Author's Note: I will be updating through Chapter 29 tonights, so please enjoy and review.

Chapter 26: Let's Eat Cake

" It's all about Love. L.O.V.E"-Michael Jackson

I stare at myself in the mirror trying not to cry, I never considered myself a vain person, then again I used to be twenty five pounds lighter and not so large. I turn to the side, groaning at the way my shirt lays over my distended stomach.

" I am so fat," I groan, pulling the shirt over my head to try on another one.

" Daniella Isabelle, you are not fat. Your pregnant," Janet says, her voice stern.

" Whatever you want to call it," I say, pulling on a black shirt. I adjust it furiously, it lays fine except over my ever increasing bust. " I give up. I swear these things grow ever two and half seconds." Janet catches my arms in hers pushing me gently into a chair.

" Dani, honey, I love you, but seriously you're driving me crazy. Your beautiful. Now just let Rebbie do your hair," she says, and I sigh giving in.

" Fine, since you don't want to hear about how fat I'm getting, can you at least tell me where Michael's taking me?" I ask, enjoying the feel of Rebbie running her fingers through my long hair.

" I could tell you, but Michael said he would kill me if I did," she says, laughing when I roll my eyes. Silence falls in the room, and I watch as Rebbie carefully curls my hair.

" Hey Janet, can you run to the kitchen and get me some water?" Rebbie asks suddenly, and I watch as the sisters exchange a knowing glance before Janet leaves the room without saying a word. Out of all of Michael's brothers and sisters I have grown the closest to Janet and Jackie, so being left alone with Michael's big sister is kind of daunting." I've never had a chance to talk to you alone DanI, and I felt that now would be the best time," Rebbie says, lifting her eyes to look at me in the mirror. I nod my head, taking a deep breath. " You know, Michael, he is an amazing man. I remember when we were young, living back in Indiana, boy he would drive me insane. He's always had a gentle soul in him though, one that is easy to bruise," she murmurs the love for her brother shining brightly in her eyes. " I never got to thank you, for what you did."

" Rebbie, you don't have to thank me," I interrupt her smiling softly.

" Hush now. I do. We all do. We know Michael, and it killed us every single day, worrying that a filthy lie could ruin his life, ruin everything he has ever worked for, and you stopped that from happening. I have always been wary of girls who come into his life. Worry that they are after the money, or the fame. I just want to tell you, I don't see that in you, and I couldn't be happier for Michael, or you. Welcome, little sister," she says, leaning down to hug me softly. I blink away tears smiling at her.

" Thank you Rebbie, you have no idea how much that means to me," I murmur, a soft knock on the door interrupting us as Janet walks in bottles of water in her hand.

" Michael's waiting for you Dani," Janet says, handing me a bottle of water. I get up from my chair hugging Rebbie and Janet quickly before exiting the room.

I brush my hands over my skirt, walking slowly down the hall. Was there some significance to what Rebbie had said to me? I felt like there was some underlying message in her words, something I couldn't quiet put my fingers on. I turn the corner, catching sight of Michael, instantly forgetting about the conversation with his older sister. I stop walking, drinking him in. A red shirt tucked into black pants, the first top buttons left open revealing his impossibly smooth skin. His curly hair shining as it hangs free a few unruly curls falling into his gorgeous eyes. I smile when he holds a hand out to me. I take it, reveling in his warmth and sighing contently as he hands me a single yellow rose. He brushes a sweetly shy kiss to my cheek before turning to open the door.

" Where are we going?" I ask him, holding the rose up to my face so I can draw in its scent.

" You'll see," Michael replies cheekily as he holds open the car door helping me slide in. My eyes widen in shock when he slides into the drivers seat. I never rode with Michael behind the wheel. In fact Janet teasingly warned me not too, he was known in the family as the one with the lead foot. I giggle softly as we pull out of the driveway enjoying the moment.

" Just close your eyes Daniella," Michael begs, holding up the black silk blindfold. I give in closing my eyes as he ties it around my eyes. " I promise you only have to keep them closed for twenty minutes."

" Twenty minutes?" I murmur confused as he takes my hand leading me carefully behind him. I step carefully my heart hammering in my chest. This whole being in the dark thing is not fun. He finally sits me down, and I pillow my head against his chest waiting for the big reveal. The air is cool as it whips across my face, Michaels fingers finally pushing the blindfold from my face. I gasp lightly realizing that we are on a boat, a really big boat in open water. I grab onto Michael, my pulse throbbing in my throat.

" Dani its okay, we'll only be on the boat for a short time," he murmurs his chest quivering beneath me with his laughter.

" Easy for you to say, do you have any idea what is in that water? Let me tell you Michael, sharks are in that water. Big hungry sharks, that are more than capable and all to happy to swallow us whole," I murmur, burying my face into his shoulder, his laughter rocking me.

I step off the boat and if it weren't for the fact that I'm pregnant and wouldn't be able to get back up I would kneel down and kiss the ground. I take a second to steady myself, looking around.

" Catalina Island?" I ask, smiling when Michael wraps his jacket over my shoulders.

" Mhm, not many people know this is one of my favorite places to go," Michael says, linking his fingers with mine as we start to walk. I enjoy the pace, comforting silence falling over us.

" It's beautiful," I say, stopping to let my eyes wander over the scenery.

" I thought you would like it," he murmurs in my ear, wrapping his arms around me from behind his wide palms resting over my stomach. " Come on, I have a surprise." Michael puts his hands over my eyes, and I groan.

" Another one?" I ask, listening to his laughter.

" Okay, open your eyes," Michael says, and I blink them slowly, a breath catching in my throat as I look at the private table set up on an outdoor deck overlooking the water. Candles sit in the center of the table surrounded by flowers.

" Oh Michael," I murmur, cursing the tears that come to my eyes.

" I wanted tonight to be special," he says leading me to the table. I sit down, noting the scent of the flowers mixing with the fresh ocean air.

" You amaze me," I murmur staring at him, the candle light flickering in his eyes. " But you know that I don't expect this kind of stuff don't you?" He reaches across the table, taking my hand in his.

" Daniella, that's why I like doing things for you. You're the least demanding person I know," he says pressing a kiss to my palm. I smile blushing slightly.

" So what's for dinner?" I ask, looking around.

" Actually, I was thinking we could dance first. I uhm, I wrote a new song, and usually I don't let people hear it until I am one hundred percent satisfied with it, but you were the inspiration for it and it just feel right letting you listen to it first," he says, taking my hand as he leads me to the corner of the open deck. Suddenly music swells through the air as Michael's voice joins in, chills running down my spine.

'Another day has gone, I'm still all alone, how could this be,you're not here with me, you never said goodbye, someone tell me why, did you have to go, and leave my world so cold, everyday I sit and ask myself, how did love slip away, Something whispers in my ear and says, That you are not alone, For I am here with you, Though you're far away, I am here to stay, But you are not alone, For I am here with you, Though we're far apart, You're always in my heart, But you are not alone, Lone, 'lone, Why, 'lone, Just the other night, I thought I heard you cry, Asking me to come, And hold you in my arms, I can hear your prayers, Your burdens I will bear, But first I need your hand, Then forever can begin, Everyday I sit and ask myself, How did love slip away, Something whispers in my ear and says, That you are not alone, For I am here with you, Though you're far away, I am here to stay, For you are not alone, For I am here with you, Though we're far apart, You're always in my heart, For you are not alone, Whisper three words and I'll come runnin', And girl you know that I'll be there, I'll be there, You are not alone, For I am here with you, Though you're far away, I am here to stay, For you are not alone, For I am here with you, Though we're far apart, You're always in my heart, For you are not alone, For I am here with you, Though you're far away, I am here to stay, For you are not alone, For I am here with you, Though we're far apart, You're always in my heart, For you are not alone…' I stare up at Michael, tears flooding my face. It was too late now that he's opened the flood gate.

" Dani, baby, I didn't mean to make you cry," he says, hugging me closely.

" I, I, I'm sorry," I stammer, my face buried in his chest, " Its just, that song was so beautiful, and I am such a baby."

" Its okay, I just, I was thinking about our time together. Everything we've been through, and I just, I don't ever want you to feel alone, ever," he murmurs leading me back to the table. I sniffle lightly, noticing the food on the our plates. Only its not food, it's the most delicious looking piece of chocolate cake I have ever seen in my life.

" This isn't a healthy meal," I joke, smiling up at Michael.

" I know, I figured tonight of all nights you deserved to have something sweet, try the chocolate covered strawberry on top," he says, and I look down noting the ribbon tied delicately around the stem.

" What's this?" I ask, untying it carefully a small slip of paper sitting lightly in my hand. " Just one question," I read aloud, " Michael what is-" the rest of my question sliding down my throat when I look up, Michael on one knee a ring box open in his palm. The diamond ring shines at me, the candle light bouncing off of it.

" Will you marry me Daniella James?" he asks, his eyes filling with hope.

" Michael, you didn't have to do this, it doesn't matter if we're married, who cares what Joseph said," I murmur, my heart aching.

" Dani, I'm not doing this because of Joseph. I've had this planned for a while now. Don't you see, I don't care if you cant raise my 'status' or if you come from very little. I don't want a girl that can do those things or has those things. I want a girl who stammers when she's nervous or mad, who cries over commercials, who sneaks pizza into the house when the man who loves her forces health food on her, and one who will stand up to his father like no one else would think to do. I want you DanI, no one else will ever do. I cant imagine my life," I cut him off throwing my arms around him, hugging him closely.

" Yes," I murmur against his lips, feeling him smile.

" Yes what?" he prods and I roll my eyes trying not to laugh.

" Yes, I'll marry you Michael Joseph Jackson," I say, laughing wildly when he slips the engagement ring on my finger before picking me up and whirling me around in his arms. He sets me down dipping me back kissing me firmly against my lips.

" What do you want to do now?" he asks, and I smile looking up at him.

" Let's eat cake," I say, Michael's laughter lighting the air.