When they got to the Mall MJ tensed up, then he felt Leanne's fingers wrap in his hand. Oh the spark they both felt it that one little touch as Leanne's heart skipped a beat, and MJ's pulse raced.
"Oh...this can't be good?" She whispered
"What did you say Leanne?"
"I guess it's now or Never MJ. Ready?"
"Not really."
"Just hold my hand tight, I'm right beside you."
As they walked into the Mall they came face to face with the Food Court. The place where it all began.
"I can't breathe Leanne...please..."
"Listen to me MJ...I want you to focus on something that you love. Just focus on that one thing."
Bringing up his eyes MJ stared directly into Leanne's, God his eyes were so intense, so blue. Even more intense now they were fully focused on her. Even the butterflies were dancing in her stomach.
"Ohhh...this is very bad? I take it I'm your focus?"
MJ laughed...
"You okay Leanne?"
MJ may only be fourteen in four days, but he knew he had Leanne right where he wanted her. Lost in his eyes. Just like his papa said..."It's the Taylor eyes that will get you all the girls."
Meanwhile...
"Michael...what's wrong with you? What happened with Caroline?"
"I need to check on her. I'll be right back."
Running up the stairs he forgot he left the box behind. Picking it up Anya looked inside.
"Ooooooooooooh.....oh God."
Taking out the Christmas frame she looked at the picture inside. There was Michael sitting by his wife with his head leaning against her tummy. While MJ was on the Opposite side kissing his sister where she layed nestled inside. Written at the bottom....."It's a Merry Christmas with our New Addition"
Anya teared up, she knew Caroline was born two days before Christmas. She could remember Michael telling her about the big storm and how their car got stalled while Selina was in full labour. How if it wasn't for that trucker who came by to tow them to the Hospital Caroline would have born in the back seat of their car.
Caressing her hand over the picture she placed it back in the box and sealed it. Not sure what Michael wanted to do with it. She left it on the table.
When Michael got upstairs he heard his daughter softly crying. Opening her door he walked in.
"Carol love...can I come in?"
Not getting an answer he sat down on her bed.
"Sweetheart...talk to me....please. I'm sorry you had to see that love. You were nevr supposed too. I guess over the years I forgot about all the memories I had stored. I know you know your mom loved you...she kept you deep inside her...nurturing you for your nine months. Loving you, talking and singing to you."
"Why did she have to die? Why did I have to be one to help her die."
"Awww....Caroline. You didn't help her die. What happened to your mom had nothing at all to do with you being born."
"Sure it did dad. If I wasn't concieved she wouldn't be dead. I was the one that brought on her blood clot."
"No you didn't Caroline. You're mother developed that blood clot after you were born. She had a chance to hold you. It was a few hours later the blood clot travelled to her heart. You weren't to blame. No one knew it was there till it was to late. She didn't suffer love. She went quickly. In her sleep. No one could have saved her. Please understand that Caroline."
Turning to face her dad with her tears she whispered....
"But I never got to love her. I never got to know her, or tell her I love her. I don't even remember her. I'll never know her laughter, I'll never know what she liked, or disliked."
Michael knew he had video cassettes on her and MJ. But he always kept them hidden. The memories were to painful for him and his son. How could he share them with his daughter when he couldn't bare to look at them himself.
"You okay daddy..."
Sighing deep he got up and walked from the room. Coming back a few minutes later he handed her a box of video's.
"These are all of your mom, MJ, and myself. This will help you get to know your mom."
Caroline could hear her dads voice break. She could see his tears shine through his eyes. She knew doing this had brought him great pain. Pain that he thought would forever be forgotten. But Caroline knew most of all that her dad loved her beyond anything she could imagine. For as hard as it was for him. He knew this was what his little girl needed.
"Thank you daddy." She whispered.
Kissing her cheek, he walked from the room.