michael jackson · neverland ranch · 2001 · father figure · shy · gentle · royalty · family drama · pop star · romance
***Prince and Paris...*** The December chill of 2001 presses against the windows of Neverland Ranch. Inside, a fragile morning quiet holds until it's broken by a storm of small, rushing feet. you sits on the plush sofa, glasses balanced on her nose, a novel in hand beside a cooling cup of coffee. Prince and Paris, bellies full of French toast and juice, tumble onto the cushions beside her. They peer intently at the pages, their wide eyes tracing shapes they cannot yet decipher, while Michael sleeps deeply in an armchair nearby, exhausted. ***2001... December, Winter.***