Chapter 13

Maeve's POV

Soft music kept playing in the background as I tried one simple dance step over and over again.

Why?

Because it's important to Michael. That's why.

"Shit" I cursed when I was yet again unable to make a turn because my left knee just wouldn't allow it.

Sweat already started to form on my forehead but I refused to give up as I tried again, again and again.

The music changed as I stood back into position before starting all over again. My vision stayed on my feet, that I could see clearly through the large mirrors on the wall of Michael's rehearsing room in our house.

My right foot moved one step forward, then the left and then the right who's supposed to only touch the ground with the toes before going back with the left leg slightly turning directions so that the next step forward was right from the position I started in.

The 'slightly turning' part is where it gets tricky for me as I tried my best but failed again and stumbled upon my own feet before falling to the ground.

Giggles.

My head quickly shot up when I heard Michael giggling and I found him at the slightly opened door, leaning against the frame.

"That was hilarious!" He said in between laughter.

He was supposed to be back by tomorrow morning and normally I would be happy to see him but right now, I just wanted to disappear. I sat up, burying my face in my elbow. "God, Michael, what are you doing here?"

"The question is what are YOU doing here?" His voice sounded amused.

"Glad, I'm keeping you entertained..." I mumbled before I felt his presence in front of me. He slowly lifted my head, smiling widely at me while kneeling on the floor.

"It wasn't that bad" he assured me. "Well up until the part where you fell" he started laughing again.

"Michael" I whined, still feeling embarrassed that he saw that. "What are you even doing here? You're supposed to be back tomorrow!"

"I missed you" he answered with a warm smile on his face and I couldn't be mad at him when he smiled at me like that.

"Oh... I missed you too" I reached for him and pulled him closer, embracing him as his arms wrapped around me and for a moment we stayed like this but then he started to get up, with me still wrapped around him.

"What are you doing?" I laughed and clinged on to him harder than I already did.

"Let's try this again" he said while putting me on my feet.

We got into position with one of each of our hands together, his other hand resting on my waist, lower than it's supposed to be and my other hand on his shoulder.

"1, 2, 3, 4" he counted before we started moving. I tried following his lead but when it came to the turning part, my knee failed me again and I needed to relocate my balance, nearly knocking Michael down with me but he managed to catch us both before falling.

"Hmm" he hummed. "Let's try it one more time... I have an idea!"

We got into position again, his hand wrapped more tightly around me as he lead the way.

Right leg.

Left leg.

Right leg - tap.

Suddenly he held on to my waist tight, our bodies pressed against each other my feet slightly lifting off the floor as my grip on his shoulder instinctively tightened and we perfectly completed one simple dance step.

"How was this?" He looked down at me, smiling proudly.

My mouth hung wide open, he truly is a genius. "Perfect, you are perfect" I smiled widely back at him.

*****

The next morning, I woke up to an empty bed, which was odd because normally I am the one that takes Nicolas to get breakfast since Michael often stays up late.

I slowly sat up in bed, looking around before a wave of nausea hit me. With my eyes closed I concentrated on my breathing.

This time the nausea isn't as bad as it was in the last pregnancy or maybe this was just the beginning? I don't know.

My breathing helped me through this wave of sickness without feeling the urge to puke but I was in desperate need of something to eat, to get my blood sugar up and hopefully make me less nauseous.

As I entered the kitchen in my pyjama pants and one of Michael's t-shirts, I found my husband along with his lawyer George, Bill, Jared and of course, our son.

They were all sitting at the huge table in the dining room that connects to the kitchen through a sliding door.

Coffee mugs and a sippy cup were spread around a stack of papers.

This procedure wasn't new to me. Every few months I am provided with a new identity, meaning I get a new ID, a new passport and new personal details I needed to learn by heart.

However, I walked straight to the toaster, popping in two slices of bread and waited for them to get toasted. While I waited I poured myself a cup of coffee.

The toaster spit my bread out and I placed them on a plate. With my food and coffee I walked over to the men and greeted them.

I placed a kiss on Nicolas' head who was busy painting on a piece of paper before sitting down next to Michael.

"Maeve, I got a new name for you" George, Michael's lawyer said.

"You didn't stop by for coffee?" I joked before taking a bite of my dry toast.

"Passport" he laid an passport on the table. I didn't even look, I kept eating my toast. It's always the same.

"ID" he laid an ID on the table, a quick glance confirmed he used the same picture as last time.

"Driver's license" that's when he caught my attention. I stopped eating and looked at him as he placed a driver's license on the table. I normally don't get a driver's license.

"Marriage certificate" he pulled out a piece of paper and also placed it in front of me.

My hands immediately reached for it to read the names.

Maeve Eloise Harris

Michael Joseph Jackson

Michael's signature was already on it.

"What?" Was all I could get out of my mouth as I stared in total disbelief at the paper.

Michael's hand reached for my arm and squeezed it lightly.

"No more hiding from now on!"

My hand immediately covered my mouth as my mind registered what Michael did. He gave me my name back, he gave me my identity back.

Happy tears left my eyes as I practically jumped into Michael's arms, hugging him as tight as I could.

"I still need your signature, Maeve. And then I will legally request a new passport, ID and driver's license in the name of Mrs. Maeve Jackson."