The King Returns (sequel to Changing Destiny)

[Lady1Venus]

Chapter 2 part 3

“You know,” Pete said. “Lorna does like jewelry. Perhaps we could go to a jewelry department and pick something up for her. I should warn you though; here in Canada we have taxes on most of our items. Government likes to suck money out of us in anyway they can.”

Michael smiled. “I like that idea. But I don’t seem to see a jewelry store here. Yes, Lorna had informed me of that when we were on the plane. I think I recall her saying it’s fifteen cents on the dollar here.”

“No, this mall doesn’t have a jewelry store, per say, but there’s a Sears here and it sells nice stuff. Sometimes to rich for my blood.”

“Lead the way,” Michael suggested.

Pete led the way to the entrance of Sears. They weren’t far past the entrance when Michael spotted the jewelry counter. Without Pete’s help, Michael strolled over to the counter and began looking at the precious items. They were all so pretty and something he did not see in his city.

“Hello,” a lady greeted from behind a counter. “How may I help you today?”

Michael looked at the heavyset woman but was careful not to look at her too long, in case she recognized his face. “I’m looking for something for my girlfriend. Her birthday is coming up in a few days and I have nothing for her.”

“We have a large selection of diamonds and other sorted jewelry to chose from.”

Michael nodded and continued to look.

Pete came up to the singer. “Anything you like?”

“I’m not sure. I honestly not sure what Lorna likes in jewelry.”

“Mike, anything from you, I think she’ll love it, no matter what it is.”

“You’re probably right. But I would like it to be something special. Something like…”

Pete and the sales lady looked at each other as Michael stopped speaking. They could see his eyes were transfixed on something.

“Something catch your eye?” Pete asked.

“I think so,” Michael answered. “Can I see that necklace?” He pointed to a pendent that had an emerald shape cut ruby gemstone surrounded by tiny diamonds.

“Of course,” the lady smiled. She unlocked the door of the draw, so she could pull the necklace out. She pulled it out, including the neck type-resting pad it was on.

Michael pulled the necklace off its rest and began to inspect the precious jewel.

“Hey Rebecca,” another lady came up and stood beside Michael.

“Excuse me for a moment,” the lady named Rebecca said. She moved away from Michael as he continued to look at the necklace and looked at the woman who got her attention.

“When do you get off today?” the girl asked.

“I’m off in fifteen minutes. Why do you ask?”

“Well I was wanting to know if you want to come with me to Walmart and we can check out the new re-releases of Michael’s albums.”

Michael nearly dropped the necklace at the sound of his name. But he held fast. Pete touched the singer’s arm. “You are a costumer and no one knows,” he whispered.

Still looking at the necklace, Michael could not help but listen to what the two women were saying, considering they were standing by the said person they were talking about, but they did not know it as the said man was dress in casual jeans and a cowboy hat…something totally not Michael Jackson’s style.

“You mean his albums are back?” Rebecca blinked.

“Yeah. I had heard other stores started to sell his cds again and today I found it’s true. I saw “Bad”, “Thriller” and “HIStory”. I’m sure if we look further we could find others.”

“I so want “Thriller”,” Rebecca hammered. She then gasped. “Let’s continue this when I get off.”

“Meet me at Tim Hortons and I’ll buy you a coffee. Large four by four?”

“You know me all too well. Later Cyn.”

Michael gave an odd look at the mention of ‘large four by four’. What did the lady mean by that? He vowed to ask Pete about it later.

The woman waved and walked away. Rebecca walked back over to Michael, not knowing she actually was serving her favorite singer. “I’m sorry about that. My friend is just a little excited.”

“That’s ok,” Pete answered. “I take it you and her are Michael Jackson fans.”

“Yeah, we are. I’m so glad he’s ok. His girlfriend is so lucky.”

Michael had no idea what to say. “I’ll take this necklace.”

“You know sir, there is a set of matching earrings for that, but it’s sold separately.”

“There is?” Michael inquired. “May I see them?”

Rebecca smiled. She found it quite odd how her customer kept avoiding looking up for very long. “Of course.”

Michael watched as Rebecca walked over to the counter that had the earrings. She pulled out the little box the precious earrings were in and walked back over to her costumer. “Here you are, sir.”

Michael looked at them for a moment and smiled. “I’ll take them both.”

Rebecca smiled brightly. She moved over to the register, Pete and Michael followed. She punched the numbers that was needed to put the jewelry through. While at the same time, another lady, who was just about to start her shift, took the necklace and earrings and placed them in a box.

The lady then placed the box delicately into a Sears paper bag with handles and set it on the counter.

“That is $719.90 plus taxes which comes to $827.88.”

Pulling out his wallet, Michael pulled out the Canadian bills that he needed. He found the different colored money strange to him as he really never seen that before. It did not take him long to know which bills he needed. He handed her what she needed and placed the rest back.



“Thank you for shopping at Sears, have a nice day.” Rebecca finished.

“You as well,” Michael smiled. He turned away and headed out into the store.

Michael and Pete turned away from the lady and headed back the way they came. After hearing the two ladies speak about him and not realize he was right there, he began to feel uncomfortable. It was interesting to say the least to not have a mob of people trying to mow you down, but to Michael it was something he was accustomed to and had been for most of his life, since he was Blanket’s age, basically.

[ginalovesmikeyxo]

this was cute
i loved how lorna gave paris the talk for michael. just thinking about sputtering out answers to paris's questions makes me laugh. i'm sure with prince he was fine, since you know prince is a boy. but michael talking about sex to his little girl is just so funny to think about. lol
i can't wait to see lorna's reaction to michael's gifts! they sounded beautiful, and i don't know if you know that ruby's the gemstone for july but i'm sure you already know that and planned it that way. i know that because my birthday's in july. hehehe actually, i have a ring that my godmother gave me that would probably match lorna's jewlery. it's rubys and diamonds. hehe, one of the few pieces of jewlery that i own that i wear a lot, of course besides the purity ring mi madre bought me haha. ruby's are so beautiful. i'm sure lorna is going to love it.
can't wait to read more! but for now, i must get to bed. another thursday, another day of school. oh how fun it is to be a teenager.
have a good night!
gina<3

[Lady1Venus]

Yes, I knew Ruby was for July, in fact before deciding what type of jewelry to give Lorna, which you'll get a visual when she receives it, I had to find out to be sure which stone was for July. Trust me, I do as much research as I can for each thing I do. Now mind you I really don't know much on Timmins Ontario, so I'm going the assumption that it's a small city...Shania Twain did say once it was small and that's the home town she's from. I'm glad you thought the whole telling the daughter about periods and sex was amusing...it's set up that way

[ginalovesmikeyxo]

yeah, it's nice that you did your research because when i read a story and it has stuff that doesn't go with the time period or would have, for example, the gemstone of july a diamond because the author think it will look better. it irks me. lol, like if theres a story written in the 1970's and the author would have michael use a cell phone... there were no cell phones in the 70's! hahaha, i'm going off in a rant, forgive me. it just irritates me sometimes, so it's nice that you did take the time to research. i know that i myself did a lot of research for one story about leukemia... dear lord, i know everything about it now! hahaha.
anyways, i can't wait to read more! did you start the new chapter yet?

[Sandra Alamo]

Really Nice Update please!

[luvmj5809]

Omg i was sooo excited to read the two chapters...i couldnt stop laughin when they were in sears when becca went to talk to her friend about michael and him almost dropping the necklace..lol i can so imagine that..it had me laughing so hard..

but it was a lovely update..add more soon..

[Lady1Venus]

Well I'm glad you were able to imagine that. I was too, hence why I added it. Yeah that part is really cute, him being normal...it just goes to show how human he was. Jump at the sound of his name.

[Lady1Venus]

Chapter 3 part 1
Birthday Greetings

After leaving Sears, Michael and Pete headed to the parking lot. When Uncle Pete had heard Lorna was coming up for a visit, he went out and bought her a birthday gift. He was only in town to help Michael pick something out for Lorna. Pete was quite impressed with Michael. The singer must have held a lot of control to not alert the attention of those to fans. He also noted how uncomfortable he was as well. Lorna did inform her uncle in how Michael could often feel cramped.

“Uncle Pete,” Michael said, once getting in the truck. “Do you have a floweriest here in town?”

“We do,” Pete said. “You want to give Lorna some flowers.”

“I’m thinking of it and picking up something from the children as well. I did this for Lorna for Mothers Day.”

“Yes, Lorna was telling me that over the phone. She thought that was thing anyone had ever given her, in many years.”

“So now I need to top that for her birthday.”

“Michael, is it true you were once Jehovah’s Witness? I understand that they don’t celebrate holidays.”

“No, they don’t,” answered the singer. “And yes I was, but that was long ago. I stopped when I moved to Neverland,” answered the singer. “Most of my family still are, but they respect that I am not. Being as popular as I was, I couldn’t keep up with the religion. I was touring more than worshipping. I believe in God. I wish to attend church, but my popularity has rendered that useless.”

Pete nodded. “I can understand that.” He pulled out of the parking lot. “With getting flowers how will you deliver them? If you get them now, she will not have much time to enjoy them.”

“I could order them today and have then have them delivered, that is if it’s alright with you, the morning of her birthday.”

“I suppose I could do that,” Pete agreed.

Pete pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards the flower shop. Michael was completely amazed at the small town. It was nothing like seeing the people in L.A. Even the vehicles were different than he was used to. He was mostly used to seeing fancy, expensive cars. But here many vehicles were not the top of the line. Some had rust spots while others were full of mud and dirt.

They soon pulled into the flower shop and walked in.

“Hello,” a sales lady greeted. Her hair was pulled back into a bun. Strands of gray hair had escaped the bun from working all day long. “How may I help you today?”

Michael inclined his head, using the cowboy hat to cover more of his face. Pete cleared his throat. “My friend here is looking to purchase some flowers for my niece. They are both from out of town and are up for a visit.”

The lady smiled. Michael could see she was tired. “We have a wide range of flowers. Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”

“I’m not sure. I’ll just take a look around and see what there is.”

“I’ll just be over at the counter if you need any help.” The Lady left the two men alone, just as another customer walked in the store. She was about to greet the customer when the person walked away.

“I thought that was your ugly truck standing outside.”

Pete and Michael looked up to see a man walk towards them.

“So what brings you into town today, old man?”

Pete smiled. “Just shopping around. My friend here is looking to pick up something special for my niece.”

“Your niece, eh? Is that the one you said came to visit back in April?” he asked.

“Actually, yes,” Pete answered. “So what brings you here?”

“Beth, just had a baby.”

“That’s great!” Pete grinned. “So that makes you a proud…”

“Grand-Daddy for the first time.”

“Congratulations,” Michael answered politely. “Is Beth your daughter?”

“She is,” the man said. “Oh. I’m John.”

“Michael,” answered the singer, extending his hand. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to look around.”

John looked at Michael with a perplexed look. He could have sworn he knew the man from somewhere. He knew Pete had a niece and her name sounded somewhat familiar too. But Pete would not show any pictures of his niece, only of the three children who had came with her from California. Something was fishy about Uncle Pete and had been since the Spring.

Pete noticed his friend was giving a strange look towards Michael. “So, John, about Beth…” Pete had to do something to draw the attention away.

Michael listened for a few moments before ignoring the two men. He wanted to get back to his children and soon. He was starting to get a feeling that he could be caught. He started to look at the flowers. As he looked around, he saw a bouquet and he couldn’t take his eyes of it. It felt they would be perfect from the children. He motioned for the sales lady to come over.

“Yes, what can I do for you?” she asked.

“I would like to purchase a dozen of these lilies,” he pointed to the ones he wanted. “But I would like them to be delivered to McCall Ski Lodge on the 13th.”

“Would you like a card for the flowers?” she asked.

“No, that’s ok. They are going to be from my children and they like to make their own cards.”

The lady began to scribble down some numbers and prices. Since there was going to be a delivery, she had to write down the order number of the flowers. When she was done, she looked at Michael. “Will that be all?”

“No. I would like to have some other flowers delivered as well. I’m just not sure what. I know she likes roses and the last time I gave her a dozen red roses.”

“May I make a suggestion?” she offered. “You could always split the dozen in half and have one kind and half another.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” he agreed. He looked at the different colors of roses. “I will take a dozen of these ones and a dozen of these ones.” He pointed to two different shades.

“Two dozen?” she blinked. No one had ever bought two-dozen roses before. She looked to where he pointed to see he picked the red and white.

“And could have them mixed around,” he added.

Still shocked, she scribbled the numbers that she needed and walked over to the counter. Michael followed her over and paid for his purchase. He even told her what he wanted written on the card. When he was done. He looked over at Pete and informed the man he was ready to leave.

Pete said his goodbyes to John and the two men left the shop to head back to the ski lodge. Where they both gave a sigh of relief. They were not expecting to run into anyone Pete knew.

-

The morning of the thirteenth finally had arrived and while everyone else was still sleeping, Michael was the first to wake up. He had retired early the night before so he could try and get a good night sleep, which surprisingly, he did. He had Stacey and Luke entertain Lorna most of the evening making her go to bed late and then this way she would sleep in. Taking a quick shower, Michael soon headed down stairs where Uncle Pete was busy in the kitchen.

Pete looked at the Pop King. “Good morning. You’re up early.”

Michael nodded. “I want this day to be special for her. She hasn’t celebrated her birthday in a long time. I would like to plan a private dinner with her. I’ve done it once, but this time, I’m going to cook for her.”

“You cook?” Pete blinked. “Forgive me, but you don’t seem to know you’re way around the kitchen.”

Michael lightly laughed. “There is more to me than what is said. I love to cook. While growing up, I wanted to make sure I knew how to cook. I’ll speak to my children about the two of us not having dinner with the rest of you.”

“Tell me,” Pete said as he moved away from the counter. “How will you do a private dinner with Lorna when there is so many staying here?”

Michael winked. “Already covered. After dinner, Stacey and Luke are going to go shopping and tour the town. I think Luke wants to take their children to where he and Lorna grew up. If I can get you to entertain the children for the evening, everything will be set. Besides, I’m planning this dinner when people start to settle down, and you do close down the dining room every night.”

“So what did you two do the first time you had a private dinner?” Pete asked, completely intrigued in what the Pop singer had planned for his niece.

“Lorna and I went shopping for the first time while the children ate,” answered the pale African American. “But how to get her out?”

Pete thought for a few moments as he went back around the counter to continue doing what he was working on. He was getting ready to get breakfast on the go. He already knew what everyone wanted. He started on the eggs just as Noah and Lisa walked into the kitchen.

“Morning,” Noah said with a yawn.

Michael turned to the younger children. He noted Noah’s short mushroom cut hair was messed up, but not as bad as Lisa’s. Her long light colored hair was completely in disarrayed. “Did you sleep with your braid in?” Michael asked.

“Yeah,” Lisa said as she combed her fingers through her hair. “But it fell out. Mommy is never good at doing French braids.”

“If you go run upstairs and get your brush,” Michael offered. “I’d be willing to fix it for you.”

Lisa’s eyes widened. “Would you really?” She watched him nod. She smiled before rushing out of the room.

Michael laughed. The girl could move fast. Noah was a little stunned and looked a little out of it on as his sister ran past him. Michael walked over to the boy. “Don’t worry about it,” he said. “Girls love to have their brushed by other people. At least all the ones I’ve met.”

“I have an idea Mike,” Pete called as he flipped some eggs. “I could use some more food from the market. Perhaps you and Lorna could get some.”

[Lady1Venus]

Chapter 3 part 2

Michael blinked at the large man. Him in a grocery store…that had never been something he could ever do. There was once when his friends had closed a grocery store down for him to get a feel of what it was like to go shopping, but it still wasn’t the same thing as actually doing it.

“Is something wrong?” Pete asked as he noticed the singer had a slack jaw.

Michael shook out of his thoughts. “No, nothing’s wrong. You just took me off guard, is all. I think I will take you up on that idea, it is one way to get her out and then you guys can set everything up for me.”

Pete grinned. “Now that is something I can do. I love setting up for birthdays.”

“Here!” Lisa said excitedly as she came back in the room with a brush and elastic.

“Well, I have a fan who is awaiting for hair to be done.”

Pete laughed as the singer and grandniece, walked out of the room, for him to braid her hair. Lisa was grinning like a goof ball when Stacey walked down the stairs to see her sister-in-law’s boyfriend braiding her eldest daughter’s hair. She never knew he could braid hair and watching him doing it, made her love him even more as a friend than a devoting fan. She was so glad she was friends with her favorite icon.

The singer was just finishing with Lisa’s hair when a buzzer ran. The sound reminded Michael of his delivery he had. He grinned. “There you go, Lisa.”

Lisa felt the back of her head, feeling the French braid. She turned to the singer, giving him a hug. He embraced her back, kissing her head. Gestures like giving hugs, reminded Michael on how much he loved children in general. Children were really so innocent. He hated to think of the children who were being forced to grow up faster than they were suppose to. It made his blood boil mad, just at the thought of how mistreated some children was.

Michael stood and went to the entrance to the lodge. He had a feeling his delivery had arrive. Once getting outside, he could see a van driving down the long road from the main road, to the lodge. Once having his precious cargo, he rushed indoors. Stacey saw him carry 3 bouquets of flowers. She knew immediately who the flowers were for, Luckily for Michael his three children were now present.

“Children,” he called. “Here is a card to write what would like.”

“They are beautiful Daddy,” Paris smiled, looking at the lilies. “And they smell pretty too.”

“What about those two?” asked Blanket.

“These are for Lorna.”

“She’ll love them,” answered Prince. “I know she likes roses.”

“Stacey, could I get your help,” Michael turned to the woman. “I first thought of giving the flowers to her in one big bouquet, but I just decided on a better way to give them to her.”

“What would you like me to do?”

“Can I get you to take a dozen and set them at her seat. I’m going to take the others upstairs.”

With Stacey’s help, Michael was able to separate the flowers. Once he had what he needed, he went to her room. He carefully opened her door. He had to hold back the teasing like he did one other morning when he walked into her room to wake her up. He quietly walked over to the bed, resting a single white rose on the pillow near her head. He rested a single red rose near her housecoat. She always walked out of the room with it. Unlike at home, she was always dressed before exiting the bedroom, at least on most days but at the ski lodge she wasn’t like that.

He then went to the bathroom where he left a single red and single white rose on the counter. Returning to the main room, he walked over to window where he had a stereo sitting behind the curtain. He opened the curtain and turned on the CD he had in there. Normally he didn’t like to hear his own singing, but this time he was going to make an exception as the song ‘For All Time’, from his re-release album of Thriller, began to play.

He walked over to bottom of the bed and waited for her to wake, holding another single red rose. He had left another single white rose at the stereo. He didn’t have to wait long before he saw her stir. She could hear the voice of her boyfriend’s singing coming from somewhere.

She opened her eyes to see the rose near her. She stared at it for a few seconds before realizing what it was. She gave a soft smile as she touched the delicate petals of the flower. The petals were soft and velvety feeling. She looked over to her housecoat to see another rose, but a different color and then another one at the stereo. Stereo? Where did that come from? Now she knew where the song was coming from. She had yet to notice the person at the foot of her bed.

Carefully sitting up, being careful not to harm the precious flower, which came from only one man, she continued to take in the flowers that surrounded her. Seeing something from the corner of her eyes caught her attention. She looked to the bottom of her bed to see the very man who left the precious flowers.

Her breath hitched into her throat at his regal look. His hair was framing around his face but instead of it being the soft, straight hair, it was curly. He was wearing a soft white shirt with black slacks. Her eyes drifted to his face where a soft smile graced his lips and another red rose held in his hands. Her eyes went back to his curls. She could not believe how curly his hair really was. Yes, he his hair was curly on days he was rehearsing but he always kept it pulled back so she couldn’t really see the full look, but now she could. He looked like he did when he was in 30s.

“Happy birthday,” he finally graced out, smile not leaving. The song finally ended and there was no longer any more music. Michael had purposely set the stereo up to play only one song.

Lorna smiled back a little too speechless to say anything at the moment. She stared at him as he walked around the bed. He took the rose in his hands and carefully slid it down her cheek, causing her eyes to close at the contact. She was completely breathless as the petals of the flower slid down her face. She thought she would turn into a puddle. The flower was so sensual against her.

“I see you like my precious gift,” he whispered. He picked up the flower from the bed and tapped her nose with it.

She opened her eyes to see his face close to his. His curls were so close to her now, she could reach out and touch them. Her hands lightly rose to touch the hair to feel the soft silky texture.

“You take my breath away,” she whispered.

“I know,” he answered, barely auditable, before resting his lips against hers. He soon moved away from the bed, allowing her the chance to get up where she soon found two more roses. Once doing her bathroom duties, she found her bedroom empty. She gathered the 6 roses and left the room, wondering what he had in store for her.

She stepped out of her room to find two more roses just outside her door. She smiled more, picking up the two to add to the collection in her arms. Getting to the top of the stairs, leading down to the main area, she found another red rose, which again she added to her collection and headed down the stairs. At the very bottom of the stairs, three children were waiting for her, each holding a single white rose. With what was in her hands and what the three children were holding that made a dozen red and white roses.

“Happy birthday, Mommy,” Blanket greeted, handing her the rose.

“What does your father have planned?” Lorna asked.

“That is for you to figure out,” Prince answered, handing her the second rose.

Paris was the last to hand her a rose, giving her a birthday greeting as well. “Daddy’s waiting for you in the dining hall.”

“I’m sure he is,” Lorna answered. “Well, lead the way.”

“Blanket smiled as the three children led the way to the kitchen where everyone was waiting for her. She could see her Uncle starting to serve breakfast as Michael stepped in front of her vision.

“May I escort this beautiful lady to her birthday breakfast?” he offered, more talking to his children.

“Of course Daddy,” Blanket smiled.

Blanket took Lorna’s hand and raised it up so his father could take it. With Lorna holding the roses in one arm, no one else was able to hold her hands. The children, once Michael was holding her hand, rushed off to their seats.

Lorna was escorted to her seat where she found another dozen red and white roses sitting there, waiting for her, over top of her plate.

“Michael,” she whispered before they reached her seat. “You didn’t have to do this.”

“My girl needs to have a special birthday, so yes, I did.”

Once reaching her seat, he helped her to sit before taking all the roses and placing them on another table. He picked up the plate the flowers were sitting on and moved them as well, giving her a fresh clean plate for her food. Lorna was astonished to the amount of roses. She had no idea Michael had planned this. She was going to have to ask him how he ordered the flowers.

here are her roses from Mike here are the lilies that will be from the children

[KindnessIsEternal]

aww...that was nice! I love how the children each handed her a rose.
Good writing (though there are one or two awkward sentences)
I look forward to more!