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 skate 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 Marafiki started saying "gross; wewe two are always kissing each other!" I asked "would wewe rather us make out in front of you?" Brandon rolled his eyes and Damien alisema "that's what I thought! wewe guys just wait until wewe 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 mitaani, mtaa and Damien took out his wallet. He alisema "wait till wewe see what I got yesterday!" I asked "what?" He passed me a card and alisema "my driver’s license! Now I don't have to drive around with my mom in the car anymore!" I alisema "that's cool! The only thing that sucks is that wewe don't have a car of your own yet." He alisema "I might get a job soon so; it won't be long before I do have one." I laughed and alisema "it's hard to picture wewe driving! I wish wewe could take me somewhere!" He alisema "my mom doesn't like me driving her car au else I would." I alisema "I have an idea!" He rolled his eyes and alisema "oh boy; I can't wait to hear this!" I alisema "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 alisema "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 alisema "yeah; there it is." He alisema "wow; your dad's a good businessman!" I alisema "yeah; now wewe 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 alisema "oh man; I can't believe I get to drive this awesome car!"

He started the car up and I alisema "whatever wewe do; don't crash because then I'll have to come clean to my dad about sneaking out and dating you!" He alisema "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 alisema "I saw the TV that is built into the back kiti, kiti cha and figured we could watch a few movies! I'll use my movie card because I always pick up sinema on my way nyumbani from school and I can rent as many sinema as I want to for only $15 a month." I asked as we walked inside "what movie did wewe want to get?" He alisema "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 kiti, kiti cha and started the movie. Soon after the movie started, it reached a boring part and we started making out. After a few minutes, Damien alisema "you know; wewe are 14 now." I alisema "so" and he alisema "maybe it's time we take that inayofuata step!" Millions of thoughts came into my head and I asked "you're talking about sex; right?" He smiled and alisema "yes!" I alisema "okay" and he took off my shirt.

kwa 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 beach, pwani that siku back in 2006. I looked at Damien and asked "wait; do wewe have a condom on you?" He alisema "we'll be fine without one!" I asked hesitating a little bit "what makes wewe think that?" He alisema "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 alisema "well; as long as wewe promise that you’ll pull out then we can have sex!" He got excited and alisema "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 alisema "I didn't know losing your virginity was supposed to hurt this bad!" He alisema "it didn't hurt me!" I alisema "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 alisema "it should be better kwa 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 alisema "good morning AJ!" He kissed my forehead and alisema "I upendo you!" I alisema "I upendo wewe too." As I sat down on the couch, Blanket came over and sat on my lap and I alisema "ouch!" Before I realized that I alisema that out loud, dad asked "what's wrong?" I alisema "oh nothing; I just slept on my back all night long without rolling over and I'm a little sore." He alisema "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 pink 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 wewe something!" He responded 20 dakika later kwa 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 alisema "alright AJ; this joke really isn't funny anymore!" I alisema "IT'S NOT A JOKE DAMIEN!" I waited for a response for over an saa 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 wewe come in my room for a minute?" He smiled and alisema "of course!" I shut the door and he alisema "it's been a long time since I've spent time with wewe alone." I took a deep breath as I sat back down on my kitanda and alisema "I want to talk to you." He alisema "okay" and I alisema "I think wewe should sit down!" He pulled my computer chair across from me and alisema "alright; I'm sitting!" I alisema "before I really start talking I need wewe to promise me that wewe won't interrupt?" He alisema "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 alisema "I haven't been as well behaved as wewe 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 alisema "the sekunde 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? wewe have boyfriend?" I shook my head in agreement and he alisema "you're not 16 years old yet! What are wewe doing sneaking out of the house and dating some guy?" I alisema "no one knows what my face looks like in public because I wear my mask when I'm out with wewe so; no one notices me when I'm not wearing it!" He alisema "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 alisema "his name is Damien and I met him at an alley a few blocks away from here. We hang out at the skate Park together all the time and I've made a few other Marafiki 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 alisema "he'll be 17 at the end of this year." Dad's mouth dropped wide open and alisema "17; he's going to be 17 kwa 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 alisema "I'm not angry with wewe 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 wewe wanted to tell me?" I alisema "I don't think I can tell wewe so; I'll onyesha 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 dakika 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 alisema "yes!" He alisema "well; there goes your childhood forever! I tried so hard to make sure that wewe 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 alisema "you knew I didn't want wewe having sex and wewe went and did it anyway! Where did wewe two have sex?" I hesitated and he asked "WHERE DID wewe TWO HAVE SEX?" I alisema with a shaky voice "in the Rolls-Royce." He alisema as he put his hands on the juu of his head "in my car? wewe HAD SEX IN MY CAR!!!"


Dad started gagging and alisema "even though I don't want wewe having sex; I thought I explained to wewe the importance of using a condom! If you're going to have sex even though I told wewe not to; I would want wewe to use a condom! Why didn't this Damien kid put one on?" I alisema 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 alisema "Alanna; don't listen to a guy when they say that! It doesn't work; trust me!!!" I alisema while sobbing "yeah; I can see that now!"

My dad saw that reality was hitting me and hitting me hard! He sat down inayofuata to me on the kitanda in silence as he stared at the pregnancy test once more. He hugged me and squeezed me as tight as he possibly could! He alisema 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 alisema "there's always a positive side! wewe have a human being growing inside wewe 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 wewe every step the way!" I asked calming myself down "are wewe mad at me dad?" He alisema 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 alisema "I don't want to hear wewe complain; you're inaonyesha 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 wewe need that for?" He didn't answer me and I alisema "don't hurt him daddy!" Dad looked at me as we walked up the front steps and alisema "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 alisema "hi AJ!" Her eyes slowly moved over to dad and she asked while stuttering "are wewe Michael Jackson?" Dad alisema "yes I am; is Damien here?" She alisema "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 kwa his T-shirt and pinned him up against the wall! Kate asked "WHAT DO wewe THINK YOU'RE DOING TO MY SON?" Dad alisema "WHY DON'T wewe ASK YOUR SON?" Damien looked at me confused and I alisema "well; wewe finally met my dad!" Damien asked "MICHAEL JACKSON IS YOUR DAD???" I alisema "yup" and Kate asked "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? I'M SO CONFUSED!" Dad alisema "apparently; Damien got Alanna pregnant!" She looked at Damien and alisema "WHAT!" Damien alisema with a nervous laugh "congratulations grandma!" Dad alisema as he raised his fist to ngumi, punch him "I DON'T FIND THIS FUNNY AT ALL wewe LITTLE ASSHOLE!!!"

I lowered dad's fist away from Damien's face and alisema "can't we just talk about this without all the screaming!" Dad took a deep breath and released his grip on Damien’s shati and alisema "you're right." Kate gestured for dad and I to sit down on the kitanda inayofuata 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 alisema "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 kwa asking "what would make wewe think that it's okay for wewe to tarehe a 14-year-old?" Damien alisema "I don't think two years is that much of an age difference between AJ and I." Dad alisema "okay well; I disagree with that. How come wewe 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 alisema "that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard come out of your mouth Damien and you’ve alisema a lot of stupid things before." Dad alisema "that obviously didn't work! Damien let out a deep sigh and alisema "yeah; I know!" Kate alisema "you seem like wewe don't care Damien! I don't think wewe 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 alisema "you took the words right out of my mouth." Kate alisema "this is so much to take in at once! First I find out that AJ's father is Michael Jackson! Then I find out wewe and AJ had sex! Then to juu it all off, you're going to be a father at 16 years old!" Dad alisema "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 alisema "I'm really sorry Dad. I didn't want any of this happened so soon!" He alisema "I know wewe 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 alisema 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 kwa 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 zamani 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 wewe for a minute?" I looked up at the ceiling and alisema "yeah sure." He sat down on my kitanda and smirked down at me.

He alisema as he held my hand "I've been thinking… I was wondering what do wewe want to do with the baby?" I alisema "well; I'm of course going to keep it!" He asked with a worried tone in his voice "are wewe 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 alisema "I'll make it through it!" He alisema "I'd like to offer wewe something and it's up to wewe whether au not wewe like the idea. I won't be upset if wewe don't go along with it.” I looked up at him and asked "what?" He sighed and alisema "I thought I was done with having zaidi children at this point in my life. I'm willing to adopt your baby and raise it as my own that way; wewe can have your childhood back and be able to see the baby every day!” I alisema "it's nice of wewe 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 au she is really my child!" Dad alisema "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; wewe have to get your act together! wewe can't put yourself first anymore because wewe have a child that depends on you! wewe can't constantly be getting yourself into trouble! I just want to make it very clear that if wewe 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 wewe 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 jikoni 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 alisema as she sat down at the meza, jedwali "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 wewe saw him?" She alisema "the siku wewe came over! He seemed fine after wewe left! When I woke up the inayofuata morning, all the money in my wallet was gone and my credit cards too!" Dad alisema "well; he must be planning be gone for a while if he took your credit cards!" She alisema "I'm not going to cancel them because he might need them to buy food!" Dad asked "did wewe check the hivi karibuni charges made on your account? We might be able to find out where he is!" Kate alisema "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 alisema "the police alisema that there's nothing they can do because Damien's 16 and if he doesn't want to come nyumbani they wouldn't be able to make him!" Dad alisema "keep an eye on your credit cards Kate because the only choice we have right now is to hope that he'll slip up au 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 jikoni 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 wewe excited to be a mother?" I alisema "it hasn't really sunk in yet!" While he prepped me for the ultrasound, he and dad made small talk. Dad alisema "I heard that wewe specialize in cardiology." Dr. Murray alisema "primarily yes; this is just something I do on the side." He scanned my stomach and alisema "well; there's definitely only one baby in there; that's for sure! Dad took a sigh of relief and alisema "thank God it's only one!" I asked "how long will it be until I can find out if it's a boy au a girl?" He alisema "10 zaidi weeks until wewe can find out." Dad asked "don't wewe want it to be a surprise?" I alisema "I have to know as soon as possible! I can't wait nine months; did wewe forget who wewe are talking to?" Dad and I both started laughing and he alisema "oh yeah!"

Dr. Murray wrote on a notepad and alisema "I've done the math and it looks like your due tarehe should be November 18th of this year." As I got up off of the couch, I asked "will wewe come back in 10 weeks so I can find out the gender of the baby?" He smiled and alisema "of course I will; let me give wewe 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 inayofuata to me. He alisema "I need to talk to wewe about something and I don't know how you're going to react.” I raised my eyebrows and asked "what?" He alisema "I'm going on tour again!" I alisema "I don't know why wewe think I would react badly to that; that's so awesome!" He sighed and alisema "that's not the part I'm worried about."

He hesitated over and over before I alisema "just tell me already!" He alisema "we're moving back to LA for now and eventually to London where the concerts will be." I alisema "back to LA? Then to London? We can't move! What if Damien comes back?" Dad looked at me sympathetically and alisema "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 alisema "he's going to come back!" Dad grabbed my hand and alisema "I don't think he is AJ." I pulled away and alisema 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 kitanda and he sat down inayofuata to me. I alisema "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 alisema 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 alisema "who alisema wewe would be alone? You've got me; don't you?" I smiled and alisema "I guess." He alisema "guessing has nothing to do with it! I'm here for wewe now and I'm never leaving! I'll never abandon wewe 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 alisema "sorry; I can't help it! It's so weird hearing wewe swear; I'm not used to it!" He smiled as if he didn't even notice that he swore and alisema "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 wewe au the baby but seeing wewe so desperately want him here hurts me zaidi than wewe 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 alisema "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 alisema "I think what we should do is tell Grace and your siblings that you're pregnant now. Then we'll tell everyone else at chajio, chakula cha jioni tonight." I sighed and alisema "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 kitanda and dad alisema "AJ needs to tell wewe guys something." I alisema "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 alisema "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 alisema "a friend of hers." Paris alisema "that means I'm going to be an aunt and wewe guys are going to be uncles!" Blanket hugged me and asked "when is the baby going to come out of your tummy?" I alisema "not until November" as Grace pulled dad and I into the other room.

She shut the door behind her and asked "are wewe really pregnant?" I alisema "I wouldn't joke about something like this! Yes I really am pregnant!" She asked "Michael how long have wewe known?" He alisema "since the beginning of April." She asked "who's the father?" Dad alisema "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 alisema "trust me; AJ understands that it's not going to be easy! She wants to raise the baby on her own and wewe and I will be here to help her if she needs us." She asked "how do wewe think the rest of the family is going to react?" He alisema "all I can say right now is that I'm glad Joseph isn't coming because he would blame everything on me!"

After chajio, chakula cha jioni had been served, dad, my uncles, aunts, my grandmother, and I all sat down in the living room. Uncle Jackie asked "how come wewe invited us over for chajio, chakula cha jioni Michael?" Dad looked at me and asked "do wewe want me to tell everyone?" I alisema "yeah; they will take wewe better if it's coming from you!" Uncle Randy asked "what's going on?" Dad alisema "well; Alanna's pregnant. Before wewe 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 wewe okay grandma?" She alisema "I didn't expect wewe to be a grandfather so soon Michael." Dad alisema "I know; I'm surprised kwa it too!" Aunt Janet asked "when the baby due?" I alisema "November 18 of this year."

I was surprised when they each congratulated me and alisema they would be there for support. After they left, dad alisema "that went better than I expected!" I alisema "I'm just glad it didn't turn into a screaming match!" Dad alisema "I thought for sure that one of them would accuse me of not being involved enough with wewe to stop wewe from getting pregnant!" I alisema "I don't think wewe would've been able to stop me either way. wewe 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 siku 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 wewe okay?" As he responded to me he alisema "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 alisema "yeah; AJ has been having morning sickness and accidentally threw up all over her bathroom floor. Grace isn't nyumbani because she took the other children out shopping so; I'll be back in an saa after I finish cleaning up the bathroom." Kenny alisema "okay; it's time for a break anyway." Dad yanked his car keys off a nearby meza, jedwali and walked out the door as he adjusted the Fedora hat on his head.

About 15 dakika 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 kitanda "what's wrong?" I alisema "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! I was so close but –" he alisema "Alanna; it's okay! It's zaidi normal than wewe think it is." I alisema "I know that you're not mad at me." He raised his eyebrows and asked "then why are wewe crying?" I alisema "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 alisema "it must be the mood swings!" I asked confused "mood swings; really?" He alisema as he cleaned up the floor "yes; that's part of being pregnant! You're supposed to have mood swings!" I asked "how many zaidi times am I going to cry like this?" He alisema as he shut off the bathroom light "the entire pregnancy; every now and then probably!" I alisema 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 alisema as I cried into a tissue "it's not funny dad!"

He sat down inayofuata to me on my kitanda and alisema still trying to hide his laughter "I'm sorry; I've never seen wewe like this and from my point of view it is really funny!" I lay down on my kitanda and propped myself up with pillows. I looked at the TV and screamed as I sobbed uncontrollably "not zaidi 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 wewe just watch a movie that way there isn't any commercials?" I alisema in between sobs "because this is a good onyesha and that skinny little dog is going to get adopted and, and –!" Dad got up and alisema "I think that's my cue to leave now!" He laughed as he got up from my kitanda and alisema "have fun crying your eyes out!" I playfully threw a throw mto 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 alisema "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 alisema "I'm hungry!" He alisema "then go downstairs and get something to eat." I alisema "I don't want anything down there!" He yawned and asked "then what do wewe want?" I alisema "KFC" and he looked at his alarm clock. He alisema "it's two in the morning and wewe want me to get wewe Kentucky fried chicken." I pouted "please; that's what the baby wants!" He smiled and alisema "I can't say no to you." I alisema "thank wewe daddy!" He alisema as he hugged me "yeah, yeah, yeah!"

25 dakika later, he walked into my room carrying a big bag of chakula and sat down on my bed." As he took container after container out of the bag, I asked "why did wewe get so much?" He alisema "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 alisema as I began to fill my plate with chakula "sorry for waking wewe up in the middle of the night to go get me KFC dad." He alisema "that's alright; I know wewe can't help it! If Damien was here that's what he'd be doing anyway and I told wewe that wewe weren't going to do this whole pregnancy thing alone! If that means I have to make late-night runs to get wewe 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 alisema "come on Dr. Murray hurry up and get here already! I want to know now!" Dad alisema down inayofuata to me on the kitanda and asked as he laughed at my apparent excitement "will wewe chill out? You're going to make yourself go into early labor!" I alisema "I can't; I need to know now if I'm having a boy au a girl!"

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

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

I jumped up and pointed my finger at dad. I alisema "I knew it was a boy! I told wewe so!" Dad alisema "I was for sure it would be a girl!" Dr. Murray alisema as he packed up his stuff "now wewe can start decorating and picking out names!" I alisema "it didn't really matter to me whether it was a boy au girl! I was dying to know just so I could start picking out names!" Dad rolled his eyes and alisema "oh boy; this is going to be fun!" He walked Conrad Murray to the door and alisema "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 onyesha 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 kitanda 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 wewe here?" She alisema "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 wewe guys for about a week?" Dad alisema "of course wewe can! We have lots to fill wewe in on!"

Dad brought snacks to the coffee meza, jedwali in the living room and the three of us sat down to talk." Kate looked at my stomach and alisema "awww you're getting a baby bump!" I alisema "yeah I know; it's weird for me!" Dad and Kate both alisema "it's weird for us too!" I alisema as I looked at her "dad and I found out whether it's a boy au a girl; did wewe want to know?" She alisema "well; obviously!" Dad alisema "you're going to have a grandson." I smiled as her face lit up and I asked "what do wewe want the baby to call you? Dad already decided he wants to be called Poppa." She alisema "I like just the traditional grandma." Dad alisema "being called grandpa would make me feel old! That's why I picked Poppa!" She chuckled and alisema "you look like zaidi of a Poppa than wewe would as grandpa!" I adjusted myself on the kitanda and alisema "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 alisema "I want wewe to know that I don't agree with the way Damien's uigizaji right now. I tried to convince him that he needs to come nyumbani and help wewe but; he just hangs up on me! I hope you'll allow me to be an active part of the baby's life!" I alisema baffled that she wouldn't think she would be able to be a part of her grandson's life "of course wewe can! wewe don't ever have to worry about that! I'll never stop wewe from seeing him! I can definitely use the help after the baby is born!" She took a sigh of relief and alisema "I'm sorry that my son is so immature!" Dad alisema "you don't have to feel bad about that because it's not your fault! wewe 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 wewe do?" Dad and I laughed and he alisema "she's had me go to just about every fast chakula 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 alisema "Kate; wewe should of seen the look on his face when I asked him to rub my feet yesterday!" Dad alisema "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 wewe while I can! I would be making Damien did the same thing if he were here!" Kate alisema "well; wewe can ask me for help while I'm here so your dad can have a break!" Dad hugged her and alisema "finally; I won't onyesha up to tour rehearsals tired, at least for a week." She asked eagerly "when is my grandson due?" Dad alisema "November 18." She alisema "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 alisema "the three of us should go shopping and look at baby names together this week!" She clapped her hands with joy and alisema "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 alisema "we should look at baby names!" Dad opened up your computer and went on to a pregnancy website as well. Kate sat down inayofuata to me so she could see the names as I scrolled through a orodha of thousands. She pointed at one and I shook my head in disagreement. Dad alisema "you could name the baby –" and I interrupted kwa saying "I'm not naming him Prince Michael the third dad!" Kate alisema "please don't; it would be too confusing!" I alisema "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 wewe 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 wewe pick?" I alisema "I picked out Carter and Shawn." Dad alisema "really? wewe 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 alisema "that sounds like a character in the lion King!" I alisema "he's not going to be able to spell that when he gets older! I don't want anything too weird au something with like 20 letters in it!" Dad started laughing and Kate alisema "I personally like Shawn better as the first name but; it's up to wewe AJ!" Dad alisema "I like Carter better!" I alisema "you guys don't make this any easier on me! Carter Shawn, au 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 wewe guys. Kate grabbed the piece of paper from me and dad looked at it from over her shoulder. They both alisema in unison "Carter Shawn! Yeah; definitely Carter Shawn!" I alisema "good because that looks better to me too!" Dad kissed my stomach and alisema "hi little Carter Shawn! I can finally stop calling wewe baby au 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 alisema "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 alisema "since today is your last siku here; you, dad, and I should go to babies R us!" Kate alisema as I put on my feathered mask" I'm so excited!" Dad alisema "I'm just letting wewe know beforehand that the paparazzi can be a little annoying and whatever wewe 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 alisema "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 alisema "this car is amazing!" Dad alisema "thanks; it was definitely well worth the money I paid for it!" Kate alisema "I didn't know that wewe can drive Michael!" He alisema "yeah I do drive myself places but; it's not very often when I'm able to!" I alisema "next year; wewe have to teach me how to drive dad because I'll be old enough to get my drivers permit!" He alisema "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 mashabiki coming up and interrupting us!

As they walked down the aisles, Kate asked "is it this crazy every time wewe guys go out?" I alisema "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 alisema "I never looked at it that way; that's a really smart idea!" Dad alisema "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! au they call the children socially deprived because of my life!" Kate alisema "well; I don't believe any of that crap!"

I looked at one of the shelves and alisema "there's baby wipe warming machines; really?" Kate chuckled as she put it in the gari and alisema "well yeah; wewe don't want the baby to freeze!" Dad laughed and alisema "that brings back memories from when wewe 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 alisema "I didn't know that picking out a car kiti, kiti cha would be this hard; each one is adorable!" Dad alisema "there's a red and black one over there inside the matching stroller!" The sekunde I saw it I alisema "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 wewe songesha back to LA? Will your brother's be part of the new tour? Who are wewe shopping for? Who is this woman? Is she your new wife? Is she your girlfriend? Are wewe having another child Michael?"

Dad gently guided me into the back kiti, kiti cha while Kate sat in the passenger seat. We quickly sped off and Kate alisema "Michael; I can't believe they just assume that I'm either your girlfriend au your wife!" Dad laughed and alisema "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 title of a magazine say 'wacko Jacko is getting married to the wrinkly woman of his dreams!" We all burst out laughing and I alisema "we all just learn to laugh at it because we can't really do much about it!" She alisema "I've had so much fun with wewe guys! It sucks that I have to leave tomorrow and at 9 AM!" Dad alisema "I don't want wewe 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 alisema "I'm going to miss the weird conversations wewe and I had at midnight while we ate the fast chakula wewe picked up!" Kate alisema "don't forget that I'll be back when you're still pregnant, a couple of days before wewe have Carter so it isn't the last fast chakula 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 inayofuata to me. He alisema "only one zaidi mwezi left until little Carter Shawn it here!" I alisema "I'm so done being pregnant; everything hurts!" He alisema "I wish we could find somebody to paint a mural to go along with the nursery side of your bedroom!" I alisema as I smiled "I think I know a guy!" He alisema "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 alisema "AJ; your Marafiki 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 alisema "yeah but; wewe can't be around it until the room airs out from the smell because wewe are pregnant." I alisema okay; these are my Marafiki that I was telling wewe 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 alisema "you'll see!"

Over five hours later, the guys came downstairs and alisema "it doesn't smell like spray paint anymore and we're done the mural so; wewe 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 ukuta in my bedroom with giant graffiti letters that say 'Carter ‘in all different shades of blue. Dad alisema "this is amazing! wewe guys are really talented artists! Now I can see why they call wewe Sketch!" Brandon smiled and alisema 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 kwa the way; thanks for paying for our flight down here Mr. Jackson!" Dad alisema "of course and now that I see that wewe guys are nothing like Damien is, wewe can hang out with AJ zaidi 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 kitanda when the doorbell rang. I yelled "dad; I think Kate is here!" He opened the door and alisema "it's so nice to see wewe again!" She ran into the living room to see me and alisema "hi AJ!" I alisema "hi; I would get up to hug wewe but; I'm stuck!" All three of us started laughing and Kate sat down so I could hug her. She alisema "you look exhausted!" I rubbed my eyes and alisema "I am; I just want him out now!" Dad alisema "I don't think you'll be saying that when he is ready to come out!" Kate chuckled and asked "did wewe set up all the nursery stuff we bought in your bedroom?" Dad alisema "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 alisema "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 alisema "we wanted to wait until wewe came to set up the furniture because wewe helped us pick everything out." She alisema "well; come on! I want to go see the mural too!" I asked "okay but; one of wewe needs to help me up because I wasn't exaggerating when I alisema 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 kwa the state of my room. She alisema "the mural looks amazing but; there are clothes everywhere! Not to mention all the video games cases all over the floor!" Dad alisema "I was planning on cleaning up in here a few hours before AJ comes back from the hospital." She alisema "that's fine; I'll clean it! Just promise me that wewe won't let your room get like this again after the baby is born!" Dad alisema "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 alisema "that's good!"

As she picked up things in my room she noticed the ukuta opposite of the one with the mural on it. Almost 100 posters of Jesse McCartney were taped up there and dad alisema "oh; I see you've discovered Alanna's secret infatuation with J – Mac!" I alisema "dad; I can call him that but; it's creepy when wewe do!" kwa the way Kate; I don't have an obsession with Jesse McCartney; no matter what my dad says!" She alisema as she pointed at the ukuta "you can't tell me that wewe don't have an obsession with him with a ukuta 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 alisema "alright; enough about Jesse McCartney! We've got some decorating to do!"

November 18, 2008,

We were all sitting at the jikoni meza, jedwali when I got up and dad asked nervously "where are wewe going?" I alisema "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 alisema "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 alisema "your dad's going to freak out!" She walked out back into the jikoni and dad asked "where's AJ?" She calmly responded "her water just broke." Dad stared at her in shock for a few sekunde and alisema "OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, WE'VE GOT TO GO NOW!!!" Kate alisema "if you're like this Michael; wewe going to stress her out! wewe need to stay calm!" He took a deep breath and alisema "you're right! We really do need to leave though!" I alisema "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 kiti, kiti cha and started the car as dad sat down inayofuata to me. Dad alisema "it takes 15 dakika to get to the hospital! Are wewe in any pain yet?" I alisema "a little bit so far." He held out his hand and I alisema "no; I don't have to hold your hand; it doesn't hurt that bad!" Dad alisema "trust me; you're going to want to hold my hand!" I alisema "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 dawati and alisema "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 wewe okay Alanna?" I put my hand over my forehead and alisema "I think I'm feeling it now!" Kate alisema "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 alisema "yeah; I can hear footsteps." A female doctor came into the room and alisema "I've heard that we have a baby on the way in here." Dad shook hands with her and alisema "nice to meet wewe Dr. Benson" as he read her name tag. She looked at me and asked "how are wewe feeling?" I alisema "it's slowly getting zaidi intense kwa the minute. It's not excruciating yet though!" She alisema "that's good! Let's see if you're really ready to have this baby!"

After examining me, she alisema "you're not ready yet! I'll be back in about 15 dakika to check again." She left the room and I asked as I looked up at Kate who was sitting beside my hospital kitanda "how long is it going to be before I can start pushing?" She alisema "who knows; it could be dakika au it could be hours." I alisema "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 onyesha my discomfort easily!

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

A few dakika later, Dr. Benson alisema "okay; push as hard as wewe possibly can for as long as wewe 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 alisema "okay push again!" I started crying as I attempted again and the inayofuata thing I knew dad had grabbed my hand! I alisema "I told wewe I didn't need to hold your hand dad!" He alisema "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! kwa the fourth time, I alisema "I WANT HIM OUT NOW! I'm going to kill Damien for putting me through this!" Dr. Benson alisema "I can see a head! It should only take about one zaidi 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!

sekunde later, I heard my son cry for the first time and dad came over to me with tears in his eyes. He kissed the juu of my head and alisema "you did it; he's here!" I started crying uncontrollably and alisema "I want to see Carter!" Kate walked over to where the nurses were evaluating him and alisema "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 wewe bring him over here to me now?"

Dad walked over to me with a bundle of blue blankets in his arms and alisema "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 alisema "hi Carter; I'm your grandma!" I alisema while growing impatient "I want him back now!" Dr. Benson alisema "he seems pretty healthy so; instead of going for further evaluation, wewe can keep him in here with wewe guys! A nurse will come in and help wewe finalize his birth certificate in about two hours!" Dad alisema "thank wewe for everything Dr. Benson!" She alisema "no problem; this is why I upendo my job!"

I passed Carter to dad and looked out the window that was inayofuata to me. I looked down at the parking lot and alisema "I think wewe 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 alisema "he must've used my credit card to buy a plane ticket out here!” I bit my lip angrily and alisema "now after all this time he shows up!" Dad alisema 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 alisema "go right ahead! I think I might jiunge you! I'm seething with anger right now!" I alisema "whatever wewe 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 alisema 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 wewe think you're doing here?" Damien alisema "I'm here to see my son!" Kate alisema "you're about nine months too late for that!" Damien alisema "I'm going to see my son!" Dad pushed Damien seeming to want to instigate a fight and alisema "no you're not!" Damien asked "you want to go? I'm not scared of wewe Michael!" I alisema under my breath "well; wewe should be!"

The two of them put their fists up and started to ngumi, punch the air around the others face!" Dad alisema "come on and ngumi, punch me then!!!" Damien swung his fist in the air but missed! I couldn't help but laugh and dad alisema "let me onyesha wewe 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 alisema "don't come back here! If wewe think it's cool to run off like that then don't bother coming back to the house when wewe go back to Vegas either! I'm canceling my credit cards and wewe can have fun trying to make it on your own in the real world! Don't come crawling back to me when wewe can't do it anymore! Until wewe get your priorities straight and apologize to AJ; who I'd like to remind wewe is the mother of your son… Just don't come back until wewe grow a pair and own up to the stupid choices wewe 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 alisema "wow Kate; I didn't know that wewe had that you!" Dad asked "was it just me au did wewe smell alcohol on Damien's breath too?" She alisema "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 alisema "I can't believe I gave him a black eye! I don't think he will come back unless he grows up!" I alisema "if it doesn't bother wewe 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 alisema "of course and I agree with you." I alisema "I can't wait to bring my little Carter Shawn Jackson nyumbani 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 alisema "I want to see Carter!" I alisema while whispering "you can see him when we get inside but; wewe 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 kiti, kiti cha he started to cry. I was freaked out kwa this because I don't really know how to figure out what he needs yet. Dad came over and took him from me. I alisema "I don't know what he needs!" Dad asked as his eyes widened "well; are wewe ready to learn how to change a diaper?" I alisema "I might as well learn how to now!" Dad alisema "I'll talk wewe through it!"

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

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