As I pulled up to the main house of Neverland, I got a rush of excitement. I hadn't seen Michael since he was home for break back in October of 1992. During his one month hiatus, we were inseparable. We had missed each other so much.

But now, Michael was finally home. He had been home since the middle/late of January for the 1993 Superbowl, which I must add, was the greatest superbowl halftime show ever. Michael never failed to put on such a great show even if it was only for 15 minutes.

However, I had been busy so I didn't have the chance to see him until today. I was beyond excited. He also wanted me to stay the night to be there for his live interview with Oprah tomorrow. So far, it would be his most anticipated interview. The world wanted to hear from him and he was desperately ready to set the record straight on a lot of things and tell his side of the story.

I parked my car and grabbed my bags from the trunk and as I walked towards the main house, the front door swung open. I chuckled watching Michael look around in search of me. He was looking fine dressed in all black. His hair was straightened with a few curls in it and of course his signature curl in front of his face. I noticed he had cut his hair a bit. It was shorter and fell around his shoulders.

He turned his head to his left and as soon as his eyes landed on me, he smiled so brightly. He jogged down the few steps and ran over to me. He hugged me so tight, I ended up dropping my bags that I had in each hand.

"Hi!" he exclaimed excitedly. I laughed and rubbed his back, "Someone's excited to see me! Hi, Michael!" I laughed more as he continued to squeeze me. "Michael, I can't breathe," I said, almost choking on air. "Sorry," he said as he blushed, pulling away.

I smiled at him. "Let's go inside," he said as he grabbed one of my bags with one hand and grabbed my hand with the other. As we walked inside, we were met with crewmembers from Oprah's show, photographers, videographers, sound people, and lighting people. "Wow, this is a lot of people," I said, stunned. "I know," Michael mumbled under his breath. As I examined the room, one of Michael's staff came and took my bags to the guest room.

"Ashley, darling!" I heard from my right to be met with Elizabeth Taylor. "Hi, Liz!" I exclaimed as I hugged her. Elizabeth and I talked as Michael got pulled away to test the lighting for where him and Oprah would be sitting tomorrow for the interview.

"I hope this interview really sets the record straight for him. He needs it," Liz said as we looked over at Michael bopping his head to some tune he had in his head. "Me too," I said as I smiled watching him.

Liz playfully nudged into me. "You two are so head over heels for each other. Look at how you're smiling at him." I turned towards her and chuckled embarrassingly. "He's a dream," I said softly as my eyes trailed back to Michael. He looked over at me and tried to wink at me, causing me to laugh because he could not wink for the life of him. "Shut up," he mouthed to me as I laughed.

Liz and I watched and followed around as Oprah and Michael rehearsed and walked through Neverland for some pictures. As we walked around Neverland, I admired its bright lights and classical music. It reminded me of being a kid. Neverland really was a place of wonderment and happiness. It really brought out the little kid in everyone. I even heard Oprah tell Michael she wanted to ride the ferris wheel.

It started getting chilly and I laughed as I saw Michael bundled up in his beige parka. "That's much better," he said as he climbed back into the golf cart with Oprah for a photo op. As they finished for the night, Oprah and Michael approached me laughing.

"Hey! Long time no see, huh?" Oprah asked. I nodded at her, "Yep. I'm here for this," I said pointing at Michael who smiled at us. "I'm so excited for this!" I said to them, "Me too. I think this is gonna be really great, don't you Michael?" Oprah asked, looking at Michael and he nodded looking antsy.

We talked for a couple more minutes before Oprah headed to her guest cabin to get some rest for their busy night tomorrow. "Smiles! How are you!" Bill asked as he engulfed me into a big hug. "Hi Bill! I'm doing well. Happy to see him and you!" I answered by gesturing to him and Michael.

Bill and I talked, catching up. He told me some funny stories about Michael on tour. I was thrown off because Michael wasn't even paying attention or budding into the conversation. Instead, he was playing with my hand. As Bill talked about one of the fans who came onstage during 'She's Out of My Life,' I felt Michael playing with my hand in the pocket of my Burberry parka. I looked away from Bill and my eyes trailed to him beside me, causing Bill to look at Michael too.

"Look at him!" Bill teased, "Nothing's been on his mind today, but you!" I laughed as Michael pulled his hand away embarrassingly. "And you're telling on me!" Michael exclaimed back shyly. I laughed more at their playful banter. "Go ahead, take her!" Bill said laughing.

Michael wasted no time and pulled me away from everyone. We walked in a peaceful silence throughout Neverland heading somewhere.

As we were out of sight of everyone, Michael looked at me. "Finally," he said breathlessly, "I've been wanting to get you alone since you got here!" I smiled at him as he got behind me and covered my eyes. "What are you doing!?"

"I have a surprise for you," he cooed in my ear. I let him guide me as we walked. "Michael, you better not let me trip over something," I said because I knew he'd let me trip and just laugh his ass off. "I got you," he said and I knew he was rolling his eyes.

"Okay, stand here and keep your eyes close," Michael said softly as he turned my body. "Open your eyes in 3..2..1."

I opened my eyes and gasped at the sight. Michael had set up a table with candles lit and roses on the table by the lake. "Michael...this is beautiful!" I said breathlessly, "You did this for me?"

He nodded and smiled at me. "Come on," he said softly, grabbing my hand leading me over to the table. He pulled out my chair and I smiled up at him, thanking him. "What is all of this for?" I asked as he sat down opposite of me. "For you. Us. I wanted a night alone with you," he said softly as he reached his hand out for me to take.

I grabbed his hand and he intertwined our fingers smiling. "Ready for this?" he asked as he got up to remove the top of the platter of food. I nodded vigorously. I was starving. Michael paused for dramatic effect, "And....voila!" he said as he revealed basil pesto chicken and a spinach salad.

I licked my lips at the sight ready to dive in. I moaned as I ate a piece of my chicken, "Mmm...this..this is delicious," I said with a mouth full. Michael covered his mouth as he spoke, "Would you believe me if I said I made this?"

"No," I said, sipping on my white wine. Michael threw a cherry tomato at me as I laughed. "Did you really make it?" I asked. "No," Michael snorted.

Michael and I caught up over dinner and of course, cracked a few jokes teasing each other.

"And so, I'm on stage right with this girl, and I'm trying to sing but I can't. I never can when a girl is on stage with me cause I'm just getting dragged around and I swear to you, I start to sing and I don't even know how but she grabbed me and we almost toppled over," Michael said as he tells me this story about a fan moment on stage.

I laughed, "I'd do the same thing if I was her," I said shrugging. Michael laughed, "How!? We already know each other and we've done a lot more than hug."

"Yeah, but when I see you perform, or sing, or dance, I'm reminded of who you are. You're still Michael fucking Jackson. You are iconic! You must forget that I am still a huge fan. I secretly still obsess over you like I get these panic attacks sometimes thinking about how I know you," I said laughing as Michael bent over the table in laughter. "I'm not kidding! I still feel like I can pass out any moment."

"Well, thank you, I guess? But, I love how you treat me like a regular person. You never fell to my feet. You kept me on my toes, hell you still do. I'm Michael to you most of the time, not the entertainer or the celebrity," Michael said gratefully.

I nodded, "well, that's mainly because you're human. You're a person just like I am and I think people and the media forget that. We feel the things they say about us whether they're good or bad. And I figure you probably wish to be treated as a person and not an entity. You get that enough, I'm sure," I said shrugging.

Michael grabbed my hand and stared back at me, "You just get it. You get me," he spoke softly. I smiled at him, "It's you and me against the world baby," I said, sipping on my wine looking at him.

"Me and you against the world," he repeated back to me smiling. "So, I wanted to ask you something."

"Yeah?" I said with my eyebrows raised. "I wanted to know if you wanted to be my date to the Grammys this month? Janet is presenting me with the Grammy Legend Award and I'd love for you to be there."

I smiled at him, "Absolutely," I whispered as he smiled brightly.

After dinner, Michael and I walked back to the main house hand in hand. "So, you ready for tomorrow?" I asked, looking at him.

"I am," Michael said softly as he watched his feet. "Good. I think it's going to go well. Liz and I talked about how it'll do you good to tell your story in your own words."

Michael smiled as he turned to look at me, "I think so too and it helps that you're here," he said as he leaned into me.

I nodded, yawning. "Geez, I'm tired. You wore me out Jackson," I teased. He laughed, "Our dates always end up with you yawning and saying that. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing."

I laughed, "It's a good thing," I said as I yawned again, causing Michael to laugh again. "Let's get you to bed."

As Michael and I walked through the house to the guest room with my stuff, he was quiet. "Here you go," he said quietly as we entered the room. I went over to start grabbing some pajamas. I stopped and looked up at Michael who was watching me from the doorway. "What?" I asked side eyeing him.

He looked down and kicked his feet. "Michael, what?" I asked softly. He finally looked up, "Do you really wanna sleep in here?" he asked. I shrugged, "Where else am I going to go?"

"My room," he said softly and I smiled at him. I walked up to him and grabbed his chin to make him look at me, "Aw, you missed me that much?" I teased him.

He pouted, poking his bottom lip and nodded. "Well too bad, get out." Michael's mouth dropped as he scoffed. "You didn't miss me?" he asked with his mouth still opened.

I fake pondered, looking up, "Not really."

Michael scoffed again before he pushed me further back into the room and kicked the door closed with his foot. Before I could say anything, Michael crashed his lips onto mine. Instantly, my hands went into his hair and he grasped my neck, deepening the kiss.

Michael kissed me passionately, stealing my breath before he reluctantly pulled away. "Now, did you miss me?" he panted. I stood there panting as well, before I walked away and grabbed my bags. "What are you doing?" Michael asked.

"Come on. We're going to your room," I said, opening the door and walking out towards his master suite. I looked back to see Michael standing in the doorway. "Well are you coming?"

Michael smiled and chased me towards his room.

It was 5 minutes till the interview started and Karen was adding some more powder on my face as I stood talking to Ashley and Elizabeth.

"You're going to do just fine, hun. You got this. And we're here if you need us," Liz said she pulled Ashley to her side. I looked at Ashley and she smiled at me. "Thank you Liz. I appreciate you being here for me."

"Of course. I'm going to grab some tea. Ashley, do you want some?" Liz asked, looking at her. "No, thank you Liz," she responded back sweetly. "Yeah, she doesn't drink tea. Weirdo," I said, teasing her. "Shut up," she said as she hit me in my shoulder.

Liz laughed at us before she walked off to the kitchen. I looked at Ashley as she looked around at the production. "This is something, I'll tell ya," she said, still looking at the chaos.

"Tell me about it," I said before I grabbed her hand and led her around the corner to a quieter place in the house. She looked slightly confused. "I wanted you alone for a few minutes."

She nodded. "Are you nervous?" I shook my head, "I'm never nervous."

She smiled and got closer to me. "Good. You're going to do great, I know it. Show the world who you really are," she said as she dusted off my shoulders and adjusted my collar.

I smiled at her. "And like Liz said, we're here for you if you need us."

"Michael! We're on in 1 minute!" Bill yelled out to me. I took a deep breath and looked at Ashley. She smiled and kissed me tenderly. I smiled into her kiss.

"Good luck," she said before she pecked my lips once again. She walked away to stand by Liz while I went to my spot for the interview.

Oprah: Ladies and gentlemen, Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson entered the living room of his home. They shook hands and Michael kissed Oprah on the cheek.

Oprah: How nervous are you?

Michael: How what?

Oprah: How nervous are you right now?

Michael: I'm not nervous at all, actually.

Oprah: You really aren't?

Michael: No, I never get nervous.

Oprah: Not even for your first interview and it's live around the world? I thought you'd be a little nervous but you're not and that's great because if you're not nervous I won't be nervous. I just wanted to let the world know that when we agreed to do this interview you said you would be willing to talk to me about everything.

Michael: That's true.

Oprah: Very true. I was watching you in the background there watching you in the video of the early years. Did that bring back memories for you?

Michael: It made me giggle because I haven't seen that footage in a long time. Did it bring back memories? Yes, me and my brothers who I love dearly and it's just a wonderful moment for me.

Oprah: I saw you laugh when you saw yourself singing Baby, Baby, Baby.

Michael: Yeah, I think James Brown is a genius you know when he's with the Famous Flames, unbelievable. I used to watch him on television and I used to get angry at the cameraman because whenever he would really start to dance they would be on a close-up so I couldn't see his feet. I'd shout, "show him show him.", so I could watch and learn.

The interview continued as Michael talked about growing up in show business and how he yearned for a normal childhood sometimes. He talked about his loneliness and how he wished he could've had real friends and not just his brothers.

Michael also spoke briefly about his older sister Latoya, who recently separated herself from the family.

The conversation turned a bit sad when Michael spoke on growing up and going through puberty in the public eye and how his family used to tease him about his appearance.

Oprah: Your father teased you about your pimples?

Michael: Yes and tell me I'm ugly.

Oprah: Your father would say that?

Michael: Yes he would. Sorry Joseph.

Oprah: What's your relationship like with him?

Michael: I love my father but I don't know him.

Oprah: Are you angry with him for doing that? I think that's pretty cruel actually.

Michael: Am I angry with him?

Oprah: Because adolescence is hard enough without a parent telling you that you're ugly.

Michael: Am I angry with him? Sometimes I do get angry. I don't know him the way I'd like to know him. My mother's wonderful. To me she's perfection. I just wish I could understand my father.

Oprah: And so let's talk about those teen years. Is that when you started to go inside yourself? Because obviously you haven't spoken to the world for 14 years. So you went inside, you became a recluse. Was it to protect yourself?

Michael: I felt there wasn't anything important for me to say and those were very sad, sad years for me.

Oprah: Why so sad? Because on stage you were performing, you were getting your Grammies. Why so sad?

Michael: Oh, there's a lot of sadness about my past and adolescence, about my father and all of those things.

Oprah: So he would tease you, make fun of you.

Michael: Yes.

Oprah: Would he ... did he ever beat you?

Michael: Yes.

Oprah: And why would he beat you?

Michael: He saw me, he wanted me ... I guess I don't know if I was his golden child or whatever it was, some may call it a strict disciplinarian or whatever, but he was very strict, very hard, very stern. Just a look would scare you, you know.

Oprah: And were you scared of him?

Michael: Very. Like there's been times when he'd come to see me, I'd get sick, I'd start to regurgitate.

Oprah: As a child or as an adult?

Michael: Both. He's never heard me say this. I'm sorry, please don't be mad at me.

Oprah: Well, I mean, I suppose everybody has to take responsibility for what they've done in life. And your father is one of those people who also have to take responsibility.

Michael: But I do love him.

Oprah: Yes, I understand this.

Michael: And I am forgiving.

Oprah: But can you really forgive?

Michael: I do forgive. There's so much garbage and so much trash that's written about me it is so untrue, they're complete lies, and those are some of the things I wanted to talk about. The press has made up so much ... God ... awful, horrifying stories it has made me realize the more often you hear a lie, I mean, you begin to believe it.

The interview then changed to clear up some rumors that Michael wanted to address like sleeping in an oxygen chamber, buying the elephant man's bones, a white child playing him in a Pepsi commercial, and what the entire world wanted to know, the changing of Michael's skin color.

The conversation was visibly hard for Michael as he choked up telling his story about dealing with vitiligo and how it hurts him when people say he doesn't wanna be who he is. They also talked about Michael's plastic surgery.

Oprah also asked about Michael grabbing his crotch to which Michael laughed and told his reason for it.

Another big topic was Michael's love life.

Oprah: Do you go out, do you date?

Michael: Yes.

Oprah: Who do you date?

Michael: Well, right now there's someone special. Well, we try not to be everywhere, go everywhere, it's mostly at home, she'll come over, I'll go to her house, because I don't like going out in public.

Off to the side, Ashley smiled as Liz nudged her.

Oprah: Have you ever been in love?

Michael: Yeah.

Oprah: With this special someone?

Michael: Yes, and another girl.

Oprah: And another girl? Let me ask you this, and it's embarrassing for me to ask you this, but I'm gonna ask you anyway, are you a virgin?

Michael: Uhhhhh, how could you ask that question?

Oprah: I just want to know.

Michael: I'm a gentleman.

Oprah: You're a gentleman?