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Butterflies

God! I read this wishing it was really how things played out. That there was this particular woman who loved him genuinely, thoroughly, completely and against all odds. I wish he had that.

Thank you for this. I enjoyed reading every single word. It was a great alternate universe 👏
 
WillYouBeThere said:
God! I read this wishing it was really how things played out. That there was this particular woman who loved him genuinely, thoroughly, completely and against all odds. I wish he had that.

Thank you for this. I enjoyed reading every single word. It was a great alternate universe 👏
Click to expand...
Same here! That’s exactly why I wrote it. But it’s not over yet. I have a few more chapters to post. And I will post them soon!
 
Chapter 29
“Legacy”
Los Angeles, 2011.

Torian stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the fabric of her blouse over the small curve of her belly. Fourteen weeks. Just over three months. The bump was subtle, more suggestion than statement, but she saw it. Felt it. Protected it.
She'd kept it quiet. Not out of fear, but reverence. This child was a miracle, a defiance of prognosis, a whisper of grace. And tonight, they were finally going to tell everyone.

Everyone who mattered.

The dining room was glowing. Candles flickering, plates stacked, laughter already echoing from the kitchen. Both families were here: the Velasquezes in full force, loud and loving, and the Jacksons, elegant and warm.

Michael had already informed his good buddy Chris over FaceTime earlier that day. Chris was ecstatic. Congratulating them in his loud, animated way.

"Before you ask, I am honored to accept the sacred position of Godfather! I'll even increase my babysitting time from 10 to exactly 15 minutes." He had said. All three of them had burst in loud laughter.

She walked into the dining room, her blouse loose but her smile radiant. She remembered the time when she was preparing to announce to her family that she was dating Michael and her mother had randomly blurted out 'Ay Dios Mio, you're pregnant' and how she and Michael had scrambled to correct her. Her heart swelled as she thought about how it would feel to finally say that this time, she actually was.

Michael came to stand beside her; fingers laced with hers. Their family was already seated.

Jaiden raised a glass. "Before we eat, I just want to say this salmon smells expensive, and I'm emotionally prepared to cry tonight."

Laughter.

Michael cleared his throat. "Funny you should say that, Jaiden. Because we have something to share."

The room quieted. Torian stepped forward, pulling a small envelope from behind her back. She handed it to her father first. Confused, Javier took the envelop and opened it. Inside was a copy of their baby's sonogram. Pulling it out and raising it up so that everyone could see, his eyes grew wide.

"Mija?"

Gasps. Cheers. Taryn covered her mouth. Katherine's eyes welled with tears. Jasmine and Janet both screamed. Jaiden stood up.

"Wait. Is this real? Are we getting a little Velasquez-Jackson hybrid? A little moonwalker?"

"Coming this winter. January 2012 to be exact." Michael confirmed, grinning.

The room erupted in cheers, hugs, smiles and more tears. Torian leaned into Michael's shoulder, her hand resting gently on her belly. She sighed. The secret was out. The love was louder. And her heart was full.

The legacy continues.
 
Chapter 30
“Epilogue: Butterfly”
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 2012.

The city was quiet in the early hours of the new year. Fireworks had faded into mist. The streets were still. And inside a private suite on the maternity floor, Torian Jackson was laboring through the final hours of her pregnancy—her body aching, her heart wide open.

Michael stood beside her, fingers laced with hers, whispering soft encouragement between each contraction. The monitors beeped steadily. Nurses moved gently around them, respectful of the hush that had settled over the room.

"You're doing beautifully," he said, voice low and reverent. "Our baby's almost here."

Torian nodded, breath shallow but sure. "I just want them to feel love the moment they arrive."

"You already gave them that," Michael said. "Every second you carried them."

They had elected to keep the gender a surprise. Wanted to wait until birth to see if they were having a son or a daughter. Names had already been chosen for either. To the eager parents, it didn't matter if it was a boy or girl. Their child was going to be loved. Already was.

Outside the delivery room in a private family waiting room, Torian and Michael's parents and siblings waited. Jaiden stood with Paris and Prince, cracking jokes to keep the nerves at bay. Blanket had drawn a picture of the baby. The waiting area was filled with warmth, laughter, and quiet anticipation. It felt like a vigil but one lit by joy.

Inside the delivery room the nurse checked the monitor. "I think we're ready."

The doctor leaned in. "One more push, Torian."
She closed her eyes. Thought of Michael. Their kids. Their sweet little family of five would soon become six.

She pushed.

And then, a cry.

Sharp. Sacred. Alive.

Michael gasped. Torian sobbed. The doctor lifted a tiny, wrinkled pink blob into the air, its lungs announcing its arrival like a trumpet.

"Congratulations, it's a boy!" The doctor exclaimed.

Through eyes blurred with tears, Tori watched as Michael cut their son's umbilical cord, and the nurses cleaned him off before placing him on her chest. She looked down at him, eyes closed, fists curled, skin warm against hers. Her heart cracked open.

Michael leaned in, voice trembling. "Hi, Jaiden."

They had made the decision months ago to honor Torian's brother by naming their first son after him. Michael had suggested it because Uncle Jaiden had been one of the first, if not the first to be in their corner when they faced adversity over their choice to be together. Torian had agreed. They didn't let him know beforehand of the name choice so they knew it would leave him speechless.
The baby blinked. Then opened his eyes. Big, round and doe-like. Like Michael. The color of fresh, earthy moss. Like Torian.

Michael laughed through tears. "He has our eyes."

"And our lungs." Tori smiled.


XXXXXX​

Later...

The city was quiet, wrapped in the hush of a new year. In the hospital room, Torian lay propped up against soft pillows, her curls damp with sweat, her eyes glowing with exhaustion and joy. Michael sat beside her, cradling their newborn son, wrapped in a pale blue blanket, his tiny face tucked against his father's chest.

The door creaked open.

Taryn entered first, followed by Javier, the kids, Katherine and Joe, the siblings and finally Jaiden. Everyone froze for a moment, reverent.

"Can we come in?" Taryn spoke softly.

"Please do." Michael answered. "He's ready to meet his people." He stood and turned, revealing the baby. The room filled with gasps and soft cries.

"He's so small." Paris said.

"He looks like a burrito." Blanked laughed.

"He looks like Dad." Prince smiled.

Jaiden stepped forward last, slower than usual, unusually quiet. He looked at Torian, then at Michael, then at the baby but said nothing.

Speaking to her brother Torian asked, "Don't you want to know his name?"

"Of course," Jaiden replied. "What did y'all name the little moonwalker?"

Michael spoke. Gentle, proud as he placed him in Jaiden's arms. "Jaiden Michael Jackson."

Silence.

Jaiden blinked. His mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again. "You named him after me?" His voice cracked. Tears welled up in his eyes.

"Of course we did, Uncle Jaiden." Torian smiled. "You've been my protector, my comic relief, my emotional support human. Now you'll be his. You're part of his story, too."

Jaiden looked down at the baby. "Hey little man. I'm your uncle. You've got several but believe me, I'm the best one. That's why your parents named you after me."

Laughter floated around the room. The baby stirred, blinked, and let out a tiny sigh.

"He's already judging me. This kid." Jaiden shook his head, smiling. "I can already tell he's going to be loud, loved and slightly chaotic. I'm going to enjoy being here for every minute of it.”

XXXXXX​

The room was hushed. The monitors had gone silent. The nurses had dimmed the lights and slipped out with knowing smiles. Their family had gone. Torian lay still, her body aching but her soul wide open with their newborn nicknamed "JJ" in her arms. Michael sat beside her, watching JJ's tiny chest rising and falling like a whispered rhythm.

Neither of them spoke for a while. Just breathing. Just listening.

Outside, the city was quiet. The first morning of the new year had come and gone. But for them, it had just begun.

"I didn't think we'd ever actually be here." Michael broke the silence. "Not after everything that happened. After all that we've been through. I didn't think I deserved this."

"And now?"

"And now, I know I do. I know that we do. He's proof." He leaned down and kissed his sleeping son’s forehead.

"This would have never happened if we didn't choose each other. Over and over." Tori leaned into the soft kiss Michael placed on her lips. "I'm glad you chose me."

"And I'm glad you chose me. And now he's here. Our greatest duet yet."

They looked at their son—Jaiden Michael Jackson.

Born on the first day of a new year. A new beginning. Named for the brother who taught Torian how to laugh through pain. Named for the father who taught the world how to feel.

Tori whispered, "We made it."

Outside, the city exhaled.

Inside, Torian closed her eyes, held her son close, and whispered:

"Welcome to the world, Butterfly...this is only your beginning."


THE END.





Author’s Note: Although this chapter brings their story to a close, I’ve written a few “slice of life” chapters that show more of their story after baby JJ is born and well into their marriage. If you all want me to post those here let me know. Thank you. Hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
 
Hello! I've read all the chapters and I just had to tell you that your writing is sublime! It's like reading a published author. I loved the narration and the attention to detail you brought to your chapters, and the realism too. Thank you for writing this story, I loved it! I'd love to see the sequel you mentioned at the end :)
 
A little "Slice of Life."

"I Just Can't Stop Loving You"

The energy has been incredible for every point of Torian’s televised “Only 4 1 Night” concert. The sold-out show was being broadcast on several networks including MTV, BET ABC, and TNT. And the best part of it all? It was for charity. The proceeds from ticket sales, merchandise and concessions would all go to various charities that Torian and Michael supported via their Jackson Family Foundation.

The crowd stood for nearly two hours as she wowed the crowd with hits from her first and second albums. Mostly high energy cuts. But now she wanted to slow it down and let the crowd catch their collective breath. She had a surprise for them. Practically and officially retired, Michael had not performed on stage live in several years. Not since the concert he did to make up for the original This Is It shows from 2009.
Tonight, for one night only, he was coming out of retirement.

Dressed in a shimmering, sparkling suit reminiscent of his gold pants era. He stood, mic in hand, ready to walk out onto a stage that was covered in white smoke. The beginning chords of his hit “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” started to play as a lone spotlight followed him onto the stage.

“Each time the wind blows, I hear your voice so...I call your name.” Michael sang sweetly in that falsetto of his as the crowd went absolutely nuts. “Whispers at morning, our love is dawnin’...Heaven’s glad you came.”

He walked to the center of the stage.

“You know how I feel. This thing can't go wrong. I'm so proud to say, ‘I love you’. Your love's got me high. I long to get by. This time is forever. Love is the answer...” He held out his hand as his wife appeared from out of the shadows to gently grab hold of his hand.

She was dressed in a gold sheath dress that sparkled in the spotlight looking like the queen she was to him. She raised her mic to sing back at him “I hear your voice now. You are my choice now. The love you bring. Heaven's in my heart. At your call I hear harps...and angels sing.”

The crowd grew louder as they realized what was happening. Michael and Torian Jackson performing a duet live on stage for the very first time.

“You know how I feel. This thing can't go wrong. I can't live my life without you.”

“I just can't hold on.” Michael sang.

“I feel we belong.” Torian answered back.

“My life ain't worth living, If I can't be with you.” Michael pointed to her. They then turned to face the crowd as they sang the chorus in unison.

"I just can't stop loving you. I just can't stop loving you. And if I stop then tell me just what will I do?"

“'Cause I just can't stop loving you.” Michael sang as he kissed Torian’s hand as the crowd whistled.

“At night when the stars shine. I pray in you I'll find a love so true.” He started the second verse.

“When morning awakes me will you come and take me? I'll wait for you.” Michael spun her around so that their bodies were touching. He stood behind her, his face partially buried in her neck and hair as a hand traveled up the side of her hip until he reached her neck. He kissed it. Her face was pure pleasure as she sighed-more like moaned into her mic as Michael sang the next lines. Their bodies swayed side to side as if synchronized.

The crowd lost its mind at that blatant display of sensuality. It was enough to make a grown man blush.

“You know how I feel, I won't stop until I hear your voice saying, "I do"

“I do...” Torian sang as she moved away from him. She had to. She almost forgot they were onstage in front of thousands and millions watching at home and not their bedroom. They hadn’t rehearsed that.

Stay professional, girl. She told herself as she glanced over at Michael who gave her a knowing half smile. Yep, this man knew what he was doing.

“This thing can't go wrong.”

“This feeling's so strong.” He sang back.

Well, my life ain't worth living If I can't be with you. I just can’t stop loving you...

“We can change all the world tomorrow. We can sing songs of yesterday. I can say, hey farewell to sorrow. This is my life, and I want to see you for always.” They sang together.

Truth be told, Michael didn’t know how they got through that song. He had wanted to mess with her a little bit by kissing her neck, something he knew was a turn on for her and something he knew would get everyone talking. But he ended up messing with his own self. Performing such a song with Torian had done something to him. Sure, he’d performed this song many times, at many concerns, with different female singers. None where his actual wife though. It hit...different.

By the time the last note was sung, and the music had stopped, the crowd greeted them with a thunderous applause. Torian clapped and held her hand out to him as if she was presenting him to the crowd. “The indelible, the incredible, multi-talented Michael Jackson!”

Humbled, Michael bowed and reached for Tori’s hand and pulled her into a hug. A quick peck of the lips and then he walked off stage to give his wife back her spotlight. Him being on stage with a mic in his hand was only for one night.
 
A "Slice of Life"

"Man in The Mirror"
After Torian took what everyone thought was her final bow to close the show while disappearing underneath the stage, the lights blacked out. A few seconds later, the huge screen on stage came alive and a video started playing scenes of Michael visiting sick children in the hospital, hugging hysterical fans, singing We Are The World, being joyful at Neverland, clips from Heal the World and Earth song while his voice over speaks about healing a suffering world.

In the audience, Michael’s breath caught.

What is this?

Then he heard it. The beginning piano chords of the most spiritual song he ever sang.

And then he heard her voice.

“Mhm-mhm.. Alright. I’m gonna make a change...for once in my life...”

Torian reappeared onstage from the floor. Instead of the dress she had on a few minutes ago, she was now wearing black high-water pants, a plain white tee paired with an open button up shirt, and black loafers. Behind her the video screen continued through a montage of scenes from Michael’s life and career.

“It’s gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference. Gonna make it right...” She closed her eyes as she snapped her fingers to the music.

“As I,” Her eyes flew open. “Turn up the collar on,” She turned up the collar on her dress shirt. “My favorite winter coat, this wind is blowing my mind...I see the kids in the street without enough to eat...who am I to be blind...pretending not to see their need? A summer’s disregard. A broken bottle top,” Then she held out her hand towards Michael who sat reverently in his chair. Already tearing up.

“And a one man’s soul. They follow each other on the wind, you know. ‘Cause they got...nowhere...to go.”

The crowd joined her on the last line of the verse. “That’s why I want you to know!”

I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways. And no message could’ve been any clearer: If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change!

Nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah naaaah!

Tori danced around as the chorus carried her into the second verse. She looked out at the look of shock and awe on her family’s faces. Her children were smiling from ear to ear. Her mother had tears in her eyes. Her father beamed with pride. Both Jackson and Velasquez family members were frozen in stone as if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing in front of them. She smiled knowingly, the lone dimple in her cheek making an appearance. Michael looked as if he couldn’t breathe. She hadn’t told him she was going to perform this. In fact, in all the time he’d known her he had never heard her sing this song.

“I’ve been a victim of a selfish kind of love, it’s time that I realize, that there are some with no home. Not a nickel to loan. Could it be...really me pretending that they’re not alone? A willow deeply scarred, somebody’s broken heart...and a washed out dream.”

The choir had finally made their appearance on stage to back her up.

"And a washed out dream..."

“They follow the pattern of the wind you see...cuz they got...no place to be.”

She walked from stage left to return to the middle of the stage and held her mic out toward the crowd hoping they understood what she wanted them to do. They did not disappoint.

“That’s why I’m starting with me!” Prince, Paris and Blanket all yelled out in unison with the crowd.

Tori smiled at the crowd. “Y’all sound so beautiful!”

The choir carried the chorus.

I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways. And no message could’ve been any clearer: If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change!

The music cut out so that Tori could sing an a capella version of the chorus by herself. “I’m starting with the...man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways. And no message could’ve been any clearer: If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make...that...CHANGE!”

“I’m starting with the man in the mirror.”

“Oh, yeah!” sang the choir.

“I’m asking him to change his ways.”

"Better change!"

"And no message could’ve been any clearer: If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change! You gotta get it right while you got the time 'cause when you close your heart then you close your...your MIND!"

Tori did a quick blink-and-you'll-miss it 5-spin and dropped to her knees.

“That man, that man, that man, that man!”

She went through the rest of the song with a series of chants for the crowd. “You got to start with yourself...brother!” She told one fan that was near the stage as she gave him a high five. Meanwhile the choir took everyone to church. No one was seated at this point. Not even her husband.

"I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways. And no message could’ve been any clearer: If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make that change!"

“Make that change.” Tori whispered while bowing before the crowd. The applause was deafening. Then she found and caught Michael’s eyes and blew him a kiss. He was in tears.

So was she.

“Thank you all so much for spending this evening with me. I wanted to end this on a high note. This is one of my absolute favorite songs. To all of you here and everyone watching at home, I wanted you guys to remember the message my husband first sang back in 1988. It’s still relevant today. A Better world, a better place is possible. It starts at home. It starts with you. Make that change...for all of us. Los Angeles, you’ve been wonderful. Good night!”
 
A "Slice of Life" 2015 Grammys Telecast

"SCREAM"

The stage lit up in bright white light. The stage, decorated in black and white props looked very futuristic. The large screen in the center of the stage flickered to life. A tabloid with an inflammatory headline written about Michael Jackson appeared on the screen. First one, then two. Then as if someone flipped pages in a book, several from over the years flashed across the screen. Then Torian appeared on the screen.

“You find your pleasure scandalizing every lie.” She sang the line with raw passion and anger. The crowd didn’t know what was happening, but they started cheering as soon as she appeared on the screen with that opening line. Then she smiled. “With such confusion, don’t it make you want to scream?” The crowd screamed as her face disappeared and the opening chords to Michael and Janet Jackson’s 1995 hit boomed throughout the Staples Center where the Grammy’s were being held. Michael’s angry scream could be heard in the background.

The crowd went absolutely nuts.

On stage, a platform came down from the ceiling with a white plastic screen. Once it reached the floor, the plastic screen broke, timed with the sounds of shattered glass from the song and out stepped Michael, dressed in his black Scream outfit from the music video, ear mic on.

The sound grew deafening as people rose from their seats screaming as Michael sang the opening lines.

I'm tired of the injustice. I'm tired of the schemes. Your lies are disgusting. So what does it mean, damn it. Kickin' me down, I got to get up. As jacked as it sounds. The whole system sucks, damn it.

Then, with an explosion of pyrotechnics, Tori popped up from the floor like a piece of toast popping up from a toaster. She was dressed identical to Michael. Because she thought about all the BS the media had put her husband through over the years, she spat out Janet’s verse with angry passion.

Peek in the shadow. Come into the light. You tell me I'm wrong, then you better prove you're right. You're selling out souls, but I, I care about mine. I've got to get stronger, and I won't give up the fight.

“With such confusion, don’t it make you want to scream?” Michael walked over to her.

“Make you want to scream!” She sang back.

“Your bash abusin’ victimize within the scheme.” He called.

“You try to cope with every life they scrutinize.” She answered.

“Somebody please have mercy ‘cuz I just can’t take it.” They sang in unison.

Stop pressuring me. Just stop pressuring me. Stop pressuring me. Make me want to scream. Stop pressuring me. Just stop pressuring me. Stop pressuring me. Make me want to scream...

With such high energy, they blew through the song. The performance was a surprise for the Grammy audience. 2015 was the 20th anniversary of Scream’s release and Torian was approached about performing it. She only agreed if Michael would do it with her. She wanted to surprise her sister-in-law Janet who was in the audience tonight as well as their kids. When they came to the part everyone was waiting for she cracked her fingers and spoke Janet’s iconic lines.

“Oh, my God, can’t believe what I saw as I turned on the tv this evening. I was disgusted by all the injustice All the injustice. All the injustice.”

In perfect harmony and synchronicity, Tori and Michael slid across the floor into the dance break.

With such collusions, don't it make you want to scream?

Make you want to scream!

Your bash abusin' victimize within the scheme. You try to cope with every lie they scrutinize. Oh brother, please have mercy, 'cause I just can't take it.

Synced up with the song, both slid backwards into the moonwalk away from each other towards opposite ends of the stage culminating in quick spins and simultaneous, iconic toe poses.

Words couldn’t describe how the audience felt watching them at that point. Words couldn’t describe what they were seeing. The song’s ending exploded with Torian doing a backbend and Michael doing one of his iconic kicks to simulate kicking her upright at which point Torian lands on her feet, pulls Michael in closer and kisses him in front of the stage as applause exploded all around them. Then they embraced the same way Michael and Janet did at the end of their music video looking out at the crowd. The kiss hadn’t been planned but Torian wanted to do it to show she wasn’t ever going to hide the love she had for this man and to show she would always have his back.
 
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