I stutter out, trying to find my footing around everyone. I don't know how much Michael has told them about me, so I don't know exactly where I stand with them. Will I be looked at as nothing more than the help, or will I find that Carly-Ann and I are just as much part of his family now that we're home as we were while on tour with him?

" Good, wouldn't want to have to teach my big brother a lesson or anything. Well, you and this pretty little one must be tired. Why don't I show you guys to your rooms?" Janet asks, immediately taking us both by the hands leading us into the mansion. I glance over my shoulder looking at Michael, surrounded by his brothers, and there's something about his eyes that makes me feel at ease as we're led into our new home. I know that Janet is chattering at me but I don't have the slightest idea what she was saying.

" Hello, earth to Dani," Janet says, waving an elegant hand in front of my face.

" What, oh sorry," I say, smiling when she laughs.

" I know, it's all so much," she says, pushing open the door to my room. I gasp, breathless. I had never imagined. The room was done in my favorite colors. Pink and black. The bed was the biggest bed I had ever seen in my life, the black comforter inviting me to sink underneath it, coaxing me to sleep as deep as I can. I run my fingers over the cherry wood table, stopping when I notice the vase of flowers, a note attached to it. I was so lost in my own world that I didn't even notice Janet leading Carly-Ann out of the room.

' Dani,

I never told you this, but you remind me of Wendy. The constant provider, the very meaning of nurturer exudes from your very soul. Find your childhood here, Welcome to Neverland Wendy, where no one is sad, and no one grows up. Welcome home.

-Love, Michael.'

My eyes glaze over and I try my hardest not to cry.

" Dani?" Janet calls out, and I look up to her, my eyes shining fiercely.

" I'm sorry, this is, this is all just too much," I say, my voice breaking on my words as I begin crying.

" Oh sweet heart, don't cry," she says, and I sink into a chair unable to restrain my tears.

" I, I, I cant help it. I don't want him to feel like I expect this, I would be just as happy in a room with Carly-Ann," I stammer, my body shuddering with the tears.

" Oh darlin' he didn't do this because he thinks you expect it. He cares about you Dani, we all do. Your part of the Jackson family now girl, you and that adorable little one of yours," she says, and I smile trying my hardest to brighten up. " You may or may not know this DanI, and if you don't I have to swear you to secrecy. Every night Mike would call home and instead of talking about the show or the things he saw, he would talk about you and Carly-Ann." I smile, wiping my face.

" I didn't know that, thanks Janet, I needed to hear that. Sorry for the water works, I'm just overly tired," I say, looking around. " Where's Carly-Ann?" Janet helps me from my chair leading me through the bathroom to another room. I stand in the doorway, my heart sighing at the sight of my daughter curled up on a canopy bed. Purple gossamer curtains surrounding her.

" It's a room fit for a little princess," I murmur, taking in the rest of the room. A toy box in the corner overflowing with trinkets, and I smile. Michael doesn't miss anything.

" Your dead on your feet girl, go curl up in that nice bed of yours, get some rest," she says, and I nod, walking in a zombie like state towards my room. I kick off my shoes, pulling my shirt over my head. I unbutton my jeans sliding them down my legs. I pull back the covers on the bed, sliding my aching and fatigued body onto the fabric. I moan, content, closing my eyes I drop off into the most peaceful sleep I have had in months.

I wake up stretching slowly. My eyes adjust to the darkness of the room, I sit up looking around. I search for the clock, what time was it? Two thirty in the morning. How is that possible, I laid down at what, a quater to two. I slept for twelve hours? I haven't slept that long since, well since before Carly-Ann was born. I click on the bedside lamp casting shadows through out the room. I open my suitcase rifling through the clothes. I pull out a pair of leggings and pull them on, before I slip on my tight black tank top. I walk through the bathroom, peeking in on Carly-Ann. I kneel down next to her bed, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, before turning and walking out of the room. I walk out into the hallway, looking around. I couldn't remember which way Janet had brought us through the house, but I figured if I was going to be living here I might as well explore a little. I tip toe down the hall looking at the trinkets and knick knacks smiling as I run my fingers along everything. A small light comes from under one door way and I push it open, gasping giddily at the dance studio that lays before me. It's beautiful, any dancer's dream come true. Long mirrors expand against one wall, an exercise bar against the other. I walk into the room, pushing the door shut partially behind me. I walk to the stereo, pressing play, and the room fills with the soft music of Debussy. I smile, walking to the center of the room, looking into the mirror. I stand on point, in fourth position, the years of ballet training taking over as the music moves over me, through me, coursing in my veins. I follow my heart, letting it take me wherever it wants to lead me. With each spin and dip I take pictures of my fathers face from different points of our short time together flashes behind my closed eyes. I gasp from the memories, breaking my form as I fall to my knees. I wrap my arms around my body, crying as the voice of my dad echoes in my head. 'My Prima Ballerina, absolutely stunning. Your destined for greatness kid, don't ever forget it' I hold my head, rocking back and forth trying to ease my own pain, but it doesn't fade, it wont ever fade.

Michael's POV

It was so nice to be home, to be where I feel like I truly belong. To see my family, the faces of people who understand who I am underneath the music and the dancing. I'm not saying that I don't love what I do, it's the greatest thing in the world. Sometimes it's just nice to be home, to have a break. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Today was a truly great day. Everybody liked DanI, and instantly fell in love with Carly-Ann. Even Joseph couldn't help but to crack a smile when Carly-Ann stumbled out of bed, making her way into the sitting room her pink hippo in one hand asking for me. I slide out of bed deciding that perhaps some tea will help me find rest. I pull my black button up shirt on leaving the buttons undone, I slide into the hall. I hum softly as I go, stopping short when I notice the light and soft music coming from the dance studio.

" I could have sworn I turned everything off," I murmur to myself, pushing the door open slightly. I stand, watching in amazement as DanI dances, spinning gracefully around the room. I watch as her body moves and dips noiselessly as if her body was made of water, the dance made just for her. I knew that Dani could dance, that was obvious. However I didn't know that she could dance like this. My eyes fight to keep up with her body, spinning so fluidly so easily and just when she is about to reach the peak of the dance, her smooth demeanor breaks and she falls to her knees. At first I simply thought that she had made herself dizzy, but then I realize that her shoulders were shaking, rocking from her silent sobs.

" Dani," I call out, crossing the room quickly, taking her into my arms. She pulls away from me, wiping her face quickly with her beautiful hands.

" I'm sorry. I shouldn't have, I didn't mean too," she says fumbling blindly as she tries to get to her feet.

" Dani, wait please," I say grabbing her, holding her to me. " Talk to me, tell me what's hurting you , please." I watch as she fights for control. Her sadness quickly being masked. She starts walking away, suddenly stopping to look back at me. She opens her mouth, her faltering voice echoing off the walls.

Dani's POV

" I was four, when I put on my first pair of ballet flats. It took one time and I was hooked. My entire life became ballet. Every waking hour was spent dancing through the house, practicing into the wee hours of the morning. By the time I was fourteen I had a stricter schedule than most, but you of all people can understand that," I say, walking over to the exercise bar, dipping into a grand plie. " I was fourteen when my parents finally allowed me to take the more advanced classes, which meant that my dance classes ran later. I had just gotten out of dance class, and the sun was just setting, it was fall time, so dusk was setting in and setting in quickly. I was waiting in my usual spot, for my dad to pick me up from class. My dad, was my best friend, and my biggest fan. He was running late, and he was never late. Actually majority of the time it was me who would be late, always staying after to talk to the instructor, asking for pointers, seeking any and all knowledge on how to become better. I had to be the best. And after every class, he would be sitting in the car, waiting for me, he was so dependable. I started to worry, but then I just thought that he perhaps got caught in bad traffic. When my brother Brandon was the one who showed up, I knew, even before he could say anything that something was horribly, and terribly wrong. He wouldn't say anything at first, he just got out of the car, pulling me into a tight hug. I wrestled to get out of his grasp, asking, begging him to tell me what was wrong. Finally he told me. 'Dani, Dad's been in an accident, its bad.' I shook my head, trying to clear it. Everything stood still, it was as if the whole world stopped spinning. I refused to go to the hospital, I didn't want to see him, to see my hero laying up in some hospital bed, unconscious, barely clinging to life. I guess in some naïve way I believed that if I didn't actually see it, it wasn't real. Anyways, one day, I got home from school, suffering from my first heart break because the boy I had a crush on was dating someone else. I talked my Mom into taking me to the hospital, I told her I decided that after ten days, it was time for me to see him, that I was ready. The truth was I wasn't ready, I wasn't even remotely close to ready. I remember walking the hallways of the hospital, my mothers hand holding tightly to mine. 'Dani,' she said, 'if at any point you feel like you cant handle it you need to just excuse yourself. Don't let him see you cry.' I took the deepest breath I could, and walked into his hospital room. I tried to stifle the gasp, but it didn't work. There he was, my Daddy, tubes and machines everywhere. He looked over at me, and he just smiled. His big green eyes roaming over me as if he couldn't believe it was me. Shining almost. I walked over to the bed, and I sat down next to him, his big hands enveloping mine. ' My Dani, my pretty prima ballerina," he whispered out, and I smiled. I talked to him for a long time, so long in fact without breaking down that my mother went to get some coffee from the cafeteria. Once she left the room, something changed. I could feel it to the very core of my being. He looked at me, and the look on his face was so serious. 'Dani you have to promise me something okay?' he said, and I looked at him. I would promise him anything, anything he wanted I would give to him. 'Promise me that you'll never stop dancing DanI. Never stop doing what you do. Your going to change this world one day Daniella Isabelle. Your destined for greatness. And one day, your going to find someone who is going to love you more than anything else in this whole world. I love you.' I started crying, holding his hand to my face, sobbing uncontrollably. I knew by the way he was talking that he was letting go. I begged him, screaming and pleading for him to just hold on. But he didn't, he let go. My father died ten days after his accident," I say, unaware that I was crying. " I spent the next year and a half keeping his promise. Then, well you know what happened." I turn around looking at Michael, his eyes shining, tears slipping down his cheeks.

" Why, why did you stop dancing?" Michael asks, and I stare at him, trying to find the words to say.

" When I found out for sure that I was pregnant with Carly-Ann I told myself that I would keep dancing. Then my mother sat me down one day, and she told me that since I was going to be a mother, there were things I was going to have to sacrifice in order to do what needed to be done for my baby, and dancing was one of them. I live, every single day, knowing that my dad is somewhere looking down on me, and his heart is breaking because I didn't keep that promise," I say, swiping my hands at my face, frustrated that I cant seem to reign in my emotions.

" Dani, you cant, you couldn't have know that things would have turned out the way they did. You were a scared fourteen year old girl who did what she had to do by making a promise to her father while he died in front of her eyes. You did something that ninety percent of grown women and men wouldn't be able to do. The question is Dani, when are you going to stop punishing yourself for the things that happened, and do what make you truly happy?" he asks, crossing the room taking my face into his hands.

" I don't know, I don't know if I will ever be able to forgive myself Michael. You know I haven't done ballet since I was sixteen, until tonight, and aside from it causing me to go into complete and total nuclear meltdown, it felt good," I say, noticing that his hands still haven't left my face.

" Your father was right Daniella, your destined for greatness," he murmurs, my eyes filling with tears. I stop breathing as he lowers his head, his lips only a breath away from mine. I grasp his wrists, his pulse hammering wildly against my fingertips.

" Michael," I whisper, whatever words I was going to say to him sliding down my throat falling into the pit of my stomach as he kisses me. Its different than every other kiss we shared on tour. It was sweeter, gentler. I pull away, staring at him, my eyes blurred from the swarming emotions inside of me. I hug him closely, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck, my face buried into the side of his neck breathing him in. 'Don't you see it yet Michael?' my heart calls out. ' I love you, I need you. Save me from myself.'