1st of October, 1995
Brooklyn and Janet are 29, Michael is 37

Michael: Brooke clung onto Chris's arm as she cried on his bare chest.

I looked away. Seeing my wife grieving hurt. I let a few tears roll down my cheeks.

Cynthia cried as well, but hid her face from us.

She cleared her throat, "They told me that as his lawful spouse I have to decide whether to take him off life support or not... You have to believe me when I say I can't do it, but I can't see him suffer, either... Being all hooked up like this. It's wrong."

"No! Cyn, come on, he might wake up!" my wife protested, still clutching onto her lifeless brother's arm.

She was denying his death, and it was completely understandable. It shocked us all, it happened so suddenly.

"Baby..." I said, walking over to her. "He won't wake up, you heard the nurse..."

"Michael, look at him. He's breathing. He's alive."

"He's on life support, Brooke. Those are machines breathing for him." Cynthia mumbled.

Brooklyn shook her head violently before putting her head on Chris's chest again.

I sighed and tried to pull her away.
"You- you have to let him go, babe."

She pushed me off, accidentally hitting me from time to time.

At some point she was all out of powers and gave in. I hugged her, whispering calming things in her ear.

"I didn't even tell him I love him." she cried.

Cynthia excused herself and left the room.

Scared that I might break down again, I looked away from Chris's body. I had to be strong for my wife, no matter how much I was hurting at the loss of my brother-in-law, and one of the greatest friends I ever had.

~

Janet: Mother smiled, watching Joseph and Kate play together.

"I'm so happy for you, honey. Look at you, settling down," she said. "Where did Brandon go?"

"Bill called him, said he had to come to the hospital." I shrugged.

Someone probably saw Michael and it's a mad house over there.

"Did you tell Brooke about the engagement?" mother asked.

"No. Didn't have time." I answered.

I wanted to tell her about probably the most important event that recently occurred, but I knew her and my brother were busy, and I didn't have much time, either.

I heard the front door open. Brandon walked in to the house with Jason sleeping peacefully in his arms.

Scrunching my eyebrows, I spoke quietly, "Bill called you to take Jason?"

"I'll explain in a sec." he mumbled, avoiding my eyes.

I watched him disappear upstairs quickly.

"What's up with him?" Joseph said.

I shook my head, oblivious.

Brandon soon returned to the living room. I finally met his eyes; they were filled with sadness.

I saw him blink away some tears before turning to Kate with a smile on his face.

He picked her up and hugged her tight.

"I missed you, Katie. Daddy loves you so much." he whispered, planting kisses all over her little face.

"Da-da!" she scoffed, obviously irritated that he interrupted her play session with her grandpa.

What is going on with him?

If all this wasn't enough, the next thing I knew his lips attached with mine, into a deep kiss.

"Brandon!" mother scolded.

I was just easing into his touch as he pulled away.

"Can you please tell me why you're like this?"

"Can't I show love to my woman and daughter?" he asked.

I smiled at his words, though I was still very curious.

"Just tell me already." I said.

He sighed and sat down, "It's Chris. He was in a car accident, and he- Well, he didn't make it. Cynthia called me to take Jason because she didn't want him to wake up in the hospital and ask where his dad is."

Mother gasped. Chris is dead?

Brandon rubbed my back as I tried to process.

Brooklyn must be broken. And Joshua... Oh, God, poor Cynthia.

"Are you okay?" he whispered in my ear.

"Y- yeah, just give me a second."

"This is heartbreaking." Joseph sighed.

"I have to go there. I have to be there for them." I told Brandon.

He nodded.

Mother offered that they'd stay with Kate and Jason, and soon we were on our way to the Santa Ynez Cottage hospital.

~

9th of October, 1995
Brooklyn and Janet are 29, Michael is 37

Michael: "Chris was the best big brother anyone could ask for," Brooklyn sniffled into the microphone. "Ever since we were little he made sure to show me he loves me. He made sure I was always okay. And though sometimes we had our fights, they always ended with a hug. Those are the moments I'll remember. I'll remember how he always used to smile."

She looked down and wiped her tears, then spoke again.

"I love you, Chris. Thank you for being there when I needed you. Thank you for supporting me. I know you're sitting up there with God, looking down at us with a smile on your face, like always. I would like to also thank all of you who came here to support us. Chris would appreciate it. I- Thank you."

She came down from the podium and made her way to her seat in between Joshua and I.

Her and her father hugged.

"Uncle Mike? Can I go up with you? I want to say something about my daddy." Jason whispered in my ear.

I smiled sadly. He seemed to be taking this well for a six-year-old who just lost his father.
He cried when I sat down with him at Janet's house to tell him about it.

But a few days ago he came to live with us for a while, until Cynthia feels better with her loss, he told me things happen for a reason.

What does he know? He's only a little kid. Maybe it's his way of dealing with all this.

"Sure, buddy." I said. He gave me a big smile before jumping off my lap.

I sighed deeply and rubbed Brooke's back, then planted a soft kiss on her cheek.

I took Jason's hand, leading him up to the podium.

Standing there, in front of everyone, made me uneasy.

It's weird how I can go on stage in front of tens of thousands of people and never get stage fright, yet this was nerve-wracking.

I glanced over at the casket where Chris was laying. My heart beat grew faster and I spoke with a shaky voice, "I remember the first time I met Chris. It was in 1975, in the summer. Brooklyn dragged him along with her to my parents' home. I could tell he didn't want to be there, since he didn't really know us, aside from stories he heard. And as an older brother, I can admit that being dragged to your little sister's best friend's house isn't the ideal way to spend your day."

A little bit of laughter came from everyone. Even my wife and Cynthia smiled, something I haven't seen them do since that awful day.

Jason tugged on my jacket, as if to tell me to continue.

"So, when the girls disappeared upstairs, I sat down with him, and we talked until it was time for him and Brooke to go home. He was the most brightest 12-year-old kid I ever met. Ever since that day, when we would see each other, we talked. He quickly turned into one of the people I knew I trusted, and will always have my back.
Then the years passed and he luckily became my brother-in-law.
He was a great one, too. In a way, he became my best friend. I love you, Chris."

I wiped a few tears that I let escape, feeling Jason tug on my jacket again.

With a little bit of struggle, I picked him up so he could speak into the mic.

"I love my daddy. With all my heart. He's such a great daddy. He loves me a lot, too! Mommy told me he's now an angel watching us. I believe it because my daddy was so good." he said.

I saw Cynthia wipe fresh tears. She looked at me as if to ask me to bring Jason to her.

I thanked everyone for coming and being here, then walked down with Jason still in my arms.

I placed him on his mother's lap, hugging her tightly. She buried her face in my shoulder and cried. I closed my eyes, just wishing this day would end.

~

Brooklyn: I hugged another one of Chris's former classmates. He said consoling things, then walked away.

After the ceremony, the family went to the cemetery for the burying, and then we held a gathering for everyone at Neverland.

Jason suggested the idea, since it was one of my brother's favorite places.

Just when someone else approached, I felt nauseous. I excused myself quickly, running to the nearest bathroom.

I crouched down in front of the toilet and puked.

When I was done, I leaned against the cold tile wall. I was a mess, inside and out.

I was crushed by my brother's death. He was gone, forever. And to think I never got to give him one last hug, or say 'I love you'.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Just a second." I mumbled, getting up.

I wiped my mouth and attempted to fix my makeup, before opening the door.

"Oh, I'm sorry for interrupting." a woman said.

I looked up. My blood boiled as I saw Lisa Marie Presley standing in front of me.

She had a slight smirk on her face. Is this some kind of joke?

"Lisa Marie. What are you doing here?" I muttered.

"I heard about what happened. Thought I'd come to comfort Michael." she said.

"He doesn't need comfort from a slut." I snapped.

My hormones were going wild. Choke her, do it.

"Feisty, aren't we? Weird, he always said you were such a sweetheart."

She looked curious for some reason, then the smirk returned to her face, "Looks like you forgot to clean up some of your vomit."

I turned to the mirror and cursed myself. Right beneath my chin, a stain covered the black material I wore.

"Pregnant, huh?" I heard her chuckle.

"How'd you know?"

"Honey, please," she rolled her eyes. "I've been pregnant two times. And unlike someone, I didn't lose any of my children."

God, how I wanted to knock her out. But I couldn't, knowing it wasn't the appropriate time or place.

After cleaning my dress, I turned back to Lisa.

"If you don't mind, I want you out of my house. Just please, let me grieve in peace." I told her.

Passing her, I went to the living room. I found Michael with Jason clutching his hand. He looked bored when my husband talked to someone I didn't recognize.

"Auntie Brooke!" Jason chirped, running to me.

I crouched down to hug him, "Why don't you find your cousins and play with them outside?"

He nodded excitedly, and started his search for the Jackson clan's children.

Michael excused himself then shook the man's hand. He approached me quietly.

I hugged him, feeling his lips on my forehead. All I wanted to do right now is go into bed with him and sleep.

"Did you know Lisa Marie was coming?" I asked.

He pulled away, looking confused. "No. She's here?"

I nodded.

"Well, I'll get someone to get her out." he sighed.

"She's such a bitch." I rudely commented.

"Oh, I know."

"Then why'd you like her?" I questioned.

"Never did. I was just stupidly trying to replace you." my husband said.

I put on a slight smile and kissed him, a bit too passionately.

In the corner of my eye I saw Lisa glaring, jealousy written all over her annoying face.

I bit my bottom lip as I pulled away, trying to hide a victorious smile.

~

I helped Helen and the rest of the staff clean up around the house when the day was finally over.

Michael was putting Jason to sleep as we cleaned in silence. They knew I was doing everything to get my mind off Chris.

"Mrs. Jackson, we got it. Go get some rest, you need it." Helen finally spoke.

And I really did need rest. With my emotional state, my broken heart, and this pregnancy, I was worn out.

I bumped into Michael as I went up the stairs, ready to finish this awful day.

"Hey," his voice was hoarse when he spoke. "Going to bed?"

I nodded. He took my hand in his and pulled me to our bedroom.

We separated only for a few moments so we could both change, then cuddled until I fell asleep in his protecting arms.

~

10th of October, 1995
Brooklyn is 29, Michael is 37

Michael: I woke up from a wet sensation around me.

I rubbed my eyes and pulled the covers to see what it was.

Reaching a hand, totally unaware of what was happening, I felt thick liquid on my fingers.

I hurried to turn the lights on, only to find Brooklyn sleeping in a pool of her own blood.

"Babe, you're bleeding." I said, shaking her shoulder.

"W- what?" she mumbled, slowly waking up.

"You're bleeding." I repeated and observed the giant red stain on the mattress.

She sat up, her face falling immediately, "Not again."

Again?

"I- I'm pregnant. Or at least I was." my wife whispered.

My heart sank. This was another miscarriage.

"We need to get you to the hospital." I stated.

"No. It's useless, Michael. Just help me get cleaned up." she mumbled, the tears forming in her eyes.

As I helped her out of bed, I thought about why she never told me.

Maybe I could've prevented this, if only she said something.

Wondering with myself if I saw the signs and missed them, the sorrow of yet another baby taken away from us washed over me.

~

Brooklyn: I sat inside the bath, feeling the warm water on my back.

Watching the blood wash away and fading quickly, I couldn't help but start to cry.

Michael's soft hands rubbed my shoulders, his lips leaving small kisses on the back of my neck.

"I am so sorry." I said.

"This isn't your fault. You've been under so much the past few days..." he shook his head.

"I love you."

I cried harder when he said that.

How can he still love me? It didn't make any sense, at all. Now with the loss of my brother and another baby, he was more in pain than ever. I could see it right through his brown eyes.

I've caused him so much suffering, yet he stayed with me. Maybe he was better off with Lisa Marie. Someone who can finally give him what he wants.

"Shhh, baby, don't cry... Please... It will work next time." Michael whispered.

And though his words were comforting, I already gave up on ever giving him children.