𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 ⅷ

The ride home from the hospital was quiet and peaceful. Blue Ivy was nestled in her car seat, bundled up in a soft pink blanket, sleeping soundly. Prince sat beside her, watching his baby sister curiously, as if trying to figure out how someone so small could be his responsibility now.

Michael kept one hand on the wheel and the other resting on Giselle's thigh, occasionally glancing at them through the rearview mirror. "How you feelin', baby?" he asked softly.

"Tired," Giselle admitted, leaning her head back against the seat. "But happy." She looked back at Prince, who was still staring at Blue with wide eyes. "What about you, baby? You excited to have her home?"

Prince nodded slowly, then whispered, "She sleeps a lot."

Michael chuckled. "Yeah, she's a newborn, buddy. She'll be sleeping most of the time for a while."

Prince scrunched his nose. "So when can I play with her?"

Giselle smiled. "When she gets a little bigger. For now, you can help me and Daddy take care of her."

Prince seemed to like that answer because he sat up straighter. "Okay! I can do that."

As they pulled up to the house, they saw that the family had already beaten them there. Katherine, Janet, Solange, Aaliyah, Marlon, Chris, and some of the brothers were all waiting outside. The second the car stopped, everyone swarmed around them.

Michael parked and immediately got out to grab the car seat. "Alright, alright, y'all back up a little, let my girls breathe," he said, flashing a proud smile as he carefully lifted Blue out.

Giselle stepped out, stretching, and was immediately pulled into a hug by Solange. "Girl, you did that! I still can't believe she's here," Solange whispered, grinning.

Aaliyah leaned in to look at Blue. "She's so tiny. Oh my God."

Katherine was next to Michael, gently fixing the blanket around the baby. "She's beautiful," she murmured. "Come on inside, let's get y'all settled."

They all moved inside, Michael carrying Blue while Prince held onto Giselle's hand, proudly leading her into the house.

The living room was decorated with soft pink and white balloons, and a banner that read "WELCOME HOME, BLUE IVY!" hung across the mantel.

"Who did all this?" Giselle asked, surprised.

Janet smiled. "Aaliyah and I may have had a little something to do with it."

Giselle laughed. "Y'all are too much."

Michael carefully placed Blue into the bassinet they had set up in the living room, and everyone took turns cooing over her. Prince sat close by, watching protectively.

"Prince, you wanna help me grab some of Blue's things from the car?" Michael asked.

Prince immediately nodded, eager to help.

As the boys stepped outside, Solange plopped onto the couch beside Giselle. "So, sis... how does it feel being a mom of two now?"

Giselle exhaled. "It feels... unreal. Like, we actually made two kids."

Solange smirked. "And I'm sure y'all ain't stopping at two."

Giselle playfully smacked her arm. "Don't start."

Aaliyah sat on the other side. "Okay, so tell us, how was the birth? Did Michael cry?"

Giselle giggled. "He definitely teared up. He was tryna be all tough, but when Blue came out, he lost it."

Aaliyah grinned. "I knew it."

Katherine came over, sitting beside Giselle, taking her hand gently. "You did so well, sweetheart," she said softly. "I'm so proud of you."

Giselle's heart warmed. "Thank you, Mrs. Jackson."

"Oh, now don't start with that. It's Mama Kate, you know that."

Giselle smiled. "Mama Kate," she corrected, squeezing her hand.

Michael and Prince came back inside with a few bags, and Michael kissed the top of Giselle's head before sitting beside her. Prince climbed onto the couch next to him.

Chris clapped his hands together. "Alright, so who's throwing the party to celebrate? 'Cause you know we gotta do something."

Michael shot him a look. "Not yet. Let my wife heal first."

Giselle laughed. "Thank you."

Janet smirked. "Okay, but when you're ready, just say the word."

The rest of the evening was spent with family and friends, everyone taking turns holding Blue, showering Giselle with love, and making sure Prince didn't feel left out.

As the night winded down, and everyone started heading home, Michael wrapped an arm around Giselle, pulling her close. "We did good, baby," he whispered.

Giselle leaned against him, watching as Prince sat near the bassinet, humming to his baby sister.

"Yeah," she said softly. "We really did."

--------------------------------------------------------------

The first few nights at home with Blue Ivy were a whirlwind of exhaustion, love, and adjusting to their new routine. Giselle had almost forgotten how demanding a newborn could be, but Michael was right by her side, making sure she didn't have to do everything alone.

It was nearly 3 AM, and Giselle was sitting up in bed, rocking Blue in her arms. The baby's tiny hands were curled into fists as she fussed softly. Michael was beside her, rubbing his eyes as he sat up.

"You good, baby?" he mumbled, voice thick with sleep.

Giselle nodded, though she was clearly drained. "She's just a little fussy. I think she's hungry again."

Michael reached for the bottle on the nightstand and handed it to her. "Here, I got you."

Giselle took it and gently placed the nipple to Blue's lips. Their daughter latched on immediately, drinking hungrily.

Michael ran a hand down his face. "Damn, she eat like her daddy."

Giselle let out a tired laugh. "She really does."

Michael scooted closer, resting his head against Giselle's shoulder as he looked down at their daughter. "She's perfect," he whispered.

Giselle sighed, feeling her body relax against his. "Yeah, she is."

A soft sniffle from the doorway made them turn their heads. Prince was standing there in his little pajamas, rubbing his eyes.

"Baby, what's wrong?" Giselle asked gently.

Prince sniffled again. "I heard sissy crying."

Michael held out his arms. "Come here, buddy."

Prince waddled over, climbing onto the bed and settling between his parents. He peeked at Blue, his sleepy eyes filled with curiosity.

"Why she cry so much?" he asked.

"She's just getting used to being in the world, baby," Giselle said, smoothing his curls. "It's all new to her."

Prince frowned. "I don't like when she cries."

Michael chuckled, ruffling his son's hair. "That's part of having a baby sister, man. But don't worry, she'll get used to things soon."

Giselle smiled, kissing the top of Prince's head. "You're such a good big brother, you know that?"

Prince nodded proudly. "I know."

Michael and Giselle exchanged amused looks before focusing back on their children.

After a while, Blue finished her bottle, and Giselle gently burped her before settling her back into her bassinet. Michael tucked Prince back into bed, kissing his forehead before coming back to his wife.

Giselle sighed, flopping onto the mattress. "Whew, one down, one to go."

Michael laid beside her, pulling her close. "We got this, baby."

Giselle hummed, already half asleep. "Yeah... we got this."

-

𝔪𝔦𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔢𝔩'𝔰 𝔭𝔬𝔳

Michael had been running on caffeine and adrenaline for the past two weeks. Between helping Giselle with the kids, making sure Blue had everything she needed, and keeping an eye on business, he barely had time to sleep.

His empire was stable, but that didn't mean he could afford to relax completely. Lisa was still out there, and though she had been quiet lately, Michael knew better than to assume she had given up.

He was in his home office, staring at the surveillance footage of his businesses when Javon knocked and walked in.

"Boss, we got word that Lisa's been seen in Vegas. She's still layin' low, but she ain't gone."

Michael leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin. "I figured. She ain't the type to disappear without a fight."

Javon nodded. "Want me to send someone to keep eyes on her?"

Michael exhaled. "Yeah, but tell them to be discreet. I don't want her knowing we're watching."

Javon smirked. "She ain't as smart as she think she is."

Michael chuckled darkly. "Nah, but she's desperate. And desperate people do stupid shit."

Javon nodded, then hesitated. "How's Giselle? How's the baby?"

Michael's expression softened. "They're good, man. Giselle's tired, but she's holding up. Blue's healthy. Prince is adjusting."

Javon smiled. "Good. Y'all deserve this."

Michael nodded. "Yeah... which is why I ain't letting nobody fuck it up."

Javon smirked. "That's what I like to hear."

After Javon left, Michael leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk.

Lisa thought she could still play this game with him.

She had no idea that he was already ten steps ahead.

And when the time came, he was going to end this for good.