mapplehead🍎

TW: I was hesitant to write this at first, but researching this story taught me a lot about Jehovah’s Witnesses and their faith. This is purely fictional and is in no way intended to disrespect or offend anyone’s beliefs.

Your breath hitched at the sudden confession.

Before you could even think twice, you wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him into a close embrace.

“Oh, Mikey… why’d it take you so long to mutter those words?” you whispered, giving him a playful smack on the back.

The water rocked gently around you, soft waves carrying you both as you held onto each other.

Your eyes began to well up as you squeezed him tighter, almost as if he might disappear the moment you loosened your grip.

“I love you so, so much,” he whimpered against your shoulder.

For a moment, everything fell silent.

The two of you simply floated there in the warm ocean, tangled in each other’s arms, neither wanting to be the first to let go.

Eventually, Michael pulled back, his face only inches from yours. His eyes searched yours before he nervously bit his lip.

“Come on, let’s go to the Kingdom Hall. I want to thank Jehovah for bringing you into my life.”

“Let’s go,” you replied softly.

You loved how deeply in touch he was with his faith. It was one of the things you admired most about him, so you didn’t question it for a second.

The short ride to the Hall was filled with nothing but shyness and awkward silence.

It was strange.

You’d spent so much time together before. You knew each other’s habits, jokes, moods, everything.

But now?

Now you were going to thank God as something more than friends.

Neither of you were quite sure if the other was thinking about the same exact thing, but you both took your chances.

Your hands stayed interlocked the entire ride.

You sat in the back of the car, shoulders almost touching, both of you suddenly far too shy to meet each other’s gaze.

Bill glanced at the two of you through the rearview mirror, clearly confused by what had happened to the loud, obnoxious pair who had been laughing the entire day.

“Ain’t y’all a bit too quiet back there?” he muttered.

Radio silence.

Bill raised an eyebrow at the mirror before deciding not to push it.

He let the two of you sit in your silence until you finally arrived at the Kingdom Hall.

The congregation had already left, leaving the building completely quiet.

Michael pulled a key from his pants pocket and unlocked the front door.

“You always have a key with you?”

“Don’t ask,” he replied with a friendly smile, letting out a soft giggle.

He stepped inside before holding the door open for you.

The moment you entered, the atmosphere changed.

Michael locked it again before turning around.

He simply stood there, looking around the familiar room as if he were seeing it differently tonight.

“Come,” he whispered. takingout his hand to hold yours gently in his.

You followed him quietly.

Michael walked toward the front of the Hall before stopping and turning to you.

“Can we pray together?”

You weren’t particularly religious. Sure, you knew about many different religions and their beliefs, but you’d never really practiced or taken an interest in any of them.

Still, for Michael, you’d pray to whatever God was responsible for bringing the two of you together.

You smiled softly.

“Of course.”

He reached for your hand again, intertwining his fingers with yours before gently lowering himself to his knees.

You followed.

For a few seconds, Michael didn’t say anything.

He simply bowed his head, his eyes closed tightly.

You could feel his thumb brushing slowly over the back of your hand.

Your eyes glanced over, and beside you, you saw Michael in complete possession of himself.

You admired every define line of his facial structure.

Then, in a quiet voice, he began to pray.

“Jehovah… thank you.”

His voice trembled slightly.

“Thank you for today. Thank you for bringing us here safely… and thank you for bringing her into my life.”

He continued

“May our days that we will have to spend together be blessed and filled with a lot of happiness”

Your chest tightened.

You lowered your head, listening quietly. Still glancing over occasionally to look at him.

Michael paused for a moment, almost as if he was trying to find the right words.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve something this beautiful,” he whispered. “But I’m grateful. So so greatful. ”

“The woman you have chosen for me…”

“May our souls be destined to be with each other forever, till death do us part.”

Your eyes began to sting again. He squeezed your hand.

“Please guide us. Please help us stay close and help our love get stronger each day.” His voice became softer. “Amen.”

“Amen,” you whispered.

Neither of you moved immediately. You remained there on your knees, hands still intertwined, the silence of the empty Kingdom Hall surrounding you.

Then, Michael slowly lifted his head. His eyes met yours. He stood up, guiding you back to your feet as he did so.

As both of you stood there in silence for a moment, he interlocked his hands with yours, pulling you softly into a warm embrace.

“I have never been this blessed,” he whispered against the crook of your neck. His arms wrapped around your waist while your fingers softly cradled the hair at the back of his head.

“Neither have I,” you mumbled.

You both stood there for a moment until you felt his hands graze your back in a circling motion. A heat had been clear in the sky ever since you both had left the shore.

“Y’know…” he said. “I haven’t had my first kiss yet.”

He gently pulled back so you both could look at each other with nothing but love in your eyes and maybe another desire that both of you were trying so hard to ignore.

“Really?” you questioned gently, striking your thumb across his hand.

“Yeah… I mean, my brothers always taunt me about it, about how I’m grown and ain't never even had a kiss from a girl yet.”

“Well, they’re just being big bullies,” you stated. “You have plenty of time to discover and explore and what not.”

He sighed, biting his lower lip while admiring you. His hand loosened its grip on one of yours before bringing it up to your face to wipe a thumb across your lip. The sudden touch made you shudder.

“M-May I?” he asked shyly.

You nodded, looking down. For a moment, Michael hesitated, as if something were holding him back, until he anxiously planted a kiss on your lips, staying there without moving an inch.

His legs almost buckled at the connection of your skin against each other. You brought your arms around his neck again as his hands found your waist.

You both stayed still with your eyes closed until you felt the need to open your mouth slightly to invite him in for a deeper sensation.

He gave in almost immediately. The gentle kiss from seconds earlier was now replaced by something far hungrier.

He dove into you as if trying to consume you whole, whimpering against your mouth. Both your legs found one of the chairs until he planted a seat on it and you straddled his hips on top of him.

The sudden need already growing in his abdomen had gotten worse over time.

This was wrong, no. he couldn't do this. What was he even doing? He pulled away from the kiss to look at you. You noticed the hunger, yet also the fear in his eyes at the same time.

“Are you okay, Michael?”

“I’ve never…” he hesitated.

“It's okay, we can take it slow, baby.” You brought a hand up to cup his cheek before placing a gentle kiss there.

Yes, he had never had sex before, but that wasn't the fear inside his heart. He was sitting in the Kingdom Hall, about to have sex before marriage with his girlfriend.

That was the real fear. God was watching him.

But oh God, was he too needy to stop.

He couldn't even pull away from the kiss, even when he was losing his breath; you would occasionally pull back, but he would just needily bring his face closer like a magnet.

“Mmhpf… mama?” he called out as he was buried in your neck.

“Hm?” You moaned, throwing your head back.

“D’you know how to do this?” he questioned, still kissing your neck and hitting your sweet spots.

“Just trust me.” You followed up by pulling up your dress, your hands guiding his. His hands followed yours, helping to slip off his pants and briefs just enough for his angry, hard cock to pop out.

You looked down to see his tip already leaking precum.

You pushed Michael away softly, as he was still too needy for your taste, trying to stay close to you.

He knew this was wrong.

He knew this was a sin.

He knew this would be his biggest regret.

But he craved your body like a wild animal.

His mind couldn't even comprehend the sinful acts he was partaking in in front of God. He was breathing heavily, resting his back against the chair while looking up at you.

“Are you sure you want this, Michael?” you asked, wondering if he actually wanted to have his first time with you.

He nodded without a second thought. “Please, please, I need you,” he pleaded.

You bit your lower lip, holding onto him as you slightly lifted your hips and slid his dick inside you slowly.

“Oh my God!” he moaned loudly, almost yelling out.

You quickly placed a hand on his mouth, muffling the sounds he was making. “Ngh! Michael, shhh…” you hummed as you propped yourself completely onto his lap. His brown eyes rolled back at the intense warmth of your wet walls consuming and sucking him in.

“T-Tell me if you want me to stop,” you assured him while your own pussy clenched harder. You lifted your hips once more before slamming down gently.

His hips bucked as he gripped your thighs. He made muffled noises into your hand, groaning loudly.

You looked at him with sultry eyes before pumping him once more. His head slammed back against the chair, releasing a loud cry from under your hand.

You lolled your head back as your own pleasure grew stronger. Michael looked at the sight of his cock being pumped by your cunt, and that was all it took for his orgasm to come crashing down like a wave.

A loud, muffled noise escaped his throat before his eyes rolled back. He buckled his hips as he let his white spurts shoot inside you. He looked down, in awe at the sight, until he finally calmed down. His whole body convulsed.

oh, he was so embarrassed.

His cock slipped out of cunt, your own orgasm long forgotten. You removed your hand from his mouth, his saliva glistening all over your hand and his plump lips.

The silence that followed was heavy, thick with the aftershocks of what had just happened.

Michael stared at the ceiling of the Kingdom Hall, his chest rising and falling in ragged, uneven breaths.

The guilt he had been fighting seemed to crash over him now that the adrenaline of pleasure had faded, leaving behind the stark reality of where they were.

“I-…” Michael’s breathing quickened. He placed a hand over his chest as tears began to pool in his eyes.

“Breathe, Michael. It’s okay,” you assured him, gently caressing his shoulder, worried by whatever had just come over him.

Michael looked around the hall, seemingly taking in where he was and realizing what he had just done. His lips, which moments ago had been making soft sounds of pleasure, now began to quiver.

He brought a trembling hand to his mouth, overcome by shock.

“Oh no… what have I done?” he whispered to himself.

Worried, you carefully got off his lap, unable to bear the hurt on his face. While he remained trapped in his own regret, you covered him with the fabric again before sitting down beside him.

His sobs grew louder, becoming almost uncontrollable. Suddenly, he collapsed onto the floor, bowing his head as though he could barely hold himself together.

“O-oh God… forgive me,” he whimpered.

“Forgive me, God. I have sinned,” he pleaded, clenching his fist before slamming it against the floor.

Your eyes widened.

“Michael!”

You immediately dropped down beside him, grabbing his hand before he could hurt himself again. You pulled him into your arms, holding him tightly against your chest while fighting back your own tears.

“Michael, please…” you whispered, your voice trembling as you held his head close.

“I’m a sinner,” he sobbed against your chest.

“I’m a sinner. I’m a sinner. I’m a sinner…”

The tears you had been desperately trying to hold back finally spilled down your cheeks.

You held him tighter, your heart breaking as you watched him fall apart in your arms.

What were you supposed to do?

He continued crying against your chest, his whole body numb, unable to move.

You stayed in place, rocking back and forth, occasionally whispering reassurances. “It’s okay, Michael.”

“Please, Michael, stop.”

And he just sobbed louder, unable to do anything in that moment.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he said continuously, as if you could hear the pain in his voice.

“Don’t love me. I don’t deserve love. I’m a betrayer.”

“No, you’re not, Michael. Please, don’t—”

“I am. I am. I am,” he cried out.

“Don’t love me, and don’t make me love you.”

ame’s notes : I don’t even have any notes atp…

tags : @sulkygyu

well yes.

Summary: Moments shared between you, Michael, y’all’s baby boy, and the family.

Warnings: all cuteness, all fluff, slight angst at the end :)

WC: 5.17k

A/N: Thank you all for the overwhelming love on Not Like Him. I thought a little more into their would be cute to do as well. I plan on doing more of these to show the family’s progression as well as the birth of the 7 kids you’re thinking about giving him :). The origin of baby Esco can be found HERE. Not proof read. Thank you so much for the support and thank you for reading. -J

You watch as Michael gently rubs baby Esco's back as he lays flat on his own, his precious month and a half year old tummy down on him. It's tummy time and he's frustrated, his loud cries bouncing off the walls and making Michael's ears ring. But after months of reading a bunch of baby books, attending classes with you, asking for advice, and doing his own research, he knew how important it was for his son's development.

"Come on dada." he encourages, keeping his same tone of voice. "I know you can do it. I know you can lift your head up for daddy. You're a strong boy."

"Maybe we can try singing to him again." you suggest.

"But I want him to be able to do it without the added stimulation." Michael pushes back.

"Baby he's one and a half months old." you grin. "He's needs all the added stimulation that he can get."

You move from your position on the couch, coming to lay down next to the both of them, propping your elbow up and resting your head in the palm of your hand. You rest your other hand gently on Esco's head, your thumb moving through what is damn near a full head of hair. That seems to have calmed him down momentarily  until he gets agitated all over again because the magical forces haven't set him up right yet.

"Okay okay, you win little man." Michael huffs as he clears his throat. He sets both his hands on Esco's back, doing very very very gentle taps to the rhythm of 'Shake Your Body(Down To The Ground)'. "I don't know what gonna happen to you baby. But I do know that I love ya."

"You walk around this town with your head all up in the sky." he continues and Esco's loud cries become small, silent, broken ones until they cease already together. He sniffles, his little arms moving slightly as Michael continues to pat him lightly, his body grooving slightly because he can hear the music in his head. "And I do know that I want yaaaaa.. Let's dance, let's shout!"

"Shout!" you chime in.

"Shake your body down to the ground. Let's dance! Let's shout!"

"Shout!"

"Shake your body down to the ground!"

"Let's dance! Let's shout!"

"Shout!"

"Shake your body down to the ground!"

"Let's dance! Let's shout!"

"Shout!"

"Shake your body down to the ground!"

Esco begins to smile, his fingers gripping Michael's wifebeater as he attempts to lift his head. He stares at you first for reassurance as his little head continues to wobble. Michael brings his knees slightly upward so he can create some more bounce and this keeps a smile on Esco's face. He starts trying to turn his head, so you tap Michael on his shoulder lightly, motioning for him to slow down a bit, but keep singing.

"You tease me with you lovin' to play hard-to-get. Cause you do know that I want ya." he sings as baby Esco continues to try and turn his towards him. And when he does, Michael starts bouncing his legs slightly again to keep him motivated. "You walk around this town with your head all up in the sky and you do know that I want yaaaaaa. Let's dance. Let's shout!"

Slowly, but sure, he lifts his little head up and looks right into his father's big grown orbs and Michael almost loses his mind out of excitement right then and there. He continues to sing, wanting to finish the song for his boy. Soft little sounds leave Esco's mouth as his head continues to wobble from a combination of strength building and his father's movements. Anytime his head starts to fall, Michael bounces his leg a little harder and then gets him to pop that little head right back up.

"There's mama's and dada's strong boy!" you say happily as you clasp your hands together. You lay on your back a little closer to Michael, cheek resting on his arm as you watch the two of them finish out tummy time.

~

When Michael bought the Quivira, a luxury super yacht, Tito swore up and down that he was trying to "out yacht" him and the two formed an on going joke about it. But, Michael simply wanted a slightly bigger space for his family, existing and growing. You sit next Michael on the middle deck, his arm throw snuggly around you as you breastfeed baby Esco, a light towel thrown over him to protect him from the sun.

In several various locations onboard are the rest of the Michael's family and the families they've formed, except for Katherine and Joseph. He couldn't exactly celebrate the release of 'Off The Wall' the way he wanted to, so for him, this was the next best thing.

"I'm so glad California has good weather." you sigh as you caress his head, his latching become weaker and weaker as he starts to fall asleep.

"I know." Michael agrees with you. "I couldn't imagine being back in Indiana with all the snow. Although it would be nice since we've been finally celebrating Christmas for these past couple of years."

"Mama Katie would have a heart attack if she learned that we use to sneak and have Bill bring you over to celebrate." you laugh.

"Ain't nothing she can do about it now." he shrugs. "And it was worth the sneak getting to spend the holidays with you. I remember having to leave all my gifts at your house."

"And I think my parents still have them too after all these years. Still put away in our basement." Once baby Esco stops drinking all together, you unfortunately have to pull him back out of his slumber because you must burp him. He whines slightly at the sudden position change, balling his little hands into fists.

"Ooo looks like someone is a little angry." Michael chuckles, slipping his index finger between one of his fists. Esco immediately lightens up as he grips Michael's finger and you pat his back firmly, swaying him side to side.

"I'd be angry too if I was almost asleep and then someone started slapping me in my back."

Michael laughs again and attempts to pull his finger away, but Esco's grip is stronger than it looks. For a split second he plays tug-o-war with his daddy until HE decides that he wants to let go and when he does, his rests his hand on the side of the arm, finally burping.

"Now you can sleep munchkin." you tell him as you give him a few quick kisses on the cheek and he makes a happy noise before yawning and burying his face in your bosoms and attempting to fall asleep once more. "You made sure to bring his bassinet right?"

"Sheeeesh, what kinda father do you take me for?" he asks you, raising a playful eyebrow.

"One that's gonna answer to me personally if he don't answer my question before his son wakes up." you raise the same playful eyebrow. "You know he wakes easily."

"I'm about to ball my fists up next." he jokes in reference from earlier.

"Y'aint gon' do shit anyways."

"Oh never." He stretches as he gets up, slowly and carefully peels baby Esco away from you. He immediately wraps his arms around Michael, hugging him like he's a giant teddy bear as he stirs.

"Better be quick, papa." you say as you notice that he's already starting to be pulled back out of the sleep he just fell into.

~

"Bababababababababa!" Esco rambles on as he crawls around on the studio floor in you and Michael's family home. Because of this, Michael made several new rules. Smoking was no longer allowed even if you were a guest and no shoes were allowed. He had the floor cleaned regularly and I mean regularly, just incase Esco decided he wanted to stick his hands in his mouth when no one is watching.

"Yes, exactly." Michael agrees with him as he sits across from Marlon. "See? Even your nephew thinks that's a terrible idea."

"No he's actually agreeing." Marlon shakes his head. "Babies usually only use one sound when they disagree with you. Kind of like a 'WHAT?!' moment. You know what I mean?"

"AH!" Esco screams before picking a block up off the floor and slamming it back down.

"I don't think he knows what you mean." Michael grins.

"Nah he's over there playing with me now." Marlon playfully sucks his teeth. "He ain't say none of that earlier."

Esco squeals when his favorite uncle Jackie, Randy trailing behind him, re-enters the room, scooping him up off the floor and raising him above his head before giving him a raspberry on his tummy. He squeals and kicks, grabbing a two baby fist fulls of Jackie's Afro.

"What's up big man?" Jackie asks as keeps him up in the air, smiling as he flails his arms before reaching out for his uncle, wanting to be pulled in for a hug.

"I'm just saying." you continue your conversation with Marlon. "We just toured for an entire year and you think going out of the country to celebrate is the brightest idea? On top of already having to travel back and forth between home cause' of Junior."

"But this time we'll be going out of the country on vacation.." 

"Bababababababa.." Esco mumbles to Jackie, but Michael overhears.

"See?" he mocks Marlon. "He agrees with me."

"Maybe we rent out a vacation home down in Malibu?" Tito suggests as he makes faces at baby Esco who rests his chin on Jackie's shoulder.

"Yeah." Jackie agrees. "Keeps us close by and in the country. State even."

"That I can get behind." Randy chimes in and he sits on the chair between Michael and Marlon, drinking from his Pepsi can.

"Get a coke, loser." Marlon says as he squishes Randy's can with minimal effort. Thankfully it wasn't a lot left in there. Randy chuckles at his failed attempt, downing the rest of his drink from the crushed up can before throwing it at blank point range at Marlon's temple.

"Try again, loser." Randy mocks.

"Make sure you pick that up.." Michael mumbles as he leans back in his chair, tipping it back slightly.

"Yes dad." Randy says sarcastically as he leans over to pick it up, shooting with ease into a trash can nearby.

"I know you guys wanna go all out, but I just want baby E to finally settle down. He was born right in the middle of touring."

Baby Esco's birth on July 1st of 1979 was both a blessing and a nightmare. It was definitely a tester in your already existing relationship and still relatively new marriage. A blessing because it was the beginning of a 3 month long break that he got to spend with his baby and the love of his life, hell because Michael wanted the two of you close always and when Joseph tried to open his mouth about it, everyone saw a different side of Michael.

Your husband wasn't known for cussing up a storm, but man did Joseph strike a nerve. Michael would be damned if his son would go months without being in his physical presence and he told Joseph he can shove the rest of this tour up his ass if his wife and son couldn't be around. No one said anything that day, but they were all in Michael's corner. So by the time the beginning of October rolled around, Michael already had your transportation and living accommodations sorted.

He played it smart too. He wouldn't have you stay exactly in the city or state he was performing in, but instead find a good middle ground so that you and baby Esco didn't have to move around often, at least for a couple weeks. He'd come to you instead, sometimes bringing his family with him, even his grumpy old grandpa who was against the idea in the first place.

"I don't want him to spend most of his life on the road like how we had to." Michael sighs and his brothers immediately understand.

"Then we'll do Malibu." Marlon agrees.

"Babababababababa!" Esco, who is now in Tito's arms, claps his hands together at Marlon's words.

"Okay, he FOR SURE agrees with a nigga this time."

"Nah, he agrees with me." Tito says. "It was my idea to begin with. He's clapping because you finally said something smart out cho' mouth."

~

"Ssssh." you press your fingers to Michael's lips, watching as baby Esco grips the fuck out of the couch cushion to stand himself up. "Baby look.."

The two of you watch from your position on the loveseat across from him. Michael tries to not laugh at his monster grip or risk resetting his progress. Instead, he rests a hand on your thigh, tapping and watching patiently as his bright boy reaches yet, another milestone.

When he finally pulls himself up, he wobbles on his legs, body swaying back and forth as he tries to find his balance, but this time he's unsuccessful. He plops back down on the floor and lets out a scream in frustration before trying again. But not before turning his little head around to see if the both of you are watching. You and Michael quickly look in other directions and when that's when he tries again.

This time, he is successful, just for a few seconds. He holds himself up, bouncing on his knees slightly and making happy noises. He slowly plops back down to the floor, turning over onto his stomach so he can crawl.

"Wow I'm impressed." you say clapping and Michael joins you, assisting with the positive reinforcement. Esco smiles and giggles before slowly making over to the both of you, reaching his arms up slightly and clenching and unclenching his fists as if to say 'any takers?'. You pick him up and he smiles again, fingers gripping your collarbone. Michael uses a single finger to tickle his neck and he squeals and tries to swat him away, but Michael is slightly faster. He has him in a fit of giggles as continues to try to avoid being tickled.

"Daddy's boy is getting so independent?" he coos. "Aren't ya?"

"He'll be climbing the furniture real soon." you add.

"And then jumping off-,"

"Too far."

"I'll be there to catch my little Superman, don't you worry your pretty little head."

"Michael if I catch you having my baby jump off the furniture, that's your ass."

"You won't be there for boys day anyways."

"Michael."

"No jumping off the furniture, got it."

"Do you smell that?"

"Nope. It's your turn." Michael jumps up from the loveseat. "I changed him this morning. TWICE."

"But he puts up less of a fuss with you." you pout.

"But-,"

"Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. I just got done eating like half an hour ago and I don't wanna smell that."

"You owe me 4 kisses."

"I'll give you more than that."

~

"Hold the camera up you shmuck. Damn." Michael says to Randy. "I'm ready to take this damn mask off

"I'll slap you in the back of your head with this camera you keep talking crazy to me." Randy says back, adjusting the camera the way Michael wants. "You wanted to scare yo' son."

"It's builds character." Michael chuckles. "Smiles anytime something scary is on TV."

Michael looks directly into the camera when he says this.

"It's October 30th 1981. Baby Boogie, I don't know if we should be afraid of you or not yet."

"You know he gets it from you right?" Randy cuts him off.

"I am so sick of you."

"I'm just saying man."

"Just shut up and follow me."

"You got it boss."

Michael playfully, but still roughly swats at Randy behind the camera who chuckles breathlessly before he dodges it. The two make their way down the stairs and towards the family den, slowly and quietly. The scene before them is so precious it almost makes Michael change his mind, but he remains committed.

"So, here we have baby Boogie, curled all up with his auntie Janet, taking a nap." Michael whispers as Randy zooms in on the two of them fast asleep. Every single weekend, when Joseph permitted it, Janet was here bonding with her nephew. The both lay comfortably on sides, Esco's little back pressed firmly into Janet's chest while he snores like a grown man. She holds him close, even in her own sleep, so he doesn't accidentally fall off the couch. "Just wait until Dunkaroo sees herself snoring on camera."

"She's gonna beat your ass." Randy says.

"Challenge accepted."

Michael kneels down directly in front of them, trying not to snicker too loudly underneath his scary mask. He places his hand on Esco's chest, rubbing gently, but firmly to try and ease him out of his nap. He fights at first, grabbing one of Michael's fingers and almost bending it backwards. When he finally does start to open his eyes, it's a look of pure amazement, confusion, and minor fear. His fight or flight kicks in first and he's not running.

"Ahh...aAAH...aAhAaAh.." little broken sounds of protest start to come out of his mouth as he starts swatting at his father while still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"Huh?" Janet questions as she also begins to stir out of her sleep.

"No no no no no no no no no!" Esco whines and screams as he starts swatting at Michael harder. "Weave me and my auntie awone!"

He flies out of Janet's grasp quickly and starts hitting on Michael with all of the two year old toddler strength he could muster up. Randy is a cackling mess behind the camera as he watches baby Esco's little fists fly. Michael grabs him, wrapping his arms completely around him in attempt to get him to stop, giggling at his son's warrior attitude. Once Janet fully gets the sleep out of her eyes, she immediately notices those long legs and Randy behind the camera and she yawns and rolls her eyes.

"Y'all play too much.." she grumbles. "Waking me and my gumdrop up.."

"Boy if you hit me one more time!" Michael says playfully as he takes his mask off. "It's just me!"

Esco immediately takes a deep breath and sighs. Resting his hands on his knees as he gives his father a not so pleased look and shakes his head before throwing himself into his arms. He huffs and sits there in silence, not too sure what to make of the situation. Michael is still grinning as he holds onto him, his hand patting his little tummy.

"If y'all two aren't eating, y'all are sleeping." Randy jabs at her. "Get up and do something with my nephew."

"And you're always in my damn business."

"What in the world is all that screaming?!" you ask as you make your way through the den door with your glass of lemonade, Enid trailing behind you also with a look of concern. "Michael you in here scaring my baby?"

"Mama!" Esco says excitedly as he reaches his hands out for you with a smile. "Nid nid!"

"Him and Randy's funky butt!" Janet says as she teams up against the both of them.

"I was just the camera man." Randy defends himself.

"A crappy one at that, probably." Michael rolls his eyes.

"Jackie use to do that same mess to Siggy until he popped him in the mouth real good one time." Enid cackles. "He never scared that boy ever again."

"He's too sweet to do that." Michael says.

"I don't know." Janet disagrees. "Looks like he was about to punch your lights out."

You scoop him up in your arms and he hugs you, shooting a hard look at his daddy when you are looking and then making a soft face when you aren't. Randy has still been filming this entire time.

"Oh so you're gonna play me like that son?" Michael questions.

"Me and my baby are leaving. Bye!" you say as you kiss his cheek.

"Ahhhh he's so cute!" Enid coos as softly pinches his cheek.

"And me." Janet says as she gets up. "Not safe at home, still not safe at bub's house."

"Well we didn't stop being your brothers over night." Randy says. "This is pay back for last year."

"A year's worth of a gru-," Michael tries to chime in.

"Shut up, Mike."

~

"Daddy." Esco calls for Michael even though he's sitting in his lap, fully leaned into his father as he drinks from his sippy cup.

"Hm?" Michael questions.

"Daddy."

"Hm?"

"Daddy."

"Hm?"

"Daddy."

"Hmmmmmmmmm?"

"Daddy!"

"Jesus boy, I'm right here." Michael laughs as he spins him around to face him. "How can daddy help you?"

The truth is, he wanted nothing more from his father than to be close to him, so he simply just giggles and buries his face in Michael's chest. Michael kisses the top of his head before patting his back and smiling.

"Crazy just like your uncle Marly." he says and Esco giggles again at the sound of his uncle's name. Him and Marlon were always up to no good and sometimes neither of you could tell if Esco was the baby or if uncle was. 'You better be careful with my baby' was a phrase embedded into Marlon's memory.

Before Michael can say anything else, in comes Bill through the front door. Esco immediately turns his head around and almost takes a leap of faith off of Michael in excitement. Michael, using his still developing dad instincts, lurches forward to catch him mid air before he hits the floor, but Esco remains unphased.

"Grampa Bill!" he smiles as Bill slips his shoes off before continuing his way into the house.

"Well good morning baby boogie!" Bill greets him, taking him from Michael's arms and giving him a tight hug. "Got that donut for you like I promised. G'morning Mike."

"What do you say when someone gives you a gift?" Michael asks him. "Morning Bill!"

"Tank wu." he says to Bill, giving him another hug. Bill sets him down and hands him the donut still in the bag and pats him on the head before slipping away to use the restroom.

"C'mere and I'll break that up for you." Michael says.

"No mine." Esco whines.

"Daddy'll give it back. C'mere boy."

He reluctantly walks over to Michael, handing him the bag and bouncing up and down impatiently hands gripping the edge of the sofa. He takes it out of the bag, unwrapping it and breaking it in half.

"You'll get the other half after we get mama from the airport and go to breakfast, okay?"

"Tank wu daddy." he says to Michael as he grabs the donut half from his hand and immediately places it in his mouth. After he gets done, Michael gives him a bath and gets him dressed before showering and doing the same for himself. They were both so excited to see you after you've been gone for 2 weeks on a trip for your own small business that Michael helped you get started with. You had been promoting your brand well, so naturally the invitations came.

"You ready to go?" Bill asks Michael as he holds baby Esco in his arms.

"Uh huh." Michael answers he grabs a set of roses for you off the table. He slips one rose out of the dozen and gives it to Esco. "You hand this to mama when you her, okay?" He nods.

"Okay daddy." he smiles.

~

"Michael why are you crying?" you ask him, your hand resting on his thigh as the two of you sit together on a park bench.

"Because." he says through a shaky breath. "That's all I ever wanted from Joseph. He didn't give it to me or my brothers and sisters, but I'm glad he can give it to his grandkids."

Off in the short distance, by a set of slides, Joseph stands next to his grandson who reaches for his hand as he points to something that he wants to show him. Joseph grabs his hand and kneels down so that he's at his level. In his hand, he picks up a tiny rock and shows it off like it's his most prized possession. Joseph smiles and laughs at him, taking the rock from it and actually examining it as if it means something, but to his grandson, it means everything.

"You really do a great job of reminding me why I married you." you say as you lean over to give him a kiss on the cheek, wiping away the tears from his eyes. You wrap your arm under his neck, cupping the side of his face before you pull him in closer to you, kissing his cheek over and over again.

"Do you think he'll be like me?" he asks with worry in his voice. "Do you think any of kids will be like me?"

"What do you mean?" you asked confused.

"Do you think he'll have the same issues I do?" Michael looks you directly in your eyes when he asks. "Any of them?"

"It's always a possibility." you answer truthfully. "But what does that change? You're still their daddy. You're still oh so handsome. They'll still love you and we'll still love them."

"I don't want them to-,"

"I wish anybody would." you say firmly. "Your skin condition doesn't define you, Michael. I honestly think it's cute, your moomoo skin."

"Moomoo skin?" Michael chuckles.

"You love it. Don't act like you don't love it."

Michael had to admit the nickname for his vitiligo was cute. And when looked at himself in the mirror bare, your kind, gentle, and reassuring words play in the back of his head to remind him that he isn't a freak and that he's just uniquely him. He knows he's not the only one to suffer from it and prays silently for the rest out there in the world that share the same insecurity that he does.

"It'll be fine." you reassure him again. "You have not one, but two families behind you. I don't care what anyone has to say."

"I love you mamas." Michael says still with a broken voice.

"I love you too papas."

"Mama!" Esco's voice shrieks through the air as he runs over to the both of you, that rock clutched tight in his hand, Joseph trailing behind him. "Daddy! Look! Look wut me and grampa found!"

"Very nice! Very nice indeed." you say as he sets the rock your hand. There's nothing special about it really, but you too look at it like it's a trophy.

"We should take him to the beach sometime." Michael suggests. "Real pretty rocks he can pick up down there."

“I think that’s a great idea.” Joseph says as he stands behind Esco with his hands in his pockets, but not for long as he reaches for his grandfather and Joseph quickly picks him up.

“Grampa go too, daddy?” Esco asks Michael. You watch the interaction between the three of them carefully. Joseph had already picked up a new tune when it came to his grandchildren, but with Esco it was different. Away from him, he could keep up that hard exterior, but around him he couldn’t. His youngest grandson had him wrapped around his little finger. “Right daddy?”

“Of course.” Michael says without really thinking much about it. Knowing Joseph, he probably would for forget that he even agreed to go. But maybe this thought was wrong. He never stood his grandson up.

“Michael can I talk to you for a minute?” Joseph abruptly asks and you can see Michael’s body go rigid, but he agrees anyways.

“Sure..” he says lowly, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah. Sure Joseph.”

He hands Esco over to you and promises he’ll be right back when he starts to whine from not wanting to be separated from his grandfather.

“You always show out when you’re around your grandpa.” you huff. “C’mere before I eat cha’.”

Michael and Joseph walk off to where he and Esco at once stood. He runs thumb and index finger along his mustache, looking at the ground before looking at his son. Michael stands there, eyes darting everywhere, but at Joseph.

“Michael.” Joseph says firmly, but not aggressively. “Look at me. I need you to to look at me when I tell you this.”

Still, Michael struggles to maintain eye contact. How could he? The only reason they were even out here was because Katherine encouraged him to give him the chance properly bond with his grandson.

“Can I at least get a glance from you so that I know you’re listening to me?”

Michael gives him what he wants, his eyes quickly looking away.

“I’m listening to you da-, Joseph.” he clears his throat.

“I’m sorry.” Joseph says and Michael almost thinks he’s dreaming. He stands still, his ears ringing slightly as he brain continues to process the words he may or may have not heard. His body gets hot and he’s crossed between passing out and throwing up. “Michael? Did you hear me?”

“Huh?” Michael answers, clearing his throat and Joseph sighs.

“I said I’m sor-,”

“No don’t say it again. I heard you.”

“I just. I just wanna know what you’re sorry for.” he lies because he already knows, he just doesn’t know if he can accept this apology because it’s too soon. “Like. I’m confused on what you’re apologizing for.”

“You don’t gotta play stupid with me boy.” Joseph says, never taking his eyes off of Michael. “I know heard me. Look. I know I wasn’t exactly the easiest on you and-,”

“Just tell me what you want Joseph. I don’t want to have this conversation with you right now.” Michael says firmly, but respectfully.

“Just.” he sighs. “Don’t take my grandson away from me.”

“Why would I take your grandson away from you?”

“I thought you didn’t want to have this conversation right now?”

“You brought me over here, so tell me. Why would I take your grandson away from you?”

The silence is loud between the both of them as Michael finally gets the courage to look him in his face because he knows it’s the one question he won’t be able to answer. After a few moments of silence pass, Michael speaks again, closing the distance between him and his father.

“Look.” Michael begins as he leans over his shoulder and speaks directly into his ear. “You fucked up with me and the rest of the family, but you’ve been good to your grandkids. I won’t take Esco away from you, IF, it stays that way.”

“I hungry daddy!” Esco yells from afar, wanting them to speed up the conversation.

“Thanks for the chance.” Joseph says before patting his shoulder and walking away. “Son.”

29 August 1958 - 25 June 2009

゛𝒔ynopsis ⨾ extremely pregnant and thoroughly over it, you're navigating swollen feet, thinning patience, and a husband who has decided “helping” means treating you like spun sugar.

゛𝐜ontains ━ soon2bedad!michael ༝ pregnant!reader mentions of pregnancy and discomfort domestic fluff lots of physical affection ( lotssss ) michael is completely whipped ◞ 𝟬.𝟴𝟴𝟰𝓴

you’re six months pregnant. your feet are swollen and you’re tired of everyone treating you like you can’t do basic things. michael has decided that helping means hovering constantly.

he’s following you around the house with a glass of water, even though you just finished one. every time you reach for something on a high shelf, his hand is right there next to yours. when you pick up the laundry basket, he takes it out of your hands.

“michael,” you say, stopping in the living room. “i’m pregnant, not broken. i can carry a basket. i can reach a shelf. and i don’t need you following me around with water, mikey.”

he sets the glass down carefully and steps closer. he puts both hands on your belly, thumbs stroking slow circles, and rests his forehead against yours. his breath is warm against your skin.

“i know,” he says softly. “you’re so capable. it just makes me want to take care of you more.”

he kisses the corner of your mouth, then your nose, then the space between your eyebrows. his thumbs keep moving over the sides of your stomach, why? he’d say “just incase the baby kicked.” he leans in and presses another soft kiss to your cheek, then nuzzles against your temple.

“let me do the laundry, michael.”

he holds you there in the middle of the living room, swaying a little, his cheek resting against your hair. every few seconds he presses another soft kiss to your forehead or the side of your face. the laundry basket sits by the couch, as afternoon light comes through the curtains showcasing your glowing and beautiful brown skin.

“not a chance,” he murmurs against your temple. he keeps one hand spread over your belly and the other rubbing slow circles on your lower back. “you’ve been on your feet all day. i’ve got it.”

he kisses the top of your head again, then the side of your neck, then the soft spot just behind your ear. you place your pedicured hands against his chest and reach past him toward the couch, trying to grab the full basket of white clothes that still needed washing. you wanted to handle it yourself. the first—and last—time you let michael help, after he’d begged and begged, he mixed the whites with colors. you ended up with enough pink clothes to last a lifetime.

with his quickest reflexes, he snatched the basket back and away from you. a pout took over your lips after you sucked your teeth, leaving an irritable expression on your face as your shoulders slouched.

“michael, i can do it myself!” you whined. your hormones mixed with the irritation had tears forming in the corners of your eyes. his free arm wrapped around your waist, holding you close while the basket sat forgotten on the floor behind him. he pressed a soft kiss to the top of your head, voice dropping even quieter.

“i know you can do it yourself. i just didn’t want you liftin’ anything heavy right now. c’mon… sit on the couch with me.”

before you could protest again, he gently guided you backward until the backs of your knees hit the couch. he sat down first, then carefully pulled you into his lap, settling you sideways against his chest. one hand rested on your thigh while the other kept stroking your back in slow, calming circles.

you try to keep the pout going. you really do. but the second you’re fully in his lap, the baby decides this is the perfect moment to practice soccer against your ribs. a sharp little kick lands right under michael’s palm.

he freezes as his whole face softens into a stupid, lovesick look that always ruins your righteous anger.

“oh my god,” he whispers, like the baby just announced world peace. “did you feel that? that was a big one.”

“yes, michael, i felt it. it’s happening inside me.” you shift, while trying to look stern. “and don’t change the subject. the laundry—”

he cuts you off by gently lifting one of your swollen feet into his lap and starting to rub it without asking. his thumbs dig into the arch. he watches as you let out an involuntary moan. he absolutely knew that you couldn't help it, but god did it feel good to hear.

“see?” he says, far too pleased with himself. “your feet are screaming, mama. rest. let me handle the laundry situation again—”

you narrow your eyes. “absolutely not, michael.”

“why not?”

“remember what happened last time?”

he leans in and kisses the tip of your nose. “look, i learned my lesson. this time i’ll separate everything. reds in one pile, blues in another, whites in a third… maybe even a fourth. i’m basically a professional now.”

you open your mouth to argue, but another kick lands—harder this time. michael’s eyes go wide with pure delight as he grabs your hand and presses it over your belly.

after a few moments, he carefully slides you off his lap and settles you against a pillow on the couch. he kisses your lips sweetly before bending down to grab the basket and heading toward the laundry room.

“don’t you get up, girl. i’m not playin’.”

he smiles as he watches you roll your eyes. “fine.”