10 - ultimatum

12/25/1988

To answer your question, I have loved you for a thousand years. I will love you for a thousand more.

- Forever yours, Gia.

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Michael reached in his pocket for Giovanna's keys but couldn't find them anywhere. He checked in his glove compartment of the car. Nothing. He reached his arm out of the window and pressed the doorbell to her gates. The camera panned on him and he stuck his tongue out at it.

"Gia can't speak to you right now," the voice said on the intercom.

"Why not?"

"Because she can't."

"Can you let me in the gates? I don't need anyone to see me."

There was a wait before the fences slid open, granting him access and he proceeded to drive through past the palm trees and towards her house.

Alisha opened the door and it stopped from the security chain still attached. Her eyes looked him up and down through the crack as if he was a stranger. "May I help you?"

"Are you going to let me in or?"

"You can't come in." There was a slight disdain in her tone.

"Why not? Where's Giovan--"

"She went to bed," she answered quickly, smacking on the popcorn she was chewing.

"It's 5 in the afternoon."

"So?"

Michael looked at her, wondering if she was really serious or not. "Well let me in."

"No. I'm not going to get in trouble again."

"I have my own set of keys, I only forgot them this time. I don't need permission." He wasn't some commoner.

"How do I know that? You lied to me the last time. Gia didn't ask you to come to the hotel."

Michael sighed. He completely forgot about that. "I just really wanted to spend time with her.."

"Yeah? While you go back and forth from her to your wife like a ping pong match? Giovanna on Mondays through Wednesdays, your wife for the rest?"

He wasn't used to this hostility from Alisha. She was always so animated and giddy. "Where is this coming from?"

"Bye Michael Joseph Jackson."

He laughed at her using his full name. "Can you wake her up, please?!"

"She needs to get her rest."

"Please stop playing, Alisha"

"Stop playing with my friend."

Before Michael could even respond to that, she slammed the door in his face. "Alisha?!" If Giovanna was asleep, Michael guessed he would just have to wake her up. He kicked on the door with the point of his boot repeatedly until he heard Alisha scream, just the exact reaction he wanted her to do.

"What the shit is wrong with you?!" She swung the door all the way open and checked if it was damaged. There was a large dent and some scratches. "You're going to have to pay for that and she will be pissed!"

"No, she will be pissed at you for not letting me in in the first place."

"I'm not waking her up. She needs to sleep!"

"For what?!"

"What is all of this godawful screaming?!" he heard her ask from the top of the steps. She only had a tank top and her panties on, clearly just getting out of bed. Her hair disgruntled and her voice cracked from her slumber. Michael was relieved. 

"This... this... lunatic just ruined your door trying to kick it open because I wasn't letting him in!"

"Michael?" Giovanna cooed in a soft voice. He saw her head bend down to see him and smiled a little. "Hi honey. Come here."

He gave Alisha a look that said 'I told you so,' brushed past her shoulder and walked towards the steps, leaving her fuming.

---

He closed my bedroom door behind him and pulled me in. Before his lips could touch mine, I turned my head to the side and pretended to be distracted by the television. Ironically, the Maury Show was going off with Maury Povich holding up the paternity test results.

"You are the father!"

It didn't stop Michael's lips, because once I turned my face he only kissed the side of my neck instead. Sigh.

"Did you miss me?"

"Did you?" That was the real question. I laid back in bed, slightly annoyed that my sleep was interrupted. And it wasn't just because these pregnancy hormones have been kicking my ass, but it's just the golden rule in my house. Food and sleep. Do what you want, but whatever you do, do not eat my snacks, do not drink my favorite wine, and do not wake me up from my beauty sleep.

"Of course I missed you."

I changed the channel decided on The Jamie Foxx show, trying to stay in my zen.

"Want to try again?" His large hand squeezed the inside of my thigh.

I gave him a side eye. "Is that why you came over?" If that's why he came to see me he can walk right back out of the door.

"Are you for real?"

"Nah, I'm for fake."

He rolled his eyes as he toed off his shoes. "Classic Gia. Your derision is almost as impressive as your beauty, even with your bitchface on."

I rested my head in my hand and did a crooked smile. "Leave me alone." As he was taking his sweater off, I caught a glimpse of something red along his jawline and knitted my brows. "Come here." I sat upright and turned his face to the side to get a better look. It was obvious that he tried to use makeup to cover it but it was still showing through. I licked my thumb and smudged the concealer away, revealing a gash.

"Ewww gross!" he said, cringing at my saliva. "You are just like my mother."

"What happened here?" I interrogated, noticing the deep cut was still fresh.

He swatted his hand in the air to dismiss the subject.

"She hurt you?!"

"I don't know why you're saying it with outrage. Not much contrasting than you."

I hit his arm, frustrated at how he just put me and her in the same boat. "Me and Lisa are not even the same."

"See? Perfect example."

"No it's not. And why are you putting makeup over this? It's as if you want it to be infected, you simpleton." I went inside my bathroom cabinet to look for the first aid. I opened the case and collected the saline, cotton balls, neosporin, and butterfly bandages, and a large band-aid.

After I washed my hands, I walked back to him and noticed his eyes cut straight to my waistline. "Are you gaining weight?"

"No, you ass!" Well I was. My stomach wasn't showing at all but it looked like I was a little bloated, which isn't sexy whats-so-ever. I sat on his lap and poured the saline in the cotton ball.

"Please no," he pleaded as his eyes followed the cotton ball up his face.

"Don't be a diva. Saline doesn't burn." I examined his face. "Jesus, how did this happen?"

"I don't want to talk about it. And no, it wasn't about you so don't even get your hopes up."

I narrowed my eyes at him, even though he just read my mind. "I will literally splash this alcohol in your eyes."

He smiled and shut his mouth. I squirted some Neosporin on my finger and gently rubbed it over the gash, trying not to hurt him. "If you need me to fight her for you we can square up." I was saying it in a joking manner but I have had dreams about this happening. But I was joking. Honestly.

He chuckled at that.

"Are you.. are you getting an erection?!" I nearly yelled, disgusted, feeling a hard rod press onto my ass.

Now he was bursting out laughing.

"The thought of me fighting Lisa gives you an erection?!"

"It's not because of that. It's been forming since you sit on my lap. I can't help it, Frecks. You're in your panties."

"You're so sick," I chuckled as I closed the top of the tube. His eyes followed my every move. I ripped open the packaging of the butterfly bandage and placed two on his cheek to close the wound. I pouted my lips. "My poor baby."

"I know right."

I put the band-aid over the cut and stood up and put my hands on my hips. "Want a sticker?" I asked sarcastically.

"Some head would be better."

"Ha." I grabbed the used cotton ball and packaging and threw it in the trash.

"Please put some pants on. I'm throbbing over here."

"I am so, so sorry to hear that," I said with fake concern, and walked back to the bed.

"Gia," he wined through his teeth. "Either that or I'm fucking you."

"Funny." I pulled the covers over me. I was too exhausted to have sex even if I wanted to, and Michael liked the kind of sex that makes you feel like you've burned at least a thousand calories afterwards (because you probably have). "Nope, I'm too busy gaining weight."

"I didn't mean it!"

My eyelids felt heavy. "I'm going back to sleep."

His hands pulled us into a spooning position, making me feel his hard-on against my ass. "Let's try for a baby again." He kissed my arm. "Right now."

My bedroom door cracked with Alisha's head poking in, grinning from ear to ear, making both of us jump in surprise. "What are you guys doing?"

I lifted up my pillow to show my new Beretta semi-automatic pistol. "Knock."

"Oh my god, you really do have a pistol," Michael mumbled, staring wide at the matte black steel.

"Self protection," I explained. I didn't have security guarding my house, and my gates weren't that tall. Especially living alone in my enormous property, I really did need some protection. Gives me a better conscious. "For creeps like her."

"Yeah, yeah, that's not what you were saying last night," she said, giving me a quick wink.

"What?!" Michael exclaimed, clearly thrown off.

"Ignore her."

"Anyway, guess who just called!" she squealing in excitement. Before I even ask she couldn't contain herself. "The American National Academy of Popular Music!"

"Are you telling me what I think you're telling me?"

"Yes! You're being inducted into the Songwriter Hall Of Fame, girl!"

"Finally." I wasn't even excited. I deserved this for way too long.

"They're like five years late on this," Michael commented.

"I know right!"

Alisha gave us a look of disgust. "You two are so full of it. But the ceremony is in May so.. you need to plan when you're going to announce this because you will definitely be showing by--" her voice cut off when she noticed the look on my face telling her to shut the fuck up.

"What do you mean? Announce what?" Michael asked, already catching on.

"Damnit," I whispered to myself.

Alisha quickly realized what was happening. "Oh snap," she muttered and closed the door quickly.

I took a deep breath, trying not to rage in fury. It wasn't her fault. I didn't tell Alisha I haven't told Michael, but I was really really pissed at the moment. "Nothing," I said quietly. "It's nothing."

"Why did she say that, Giovanna?"

I turned away from him and pulled the covers over my head. "Nothing."

"You're pregnant." It wasn't a question. He already knew.

I remained mute, bracing myself for the raging that was about to come. This is not how I wanted to tell him. I didn't hear anything at all. "Michael?" Still nothing. I sat up and noticed his back to me. "Are you.. okay?" I asked, a little frightened.

"You're asking me If I'm okay?"

"I'm so sorry.." I mumbled.

"You're pregnant.." He said slowly, thinking about what he just said as if he was trying to convince himself. He laughed a little. Now that completely threw me off. I thought he was going to yell at me but he was actually.. very, very delighted. He faced me with watery eyes. "We're pregnant!"

His emotion came over me and I wiped away a tear. "Yeah. A month and two days. I found out a little over a week ago."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

I sighed. "I was going to tell you when you came to pick up.. your thing." I said, not even wanting to say the words. "But you were in a rush back home to your wife so.. It just didn't seem like the right time, you know?" I said, not able to mask the hurt on my face. I suppose he sensed it because he pulled me in for a hug.

"I'm sorry.. I understand it all now."

Now that pissed me off. He had no idea. When he walks out of my door, all he's going to do is go back in his car, put back on his wedding ring (I noticed he wasn't wearing it, probably for the sake of my feelings), go back to his stupid fucking Neverland, and sleep with the woman he married. "You don't understand and you're not sorry."

He pulled away and had a puzzled look on his face. "What do you mean?"

"If you understood, you would have filed for a divorce by now."

"I can't."

"Why can't you?!" I interrogated.

"It's too soon."

"It's too soon? Oh, I guess this baby is too soon too, huh?"

"Don't bring the baby into this."

"Get--"

"Out?" he said, finishing it for me. "Typical. I just found out I have a child in eight months not even two minutes ago and now you're throwing this temper tantrum again."

"It's me or Lisa. You choose. No, I'm sorry it's me and the baby, or Lisa," I said, finally spilling what's been on my mind.

"Are you really going to use the baby for your ultimatum? You honestly think using our, keyword is our, baby is some sort of advantage to make me divorce Lisa? Because I am going to be in my child's life no matter how it goes." He squeezed my hand. "And you know I'm in love with you. You know it's you and not her, or anyone else for that matter. You know that. Don't be stupid."

"Yeah, right. You made me feel like I meant more to you. That I wasn't just some womb for you to grow your child in. You manipulated me."

"Now you're being ridiculous. Honestly. You know that's far from the truth. One thousand years."

I realized what he just mentioned and he saw it in my eyes. The note I wrote him so many years ago, does he still have it? No.. this was only a manipulation tactic and I wasn't giving in this time. "If you don't choose, we both are going to be out of your life."

"I'll make sure that doesn't happen."

I scowled. "How? Enlighten me. Where's your proof that would be able to show for your claim? And in May, when I announce to the world I'm pregnant, what are you going to do? Are you going to say that you cheated on your wife to the world? Because that's a lot more embarrassing for your image than divorcing less than a year after you are married." I got in his face. "You are so worried about your image when the marriage is a fucking joke."

I can tell I hit a nerve because I saw his lips quiver for a second. "If that's what I have to do, that's what I have to do. What about your image? All you're going to be known for afterwards is my side piece."

I gasped. The words stung. "Side piece."

He realized what he just said. "N-no.. you're not a side piece, I was saying you would be known.."

"I'm just your side piece!" I cried, hot tears streaming down my face.

"No, no, please don't.."

My hands reacted before my brain did and reached for the pistol under my pillow.

He looked at me like I have lost my entire mind, which was true. "Giovanna what the hell are you-"

The door swung open behind me. "Can y'all lower it down? I hear you two all the way from the damn theatre and my movie is.." I heard Alisha gasp. "Gia.. please put the gun down," she pleaded, trying to comfort me.

"No," I said, glaring at him.

"Let me have the gun, okay? It's okay."

"I said no!" I screamed, clicking the safety off with a shaking hand.

I saw Alisha run towards Michael and grab his hand. "Just get out. Let's go. Walk with me."

"She's not going to shoot me," he commented, staring at me and refusing to budge. "She loves me too much to live without me."

I know I do. And that was always the problem.

"It's not you who I'm worried about getting shot. Let's go!" she demanded, yanking his hand even harder.

He finally gave in, following Alisha out of my room. He never took his eyes off of me as I saw a tear run down his cheek where the band-aid was. He pointed at it. "You know you're the only one," he whispered before Alisha pulled him out of the door.

Once my door closed, I clicked the safety back on and dropped the gun, kicking it away from me. I stood there for a while, looking down at my stomach. The small fetus was the size of a poppy seed. Growing, growing, growing. I let my emotions come over me. I let him have control over them. Never again.

I sat back down on my bed before my knees gave out. "It's just me and you, peanut." I whispered, rubbing my tummy and wiping my tears with the back of my hand. "Me and you."

Alisha came back and did a sigh of relief once she noticed the gun was out of my hands. She rushed to me, pulling my head to her chest and rocking me back in forth. "He's gone." She stroked my hair. "It's alright."

-

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A/N: *Fans self.* Intense.  After writing that last chapter I went to Sephora and brought the Tom Ford perfume Michael used to wear. At first I was like what in the world but when it dried I fell in love. Oh my god, it's smells so rich and warm and deep and dark and sensual!! I got compliments all day, from strangers too. I wouldn't wear it if I was meeting someone's mother for the first time haha. It smells like sex.