~Rayne's POV

Camille and I sat in the audience next to Kenny Ortega and Travis Payne watching Michael rehearse for his upcoming tour. I told him that I'd wait to see if we'd go with him on tour, but the way he was, which was what I expected, he was too tired to do anything for Camille afterwards. It's understandable he's working, I didn't expect him to feel like doing anything for her after a concert. This was just a way for me to prove I was right.

Camille enjoyed everything she saw, the bright lights, the colors, hearing her daddy over the speakers, she loved it. She'd giggle every time he'd scream out "ow!"

He came down during a water break and I just looked at him for a while before he finally looked at me. "What?" He grins.

"Look at you! You're breathless.." I chuckle, "Do you really think you'll be able to handle this and having Camille too. I'm telling you Michael.."

"Ray. I'm breathless because I just danced for 20 minutes straight." He sits down in a chair, reaching for Camille. "Tell mommy that daddy is ok and will be ok during the tour." He says to her, holding her to stand on his legs. She giggles at him, letting a small drop of drool fall from her mouth.

"Michael we're ready." Kenny says. Michael stands, kissing Camille's cheeks and placing a kiss on my forehead before jogging back towards the stage. I simply shake my head silently. He works too hard, he has to know he can't handle everything.

On the ride home, he and I are still going back and forth about the issue. I was so tired of arguing about it. I scoff, "Michael, I just don't think we should go. I'm done talking about it." I wave my hand.

"She's my daughter too, I have a say so." He argues.

"Of course Michael, but being logical here, I'm the one that's gonna have to deal with the late nights and help her deal with the different time zones. I know that you'll try and help whenever you can but be realistic, you're going to be tired baby."

He gives a defeated sigh, he knew I was right. "You have 4 months with her here, and we'll call you everyday when you're gone." He strokes her head while she slept in her car seat between us.

"She's so young, I just don't want her to forget who I am."

"That would never happen, she loves you too much." I giggle. "She's a daddy's girl already"

***

We pull into Michael's parents house and bring Camille inside to visit her grandparents. As always, we were warmly greeted by Katherine.

"Oh you brought the baby!" Joseph says excitedly, his tone surprising Michael. "I told you he softens up whenever she's around." I whisper to him.

We sit in the living room, Joseph occupied by the baby.

"I'm glad you both are here, I wanted to talk to the both of you together. I talked to Rayne briefly about this, but you weren't home Michael." Katherine says. I frown trying recall the conversation.

"What is it mother?" Michael asks.

"I really want you all to raise her as Jehovahs Witness. I love my granddaughter, I want her to grow up with good values."

I groan inwardly, trying not to roll my eyes.

"Well mother, I'm not a Jehovahs Witness anymore. Rayne has never been one, I don't think we'll raise Camille as one." He explains respectfully. I nod my head.

"She'll be raised with good morals and values because of what both of our parents instilled in us." I assure Katherine.

"Kate, they are doing just fine raising this child. Let them raise her." Joseph interjects, surprising the both of us.

We sat at their house for another hour before leaving and going home. Michael was still a little sad about the fact we weren't going on tour with him this year. He grabbed Camille and laid her on his chest, singing Will You Be There to her softly.

I lean next to him, laying my head on his shoulder. "You'll be home before you know it babe."

"She'll be walking before I know it." He sighs.

***
I skipped over the 4 months of rehearsals because, it'd be boring to write about. So... moving on :)

Rehearsals were zipping by like crazy, next thing we knew he was packing to leave. Michael was so upset we weren't coming he barely spoke a word. I sat on the bed watching him pack his things quietly.

"We're gonna miss you." I say, holding Camille.

"Mm." He grunts, causing me to frown.

"Tell him 'buggy' say 'we're gonna miss you daddy.'" I say in a squeaky baby voice, moving Camille's arms. He didn't even look our direction. "You can ignore me but don't ignore your daughter." I pout.

"Rayne, I'm not in the mood." He rolls his eyes. "I don't want her to think I'm leaving forever, all she sees is me packing and shes gonna see me walk out the door. She doesn't know if I'm coming back."

"You're being so dramatic Michael, of course you're coming back." I scoff. He sits on the bed leaning on his back. Camille instantly climbs onto him, pinching his face with her little hands. He couldn't help but giggle then.

"Ow!" He winces, lifting her off of him to sit up.

"What happened?" I watch as he looks closely in her mouth, a smile growing on his face.

"She's got a tooth coming in." He smiles.

I grin, "She does? Well, there's your first milestone. You didn't miss it." I grab her bottle and reach for Camille, before Michael grabs the bottle.

"I've got it, you go ahead and sleep baby." He smiles. I peck his cheek in appreciation and fall asleep easily. I was gonna miss him these next 2 years. He'd been helping me so much recently.

The next morning, I hear the bathroom sink water running and a bunch of baby giggles coming out. "No, Millie. Don't do-" I hear an exasperated Michael sigh as I open the door.

I laugh loudly, "oh my god. What are you doing?" I say covering my mouth from laughing louder. Michael had Camille sitting on his lap, holding a toothbrush with toothpaste all over her face, the sink, and his shirt and face. I was in tears with laughter, "this is too precious.. Let me take a picture." I grab the camera I bought Michael for his tour and snapped quickly.

"What was the ultimate goal here?" I giggle, wiping his cheek of toothpaste.

"Well, she's got a tooth so I wanted to teach her how to take care of it when more come in." He admits innocently.

I laugh again, clearing her face. "She's only 8 months, everything is a toy to her. Her tooth isn't even fully grown yet" I pick her up so he can change his shirt following him into the room.

"I might've been moving too fast" he chuckles.

"You need to be getting ready to go." I smile. "Ugh, I'm gonna miss you."

He gives me a long hug, pressing his forehead against mine. "Don't go making this sad, you could've came with me."

"No we couldn't have." I object, watching him grab his suitcase and head to the front door.

"Please make sure you don't work to hard, drink lots of water and eat. No passing out like last time." I wave my finger in his face.

"Okay mother, I love you more." He retorts sarcastically, kissing me and then Camille on the forehead. "Don't grow up too fast on me Millie."

"Looks like it's just us 'buggy'... For 2 whole years" I say to Camille.. Two long years.

***

~Michael's POV

Just thinking about these two long years without my wife and daughter made me more and more upset. I was going all the way across the world without them. I've only been gone for a few days and I missed them like I've been gone for months.

That wasn't the only thing on my mind though. I had to fire Frank. I waited for him to meet me in my hotel room so we could talk about his employment with me. I've fired people before, but Frank was more than a manager, he'd been a friend for a long time. I just hoped our friendship will last after this.

"Michael, you wanted to talk?" Frank asks casually having a seat in the chair at the dining table. "Your tour schedule is going great so far, we're right on target and we're selling out everywhere. You may have to add some shows." He chuckles.

I laugh lightly, "I can't add anymore shows Frank.. Frank I really appreciate everything you've done for me over the past 17 years. I value your friendship tremendously. I think after this tour is over, we should end our business relationship.."

He frowns, "why? I thought I was doing ok, I mean look at your sales Mike."

"Yeah, we just tend to butt heads a lot when it comes to certain things like bookings and appearances, and I don't wanna mix my personal life, with business ventures.. We can always be friends, I just don't want you as my manager anymore. I'm sorry. After this tour is over, I'm relieving you of your position."

Frank was definitely caught off guard by what I said, but he kept himself together. "Ok.. Well, thank you for allowing me to work with you." He shakes my hand and quietly leaves. I give Rayne a call to give her the news.

"Hello?" She grumbles, "Camille, don't grab" I chuckle.

"Good morning."

"Hi Mike. What's going on?" She asks.

"I fired Frank." I explain.

"Oh, well..how'd he take it?"

"I think it went well. He didn't say much.. I hope he took it well."

"I hope so too. I know you feel better now that it's over. Ow! Camille.." She groans. "She's so grabby now. I let my hair grow out a little and she can't keep her hands out of it."

I laugh loudly, "I miss you guys." I sigh.

"we miss you too. Say hi to daddy 'buggy'" Rayne giggles as Camille makes little noises over the phone. "Hi Millie." I coo. I could listen to her gurgle in my ear all day.

"I've gotta change her, we'll talk to you later ok? I love you"

"I love you more." I sigh, hanging up.

I lay there in bed, silently. My eyes closing tightly with no intent to stay shut. I couldn't fall asleep, my thoughts always kept me awake. I rolled around in my blanket trying to get comfortable, still nothing. I look at my suitcase remembering my pain pills I was prescribed after passing out helped me fall asleep were sitting in there. I've never been a fan of drugs but as minutes turn to hours I contemplate it more and more.

I sit on the side of my bed, 3 in the morning, pill bottle in hand. I pop open the top and place two in my hand. "Hopefully this works..." I think out loud. Gulping down the two pills with a swig of water, I lay on my back waiting for the sleep to hit me.

The room slowly began to sway, I swallow dryly before I felt a numbness of my body. For once I felt nothing, I was out of pain, and any worry I had was gone. A serene quiet surrounded me giving me a peaceful feeling. I felt like I was home. I could hear my daughters laughter, and I could see Rayne's gorgeous smile hovering over me before I fall completely asleep. I could feel my daughters tiny hands around me, hugging my face and Rayne's lips on mine softly. Even my dreams were calming before I finally blacked out into complete and total darkness.