geeze I'm super tired. more finals all week and bla bla bla. I'll be starting a new story as soon as i come up with some ideas on how to start it. right now all i have is an epilogue...but im afraid if i start working on the new one, this one wont get done. ugh! anyway...read on!

Two Hearts. One Dream Ch. 24

Michael and I played a few shows together in Germany after I had suprised him with the duet. It was instantly a hit and the other girl that was supposed to sing with him didn't seem to mind. She was actually a fan of mine. I'm still not sure why I have fans, but go figure. We got back into the states about two weeks later and I began getting sick. Michael insisted on taking me to see the doctor and thankfully, it was just a cold. I tried to go out all the time and my stubborn husband wouldn't let me out of his sight.

I got up early one morning and slowly crawled out of Michael's bed, trying not to wake him. I pulled on a robe and snuck out. Just as I got to the back patio doors, I heard a foot tapping on the hardwood floor.

"Ahem...what do you think you're doing?" Michael stood with his arms folded, tapping his foot and staring at me. I tried to glare at him, but he was standing there shirtless with his silk pajama pants on. Needless to say, I was a bit distracted for the moment. "Well?"

I blinked a few times and then pouted. "I just wanted to go for a walk, Mike. Come on, you've had me locked up in this house for days!" I whined. He quirked a brow at me and I gave him the sad face.

"Don't give me that look, Lola. I just don't want you to get worse..."

"Mike it's just a cold. It's no big deal..." I argued.

"It is when you're pregnant, Lola. Don't argue with me, come back to bed."

I huffed. "I'm not even all that sick anymore..." I hesitated to finish my sentence and then I sneezed and Michael laughed.

"Yea, I can see that..." he smirked and I sighed. He turned sideways and pointed towards the bedroom and I hung my head and walked past him. As I did, he smacked my butt and I glared at him. He grinned and then shrugged. "Just thought I'd give you a little hitch in your giddyup," he smiled and I rolled my eyes and walked back to bed.

The next day, Raymone called Michael and insisted they get ready for the next series of concerts coming up following the shows in Germany. I snorted when I heard him on the phone and he eyed me when he hung up.

"What?" he asked.

"I guess I just forgot about the concerts...I really wanted to be there," I sighed. He brushed a hair behind my ear and stroked my cheek.

"It's okay, I'll bet you'll be better before this tour ends and then you can come and cheer me on," he winked and I gave him a weak smile.

He started the first round of shows starting in Texas, then going to New York, and other states. I was stuck in the house, and eventually I got better. After the third week of not seeing my husband, I paced more often and wanted to go out. My phone rang while I was sitting on the merry go round and I smiled when I saw who it was.

"Janet! God I miss you so much! When are you coming home?"

"Hey Lolz, I miss you too! I'm actually coming home next week. How are you feeling?"

"Better physically, mentally...not so much."

"Yea, Mike said you got a minor cold before he left. He almost cancelled all his shows you know."

"That doesn't suprise me." I heard her giggle on the other end and it made me smile.

"I also hear you're extremely bored out of your mind, so I made a call."

"A call to who?"

"You remember Orianthi, don't you?"

"Orianthi....my Australian buddy? Yea, I remember. She taught me some awesome cords last time I hung out with her."

"Well, she's in town this week and she's coming to stay with you. Have fun with that! I'll expect to hear some new music from you two when I get there."

"Awesome! Thanks Tink. I'll see you soon then. I love you!"

"Love you more."

I grinned and hung up. A few hours later, as if on cue, Orianthi showed up at the door. I greeted her with a huge hug and she rubbed my belly.

"Look at you, girl! You're blossoming!" she grinned.

"Yea, that wasn't the word I would've chosen, but thanks anyway," I teased and she laughed. We caught up with each other within a couple of hours. We walked around the ranch and rode the farris wheel and merry go round. We also rode the train and played around with the go carts.

"So, how do you feel about those cords I taught you last time?" she asked.

"Oh, great! I haven't played as much when Mike was around, but lately I've been messing around quite a bit. Have you ever heard of the video game, Megaman?"

"Who hasn't?" she asked.

"Well, I kinda recreated random songs from all the games I remember. I also did one for Castlevania and I recreated Carol of the Bells," I grinned and she smiled widely.

"Okay, that does it, you have to show me what you got and I'll play with you."

I agreed and we headed to the studio. I got out a guitar that Jackie left a while back and Orianthi grabbed hers. I played part of Megaman and showed her what I learned and she soon played the harmony with me. After a while, she learned back up and harmony to the music I learned to play.

"I think we got it!" I beamed.

"You know, we should call Jonathan and get him to join us. I bet he'd have fun doing this with us," she grinned.

"Yea..." I agreed. After a while, she packed up her things and started heading for the door. "You know, you could stay here with me. It's pretty lonely here at night without Michael or the family around."

"I will some other time, girl. Sorry but I need to get some rest for another audition. People are going nuts wanting me to play for them after Michael introduced me to the world. I owe him alot," she smiled and I nodded.

"He was glad to do it. You needed your chance to shine and now you got it," I sighed. "Be careful out there. I'll see you later."

She hugged me and then left. Kai had gotten sick with the flu a couple of days ago and I made her go home and get rest. I was perfectly capable of cooking for myself. I also made Sam go home and get some sleep. Michael only trusted Sam to guard the front gate and he worked almost all hours of the day.

Later that night, my phone rang. "Hello?"

"How are you doing girl?" Joseph's voice rang out in a calm tone.

"I'm okay, just kinda nervous at night. It's so quiet here with no one around."

"No one? Isn't Kai with you?"

"No one is. I sent everyone home to rest and Kai has the flu. I'm okay though, really."

"You know I don't like you being alone. You're vulnarable you know, and some people would do anything to tear down the wife of Michael Jackson."

I shivered at his words, but I knew he meant well. "I know, I have protection if needed..." Right after I said those words, someone pounded on the front door and made me gasp.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing...someone's at the door. Hang on a minute, Joe," I set the phone down and heard muffles from the other line. Joseph said something about not answering the door. I walked to the door and heard the banging again. "Who...whose there?" I asked nervously.

There was no answer and I peaked out the peep hole. No one was there and I looked out the side windows, still seeing nothing. I sat there for a minute waiting to hear more pounding, and when I heard none, I grabbed a nearby baseball bat and cracked the door open to peak inside.

At a split second, my dad stormed in and slammed me against the wall. "What the hell?" I screamed. "What are you doing here? Get out!" I yelled loudly hoping someone would hear me.

"I just got out of jail, because of you and that pedophile lover of yours. Now...look at you..." he stepped back and took a breath as he took in my appearance. He stared at my belly and then looked away. "I thought I told you to kill that freak's baby..."

"Don't say that. She isn't a freak and neither is my husband..." I jumped as he spat when I called Michael my husband.

"So the thing is a she, now?" he asked harshly.

"Yes, and stop calling her a thing!"

He snarled and backhanded me. "Don't talk to me like that."

"Don't touch me..." he glared harder and pushed me back against the wall. I kept the harshest glare I could manage on him and never looked away. "Get away from me," I gritted my teeth.

"You are my daughter, I will do what I want with you," he growled.

"I don't think so!" Another man's voice yelled and made both me and my dad jump. He turned and we both saw Joseph standing in the doorway, fists clenched and eyes almost red with hatred. "Back up, man. You will not hurt her again!"

"Who are you to tell me...ugh I'm not going through this again! She is my daughter!"

"No! I was your daughter...but no more! I'm done!" I yelled and he turned to backhand me again and Joseph grabbed his arm.

"Don't," he growled and my dad jerked his arm away.

"This is what I expected from this family. I won't be humiliated again!" he yelled and in one swift motion, swung his arm around me and held a gun against my head. Joseph backed up and by that time, Tito, Jermaine, Jackie and Marlon had ran through the door and froze behind Joseph. He held his hand up in front of them and they all growled harshly at my dad.

"Humiliation is what you're worried about? What exactly is it that you want?" Tito growled.

"I want my family back," he hissed. "And it starts with my daughter. I'm taking her back with me and she's getting rid of this freak child and going back to the way it was...when I'm done with her, she won't remember who the Jacksons are," he smirked evilly and I bit my lip until it drew blood.

"Family..." Joseph grumbled. "What is family to you? It can't be Lola. Family doesn't hurt each other like this. She isn't family to you anymore. She doesn't belong to you anymore. She is a Jackson now. She is our family."

I smiled weakly at Joseph..."Father," I whispered. Joseph looked at me and then smirked. My dad growled and tightened his grip on me.

"No! I'm your father...not him! Not some black maniac with a pedophile for a son!"

I felt heat rise in me and immediate rage. "Enough!" I yelled. I gripped his arm and rolled him over my shoulder and down to the ground in front of me. Everyone froze momentarily and then Tito ran and pushed me back in time to grab the gun and pile on top of him, cuffing him and taking him away.

I sat on the ground breathing heavily and Joseph walked over and helped me up. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry I wasn't here sooner," he whispered.

I looked into his eyes for a minute and then hugged him, letting tears slide down my eyes. "Thank you for being here...father."

Joseph tensed up for a minute and then sighed happily and hugged me tightly. The other guys joined us after a few minutes. That night, they all spent the night by my side. I slept on the couch laying on Jermaine's lap. Joseph scooted the recliner next to the couch and held my hand all night, and the others piled around the floor. I felt completely safe being surrounded with my new family.

The next morning, I woke up to my phone ringing. I jumped up and stepped around the sleeping Jacksons and grabbed my phone. "Hello?" my voice cracked and I cleared it.

"Hey sleepy head, did I wake you?"

"Yea, but I'm glad you did. I miss you so much sweetheart. When can I see you again?"

"Very soon, love. I'm not exactly sure what day, but I promise it will be soon. I'll come home and spend the day with you, then I'm dragging you with me to my next few concerts. How does that sound?"

"Absolutely wonderful," I beamed.

"Good. How is everything else?"

"Lola! Where you at girl?" Jackie yelled and I frowned at him and threw my house shoe at his head. "Hey! What is it with you and throwing shoes? Damn..." he grumbled. I rolled my eyes and I heard Michael laugh on the other end of the phone.

"What's Jackie doing there?"

"Long story. I was lonely so all the guys showed up and stayed with me last night."

"Aw, why so lonely? Kai isn't that bad is she?"

I laughed. "No, actually she came down with the flu so I sent her home. I sent Sam home too..." I paused and waited for a major bitch out from my husband, but all I heard was a sigh.

"Sorry...I should be home with you, baby."

"Mike...don't start feeling guilty on me now. Keep your focus on your performances and I will see you when you get home, okay? Just promise you will take care of yourself."

"Yes ma'am. I'll be home soon. I love you so much, sweetie."

I smiled warmly. "I love you more."

"Nu uh, I love you most."

"Sure sure...I'll talk to you later." I giggled.

"Ha! I win. Okay...bye."

"Bye." I rolled my eyes and hung up. Damn how I missed that boy, but he still managed to make me laugh no matter where he was. I don't think I could ever get sick of this life. I was already beginning to forget how my life was lived before I even met Michael. Honestly, I didn't want to remember. I was too happy to have it spoiled now.

I shouldn't really wish for that, though. With my luck...my happiness would only last a short time. Something bad was going to happen soon, and I could feel it. I sat on the porch for a brief moment and clasped my hands together and looked to the sky in prayer.

'God...if you are listening...please be gentle.'