chapter ⅩⅠⅤ

𝓷𝓮𝔁𝓽 𝓭𝓪𝔂 - 𝓶𝓲𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓮𝓵'𝓼 𝓹𝓸𝓿

Michael sat at the kitchen table, nursing his second cup of coffee while the morning sunlight filtered through the lace curtains. Katherine stood by the stove, stirring a pot of oatmeal, her gentle presence filling the room with warmth.

He tapped his fingers against the ceramic mug, trying to find the right words. Finally, he cleared his throat.

"Mama... I been thinkin' about asking Giselle to marry me."

Katherine's spoon paused mid-stir, a soft smile spreading across her face. She turned to face him fully, wiping her hands on her apron.

"Oh, Michael... that's wonderful news, baby." Her eyes softened. "I've been waiting for you to say that."

Michael gave a shy smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "I want it to be perfect, Mama. Something special... something she'll never forget."

Katherine walked over, resting her hand on his shoulder. "We can fix up the gazebo by the pond. Your sisters and I will handle everything." She squeezed his shoulder gently. "You just need to keep her busy while we get it ready."

Michael's eyes flickered with relief. "You really think she'll say yes?"

Katherine smiled warmly. "That girl loves you, Michael. I see it every time she looks at you."

He nodded slowly, his heart swelling at the thought of Giselle becoming his wife.

"Alright," he finally said. "I'll take her out into town for the day... keep her distracted."

Katherine patted his shoulder. "We'll take care of everything. By the time you two get back, it'll be ready."

Michael leaned back in his chair, his mind already racing with how he'd pull it all together. This was finally happening—he was going to ask Giselle to be his forever.

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Giselle's POV

The soft scent of coffee and warm pancakes pulled me out of my sleep. My eyes fluttered open, and the first thing I saw was him — standing by the window with the early morning sun kissing his bare chest, holding a silver tray with breakfast.

"Good morning, baby girl," Michael said in that soft, low voice that always made me weak.

I stretched under the silk sheets, my body still sore from the night before. A lazy smile crept on my lips. "Morning... What's all this?"

He walked over to the bed, placing the tray on my lap. Pancakes stacked high with syrup dripping down the sides, fresh orange juice, coffee — he even added strawberries shaped like little hearts.

"I just wanted to spoil my girl today," he whispered, leaning down to press a kiss on my forehead.

I bit my lip, trying not to melt right there. This man... he was too much.

He sat on the edge of the bed, watching me with that small smile on his lips, like he was holding something back.

"What's got you in such a good mood?" I teased, cutting into my pancakes.

He chuckled, brushing his fingers along my bare thigh under the sheets.

"Can't I just treat my girl without a reason?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, knowing damn well Michael Jackson never did anything without a reason. But I let it slide.

"Actually..." he started, playing with a curl from my hair. "I was thinking... we could spend the whole day together."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Just me and you," he continued, voice soft. "I wanna show you something... something special."

I tilted my head, a little smile playing on my lips.

"What is it?"

He smirked, brushing his thumb across my lips.

"You'll see..."

𝓛𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓓𝓪𝔂

Michael kept his hand on the small of my back as we walked through the ranch, leading me toward a hidden path I hadn't seen before.

"You've been here for weeks, and I still haven't shown you all my babies," he said with a little grin.

I giggled. "Babies?"

He nodded. "I got all kinds of animals here, Gigi... llamas, giraffes, flamingos... even a snake."

My eyes widened. "A snake?"

Michael glanced at me from the side, smirking.

"You like snakes... don't you?"

I froze, my fingers automatically reaching up to touch the little snake pendant necklace he gave me on our first date.

His smirk deepened.

"Thought so."

We spent the whole afternoon wandering through the mini zoo.

I met Muscles the boa constrictor, the giraffes, the flamingos — and finally Bubbles.

Michael's whole face lit up when he brought out that little chimp, holding him like a baby.

"This is my best friend," he said softly, scratching Bubbles behind his ears.

I couldn't help but smile. Seeing him like this... so tender and vulnerable with his animals made me fall even harder.

Bubbles climbed out of Michael's arms and onto mine, wrapping his little arms around my neck.

Michael's eyes softened.

"He likes you."

I smiled, holding the little monkey close. "Guess I'm part of the family now, huh?"

Michael's eyes flicked down to my necklace, his expression unreadable for a second.

"Yeah... you are."

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We got back to the house just as the sun dipped behind the hills.

I was exhausted but happy, still giggling from how Bubbles almost stole my sunglasses.

Michael led me to the room, helping me out of my jacket.

"Did you have a good day?" he asked softly, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind.

"The best," I whispered, leaning into his chest.

He kissed the back of my neck, slowly, like he was savoring me.

"You deserve it, baby girl."

His fingers traced the snake pendant around my neck again.

"Tomorrow..." he murmured, voice dropping to that deep, low octave that always made me weak.

Michael kept me distracted all damn day.

First, he took me on a picnic by the pond. Then we went horseback riding again. He even let me win in a little race — though I knew he was faster.

I noticed Katherine, Janet, and Latoya sneaking around with flowers and fairy lights, but every time I tried to ask, Michael would kiss me or pull me into some new activity.

By the time the sun was setting, I was too tired to even think.

That's when Michael took my hand... and led me toward the pond.