~Rayne's POV

Today was not an exciting day. Michael realized, we were in Detroit and that my mother was buried here. I'd hoped he had forgotten but of course, he didn't. The next morning, after a quick breakfast, he and I headed to the cemetery. I sat in the backseat, my stomach in knots. I let out a deep sigh, my breath fogging the window.

"What's on your mind?" Michael asks, I simply roll my eyes. "I can't believe you're making me go to this grave site." I shake my head.

"Once won't kill you. You need to have closure with your mother."

"She didn't care about me when she was alive, it's not gonna happen." I shrug. He heaved a heavy sigh as we pull into the cemetery. Bill stepped out to grab the location of my mother's grave.

I let out a small whine. "Ray, just 5 minutes." He says, squeezing my hand. "I don't even know what to do." I groan.

"Talk to her, her body may be gone but her spirit still surrounds you. Tell her about your life. She'll hear you."

Michael hops out the car, offering a hand to help me out. I stood there and her tombstone stared me in the face. All of a sudden, I couldn't move my feet from where they stood. Michael tugged at my hand a little, snapping me out of my fear and I walked toward her.

"Tammi Brent-Fleeson. Beloved Mother, Wife and Friend. 1937-1987" her tombstone read. I took a seat on the grass in front of it and just started talking.

"This is weird." I sigh. "I feel like I'm talking to myself. Knowing you, I probably am... You never listened to me. Well, the last time we 'spoke' I was single again." I chuckle. "I remember you told me I'd stay single cause I didn't know how to keep a man. Well.. I'm getting married now, So in your face." I say, flashing my engagement ring. "I can't sit here and talk to you like you're not a horrible person, because you are. You always wondered why I moved away from you. I always wondered why you hated me. All I wanted to do was have a mom who loved me. But you told me I didn't deserve love from anyone. Why did you hate me so much?" I whimper, letting tears fall. "I had no choice but to love you. For the first few years of my life, We were perfect, you were my mommy. Until grandma died, and you changed.. Then dad left.." I inhaled deeply. "You made me feel like it was my fault. You made me feel ugly and I was always in pain. I'm so glad that you're not here, so you can't put me through anything else. I'm finally happy and there's nothing you can say to hurt me." I say slowly changing from a whimper to a sob. "I just wanted you to be proud of me and who I've become without you." I say, proceeding to cry, burying my face in my hands.

Michael quietly sits next to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, rubbing my back softly. For about 5 minutes, I cried, There was nothing but silence, just the sound of my tears. Most of these tears came from me realizing she was really gone, and some came from happiness. She and I could both finally be at peace.

We sit back in the car, as Michael strokes my knuckles. I felt him watching me, his eyes averting from my face to the ground. "I'm proud of you." He says, running a hand through my curls. I nod. He brings my forehead to his lips and leans my head onto his shoulder.

***

We were finally back in California, Michael was due to perform at the Grammy's tonight. He was nominated for 3 awards and we knew he'd win all of them.

This is Michael and I's first public appearance as an engaged couple, as we walked the red carpet, all I could hear was the shouts of paparazzi asking to see the ring. I hold my hand up, a proud grin on Michael's face as he stood to the side allowing me to take solo pictures. I grabbed his arm, bringing him closer to me, so he could be in the pictures. Now that we were engaged, there was no more "I" only "Us."

It was a disappointing night, Michael didn't win one of his awards, and you could see in his face how sad he was about it. He and I both expected him to win all three. He swiftly kissed my cheek and headed backstage to get ready for his performance.

~Michael's POV

I was extremely angry I didn't win one award but I decided I wouldn't even dwell on it and throw all of my frustration into this performance. I throw on my silk blue button up and Karen helps me weave the white rope around my pants.

"Mike, we've got a problem." Frank says nervously. I look up at him irritated, "Frank no more bad news. I just lost all of my awards.." I groan.

"I understand and I'm sorry, but your female counterpart twisted her ankle. She can't walk."

"Are you kidding me right now? All I need her to do is walk, and your telling me she can't do that?!" I sit in the seat behind me.

"There is one person who can do this. She's here, but.." Frank hesitates

"What?" I ask.

"Tatiana is here and, I've already talked to her. She says she's willing to help."

"Hell no!" Karen blurts, before quickly covering her mouth. "I'm sorry Michael, but didn't she almost ruin your relationship?"

"Yeah." I sigh. "But I can take the heat from Rayne later, we're on in 10. I need her right now."

Tatiana gets dressed and meets me at our entrance, giving me a sweet smile. "Nice to see you again." She grins, swiping a loose hair from my shoulder. I politely smile, "let's just get this over with." I walk out and begin performing.

~Rayne's POV

Every time I watch Michael perform, it feels like the first time. You couldn't even tell how aggravated he was because of how well he performed. My facial expression turned from a smile to shock as I watched a very familiar face walk across the stage, blowing my fiancé a kiss and prancing off once more while he sang "The Way You Make Me Feel". My blood was boiling. Michael never looked at me once, he knew this was wrong. As he was ending his song "Man In The Mirror"

I practically stomped backstage enraged. Before Bill stopped me, "Rayne calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down Bill! Did you see what he did! Did you see her?" I pointed behind him. "Forget it, I'm going home. Tell him we'll talk then." I scoff, Leon escorted me to the limo. I was so angry at him, I sat in the backseat my arms folded and my legs shaking.

Once at the ranch, I began grabbing my things. Shoving some clothing in a small bag, and sitting it at the door. I was so mad I just wanted to leave. Even if it was to go to my dad's for a couple of days.

I sat in the room watching the Grammy Awards on TV until he finally came home. He must have left early because they weren't over yet. "Why was she there?" I ask, meeting him at the bedroom door angrily.

"Let me explain to you what happened." He says calmly, putting his hands on my arms.

"I didn't know she was there Rayne. Ariana, the original girl, twisted her ankle and Frank told me last minute." He explains as I'm pacing back and forth, chewing my bottom lip. "I swear, I had nothing to do with that. But I needed someone." I watch as he walks out the room and grabs my bag from the front door. "Can you please unpack your bag?" He grins sweetly, gesturing the bag to me. It wasn't his fault, I couldn't be angry at him. I smirk, playfully snatching the bag from him.

"It's not gonna be that easy to just up and leave me once we're married." He says, grasping my waist close to him.

"I don't want it to be." I smile, wrapping my arms around his neck.

***

Sharlissa zips the back of my dress and straightens hers while Janet and Latoya fuss over my hair. Sharlissa was annoyed with the two of them. The only person honestly keeping me calm was Derrick, I was so worried he wouldn't have made it. I was ready to get this over with, I would have two weeks of uninterrupted time with my husband.

Janet shifts my curls over. "Janet, it's fine leave it alone!" Latoya argues, flipping it back. I sat and watched, feeling myself ready to explode Derrick grabs me over to him.

"Ray, can you help me fix this tie? I can never get these things. Lea usually does this for me." He chuckles. I couldn't have stood up fast enough.

I stood behind the door leading out towards the courtyard of the ranch towards my future husband. His tuxedo sequins gleamed against the sunset. I couldn't hold back my silly grin while walking closer to the front. Looking around I see Michael's friends, his parents, and out of town family that I rarely see. Red and white curtains cover the venue windows, drills hanging off the ends of each isle seat. A small banner separating the bride and groom's sides reads "Rayne and Michael." I sigh at how extravagant this wedding is, the only thing that went perfectly was my dress.

I clutched my dad's hand as he prepared himself to put my hand in Michael's, a tear rolls down his cheek. I swipe it with my thumb kissing his cheek before I stand in front of Michael.

Michael began with his vows, holding my hand close to his. "If I could figure out how to describe my feelings for you, I'd be going on forever. Thank you for looking at me as a human and not a wallet. You started from the inside of me and my fame meant nothing. I have never met someone like you. When I met you, the only excuse I had to talk to you was a gallon of milk. Honestly, I fell in love with that smile, the way you would narrow your eyes when your thinking, and no matter how bad the situation, you kept the most positive attitude. I envied you, but that bright personality is shining through my life as well. Thank you Ray."

I grin, inhaling deeply to prepare myself for my vows. "Mike you put those high school butterflies in my stomach at the age of 29. No other person could understand the way I love you. I start to giggle whenever you tell me you love me. I promise you that you and I will work through everything together. I'll always have your back. You're the only person I could ever love more than myself. Thank you so much for helping me through the toughest of times. I can't say enough how much I love you and I'll continue to tell you until I die."

The minister has us place our rings and finally the big moment comes "you may kiss your bride" Michael pulls me into his arms quickly, kissing my lips passionately. I pull my arms around him bringing him closer. I look at my husband, running my thumb across his lips, swiping my stained lipstick off his lips.

"You're my wife." He grins under a roar of cheers. I nod.

I'm not a big fan of this chapter TBH. But I wanted to get something out to you all. Hope you like it