Another long chapter…here we go. By the way, thanks for the birthday wishes Becca :) I'm dedicating this special chapter to all of my fellow MJ fans reading my story. Things are gonna start getting better for our cute little couple. Please let me know of any ideas. I'm more than happy to receive advice! Read on!
Two Hearts. One Dream Ch. 14
When we got on the plane, I went straight to a soft looking white recliner. Michael was sitting in this thing on the way to New York, and I got curious. When I sat down, I sank deep into the cushion and my eyes grew wide. Rebbie laughed.
"Comfy?" she asked.
"Dammmnnn I am stealing this chair!" I grinned.
"Good luck trying to get it away from my brother. He's had many naps in that chair."
"Yea, I can see why. I'll be napping in it before he can, so I win." I folded my arms and pulled my feet into the chair.
"Oh, please. Next time you're both on this plane, you will be curled up in his lap in that chair. Dirty woman," she teased.
"Oh yea, like I'm gonna get it on with Michael in his personal private jet," I snorted and rubbed my tummy. "Thinking like that is what got me into this position," I frowned and then smiled as I rubbed my belly.
"It isn't necessarily a bad thing, though. You don't seem too upset about it," Rebbie smiled as she sat in the chair next to me.
"I'm not. I'm just…" I yawned deeply. "…worried."
Rebbie giggled. "Get some sleep Lola. We can talk more about this when we get home."
That was all I needed to hear. I sank as deep as I could into that recliner and slept the whole way home. I didn't want to get up when we got there. I begged Rebbie to let me just sleep in the plane. She laughed and pulled me up, careful not to be too rough.
"Come on, this plane has to gas up and go get everyone else in a couple of days. Michael wouldn't be too happy if he found you sleeping in his chair instead of in your own bed."
"Or his," I smiled.
She rolled her eyes. "Sure, sure."
We got into the black SUV and pulled out of the airport. I stared out the window for a minute and thought for a minute. I still needed to figure out how to break the news to Michael. Before I did, however, I needed to find out if he was still too afraid to bring a child into this world. Rebbie looked at me and reached over and took my hand.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Lots of things. I don't know what to say, or how to act around him. I'm not sure when or how to tell him, but he has to know." I chewed on my bottom lip and Rebbie sighed.
"It will come to you. Don't rush things."
"I have to rush things, Reb. If I don't tell him soon enough, he will find out either by someone else or on his own. What am I supposed to say when he sees my belly growing? I gained weight? I can't lie to him," I didn't realize I was talking so fast until Rebbie put her hand over my mouth.
"Relax, Lola. I know how you feel. It took me three months before I could tell my husband I was pregnant for the first time. Don't beat yourself up over this, okay? It's perfectly okay to wanna wait for the perfect moment to tell him. It should be special for both of you."
I smiled and hugged her. "Thanks, Reb."
"Sure Lolz," she winked and I giggled. New nicknames came often in this family. We finally got home and I unpacked and decided to take a shower. After I dried my hair, I walked to the living room and sat next to Rebbie on the couch. "Feeling better?"
"Yea, kinda," I mumbled. I felt more sharp pain in my belly and it matched the slight pain in my chest. This is the pain I was familiar with when I wasn't around Michael. I patted my belly and sighed.
"More pain?" Rebbie asked. I nodded and she sighed. "Lay on your back."
I looked at her confused and lay back as she asked. She got on her knees in front of the couch and put her head on my belly and listened. She closed her eyes and smiled. "Little one, you are going to be just like your parents. Your daddy will love you more than life itself just like he loves your mommy. I love you too little one, and I love your mommy. We all do, so be good to her."
I giggled and she looked at me. "I don't think the baby has developed ears just yet."
"Hey," she lightly pushed my arm. "Don't make fun. Haven't you ever heard that if you talk to plants, it helps them grow? The baby may be small, but it picks up voices and vibrations."
I smiled as I remembered the first time I got pregnant. I was terrified until my mother brought home a pregnancy book full of details. It was labeled week by week and it said how big the baby was each week and what was developing. I remembered seeing something about being in early weeks and they can pick up certain vibrations and voices. I looked away and sighed again. I wish I could just tell Michael now. I wanted him to be the one putting his ear to my belly and talking to our baby.
"You know, the other night when the towers fell, I heard him talking to Mr. Davis. He told him he didn't want to bring a child into such a cruel world," I whispered.
"Oh, I see why you're worried. It will be okay, Lola. I know my little brother all too well. Once he hears the news he is gonna spoil you like crazy and he will be there for you every second of everyday."
I groaned. "That's not what I want. I just want him to be there. This baby needs its father. Like my first son never had," I trailed off and held back tears.
"He will be there for every little thing you allow him to be." Rebbie whispered. She laid her head back on my tummy and closed her eyes.
"What do you mean by that? How would I not allow him to be involved in something he helped create?"
She kept her eyes closed. "Lisa never allowed him to go with her to the doctor when they thought she was pregnant."
I rose up on my elbows. "Was she?"
"No," she grunted. She got up and turned her back against the couch and leaned back. "She lied to Michael. She was so jealous of all the time he spent with the children, so she lied to him to get his attention back on her. And it worked."
I clenched my fists and turned away from her. "No wonder he was so hurt when I met him. He had no one but family by his side and he felt betrayed."
"Exactly. This is a blessing, Lola. This baby, you, everything that's happened since you two met. You see him for who he is and you never demand anything from him. You love him unconditionally. That's what he's been waiting his whole life for, and now he has it." Rebbie rubbed my back and I blushed.
"Did he tell you all this?" I whispered.
"No. He didn't have to. It's in his eyes when you are with him. It's in his body language and in his voice. He's truly happy now because of you."
I smiled and stared at the ceiling. Now I knew for sure Michael and I shared the exact same feelings. I wasn't worried anymore about telling him the special news. All I thought about after that was the perfect time to tell him. I went over several different plans in my head before I eventually fell asleep.
The next couple of days went the same. The days of course were long and I spent a lot of time sitting by the window watching the empty driveway for Michael's car. I missed him so much. I sat at the piano and started playing a little. I thought of a song from Evanescence and I decided to sing for my own entertainment.
"Under
your spell again
I can't say no to you
crave my heart and its
bleeding in your hand
I can't say no to you
Shouldn't let
you torture me so sweetly
now I can't let go of this dream
I
can't breathe but I feel
Good enough
I feel good enough
for you
Drink up sweet decadence
I can't say no to you
and I've completely lost myself and I don't mind
I can't say
no to you
Shouldn't let you conquer me completely
now I
can't let go of this dream
can't believe that I feel
Good
enough
I feel good enough
its been such a long time coming,
but I feel good
and I'm still waiting for the rain to fall
pour real life down on me
cause I can't hold on to anything
this good
enough
am I good enough
for you to love me too?
So take care what you ask of me
cause I can't say no"
I backed away from the piano and ran into Kai. "Oh, sorry Kai. I didn't see you there."
"No, I'm sorry miss…" she bowed.
"Don't do that Kai. I want us to be friends. You're no servant to me. Just call me Lola." I smiled and she smiled back.
"Okay, Lola. Were you just watching a music video or something? I heard that song and I wanted to come see who it was."
I blushed and looked at the television. Kai noticed it was off and then looked back at me. I turned and looked at the piano and blushed even more.
"You sang that?" she asked.
"Guilty," I grinned nervously.
"Wow, I love your voice. I mean, I've heard you sing with Mr. Jackson in concert, but nothing like this. It was so full of passion. So beautiful."
"Thanks. Michael has been trying to get me to sing more in concert, but that's really his thing. I'm just there to dance with him. I'm too afraid to sing by myself."
"I'll bet Mr. Jackson would help you if you asked him to," Kai smiled sweetly.
"Ask me what?"
Kai and I both jumped and looked at the doorway to see Michael and his brothers standing there. Michael was leaning against the door frame wearing his red long sleeved shirt and his black pants and his fedora hat. My mouth dropped and he gave me a lopsided grin. I ran to him and he spun me around and kissed me repeatedly. Kai smiled and walked back to the kitchen. Everyone else walked away as well.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming home early?" I asked as I hugged him tightly.
"I wanted to surprise you, silly. Don't you like surprises?" he faked a sad face and I rolled my eyes.
"Only when they come from you. I missed you so much," I hugged him again and he sighed happily.
"I missed you too. So, what were you gonna ask me?"
I let go of him and glanced at the kitchen. Kai turned away trying to hide a grin and I glared at her. Michael looked back at Kai and then quirked a brow.
"Nothing you didn't already know. Kai just caught me playing your piano and she suggested I ask you to help me with my stage fright."
"I'd love to, but perhaps when you feel better. You still look a little pale. How are you feeling?"
I smiled at him. I thought about what Rebbie said when she said he would spoil me like crazy once he knew. He spoils me now. I can only imagine how he will treat me once he knows the truth. "I'm okay now that you're here." I sighed and buried my face into his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head. "No more away time, mister. I can't take the pain of being away from you anymore."
I didn't intend to sound so sad, and Michael tightened his arms around me and sighed. "I'm sorry, love. Never again, as long as I can help it."
Life went back to normal, well almost normal, after Michael got back home. A few days later, Michael started spending a lot of time in his office. I didn't mind, of course. I had Janet to keep me occupied. She and I did a lot of shopping while he worked. When Janet wasn't around, Rebbie was there. She helped me organize my oversized closet a few times. When Rebbie wasn't around, one of Mike's brothers were. Jermaine taught me some things under the hood of my car, Jackie taught me how to play more songs on his guitar, Tito taught me some dance moves, and Marlon just played video games with me.
I thought about all of this for a while. I figured Michael knew he was going to be pretty busy so he told everyone to keep me busy. He knew me all too well. He knew if I was distracted, I wouldn't feel any pain. Even without the distractions, I felt no pain. Michael wasn't far away from me and I knew exactly where he was if I needed him.
I walked outside for some air one evening and saw Michael walking by the garden. He twirled a flower in his hand and he was humming a new song I had never heard before. I walked up behind him and slipped my arms around his waist. He grabbed my hands and smiled.
"I really love your voice, Mike. What were you humming just now?" I asked. He turned and wrapped his arms around me and hugged me.
"It's a new song I've been working on. Nothing special, really."
I quirked a brow at him. "Nothing special? Come on, all of your songs are special. That's why you've been so successful for this long. Can you sing it to me? It's so beautiful, I wanna know what it's about."
Michael looked away and bit his lip for a minute. His grip loosened on me and I looked up at him. "Well, a tune is really all I have right now. I don't have lyrics yet," he hesitated as he spoke. I knew he was lying, but I let it go. I figured it was going to be a surprise for all his fans. I was a fan from the beginning, so I really didn't need any special privileges.
"Okay, Michael. I get it," I smiled and kissed his cheek. "I know it's going to be a beautiful song."
He smiled and kissed the back of my hand and I blushed. "Thank you."
I grinned and kissed his lips, then his cheek and moved closer to his ear. "Je taime," I whispered. He grinned at me and I smiled.
"Je taime. So you know Spanish and French. I'm impressed."
"I wasn't trying to impress you. Just expressing my love for you is all."
The next few days went by and Michael quit locking himself in his office. I was under the impression he had finally finished his new song. I was dying to hear it, but Michael was too stubborn to give me a sneak peak. His fans always came first though. I wouldn't be jealous over that. It was who he was and I was head over heels in love with everything he was.
It was amazing the effect he had on me. He made me want to be a better person. I wanted to help him heal the world. I went with him to every single donation he got involved in. I even joined a few causes of my own and when Michael found out about it, he joined me. I was becoming more like him every day and I was loving it. I didn't want to be him, but I always wanted to see the world as he did, and now I was.
Michael began a new tour the following week and I was doing a lot better with my random sickness spells. I wasn't as pale anymore, and I proved to Michael and everyone else during rehearsals that I could keep up with him just as good as I always had been. We came home from the last rehearsal and Michael ran me a hot bath. He helped me get in and kissed the top of my head.
"I'm going to make a few calls, then I'll come join you. Don't get too lonely without me," he winked.
"No promises," I grinned. He smiled and walked out. He walked into the living room and grabbed the phone from the kitchen and walked out onto the back patio and dialed a familiar number.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Liz. It's Michael. Do you have a minute?"
"Anything for my best friend. What's going on?"
Michael smiled into the phone. He loved Elizabeth. She was always so concerned for him and his family. She hadn't met me yet, but she showed concern for me as well.
"Everything's fine. Listen, I have a show tomorrow. I need some advice."
"You need my advice on a show? Are you feeling okay, Michael?"
Michael chuckled. "Yes, I'm fine. No, I don't need advice on the show. I've decided to set things right in my life. I mean, they were set right when I met Lola, but I want to make it permanent."
"Are you going to pop the question?" she asked excitedly.
"Yes. I'm in love with her Liz. I've never loved someone this much before. I know I've said that before about Lisa, but Lola is different. She's like me and she understands me from the inside out. I'll never meet another girl like her in the world, even if I looked for a thousand years."
"I'd agree with that one hundred percent. Sounds like you have it all figured out. So what is it you need me to do?"
Michael leaned against the wall of the house. "I'm not sure how to do it. I'd like to do it during the show in front of the entire world. I wanna show Lola how much she means to me. I want the world to know she's the real deal."
"Hmm," she thought for a minute. "Is the lineup going to be the same? She won't join you on stage until you sing The Way You Make Me Feel, and then after that, you go into Billie Jean, right?"
"Yes." Michael tapped his fingers against the side of his leg. He knew Liz was coming up with a great idea and he had to be prepared to cover his own mouth so no one could hear him.
"Well, do that song and dance with her. At the end, do the thing when you skid on your knees in front of her before the lights go out. Grab her hand and don't let her go. When the spotlight comes on for Billie Jean, hang on to her hand so the spotlight stays on her. After that, let your heart guide you."
"Liz, you're brilliant! Thank you! Will you be there?" Michael tried to be as quiet as he could.
"I'll come when I can and I'll be watching from backstage. I'll see you after the show. Good luck, Michael."
"Thanks, I'll need it. I just hope I don't scare her by doing this. She's never been married before."
"Michael, she loves you unconditionally from what I've heard so far. There isn't a doubt in my mind her answer will be yes."
Michael smiled and thanked her again before finally hanging up. He joined me soon after and seemed rather happy the rest of the night. I didn't think too much of it because he always got excited the night before a concert. He loved making his fans happy no matter what kind of mood he was in.
The next day came finally and we went to the stadium where the concert would take place. I was in Michael's dressing room getting ready. Michael was already on stage and singing his beginning songs. Janet helped me get ready.
Michael ran off stage to change clothes and ran into Jermaine. "The song is almost up, man. Are you ready to do this?" Jermaine asked.
"Yes, it's all been set perfectly. Today marks the first year since Lola and I have been together. It also marks the second year since we actually met. I've never been so excited." He grinned. Jermaine high fived him.
"Alright, good luck man. I love you," he hugged Michael briefly and Michael smiled.
"Love you more," he grinned and ran back onto the stage. I walked out just in time to watch him dance and sing to Smooth Criminal. I always got so hypnotized when he was in his white outfit. As he danced, he looked at me and smiled widely and winked.
"My angel," I whispered. Jermaine and Janet grinned at each other and waited.
"Hey you two. Oh, this must be the famous Lola I've heard so much about," I heard a beautiful voice say behind me. I turned to see Elizabeth Taylor standing there in a pretty blue sparkling dress. She walked up to me and I bowed in respect. Force of habit, I suppose.
"Mrs. Taylor, it's so nice to finally meet you," I shook her hand and she gripped it and hugged me.
"Come now, just call me Liz. I'm just another friend here, no special treatment please." I smiled and she winked. "I believe you're on, dear," she pointed and Michael was standing behind me with his arms folded, already changed for our song. I jumped and he quirked his brow at me.
"Did I scare you?" he asked in an amused voice.
"No way," I folded my arms and looked away. He chuckled and put his fingers on my chin and turned my face back to him.
"I guess I'll have to try harder next time," he whispered against my lips.
"You wouldn't dare," I whispered back.
"Yea, you're right. Let's go dance, pretty lady," he grinned and took my hand.
We walked out to the stage and danced. He chased me across the stage and I sang with him. I laughed a lot, but thankfully when it was his turn to sing and not mine. At the end, he skidded in front of me on his knees and the lights shut out. Normally, that was my cue to sneak off stage so he could go right into Billie Jean, but for some reason, he wouldn't let go of my hand.
"Michael, what are you doing?" I whispered and tried to pull away. He just smiled and stayed frozen. The spotlight came on and shined on both of us. I started trembling and I looked at Michael. I quit pulling away because now the crowd could see us and they grew silent. I watched Michael and he slowly drew one knee up and held my hand against his chest.
"Lola, today marks our first year anniversary. It also marks the second year since we first met. During those last two years, you have completely healed my heart and soul. I've never met anyone whose heart is so pure. I know without a doubt, my love for you is eternal, and I intend to keep it that way, if you will let me," my heart started pounding and the crowd gasped. "Lola, would you marry me and make me the happiest man alive?" the crowd roared and tears burned in my eyes. This is what I'd been waiting for so long, and it was finally happening.
I grinned at him and decided to make the suspense a little more intense. I slowly looked at the crowd as if I was asking them what I should say. A lot of people screamed at me to say yes. Michael watched me for a minute before he smirked. He knew I was just adding to the suspense for the crowd and he loved it. Finally I looked at him and grinned widely.
"Nothing would make me happier, Michael," he smiled and stood and we kissed in front of the entire world. The stadium exploded in applause and Michael spun me around and kissed me several times before finally setting me down. Then he reached into his jacket and pulled out a ring and slid it onto my finger. The diamonds sparkled in the spotlight and I wiped a tear away.
"I love you," he said happily.
"Love you more," I grinned. He pulled my hand up and pulled me closer to his body. Then we began our Waltz across the stage. A romantic dance to share with my fiancé in front of the entire world. At the end of the concert, Michael grabbed the microphone and pulled a chair out and set it in the middle of the stage.
"Before I call the curtain, I want to bring my fiancé out here. I have a little surprise for her and for everyone here." The crowd cheered and I walked out to join Michael. He took my hand and lead me to the chair. I sat down and he smiled. "Remember the song you wanted to hear? I finished it," he turned to the crowd. "I have a brand new song and I wanna dedicate it to my new fiancé, Lola. It's called "This is it.""
I smiled and he counted to four and the music started to play. He danced around me and sang so sweetly.
"This
is it, here I stand
I'm the light of the world, I feel grand
Got
this love, I can feel
And I know yes for sure, it is real
And
it feels as though I've seen your face a thousand times
And you
said you really know me too yourself
And I know that you have got
addicted with your eyes
But you say you gonna live it for
yourself
Oh
I never heard a single word about
you
Falling in love wasn't my plan
I never thought that I
would be your lover
Come on baby just understand
This is
it, I can say,
I'm the light of the world, run away
We can
feel, this is real
Every time I'm in love, that I feel
And
I feel as though I've known you since a thousand years
And you
tell me that you've seen my face before
And you said to me you
don't want me hanging round
Many times wanna do it here
before
Oh yeah
I never heard a single word about
you
Falling in love wasn't my plan
I never thought that I
would be your lover
Come on baby just understand
This is
it, I can feel
I'm the light of the world, this is real
Feel
my song, we can say
And I tell you feel that way
And I feel
as though I've known you for a thousand years
And you said you
want some of this yourself
And you said you want to go with me all
the while
And I know that it's really true myself
Oh yeah
I never heard a single word about you
Falling in love
wasn't my plan
I never thought that I would be your lover
Come
on please baby understand
I never heard a single word about
you
Falling in love wasn't my plan
I never thought that I
would be your lover
Come on baby please understand"
I wiped away fresh tears and I hugged him tightly and whispered a thank you into his ear. The crowd went wild over his new song and he held my hand as we bowed together and walked off stage. I had my fiancé, and he shared me with the world without any fear. Now I only had one more thing to do to make everything perfect.
So there you have it. Finally they are official. Now all Lola must do is figure out a way to break the news to Michael. *gasp* I wonder what he will say. :) thanks for reading!
