*Michael's Point Of View*

"Hello Mister Jackson, it is an honor finally meeting you" Alicia, my potential client greets me with a toothy smile. 

I return her smile, extending my hand for hers.

I am incredibly elated about today. I have been working toward a move like this for months. After my success with Demi, I decided I could take on a new project. The problem with that was my personal life became too much of a burden to be able to focus on my work. With things a tad bit calmer, I figured it was now or never, and I was right.

Alicia Keys, a complete musical protégé. She can sing, act, and compose her own music, as well as dabble in the percussion arena. When Joseph called me about her a couple of weeks ago, I knew I had to jump on the opportunity. Which brings my current situation.

Before Marilyn walked in this morning, I had just hung up from an important phone call with Alicia's publicist, L.A Reid. He was informing that Alicia is only here for the day and if I don't make that meeting, than that would be it. No Alicia. So, of course I rambled around surging through my data and statistics, so that I can properly present myself.

But, when Marilyn entered our bedroom with a burdening look, I knew that I wouldn't be able to make it on time nor be able to give her my full attention if I accepted her proposition on having a talk right at that minute. Knowing this, I decided to invite her to tag along as well. 

"The pleasure is all mine Miss Keys" I greet, shaking her hand.

"Mister Jackson" Mister Reid, greets me walking between Alicia and me.

"Ah Mister Reid, It's finally nice to meet the man behind the voice" I tease, firmly shaking his hands.

He chuckles, retrieving his hand only to offer it to Rafael.

"Well Mister Jackson, It's nice to meet a man with protection. Now, where is Misses Jackson?" He frowns a bit. 

"Oh, well she's on her way. I thought it would be safer to have the head of our security, Mister Bray to bring her separately since I was in a bit of a rush" I explain, hoping it wouldn't change his mind about the offer.

He nods silently.

"Well, hopefully she joins us soon. I would love to meet her" He finally smiles, escorting us into my conference room.

When we enter, I sneak a text to Bill asking if Marilyn was okay and if everything was alright. Within seconds, I receive a text that Marilyn and our bundle is fine and they are minutes away. Sighing in relief, I turn my attention to Mister Reid who was sitting alongside Alicia who was waiting patiently for my next move.

"Well, I would first like to thank you Mister Reid and of course the lovely Miss Keys. I'm sorry for the slight delay, but I assure you that my presentation will be well projected. My father, as you know is in Chicago for a business venture of his own, but he sends his regards and hopefully you guys will meet him soon, so shall we get started?" I smile, glancing between the two. 

Mister Reid flashes me an impressionable grin that came with a nod, while Alicia smiled approvingly as well.

Feeling a confident about this presentation, I continue on. Naming my previous record sales with my past and current clients, I was definitely trying to sell myself to them. I know how important this move would be for my family along with my record label. I just hope all goes well.

Just as I was naming a few of my ideas on how collaborating with Alicia and Mister Reid, would benefit both sides, Bill enters with a bashful Marilyn. Even at nearly a month pregnant, she still manages to move around and keep herself together. She's just naturally gorgeous.

"Sorry, Hello. Mister Reid and Miss Keys, just dropping off the Misses" Bill interrupts.

Mister Reid smiles and stands from his feet.

"Hello, I'm L.A, Nice to finally meet you" He greets warmly, retrieving Marilyn's hand only to give it a small peck.

Marilyn cheeses.

"Nice to meet you as well Mister Reid. I've heard nothing but great things about you" She compliments. 

Mister Reid chuckles, turning to me with a wink.

"Oh yeah, she's a keeper Mister Jackson" 

I blush a bit before pecking Marilyn's lips and helping Marilyn to her seat next to me.

"Miss Keys, this is my wife, Marilyn Jackson. Marilyn, this is the protégé that I have been babbling about, Miss Keys" I introduce them, smiling widely. 

They exchange a polite hello, and I continue with my presentation.

After an hour, when my presentation was finished, Mister Reid and Alicia applaud me and once again my cheeks flush a bit before I could speak.

"Thank you. I hope I have convinced my offer to you guys properly. Again, thank you for your time out of your busy schedule" I conclude, shutting of the projector. 

Mister Reid is the first to comment, standing up with a wide grin. I have a feeling that this might be my big break, well my second big break.

"Mister Jackson, I like a man with a plan, and you sir. You have a plan and I think, maybe, just maybe you are our lucky candidate, but I'll have to call you on that a little later. Right now, Alicia and I should get going, we have a long plane ride ahead of us" He informs, walking over to me. 

I nod in agreement. "Thank you sir. It was a pleasure meeting you and Miss Keys; I do hope you consider me. In the mean time, have a safe flight" I salute, shaking his hand. 

By now, Alicia and Marilyn were stuck in their own conversation, Alicia gawking over Marilyn's slightly noticeable baby bump. I smile to myself, feeling overly elated to have my wife be a part of this. I love sharing my work with her. Her being here gives me the inspiration and assurance that I did make a right choice in following my dreams. 

When everyone finishes with their goodbyes, Alicia's bodyguards escort her out with the help of Bill and Rafael, leaving Marilyn and I alone to gawk over what just happened.

"Papa, I'm proud of you. I really am. This is what you did with a dream, look at you. Wow" Marilyn marvels.

I feel my cheeks burning, as I bite down on my bottom lip in embarrassment. 

"Thank you mama. I would've done it without you. All those tireless nights you'd spend listening to my idea's and all those days you would be tardy for your class, just to give me a good luck note. Babygirl, I thank you for your sacrifices. I never give you credit for your attribution in my success, and well, now you know" I praise, pressing my lips against hers.

She smiles against my lips, running her fingers through my elongated curls. This moment feels amazing. With all the arguing and fighting, I'm happy to finally be able to just share something beautiful with my wife.

"I love you so much Michael. I do. I don't know about being the reason behind your success, but I definitely am proud to have helped though" She bashfully replies, her eyes sparkling in awe.

"I love you too babygirl" I whisper, stealing her lips again. 

*Marilyn's Point Of View*

I have prolonged this talk. After yesterday, and seeing Michael so elated about this future upgrade. I just couldn't ruin it by mentioning the test again. On the other hand, it's eating me up. Every time I help Dylan prepare for school in the morning or whisper good night to him before he goes to bed, I am reminded of that test. It's a heavy cloud, hanging over my head. I wish it would go away.

"Jordyn, can daddy have his popcorn back?" Michael asks sweetly, trying to ease his hand towards the bowl. 

Jordyn shakes her head and stuffs a handful in her mouth.

Tonight, we thought in order to celebrate Michael's could be promotion; we would have an outdoor family movie night. Michael insisted on it. He also insisted that we have it on the day that Kadence and Katelyn are here for visitation. As anyone could've guest, little miss peaches here isn't in compliance to the whole idea of sharing yet. Michael and Jordyn have been arguing about this popcorn for at least fifteen minutes. She just refuses to share with him.

"Peaches, daddy likes popcorn too. Please share" He pleads. 

Jasmine, Dylan, Kadence and Katelyn, are all so lost in the movie that they are oblivious to their fathers whining. I think I am going to mimic them.

"Papa, I can just go make you a bag. It won't take long" I suggest.

Of course, Michael being the "If I make her do it, she'll do it" type of parent, he refuses my offer and continues with Jordyn.

"Jordyn, May I have some popcorn?" Kadence asks, finally turning his attention from the projector.

Jordyn gives him a toothy smile (it was more of a two front teeth and the bottom row full of teeth type of smile), before nodding and passing him the bowl.

Michael's jaw drop, glancing between Jordyn and Kadence in disbelief.

"Did she really just... And I... okay" He pouts, nodding to himself.

Kadence, Jordyn and I break into laughter. Michael is so cute sometimes, just like a small child. Pouting over unshared popcorn, just adorable. 

"Awe, Jordyn share with daddy" I instruct, trying to hide my giggles. 

She stares at me for assurance before crawling into Michael's lap.

"Popcorn daddy?" She offers, holding out two pieces.

Michael glances at the two pieces, licking his lips before accepting the only popcorn he'll get for the rest of the night.

"Thank you peaches" He mumbles.

I burst into another round of giggles, glancing at the two unlikely enemies. Jordyn just has her days when she likes Michael and other days, they are mortal enemies. I don't understand it, but I definitely want to break her out of that before it grows on her.

Within the passing two hours, we (Michael, the kids and I) watched a movie, told some jokes, talked about the stars, and even made up ghost stories. Honestly, I had fun. The twins are definitely growing on me, now that we have moved past the evil stepmother stage. I really enjoyed tonight.

"Miss Jackson?" Kadence calls, as we enter the living after packing up our set up. 

"Yes Kadence?" 

He fidgets with his fingers then tugs at his Ninja Turtle Pajama suit, mumbling a few inaudible words. I kneel down to his level, to try to better understand what he is saying or trying to say.

"What is it Kadence? Come on, you can talk to me" I encourage.

His almond eyes wander mine, reminding me so much of my Jackson boys. This little one is the mere image of Dylan, Brandon and Michael. When he doesn't reply, I give him a small smile before offering my hand to him.

"Come on, I want to show you something" I offer. 

He timidly takes my hand and I lead him out of the living room, through the dining room, and out into the family room. When we stop in the family room. I release his hand.

"You want to know how important you and Katelyn are?" I ask, walking up to our family self.

The family shelf is a shelf where all of our kid's paintings, drawings, certificates, school pictures, and even small medals are placed. Each little Jackson has a shelf, therefore there are four shelves, but since our recent discovery of the twins and my expection, Michael and I had three more shelves made. I love the thought of it and so does the kids, I hope with Kadence seeing his shelf, he would be more open and finally realize that he is our family.

"Yes, please" He whispers, barely audible.

I smile again and escort him over to the crème shelf. 

"This is your shelf. Next to it is Katelyn's and the baby’s" I explain.

He silently glances over the shelf. I swear I saw a small smile appear on his face as he ran his name that was engraved into the shelf in scripture font.

"This mine?" He asks.

"Yes Kadence, this shelf is yours. See, we have your baby photos here, and your daycare certificate there. This belongs to you Kadence" 

He continues scanning the shelf in disbelief then glancing over Jordyns and Katelyn’s.

"Don't worry; we’ll fill it up soon. For now, it's a bit empty, but love will always fill this empty space" I answer his unasked question.

"Miss Jackson?" He quietly asks, turning towards me. 

"Yes Kadence?" 

"Can I-I. Can I call you mommy too?" He asks, his eyes once again searching mine. 

I will admit, I'm a bit taken a back, but this is a beautiful, wonderful break through. This means the world to me, this very question. I maybe have thought that because I am Michael's wife and they do not know me or care to know that I would never have the real chance to be a stepmother to them.

Part of me probably didn't want to be their stepmother because it was painful to think on the circumstance on which they were born into, but then I look into their eyes and see Michael and thing's change, my feelings change. Having Kadence ask me to be his mother as well, melts my heart, I couldn't be more joyous as of now.

"Yes, Yes Kadence. You can call me mommy, I will always be your mommy no matter what, blood may separate us, but you are a big part of me in my heart. Remember that, okay?" I assure him, taking him into my arms. 

I feel him loosen in my hold, wrapping his tiny arms around my neck, whispering "I love you mommy two". God, I can't explain my joy. I don't thing's can get any better than this, but I know I still have more hurtles to jump...

To Be Continued....

A/N: Hello! I know, I didn't update last night! I wasn't feeling too well, BUT I knew I had to update tonight or it would kill me! So, I mustered up some energy and decided to write. And well, here is my product! I hope you enjoyed, I know it was time for some mellowed drama so i decided to go with a sweeter chapter. I enjoyed writing this one, it was just too sweet towards the end... anyway, thank you for reading this far once again, I love you! Now tell me what do you think! What was your favourite part? Is Jordyn a litttle too fiesty for her age? How would you deal with her? Let me know in the comment section!