Chapter 15,

March 17, 2008,

Damien and I have been dating for a while now and I turned 14 a few days ago. I'm still managing to keep our relationship a secret from my dad and I don't see anything ruining that in the near future. Damien turns 17 at the end of this year.

I was getting ready to leave the house and go to the سکیٹ Park. After I snuck out, I went to our usual meeting place that the guys and I had picked out. When I got there, Damien walked up to me and gave me a kiss. Our immature دوستوں started saying "gross; آپ two are always kissing each other!" I asked "would آپ rather us make out in front of you?" Brandon rolled his eyes and Damien کہا "that's what I thought! آپ guys just wait until آپ have girlfriends! AJ and I are going to make so much fun of you!” I kissed him again just to get on their nerves and the two of us chuckled.

The two of us started walking down the سٹریٹ, گلی and Damien took out his wallet. He کہا "wait till آپ see what I got yesterday!" I asked "what?" He passed me a card and کہا "my driver’s license! Now I don't have to drive around with my mom in the car anymore!" I کہا "that's cool! The only thing that sucks is that آپ don't have a car of your own yet." He کہا "I might get a job soon so; it won't be long before I do have one." I laughed and کہا "it's hard to picture آپ driving! I wish آپ could take me somewhere!" He کہا "my mom doesn't like me driving her car یا else I would." I کہا "I have an idea!" He rolled his eyes and کہا "oh boy; I can't wait to hear this!" I کہا "my dad parks his car nowhere near our house and he always leaves the keys in it because no one goes over there." Damien raised his eyebrows and asked "so what you're telling me is that we should just take your dad's car without him knowing?" I laughed and کہا "that's exactly what I'm saying!"

Damien is a troublemaker too so; he didn't put too much thought into my plan and we casually made our way to where the car is. We walked up to the black Rolls-Royce and Damien's mouth dropped as he asked "this is your dad's car?" I constantly have to remind myself that he doesn't know who my dad is and I کہا "yeah; there it is." He کہا "wow; your dad's a good businessman!" I کہا "yeah; now آپ see why he has to hide the car all the way over here in the middle of nowhere." I opened the car door and took the keys out. I pass them to Damien and he کہا "oh man; I can't believe I get to drive this awesome car!"

He started the car up and I کہا "whatever آپ do; don't crash because then I'll have to come clean to my dad about sneaking out and dating you!" He کہا "I passed my driver’s test on the first try so; there's nothing to worry about!" He drove down to the local movie rental place and the two of us got out of the car. I asked "what are we doing here?" He کہا "I saw the TV that is built into the back نشست and figured we could watch a few movies! I'll use my movie card because I always pick up فلمیں on my way ہوم from school and I can rent as many فلمیں as I want to for only $15 a month." I asked as we walked inside "what movie did آپ want to get?" He کہا "let's get Spiderman three because I haven't seen that yet." We went and checked out our movie and then got back into the car.

Damien and I climbed into the back نشست and started the movie. Soon after the movie started, it reached a boring part and we started making out. After a few minutes, Damien کہا "you know; آپ are 14 now." I کہا "so" and he کہا "maybe it's time we take that اگلے step!" Millions of thoughts came into my head and I asked "you're talking about sex; right?" He smiled and کہا "yes!" I کہا "okay" and he took off my shirt.

سے طرف کی the time he had gotten to my jeans, he was already in his boxers. Just as we were about to start, I was remembering the talk that dad and I had on the ساحل سمندر, بیچ that دن back in 2006. I looked at Damien and asked "wait; do آپ have a condom on you?" He کہا "we'll be fine without one!" I asked hesitating a little bit "what makes آپ think that?" He کہا "all three of the guys have already lost their virginity and they didn't use condoms! I'll just pull out before it gets too intense. Trust me; there's nothing to worry about! I know it will work!" I کہا "well; as long as آپ promise that you’ll pull out then we can have sex!" He got excited and کہا "I will; I promise!"

Afterwards, Damien and I brought the car back to where it belongs. He walked with me until we were about three blocks away from my house. I didn't want him to see where I lived because then he would know that Michael Jackson is my dad. He leaned in to kiss me and I کہا "I didn't know losing your virginity was supposed to hurt this bad!" He کہا "it didn't hurt me!" I کہا "I knew my first time was supposed to hurt because I'm a girl but; this is way worse than I thought it would be!" He کہا "it should be better سے طرف کی tomorrow but; I have to get going before my mom starts to worry."

March 18, 2008,

I came downstairs and was still in excruciating pain from losing my virginity last night and walked into the living room. Dad walked up behind me and کہا "good morning AJ!" He kissed my forehead and کہا "I love you!" I کہا "I love آپ too." As I sat down on the couch, Blanket came over and sat on my lap and I کہا "ouch!" Before I realized that I کہا that out loud, dad asked "what's wrong?" I کہا "oh nothing; I just slept on my back all night long without rolling over and I'm a little sore." He کہا "just go upstairs and sleep for a while; it should feel better after that!"

I have to admit that sleeping sounded pretty good because of the amount of pain I was in. I went upstairs and ended up sleeping for seven hours straight. When I woke up, I was feeling a lot better and wasn't worried anymore about dad finding out!

April 10, 2008,

I'm pacing around my bedroom because I bought a pregnancy test. I'm really worried at this point because I've had all the early signs of being pregnant. I closed my eyes and then open them as I looked down at the pregnancy test. I picked it up and took a closer look as I saw a گلابی plus sign on it. I immediately started crying as I held my head in my hands and sat down on the bed. I picked up my cell phone and texted "Damien; I need to tell آپ something!" He responded 20 منٹ later سے طرف کی saying "what's going on?" My fingers stroked the keyboard on my cell phone as I tried to figure out what to say

I finally just took a picture of the pregnancy test and sent it to Damien. He responded "what is that?" I asked "what does it look like?" He کہا "alright AJ; this joke really isn't funny anymore!" I کہا "IT'S NOT A JOKE DAMIEN!" I waited for a response for over an گھنٹہ but there wasn't one.

I knew that I would eventually have to tell my dad EVERYTHING so; I just wanted to get it over with. I opened my bedroom door and asked "dad; can آپ come in my room for a minute?" He smiled and کہا "of course!" I shut the door and he کہا "it's been a long time since I've spent time with آپ alone." I took a deep breath as I sat back down on my بستر and کہا "I want to talk to you." He کہا "okay" and I کہا "I think آپ should sit down!" He pulled my computer chair across from me and کہا "alright; I'm sitting!" I کہا "before I really start talking I need آپ to promise me that آپ won't interrupt?" He کہا "okay; I promise!"

As I got up the courage to start the conversation, I stared at his smile and perfect teeth. I took a deep breath and کہا "I haven't been as well behaved as آپ think I have since we got to Vegas. There are three things that I need to tell you. The first thing is that I've been sneaking out of the house since we moved here!" He raised his eyebrows and I کہا "the سیکنڈ thing is that I have boyfriend!" His eyes widened as big as saucers and mouth slightly opened.

Before I could get to the third thing, dad asked under his breath "you've been sneaking out of the house? آپ have boyfriend?" I shook my head in agreement and he کہا "you're not 16 years old yet! What are آپ doing sneaking out of the house and dating some guy?" I کہا "no one knows what my face looks like in public because I wear my mask when I'm out with آپ so; no one notices me when I'm not wearing it!" He کہا "you've been going out of the house without your mask on!" I shook my head again and he asked with clear irritation in his voice "who is this boy you're dating???" I کہا "his name is Damien and I met him at an alley a few blocks away from here. We hang out at the سکیٹ Park together all the time and I've made a few other دوستوں also!" Dad asked "how old is he?" I took a deep breath and whispered so quietly that he couldn't hear me. He asked "what?" I کہا "he'll be 17 at the end of this year." Dad's mouth dropped wide open and کہا "17; he's going to be 17 سے طرف کی the time you're almost 15!!!" He started to get really angry with the fact that I had a boyfriend and that he is two years older than I am!

Dad slammed his fist down on my nightstand and کہا "I'm not angry with آپ but; this guy must be really stupid if he thinks dating a 14-year-old is okay!" He looked up at me and asked "what was the third thing that آپ wanted to tell me?" I کہا "I don't think I can tell آپ so; I'll دکھائیں you."

My hand shook as I passed dad the positive pregnancy test and he looked down at it. He literally didn't say anything for 15 منٹ as he stared down at it. I saw tears pour down his face as he shook his head in disbelief. He asked "you're pregnant?" I started to cry because of how emotional he was and کہا "yes!" He کہا "well; there goes your childhood forever! I tried so hard to make sure that آپ had the chance to be a kid! You're only 14 years old and you're going to be a mother!!!" He wiped tears away and کہا "you knew I didn't want آپ having sex and آپ went and did it anyway! Where did آپ two have sex?" I hesitated and he asked "WHERE DID آپ TWO HAVE SEX?" I کہا with a shaky voice "in the Rolls-Royce." He کہا as he put his hands on the سب, سب سے اوپر of his head "in my car? آپ HAD SEX IN MY CAR!!!"


Dad started gagging and کہا "even though I don't want آپ having sex; I thought I explained to آپ the importance of using a condom! If you're going to have sex even though I told آپ not to; I would want آپ to use a condom! Why didn't this Damien kid put one on?" I کہا while wiping away tears "he didn't have one and he told me that he would pull out before things got too intense!" Dad looked at me in disgust as he pictured what I was describing and کہا "Alanna; don't listen to a guy when they say that! It doesn't work; trust me!!!" I کہا while sobbing "yeah; I can see that now!"

My dad saw that reality was hitting me and hitting me hard! He sat down اگلے to me on the بستر in silence as he stared at the pregnancy test once more. He hugged me and squeezed me as tight as he possibly could! He کہا trying to console me "I know; it's going to be hard but; we’ll get through it! I smiled up at him and he کہا "there's always a positive side! آپ have a human being growing inside آپ and that's one of God's greatest gifts! You're going to have to grow up fast but; I'll be here to help آپ every step the way!" I asked calming myself down "are آپ mad at me dad?" He کہا the words no child wants to hear "no; but I am disappointed in you!" We got up and he went over to my closet. He took out my baseball bat and کہا "I don't want to hear آپ complain; you're دکھانا me where Damien’s house is!"

Dad and I pulled up in front of Damien's mother's house. We both got out of the car and he opened up the trunk. He took the baseball bat out and I asked "what do آپ need that for?" He didn't answer me and I کہا "don't hurt him daddy!" Dad looked at me as we walked up the front steps and کہا "I'm not making any promises!"

I knocked on the door and Damien’s mom answered it. She didn't notice dad at first and کہا "hi AJ!" Her eyes slowly moved over to dad and she asked while stuttering "are آپ Michael Jackson?" Dad کہا "yes I am; is Damien here?" She کہا "come on in; he's in the living room." We walked inside and Damien was sitting on the couch. Damien looked up in shock at the fact that Michael Jackson was standing in his living room!

Before Damien could say anything, dad grabbed him سے طرف کی his T-shirt and pinned him up against the wall! Kate asked "WHAT DO آپ THINK YOU'RE DOING TO MY SON?" Dad کہا "WHY DON'T آپ ASK YOUR SON?" Damien looked at me confused and I کہا "well; آپ finally met my dad!" Damien asked "MICHAEL JACKSON IS YOUR DAD???" I کہا "yup" and Kate asked "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? I'M SO CONFUSED!" Dad کہا "apparently; Damien got Alanna pregnant!" She looked at Damien and کہا "WHAT!" Damien کہا with a nervous laugh "congratulations grandma!" Dad کہا as he raised his fist to مککا, عجیب الخلقت him "I DON'T FIND THIS FUNNY AT ALL آپ LITTLE ASSHOLE!!!"

I lowered dad's fist away from Damien's face and کہا "can't we just talk about this without all the screaming!" Dad took a deep breath and released his grip on Damien’s شرٹ, قمیض and کہا "you're right." Kate gestured for dad and I to sit down on the سوفی, لٹانا اگلے to them. She went and got some snacks for us to eat while dad tried to intimidate Damien with the stare he was giving him. When Kate came back into the room, I کہا "all right; if we're going to have this conversation we need to do it without the yelling because that's not going to get us anywhere."

Damien looked at my dad and waited for him to say something. Dad looked at Kate with the same expression of disbelief on his face. Kate just shook her head over and over because she couldn't believe that I was actually pregnant. Dad interrupted the silence سے طرف کی asking "what would make آپ think that it's okay for آپ to تاریخ a 14-year-old?" Damien کہا "I don't think two years is that much of an age difference between AJ and I." Dad کہا "okay well; I disagree with that. How come آپ didn't use protection?" Damien stuttered "I – I didn't think we needed too. I thought if I pulled out nothing would happen." Kate rolled her eyes and کہا "that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard come out of your mouth Damien and you’ve کہا a lot of stupid things before." Dad کہا "that obviously didn't work! Damien let out a deep sigh and کہا "yeah; I know!" Kate کہا "you seem like آپ don't care Damien! I don't think آپ understand the gravity of the situation! There is a baby growing inside of Alanna right now and you're the whole reason the baby is there in the first place!" Dad nodded in agreement and کہا "you took the words right out of my mouth." Kate کہا "this is so much to take in at once! First I find out that AJ's father is Michael Jackson! Then I find out آپ and AJ had sex! Then to سب, سب سے اوپر it all off, you're going to be a father at 16 years old!" Dad کہا "tell me about it! I think everyone should just take a few days before we really talk about this because this is a lot to take in."

As dad and I got back into his car, we both looked at each other in silence before he turned the key in the ignition. I کہا "I'm really sorry Dad. I didn't want any of this happened so soon!" He کہا "I know آپ didn't… It's just really disappointing and it hurts!" I just looked down at my feet because I knew there's nothing I could have کہا to make the situation any better. I remember looking at dad and just thinking to myself "I wonder what he's thinking about? I really hurt him this time; I can tell سے طرف کی the look on his face!!!”

April 12, 2008,

Dad and I haven't really talked about me being pregnant since we left Damien's house a few days پہلے because he doesn't want my siblings to find out just yet. I was up in my room lying in my bed, when dad came in and shut the door behind him. He asked "can I talk to آپ for a minute?" I looked up at the ceiling and کہا "yeah sure." He sat down on my بستر and smirked down at me.

He کہا as he held my hand "I've been thinking… I was wondering what do آپ want to do with the baby?" I کہا "well; I'm of course going to keep it!" He asked with a worried tone in his voice "are آپ sure about that? It's a lot of work taking care of a baby and it's not just for a few years; you're making a lifelong commitment! Changing diapers, feeding, bathing, going to doctors’ appointments… IT'S A LOT OF WORK!" I کہا "I'll make it through it!" He کہا "I'd like to offer آپ something and it's up to آپ whether یا not آپ like the idea. I won't be upset if آپ don't go along with it.” I looked up at him and asked "what?" He sighed and کہا "I thought I was done with having مزید children at this point in my life. I'm willing to adopt your baby and raise it as my own that way; آپ can have your childhood back and be able to see the baby every day!” I کہا "it's nice of آپ to offer to do something for me like that but; I want to be a mom. I think it would be kind of awkward to hear the baby call me sister and for me to know that he یا she is really my child!" Dad کہا "that's okay; I understand where you're coming from. It was just a thought that I had last night. If you're going to raise this baby though; آپ have to get your act together! آپ can't put yourself first anymore because آپ have a child that depends on you! آپ can't constantly be getting yourself into trouble! I just want to make it very clear that if آپ really want to do this then you're going to be the one taking care of the baby, not me! I'm not saying that I won't help آپ out every now and then but; it's your responsibility." I shook my head in agreement and he hugged me.

April 16, 2008,

Dad and I were cleaning up the باورچی خانے, باورچی خانہ when we heard frantic knocking on the front door. He opened up the door and Kate ran inside. Dad looked around to see if my siblings were upstairs then, he asked "what's wrong?" She کہا as she sat down at the میز, جدول "I don't know where Damien is! I think the reality of being a dad was getting to him and he ran away! He won't answer my phone calls but; he's been on his MySpace page!" Dad asked "when was the last time آپ saw him?" She کہا "the دن آپ came over! He seemed fine after آپ left! When I woke up the اگلے morning, all the money in my wallet was gone and my credit cards too!" Dad کہا "well; he must be planning be gone for a while if he took your credit cards!" She کہا "I'm not going to منسوخ them because he might need them to buy food!" Dad asked "did آپ check the حالیہ charges made on your account? We might be able to find out where he is!" Kate کہا "I already checked! Wherever he is; he doesn't want us to find him because he's being really smart about what he buys with my credit cards. What I really want him to do is rent a hotel room because then we can find him!" I interrupted "trust me; he wouldn't be that stupid! I'm a troublemaker too so I understand his brain!" Kate کہا "the police کہا that there's nothing they can do because Damien's 16 and if he doesn't want to come ہوم they wouldn't be able to make him!" Dad کہا "keep an eye on your credit cards Kate because the only choice we have right now is to hope that he'll slip up یا just decide to come home! For the time being, at least we know he has money on him."

1 million thoughts went through my mind as I stood there at the باورچی خانے, باورچی خانہ counter while the two of them had their conversation. That idiot; I can't believe he would leave me like this and without even saying anything. He's the one who got me pregnant and he can't just bail on me like that. When he gets back I'm going to give him up to my mind! He can't take it back now because I'm already pregnant!

April 22, 2008,

Dad is having a man named Dr. Murray come over to the house today so I can have my first ultrasound. I would've wanted Damien here for this but; there's still no sign of him! He did finally call his mom though but only to say that he's not coming home! I don't like how this whole situation is starting to play out and I hope Damien comes to his senses because I don't want to do this on my own!

Dad and Dr. Murray shook hands and I lay down on the couch. Dr. Murray asked with a thick Jamaican accent "are آپ excited to be a mother?" I کہا "it hasn't really sunk in yet!" While he prepped me for the ultrasound, he and dad made small talk. Dad کہا "I heard that آپ specialize in cardiology." Dr. Murray کہا "primarily yes; this is just something I do on the side." He scanned my stomach and کہا "well; there's definitely only one baby in there; that's for sure! Dad took a sigh of relief and کہا "thank God it's only one!" I asked "how long will it be until I can find out if it's a boy یا a girl?" He کہا "10 مزید weeks until آپ can find out." Dad asked "don't آپ want it to be a surprise?" I کہا "I have to know as soon as possible! I can't wait nine months; did آپ forget who آپ are talking to?" Dad and I both started laughing and he کہا "oh yeah!"

Dr. Murray wrote on a notepad and کہا "I've done the math and it looks like your due تاریخ should be November 18th of this year." As I got up off of the couch, I asked "will آپ come back in 10 weeks so I can find out the gender of the baby?" He smiled and کہا "of course I will; let me give آپ a prescription for your prenatal vitamins before I leave."

May 5, 2008,

I was in my room surfing the Internet and stared at Damien's MySpace page. I was hoping that he would magically start a conversation with me but; that didn't happen. Dad came into my room and sat down اگلے to me. He کہا "I need to talk to آپ about something and I don't know how you're going to react.” I raised my eyebrows and asked "what?" He کہا "I'm going on tour again!" I کہا "I don't know why آپ think I would react badly to that; that's so awesome!" He sighed and کہا "that's not the part I'm worried about."

He hesitated over and over before I کہا "just tell me already!" He کہا "we're moving back to LA for now and eventually to London where the concerts will be." I کہا "back to LA? Then to London? We can't move! What if Damien comes back?" Dad looked at me sympathetically and کہا "sweetheart; I think you're in denial about Damien! I don't think he's coming back." I looked at him as I shook my head and کہا "he's going to come back!" Dad grabbed my hand and کہا "I don't think he is AJ." I pulled away and کہا raising my voice "YOU'RE WRONG; YOU'LL SEE!"

Dad looked at the desperation in my eyes as I refuse to believe what he was telling me. I sat down on the بستر and he sat down اگلے to me. I کہا "HE DIDN'T DITCH ME; HE WOULDN'T DO THAT!" Dad hugged me and in that moment I realized that he was right. I continued to repeat "he didn't abandon me; DAMIEN'S COMING BACK" as I started to sob uncontrollably. Dad could hardly understand me as I repeated that phrase over and over again.

Dad passed me a tissue and I کہا crying to an uncontrollable point "I can't do this alone!" Dad smiled down at me as he wiped my tears with his sleeve and کہا "who کہا آپ would be alone? You've got me; don't you?" I smiled and کہا "I guess." He کہا "guessing has nothing to do with it! I'm here for آپ now and I'm never leaving! I'll never abandon آپ like Damien did! He's an immature jerk and needs to grow up! I think it's best that he stays wherever he is right now because if he comes back I'll kick his ass!!!"

I started laughing and dad asked "what's so funny?" I کہا "sorry; I can't help it! It's so weird hearing آپ swear; I'm not used to it!" He smiled as if he didn't even notice that he swore and کہا "I'm angry with Damien! Not for leaving but; for hurting you!" I couldn't care less about him being around because I don't think he'd be a good influence on آپ یا the baby but seeing آپ so desperately want him here hurts me مزید than آپ could imagine! Hurt me; I don't care! Hurt my baby and you'll regret it! I actually think that staying away is the only smart thing I've seen him do since I met him!" The two of us laughed and I کہا "I think you're right about that one" as he put his arm around me.

May 9, 2008,

After dad found a place for us to live in California, we moved into it yesterday. Dad reluctantly decided to invite the rest of the Jackson family over for dinner, of course not including my grandfather.

As I was tossing the empty cardboard boxes out of my new bedroom, dad came in and sat down on my bare mattress. He کہا "I think what we should do is tell Grace and your siblings that you're pregnant now. Then we'll tell everyone else at رات کے کھانے, شام کا کھانا tonight." I sighed and کہا "okay; I want to get this over with!"

The two of us walked downstairs and went to gather them. All of us sat down on the سوفی, لٹانا and dad کہا "AJ needs to tell آپ guys something." I کہا "I'm going to be having a baby." Prince and Paris smiled while Blanket looked at me with a confused look on his face. He asked" where did the baby from?" Dad and I both looked at each other while we searched for the right answer. Dad کہا "a special hug." I had to force myself not to laugh at dad's explanation and Blanket asked "who did AJ hug? Dad lightly thumped the back of my head to get me to stop laughing and کہا "a friend of hers." Paris کہا "that means I'm going to be an aunt and آپ guys are going to be uncles!" Blanket hugged me and asked "when is the baby going to come out of your tummy?" I کہا "not until November" as Grace pulled dad and I into the other room.

She shut the door behind her and asked "are آپ really pregnant?" I کہا "I wouldn't joke about something like this! Yes I really am pregnant!" She asked "Michael how long have آپ known?" He کہا "since the beginning of April." She asked "who's the father?" Dad کہا "his name is Damien but; I don't think you'll be seeing too much of him! He skipped town and hasn't contacted any of us since." Grace looked shocked as she tried to comprehend the idea of me being a mother. Dad کہا "trust me; AJ understands that it's not going to be easy! She wants to raise the baby on her own and آپ and I will be here to help her if she needs us." She asked "how do آپ think the rest of the family is going to react?" He کہا "all I can say right now is that I'm glad Joseph isn't coming because he would blame everything on me!"

After رات کے کھانے, شام کا کھانا had been served, dad, my uncles, aunts, my grandmother, and I all sat down in the living room. Uncle Jackie asked "how come آپ invited us over for رات کے کھانے, شام کا کھانا Michael?" Dad looked at me and asked "do آپ want me to tell everyone?" I کہا "yeah; they will take آپ better if it's coming from you!" Uncle Randy asked "what's going on?" Dad کہا "well; Alanna's pregnant. Before آپ ask, the baby's father is nowhere to be found and we don't expect to hear from him anytime soon!" I looked at my grandmother and asked "are آپ okay grandma?" She کہا "I didn't expect آپ to be a grandfather so soon Michael." Dad کہا "I know; I'm surprised سے طرف کی it too!" Aunt Janet asked "when the baby due?" I کہا "November 18 of this year."

I was surprised when they each congratulated me and کہا they would be there for support. After they left, dad کہا "that went better than I expected!" I کہا "I'm just glad it didn't turn into a screaming match!" Dad کہا "I thought for sure that one of them would accuse me of not being involved enough with آپ to stop آپ from getting pregnant!" I کہا "I don't think آپ would've been able to stop me either way. آپ know how I am; I do whatever I want to do in the moment!"

June 4, 2008,

Dad was in the middle of his first دن of rehearsals for his "this is it" tour when I called him. He answered his phone and asked frantically like any concerned father would "what's wrong? Are آپ okay?" As he responded to me he کہا "don't feel bad! I'll be right there!" He hung up his cell phone and Kenny Ortega the director of the tour asked "is everything all right Michael?" Dad کہا "yeah; AJ has been having morning sickness and accidentally threw up all over her bathroom floor. Grace isn't ہوم because she took the other children out shopping so; I'll be back in an گھنٹہ after I finish cleaning up the bathroom." Kenny کہا "okay; it's time for a break anyway." Dad yanked his car keys off a nearby میز, جدول and walked out the door as he adjusted the Fedora hat on his head.

About 15 منٹ later, I could hear his footsteps coming up the stairs as he called out "I'm coming AJ." He opened up my bedroom door and I was sitting on my bed. He walked up to my bathroom and looked down at the ground. He looked back up at me as I was about to say something but; I just started crying. He looked at me sympathetically and asked as he sat down on the بستر "what's wrong?" I کہا "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! I was so close but –" he کہا "Alanna; it's okay! It's مزید normal than آپ think it is." I کہا "I know that you're not mad at me." He raised his eyebrows and asked "then why are آپ crying?" I کہا "I honestly don't know! I've literally been crying like this on and off since they all went shopping! I was watching TV when a commercial break started and I burst out crying because I didn't want to watch commercials! How stupid is that? I can't believe I was crying over freaking commercials!"

Dad chuckled as he grabbed a roll of paper towels from the cabinet under my bathroom sink. He کہا "it must be the mood swings!" I asked confused "mood swings; really?" He کہا as he cleaned up the floor "yes; that's part of being pregnant! You're supposed to have mood swings!" I asked "how many مزید times am I going to cry like this?" He کہا as he shut off the bathroom light "the entire pregnancy; every now and then probably!" I کہا with tears flowing from my eyes "I'm going to be like this until November! I don't cry dad! This isn't who I am! I think I've only cried five times since I was 10!" He couldn't help but laugh at how overdramatic I was being and I کہا as I cried into a tissue "it's not funny dad!"

He sat down اگلے to me on my بستر and کہا still trying to hide his laughter "I'm sorry; I've never seen آپ like this and from my point of view it is really funny!" I lay down on my بستر and propped myself up with pillows. I looked at the TV and screamed as I sobbed uncontrollably "not مزید commercials! Why do they always have to have commercials at the best part of the show?" He chuckled into his arm and asked "why don't آپ just watch a movie that way there isn't any commercials?" I کہا in between sobs "because this is a good دکھائیں and that skinny little dog is going to get adopted and, and –!" Dad got up and کہا "I think that's my cue to leave now!" He laughed as he got up from my بستر and کہا "have fun crying your eyes out!" I playfully threw a throw تکیا at his head as he shut my bedroom door.

June 23, 2008,

It was the middle of the night when I walked down to dad's bedroom. He was fast asleep but; I barely tapped him and he jumped up. He frantically asked "did your water break?" I rolled my eyes and کہا "daddy I've only been pregnant for 2 1/2 months! It's nowhere near time for that yet!" He rubbed his eyes and asked "what's the matter?" I کہا "I'm hungry!" He کہا "then go downstairs and get something to eat." I کہا "I don't want anything down there!" He yawned and asked "then what do آپ want?" I کہا "KFC" and he looked at his alarm clock. He کہا "it's two in the morning and آپ want me to get آپ Kentucky fried chicken." I pouted "please; that's what the baby wants!" He smiled and کہا "I can't say no to you." I کہا "thank آپ daddy!" He کہا as he hugged me "yeah, yeah, yeah!"

25 منٹ later, he walked into my room carrying a big bag of food and sat down on my bed." As he took container after container out of the bag, I asked "why did آپ get so much?" He کہا "well; there's no way I'm going to be able to fall right back asleep now so, I might as well eat with you!" I کہا as I began to fill my plate with food "sorry for waking آپ up in the middle of the night to go get me KFC dad." He کہا "that's alright; I know آپ can't help it! If Damien was here that's what he'd be doing anyway and I told آپ that آپ weren't going to do this whole pregnancy thing alone! If that means I have to make late-night runs to get آپ whenever you're craving then so be it!" I hugged him as I stuffed my face and he laughed. This was the first of many craving trips I would send him on during these nine months!

July 11, 2008,

I came downstairs and کہا "come on Dr. Murray hurry up and get here already! I want to know now!" Dad کہا down اگلے to me on the سوفی, لٹانا and asked as he laughed at my apparent excitement "will آپ chill out? You're going to make yourself go into early labor!" I کہا "I can't; I need to know now if I'm having a boy یا a girl!"

I heard the front door open and pretty much dragged Dr. Murray into the living room. Dad کہا as Dr. Murray sat down to start prepping "I have something I’d like to ask آپ Dr. Murray." He responded "yes?" Dad کہا "well; I've started rehearsing for my 'this is it’ tour and I'd like to hire آپ as my permanent physician from this point on to the end of the tour. My کنسرٹ promoters have agreed to pay آپ six figures a year!" Dr. Murray was taken aback at the amount and کہا "of course; anything for آپ Michael!" Dad کہا "great; you'll start اگلے week and accompany me to each of my rehearsals at the Staples Center."

I cleared my throat to break their conversation and Dr. Murray کہا "oh yeah; I forgot why I came here in the first place!" He started scanning my stomach and کہا "alright; let's see what we've got here. As he moved the computer ماؤس across the screen dad کہا with a smile on his face "oh; I think I can tell what it is already!" I کہا "be quiet you; don't ruin this moment!" Dad کہا "I wasn't going to!" I کہا "shhhh" as Dr. Murray zoomed in. Dr. Murray کہا "okay; it looks like it's a baby…… Boy!"

I jumped up and pointed my finger at dad. I کہا "I knew it was a boy! I told آپ so!" Dad کہا "I was for sure it would be a girl!" Dr. Murray کہا as he packed up his stuff "now آپ can start decorating and picking out names!" I کہا "it didn't really matter to me whether it was a boy یا girl! I was dying to know just so I could start picking out names!" Dad rolled his eyes and کہا "oh boy; this is going to be fun!" He walked Conrad Murray to the door and کہا "meet us at the Staples Center at 9 o'clock on Tuesday! Welcome to team Jackson!" Dr. Murray thanked dad as he shut the door behind him.

July 6, 2008,

My stomach has really started to دکھائیں but; it's pretty easy to hide it under the baggy clothes I like to wear. Still no sign of Damien and he's really starting to make me mad I wish he would at least respond to my phone calls. He talks to his mom all the time but; won't tell her where he is.

There was a knock at the front door and I got off the سوفی, لٹانا to answer it. I was surprised to see Kate Damien's mother standing there. I hugged her and called for my dad to come downstairs. He walked up to her and gave her a hug before he asked "what brings آپ here?" She کہا "just because Damien doesn't want to be a dad doesn't mean I can't be a grandma! I found a cheap flight here from Las Vegas and was wondering if I could stay with آپ guys for about a week?" Dad کہا "of course آپ can! We have lots to fill آپ in on!"

Dad brought snacks to the coffee میز, جدول in the living room and the three of us sat down to talk." Kate looked at my stomach and کہا "awww you're getting a baby bump!" I کہا "yeah I know; it's weird for me!" Dad and Kate both کہا "it's weird for us too!" I کہا as I looked at her "dad and I found out whether it's a boy یا a girl; did آپ want to know?" She کہا "well; obviously!" Dad کہا "you're going to have a grandson." I smiled as her face lit up and I asked "what do آپ want the baby to call you? Dad already decided he wants to be called Poppa." She کہا "I like just the traditional grandma." Dad کہا "being called grandpa would make me feel old! That's why I picked Poppa!" She chuckled and کہا "you look like مزید of a Poppa than آپ would as grandpa!" I adjusted myself on the سوفی, لٹانا and کہا "the baby's kicking." Kate placed her hand on my stomach and a tear rolled down her face. I hugged her and asked "what's wrong?" She composed herself and کہا "I want آپ to know that I don't agree with the way Damien's acting right now. I tried to convince him that he needs to come ہوم and help آپ but; he just hangs up on me! I hope you'll allow me to be an active part of the baby's life!" I کہا baffled that she wouldn't think she would be able to be a part of her grandson's life "of course آپ can! آپ don't ever have to worry about that! I'll never stop آپ from seeing him! I can definitely use the help after the baby is born!" She took a sigh of relief and کہا "I'm sorry that my son is so immature!" Dad کہا "you don't have to feel bad about that because it's not your fault! آپ did your best and single mom and Damien didn't really have his father around as a good role model. Alanna asks me for help if she needs something; even if it's something crazy!" Kate laughed and asked "what crazy things has she had آپ do?" Dad and I laughed and he کہا "she's had me go to just about every fast food restaurant in Los Angeles! Most of the time she wakes me up at 1 AM to go get the food. That isn't the easiest thing to do when you're Michael Jackson!" I laughed and کہا "Kate; آپ should of seen the look on his face when I asked him to rub my feet yesterday!" Dad کہا "don't get too used to it because once that baby's born I'm done with that!" I laughed and said" I might as well take advantage of آپ while I can! I would be making Damien did the same thing if he were here!" Kate کہا "well; آپ can ask me for help while I'm here so your dad can have a break!" Dad hugged her and کہا "finally; I won't دکھائیں up to tour rehearsals tired, at least for a week." She asked eagerly "when is my grandson due?" Dad کہا "November 18." She کہا "I'm going to take off a few days before and after the baby is born so I can be here for the birth and to help out." I کہا "the three of us should go shopping and look at baby names together this week!" She clapped her hands with joy and کہا "it's been a while since I've been able to buy baby things; we're going to have so much fun this week!"

I'm glad that Kate is going to be supportive even though Damien isn't! That takes a lot of the weight off of dad's shoulders and I know that I will be able to ask her for advice about things that dad wouldn't know about! I'm still really mad at Damien though because the baby isn't even born yet and he is already being selfish!

July 9, 2008,

Kate, dad, and I was sitting in the living room while Grace had taken my siblings to the movies. I opened up my laptop and کہا "we should look at baby names!" Dad opened up your computer and went on to a pregnancy website as well. Kate sat down اگلے to me so she could see the names as I scrolled through a فہرست of thousands. She pointed at one and I shook my head in disagreement. Dad کہا "you could name the baby –" and I interrupted سے طرف کی saying "I'm not naming him Prince Michael the third dad!" Kate کہا "please don't; it would be too confusing!" I کہا "you don't have to worry about me choosing Prince because I narrowed my choices down to two names. I'll choose one of them as his first name and the other one as his middle name. The two of آپ can help me figure out which is which but; don't try to change my mind because I'm dead set on these names!" Kate asked "what names did آپ pick?" I کہا "I picked out Carter and Shawn." Dad کہا "really? آپ should pick a strong majestic African name! I like Rafiq!"

Kate and I both looked at each other and burst out laughing. I asked "what the heck kind of name is that?" Kate کہا "that sounds like a character in the lion King!" I کہا "he's not going to be able to spell that when he gets older! I don't want anything too weird یا something with like 20 letters in it!" Dad started laughing and Kate کہا "I personally like Shawn better as the first name but; it's up to آپ AJ!" Dad کہا "I like Carter better!" I کہا "you guys don't make this any easier on me! Carter Shawn, یا Shawn Carter? What one do I like better?" I wrote both options down on a piece of paper and asked "which one looks better to آپ guys. Kate grabbed the piece of paper from me and dad looked at it from over her shoulder. They both کہا in unison "Carter Shawn! Yeah; definitely Carter Shawn!" I کہا "good because that looks better to me too!" Dad kissed my stomach and کہا "hi little Carter Shawn! I can finally stop calling آپ baby یا it!"

July 11, 2008,

Today is Kate's last stay here because she has to go back to work in two days. She was sitting in the living room with the family and کہا "there; I bought my tickets for November so; I can be here a few days before Carter is born and stay here a few days after his birth." I کہا "since today is your last دن here; you, dad, and I should go to babies R us!" Kate کہا as I put on my feathered mask" I'm so excited!" Dad کہا "I'm just letting آپ know beforehand that the paparazzi can be a little annoying and whatever آپ do don't respond to their questions! As far as I'm concerned; they can think that I'm shopping for someone else's baby! Word can't get out yet that AJ's pregnant because it will be complete disaster!" Kate nodded her head and کہا "don't worry; I won't say anything!"

As we got into dad's Rolls-Royce and he put the key in the ignition, Kate کہا "this car is amazing!" Dad کہا "thanks; it was definitely well worth the money I paid for it!" Kate کہا "I didn't know that آپ can drive Michael!" He کہا "yeah I do drive myself places but; it's not very often when I'm able to!" I کہا "next year; آپ have to teach me how to drive dad because I'll be old enough to get my drivers permit!" He کہا "yeah; don't remind me!"

When we got to the store, word had gotten out that we had moved back to Los Angeles and the paparazzi had crowded the entrance. We got out of the car and shoved our way through. Once the manager realized who my dad was, he got everyone else to leave the store so none of us would have شائقین coming up and interrupting us!

As they walked down the aisles, Kate asked "is it this crazy every time آپ guys go out?" I کہا "every single time! That's why us kids wear masks in public that way; when were not with dad we don't have to wear them and we can live as normal a life as possible." She کہا "I never looked at it that way; that's a really smart idea!" Dad کہا "there's always a method to my madness that people don't understand! The paparazzi just jump to conclusions and say whatever they want about me. Most of the time, what they say is just downright mean; especially when they say things like wacko Jacko! یا they call the children socially deprived because of my life!" Kate کہا "well; I don't believe any of that crap!"

I looked at one of the shelves and کہا "there's baby wipe warming machines; really?" Kate chuckled as she put it in the کی ٹوکری, رکن کی نمائندہ and کہا "well yeah; آپ don't want the baby to freeze!" Dad laughed and کہا "that brings back memories from when آپ were little AJ!" I picked out a furniture set and then we went over to pick out a car seat. I stood there with Kate and dad and we must've looked at 50 different styles. I کہا "I didn't know that picking out a car نشست would be this hard; each one is adorable!" Dad کہا "there's a red and black one over there inside the matching stroller!" The سیکنڈ I saw it I کہا "this is the one!"

After we gave the store the shipping address for all the big items, we went outside into the ambush of paparazzi waiting for us. They shouted "how's your health Michael? When did آپ اقدام back to LA? Will your brother's be part of the new tour? Who are آپ shopping for? Who is this woman? Is she your new wife? Is she your girlfriend? Are آپ having another child Michael?"

Dad gently guided me into the back نشست while Kate sat in the passenger seat. We quickly sped off and Kate کہا "Michael; I can't believe they just assume that I'm either your girlfriend یا your wife!" Dad laughed and کہا "anytime I go out in public with a female they ask that! It could be a 90-year-old woman for God's sake and I'll see the عنوان of a magazine say 'wacko Jacko is getting married to the wrinkly woman of his dreams!" We all burst out laughing and I کہا "we all just learn to laugh at it because we can't really do much about it!" She کہا "I've had so much fun with آپ guys! It sucks that I have to leave tomorrow and at 9 AM!" Dad کہا "I don't want آپ to leave either because we all had fun with you! Most of all though; it means that I'm going to have to get up in the middle of the night again!" I کہا "I'm going to miss the weird conversations آپ and I had at midnight while we ate the fast food آپ picked up!" Kate کہا "don't forget that I'll be back when you're still pregnant, a couple of days before آپ have Carter so it isn't the last fast food conversation the two of us have!" I hugged her and we drove back to the house.

October 2, 2008

Dad came into my room and sat down اگلے to me. He کہا "only one مزید ماہ left until little Carter Shawn it here!" I کہا "I'm so done being pregnant; everything hurts!" He کہا "I wish we could find somebody to paint a mural to go along with the nursery side of your bedroom!" I کہا as I smiled "I think I know a guy!" He کہا "you should call him because we have to paint the nursery today!"

3 hours later there was a knock at the front door and I heard a whole bunch of feet shuffle up the stairs. Dad opened my bedroom door and کہا "AJ; your دوستوں are here!" Colton, Sketch, and Brandon stood in front of me and we gave each other fist bumps. I asked "dad is it okay to use spray paint on the walls?" Dad کہا "yeah but; آپ can't be around it until the room airs out from the smell because آپ are pregnant." I کہا okay; these are my دوستوں that I was telling آپ about, Brandon Colton, and Sketch." Dad looked at me puzzled as we left the room and asked "why do they call him Sketch?" I put my hand on his shoulder and کہا "you'll see!"

Over five hours later, the guys came downstairs and کہا "it doesn't smell like spray paint anymore and we're done the mural so; آپ can check it out!" We all went back upstairs and I slowly turned the doorknob to my room. Dad and I stood there staring at the one دیوار in my bedroom with giant graffiti letters that say 'Carter ‘in all different shades of blue. Dad کہا "this is amazing! آپ guys are really talented artists! Now I can see why they call آپ Sketch!" Brandon smiled and کہا as he fist bumped me "no problem; it's the least we could do! We're really sorry that Damien is being such a jerk! Every time he gets on his MySpace page, we tell him that he needs to get his butt here to LA and be with you! Oh and سے طرف کی the way; thanks for paying for our flight down here Mr. Jackson!" Dad کہا "of course and now that I see that آپ guys are nothing like Damien is, آپ can hang out with AJ مزید often! Probably not a lot now because her first priority is being a mother but; every now and then is fine!"

November 16, 2008,

I was sitting on the سوفی, لٹانا when the doorbell rang. I yelled "dad; I think Kate is here!" He opened the door and کہا "it's so nice to see آپ again!" She ran into the living room to see me and کہا "hi AJ!" I کہا "hi; I would get up to hug آپ but; I'm stuck!" All three of us started laughing and Kate sat down so I could hug her. She کہا "you look exhausted!" I rubbed my eyes and کہا "I am; I just want him out now!" Dad کہا "I don't think you'll be saying that when he is ready to come out!" Kate chuckled and asked "did آپ set up all the nursery stuff we bought in your bedroom?" Dad کہا "I'm sure you've heard from the guys that Damien and AJ hang out with that they painted the mural on the bedroom wall." Kate کہا "they still haven't stopped talking about it! They were like 'dude; Michael Jackson's house is huge! We've never legally spray-painted anything before! He paid us $500 each for that one mural! He seems like such an awesome dad; AJ is so lucky!'" Dad کہا "we wanted to wait until آپ came to set up the furniture because آپ helped us pick everything out." She کہا "well; come on! I want to go see the mural too!" I asked "okay but; one of آپ needs to help me up because I wasn't exaggerating when I کہا I was stuck!" The two of them laughed as they helped a very pregnant me off of the couch.

The three of us made our way upstairs as I grabbed onto dad for support. I opened my bedroom door and Kate was shocked سے طرف کی the state of my room. She کہا "the mural looks amazing but; there are clothes everywhere! Not to mention all the video games cases all over the floor!" Dad کہا "I was planning on cleaning up in here a few hours before AJ comes back from the hospital." She کہا "that's fine; I'll clean it! Just promise me that آپ won't let your room get like this again after the baby is born!" Dad کہا "I'll make sure that she doesn't let it get like this again because I won't stand for it with a baby around!" She took a sigh of relief and کہا "that's good!"

As she picked up things in my room she noticed the دیوار opposite of the one with the mural on it. Almost 100 posters of Jesse McCartney were taped up there and dad کہا "oh; I see you've discovered Alanna's secret infatuation with J – Mac!" I کہا "dad; I can call him that but; it's creepy when آپ do!" سے طرف کی the way Kate; I don't have an obsession with Jesse McCartney; no matter what my dad says!" She کہا as she pointed at the دیوار "you can't tell me that آپ don't have an obsession with him with a دیوار like this! You're lucky that Damien can't see this because he would probably rip them all down! He hates the boy band type singers! He ripped all of his sisters Jonas Brothers posters down because I think he's jealous that they have girls falling all over them!" Dad chuckled and کہا "alright; enough about Jesse McCartney! We've got some decorating to do!"

November 18, 2008,

We were all sitting at the باورچی خانے, باورچی خانہ میز, جدول when I got up and dad asked nervously "where are آپ going?" I کہا "calm down dad! I'm just going to the bathroom! When the baby is coming; you'll be the first to know!" Kate rolled her eyes and کہا "oh my gosh Michael; AJ and I weren't nervous at all but; you're making us nervous! The last thing we need it for AJ to be nervous!"

I whispered from down the hall "Kate; come here!" She walked over secretively and saw that I was standing in a bloody puddle. She کہا "your dad's going to freak out!" She walked out back into the باورچی خانے, باورچی خانہ and dad asked "where's AJ?" She calmly responded "her water just broke." Dad stared at her in shock for a few سیکنڈ and کہا "OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, WE'VE GOT TO GO NOW!!!" Kate کہا "if you're like this Michael; آپ going to stress her out! آپ need to stay calm!" He took a deep breath and کہا "you're right! We really do need to leave though!" I کہا "can we talk about this another time!"

Dad and Kate walked me out to the car and helped me into the back seat. Kate got into the driver’s نشست and started the car as dad sat down اگلے to me. Dad کہا "it takes 15 منٹ to get to the hospital! Are آپ in any pain yet?" I کہا "a little bit so far." He held out his hand and I کہا "no; I don't have to hold your hand; it doesn't hurt that bad!" Dad کہا "trust me; you're going to want to hold my hand!" I کہا "I'm fine dad!"

We pulled up in front of the hospital and dad was surprised with how calm I was. We got out of the car and walked inside. Kate walked up to the front ڈیسک and کہا "we have someone whose water just broke!" The staff brought a wheelchair out to me and we slowly started to go down to our hospital room all the way at the end of the long hall. When we were halfway there dad and Kate noticed the spontaneous change in me. Dad asked "are آپ okay Alanna?" I put my hand over my forehead and کہا "I think I'm feeling it now!" Kate کہا "we're almost there; just a few feet away." I can say now that that walk down the hall seemed like it took hours!

I slowly moved from the wheelchair I was in and into the hospital bed. Dad asked "is the doctor coming?" Kate کہا "yeah; I can hear footsteps." A female doctor came into the room and کہا "I've heard that we have a baby on the way in here." Dad shook hands with her and کہا "nice to meet آپ Dr. Benson" as he read her name tag. She looked at me and asked "how are آپ feeling?" I کہا "it's slowly getting مزید intense سے طرف کی the minute. It's not excruciating yet though!" She کہا "that's good! Let's see if you're really ready to have this baby!"

After examining me, she کہا "you're not ready yet! I'll be back in about 15 منٹ to check again." She left the room and I asked as I looked up at Kate who was sitting beside my hospital بستر "how long is it going to be before I can start pushing?" She کہا "who knows; it could be منٹ یا it could be hours." I کہا "hours!" Dad kissed my forehead and he could tell that the pain was getting increasingly worse but; I was being my usual stubborn self and wasn't going to دکھائیں my discomfort easily!

15 منٹ later, Dr. Benson came back into the room and کہا "it seems to me like you're ready now!" I کہا "thank God" and dad کہا "the pushing is the painful part!" At this point, I was already sweating and trying my best to hide my tears. I asked "you mean to tell me that it's going to be مزید painful than it already is right now?" Kate کہا "so much worse! Like the worst pressure you've ever felt in your life!" Dr. Benson asked "would آپ like to have the epidural یا natural childbirth?" I asked confused "what's an epidural?" She responded "it's a needle full of medicine that numbs everything so آپ can't feel any pain." I کہا "no I don't need that; I'm doing it naturally!" Dad کہا "AJ; I suggest آپ use the epidural; I know how آپ are and آپ don't want to use it because آپ want to be tough!" Kate کہا "I've done it once naturally and once with the epidural and I agree with your dad completely! I really think آپ need to just go along with what we are suggesting! آپ have to remember that your only 14 and I'm telling آپ that آپ are going to be in some serious pain if آپ don't choose to go with the epidural; I'm just letting آپ know!" I کہا as I looked up at Dr. Benson "no; I want to do this naturally." She asked "are آپ 100% sure because once آپ start pushing there is no changing your mind?" I کہا "yeah; I'm sure!" Dad and Kate looked at each other worried and dad sat in the chair اگلے to her.

A few منٹ later, Dr. Benson کہا "okay; push as hard as آپ possibly can for as long as آپ can!" What I felt with that very first push I couldn't possibly explain to you; I guess I guess I could compare it to someone slowly ripping the skin off your body! Not to mention the tremendous pressure that Kate had warned me about. Dr. Benson کہا "okay push again!" I started crying as I attempted again and the اگلے thing I knew dad had grabbed my hand! I کہا "I told آپ I didn't need to hold your hand dad!" He کہا "stop being so stubborn and push AJ!"

While I pushed for the third time I must've practically crushed dad's hand with how hard I was holding it! سے طرف کی the fourth time, I کہا "I WANT HIM OUT NOW! I'm going to kill Damien for putting me through this!" Dr. Benson کہا "I can see a head! It should only take about one مزید BIG push to get him out! Kate switched places with dad so he could help Dr. Benson guide the baby out and suddenly I finally felt the relief I had been searching for!

سیکنڈ later, I heard my son cry for the first time and dad came over to me with tears in his eyes. He kissed the سب, سب سے اوپر of my head and کہا "you did it; he's here!" I started crying uncontrollably and کہا "I want to see Carter!" Kate walked over to where the nurses were evaluating him and کہا "he's beautiful AJ!” One of the nurses shouted "AJ; he weighs 7 pounds exactly." Dad went over to look at his grandson and I asked "will آپ bring him over here to me now?"

Dad walked over to me with a bundle of blue blankets in his arms and کہا "here's Carter; don't forget to support his head!" That was the first time I saw my son and he was even cuter than I had imagined. Kate stroked his head while he was still in my arms and I passed him to her and she کہا "hi Carter; I'm your grandma!" I کہا while growing impatient "I want him back now!" Dr. Benson کہا "he seems pretty healthy so; instead of going for further evaluation, آپ can keep him in here with آپ guys! A nurse will come in and help آپ finalize his birth certificate in about two hours!" Dad کہا "thank آپ for everything Dr. Benson!" She کہا "no problem; this is why I love my job!"

I passed Carter to dad and looked out the window that was اگلے to me. I looked down at the parking lot and کہا "I think آپ guys are going to want to see what I can see from over here!" Kate and dad got up and looked out the window. Dad asked "is that Damien? It is!" Kate کہا "he must've used my credit card to buy a plane ticket out here!” I bit my lip angrily and کہا "now after all this time he shows up!" Dad کہا as he grinded his teeth "I'm sorry about this Kate but; I'm about to go down there into the parking lot and kick your son's ass!!!" She کہا "go right ahead! I think I might شامل میں you! I'm seething with anger right now!" I کہا "whatever آپ do don't let him come up here because I'll bash his head in! Yes I'm aware that I just had a baby but; at this point I don't care how exhausted I am he deserves it!" Dad کہا as he ran out of the room with Kate "don't worry; he won't want to after I'm done with him!” Forgetting that he had Carter in his arms, he quickly ran back into the room and passed him back to me!

As I saw the two of them storm to where Damien was; I decided to open the window so I could hear what was going on. Dad looked at Damien and asked "what do آپ think you're doing here?" Damien کہا "I'm here to see my son!" Kate کہا "you're about nine months too late for that!" Damien کہا "I'm going to see my son!" Dad pushed Damien seeming to want to instigate a fight and کہا "no you're not!" Damien asked "you want to go? I'm not scared of آپ Michael!" I کہا under my breath "well; آپ should be!"

The two of them put their fists up and started to مککا, عجیب الخلقت the air around the others face!" Dad کہا "come on and مککا, عجیب الخلقت me then!!!" Damien swung his fist in the air but missed! I couldn't help but laugh and dad کہا "let me دکھائیں آپ how it's done jerk face!" I'm not exaggerating when I say that I could hear dad's fist make contact with Damien's face. Damien fell to the ground and Kate کہا "don't come back here! If آپ think it's cool to run off like that then don't bother coming back to the house when آپ go back to Vegas either! I'm canceling my credit cards and آپ can have fun trying to make it on your own in the real world! Don't come crawling back to me when آپ can't do it anymore! Until آپ get your priorities straight and apologize to AJ; who I'd like to remind آپ is the mother of your son… Just don't come back until آپ grow a pair and own up to the stupid choices آپ have made!" Damien stumbled off looking like he had sprained his ankle when he fell to the ground!

Dad and Kate came back upstairs to our room and I کہا "wow Kate; I didn't know that آپ had that you!" Dad asked "was it just me یا did آپ smell alcohol on Damien's breath too?" She کہا "I could too; I'm used to it though! He's been drinking since last year!" I shook my head in disbelief and dad smiled as he کہا "I can't believe I gave him a black eye! I don't think he will come back unless he grows up!" I کہا "if it doesn't bother آپ Kate; I'd prefer to have Carter's last name be Jackson instead of Hayes because I don't think Damien deserves the right to have the same last name as his son! If he can prove to me that he does then I will have it legally changed!" She کہا "of course and I agree with you." I کہا "I can't wait to bring my little Carter Shawn Jackson ہوم tomorrow so he can me everyone!"

November 19, 2008,

We were just arriving back to the house after leaving the hospital when I could see Blanket running excitedly down the driveway. I opened the car door and he کہا "I want to see Carter!" I کہا while whispering "you can see him when we get inside but; آپ have to calm down and be quiet because he’s sleeping!" Dad and Kate walked inside behind me while I carried Carter in his car seat.

As I picked Carter up out of his car نشست he started to cry. I was freaked out سے طرف کی this because I don't really know how to figure out what he needs yet. Dad came over and took him from me. I کہا "I don't know what he needs!" Dad asked as his eyes widened "well; are آپ ready to learn how to change a diaper?" I کہا "I might as well learn how to now!" Dad کہا "I'll talk آپ through it!"

Kate put a blanket down on the سوفی, لٹانا and I laid Carter on it. Dad کہا "you don't have to clean him up with the wipes for 15 منٹ AJ; oh my gosh!" I کہا "I just want to make sure I'm doing it right dad! Would آپ rather I not be so meticulous about it?" He کہا "I like that آپ want to be thorough but; you've got to go a little bit faster یا he might –! I asked "he might what?" Dad and Kate looked down and کہا "do that!" I looked to see what they were talking about and jumped up. I کہا "ewww آپ didn't tell me that he would pee on me!" Dad کہا while laughing along with Kate "we tried to but آپ wouldn't listen!" I shouted all the way from the bathroom where I made an attempt to save my شرٹ, قمیض "that's so disgusting; it's not funny آپ guys!" Kate کہا "just so آپ know; everything about babies and toddlers is disgusting; something is always going everywhere یا all over you… Welcome to motherhood AJ!" Dad کہا "he only got a little bit on you! Just wait till it's 2 in the morning one of these times and آپ have to take a شاور because of that!"

(awww i'm sad, the chapter after this one is the last one with Michael alive)