Smooth Criminal’s Cradle || Michael x Wife! Reader ||
Synopsis: Michael could barely leave you alone during your pregnancy he was practically more attached to than the baby.
Format: One-shot
⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼
You woke up early in the morning and couldn't move...Why couldn't you move? You frowned as you looked down. A pillow. Another one. Another.
"...?" You looked to your left. Pillow. To your right. Pillow. Behind your head. Pillow. Beneath your knees. Pillow.
"...Michael." No answer. You tried to sit up. Nope. You were officially trapped. Your belly too big for you to sit up.
"Michael!" His sock covered feet hurried down the hallway. "What happened?" he asked as he peeked into the bedroom. You blinked at him. "Why am I in a pillow prison?"
He looked at the bed, then at you before smiling proudly. "Oh! You said you couldn't get comfortable last night so...I made you a nest."
"...A nest." You said feeling grouchy.
"Mhm." He smiled.
"...Michael." you warned him.
"Mhm?"
"I can't get out." His smile slowly faded. "...You can't?"
You were starting to feel our of breathe in the pillow imprisonment "No."
"...Oh." He scratched the back of his neck. "I didn't think about that."
"I can tell."
He climbed onto the bed and started removing the pillows one by one until you were finally free. You sat up with a dramatic sigh. "...You know I'm pregnant, right?"
He nodded. "Yeah."
"Not an egg." He blinked before a shy laugh escaped him. "I know."
You couldn't help but laugh too, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "Thank you for my nest. "
His face immediately lit up. "You liked it?"
You shook your head. "I hated being imprisoned. " His smile dropped.
"...But..." you continued, smiling softly, "it was really sweet." His grin came right back. "Good...I just wanted you to be comfortable."
You finally climbed out of bed, stretching your arms above your head with a relieved sigh. Michael stood there watching you with the softest smile you'd ever seen.
"What?" you asked, smoothing down one of his oversized shirts that barely covered your bump. He shook his head, his eyes never leaving you. "Nothin'..."
You narrowed your eyes. "Tell me."
He smiled shyly, rubbing the back of his neck. "...You're just..." He laughed quietly to himself before looking down for a second. "...You're so pretty."
You looked down at yourself. Messy hair. Sleepy eyes. One of his shirts and fuzzy socks. "Michael, I look like I just woke up."
"You did." He said.
"...Exactly." He stepped closer, resting both hands gently on either side of your bump before leaning down to press the sweetest little kiss against it. "I don't know..." he murmured with a bashful smile.
"I think pregnancy looks real nice on you." Your cheeks warmed immediately. "You are so biased."
He looked back up at you with that boyish grin. "No, you're just beautiful." Then, as if he couldn't help himself, he leaned in and kissed your forehead. "...I just can't stop lookin' at you."
You were in the middle of a yawn, stretching your arms over your head when you felt a hard poke against your side. Without thinking, you swatted the hand away.
Michael looked over at you, completely confused, his brows furrowing together. "What'd I do?" It took you a second before you realized what had happened. "Oh..." you laughed sheepishly. "I'm sorry. The baby kicked me and I thought you poked me." Michael immediately doubled over laughing, covering his face. "My baby already wants to start a fight between us." You laughed, pointing a finger at him. "The baby's just sad you're going away." His smile softened. He stood up and gently took your hands in his. "I'm gonna miss you," he said quietly. "Every single day." His thumbs rubbed over the backs of your hands.
"I'll call you all the time, I promise. And I'll be home before your due date." He leaned down and kissed your forehead before pulling back just enough to look at you.
"Do you want anything?" You shook your head. The morning sickness had stolen whatever appetite you had. "No..." you murmured. "...But my back." Before you could say another word, Michael was already walking behind you.
His hands rested gently against your lower back, carefully working out the tight knots with his thumbs. "Here?" he asked softly. You let out a long, content groan. "Mmm..."
He shook his head lightly. "I'll take that as a yes."
The next morning came far too quickly. You were still rubbing the sleep from your eyes as you wandered into the bedroom doorway, watching Michael zip up the last of his suitcase. "I'm coming with you," you mumbled. He looked over his shoulder before shaking his head. "No, you're not."
You frowned. "Why not?"
"Because it's five in the morning." You shrugged. "So?"
"So..." he walked over, gently taking your hands into his. "I don't want you standing around at the airport when you should be resting." You sighed.
"Michael." He caressed your arm. "Mhm?"
"I'm taking my husband to the airport."
He only shook his head. "No." You let out an exaggerated groan. "You are no fun."
He laughed quietly. "You'll get tired." You dramatically defended yourself. "I'll sit down." He argued back "You'll catch a cold." You shot back quickly. "It's summer."
"...You'll..." He paused, trying to think of another excuse. "...You'll miss breakfast." You couldn't help but laugh. "That's your excuse?"
He smiled sheepishly. "...Maybe." You crossed your arms. "I'm still coming."
"Nope." He shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. "Michael." You pleaded.
"Nope. Nope. Nope."
"Michael Joseph Jackson." He bit back a grin. "No." You stared at each other for a second before sighing dramatically. "Fine."
His sighed. "Thank you." You looked away from him. "But I'm mad at you."
"You'll survive." He teased you back.
"I might not." He laughed again before wrapping his arms around your waist, pulling you against him. You melted into the hug with a small sigh, resting your head against his chest. Neither of you said anything for a little while. His hand slowly rubbed your back before he kissed the top of your head. "Now." He pulled back just enough to look at you. "The rules." You immediately groaned.
"I know I know..." He smiled. "No lifting anything."
You only nodded and hummed as he droned on and on about his rules. "No climbing on chairs." "If you can't reach something..."
"...Leave it there." You finished his sentence. "Good. Don't skip meals."
"I won't."
"And if anything feels funny" He rested his hand over your bump. "You call me." You smiled softly. "You got it, boss" He looked at you for another second before leaning down to kiss your forehead. "I'm gonna miss you so much." Your heart squeezed. "I will too."
"I already miss you." You laughed quietly, poking him in the side. "Go away."
He jumped dramatically. "Ouch!"
"Go." You pointed at the car.
"You're mean."
"I love you too." He picked up his suitcase, giving you one last smile before heading outside. You watched from the front door as he carefully loaded the luggage into the car. Just as he climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine, you couldn't help yourself.
You wandered down the driveway toward the open window. The second Michael saw you, his whole face lit up. He immediately leaned out of the window, reaching for your hand before gently cupping your cheek. "One more," he whispered. You smiled, leaning in until your lips met his in one last slow kiss. He lingered for just a moment before resting his forehead against yours. "I'll call you as soon as I land."
"You better."
"I will." You smiled, brushing a curl away from his forehead. "Drive safe." He stole one last quick kiss before reluctantly pulling away. "Take care of my two favorite people." You laughed softly, resting your hand over your stomach. "Only if you promise to take care of yourself too." He smiled, giving your hand one last squeeze before letting go. "I promise." Neither of you moved for a second.
"You gotta go," you whispered. "I know." He said, unable to take his eyes off of you.
"Go!"
"Gee...fine I'll go..." You smiled through the little ache already growing in your chest. "Michael." He laughed, finally signalling to the driver to put the car into gear.
As he slowly drove away, he kept one hand out the window, waving until he disappeared around the corner. You stood there long after the car was gone, your hand resting over your stomach. "Daddy's gonna be home before you know it."
You hadn't slept at all yet. had tried. You laid in bed for hours, staring at the ceiling, glancing at the clock every few minutes. Every little sound had you reaching for the phone. By the time it finally rang nearly twelve hours later, you were already halfway to it. "Hello?" you answered almost instantly. "Hey, beautiful" Michael's voice came through the receiver followed by a quiet laugh. "You answered really fast." You smiled, sinking onto the couch.
"I've been waiting for your call."
You knew he was going to be upset but...oh well he had to deal with it. "You haven't been asleep?" You stayed quiet for a second. "No."
"Baby..." His voice softened immediately. "I told you to rest."
You rubbed your eyes. "I couldn't until I knew you landed safely." You heard him sigh, though there was a smile behind it. "I landed safe."
"I know now." You really did feel relived that he was safe in his hotel room.
"Everything okay?" he asked. You nodded before realizing he couldn't see you. "Yeah. Everything's fine. The baby kicked me twice today."
"Really?" His voice instantly brightened. "Mhm, already causin' trouble." You laughed.
"I think the baby's mad you left."
"I'm mad I left too." The two of you fell quiet for a moment, neither wanting to be the first to end the call. "I miss you," Michael admitted softly. "I miss you more."
He tsked. "That's impossible." You smiled to yourself. "Is not." He laughed quietly before you heard voices in the background calling his name. "I gotta get ready."
You furrowed your eyebrows. "Already?"
"I'm on in a couple hours." Your heart sank just a little. "...Okay."
"Promise me something?"
"What?" You held the phone cord in your fingers playing with it absentmindedly.
"After we hang up..." his voice became gentle again, "I want you to go straight to bed."
You smiled, already knowing where this was going. "I'm serious. And no cleaning."
"I wasn't gonna clean." You couldn't stop smiling at how caring he was.
"Good."
"Anything else?"
He thought for a second. "Give the baby a kiss for me." Your smile softened as you rested your hand over your bump. "I'll give two."
"One from me..." he said quietly. "...And one from you."
"Ok I promise." Another silence settled between you, neither of you wanting to say goodbye. "I love you," he whispered. "I love you too."
"Sweet dreams."
"Break a leg." He laughed. "I'll call you tomorrow."
"I'll be waiting." You said anything to stay on the phone longer with him. "I know you will."
You smiled to yourself as the line went quiet. Looking down at your stomach, you gently rubbed your bump with your thumb. "Daddy says goodnight."
Two weeks was all the tour had been going for. You were only halfway through folding one of Michael's shirts when a strange warmth suddenly spread down your legs.
You froze. "No." You looked down. "No, no, no..." The shirt slipped from your hands as another cramp rolled through your stomach, stronger than any Braxton Hicks you'd felt before. You gripped the edge of the table, bending forward with a groan. "...Oh..." Your breathing grew uneven as you hurried toward the phone, one hand supporting your back while the other dialed the number you knew by heart.
"Come on..." you whispered, another contraction forcing you to stop mid-sentence. "Come on, Michael..." The line continued to ring. You squeezed your eyes shut before remembering the time. He was on stage.
Your heart sank, but you quickly waited for the tone. "Michael" you breathed, trying to catch your breath between contractions. "...My water broke." You let out another shaky groan, gripping the kitchen counter as the pain eased just enough to continue. "I'm...I'm going to the hospital." You swallowed, trying to keep your voice steady. "Don't call home...call the hospital. They'll tell you where I am." Another contraction made you double over. "I love you." The beep signaled the end of the message. You rested your forehead against the counter for a second before calling out as loudly as you could. "Maria!" Within seconds, hurried footsteps echoed through the house. The housekeeper rounded the corner, her eyes immediately dropping to the puddle on the floor before widening. "Oh my goodness!"
You felt a wave of nausea hit. "The baby's coming," you managed between breaths. Everything suddenly burst into motion. One maid grabbed your hospital bag that had been packed for weeks. Another called the doctor. One of Michael's security guards was already pulling the car around the front entrance. "Easy...easy," Maria said, wrapping an arm around your waist as another contraction hit. You buried your face against her shoulder with a pained groan, waiting for it to pass. "I've got you."
Slowly, they helped you outside. One guard opened the car door while another carefully helped you into the backseat, making sure you were as comfortable as possible. Maria climbed in beside you, taking your hand. "We're on our way." You nodded, tears stinging your eyes.
"...He doesn't even know." Maria gave your hand a reassuring squeeze. "He will."
Michael had barely stepped off stage when one of his security guards hurried over. "Mr. Jackson, the cars are ready. We have to head to the airport." Michael nodded absentmindedly, reaching into his jacket pocket for his phone. One voicemail. From you.
He smiled to himself before pressing play. "Michael..." Your voice was shaky, interrupted by a strained groan. "My water broke." His smile vanished and he stopped walking.
"...I'm going to the hospital. Don't call home..." You sucked in a sharp breath as another contraction hit. "...Call the hospital. They'll tell you where I am..."
Another pained groan escaped you. "I love you." The message ended. "...No..." he whispered before replaying it. "...No..."
"Sir?" one of the guards asked cautiously. Michael looked up, his eyes already filling with tears. "I have to go back."
"Mr. Jackson, the next show—"
"I don't care!" he cried. "My baby's being born!" Within minutes the tour was thrown into chaos. The next flight was cancelled, a private jet was arranged and Michael barely remembered getting on it. Twelve whole hours. He couldn't sit still. Every few minutes he'd stand up only to sit back down again, pacing the aisle with his hands tangled in his curls before burying his face in them. "I promised." he whispered brokenly. "I told her I'd be there..." Tears rolled freely down his cheeks as frustration settled deep in his chest.
It wasn't fair. You were bringing your baby into the world alone while he was thousands of miles away. The second the jet landed a car was already waiting. Michael climbed in before the door had fully opened. "Please," he pleaded. "Please hurry." The car barely came to a stop outside the hospital before he was running through the entrance. "Labor and delivery!" he called breathlessly. A nurse pointed down the hallway. "Room 214." He ran. His heart pounded so hard he thought it might burst from his chest. Without knocking, he pushed the door open. The room was quiet. You looked up first, exhausted, your hair messy, dark circles beneath your eyes but smiling. Resting peacefully against your chest was the tiniest bundle wrapped in a pink hospital blanket. Michael froze.
His lip trembled. Without a word he hurried to your bedside, immediately cupping your face with both hands as tears spilled down his cheeks. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, kissing your forehead once. Twice. Three times. "I'm so sorry...I'm sorry...I promised I'd be here. I tried, baby. I tried..." You smiled tiredly and gently took his hand.
"Michael..." He shook his head. "I wasn't here."
"I'm so sorry." You softly shushed him before tilting your head toward the tiny bundle sleeping against your chest. "Look." His watery eyes finally dropped. He stared. A tiny nose. Tiny lips. Tiny little fingers tucked beneath her chin. His breath caught. "She's..." His voice cracked into a laugh. "...She's a girl?" You nodded, unable to stop smiling.
"A little girl." He let out the smallest sob before looking back at you. "Can I hold her?" You carefully lifted your daughter into his waiting arms.
He held her as though she were the most precious thing in the world, terrified to move even an inch. His thumb gently brushed across her tiny hand and, as if she already knew him, her little fingers wrapped around his. Michael smiled through his tears, unable to look away. "Hi, baby," he whispered. "I'm your daddy."
⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼⊹ ˖ Ი𐑼













