Joseph's 180
~Michael's POV
Another long studio day keeping me away from my two girls at home. I was exhausted and couldn't wait to finish this album, just so I could rest. I always over work myself when it comes down to the last month or two of production. Soon enough it'll be time for release.
"I love that clip of that child speaking on healing the planet. Can we add her in the beginning of the song? A child's voice holds more effect in people's minds than an adult would." I explain to Teddy.
"Of course, if that's what you wanna do, we'll do it." He nods.
I scratch my chin, annoyed at the hairs slowly growing out of it. I've been so busy I haven't even shaved. Luckily my facial hair doesn't grow as fast as my real hair does. Rayne seems to like my peach fuzz, But I hate it.
"Any other tweaks in this song?" Teddy asks.
"I'll tell you one thing Teddy, I'm a perfectionist, I will never be completely satisfied, so I'll continue to change things... and the one thing Quincy always had to do was stop me from over tweaking the song. So when you think it's too much, please tell me!" I chuckle.
"Gotcha.. Well in that case. I think it's good Michael." Teddy smiles.
"Mr. Jackson?" Leroy says popping inside, phone in hand. "Bill says it's an emergency."
I grab the phone to hear Bill speaking with a sense of urgency. "Uh, Michael.. I'm on my way to the hospital, Rayne's in labor." My heart started beating out of my chest. "Ok, we're on our way." I hang up. "We've gotta cut this short. My baby is coming." I explain to Teddy.
"Sure no problem, I'll clean everything up, you go ahead. Hey, congratulations." Teddy says packing everything away.
I give him a nod and we rush out the door. I couldn't miss the birth of my first child. "Leroy you've gotta drive this thing, we've gotta get there." I exclaim.
We walk inside the hospital through the back where there was a nurse waiting to meet us and show me to Rayne's room. "She's doing well, she's having contractions about 30 seconds apart. I'd say the baby will be here by tomorrow night." The nurse explained.
Rayne laid in bed, grasping her stomach taking breaths to calm her. Her father stood next to her holding her hand. "You'll be alright baby. Keep breathing." He whispers.
I grab her other hand, a warm smile on my face. "How are you holding up?" I ask.
"It hurts, but it's almost over. But it hurts so bad!" She exclaims. I don't know where she got the strength to squeeze all of my fingers into one big finger, but the pain was excruciating. I looked over to see her father almost used to it.
"Her mother was worse.." He explained.
"Is there anything you can give her for this pain?" I ask the same nurse.
"I can give her something to numb the pain but it won't go away." She says as she scurries out the room.
"Give it to me! Just go get it!" She screeches through clenched teeth.
***
I sat in the chair next to Rayne's bed watching her sleep, stroking her hair out of her face. She was so tired. I place a hand on her stomach and started talking to the baby.
"I promise I'll protect you from everything. Nothing will hurt you or your mother. The two of you are my world, you hear me 'Millie'? No matter what mommy says, you'll be a daddy's girl."
I hear a small snicker as Rayne's eyes flutter open. "What are you doing?" She asks.
"Having a conversation between me and my daughter. Do you mind?" I grin. "You're doing so good." I say palming her cheek.
"Thank you. Can you believe we'll be parents soon? Things are really about to change for the both of us." She whispers. "I'm nervous.."
"Don't be. We've come this far, we can get through anything together. Plus we've learned from our parents mistakes. Camille will be raised by two people who love each other very much. So much that we created something so beautiful. We got this Ray." I smile, she nods before clenching her teeth in pain.
"Call the nurse. She's coming I can feel her.." She groans laying on her back. I run out to go grab the nurse and her father.
I stood by Rayne the entire time, no matter how hard she squeezed my hand while she pushed. I just kept giving her words of encouragement and stroking her face, telling her to breathe. Finally I heard my baby girl cry, and they cleaned her before handing her over to Rayne and I.
She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, she looked just like Rayne. Every piece of her made me fall in love all over again. Rayne held her closely, "She looks like mom." She sniffles. She strokes the top of her head as I plant a kiss on her forehead.
"This is our baby girl." I sigh.
~Rayne's POV
Once we were home Michael was practically inseparable from Camille. She had him wrapped around her little fingers. I watched as he walked around the house singing to her. I could barely grab her when she cried. The only time I had her was when I was feeding her. I think he loved her more than me, I was ok with that.
"You think I can have her now?" I chuckle sitting on the bed.
"No way, you've had her for 9 months, it's my turn." He chuckles his attention still on Camille. "Tell mommy, 'it's daddy's turn to hold me and spoil me'" he says in a baby voice.
I shake my head, "tell daddy 'I can't eat without mommy'" I reply. He playfully rolls his eyes and hands her to me sitting next to me as I feed her. "I swear if he could breastfeed you he'd do that too.. They say this is how mother's bond with babies" I smile. "Who would've thought you'd be so perfect?" I ask her.
"She's the most beautiful girl in the world." Michael adds. "Mother is coming to visit her and I believe Janet and Jackie are coming today."
I sigh, I didn't want visitors as soon as I came home. But they were family, I just had to deal with it. "I've gotta go and finish up the album you know we release in two weeks." Michael explained.
I nod, "I know. Speaking of which.. What are we gonna do when you go on tour?"
"You guys are coming with me. What else were you gonna do?"
"I don't know, she's only a week old. You don't think a plane would be too much for her? I think we should stay here. You should go on tour alone. We'll be here when you get back." I explain, burping Camille.
"I didn't plan on going touring until after Camille was one or two. I know I'm not going now.."
"Is that what the label wants?" I ask.
"Sony knows I just had a kid, they're not gonna force me into anything." He says adamantly. "I've gotta go, can we talk about this later?"
I nod quietly, "I love you two." He smiles kissing both Camille and my foreheads. "We love you more." I smile back.
"Finally we get some mommy daughter time." I gurgle goofily before realizing she was sleep. "Oh. well ok..." I sulk, I place her in her crib and look around the room. "Now I have nothing to do."
I cleaned the house to prepare for Michael's mother and siblings to come over while Camille slept. Stopping only once or twice to look at my newborn. She had no clue what the world held in store for her, and neither did I, Only my plans for her. I wanted her to go to school and do something different. Although I knew she'd probably wanna be like one of her parents, Art was in her spirit and her blood, if she wouldn't sing she'd paint I just knew it.
She doesn't know who her dad is yet. She'll learn later that her father's fame is intense. It's gonna be hard for her to understand why everyone screams for his attention, but when she gets it, she'll be so proud.
The subtle knock at the door tears my attention away from my daughter, and I already knew who was expected, or so I thought. I opened the door to Jackie, Janet and Katherine. But joined with them was Joseph. Ever since I was young, I've always been nervous around Joseph. But since Michael and I have been married, he's been a lot nicer. "Hi everyone. Come on in." I smile politely. Janet and Jackie greet me with hugs as Katherine smiles and Joseph gives a small wave, as usual.
"Oh I just can't wait to see her, where is she?" Janet clasps her hands excitedly.
"She's in Michael and I's room. I'll go get her.." I say swiftly. "How have you been feeling?" Jackie asked.
"I'm great Jackie thank you." I turn back quickly.
I grab Camille out of her crib and cradle her into my arms, her big bright eyes slowly opening and staring at me. "Good morning sweet pea." I smile at her.
Janet nearly swipes Camille out of my hands as soon as I set foot in the living room. "Rayne she looks just like you." She gasps. "I'm your auntie Janet. That's fathead uncle Jackie." She chuckles.
I sat on the couch nearest me and watch as they get all googly eyed over Michael and I's newfound pride and joy. I kept myself content with the fact that she was mine and his, and that we would be the ones to watch her grow. It was amazing to watch Joseph soften up so much, thanks to a kid. He chuckled as Camille clutched onto His big finger and smirked at him. "She's a beautiful baby." Katherine says. "I just wish you all would raise her Jehovahs Witness."
I smile politely, "we're gonna raise her to believe in a higher source, and allow her to choose her own path once she's old enough. I believe in religious freedom." I was never a Jehovahs Witness and Michael is no longer one, so I'm not raising my child as one. Period.
"She's got Mike's smile, that's for sure." Jackie coos, Joseph stands and pulls me to the side to speak to me privately. Instantly my stomach went into knots.
"Rayne, I just want you to know that the one thing I've seen you do for my son for all these years is make him happy. Thank you." He says patting me on the shoulder. I was honestly taken aback by this statement. Was this him finally accepting me?
"Well, your son had made me equally as happy, if not more." I smile.
Just then Michael walks inside from his studio time. "Hey everyone... Joseph, I didn't know you were coming." He frowns, pecking my cheek.
"Mike, Camille is so cute she's flawless." Janet exclaims. She was so smitten with Camille I thought it was hilarious.
"Thank you Dunk, that's all from Rayne."
"Well come on Kat, we've gotta go. Let's leave these three alone." Joseph says, sneaking a smile at me, once again throwing me off. I smile back waving everyone out.
"What was that about?" Michael asks, obviously talking about Joseph.
"I don't know.." I shrug, "He thanked me for making you happy."
"I should be thanking you for that." He chuckles kissing my cheek. "But that was nice and out of character for him."
"Camille sparked something in him. He softened up so quick as soon as he held her." I smile, glancing at her. She smirks again in her sleep, while I sat on the couch swiping my thumb across her face
"Joseph has always had a weakness for kids. Believe it or not he loves them. Who knows, Camille may be the one who turns him around."
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