chapter ⅩⅤ

𝗆𝗂𝖼𝗁𝖺𝖾𝗅'𝗌 𝗉𝗈𝗏

Michael woke up before the sun, slipping out of bed quietly to avoid disturbing Giselle. He moved through the house in hushed steps, heading to the kitchen where Janet and Katherine were already awake.

"Morning, mother," he whispered, kissing her cheek.

"Morning, baby," Katherine replied with a soft smile. "Everything ready for tonight?"

Michael nodded, trying to hide the nervous tremble in his fingers as he grabbed a tray and started arranging breakfast. He prepared fresh orange juice, fluffy pancakes, and a little bowl of fruit — Giselle's favorites.

Janet smirked from her seat at the table. "Look at him... Mr. Perfect Boyfriend."

Michael shot her a playful glare. "Hush."

Janet giggled but said nothing more.

Once the tray was set, Michael carried it back to the room, carefully opening the door. Giselle was still curled up under the covers, her curls scattered across the pillow.

"Gigi... wake up, baby," he whispered, placing the tray on the nightstand.

She stirred slowly, blinking her eyes open. When she saw the breakfast, a sleepy smile stretched across her face.

"You made this?" she asked, sitting up and pulling the sheets around her body.

Michael chuckled. "I had a little help." He sat beside her on the bed, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "I thought today we could go out... see the animals in the zoo."

Giselle's eyes lit up. "Really?"

Michael smiled, loving how easily she got excited about the little things.

"Really," he whispered, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

After breakfast, they got dressed and walked hand in hand toward the mini zoo. The sun was shining, casting a warm glow across the rolling hills of the ranch. Birds chirped in the distance, and the scent of fresh grass filled the air.

Michael showed her the giraffes, the elephants, and the flamingos — all the animals he'd collected over the years.

"This is amazing, Mike..." Giselle said softly, leaning into him.

But the highlight of the tour was Bubbles.

As soon as the little chimpanzee spotted Michael, he ran toward him, clinging to his side like a child.

Giselle giggled. "Oh my God, he's adorable!"

Michael smiled, letting Bubbles crawl onto his shoulder. "Bubbles, meet my girl."

The chimp looked at Giselle with curious eyes before reaching out to touch her curls.

"Okay, Bubbles, that's enough," Michael chuckled, gently pulling him back.

Giselle laughed, brushing her hair back into place.

They spent the rest of the afternoon walking around, feeding the animals and talking about everything and nothing. Michael couldn't help but sneak little glances at her — the way her eyes sparkled, how soft her smile was, how naturally she fit into his world.

By the time they headed back to the house, the sun was already starting to set.

"Thank you for today," Giselle whispered, leaning her head on his shoulder.

Michael kissed the top of her head.

"Anything for you, baby."

He glanced at the pond in the distance — where the gazebo was slowly coming to life under his mother's careful hands — and his heart started beating faster.

Tonight would change everything.

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The afternoon sun bathed Neverland in gold, casting long shadows across the lush green fields. Michael had spent the entire day finding little ways to keep Giselle distracted — from showing her the garden to playing chess in the game room — anything to keep her far from the pond and the gazebo where his mother and sisters were working.

He couldn't afford to let her suspect anything.

By the time the sun dipped low in the sky, painting the sky in soft shades of pink and orange, he led her into the library — one of her favorite spots in the house.

"Why don't you stay here and read for a while, baby?" he murmured, his fingers brushing through her curls.

Giselle sat on the plush armchair by the window, flipping through a book she had barely been paying attention to since the morning.

"You trying to get rid of me or something?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

Michael smirked, leaning down to press a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Nah, just wanna give you some peace before dinner."

Giselle's eyes narrowed playfully. "Mmm-hmm... I'll believe that."

Michael chuckled under his breath, biting back a grin. If only she knew.

"I'll come back to get you soon," he whispered.

He left the room, closing the door gently behind him, and made his way upstairs. His heart pounded harder with each step.

Everything was ready.

The gazebo was decorated with white flowers, fairy lights wrapped around the beams, and a small table set for two — all just like he'd pictured it in his mind.

His mother had even made sure the swans were floating peacefully in the pond nearby, making the whole scene look like something straight out of a fairytale.

He walked into their bedroom, where a long black velvet box rested on the bed — the snake pendant necklace she'd fallen in love with on their first night out.

Beside it, he laid out a delicate white dress, simple but elegant, with thin straps and a low back — just the way he liked seeing her.

With everything in place, he made his way back to the library.

Giselle was still curled up in the armchair, lost in her book.

"Hey, baby..." he called softly from the doorway.

She glanced up, eyes warm.

"Dinner time already?"

Michael smiled, stepping inside.

"Almost." He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "But first... I need you to go upstairs and get ready."

Giselle's brow furrowed slightly. "Ready? For what?"

Michael's lips curved into a slow smile.

"You'll see."

She glanced at him suspiciously but stood up, placing the book on the table.

When she reached the door, Michael gently grabbed her hand, holding her back for a moment.

"Wait."

She looked up at him, confused.

His dark eyes softened, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.

"Wear the dress I left on the bed... and the necklace too."

Giselle's heart skipped a beat at the way he was looking at her — like she was the only woman in the whole damn world.

"Okay," she whispered.

He leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss on her lips before letting her go.

"I'll be waiting."

Giselle walked into their bedroom, heart fluttering in her chest.

When she saw the dress laid out on the bed, her breath caught in her throat.

It was beautiful — simple, elegant, and... white.

Her eyes flicked to the velvet box resting beside it.

Slowly, she opened it, finding the snake pendant necklace inside — the same one Michael had given her months ago at La Doble Vita.

A wave of warmth washed over her.

He remembered.

With slightly trembling hands, she slipped into the dress, letting the soft fabric glide over her skin. The necklace rested heavy against her collarbone — a silent claim.

By the time she finished fixing her curls and dabbing on a little perfume, the sun had fully set.

There was a soft knock at the door.

"Come in."

Michael stepped inside, his breath catching when he saw her.

His brown eyes darkened, tracing over every inch of her.

"Damn, baby..." he whispered, voice low. "You look... perfect."

Giselle's cheeks flushed.

"You like it?"

Michael swallowed hard, slowly walking toward her.

"I love it."

He leaned in, brushing his lips over her bare shoulder.

"But not more than I love you."

Her heart fluttered wildly.

Before she could respond, he took her hand in his and led her out of the room.

"Where are we going?" she whispered, glancing around the empty hallways.

Michael smirked.

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

The night air was cool as they walked through the garden, hand in hand.

When they reached the pond, Giselle's eyes widened.

The gazebo was glowing under the soft lights, white flowers hanging from every beam. The reflection of the twinkling lights shimmered across the still water, making the whole scene look like something out of a dream.

Giselle stopped in her tracks, her heart catching in her throat.

"Michael..."

He squeezed her hand gently.

"Do you like it?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she slowly nodded.

"It's beautiful..."

Michael guided her up the small steps, pulling out a chair for her at the table. A small dinner was waiting — nothing too fancy, just something simple and perfect for them.

They ate in comfortable silence, the soft sound of the water and crickets filling the night air.

Halfway through the meal, Michael reached across the table, taking her hand in his.

"Gigi... I brought you here tonight because there's something I need to ask you."

Her heart started pounding faster.

Michael stood up slowly, pulling something out of his jacket pocket.

A small velvet box.

Giselle's breath caught in her throat.

Michael dropped to one knee right there under the gazebo lights, holding the ring up to her.

"Giselle... you came into my life when I didn't even know I needed you. You gave me light when I was surrounded by darkness... and you made me feel like a man again."

Her hand flew to her mouth, tears already spilling down her cheeks.

"I know I ain't perfect... but I'll spend the rest of my life trying to be the man you deserve."

He opened the box, revealing a simple but beautiful diamond ring.

"Giselle, baby... will you marry me?"

For a moment, she couldn't even breathe.

Then, through her tears, she whispered...

"Yes."

Michael's heart nearly stopped.

He slid the ring onto her finger, pulling her into his arms as she sobbed into his chest.

"I love you, Gigi..."

"I love you too, Michael..."

They stood there under the stars, wrapped in each other's arms — two souls who had found each other in the middle of chaos.

Finally...

She was his.

And nobody would ever take her away from him.