1. Astoria is actually of Native American descent, believe it or not. While writing in the beginning, I wanted her to fit into everyone's minds seamlessly by not giving her any specific racial identity, but it wasn't working. So, naturally I broke the fourth wall in Chapter 17 with the line:

"It's never mattered what color you are to me, Michael. I mean, look at me! What am I? Black, white, Native American? Who knows!"

Later I just figured she could be Native American and not just plain Caucasian, cause the majority of people in America are mixed anyhow. I'm not big on character photos, but here's a couple I think best represent the Astoria I saw in my mind while writing (i.e. edgy, confident, and ambitious). Circa late 70's to early 80's:

2. The phone call that was never answered as Astoria and Brian were leaving her apartment in Chapter 8 - The Call, wasn't Michael. It was quite literally a random call that didn't matter. No significance whatsoever, which means it probably didn't need mentioned.😳

3. Originally, Astoria was going to have three miscarriages but I couldn't bring myself to do that to her. The first one hit her so hard... I didn't have the heart.

4. I first started writing fan fiction when I was in eighth grade, but not on here. On Quizzaz, which might not exist anymore... Anyway, I wanted to write a MJ fanfic WAY back then, but it didn't happen until 2018. This story is the culmination of almost ten years of waiting and planning.

5. This story wasn't going to have ANY, and I mean ANY smut in it at all. Until I met a certain someone through reading their fanfictions and we became fast friends. If you're reading this, you know who you are. lol Love you, lady. 😘

6. The title of Chapter 15 - Pride and Joy, also happens to be Paisley's initials. PJ. And what a happy coincidence I found that to be, because it wasn't done on purpose.

7. I've mentioned so many famous people in this book, because I wanted it to be real. Anyway, we've seen a lot of Prince, Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty, Cyndi Lauper, we've talked about Diana Ross, and there's probably a couple more that I don't even remember at this point.

8. This entire novel is completely interwoven with Michael's actual timeline on purpose (up until we get to after Paisley's born😬). I found a moment where I could introduced someone into his life and went for it, thus ending up with this entire story. Because he really deserved someone to be his forever companion, wife, best friend, confidant, whatever he needed to help fill that void in his life he wished so vehemently to not be there. In the words of Freddy Mercury,

"I work hard (he works hard) every day of my life

I work 'til I ache in my bones

At the end (at the end of the day)

I take home my hard earned pay all on my own

I get down (down) on my knees (knees)

And I start to pray

'Til the tears run down from my eyes

Lord, somebody (somebody), ooh somebody

(Please) can anybody find me somebody to love?"

9. Jordan Chandler wasn't going to be in the story until last minute. Admittedly, for quite a while I didn't know how I was going to connect the story back to the very beginning because the story line had changed so drastically since I began the book (as you can clearly see if you've read the first deleted scene titled: Original Storyline). So, what was going on around 1990 in Michael's life? Jordan Chandler. Only this time, Michael saves him from his horrible father. I think this was a much better outcome for both of them.

10. Paisley is a name I hope to use in real life if I ever have a daughter, which is why her character is so near and dear to my heart. I really can't emphasize this enough. She's also inspired by myself as a little kiddo - the happy and imaginative part of me anyway. Rabbie, the stuffed animal in the patchwork overall skirt who's actually a boy: 100% REAL. Except I spelled it without an 'e' at the end.

Here's adult Paisley:

(Cause why TF not¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

11. The short dream-sequence at the beginning of Chapter 16 - After the Glitter Fades. That's a real moment, that actually happened in real life. I'll let you figure out who the three-year-old was, cause it wasn't Michael, Astoria, or anyone in this story.

12. The BBQ that takes place in Chapter 43 - Jordan, with Childhelp USA. Yeah, Michael actually did that on January 6th, 1990. Jordan Chandler wasn't a part of it as far as I'm aware, but I could be wrong.

13. This is the part where I tell you I have a secret Pinterest board for this story. LOL DM me if you want to check it out.

14. Something that wasn't mentioned in the story, was that Michael actually switched record labels. He moved from Epic Records to Tsunami Records after his contract was fulfilled with Sony. Originally I was going to mention this and write it out as he switched labels after the release and tour for the BAD album, but the plot changed, so🤷🏼‍♀️

15. Due to curiosity, here are pictures of Oberlin and Brandon circa 2007 during the interview:

Oberlin "Obi" Prince Jackson

Brandon Michael Jackson

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I hope you all enjoyed the ride with this story, cause it's officially time for another adventure

Let's do this!

♡ Love you guys ♡