I hold Rose in my arms as she continues to hang onto Afia, the elephant.
Rose fixes her blue mask, making sure it stays on her.
I frown. I hate doing this to my kids but American paparazzi is terrible. Africa was almost like a getaway from it all. I didn't have to face the press so much. America has no respect for my privacy. I don't want my children in the light, not now. Rose is only three, she shouldn't be in the light. I may not be able to protect my own privacy but I should be able to protect my children's privacy.
"Are you happy to see mama again?" I ask Rose in her ear, trying to distract her from the lights and cameras.
Rose smiles at me, "Yes, daddy." She sweetly says.
I grin as we walk closer to the car.
"Michael! Michael! Where is Mia? Are you two at a rough patch again?"
"Michael, are you and Mia getting a divorce?"
"Were you cheating on her in Africa?"
"Michael, can we see your daughter?"
"Michael, did you go back to Africa in hope for your skin color?" I cringe.
Dammit, just leave me alone!
"Michael! Michael!" They continue to call my name.
We finally approach the car. I gently place Rose in the car, letting her slide onto her little seat of her's.
I scoot in the car, slamming the door closed.
I sigh, laying back. Finally.. Some peace and quiet. I close my eyes.
"Well, hey you two!" A sweet voice rings in the car.
I gasp, opening my eyes to see Mia turned around in the front seat.
She smiles widely at me.
"Mommy!" Rose squeals, jumping up and down in her seat.
Mia chuckles. "Baby, you can hug me when we get home, alright?" She says, gently touching Rose's knee.
My eyes widen as I stare at her.
Mia smirks at me, "I've left you speechless, didn't I?" She giggles.
I chuckle, "Y-Yeah.." I shyly say, feeling my face heat up.
I blink a few times. "I'm just surprised to see you here! It's late, Mia." I say.
Mia shrugs, "April is fast asleep, it's only a quick drive." She says.
"Mia, you left April all by herself?!" I exclaim.
Mia sighs, "Michael, it's fine. It's honestly not a long drive from here. She's not sick anymore so she can sleep peacefully.. She hasn't been able to sleep that much." She says.
I frown. "Alright.." I say, not feeling so sure.
I scan Mia. She looks the same at least.
Mia's face turns red as she starts to hide more on the chair.
I smirk, "What?" I chuckle.
Mia stares at me, "I don't like to be stared at, Michael. You know that.." She shyly says.
I smirk, "I'm your husband, aren't I?" I smile.
Mia smirks, glancing at Rose.
"Oh baby, look at that pretty little elephant you've got! What's it's name?" She smiles, touching the toy.
Rose grins, "Afia" She sweetly says.
Mia's eyes widen. "Oh." She softly says.
Rose smiles widely as she hugs Afia tightly. "I love her." She squeaks.
Mia clears her throat. "That's nice, baby." She softly says, turning around in her seat.
What is going on with Mia? She snapped at me over the phone and now she's all happy suddenly? I know how women can get but Mia has never really been like this. Does she think I cheated? Does she not like Afia and Adjo? Mia doesn't judge people so quickly, so I can't even tell what the hell is wrong..We're not even home yet, so maybe we'll talk once we get home..
I don't like this game she's playing, if anything..
Not at all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mia's POV:
"Alright baby, all tucked in?" I smile, caressing Rose's face.
Rose grins. "Can I have a kiss, mama?" She softly asks.
I grin, "Of course you can have a kiss, Rosie." I smile, leaning down as I give Rose a big kiss on her cheek.
"I love you, baby." I softly say, turning her lamp off.
Rose yawns, "I love you too, mama.." She quietly says, closing her eyes.
I smile as I slowly exit her room. I slowly close her door. My sweet angel.. April is going to be so happy when she wakes up tomorrow morning to see her daddy and sister home. April has missed them both terribly. I've been spending my time taking care of April and watching Disney movies with her. It's been relaxing but I'm ready for fun to begin again with my whole family here.
I've missed Michael so much.. Oh gosh.. We haven't kissed in like a week because he was gone.
Oh, his sweet lips... I sigh.
"Mia!" Michael calls out.
I gasp, turning my head to the right as I watch Michael run down the hallway.
"Mia, we've gotta talk now." He softly says, holding onto both of my hands.
I bite my lip as I stare at his lips. I just wanna taste..
"Okay." I squeak, feeling weak to his touch.
I stare into his brown eyes, waiting for him to say something.
He sighs, letting go of me. "What's been going on here, Mia? What's wrong with you?" He softly snaps.
My eyes widen as my loving feeling disappears. "W-What do you mean?" I quietly say.
Michael frowns, "The phone call? You hung up on me twice, do you not remember that?" He says.
I sigh, "Michael, I-"
Michael cuts me off, "What's wrong with Afia, huh?" He snaps.
My eyes widen. "What's so wrong about us adopting Adjo? We're going to get him whether you like it or not!" Michael raises his voice, throwing his arms in the air.
There is nothing wrong with adopting him.
I gulp, feeling a lump in my throat. "Michael, please keep your voice down." I warn him.
"I'm sorry, Mia but I deserve to know!" He says.
I know you do.
He holds onto my hand, begging. "You wanted more children, you begged me for more children! This is the perfect opportunity and I just cannot see why you won't j-"
"Michael, I had a damn miscarriage!" I raise my voice. I harshly pull my hand away from his.
Michael's eyes widen. "You... What?" He whispers.
My eyes start to water. "I lost a baby, Michael... Our baby." I whisper, covering my mouth as tears start to fall down.
Michael straightens up, "W-When did you find this out?" He softly asks me, his voice wobbling.
I throw my arms up. "Weeks ago. I was going to tell you that I was pregnant but then I-I started to worry, Michael." I sniffle.
"You said it was best if we didn't have more children s-so I was going to hide it for a while and try and persuade you in-" I stop myself as I get more upset.
Michael shakes his head, "I would've loved that child no matter what, Mia." He furrows his eyebrows, holding onto my hands.
"I would never react in a terrible way. I love children, I love our children.." He says, kissing my hands.
"Then I lost the baby and I just thought..." I shrug. "That it was okay for you now. I..That was when I held onto Rose and just cried.. I-I thought this would be some miracle for us b-but.." I whimper.
"Did our condom break then? I-I don't understand how this exactly happened.." Michael softly says.
"This stuff can happen but I want you to get tested, Michael." I say, feeling my own heart drop.
The words he never wanted to hear..
Michael's eyes widen.
Those are the words I never ever wanted to say to my husband..
"Just to be safe, please.. You have to do this. I can't live with myself knowing all of this happened, please.." I whisper.
Michael wipes away my tears, "O-Of course I will, Mia.. I'll do that as soon as possible." He softly says.
I sniffle, "I'm so sorry. " I cry.
Michael shakes his head, "I knew what I was getting into when I decided to marry you, Mia. It's no one's fault." He weakly smiles.
I frown.
"Mia, is this why you didn't want to adopt Adjo at first?" He blurts.
I stare into his eyes, "Y-Yeah." I squeak.
"I-I wasn't sure if I was ready for another child because you can't replace a child, Michael. God damn, I've lost so many children in my past! I...I can't lose anymore." I cry.
Michael pulls me in as he embraces me. "You aren't going to lose anymore children, Mia. We'll just be more careful, alright?" He softly says, rubbing my back.
I cry harder in his arms. I've missed his touch. I've missed his hugs.. He gives the best hugs. So tight and warm..
I've lost about three kids in my life. Three. I have three beautiful children, and lost one, but if things were different, Michael and I would've had five beautiful children.. It would've been the family Michael always wanted. He's always talked to me about having a big family. I can't help but feel guilty that I can't give him that. I hate myself for that! He deserves a girl to give him it all and I can't! I'm fucking sick and I can't!
"I'm perfectly fine with Adjo being apart of our family, Michael." I blurt.
Michael lets me go, "R-Really?" He says in disbelief.
I smile, wiping my tears. "Yeah." I chuckle.
"He sounds like an amazing boy.. Think about it, Michael. You're going to have a son." I smile.
Michael smiles widely. I could tell he was thinking about is.
"Oh my gosh.. I'm going to have a son." He softly says.
I smile.
Michael hugs me tightly. "We're going to give him a great home, Mia. Education, everything.. I'll make sure he loves it here!" He says.
I sigh, "You also need to remember that's all going to happen when his sister passes.." I frown.
Michael sighs, "I know.." He breathes.
"I'm not sure how we'll help him cope but be there for him." He says, letting go of me.
I weakly smile, wrapping my arms around him. "We're his family after all." I smile.
Michael chuckles, "Yeah, we are.." He softly says, leaning in as he kisses my lips.
I moan as his softly lips are planted against mine. I've missed this.
Michael giggles as he looks at me. "Well, Mrs Jackson.. I can tell you enjoyed that." He says.
I blush, feeling embarrassed. "Don't tell me you didn't enjoy that?" I smirk.
Michael grins, "More than enjoy, baby.." He growls, kissing my lips again.
I giggle.
He leans towards my ear. "Ecstatic." He whispers.