Hearing those words come out of Debbie's mouth made my دل race. I knew it wasn't a good idea to bring AJ to the hospital because I know it's going to be chaos. I ran up to Jeffrey and asked him "will آپ watch AJ for me? Debbie's water just broke and I don't know how long I'll be at the hospital with her for." He کہا "of course I can Michael. I hope everything with the delivery goes well." I کہا "thank آپ so much Jeffrey" and grabbed my car keys off of the countertop in the kitchen.

When I arrived at the hospital, Debbie was so happy to see me and she کہا "I'm not even close to having the baby anytime soon. I can't really complain too much because Alanna's delivery was so easy and quick. This is just the payback for the first time!" I sat down in the chair اگلے to her hospital بستر and کہا "I don't care how long this takes; I'll be here to support you!" She کہا "I had the doctors give me an epidural because I just couldn't handle the pain anymore. I've been nauseous and I just wanted to warn آپ because I will probably throw up at some point." I hugged her and کہا "just relax! I'm not going anywhere; even if آپ throw up! That stuff doesn't bother me! Did آپ forget that I have a two-year-old at home? Throwing up is nothing to me anymore Debbie!"

منٹ after I finish that sentence, she did end up getting sick in a bucket that she held in her hands. She looked embarrassed almost to the point of devastation. She کہا "I'm so sorry آپ had to witness that Michael!" I کہا "you really don't need to worry about it; seriously Debbie! That doesn't bother me at all! I'm just glad that آپ have better aim than AJ does because I've lost count of how many times she's gotten sick all over me and that doesn't even bother me anymore!" After I کہا that she seemed to be at ease and we sat there finally able to catch up on what has been going on in each other's lives.

Debbie asked "how's AJ doing?" I کہا "you'll be happy to know that I threw away the baby bottles." She کہا "that's great. How is the bathroom situation with her going? I know آپ were really struggling with that before!" I کہا "she's 100% trained during the دن and it'll probably be a while before I'm comfortable working on nighttime with her because I'm going to be busy taking care of Prince in the middle of the night." Debbie asked "what about her oppositional defiance disorder and ADHD? Has that gotten any better?" I took a deep sigh and کہا "unfortunately no; if anything it's gotten worse! I've never seen a child that young with the anger that she has! I can’t imagine what it's going to be like when she is older! I know she's not broken but sometimes I just want to fix her in some way because I can see that she doesn't even want to act the way she does! I think she realizes what she does after the fact and feels remorseful; but she just doesn't want to admit it. She is so stubborn but; she has the potential to be so well behaved and I hope I'm doing everything in my power to help her get to that point!"

After almost 23 hours of labor, Debbie had almost delivered our son into the world and I was glad because I could tell that she was completely exhausted. She was cursing up a storm and I would try to come up with another word for her to use because I rarely ever swear! I only really swear when I'm extremely mad! Sometimes "hell" will slip out of my mouth here and there; but I don't really consider that a swear word because it's in the Bible. Anyway, I finally got to hold my son for the first time and it brought me back to all the times when AJ was that small! I of course thanked Debbie and was glad when they let me leave the hospital with him a few hours later. Debbie unfortunately has to stay at the hospital for a few days to monitor her health because the delivery lasted so long.

I got back to Neverland with Prince around 2 o'clock in the morning and Jeffrey was waiting for me. I let him go back to his servants’ quarters because he was pretty much sleeping when I walked through the door. After feeding my son and helping him get off to sleep, I walked across the hall into AJ's bedroom to see her peacefully sleeping with cartoons playing on her TV. I kissed her forehead and turned off the TV. I couldn't help but realize how much AJ has changed in almost 3 years’ time.

***

Okay, maybe I forgot how much work it is to take care of a newborn baby because it's been so long. Ever since I bought Prince ہوم about six hours پہلے I've been exhausted and I'm about to get a lot مزید tired because AJ should be up any منٹ now. She still doesn't know that her brother is here because she was fast asleep when I got back to the ranch with him. Thank God Grace will be back tomorrow because I have feeling today is going to be very long دن which will make me one very tired daddy.

I was sitting on the سوفی, لٹانا in the living room with Prince in my arms and my eyes barely open when AJ yelled "I'm awake daddy" from upstairs. My eyes shot open and I walked upstairs with the baby still in my arms. I opened her bedroom door and quietly crept over to the bed. I whispered "do آپ want to meet your baby brother?" I sat down اگلے to her on the بستر and helped her hold Prince in her arms. She کہا "he's cute daddy." I کہا "I know." She کہا "I can't wait until he's a little bit older so I can teach him stuff!" I asked "did آپ listen to Jeffrey while I was at the hospital?" She responded "yeah; but I missed آپ and now I really have to go to the bathroom!" I chuckled and کہا "I don't understand why آپ don't ever go when I'm not here. آپ make me feel so bad for you." She dashed off to the bathroom while explaining "because I just can't go daddy." I rolled my eyes and کہا "whatever آپ say AJ!"

AJ came downstairs with me a little while later and I was surprised سے طرف کی how patient she was being with me because I had to spend so much time taking care of Prince. She actually wanted to be helpful to me and would go get me something that I needed if Prince started crying. I کہا "you're being such a good big sister AJ!" She looked down at Prince as he drank from the bottle I was feeding him and asked "daddy?" I responded "yes?" She asked "is that one of my bottles?" I کہا "it used to be a few months ago." She whispered "oh" and wrinkled her eyebrows. She stayed really quite after that and I don't really know why.

***

I was woken up this morning سے طرف کی the doorbell ringing and grabbed Prince out of the پالنے, پالنا that was set up in my bedroom so I could go answer it. When I opened the door Grace was standing on the other side and I was so happy to see her because she's been gone for the past six months taking care of her sister who unfortunately passed away. I کہا "it's so nice to have آپ working for me again; so much has changed! AJ’s going to be three years old in a few weeks! This is my newborn son Prince Michael and you'll be taking care of him too. Luckily, I don't really have too much going on with my job right now because I'm in between legs on my tour and the final leg doesn't start until the week after AJ's birthday. There are only 15 shows left and then the tour is finally over! If آپ can’t tell سے طرف کی now, I hate being on tour! It absolutely exhausts me and I can't wait until I don't have to worry about it anymore! Until then, I'm just trying to enjoy as much quality time with the children as possible before we hit the road again." She کہا "well, I'll be here to help آپ with anything آپ need so that when آپ get back to the hotel after a کنسرٹ آپ can just relax!" I کہا "I really appreciate that from آپ because there would be no way that I would be able to watch both of the children on my own and do my job correctly. It was hard enough just watching AJ for those last few concerts when آپ left to go tend to your sister. My manager was so irritated with me because I spent مزید time worrying about Alanna then I did about preparing for the show. He stresses me out way too much! I'm not looking آگے to having him breathing down my neck pretty much all دن long. I definitely don't miss that part of my job."

AJ came scurrying down the stairs and I picked her up. I kissed her forehead and کہا "this is Grace; do آپ remember her?" She started to act shy and asked "is she the lady who was here when آپ put me in timeout for the first time daddy?" I smirked and کہا "yeah that's her." Grace کہا "your daddy looks like he needs a break." I کہا "actually; I was going to have آپ watch the two of them while I go to my studio here on the ranch." AJ immediately started having separation anxiety; I can't really blame her because she hasn't really been away from me for the past six months.

She screamed "you can't leave me here daddy!" I asked "why not? I'm just going to be over at the studio a few miles away in the backyard munchkin." She refused to talk to me unless Grace left the room; so I had her feed Prince a baby bottle in the living room while AJ and I talked. I asked "what's the big deal AJ? I'm not going anywhere far away!” She کہا "I don't want to be away from you! I heard آپ talking about how you're going to go back to work and be gone all دن while I'm in a hotel!" She started crying uncontrollably and I couldn't help but feel bad because I don't like leaving either of the children for any amount of time; let alone all دن for five days a week. We'll only be gone for a ماہ and a half because I average about three shows a week and there's only 15 shows left on the tour.

I asked "do آپ want to go down to the studio with me then; since آپ don't want me to leave آپ here with Grace?" She کہا "yes" and calmed herself down. I walked into the living room and کہا "you don't need to worry about watching AJ because she's going to the studio with me. We'll be back in about an hour; check the backyard if آپ need me." Grace کہا "no need to worry; are آپ sure آپ don't want me to watch AJ for you?" I responded "no; that's all right. If آپ can't tell سے طرف کی now; AJ is extremely attached to me!"

I love my personal recording studio that I had built on the ranch because it has a living room that AJ has a play area set up in. I held her hand as we walked through the front door of the studio and I brought her to the living room. She asked "daddy; will آپ play with me?" I felt really bad because I haven't really been able to spend much time with her in the past two days because of Prince needing so much of my time and attention. I lay down on my stomach on the living area floor and کہا "sure; since there's not many things in here, why don't we just talk instead?" She کہا "okay daddy." I asked "do آپ like being a big sister AJ?" She کہا "yeah; but I wish آپ could spend مزید time with me because I kind of miss when it was just me and you! I really love Prince; but I can't have آپ all to myself anymore!" I کہا sympathetically "I know; in a few مزید months Prince won't need me to take care of him quite so often and then we can do things that آپ like to do. That actually reminds me; what did آپ want to do for your birthday this year?" She کہا "I want to have a Spiderman party daddy!!!" I chuckled and sarcastically کہا "I didn't see that coming! Do آپ want your uncles, grandma, and aunts to come to the party?" She کہا "no; grandma and Aunt Latoya can come over; but that's it!" I asked curiously "why don't آپ want everyone else to come?" She کہا "because they are mean to آپ and make آپ sad."

***

Last سال I was rehearsing for my tour when AJ's birthday rolled around; so I really didn't have the time to set up anything special for her. That's why I want this birthday to make up for the last one. Plus, this is the first birthday that I think she will remember years from now and I want it to be a memorable دن for her! I walked upstairs and into AJ's bedroom to see if she was awake yet. I was surprised to see that she was still sleeping because it was almost 9 o'clock and she usually wakes up around eight. I walked up to her and pulled the covers away. She slowly opened her eyes and I کہا "good morning sleepyhead. Are آپ excited that your birthday is only a few days away?" She کہا "I'm so excited daddy!" I کہا "good because I'm going to do my best to make this the coolest party ever!"

She jumped on my back and I carried her downstairs. I let her down and she sat on the couch. I put cartoons on the TV and walked up to Grace in the باورچی خانے, باورچی خانہ and asked in whispered tones "will آپ watch AJ as well as Prince while I go shopping for her party?" She responded "of course I can Michael." I کہا "I have to stop سے طرف کی a few other places too; so I may be a couple of hours." She کہا "that's not problem Michael; take as long as آپ need!" While AJ was mesmerized سے طرف کی the TV, I quickly snuck out of the house before she noticed because I knew she would have separation anxiety if she knew that I went somewhere without her.

After going to the store with my bodyguard Jeffrey, I decided to stop سے طرف کی Havenhurst to check in on my mother because I haven't seen her in a few weeks. I knocked on the door and Majestic answered it. Majestic was the magician I hired to entertain me while I was still living with mother and Joseph; but now he just stays at Havenhurst free of charge because I didn't want my mother's been lonely here سے طرف کی herself. I greeted Majestic and he کہا "it's about time آپ come to visit me!" I chuckled and کہا "I'm actually here to see mother." He jokingly کہا "oh… I see how it is Michael!" I walked into the living room to see mother sitting there in a chair. She looked up and کہا "there's my little Michael!" I rolled my eyes and smiled as I کہا "I'm not so little anymore mother! I'm going to be 34." I sat down in the chair اگلے to her and she کہا "you'll always be my little Michael!"

She asked "so, what brings آپ here today?" I کہا "I just finished shopping for Alanna's birthday party and wanted to stop سے طرف کی to invite آپ to come on Saturday." She کہا "of course I'll be there! Can –." I cut her off and کہا "please don't even ask that mother! I'm not inviting my brothers, Janet, Rebbie, and especially not Joseph! I've tried three times in a row to invite them over to the ranch and it never ends positively! I want this to be good birthday for AJ and even she realizes that being around any of them makes me tense! She told me all on her own that she doesn't want them to come!" Mother کہا "that's fine Michael; it was just a suggestion." I got up from my نشست and کہا "okay mother; I love آپ and I'll see آپ in a few days at the ranch for the party." She hugged me and کہا "I can't wait; I miss my grandbabies!"

When I opened the front door to the main house on the ranch, I saw that AJ was sobbing uncontrollably on the other side of the door. I picked her up and asked "what's wrong?" She کہا "I was watching TV and when I looked around later on, آپ were gone!!!!!!!!!!!!" I rubbed her back as tears flowed from her eyes and کہا "you couldn't come with me because I had to get your party stuff. I came back; didn't I?" Grace came into the room and کہا "see; I told آپ daddy would be back! She had a complete meltdown once she realized آپ were gone Michael!" I کہا "she's become very clingy in this past few months that we've been back home. I don't know what's gotten into her! آپ know I would never leave آپ forever AJ; I always come back!" She کہا while rubbing her eyes "next time, please take me with آپ daddy!"

***

I ran into AJ's room and shouted "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" at the سب, سب سے اوپر of my lungs. She jumped out of بستر and کہا "yay; it's time for my party!" I chuckled and کہا "whoa; slow down! It's only 8 o'clock in the morning! We still have a while to go before grandma and Aunt Latoya come over! I called Aunt Elizabeth (Taylor) and she is coming too." She quietly walked downstairs and I کہا "remember, Prince is sleeping so we can't be too loud! Grace was upstairs with the baby so I could spend some much overdue quality time with AJ. While I slowly began to get the things out of the باورچی خانے, باورچی خانہ so I could make French ٹوسٹ for breakfast.

The phone started ringing as I stood there putting the syrup on the French ٹوسٹ that I had just made for breakfast. I answered the phone and the person on the other end کہا "hello; is this Mr. Jackson?" I کہا "yes; may I ask whose calling?" The person کہا "this is your party planner Deana and I have some unfortunate news for آپ Michael. The person that آپ hired to come to the party dressed as Spiderman canceled about 20 منٹ ago." I whispered angrily "what do آپ mean they canceled? They can't do that! That was supposed to be the best part of AJ's birthday party!" She responded "I'm sorry Michael; is there any other superhero that your daughter would want to come to her party?" I کہا irritated "no; that's why I specifically asked for Spiderman! Why don't آپ have one of the people that dresses up in costume wear the Spiderman one instead?" She کہا "because the other staff members aren't crazy enough to put on that costume because it's extremely hot and makes them sweat. The person that was supposed to wear the costume today was my 16-year-old nephew and the only reason he agreed to wear it was because I was going to let him borrow my car so he could go to the prom with his girlfriend. Then out of nowhere he called me and told me that he wouldn't need the car anymore because they are just going to ride in a limo with a group of their friends. I'm sorry Michael; but there's nothing I can do about it at this point because it's such short notice that I wouldn't be able to find someone and time." I was getting very aggravated at this point and کہا "you know what, just bring the costume over to me and I'll wear the freaking thing! I mean this is totally unacceptable and I won't be using your services again after today! آپ should be ashamed of yourself and I hope you'll be happy when I spread the word around to all my other celebrity دوستوں about how ridiculous this is for me to have to deal with right now! All I can say is that the birthday cake I had آپ make better be amazing!"

I slammed the phone down on the میز, جدول and shook my head in disbelief. I went into the living room and saw AJ sitting on the سوفی, لٹانا watching cartoons. I sat اگلے to her and she کہا "I can't wait for my party daddy! Is it almost time?" I chuckled and کہا "you just got up 10 منٹ پہلے and I told آپ the party isn't going to be for a while." She کہا "it's taking too long!" I کہا "you're still in your pajamas and we haven't even had anything to eat yet!" She asked "are آپ making something for breakfast daddy?" I کہا "of course I am; I have French ٹوسٹ started right now. It should be done in a few مزید minutes!"

Once the French ٹوسٹ was finished, I sat down اگلے to AJ at the میز, جدول and meticulously cut her food into the smallest bite-size pieces possible. Grace came downstairs with Prince in her arms and sat down اگلے to me at the table. She کہا "happy birthday AJ." I looked over at AJ as she shoveled so much French ٹوسٹ in her mouth that she couldn't even respond. I کہا "AJ; آپ know better than that. It may be your birthday, but that doesn't mean آپ get to break the rules." She swallowed her food and softly کہا "sorry" under her breath. I کہا "I just don't want آپ to choke because I would feel awful." she asked "daddy; since it's my birthday, can I pick out what clothes I'm going to wear?" I کہا "I don't have a problem with that."

One of the maids helped clean the house while Grace and I started setting up the decorations for the party. Grace کہا "wow Michael; آپ really went all out for AJ's party this year!" I کہا "I really wanted this birthday to be special because this is the last سال that I think I can get away with calling Alanna a baby. I have a feeling that this سال is going to be really hard on me in particular because I'm finishing up a tour and trying to successfully raise two kids. I'm realizing now that I've spent so much time with Prince that I don't want AJ to think he's مزید important then she is to me! It's easy for a three-year-old to perceive things in that way. I want her to know that just because she isn't my one and only priority anymore doesn't mean I've forgotten about her!"

After we had set up the entire first floor of the house with Spiderman themed party decorations, AJ came downstairs and I couldn't wait to see what she had picked out for clothes. I turned around to see that she was wearing a tank سب, سب سے اوپر over a sweatshirt, one blue sock, one yellow sock, and a pair of Spiderman باکسر, مکے باز shorts. I had to try my absolute hardest not to laugh and she asked "do آپ like my outfit daddy?" I crossed my arms and کہا "it's original; that's for sure! Just out of curiosity; do آپ need my help picking out pants to wear?" She کہا "no; I'm just going to stay like this!" I chuckled and کہا "stay like that! آپ can't stay like that AJ!" She asked "why not daddy?" Grace started cracking up and I کہا "because AJ; you're just in your undies! آپ don't want everyone to see your undies; right?" She کہا "but daddy –!" I کہا "no 'but daddy’s’ آپ have to put on jeans یا something! I'll compromise with you; if آپ want to wear Spiderman pajama pants آپ can!" She کہا "okay daddy; I like your plan better" and ran upstairs.

I laughed and کہا "okay; maybe letting AJ pick out her own clothes wasn't such a good idea after all! I kind of forgot about her obsession with the Spiderman boxers" the doorbell rang and I let my mother, Latoya, and Elizabeth inside. AJ ran into my arms and I کہا "there; آپ look much better now! آپ didn't have to change your شرٹ, قمیض though!" She کہا "I know; but I wanted to match!" Latoya took AJ out of my arms and asked "do آپ want to see your birthday cake? Auntie just picked it up on the way over here!" AJ shook her head "yes" and Latoya showed her the blue and red cake with Spiderman's face on it. I breathed a sigh of relief because I was so worried that the party planner would mess up the cake. I whispered "did آپ get the costume from the lady?" She put AJ down on the floor and pulled me into another room.

Latoya کہا "yes I did Michael; but are آپ sure آپ want to wear this? The fabric is really thick!" I کہا "yes I'm sure! I don't want AJ to ever forget this birthday!" I snuck upstairs to go put the costume on and immediately started sweating. The weather outside was already in the high 80s and I don't know how long I'm going to be able to handle this for! I quickly slipped the mask over my head and went downstairs.

I walked into the dining room just as Latoya was lighting the candles on the cake and tapped AJ on the shoulder. She turned around and her face was priceless. She was absolutely speechless and then she forced out of the words "how did آپ get here Spiderman?" I کہا in my normal tone of voice "I swung on my مکڑی webs!" Latoya nudged me with her elbow and whispered "deeper voice Michael!" I cleared my throat and کہا "so; I could tell سے طرف کی my Spidey senses that today is your third birthday!" AJ کہا "whoa; I can't believe آپ knew that!" Latoya could see I was sweating like crazy in the costume; so she کہا "listen AJ; Spiderman has to leave." Latoya took a picture of us together and AJ کہا "wait Spiderman; I think my daddy is upstairs and if آپ see him please tell him how he can get big muscles like آپ have!" I chuckled at the irony of what she just کہا to me and کہا "I'll make sure I let him in on all my secrets!"

After changing back into my regular clothes, I went downstairs to شامل میں the party. Surprisingly, AJ didn't have too much to say about meeting "Spiderman" and I think that was because she was still in shock from the whole experience. She didn't even say a single word to me afterwards about it.

It was time for AJ to go to بستر and I was giving her a piggyback ride up the stairs. I gently dropped her onto her بستر and when I leaned in to give her a kiss good night, she asked "daddy; did آپ see Spiderman?" I smiled and کہا "yes I did." She asked "did he tell آپ how to get big muscles like him?" I کہا "he did; but why do آپ think that my muscles need to be bigger than they already are?" She کہا "because I want آپ to be able to beat up bad guys and monsters that can hurt me!" I کہا "trust me AJ; I will protect آپ from any bad guys! I'll beat up anybody that wants to hurt you!" She seemed unconvinced as she stared at me with her eyebrows wrinkled and کہا "I don't think so daddy; some of those bad guys are really strong!" I کہا "AJ; when it comes to someone hurting آپ I'm stronger than Spiderman is! No one will ever hurt آپ as long as daddy's around to hurt them first!" I shut off the light after finally getting my good night kiss and just as I was about to leave the room, AJ کہا "thank آپ for the best birthday ever daddy! I love آپ so much!" I کہا "I love آپ more! You're welcome; sleep well!"

***

I کہا "AJ; آپ have to be patient because I'm taking care of Prince right now! Grace will help you!" She shouted back "no; I want you!" I sighed and کہا "just come in here then!" She کہا "NO; I don't want to!" I rolled my eyes and کہا "you're about to find yourself in the corner for three منٹ if آپ keep this up!" She کہا "you're being stupid daddy!" I couldn't believe my ears at first because I had never کہا that word around AJ before. I passed Prince to Grace and went into the play room to investigate.

I sat down on the سوفی, لٹانا اگلے to her and asked "where did آپ hear that word AJ?" She responded "Uncle Tito calls آپ that when he's mad at you!" I کہا "well; I don't like that word at all because it's a bad word and I don't want to ever hear آپ say that again; do آپ understand?" Of course AJ being as stubborn as she is, looked me straight in my eyes and کہا "stupid, stupid, stupid!" I picked AJ up and sat her in the corner of the living room; so I could keep an eye on her and finish feeding Prince a bottle.

AJ got out of the corner and walked up to me as I کہا "you better get over there AJ!" She whined "daddy those are my bottles; I don't want Prince to use them!" Grace کہا "I think someone's a little jealous of her little brother Michael." I کہا "AJ; آپ don't need these anymore remember? آپ have your Spiderman cups now!" She کہا "I don't want to be a big kid anymore! It's awful!" I asked "what آپ mean آپ don't want to be a big kid anymore? Don't آپ like being a big sister?" Grace looked at me and I کہا "I think آپ may be right when آپ say she's jealous!" I looked back at AJ still waiting for an answer from the سوال I had just asked her and she کہا "I'm going to wet my pants." I کہا "you better not because I know it won't be an accident!" I could tell that she was contemplating it; so I gave her my "I'm dead serious" daddy look and she immediately went back to the corner. Grace کہا "I love when آپ make that face Michael; that's the only time I've ever seen آپ one hundred percent serious!"

I called her out of the corner and کہا calmly but sternly "sit down; right now." AJ slumped down in the spot اگلے to me on the سوفی, لٹانا and I کہا "that was completely unacceptable AJ! First of all, آپ don't need to be calling me bad words. Secondly, I realize that Prince has been around for a about a ماہ now; but آپ need to understand that آپ can't have me all to yourself anymore. Lastly, آپ need to act like a big kid." She کہا "fine; then I don’t want to wear the diapers at night anymore!" I hesitated and stopped myself because I realized that I was holding AJ back again. I کہا "okay, okay, I guess we'll start that tonight."

Grace could tell that as it got darker outside I grew مزید paranoid. After I read AJ a bedtime story, I asked "are آپ sure آپ don't need to go to the bathroom again? She کہا "stop asking me that she daddy!" I waited all night long for the inevitable screams for "daddy" but they never came and the ridiculous thing as that I don't know whether یا not to be happy یا sad about that! Is it too much to ask to be needed?

The اگلے day, my eyes shot open because my three-year-old was jumping up and down on my chest saying "I told آپ so!" The funny thing is that the اگلے night was way different than the first. Her "I told آپ so's" quickly turned to 2 AM "DADDY", 3 AM "DADDY", and "NOT AGAIN DADDY!!!" At least I can say that it is done and over with. Now if I could just get Prince to sleep through the night I might finally get a good nights’ sleep myself!!!