Chapter 18
Trip To Canada
Having the family down was a dream come true for Lorna. The next day after everyone had settled in and Stacey was finally over the shock of being in the Pop Icon’s home, she was able to feel quite comfortable. Michael wanted Lorna to spend time with her family, but she wanted him to be involved as well. Stacey loved that idea, as she was able to more know what her favorite singer did when he wasn’t in front of the cameras so much. Of course her greatest shock was the moment she learnt her sister-in-law was going out with the Pop King.
“Are you kidding!?” Stacey exclaimed. She was grateful the children were outside playing and only Alice was in the room playing with her toys. Luke was playing on the floor with her.
Lorna and Michael were sitting on the sofa, side by side, holding hands.
“I’m serious,” Lorna explained. “I am going out with Michael Jackson.”
“When did this happen?” she asked in disbelief.
“Since shortly before going to London to announce the ‘This Is It’ tour,” Lorna answered.
Stacey looked at her husband. He raised his hands in defense. “I only found out yesterday while you were resting and it’s not my place to say.”
“Do you realize what this means?” Stacey questioned.
“That if on the off set chance that Lorna and Michael get really serious to the point of marriage, he would become my brother-in-law.”
Lorna slightly blushed at the thought of marriage. “Luke, lets not get too head of ourselves. Who knows how long this relationship will last?”
“Hopefully not for a long while yet to come,” Michael answered. He would have blushed too, but he was able to hold it back.
Lorna opened her to mouth to say something when her niece suddenly came running into the room. She quickly stopped, almost falling over as her mother gave her a stern look.
“Sorry Mommy,” Lisa huffed. “I just had to get away from Prince.”
“What’s Prince doing?” Michael asked, sitting up.
“He’s got a water gun,” Lisa cried out.
Michael chuckled. “It’s one of his favorite pastimes. All my children like them.”
Lisa shook her head. “Well I don’t.”
“Lisa has a fear of water,” Luke said. “She nearly drowned two years ago and since then she hates water.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Michael sobered. “Inform Prince to put the super soakers away. And let him know I said so.”
“Ok,” Lisa turned away and headed outside. The young girl knew she was in the home of a singer, but she had no idea how popular he really was. She knew he was an older singer and had been singing since her parents were at least teenagers. She had no idea he had been singing since her grandparents were young adults.
Debbie walked into room. “Mr. Jackson,” she interrupted. “There is an envelope and it looks pretty important.”
Michael held out his hand to retrieve the mail Debbie had just presented. He could see there was more than one envelope. He had a feeling the other ones were the monthly bills. He hated opening those. The letter Debbie mentioned that looked important was indeed what it was.
He read it to himself and then handed it to Lorna. She looked at it and then looked at him. “Oh Michael, that’s wonderful.”
Stacey looked at her sister-in-law with wonder. What did Michael Jackson just received?
Michael nodded. “It is. Though I wasn’t expecting it. I have been going down hill for the past four years.”
“But Michael being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, is something special,” Lorna defended.
“Nobel Peace Prize?” Luke blinked. “That’s amazing.”
“That’s not amazing,” Stacey grinned. “That’s awesome! And I’m sure it has much to do with all the work you’ve done in the past with your ‘Heal The World’ foundation and all our love and devotion to help people.”
“She’s right, you know,” Lorna said. “And it says here that you will be honored on April 15, 2009. That is so exciting.”
“That it is,” Michael smiled. “Stacey, you know much about my career.”
“I should,” she smirked. “I don’t feel that I’m obsessed with you, but I have done my best to follow your career.”
“Her mother thinks she’s obsessed,” Luke commented.
“My mother doesn’t know good talent even if it bit her the butt.” Stacey crossed her arms. “My mother is more a Country fan that pop/dance music.”
“There’s nothing wrong in liking Country music,” Michael explained. “I like some Country artists.”
“I should know,” Lorna said. “I went snoopy one day and poked through his CD collection. He’s got more music than one may realize.”
“You’ve always been snoopy,” Luke half chuckled. “Uncle Pete always called you his little Snoopy or was it Bashful?”
“Dad called me Snoopy and Aunt Lydia called me Bashful,” Lorna retorted.
Michael smiled. “I can see where the nicknames would come from.”
“Hey!” Lorna squeaked, giving him a light shove in the arm. “You are just plain sneaky.”
“I don’t want to know,” Luke rolled his eyes.
Both Lorna and Stacey ended up laughing at Luke for his comment. They knew them man wasn’t comfortable being in the Pop Singer’s home, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it. The couples continued to speak until it was mealtime where they got together with the children and had their evening meal. The couples then separated to do their own thing. Stacey wanted to do a little touring around in Los Angles. Michael insisted for them to take one of his security guards to show them around so they would be safe. Luke didn’t want to leave the children with Michael, but with one stern look from his sister, he allowed it.
-
The week past by pretty quickly as Lorna’s brother and his family stayed with them. And in that time, many things were done and learnt. The children bonded together quite well to the point they ended up bunking together. Stacey was able to see how down to Earth her favorite singer really was. Even Luke started to have a difference in opinion towards the singer as the week ended.
But now it was time to leave and no one wanted to say their goodbyes. The children had just finished saying their goodbyes to each other. Prince, Paris and Blanket sadly turned away and left the doorway so they wouldn’t break into tears to their new friends.
Alice waved to the three older children. “Bye, bye.”
Michael walked over to her. “Do I get any bye byes?” he asked gently.
The little three year old looked at the older man and then held her arms opened to him. He picked her up, hugging her tightly to him. Her small arms were wrapped around her neck. “I don’t want go.” She tried to get out as tears fell from her eyes.
He gave her a light kiss before he started to sing the lyrics to his song ‘Heal the World’. Stacey stopped what she was doing to see the singer, singing to her daughter.
There's A Place In
Your Heart
And I Know That It Is Love
And This Place Could
Be Much
Brighter Than Tomorrow
And If You Really Try
You'll Find There's No Need
To Cry
In This Place You'll Feel
There's No Hurt Or Sorrow
Cuz There Are Ways
To Get There
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Little Space
Make A Better Place
Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough
For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me
He continued singing, getting everyone’s attention. Alice lifted her head to see him singing and he was singing for her. Her tears quickly dried up and she smiled. She loved the sound of his voice with no music to go with it. Before long he was forced to stop singing as she quickly hugged him, nearly choking him with her tight embrace.
“I ‘ove you,” she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
“I love you more.” He smiled at her, giving her another kiss before setting her back on the ground. She ran over to the car with a bright smile.
The other children then walked over to him. Michael smiled at them and gave each a hug and kiss. They left to the car as well. Hearing him sing also lifted their spirits. Lorna watched the whole affectionate display. She knew she was doing the right thing in being with him on a romantic level. And seeing him give love to her nieces and nephews had her love him even more.
Stacey looked at Lorna with tears. “He’s so wonderful with children. Thank you for allowing us this opportunity to stay here.”
Lorna hugged her. “Don’t tell me, tell him. He insisted.”
Stacey walked away but was stopped by Michael. “You have wonderful children,” he smiled.
“As do you,” she said. She suddenly gasped as she was pulled into a tight hug followed by a kiss on the cheek. “Call whenever you like.”
“Thank you.” Stacey hugged back. “And thank you for allowing us to stay here. I had a wonderful time. I would like to see you again, but alas, I can not.”
He pulled back. “What do you mean?”
“Well you have your concerts in the summer. Lorna is so lucky, she gets to go and watch you. I wish I could go.”
“Well perhaps, I’ll just have to save a couple tickets for you. Front row,” he replied.
She looked at him. “You would do that?”
“My most trust fans must be treated well,” he smiled. He hugged her again before releasing as he seen Luke walk over to him.
Stacey walked away, slightly stunned. Luke looked at Michael and held out his hand for Michael to take. Michael took the hand with a smile.
“Thank you for showing me that I was wrong,” he said. “And I’m glad my sister finds happiness with you. Be good to her.”
Lorna walked over to stand beside the singer. She was surprised to her brother’s words.
Luke looked at his sister. “Sis, you take care. I know you would like to see me off to the airport but I know how you hate airport goodbyes.”
He gave her a tight hug before climbing into the car. Lorna felt tears well up in her eyes as she watched the car pull out. An arm was draped around her shoulders and she was pulled in close to the warmth of another body.
“I hate good byes,” she sadly answered.
“Don’t we all,” he answered back. “But not all good byes are forever.”
She looked at him, remembering about the trip they were taking the next day. “I have to pack for tomorrow.”
“I’m already packed,” he claimed. “I can help you get ready if you wish.”
“I’d like that,” she smiled. “I really don’t feel like being alone.”
The two walked into the house to get ready for their trip to Canada. A trip coordinated by Lorna. Michael had been looking forward to it since she first mentioned it.
-
Being on the plane again wasn’t as nerve racking as the first time. This time, she knew more what to expect and this time everyone knew of her feelings for Michael so she didn’t have to hold back in relaxing beside him. After the jet was in the air and everyone were able to get their seat belts off, Lorna decided to sit on the floor and read a book. The children took some rest as it was nearing the middle of the night when they took flight. Lorna thought it was best to go after dark so fans and media wouldn’t bombard them. Grace was sitting back in her seat, listening to her Ipod.
As Lorna was reading her book, she suddenly felt a presence beside her. She had a feeling of who the presence was as the security guards were also sitting in their seats resting.
“Is this spot taken?” the tenor voice asked.
“I’m reading,” she remarked.
“I can see that.” He sat beside her anyway. “That was very clever of you to arrange our flight to leave now after main hours of the airport.”
“This way by the time we reach Timmins, it will still be dark there and not many people will be around. But at the same time, we’ll get there when I know my Uncle will be awake to await our arrival.”
“There’s something that has been bugging me since you’re brother arrived.”
“What’s that?” she had an idea and she really hoped he would not bring it up but she knew the topic was going to come up sometime and she really didn’t want to speak of it.
“What happened when you were a child?” he asked. “I get the impression something happened and it’s part of the reason why your brother wasn’t fond of me at first.”
Lorna lowered her head and closed her book. There was no way she was going to be reading it now. “Please, Michael, I really don’t want to get into it.”
He took her hand. “Angel, I don’t want to have secrets between us. I have told you all my inner most emotions. And some of them no one knows, not even my mother or security.”
Using the nickname he gave her, reminded her of when they admitted their love. She was his fallen angel in which he mended. Tears came to the surface. “Only Luke and I share this.”
“I understand that,” he soothed.
She took a deep breath. “I was molested when I was Paris’ age.”
His eyes widened as a gasp escaped his throat. His words left him as she whispered her horrific past. He draped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
“Luke…was the one who found me. It nearly became something even more physical but he stopped him.”
“I wish I was there for you,” he found his voice.
“You were there for me,” she quietly explained as tears fell. “After that happened, my brother bought me ‘Thriller’. Listening to you sing made me feel better. I would play ‘Beat It’, ‘Thriller’ and ‘Billie Jean’ over and over again. You helped through that tough time. A few years later I received ‘Bad’ and you’re new style made me feel even better. Though at that same time, I was becoming a teenager so listening to you wasn’t as often. When I would play with my dolls, I would always pretend Ken was you.”
He lightly kissed her head. “I still wish I was there for you. But it’s nice to know I was there for you in spirit. Was this person a family or friend?”
“Well sort of. He was a friend of the family. My father never knew but then again, my brother made him wish he never did it either.” She looked at him. “I don’t like to bring it up as it always seems to give me bad dreams, considering what could have happened to me if I did run and found you.”
“That’s understandable. I’m sorry to have brought up a painful subject. But I don’t want to have things kept between us.”
“I don’t either,” she agreed. “You’re too special to me for that.” She wanted to change the subject. “Umm…You know Paris won’t have her birthday at home?”
“She knows and she’s looking forward to that,” he said. “My mother and family will come after we get back. Paris is excited to have us celebrate her birthday somewhere where she’s never been before. So where are we going?” he asked. “You had said something about being isolated that we won’t have the media on our backs.”
Lorna lifted up. “My Uncle owns a ski lodge. The lodge is designed as a large oversized cabin, with a bunch of cabins surrounding it. The cabins are lodgings for guests to stay. The main lodge itself has rooms for people to stay in as well. The ski lodge is so far off the beat and path that it’s hard to get to. We will be completely isolated that you won’t need your security.”
“That will be interesting to see.” He pulled her back against him as he decided to take this time to rest himself.
-
After landing in Timmins, there were three cabs waiting just outside the doors of the airport. Michael was surprised by the looks of the cab cars. They were vans and each one was a different color and model. Lorna had to explain to him that smaller towns and cities in Canada often have their cabs use their own vehicles. Her Uncle was paying the cabs. Lorna, Michael and the children with Grace were in one van. The security and luggage were split up into other two vans.
Michael had watched out his window as the vans drove. Lorna was leaning against him, holding his hand as the children were behind him, sleeping again. He did find it hard to see as it was still fairly dark, but he could see sunrise was starting to peak the horizon. He also noted they were now three hours ahead of their own time zone. He could see on the side of the road patches of snow. Some areas there wasn’t snow, indicating snow was melting.
Lorna had to tell the cab drivers where they were going and when they reached their destination, they could see the road way was blocked. There was a big sign that said ‘Welcome to McCall-Morgan Lodge’. They weren’t waiting long before two snowmobiles came from the road. There was more snow on the ground than on the main road. One of the snowmobile drivers stopped at the gate, unlocking it. The other snowmobile turned around and indicated for the three cabs to follow him.
While the vans were waiting, Prince had happened to wake up and ask where they were. Lorna informed everyone they were entering the property of her Uncle’s home and business. When she saw the two snowmobiles arrive, she knew one of them was her Uncle, but which one. It was still fairly dark as dawn started.
When the cabs finally stopped they were in front of a large ski lodge with a big sign saying the name just like the sign at the entrance. Just before leaving for Canada, Lorna had purchased some warm clothing for everyone and now everyone was wearing their outdoor warmer gear and were wearing them when they parted off the jet.
Lorna opened the van door and jumped out, indicating for others to follow suit.
“Is that my little peanut?” a gruff voice asked.
“Uncle Pete!” Lorna said excitedly as a large man came around of the front van.
The big man scooped Lorna up in a big bear hug as Michael stepped out of the van. The other kids were following suit, though still tired. The other snowmobile came up from behind the third van.
Pete released his niece and looked at Michael. “I take it you are the Pop singer, Michael Jackson?”
Michael nodded. “I am.”
Pete held his hand out for Michael. “I’m Peter McCall, Lorna’s Uncle. You can call me Uncle Pete. All the towns people call me that.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Uncle Pete,” Michael greeted. “These are my children Prince, Paris and Blanket and my Nanny, Grace.”
When Lorna was talking to Pete on the phone, she had for warned him that Michael often called his two sons by their nicknames but in reality they were both named the same name.
Pete nodded to them. He then clamped a hand on the other man who was smaller than he was. “This is my son, Kevin. He helps me run the place.”
Kevin smiled. “I’ll help the others to unload the vans so they can leave.”
“Good idea,” Pete said. “Kevin, just have their belongings put just inside. We’ll get their things to their rooms afterwards.”
Michael looked around property and could see trees. Nearby he could see the ski lift. “I see what you mean about the media. With the entrance being closed off, they wouldn’t be able to get in.”
“Nope,” Pete agreed. “Unless they want to travel through the woods and if they do that, I’ll have them charged for tress passing.”
“Good idea,” Lorna agreed.
Once the vans were unloaded, Kevin led the way back to the entrance to let them out and then locked the gate up once again and returned back to the lodge. At that same time he had also paid the drivers. By the time he reached the building and had the snowmobile away, everyone was inside having morning coffees and milk.
“You have an amazing place,” Michael complimented as he looked around inside. They main area, which was a fairly large area, had a cathedral ceiling. Everyone was sitting on sofas in front of a rather large fireplace. There was an LCD TV hanging over top of the fireplace. A large staircase leading to the second floor, which had a balcony, was in the middle of the room. A hallway led away from the balcony, which Michael presumed was where the rooms were. The large room had a bar and some cocktail looking table and chairs nearby.
The lodge itself was three stories high with rooms on the second and third floor. The lodge also had their own kitchen and dining area. The dining room also had a fireplace but not as grand as the one in the main room. There was also another room for the ski equipment and a public washroom. The whole inside gave the comfort of being in a log cabin, decorated with wood like furniture.
“Thank you Michael,” Pete said. “Lorna’s father helped me start the business and then when I had married my wife she helped out. It then became ours when my brother had moved to Las Vegas. And with it being off season, I have closed off many areas, except for on the second floor. The third floor has been blocked off. And most of the cabins have had their power turned off. Don’t need to waste power.”
“No, there is not.” Michael could remember when he would turn off the power to certain areas on Neverland when he still owned it. He so missed his pride and joy.
“You have the choice of taking the rooms or having the cabins,” Pete said. “It doesn’t matter to me.”
Michael looked outside, which now was getting lighter and he could see more of the trees and even the cabins. He then looked up to the balcony. “If it is alright. I think we’ll take the rooms. I do have my six security guards, plus my family.”
Pete nodded. “I had a feeling you were going to say that. Kevin can you go and shut down the rest of the cabins. Except for the one we’ll use.”
“I don’t understand,” Michael said. “You don’t have to do that.” The Pop singer didn’t like the idea of pushing someone out.
“I’m not doing it for your you. Normally my son and I stay in the cabins anyway and just shut the power off to both the second and third floors. But while you’re here, I’ll keep the lights on. After you leave then we’ll get back to what we usually do for the spring.”
“Daddy,” Blanket said. “I’m getting hungry.”
Normally Blanket would be sleeping at this time, but since they had an early meal the night before cause of the traveling, the boy was now getting hungry.
“What would you like?” Pete asked the boy. “I have lots of food as Lorna already informed of what you liked to eat.”
Blanket thought for a moment before answering. The other two children agreed to have breakfast as well. Pete smiled at the children and then led everyone to the dining area where there was a cook. Pete gave the cook the order of breakfast for everyone. Both Pete and Kevin helped out on breakfast and then served it.