Twenty.

                                    

                                          
AFTER MUCH RESISTANCE, Linda McCartney decided to undergo a mastectomy surgery solely to make her three daughters happy. To be honest, Ms. McCartney felt like she had nothing more to live for as her children were grown up and were decent human beings. She had faith that her two grandchildren would grow up to be world-changers and she didn't think she needed to be around for them. She had constructed funeral arrangements and letters to her daughters, her grandchildren, Jordan, and Paul too. Surprisingly, there was a even letter addressed to Michael, but the entertainer wouldn't know it until later.
                          
Since she wasn't dying, Linda made a mental note to throw all of the letters away when she was discharged from the hospital. There was no point of having them lying around somewhere if she wasn't going to pass anytime soon. 
                          
Once Jordan and the children arrived to the hospital, Ariah's joy came back for awhile. It had been a few weeks since she had seen her husband and her children. It was really the longest that she had ever been separated from her children.
                          
Standing at the emergency room entrance/exit of the hospital alone and in the chilly morning weather, Ariah waited for her husband and children to arrive. She was sure that they would arrive in the band's distinct white limo-jeep and this thought was confirmed when she saw it zoom to a complete stop not too far from her.
                          
The young woman crossed her arms, seeing the car doors fly wide opened. She saw her brother-in-law, Jonathan, get out first and she silently hoped the whole band wasn't in the vehicle. She loved all of the New Kids with her entire heart and more, they were the sweetest! However, there was too much going on for her to fully enjoy their company. She didn't see the rest of the band when her children and Jordan hopped out of the vehicle, so she was thankful.
                          
"Riah, hey, sis!" Jonathan called out as soon as he saw his sister-in-law. She simply smiled and waved in response. She was exhausted, her eyes were burning, and her anxiety may as well have blown off the hospital roof. However, seeing her family made her more alert and happier—just to see them and have them back in her company. 
                          
"Mama!" Both Nelson and Zoe ran to hug their mother, while Jordan got a small portion of their belongings out of the limousine.
                          
"Hey, babies!" Ariah chirped, so happy to see her children. "Mama missed you so much!" She exclaimed, crouching down to hug both of her children tightly. 
                          
"Mama, look at my new shoes that Daddy got me!" Zoe proudly stuck out her left leg in front of her, showing her bright pink sneakers that had lit up whenever they were in motion. "Do you like them?"
                          
"I love them, baby." Ariah kissed her daughter's forehead. "They're cute!"
                          
"I can't wait to show them to Michael Jackson!" She exclaimed, jumping around to see the lights on her shoes shine brightly. "Will Michael Jackson like my shoes?"
                          
"Zo-Zo, they're ugly!" Nelson scoffed. "Only losers wear pink shoes with lights and Michael will hate them."
                          
Ariah plucked her son's ear with her finger, making the little boy instantly bring his hand to hold his ear. "Treat your sister kindly." 
                          
"Sorry, Zo." Nelson groaned. "Why do you always tell me to tell her sorry, Mama?"
                          
"You always call me a loser, that's why!" Zoe pointed at her older brother before he pretended to punch her in the face, causing her to whine.