One More Chance  

ChapterThree

"I Love You!" - "I Love You More!"

Part One

After a fitful sleep last night, thinking of Michael, Annie woke up late and therefore she didn’t have enough time to call Michael before she left for the toy store. She decided she would call him once she finished her morning routine at the store. Just as she was finishing up dusting the display cases she heard the front door being unlocked. She looked up to see Gloria making a grand entrance. She carried in her arms a large pile of catalogs.

“Annie, I thought you would have been done with the morning straightening up by now.” Gloria did not believe in pleasantries like “good morning.”

“I spent last night reviewing some of the toy catalogs. I marked my choices for the Spring order and want you to get started on it today.” She unceremoniously dumped the pile of catalogs on the counter in front of Annie.

“Did you have a chance to look at some of my choices?” Annie asked her.

“Yes dear and frankly I didn’t really find any of them very interesting.” Her remarks were usually designed to cut, and they did.

The bell rang on the front door and both she and Gloria looked up. Annie froze and her heart started to beat rapidly. There standing outside at the door was Suzie and next to her, with her arm firmly linked in his, was Michael.

“Annie, hurry up and open the door for them,” Gloria commanded.

Suzie could not be trusted with a key to the store. She could not operate the alarm. Annie had unsuccessfully tried repeatedly to teach her how to use it, but she inevitably forgot the code and couldn’t disarm the alarm in time. The police had been dispatched to the toy store for several false alarms and finally Gloria gave up.

Annie was trembling as she checked the alarm and then unbolted the door. Once the door was open Suzie pulled Michael in and pushed by Annie to walk to the back of the store. She could feel Michael willing her to look at him, so she did, his eyes seemed to say “remain calm—it’s okay.”

“Mother, look who I saw outside our door, Michael Jackson!” she heard Suzie say.

In an effort to steady her nerves and calm her breathing, Annie took her time re-locking the door before she turned around and made her way to the back of the store. Both Gloria and Suzie were knotted around Michael. Suzie was hanging on to him and rubbing her hand up and down his arm in a very proprietary manner. She was wearing one of her infamous low cut dresses that showed off her cleavage quite prominently and was thrusting her chest in his direction.

Annie imagined herself head butting Suzie to the ground and then standing over her shouting “Leave him alone, he’s mine!” She shook her head to come back to her senses and tried to listen to what they were talking about. Not that they were paying any attention to her. As usual she felt like wallpaper when Suzie was around the male species.

When she concentrated on what they were saying she realized that they were talking about Suzie’s birthday party. “Mother I think we should invite Mr. Jackson to the affair, what do you think?” Suzie said in her cutie pie voice.

“That’s a marvelous idea. Please say yes Mr. Jackson. The event is a charitable endeavor. This year all proceeds will be donated to the Lupus Foundation. And it just so happens there is a celebrity auction connected to the event. Perhaps you would be interested in donating some memorabilia?”

Annie was familiar with the event. Apparently Gloria had been throwing the party/charity event for the last several years. Last year her father had implored her to attend. He felt strongly that it might act as a bonding agent between her and Suzie. She denied her father very little, but this time she put her foot down and told him no way. Though to appease her father’s feelings she had written a check to the charity. It was the only appealing aspect of the whole dreaded affair as far as Annie was concerned. She had no desire to hang around a bunch of stuffed shirts while everyone admired Suzie all night long.

She snapped back to attention when she heard Michael say, “Tell me, will Miss Walker be attending the event?”

Gloria seemed confused at first, “Miss Walker…? Oh, you mean Annie?”

Suddenly all eyes were on Annie. Gloria stuttered “Well…of course she was invited…but she has already told me that she has other plans and it’s not really Annie’s social milieu Mr. Jackson.”

Suddenly Annie felt a bit naughty. “You know Gloria I just realized that I will be free after all that night and I will attend, that is if I am still welcome. After all it is for charity.”

She glanced nonchalantly at Michael—he acknowledged her by lifting his eyebrow and slightly nodding.

“Wow, that’s great. Of course I would love to attend,” Michael said. “I will let you talk to one of my assistants about donating some items for the silent auction. And just so there’s no misunderstanding, I cannot perform nor will I feel comfortable giving a speech of any kind,” he added.

“That is fine Mr. Jackson. Your presence alone will be cachet enough I am sure,” Gloria replied.

Just then Suzie’s cell phone started to ring. Appropriately enough her ring tone was a Madonna song, Material Girl. Michael used this chance to disentangle himself from Suzie’s arm. Suzie flipped her phone open and was heard saying “No, I want the white roses, I specifically asked for them,” as she walked toward the backroom.

“Mr. Jackson, here’s the invitation to the event with tickets,” Gloria said as she handed an envelope to Michael.

“Oh by the way, what night is the event happening?” Michael said.

“Next Sunday night—oh my, you will still be here in town won’t you?” Gloria replied.

Once again Annie froze as Michael said casually, “Yes, I will be leaving shortly after that.”

“Mrs. Walker, unfortunately I must be getting to the recording studio,” Michael said.

“Annie don’t just stand there, unlock the door and let Mr. Jackson out,” Gloria ordered.

“Again, I wanted to thank you for allowing my children to visit your lovely store,” Michael continued.

“It was our pleasure meeting your adorable children. Perhaps you would be willing to have them attend the party also?” Gloria queried.

Annie could see Michael visibly stiffen, “My children don’t attend public events Mrs. Walker. But thank you for extending the invitation.”

He turned to Annie giving her his undivided attention, staring at her intently, “Whenever you are ready, Miss Walker.”

“Of course,” Annie said breathlessly. She walked ahead of him and could feel Michael’s eyes staring at her from behind. She disarmed the alarm yet again and unbolted the door and opened it for him.

“Thank you Miss Walker.”

“Your welcome, Mr. Jackson.” Then he slipped out the open door but before Annie could close it, Michael grabbed her arm and pulled her outside closing the door firmly behind her.

“Michael please I know they are staring,” Annie said in a quiet voice.

“Annie, look up at me,” he said. She raised her head and looked into his eyes. “Let them stare Annie,” he said quietly. “I came here expecting you to be alone.”

“Gloria sometimes likes to check up on me with surprise attacks. Perhaps she wants to make sure I am doing everything right,” Annie said.

“I wanted to see you this morning…to see if we were okay—after last night,” Michael said quietly.

“I’m okay Michael, are you okay?”

He gave her one of his smiles and said “I’m always okay when I am close to you Annie.” She smiled back at him. “I take it you were not really invited to Suzie’s party?”

“No, I was not,” Annie replied back.

“Why do you let her treat you that way Annie?” Michael asked her. “You deserve so much more—you are better than this!” he said.

“I told you last night Michael what the situation is. It’s complicated,” she said. He took a step toward her, and she took a step back and moved her head slightly, and then said in a plaintive whisper, “Please Michael.”

“I don’t want to upset you anymore Annie. I just want you to know that the kiss we shared last night….expect to be kissed like that all the time Annie. I am stepping up my game girl!” And then he gave her one of his famous Michael Jackson smiles and continued, “Is that okay with you Annie?”

She looked at him and gave him a big smile right back. “I think I can handle that Michael.”

“We will continue this conversation tonight—right?” he questioned her.

“Yes Michael!” she said enthusiastically. With that he turned around just as his black sedan pulled up. Bill got out and opened the door for him and he jumped in and they drove off.

Annie turned around slowly and opened the door and re-entered the store. She had to give herself a minute to compose herself before she faced the wolves. She flipped the CLOSED sign over to OPEN, took a deep breath, and walked slowly to the back counter.

Gloria spoke first. “Annie, you and Mr. Jackson seemed to be deep in conversation. What were you talking about?”

“We were discussing the weather,” Annie said lightly.

“It seems as though the sun is going to come out today.  Now, if you will excuse me, I have a lot of work to get done.” She picked up the pile of catalogs that Gloria had left her and turned to go to her back office.

Gloria’s voice stopped her. “Annie...”

She turned around slowly, “Yes Gloria?”

“You will need an invitation and a ticket in order to gain entrance to Suzie’s party.” She handed Annie the envelope. “And Annie, it is a formal affair my dear. I do hope you have something appropriate to wear?”

“Thank you. I am sure I will manage,” she said using the most assertive voice possible and once again turned around to go to her office in the back of the store.

Part Two

Annie brushed by Suzie on her way to her desk. Suzie was just finishing up her phone call. She snapped the phone shut and said to Annie, “Did Michael Jackson leave?”

“Yes, he’s gone,” Annie said quietly.

“Did he say he was definitely coming to my party?”

“Yes I believe he said he would be attending,” Annie replied back.

“Good!” Suzie exclaimed more to herself than to Annie, and proceeded out to the store area. What luck in finding Michael Jackson outside the store today. He had said he wanted to thank her mother again for the private store visit by his kids. With him absolutely attending the party she now had an in with him. She was going to call Jerry Stone, the photographer, later on and see if she could rendezvous with him again tonight. They surely could come up with a plan to get Michael Jackson in some sort of embarrassing situation so that Jerry could snap a picture of him. Perhaps Suzie could contribute her charms to get that right shot! And then maybe, just maybe, Suzie would finally get her big break!

Annie watched Suzie go back up to the front of the store. “Good!” Annie mimicked Suzie’s voice to herself. Once again Annie felt like knocking Suzie to the floor. She had gotten herself invited to the grand soiree but at least Michael would be there. She would have to come up with something really beautiful to wear. What that could be she had no idea. She didn’t exactly have the type of clothing that an event like this required, but she would think of something.

Besides, she didn’t want to think about that, she wanted to think about Michael. She smiled to herself and sank into her chair. He had said he had come here this morning to see her. She was relieved that he wasn’t upset with her about last night. She was deeply disappointed that they couldn’t spend some alone time together. She absentmindedly brought her finger up to her lips, thinking about that kiss from last night again. She felt tingly all over and knew it was going to be a long day today, waiting to see him again tonight. She had not wanted to tell him that she loved him with the two of them just several feet inside. She wanted it to be more special. It would have to wait till tonight. She thought to herself, get to work girl—let’s get this day over with!

Michael leaned back in the car and sighed. He was deeply disappointed that Annie was not alone this morning. He had tossed and turned for several hours after their fight last night and instead of waiting to call her on the phone he had decided to go to her this morning and tell her that he loved her and give her a great big kiss and a hug. But with the two of them there in the store and Annie so obviously nervous and upset he didn’t want to tell her there—he would do it tonight—this way it would be more special. He would be agitated all day today thinking about her. Thinking about the way she scrunched up her nose when she was deep in thought or the way her face blushed every time he kissed her or the way her skin felt when he touched her. He groaned aloud and buried his face in his hands.

“Everything okay back there boss?” Bill his security guy said. “

Yes, Bill, everything’s fine,” Michael said.

Part Three

Annie anxiously looked at the clock yet again. Its one minute later than the last time you looked Annie, she thought wryly to herself. She was anxious for Michael’s arrival and he was later than usual. His usual arrival time had been around 9:00 or even shortly before that on some of the evenings he had spent with her at her apartment last week. But it was now almost 9:30. Her stomach clenched nervously. Perhaps he wasn’t coming. Don’t be silly Annie, he’s coming.

It had been a long and frustrating day. She had tried to avoid Gloria and Suzie and had kept herself busy with the Spring toy orders. It had seemed more than usual the number of times that Gloria kept popping into the back of the store to ask Annie questions. Like how do we find a certain customer’s past orders on the computer system and was there stock left on certain toys in their inventory. These were things that Gloria could easily check on herself. She had access to the computer system. It just seemed to annoy Annie more than usual.

Six o’clock could not come fast enough and she rushed out the door immediately. She wanted to get home and prepare for Michael’s visit tonight. She was extra excited about tonight. When he had grinned devilishly at her and said he was stepping up his game it had sent an electric thrill through her. She was still somewhat scared and tentative about their relationship but he was slowly but surely breaking down her defenses.

Just then there was a sharp knock at the door and she leaped up off the couch to open it. And there he was.  He never failed to take her breath away. He was always simply dressed but always looked so sexy. Tonight he had on his usual black jeans, a white button down long sleeve shirt with a black jacket.

“Hello Annie,” he said shyly, and she said “Hello Michael,” rather breathlessly. And then as if they both had the same idea they moved toward each other simultaneously and met in a passionate embrace and kiss.

Michael had waited for this exact moment all day. It was a long frustrating day where everything that could go wrong, did. From the start of the day, not finding her alone and then he had a particularly tough day at the recording studio. He couldn’t seem to get the right sound on a certain song and had done several takes. The young producer he was working with had said that he found each take more spectacular than the last one. Michael was a perfectionist, and coupled with the fact that he was feeling quite frustrated with the turn of events this morning—he kept at it till it was later than usual and he still wasn’t satisfied.

Then when he got back to the hotel suite the young nanny that he hired to watch the kids said that Paris and Prince had been fighting all day long. He let her go to dinner and told her to come back at the appointed time after the kids were in bed so that he could go and be with Annie. Then he sat the two of them down and played peacemaker. Apparently Prince wouldn’t let Paris play a certain video game and then a fight ensued.

“Be nice to each other,” Michael had said wearily, “You will find when you get older that you will need each other. So please don’t make me upset by fighting with each other.” They both had hugged him and then hugged each other and the crisis was over.

He could hardly wait to get to Annie’s tonight. His senses were on overload just thinking about touching and tasting and smelling her! On the way over he had Peter stop and get out and buy a lovely bouquet of flowers for her from one of the small markets along the way. They were an arrangement of wild flowers. He knew she was going to love it.

He knocked on the door and then in a minute she was in his arms.

Part Four

The kiss was passionate. She locked her arms around his neck and put her all into it. She felt like she had abstained for days and now she was hungry for him. Michael’s hand still held the bouquet of flowers so he carefully let that arm drape loosely around her waist and the other arm he used to support her back—pulling her closer to him.

He could feel her trembling and when they pulled apart from each other he said to her, “Hey, you okay?”

She buried her head in his chest and said quietly, “You’re later than usual and I…”

He was immediately contrite, “I’m sorry my sweet girl. I should have called you. It’s just that I’ve been running late all day…but I am here now Annie and these are for you.” He presented her with the flowers.

“Oh Michael they are so beautiful,” she exclaimed. “Wildflowers are my favorite!” She smiled at him and he smiled back at her and ducked his head shyly. She went to her little kitchen and pulled a vase from her cabinets and quickly prepared the flowers for display.

In the meantime Michael closed and locked the door that had been left open in their eagerness to greet each other and then walked over to the couch and sat down. Annie placed the vase full of flowers on her kitchen/dining room table and then rushed back over to Michael and collapsed on the couch next to him. They immediately met in another kiss and embrace and then he settled her in his arms next to him, placing her head on his chest. They relaxed in each other’s arms for a minute, each catching their breath.

And then Michael said “Annie I am sorry.”

“Sorry about what Michael?”

“About last night.” She moved out of his arms and sat up so that she could look closer at him while they talked. “I guess I was a bit patronizing,” he continued. “I didn’t mean to be. I don’t have the right to tell you how to lead your life. I mean my life hasn’t been exactly a perfect model for what to do.”

She looked into his eyes and as usual was amazed at the depth of feeling she saw there. His eyes were truly the window to his soul. Suddenly Annie knew this was the right moment. She thought to herself, Michael you have every right to give me advice and guidance because I love you.

She reached up and gently tucked the ever errant lock of hair that was draped sexily over his eye and said, “There’s no need to apologize because I love you Michael. And besides I should be apologizing to you.”

He smiled at her and said quietly, “I love you more Annie.” He kissed her and as the kiss deepened he lowered her back to the couch. She liked the feel of his weight on her body—it felt so good.

Their eyes were locked on each other. He buried his face in the crook of her neck inhaling her scent and then nuzzled her neck with his lips, ending up back to her face where his lips met her soft lips again.

He then whispered to her, “Annie, I want to make love to you. Not only because I feel like it’s going to be really amazing; but because I want us to be one with each other both emotionally and physically. But I want to know that you want it also because I would never force myself on you. Do you want me as much as I want you Annie?”

He lovingly traced his finger along the side of her face. She hesitatingly said, “Michael I…I…”

She felt the pressure of his body move off of her. And then he lifted her back up and positioned her back in his arms with her head back on his chest.

“Annie are you afraid that I am going to hurt you? Not physically but emotionally?” he said in a pain filled voice.

“I don’t think you would intentionally hurt me Michael. It’s just that sometimes I wish you were just a guy I met on the subway or walking in Central Park—a loving divorced father that was raising his three children alone that had a drudge of a job and was looking to fall in love. I am just afraid that someone like Annie Walker doesn’t fit into someone like Michael Jackson’s world.”

She looked up at him and became concerned because of the look in his eyes and his forehead was furrowed. “I am sorry Michael, please don’t be upset with me—please?” she said and burrowed her face back into his chest.

“I am not upset with you Annie,” Michael said and accentuated this with light kisses to the top of her head. “I am glad that you are expressing your true feelings with me.”

“I want to say something to you and I need you to look at me Annie when I say it.” His voice got deeper and she knew that when that happened that he had something serious to say to her. She brought her face out from hiding and looked him in the eyes.

He continued, “Annie I am Michael Jackson and I can’t change that—I tried to run from it but that didn’t work either. I’ve come to the realization that this is my reality.”

He paused momentarily like he was thinking about what he wanted to say next and then said, “Annie even though I feel confident that you would fit into my world—whatever that may entail, I am asking you Annie for me, for us, that you look beyond that, please? If it helps, you can pretend I am a garbage man or a number cruncher or….” Suddenly his eyebrow shot up and he smiled, “…or you can think of me as a traveling troubadour. I travel from city to city singing and dancing for my bread and butter in order to support my children. Can you do this for me, for us, please Annie?” He bowed his head down and took her hands in his and squeezed them for emphasis.

She released her hands from his and he felt her get up from the couch. He looked up slowly afraid of what he would see. She was standing in front of him smiling. She held her hand out to him and said “Yes Michael. Come follow me my traveling troubadour.” He took her hand in his and stood up and she led him to her bedroom.

Part Five 

When she opened the door and led him in Michael was in awe of what he saw. The room was bathed in soft candlelight. Annie had placed candles throughout the room and all was a glow in a warm romantic aura. “It’s beautiful Annie,” Michael said.
She smiled at him and said “I wanted it to be special for us, just in case!”

“Hmm—just in case huh? You little imp!” He pulled her towards him and they embraced. Annie pulled away from him and unbuttoned his shirt. She wanted to feel his chest again like last night. She ran the palms of her hands all over his warm firm chest and then moved them to his back doing the same thing.

Michael closed his eyes and let the feeling of her hands on his skin radiate throughout his whole body. He opened his eyes and looked into hers. “Are you sure you are ready for this Annie?”

“I am still a little afraid but that’s not stopping me from wanting you Michael.”

She started to move towards the bed and he pulled her back into his arms. “Not yet. Do you trust me Annie?”

“Of course I do Michael,” she said.

“Good. Then let me take the lead Annie. Let me chase away the rest of those fears and then you will be really ready. All right my beautiful girl?”

She nodded her head and said “All right Michael.” And she reached up and kissed him.

He took her hand and they both walked toward the bed. She went to her side and lay down. He went to his side and took off his shoes and socks and slid in next to her. They met in an embrace and he said to her “This is going to be all about you for a little bit okay my sweet girl?”

She giggled, “Michael, you will spoil me.”

“That’s okay Annie, you deserve it.”

“Now get up and let me arrange the pillows. She sat up and Michael proceeded to cushion the headboard with all of the pillows on Annie’s bed. Then he gently moved her so that she was propped up on the bed like a lady in waiting. Michael took her hand in his and lifted her arm up. He gently massaged and caressed her arm from her shoulder down to her fingertips. He then brought her fingers up to his lips and kissed them then turned her hand over and kissed her palm. She closed her eyes and relaxed into the pillows and let the tingly feeling of his lips wash over her.

He slowly worked his way up her arm with light kisses. She felt his warm breath on her elbow and then up on to her shoulder. Then on her neck up to her earlobe and then she heard him whispering to her, “Annie open your eyes and look at me beautiful girl.”

She opened her eyes and he was there gazing intently at her. “I love you Annie.”

She smiled at him and said “I love you Michael.”

He kissed her on her lips and then started the whole process all over again with her other arm, once again ending up whispering in her ear that he loved her. She sighed contentedly. He was definitely doing a good job of relaxing her!

He pulled her up from the pillows and said to her “Annie lift up your arms above your head,” and she obediently complied. Then Michael peeled off her t-shirt for her and carefully tossed it on the floor. He then moved her back down to her position on the pillows.

She felt the cool air on her naked breasts and because she was still somewhat shy around him she automatically moved her arms up to cover herself. He leaned in and whispered to her, “Don’t be shy with me Annie. I want to see how beautiful you are.” And then he pulled her arms back down to her sides.

“That’s better. God you are so beautiful.”

Suddenly she didn’t feel shy anymore. “You make me feel beautiful Michael,” Annie said.

He moved his body up closer on the bed and continued to tantalize her with his undivided attention. He nuzzled both sides of her neck, his soft hair tickling her face, and kissed her passionately on the lips and then he started to move his kisses down her chin and then down her neck to her throat and then moved slowly but deliberately down to her cleavage.

She closed her eyes and braced herself with the expectation of what was coming next, his mouth on her breasts. His lips grazed the tip of first one and then the other. The first sensation of his lips on her breasts sent a thrill through her like she had never felt before. So she moved her hands to caress the back of his head and urged him on. And then he came back and concentrated on the first one again. He sucked on the tip and let his tongue lick circles around it and then moved on to the next one and treated it to the same delights.

He pulled away from her momentarily and she watched him intently as he proceeded to take off his shirt and toss it carefully down on to the floor just like hers. He pulled her up into a warm embrace. She wrapped her arms around his neck letting her fingers thread through his soft hair and then moved her hands down to caress his back using this opportunity to pull him closer. He rested his head on her shoulder, but not before he whispered her name in her ear, “Annie, Annie, Annie.” His arms went around her also and held her tenderly.

Each new ministration to her brought on new sensations. And this one was by far the best so far. Feeling his firm bare chest pressed against her bare breasts and his warm breath in her ear whispering her name and his fingers caressing her back was absolutely divine!

They both slid down on the bed locked in each others’ arms and then their legs intertwined and their bodies became one. She could feel his hardness through his jeans pressed into her stomach and her hips thrust forward involuntarily from the sensation and then they kissed and kissed some more—on the lips and the cheeks and the forehead and the nose and then on each others throats. Michael could hear her emitting the little moans and sighs that meant to him that she liked what he was doing to her. And he continued to whisper her name breathlessly between kisses.

He pulled away from her and she became alarmed when he got up. “Michael...?” She questioned him.

“Its okay girl,” he said, “I am not going anywhere.” He gently pulled on her legs till they were hanging over the foot of the bed and then he tugged at the drawstring pants that she was wearing and pulled them off her. They landed on the floor in a heap.

He kneeled down at the foot of the bed and took her foot in his hands and began to gently massage and caress it and then he moved up her leg continuing up to her thigh with the same gentle massaging and caressing. And then did the same for her other leg. She felt totally relaxed now.

He had gotten up and was standing next to the bed and he said to her, “Scoot back up and lay on the pillows again Annie.” So she did as she was asked.

She lay back on the pillows and closed her eyes. The old Annie would have felt vulnerable and nervous about being nearly naked laying there in front of him, but instead he had made her feel so relaxed and sexy and beautiful she felt like she had nothing to hide from him and was reveling in the way his eyes were glued to her.

He then said to her, “Open your eyes and watch me Annie.” She opened her eyes and she saw him taking off his jeans. He let them hit the floor and he stepped out of them and then he slid back into the bed with her. Each time he had taken a piece of her clothing off he had in turn taken off a piece of his clothing. As though he was showing her that they were on equal footing, thus putting her even more at ease.

Their bodies met in another embrace and they kissed passionately. He pulled slightly away from her and looked into her eyes and said, “Are you ready for me now Annie?”

She couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yes, Michael, I am ready for you now!”

Part Six

He grinned at her and said “We each have one more piece of clothing to remove Annie and here’s what we are going to do. You are going to roll over to your side and take yours off and I am going to roll over to my side and take mine off and then we are going to meet back here in the middle.”

Annie laughed again and kissed him lightly on his mouth. “You are one special guy Michael. Okay, I agree,” and then still giggling she rolled over to her side and took off her panties and tossed them to the ground, her last piece of clothing. Annie thought nervously, he’s going to see me totally naked, but then she thought, oh boy, I will get to see him totally naked! She then rolled over to meet him in the middle.

Michael rolled over and took off his briefs and tossed them on the floor. What he had seen of her beautiful body had aroused him to no end. He had managed to relax her enough so that she now was not afraid to show him her body and this was the last step before he would get to see her totally naked. He couldn’t wait and rolled over to meet her in the middle.

They practically knocked their heads together in their anxiousness to see each other. She admired his beauty. Just like in the pool she could see that his skin had this alabaster sheen and in the candlelight it seemed to glow even more. She thought again how he looked like a classic statue—like a piece of art come to life before her eyes. She gazed nervously down to his middle and could see he was very aroused and definitely ready for her. She decided that she was going to instigate the next move. He had empowered her and she wanted to show him how much she loved him. She gazed upwards and saw him staring at her with eyes enflamed with passion.

He couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have encountered this truly breathtaking woman. She had enticed him from the moment he met her and now here he was lying in bed next to her wondering over her beauty. He smiled at her and reached for her and she came into his arms lovingly. They embraced and started to kiss each other all over again.

“Michael I love you,” Annie said breathlessly.

“I love you more Annie,” he said in the same breathless whisper. He caressed her breasts letting his thumbs graze lightly over her nipples and she moaned out loud and said his name out loud because it felt so good.

She moved her hands up and down his back and squeezed his behind and could feel him thrust forward when she did. She separated herself from their embrace to say to him, “I want to show you how much I love you Michael. It’s my turn to take the lead now?”

He looked at her and said, "All right my beautiful girl.”

She sat up and said “Sit up against the pillows Michael.” He scooted up and positioned himself on the pillows with his arms down at his sides. Starting with his face—his eyes still glowing intensely, she let her eyes travel down the length of his body and she swallowed nervously looking at how hard he was.

She straddled his waist and lowered herself onto his erection. He placed his hands on each side of her hips and thrust up into her. She almost lost it right at that moment. The pure pleasure of having him totally possess her was like no other. She regained her equilibrium and started to move up and down creating a rhythm. From her vantage point she could see his reaction to her movement. His eyes were closed and his head tilted back and he had a look of total bliss on his face. He opened his eyes and reached up behind her and pulled her closer and took first one breast and then the other in his mouth.

She playfully pulled back from him and said, “Michael this is supposed to be about you now, let me concentrate on pleasuring you.”

He laughed and said with a great effort, “You are doing just fine Annie!”

Suddenly he rolled her over to her back and switched their positions. She was now propped up on the pillows and he was gazing down upon her beauty. She had learned that Michael liked to give more than receive, apparently even in this area of his life! Now it was his turn to gaze down upon her beauty. Her curls were in disarray, haphazardly spread out around her head like a golden halo. Her body was glistening with their combined sweat and she glowed in the candlelight. He continued to pump in and out of her until he felt himself starting to climax and he looked down at her and saw that she was also.

She could feel herself cresting into a climax and suddenly she felt like she would explode with the sensation. They both called out each others' name simultaneously. He collapsed into her arms and she held him and kissed him repeating his name over and over again.

“That was unbelievable,” he said to her kissing her gently.

“I would say you earned your bread and butter today my troubadour!” she said teasingly to him.

Afterward laying in each others arms his legs possessively lying on top of hers, she finally felt like she was floating back down to earth. She looked at him—his eyes were closed and he was smiling.

“Are you asleep Michael?” she asked quietly.

“No, just slowly coming back down to earth Annie.” It was amazing to her how much they thought alike.

He got up on his elbow and looked at her. He took his finger and traced the outline of her face and then he started to sing to her:

“Your love is magical, that's how I feel, But I have not the words here to explain, Gone is the grace for expressions of passion, But there are worlds and worlds of ways to explain, To tell you how I feel
But I am speechless, speechless…”

He continued with the rest of the song and Annie once again felt like a fairy tale princess being serenaded to by her prince. He ended the song and said to her “I love you Annie.”

And now it was her turn to say to him, “I love you more Michael.”

Part Seven

For awhile they lay quietly in each others’ arms. They both were contemplating the loving experience that they had just shared. Annie buried her face into his chest and did what she liked best, inhaled his scent. It seemed even stronger and more intoxicating if possible after their lovemaking.

She smiled to herself and thought, would making love to this man be like this every night? She had sexual experiences with other men, but none compared to this. It was as if this whole night had been finely choreographed. He was as intense about sex as he was about his art—and just as skilled she thought naughtily!

Perhaps it was because she was never in love with any of the previous men. He was breaking down her defenses, making her feel more free and uninhibited not only about her body but about life in general. But because she was who she was there were still some persistent doubts in her mind, though they were growing fainter and fainter. But once again, she buried these thoughts, because right now the happiness she was feeling was stronger than those feelings and she wanted to relax and be in the moment with this most wonderful man.

Michael was more happy and relaxed than he had been in a very long time. The sex had been wonderful—but of course there was more to it than that. It was as though having sex with her was like meditating. It had cleared his mind of all negative energy and filled him with positive energy—something he had been lacking for quite awhile.

He thought about how when he was on stage he was always in the moment. He concentrated all of his energy on entertaining the audience. He became one with the audience and nothing else mattered, not yesterday or tomorrow, just right then. That is how he felt when he was with her, in the moment and loving every minute of it.

Plus she was so real to him and he needed her. He was going to ask her to come to California with him and his kids—he still was not sure when that would be. Not tonight though. He looked over at her and could see she was lost in thought. He knew he still had some work to do with her in helping her feel more confident and sure of herself. But he could see that he was slowly but surely breaking down those walls. She was truly the most beautiful and amazing woman he had ever encountered and just looking at her he became aroused again.

He turned his body towards hers and stared into her eyes. He then started to kiss her on the mouth and then moved his lips across her chin up to her earlobe and whispered into her ear, “I want you again Annie.”

She sighed and replied back to him, “I am ready for you my sweet prince.”

She put her arms around him and they moved into each others arms and once again they made sweet, tender love to each other.

Part Eight

After making love a second time Michael and Annie fell asleep in each others’ arms. Michael awoke first. As much as he would have loved to spend the entire night with her he knew he needed to be there when his kids woke up. They were too young to understand this part of Michael and Annie’s relationship. At least Michael felt they were too young.

But before he woke her up he watched her sleeping for a few minutes more. She looked so peaceful and serene. She had a lovely smile on her face and her curly hair was still spread out on the pillow in the halo formation from before.

Reluctantly he bent down and kissed her on the lips and sang to her a made up song, “Wake up sleeping beauty, wake up my pretty one.”

Annie opened her eyes slowly to be greeted by Michael’s beautiful brown eyes gazing down at her. “Must we get up?” she said sleepily.

“I am afraid so my beautiful girl. It’s late and I have to get back to the hotel. I don’t want the kids to be there in the morning without me.”

“Of course I understand Michael. I guess I was being selfish.” She smiled at him and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her so that she could kiss him on the lips. He acquiesced willingly.

“Okay my sweet Michael,” she said after the kiss.

He rolled off the bed and she watched his nude body in fascination as he gathered his clothes from the floor and started to get dressed. He had his jeans and shirt on and Annie arose from the bed and threw on a robe and came over to him.

“Let me button this up for you,” she said. She wanted to be close to him again before he was fully clothed again. As she buttoned the shirt up for him they stared into each others’ eyes yet again.

She spoke, “I had such a wonderful night Michael.”

“Me too,” he said and kissed her on her nose.

“Would you like to have dinner with the kids and me again tomorrow night?”

“Yes, that sounds good. I can’t get enough of seeing them, and obviously you too,” she said teasing him.

He laughed as he put his jacket on and slipped into his shoes, “Why thank you madam. I guess I have to get used to taking second place to them. They are so much cuter than me! I guess I am ready.”

He turned toward her and she took him by the hand and led him toward the door. “Before you leave I want to show you something,” she said.

“All right, lead the way girl.”

She led him out the door and towards her little artists’ nook. He could see she had three drawings she was working on. He reached into his jacket pocket and took out his glasses and put them on to get a closer look. Upon closer observation a big smile spread across his face. They were pictures of each of his children.

The first one was of Paris. She was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and she was in a field of flowers chasing a butterfly, her golden hair blowing in the wind as she ran. The butterfly was just about to alight on her outstretched hand.

The second one was of Prince. He was standing with an old fashioned film camera in his hands. He had a look of deep concentration on his face and he was standing next to one of those director’s chairs with his name printed on the back. He had a beret on—sort of like what a foreign film director might wear.

The third picture was of course of his youngest, Blanket. He was in motion, just like in real life. He had a look of joy on his face and he was doing the moonwalk, one hand had a sparkly glove on and the other hand held a hat similar to the one Michael wore when singing Billy Jean.

“Wow. They are great. So beautiful and life like,” he said in awe.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “I wanted to show you that I am working on my art.”

He looked at her and pulled her closer to him. “Again, I am sorry I upset you last night. I was out of line when I said those things.”

“No you weren’t. I just want you to understand that I do think of it more than just a hobby. It’s just that…I am a little shy about showing it to the world.”

“Are these for my children?” he said.

“Yes, they are. But they are not finished yet. I want it to be a surprise so daddy must keep a secret,” she said.

“Ok, I will Annie, I promise! And Annie, you are very talented and when you are ready to show the world you will take them by storm, I am sure of it,” he gave her a warm kiss on the lips and held her in his arms as he continued to look at each of the pictures in total amazement. “I love them,” he said. “And I know they are going to love them also.”

She could hear a touch of emotion in his voice and once again he amazed her. He was getting choked up looking at her drawings of his kids. And then the more she thought of it she started to get choked up too. He pulled her into a hug and whispered in her ear, “Thank you, Annie!”

She whispered back, “Your welcome, Michael.”

"Let me call Peter to come for me.” Michael closed his cell phone and said, “He should be here in a few minutes. He actually is out driving around; he went to get something to eat.”

They spent the time waiting for Peter sitting on the couch quietly, holding each other. Then there was the knock on the door and they got up and they held each other and kissed. “I love you Michael, good night,” Annie said.

And of course Michael said, “I love you more Annie, good night.”

Michael opened the door and there was Peter waiting patiently. “Hello Miss Walker,” he said politely.

“Hello Peter. Lovely night isn’t it,” she said smiling.

“Yes Miss Walker it is indeed.” Michael and Annie boldly kissed each other quickly as an amused Peter stood by. Neither of them seemed to care. And then Annie watched them walk down the short hall to the elevator and then they were gone.

Part Nine

Meanwhile in another part of Manhattan, not too far away from Annie’s apartment…

“Hot damn Suzie that was great!” Jerry Stone exclaimed breathing heavily as he rolled over on to his side of the bed. Suzie Alvarez propped some pillows up and reclined against the head board.

“So what do you think of my plan Jerry?” she said after a few minutes.

“It’s not bad in theory baby. But Jackson is known to always have a cadre of body guards surrounding him and I am telling you they are big guys. Didn’t you notice them when he came to the store?” Jerry said in reply.

“No not really. He did have a big sedan pull up to get him and I think there was at least one guy. Oh yeah, I forgot, the first time he came there were a lot of paparazzi and there were a couple more body guards with him that time.”

Jerry, being a member of the paparazzi recalled the incident, he was there. Afterwards Jerry had done some research on Suzie and then sought her out at the bar a week ago, he had hoped to at least score some pictures of Jackson but sex with Suzie had been an added bonus.

“See that’s what makes getting the shot so hard,” he said to Suzie as he lazily rubbed her thighs up and down.

“But that’s what makes this a good idea because I don’t think they will be there with him all of the time. So there may be a chance if we could get him alone, I could you know, come onto him. And then get him into an embarrassing situation and bingo you come along and snap the picture. There will be other media there, but legitimate media to cover the event for my mother. I can just tell my mother that you are a photographer for a major media outlet and she won’t care—I am taking care of most of the details anyways so I can get you on the list. What do you say Jerry? And then after you get your shot you can take me to LA with you and introduce me to some of your contacts.” She was becoming distracted as he started to move his hand further up on her thighs.

“Okay baby why the hell not, it may pan out to something. And hey, will there be food?” he said.

“Of course, top notch food and an open bar,” Suzie said.

“Well then I am definitely in. Now let’s get back to the business at hand,” he said grabbing her into an embrace and sliding her down onto her back.

 Part Ten

Annie felt like she was walking on air the next day at the toy store. Alone in her back office Annie closed her eyes and relived the feeling of Michael’s hands caressing her body. She was brought out of her reverie when she heard Gloria’s voice, “Annie I was just wandering if you will need an extra ticket to Suzie’s party?”

Annie’s mind was racing trying to come back down to earth from her previous daydream. “Pa..pardon me, an extra ticket?” she stuttered.

“You know, if you would like to bring a date,” Gloria said.

By now she had entered Annie’s office and was standing next to Annie’s desk. Annie blushed and wandered if Gloria had observed her with her eyes closed—sitting there daydreaming.

Gloria continued, “It just seems dear, as though you have a significant other in your life. You have been flitting around the store for the last week or so with a silly smile on your face and the way you rush out of the store at six precisely I just assumed there may be a new man in your life.”

Annie was rather taken aback at this development. Had she been that obvious? Did Gloria know it was Michael and just egging her on? Play it cool Annie and everything will be fine she nervously said to herself.

And then suddenly she thought of Michael and how he made her feel so free and confident and happy. How he empowered her and she said to her, “Gloria I have no idea what you are talking about. If I appear happier it’s just that I feel like I am finally okay with my father’s death and I just decided to move on with my life. I am flying solo to Suzie’s party.”

And besides that, Annie thought to herself, my significant other already has a ticket! “Now if you will excuse me I have to call in some orders this morning,” Annie finished.

“Hmm…very well Annie, I was just checking,” and with that Gloria turned around and came back out to the front of the store. Her gut feeling was that there was something up with her stepdaughter. She wasn’t sure why it mattered to her so much. But lately Gloria had given some thought to their relationship. She knew from the beginning of her relationship with Annie’s father that Annie didn’t like her. When he was alive it didn’t bother her as much as now that he was dead. Gloria had thought recently that she should try to get closer to Annie. Perhaps go out to eat with her and discuss with her how she really felt about her father.

Perhaps they didn’t have a big romance, but Gloria had loved him in her own way. He had been the first man that actually respected her opinion and thought she was smart. The other men that she had been married to in the past had been a lot richer than Annie’s father and a lot older and therefore they treated her like a daughter more than a wife or partner. She actually loved running the toy store. And she was good at it. She had given the loan to her husband because she genuinely wanted the toy store to thrive and when she had told him of some of her new ideas to renovate the store—update it—he had been excited too. In the back of her mind she felt threatened by Annie. If as though somehow Annie was going to try to take it away from her. Her lawyer had said without a will and because of the loan, she should be able to operate the store on her own.

Gloria sighed. Perhaps if Annie did have some sort of boyfriend there was some sort of chance that she would get married and go off and live with him in upstate New York or something. Wouldn’t that be grand? Till then Gloria would have to just wait it out for a bit.

Part Eleven

At the end of the day instead of rushing out Annie tried to be nonchalant and take her time leaving. After her conversation with Gloria this morning she didn’t want to appear over anxious. She calmly said “Good night,” as she walked to the door. She could feel Gloria watching her as she left the store. She started to walk away briskly and she was so paranoid and distraught that she felt like someone was watching her as she strode up the block.

She was about a couple of blocks away when she felt someone gently grab her arm from behind. It startled her and she automatically elbowed the person who did it. “Oomph…thank you Miss Walker for almost taking my kidney out.”

She recognized the voice almost immediately and when she relaxed she recognized his familiar scent. She turned around and exclaimed, “Michael!” and almost burst out laughing, but managed to keep her demeanor.

Michael was in disguise. He had a New York Yankees baseball cap on and a pair of dark sunglasses. His hair was tied back in a tight ponytail with most of it tucked into his jacket. He had fake sideburns and he was wearing a bushy black mustache. But perhaps the funniest part of the disguise was a pair of fake buck teeth in his mouth.

He raised his sunglasses so that she could see his eyes and he smiled and winked at her saying “Hello Annie!” She covered her mouth to smother her giggles.

She looked toward the street and then behind her to make sure there was no one around that she knew and then said to him, “Michael where’s Peter?”

“I told Peter and Bill that I wanted to get out and walk with you Annie.”

“Michael, do you think that is wise?” she said as they started to weave their way down the crowded Manhattan streets. He looked at her and seemingly ignored her question.

“Don’t you usually take the subway home Annie?”

“Michael if you are thinking what I think you are thinking…,” she said.

“Annie let me take the subway home with you today.”

She pulled him over to the side away from the crowds against a building. “Michael I don’t know…what if someone recognized you?”

“No one is going to notice me in this sea of people Annie. C’mon girl, let me have an adventure. Please?!” he quietly said to her.

She relented. “What’s Bill going to say about this?” she said.

“He won’t like it! But he won’t stop me,” Michael replied with a mischievous grin.

“Okay Michael. Let’s go ride the subway!”

Michael got his cell phone out of his pocket and proceeded to tell his security guard what he was about to do. She listened in as he reassured Bill everything was going to be all right.

“Meet us at Annie’s apartment. She is going to get dressed and then you can have Peter take us to the hotel.”

He cut the call off before Bill could convince Michael otherwise. He pocketed the cell phone and took her arm in his and said, “Lead the way my dear.”

She groaned, hopefully they wouldn’t regret this later. “Now Michael, promise you won’t let go of my hand. Stay close.”

She felt like she was instructing a child. He had this look of utter joy and freedom on his face. Who would think that the mere prospect of a New York subway ride would give one person such joy?

He leaned in and sang in a whisper in her ear “Whatever happens, don’t let go of my hand….”

She started to pull him back out into the fray of Manhattan’s crowded sidewalks. She observed him looking around as inconspicuously as possible at the people hurrying by and at the store windows. She thought to herself, this is kind of exciting. I am walking around with Michael Jackson and no one is the wiser. At least she hoped so. Just relax Annie. He could conceivably blend into the crowd. Then she suddenly remembered the conversation that she overheard on the subway where the two men were ridiculing and making fun of Michael and she got a sick feeling in her stomach. She hoped they wouldn’t run into anything like that on this trip. She said a silent prayer.

She once again pulled him over to the side. “What’s wrong Annie,” Michael asked oblivious to her nervousness about this whole trip.

“Michael are you sure you want to do this? There are a lot of weird and disturbing people on the subway.”

He laughed. “Annie you ride it everyday and you are not afraid. And yes, I really, really want to do this.” He had a semi serious, semi excited look to him. How could she disappoint him?

She groaned inwardly and pulled him back out onto the crowded sidewalks. They arrived at the subway station entrance. She explained to him, “Here’s where we go down. We will have to buy you a Metrocard. It’s on me,” she said smiling. She grabbed his arm and held on to him tightly as they descended the stairs. There was no station attendant so they had to purchase the Metrocard from a vending machine.

                                                                                  

She pulled some dollar bills out of her pocket. Michael said to her, “Hey let me do it.” She laughed in spite of still being slightly nervous about what they were going to do. Michael successfully purchased his Metrocard and she pulled him toward the turnstile.

She went first. She had already dug out her card while Michael was purchasing his. She swiped it and pushed the turnstile and went on through and waited for him to come through next. Of course he had trouble with his card. He swiped it and it was rejected.

“Do it slower,” she instructed him. And again another reject. Annie nervously looked around. It was crowded, rush hour in Manhattan. Everyone was anxious to get home to their loved ones Annie thought. She looked over his shoulder to see what kind of reaction this was getting from those behind him. New Yorkers could get mean sometimes if there was a holdup.

Standing behind Michael was a young boy. Perhaps 13 years old or so. He was close in age to Michael’s Prince.

“Hey mister, let me help you. I’m an expert.”

She became a little bit alarmed when the kid took the card out of Michael’s hand and proceeded to swipe it for him. But he then pushed Michael through the turnstile, smiled at him and politely handed the card back to Michael. He then swiped his own card and proceeded through also.

Michael motioned to the kid and all three of them pulled over to the side out of the way of those coming up behind them.

“Hey, thanks brother,” Michael said taking the kid’s hand and doing a fancy handshake with him.

The kid said “No problem mister,” and then blended back into the crowd.

“And they say New Yorkers are rude,” Michael said to her, a big smile on his face. She was thinking that the kid had a strange look on his face as he shook Michael’s hand, as if he almost recognized Michael.

She took Michael's arm and started to move towards where they needed to descend yet again to get to the train platform. Along the way of course there was yet another fascinating distraction for Michael. There was a street performer on the platform. She was a violinist. Annie had seen her before. She was quite good. Her instrument case was open on the platform floor and it was filling up with tips. Plus there was a small crowd gathered around. Annie could tell Michael wanted to stop so they did. He was entranced as he listened to her play. After she was done the crowd politely clapped and some threw money down into the case.

Michael gestured to Annie and she leaned in closer. “Do you have a piece of paper Annie?” She looked in her purse and dug out a piece of scrap paper. He scribbled a note on it—what he said she could not see—but then he reached into his pocket and pulled out some bills. He took the bills and folded them up into a square with the note firmly inserted and threw it down into the case.

“Very good,” he said to the violinist, “Mozart right?” he said to her.

“Thank you sir,” she said, “And yes, Violin Sonata number 35.”

“Your welcome, keep making music,” he said to her and Annie took Michael’s arm and guided him toward a less noisy part of the platform to wait for the train. She later found out from Michael that he had thrown $50 in the case along with a note, signed Michael Jackson.

Even in this ridiculous disguise she was attracted to him. It kind of felt exhilarating being able to be out in the open with him. She drew herself closer to him kissed him tenderly on the cheek and whispered in his ear, “Having fun Michael?”

He lifted his sunglasses and looked into her eyes. And then he leaned closer to her and reciprocated the kiss and whispered in her ear, “The time of my life!” and winked at her again.

Part Twelve

The train arrived and it was standing room only. They stood side by side holding onto each other and their free hands holding onto a strap above so they would not lose their balance. She had told him on the platform that it was just a few stops up. When they drew closer she motioned to him to get closer to the door. The train stopped and they both walked off together arm in arm.

They went up the stairs together and back out onto the street. Here in a more residential part of the city the sidewalks were less congested with throngs of people. It was a few blocks up to her apartment and they walked arm in arm. For some reason she was not as hyper as when they first started off on this journey.

Finally they were in the safe confines of her apartment building lobby. There was Charles her doorman. “Good evening Miss Walker and…Mr. Jackson?”

“Hey Charles!” Michael exclaimed as they got on the elevator. As they rode up in the elevator Annie rested her head on his shoulder. They were at her door and then inside.

She turned to him and they embraced each other. “Did you have fun on your adventure,” she said laughing.

“It was exhilarating! Thank you Annie, I love you!”

“I love you too Michael!” she said as she took his hat off and he took out the fake teeth. And then they kissed. She giggled.

“Your fake mustache is tickling me,” she said.

He laughed. “Let me see if I can take my costume off, and then I will be right back.”

“In the meanwhile I will get dressed,” she said. She went off toward the bedroom and he towards the bathroom.

They met each other as they both came out into the little hallway. Gone was the disguise.

“Much better, however you have to take these off so I can see your beautiful eyes,” Annie said as she took off his sunglasses and then slid into his welcoming embrace. She handed the glasses back to him and he placed them into his coat pocket.

“This is the Michael I know and love,” she said and then kissed him. They walked back towards her living room.

“You ready to go Annie?” Michael questioned her.

“Yes. I went to my corner deli this morning before I took off for work and got some stuff for dessert. I know; I know…you don’t like to give them lots of sweets. But let me spoil them, please?” she said to him.

He came up behind her in the kitchen and gave her a hug from behind and whispered in her ear, “How can I be the bad guy, so please spoil them!”

Michael went to call Peter and Bill to see if they were downstairs yet and sure enough they were waiting for them. They left the apartment together and headed to Michael’s hotel suite.

When Annie walked into the suite with Michael his children ran to the door and greeted them. But Michael sat back and laughed as they seemed to be more excited at seeing Annie than Michael.

“Annie, Annie,” they shouted as they practically leaped into her welcoming arms for a big hug.

“Hey guys, guess what I brought us for dessert?”

“Brownies,” Prince asked.

“Or maybe cookies,” Blanket said wide eyed.

“How about ice cream,” Paris said giggling.

“How about all three,” Annie said teasingly. She then started to tickle all three of them.

Michael watched closely as his children cavorted with the love of his life. He had decided that tonight he was going to ask her to come to California with them. He wasn’t sure what her response would be but he knew he loved her more than any other before her and he needed to tell her how he felt.

“Hey Annie you certainly know the way to my kids hearts—dessert!”

He jumped in and started to tickle all of them, Annie included, till they were all rolling on the floor unable to stop, much less control their giggling.

Part Thirteen

Annie had brought her camera with her tonight. She wanted to get lots of pictures of all of them. She was trying to remain upbeat and happy today but the prospect of them leaving her soon was starting to make her melancholic. That’s why she wanted to get the pictures; so that she would always have something special to remember this time they spent together. She took several of them before they sat down for dinner.

After dinner, they all sat on the couch and talked. The kids were excited because Julie, the nanny, was taking them to the Natural History Museum tomorrow afternoon. Without Michael the children were just like any other kids out with their nanny on a field trip, virtually unrecognizable.

Since Annie had been their many times before, since she was a kid herself, she was giving them some ideas of what to look for.

“I wish that you could come with us Annie, that would be cool,” Paris said sitting next to Annie.

“I have to work sweetie otherwise I would be there right with you guys,” Annie said hugging her.

Paris looked up and noticed that her father had left the room momentarily. “We wish that daddy could come with us too. But he can’t. Not just because he is working, but because when he goes out with us we have to cover our faces and people won’t let him alone and there’s guys with cameras. Daddy usually gets sad for a few days when that happens.”

It was so sad to hear Paris say this. It affected Annie very deeply. “I am sure he would love to be able to come with you guys, I am sorry he can’t,” she said hugging Paris even closer.

Annie was recalling her and Michael’s trip on the subway earlier this evening. Ordinary everyday events seemed so far from his grasp. Just as this trip to the museum was, unless he had the museum cleared out for an evening and took them there. But she got the feeling that he didn’t always like to do that sort of thing. It made him appear to be some sort of egotistical celebrity. All he really wanted was some normalcy.

Michael walked back into the room and then came and sat down on the couch with the rest of them huddled around Annie. “What are you guys talking about?” Michael said as he put his arm around Annie.

“We are talking about the Museum of Natural History and what I think they should look for there.”

“Oh cool. You guys bring me back something special. A souvenir, got it?” he said teasingly.

“We will, we promised,” Prince said.

Then Blanket came around and sat on Michael’s lap. “Annie said there are dinosaur bones at the museum daddy!”

“Wow cool,” Michael said, giving Blanket a hug. “Don’t bring me home one of those,” Michael said.

“Oh daddy,” Paris said in mock disgust!

“Hey how about we have some of Annie’s desserts that she brought?” Michael asked them all. “

"Yeah,” they all shouted, including Annie!

Later on, after bedtime stories and kisses goodnight with the kids, Annie lay in Michael’s arms on his bed. They were listening to music and were talking quietly. Annie relayed to Michael her conversation about the extra ticket and how Gloria thought that Annie had a significant other.

“I am sorry that you had to feel obligated to attend the event at all,” Annie told Michael

“Don’t worry Annie, it happens to be a charity that is near and dear to my heart and I already had one of my assistants give them some autographed items. I don’t mind going.”

“You don’t like these kinds of things—why not?” he asked.

“I don’t know I guess because I don’t like a lot of Gloria’s friends. They tend to be arrogant and snobby because they have money. Besides that I don’t feel like I fit in. I feel like I can’t compete with all of the beautiful women all dressed up and looking gorgeous. But hearing it from your viewpoint I guess you are right it is for a good cause. And besides when I get bored all I will have to do is look for you among the guests and then you can smile at me and that will give me strength,” she laughed.

“It’s a deal girl!” Michael said. “But Annie, you won’t have to compete. You will be the most beautiful woman there," and then he kissed her on the top of her head.

“Annie, they don’t have to know about us, but if they found out, would that be the worse thing that ever happened?”

“No, not necessarily,” Annie said. “It’s just that…I don’t know…I guess I still want it to be our secret Michael. I don’t want the outside world to know about us just yet. I am enjoying our time together. It’s like we are in our own little world. I guess I don’t want our time together to ever end and I don’t want the real world to intrude on it either.”

Michael squeezed her a little harder pulling her in next to him. Annie buried her face into his chest, her favorite place to be when she was in his arms. She breathed in his scent. She felt so protected, so one with him. No one could hurt them if they just hid away from the world.

Part Fourteen

“Annie are you afraid of what the world will say if they find out you are with me?” Michael said to her. She sat up and rested her back against the headboard of the bed. Michael now laid his head on her chest as she threaded her fingers through his hair.

“I am not like you Michael. I never had a lot of outside attention paid to me. I’ve never been in the spotlight. Yes, I am afraid of what the world will say about me, speculate about whom I am and what am I doing with you, cameras flashing wherever we go. And I guess I am concerned about giving up some of my freedom.”

“It sounds so selfish now that I said it aloud,” she said sadly. He sat up next to her, his back against the backboard. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. I have been told it’s hard to love me,” he said rather forlornly.

She took his hand in hers and squeezed it. “Michael it’s easy to love you—you are a wonderfully warm and lovable human being. Perhaps it’s just hard to have a relationship with you,” she smiled at him and laughed.

She put him at ease and he continued, “I know what its like—but I’ve told you before, it’s my reality. I try to shield my kids from it as much as possible. And if you wanted me to, I would try to do the same for you.”

“Annie, I have something to ask you,” he said. His voice had that deep serious tone to it.

“What is it Michael?” she said looking into his eyes.

“Annie, come live with us in California.”

She looked into his eyes and started to say his name, “Michael….”

But he interrupted her before she could continue, “Move to California and live with me and my children,” he said. “I love you—my children love you even more. Come live with us.”

As usual staring into his eyes was like staring straight into his soul. “Michael,” she said tentatively and then continued on, “I have a life in New York…”

“But you said you didn’t want this to end….I don’t want it to end either and this is so it won’t end,” he said in an emotional filled voice.

“But I have a job, my father just died, there’s the toy store….I don’t know,” she said.

She looked into his eyes again and then said quietly, “What would I do there?”

“Well, here’s what I was thinking,” he said to her. She could hear a little bit of excitement in his voice. “We could make a studio space for you so that you could draw. You could concentrate on your art. You had mentioned that you were interested in illustrating a children’s book or work at illustrating a graphic novel, here’s your chance at being able to concentrate on it full time. No outside distractions.”

She drew herself closer to him and sensing she wanted to be held he drew her into an embrace. Her head lay gently on his chest and his arms were firmly wrapped around her and then she asked him another question, “Where would I sleep?”

He kissed her on top of her head and smiled—he knew she couldn’t see him so it was like he was smiling to himself! “You would have your own room,” he said quietly.

He took his hand and caressed her face and moved her head so that she was looking at him. “I don’t want you to think that I am installing you in my house to…you know…be my…,” he blushed slightly. “I want you to have your own space. I want us to get know even more about each other. I don’t want to rush. I have already been married twice and I feel like I want us to get to know each other better. Kind of like a courtship. But I have to admit, the other night, when we made love, it was incredible, but I don’t want you to think that is why I am asking you to do this.”

“One more thing too…I know you love my children. I can tell. I know they would love to have you around. I know especially Paris would love to have another woman in the house—a girlfriend perhaps,” he said smiling. “You would be able to spend time with them. I know you would enjoy that Annie.”

She reached up and placed her hands on either side of his face and kissed him. She was touched beyond belief that he had asked her to come live with him and his children. “Michael I am speechless. I don’t know what to say? You are leaving on Monday afternoon, you know I couldn’t possibly be ready by then?” she said.

“I know. You could follow us. But the sooner the better!” he said.

She buried her head into his chest and closed her eyes. Her heart was beating a mile a minute. She couldn’t think straight. What were the pros and cons? “I need a little bit of time to make a decision. Could I have little bit of time?” she said quietly into his chest.

He pulled her up so that she was looking at him again. “If you need some time, I understand. But I just want you to know that change is good for the soul Annie. Just keep that in mind!”

“I will call you in the morning,” she said. “But I do love you, and, if I were to say yes, well…I love that you want me to have my own room, but I would not be opposed to visiting rights between rooms.”

He started to laugh. “I am sure we can work something out!”

Part Fifteen

“Do you want to go home right now Annie?” Michael asked quietly.

“It’s still early,” Annie said. “I don’t mind staying a little bit longer,” she burrowed her face into his chest again and he pulled her into him, tighter. He then kissed the top of her head. “Can we just cuddle tonight?” she asked him quietly.

“Of course we can girl,” he gently moved his hands up and down her arms. “How about I pull up the quilt and we can just rest here for awhile. It’s been an eventful day my sweet, beautiful girl,” he whispered in her ear.

Michael felt like he was floating on air. She had not said yes, but she certainly had not said no. And she was definitely intrigued—he knew this by her questions to him. She had revealed some of her fears to him and he understood that she would be sacrificing some of her everyday freedoms becoming involved with him. But one of the reasons he loved her so much was that she helped bring him down to earth. She was not of his world…she was sensible and smart—and she wanted nothing from him but his love. She was good for him and he felt strongly that in a lot of ways he was good for her. He added some excitement to her life and he made her think about who she was and what she could be. Michael felt confident that she would say yes.

Annie’s head was still spinning. She wasn’t really expecting him to ask her to come live with him, considering that they had made love to each for the first time just last night. But he had not asked her to marry him. He said he wanted to take it slowly, get to know each other more. He had called it a courtship. She liked that.

He was a very different kind of man from the ones she had dated before. Michael was a true gentleman. That sounded so corny, but she didn’t care. It was just one of the many things she truly loved about him. Then there was the offer of a room for her and her own studio space. He was so generous and caring. He took great care in helping her cultivate her art.

She had told him that she had to think about it. What was actually holding her back from saying yes? The toy store? Gloria was not the most pleasant person to be around, but she did seem to operate the toy store quite efficiently. What about her father? She had grieved for him for the last few months. She still missed him, but the ache in her heart had subsided quite a bit since she had met Michael. She still couldn’t believe her father had not filed a will. He was a bit of a dreamer—but still she never thought of him as negligent or irresponsible. But they had searched and nothing came up. She had started to think, would it be the end of the world if she moved on? Let Gloria operate the store. There really didn’t seem to be anything or anyone stopping her from moving to California to live with Michael, except perhaps herself. Even though she lived by herself and had for quite awhile, she had never really declared her independence. She had been looking for a sign from her father to let her know it was okay to move on, maybe the sign was Michael.

She looked up at Michael, pulling herself away from him slightly. “What is it Annie, are you ready to leave,” Michael said in a mellow, sleepy voice.

“Michael, I don’t need to wait till tomorrow to tell you my answer. The answer is yes. I would love to come live with you and your children in California!”

He was awake suddenly and he broke out into a big smile. “Do you mean it Annie?” he questioned her.

“Yes, yes, yes!” she said laughing, kissing and hugging him.

Part Sixteen

Once the decision was made it was as though Annie had finally let her mind be swept free of all the doubts and misgivings that she had ever had about being involved with Michael Jackson. They had the rest of the week to spend with each other before they were separated for a short time and for the first time since they had started to get serious with each other Annie allowed all outside distractions to fade into the background. When she was not working at the toy store she was with him and his children. And when she finally left the hotel suite to come back to her apartment, Annie spent several hours every day working on finishing the drawings that she planned to present to the kids before they left on Monday.

Michael felt truly that all was right with the world. When they returned to California he and the kids would be staying in the Bel Air Hotel in Los Angeles until he was able to finalize the plans on the house rental—it shouldn’t take too long. Once back in Los Angeles Michael was going to start giving some thought to what his next move would be to get back to work. And in a month’s time Annie would be with them again. That is why for now all he desired was to lose himself in Annie’s eyes and concentrate on the little time they had left before they had to leave New York.

There seemed to be an unwritten rule between the both of them that they no longer speak of the future. Perhaps they were both a bit foolhardy, but they were crazy in love and nothing else seemed to matter except what they were doing right now.

Wednesday afternoon of that week, Jeffrey James sat in his small cubicle, busy transcribing some of his notes on some research he was doing for his father when the love of his life, Kelly Cassidy walked in and sat down in the one other chair in his crowded space.

“Hello beautiful,” he whispered.

“Hello yourself,” she whispered back.

Jeffrey was the son of William James of the law firm James, James, & Peterson. The first James was his grandfather, the second his father. Jeffrey had graduated from law school last year and was currently hard at work studying for the bar exam. His hopes were to become a partner some day in his father’s firm. In the meanwhile he had given Jeffrey some research work in the law office so that he could make a living until he passed the bar.

Kelly was a legal secretary that he had met some three months ago when he started work here. Their relationship had first been lunch buddies. But that soon developed into dinners, and then a true romance blossomed. They were keeping it secret from his father for fear there may be repercussions from human resources.

Then in a normal voice she said, “When is your mom and dad expected back from their cruise?”

“Saturday morning. Why?” he asked trying not to gaze into her sexy eyes too much.

“Well, I think we have something he will truly be excited about,” she said.

He gestured to her to keep going. “Remember the one client he had, passed away like about six months ago or so? A Mister William Walker—owned a toy store in Manhattan?” she questioned Jeffrey.

“Sure, Billy Walker, the Toy Shoppe. They couldn’t locate a will.”

“Well that’s where I come in. They have a temp going through the files and well lo and behold we found William Walker’s last will and testament misfiled!”

“Wow, my dad will be really happy to hear that. His gut instinct was that one had been filed. His father worked on the original, there was some talk that Mr. Walker may have recently updated it because he remarried but no one could remember for sure. He had a daughter, Annie Walker. When I was a kid we used to go in there all the time. My father and Mr. Walker were good friends. Are they sending it over to him?”

“I have it in my hot little hands. I thought perhaps you would like to present it to your father. I kind of knew your father was close to the case and thought you would be pleased.” She laughed and handed over the file to him.

“You are precious,” he said. He quickly looked around. It was lunchtime and the space he was in was pretty much deserted. He quickly gave her a kiss on her cheek and she proceeded to blush profusely.

“You are too much James!” Then she whispered, “See you tonight, around seven, right?”

He blew her a kiss and whispered back, “Yes—see you then.” And then in a normal voice, “Thank you Miss Cassidy. I will make sure my dad sees this first thing when I see him on Saturday afternoon when they return from their cruise."

"Thank you Mr. James," Kelly said and winked at Jeffrey and left the cubicle.

 Whatever Happens

Speechless

You Rock My World

The Way You Love Me

By Scrantonmjfan