"I have never felt so humiliated in my life," I said, pacing back and forth as Ashley, Liz, Larry, and Connie and Dominic Cascio sat around in the living room. "Just when I think things couldn't get worse, they serve me with a search warrant and take pictures of me!"

"Michael, honey, sit down. You're gonna tear through the floor," Liz said, making me stop. I looked at her and then to Ashley who sat on the opposite end of Liz on the couch. Ashley gave me a sad smile and held out her hand.

I grabbed it and sat down next to her sighing. Ashley rubbed my thigh comfortingly and Connie spoke. "I'm sorry you had to go through that Mike." I nodded at her.

"We all are, I'm sure. But you'll go to trial and win. We'll all be there to support you," Dominic added, gesturing to everyone in the room and they nodded.

"I think I'm going to settle," I whispered. "What?" Ashley asked, turning towards me. I shrugged. "Look, if I were to do a trial they'd prolong it as long as possible and this will be held over my head for years. If I settle, I'm done. I can wash my hands with them and this entire situation."

It was silent as everyone seemed to be in deep thought. "How much are they asking for?" Larry asked. "20 million," I mumbled and everyone in the room shook their heads.

"That's a lot of money for some pathological liars," Ashley mumbled under her breath and I sighed. "I just want this to be over and done with."

"Michael, you'd be giving Evan what he wants," Liz said as she looked at me, "You need the world to know what a money-hungry monster he is."

I shook my head. "Yeah, Michael I agree," Dominic added. "Exactly. And if Evan wanted real justice for Jordan, he'd actually take you to trial, but he won't because he'd lose. Make them have to take that route, because it's a guaranteed win for you. Nothing would be ruined for you," Connie said.

"And you just went through a strip search to prove your innocence! What about that?" Ashley said, stunned.

"Guys, I- '' Ashley interrupted me, "Why don't we just whoop Evan's ass. I mean like mop the floor with his ass because that's what he actually deserves." We all laughed at Ashley. "Hey, I'm with her," Liz said, pointing at her.

"I wish, but no," I said laughing, "I still have time to decide what I want to do though."

Ashley sighed, causing us all to look at her, "Well whatever you decide, whether that's settling or going to trial, we'll still be there for you all the way. We don't know what it's like to be in your shoes, so do what you think is right," she said as the rest agreed.

It felt great to have a great support system around me.

We stayed up talking for a while around the fireplace before Connie and Dominic headed off to bed. I stood up and stretched as I watched them leave. I placed my hand out for Ashley, "Let's go to bed." She nodded and took my hand.

I kissed Liz's cheek and bid her and Larry a good night. I saw Ashley and Liz exchange looks. I didn't know what that was about but I didn't push it too much. I led Ashley to my room and I crawled into bed waiting for her as she changed into different pajamas.

She emerged from the bathroom and I patted the bed next to me. She smiled and crawled up the bed to give me a kiss before she sat next to me. We got comfortable and laid there in a comfortable silence before Ashley spoke. "I'm sorry if I came off wrong earlier. I'd support you all the way even if you do decide to settle."

I rubbed her arms. "No need to apologize. I knew you were coming from a good place. I appreciate you looking out for me." She hummed in response.

I turned to her. "Let's talk about happy things. I don't want to talk about that anymore, especially with what I went through today." She smiled and nodded. "What do you wanna talk about?"

I hummed, "Hm. Let's talk about our kids." Ashley's eyes widened and she chuckled, "Our kids?" she asked. "Yeah, all 18 of them."

Ashley shook her head. "I want kids, but I don't know about 18. I have a body to uphold here, Mr. Jackson. My job is practically based on my body." I laughed at her. "Touche. I'll settle for 10. As long as we have more than Joseph," I said matter of factly.

She laughed, "When am I going to meet your family?" she asked, "I mean I already met Jan, Jermaine, Jackie, and Tito, but what about the others?" Instantly Randy popped in my head and that automatically turned me off from the idea.

I patted her thigh, "I'd rather keep you to myself." She shoved me playfully. "When am I going to meet your family?" I asked, smiling.

"Anytime you want. They've been dying to meet you. You're going to love my grandpa and I can't wait for you to meet my little brother Ashton."

Michael and I laid in bed talking about our families. I couldn't wait for him to meet my family and I meet the rest of his. I would be nervous meeting Mr. and Mrs. Jackson though. They birthed Michael and Janet Jackson. That's intimidating right there.

Michael ended up falling asleep right underneath me, but I needed to get up to help Liz with our elaborate plan. I looked at the clock on the wall and it read exactly 4:00 AM; the time I needed to get up. I tried to move from Michael, but he stirred a little bit so I stilled.

I watched him as he got comfortable again. I got out of bed and as I went to open the door I heard his soft voice crack. "Where are you going?" he asked, rubbing his eyes. "To get some water. I'll be right back. Go back to bed," I said softly with a rasp. He nodded and pulled the covers over him and laid back down.

As I walked into the living room, Dominic and Larry were bringing in the christmas tree and Liz and Connie were putting up garland. "Hey," Liz whispered with a smile. "Hey," I whispered back. "He's still asleep?" Connie asked.

"No, he woke up a little. I told him I was getting water. I have to go back and see if he went back to sleep." Liz clenched her teeth. "It's okay if you can't come back out, we got this."

I nodded and began decorating the tree a little before I went back and checked on Michael. I slowly opened the door and Michael was sound asleep snoring again. I sighed and closed the door.

"He's asleep. Let's get to work," I said, grabbing some ribbon garland to wrap the tree. The process went by quickly. Luckily, everyone had their gifts wrapped prior to coming so all we had to do was decorate.

"Great work guys!" Liz said as we all looked around and high fived. "Okay, I say meet here around 9:30-10? So we can get a little more sleep?" I said looking at everyone. It was 7 am and I needed more sleep so I didn't wake up acting like Scrooge.

Everyone nodded and went off to their rooms. I slowly crept back into the room and got in the bed. As I went to pull the cover back over me, Michael turned towards me and cuddled into me. I laid down and his arm went around me and I sighed.

I can't believe I pulled this off.

I heard knocking at Michael's bedroom door and as I opened my eyes, Michael was sitting up. "Michael, Ashley," Liz yelled out. Michael looked at me, slightly annoyed he was disturbed. He looked so cute with his red pajamas and messy curly hair. He opened the door and I heard Liz.

"Are y'all up? We got something for you two," she said as her dog barked a little. "Yeah, we're up. We'll be down in a few," Michael said softly. I got out of bed stretching as Michael came back and flopped on the bed face first.

I chuckled and went to wash up in the bathroom. As I walked out tying my robe, I saw Michael still laying down. I laughed and sat on the bed, rubbing his back. "Get up, sleepyhead."

Michael opened one eye at me and groaned. "Meet me out there," I said, getting up and he nodded.

I went into the living room and turned on Christmas music. Everyone was happy and cheerful waiting for Michael. The Cascio kids were anxious to open their gifts and constantly called for Michael to hurry up.

"I'm coming," Michael chuckled from down the hallway. As his footsteps got closer and closer we all stood by the tree smiling. He walked in and his eyes bucked. "Wha-what is all of this?" he asked with a smile. "Merry Christmas!!!" we all yelled as he smiled even wider.

"Who did all of this?" he asked, still shocked. Everyone pointed to me, causing me to blush. "We helped, but it was all her idea," Liz said, hugging me. Michael walked over and examined the room and the tree. "This is beautiful! Santa came?" he asked softly. He was mesmerized like a kid in a toy store.

"Santa from Bel Air and Beverly Hills," Liz said laughing. Michael went over to the gift baskets I made for everyone with little goodies and Christmas socks and mitts. "Can I open this?" he asked, almost scared.

I nodded and soon enough we were opening all the gifts. "Applehead, look at this!" Frank yelled and held up the new Sonic Nintendo game. "Oh cool!" Michael responded.

I watched from the chair as Michael sat on the floor with Liz opening gifts. "Ohhh! I love this! Imma put it on right now!" Michael said as he opened his red sweater from Elizabeth.

Larry filmed the entire morning and I was grateful. Liz whoever wasn't too happy. "You do realize you're filming me without any makeup on," she said with a tight lip smile.

"OHHHH!"Michael yelled as he unwrapped his supersoaker. I laughed at him knowing I bought him way too many. "I know how I'm waking up Elizabeth and Smiles tomorrow." I pointed at him, "Don't you dare."

He grabbed another box and shook it. "This is a super soaker. I can feel it and tell!" he said and low and behold it was another one. "OHHHH," Liz yelled, causing Frank and Eddie to cheer.

I handed him another box and he smiled. "This is a super soaker," he said nonchalantly. "How do you know that?" Larry asked, laughing. "Because I see it at the top," Michael said, laughing along.

"That's not fair! I want a super soaker," Liz said rummaging through the gifts, "I want a squirt machine gun." Michael laughed at her, "She's snatching presents!"

"Liz," I called out. She looked at me and I pointed to a box and she grabbed it. She unwrapped it to reveal her own supersoaker. Her and Michael screamed in enjoyment. "Yeah baby," she said satisfied.

I got down on the floor to grab some wrapping paper and Michael crawled over to me giving me a big kiss. As he pulled back, I smiled. "Thank you for this Smiles. I've never experienced Christmas before and you've made it everything I ever dreamed it would be and more," he said with a smile. "You're welcome. Everyone deserves to celebrate Christmas at least once in their lifetime," i said, smiling at him.

"I'm sorry I didn't get you anything and you've gotten me all of this," he said sadly gesturing to his pile of gifts. I placed my hand over his leg, "There's no need. Seeing you happy is my gift."

I stood up and put my hand out for him to take. "Come on, I have another gift for you." I walked Michael out the front door. "SMILES!" he exclaimed loudly in shock. He ran down the stairs and I watched him with a smile. I got him 5 new mini motorized cars he could drive around Neverland.

He's been wanting them so I got them for him. "These are amazing!" he said as he got in one and took off driving recklessly. Frank and Eddie hopped in one and took off after him.

"I haven't seen him this happy in a long time," Liz said hugging me, "This was a great idea." I hugged her back, "I think so too."

I watched Michael drive around and I questioned if I should've bought them for him. He could not drive. "I'm rethinking buying you this. You SUCK at driving," I yelled out laughing. "Shut it, Smiles!" he yelled back doing doughnuts.

We all went in and watched Christmas cartoons as we waited for breakfast. During the cartoon, Michael got up and went to the bathroom. He had been in there awhile and I started to worry. I got up and knocked on the door. "Michael. Are you okay?"

I heard him sniffle. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be out in a sec." I sighed, "Unlock the door please," I pleaded and after a few seconds he opened the door. His eyes were red and I could tell he was crying.

"What's wrong?" I asked. "It's just that I was brought up to never celebrate Christmas and here I am celebrating it. I feel so guilty," he said, sighing. I rubbed his arm.

"Oh, Michael, it's okay. Don't feel guilty. You're allowed to celebrate. You left Kingdom Hall years ago, right?" I asked and he nodded. "Then it's okay to celebrate. Don't look at it negatively. Look at it as a positive. Christmas is when family comes together to celebrate life and love. It's not about the gifts, it's about family. We're your family."

He nodded and I smiled at him wiping away his tears. "Good, now let's go eat," I said, opening the door. We walked out and I turned to him with a look. "What?" he asked. "You do realize you and your brothers made one of the best Christmas albums ever right?" He laughed, "That was against my will. Joseph made us."

I laughed. "Actually, I think Marvin Gaye's Christmas songs are the best," I added, teasing him. "You're pushing it," he said, giving me a look.

Christmas morning breakfast was great and Michael cheered up and saw the real meaning of Christmas. It turned out to be a great morning. It was great to see Michael happy and smiling again. It was like he was the old Michael. The Michael before the allegations.

I walked out of the bathroom dressed when Michael walked in at the same time. "Hey, we're about to go on the slide, wanna come.." He said trailing off. "Where are you going?" he asked, confused.

"I have to go. I gotta go home to see my family," I said softly. Michael pouted. "I know, I'm sorry," I said, grabbing his cheek.

"Don't go," he said, pouting. "I have to. Don't worry, I'll be back with you for New Years right?" He nodded, still sad. "Cheer up, Joker."

He grabbed me tight. "I'm not letting you go. Not now, not ever." I smiled hearing him say that and I don't know why but I knew there was something behind his last sentence. "Don't," I said, smiling, "But for today let me."

He smiled and I laughed. He helped me grab my stuff and put it in the car. Everyone came to say bye leaving Michael and I outside alone. "I can't thank you enough for today. It's been such a great day and I appreciate all you've done for me. Not just today, but for everything over the years and especially this year."

I smiled at him, "Aw shucks. You're welcome Michael. You deserve it," I said, caressing his cheek. He leaned in and kissed me passionately before he let me go. "Bye, drive safe," he said, closing my door.

"I will. Have a great rest of your day," I said, starting my car up. "Call me tonight!" he yelled through my window and I nodded.

I drove off and looked at Michael in my rearview mirror as he watched me drive off. What a good morning.