~Michael's POV

As my days become more and more limited in this rehab center, I found myself in a much happier place. I was ready to go home.

Walking through the small lobby I hear one of my group therapy members, Audrey, on the phone.

"No you can't let them do that. I'm getting help... I'm here aren't I? Well where am I gonna go?! My son can't stay with his aunt forever he needs me.. Fine, I'll figure it out when I get outta here." She slams the phone down and sits slowly crying.

"Audrey, is everything alright?" I ask, I know she wasn't too keen on talking to me, but with me feeling better about things, I wanted to make everyone happy.

"My son.." She sniffles. "They're taking my house, and apart of my parole is having a place to live after rehab. If I don't, they're gonna take my kid." She cries. "I can't lose Malik. He's my whole world."

I felt so bad for her. I couldn't imagine having my child taken from me, especially if I'm working on being better for her. I take a deep breath, "I'm really sorry about that.. Look, I have a guest house you and your son are more than welcome to stay in until you get back on your feet.."

"No thanks. I want don't want to depend on anyone. I want my son to depend on me."

"Audrey, I have plenty of room, Malik will love it, you'll love it. Just let me help you.."

She cries, "I just can't."

"Look, I'm gonna be leaving here soon, but whenever you get outta here. The offer still stands." I pat her shoulder before leaving to my room.

Rayne would hate to see anyone in that situation so I'm sure she wouldn't mind.

***

"So Michael, how have you been feeling?" My therapist asks.

"I've never been better, my mind is completely clear. I'm happy.. I just can't wait to get home and see my family." I smile.

"How's your sleep pattern?"

"Great! I've been sleeping every night. Even taking naps in between. I actually feel a little lazy." I chuckle.

"You said in your last group meeting that you know what you have to do.. For your wife and your daughter. What's that?"

"The reason I'm even here is because I allowed myself to think that I'm not taking care of my family, like I'm running out on them. But I have to do tours and albums to take care of them. Everything I do will affect the future of my daughter. I wanna be a better dad than my father was to me. I promised her that."

"You've accomplished a lot in the past two months. The way I see it, you're ready to go."

I couldn't hide my broad smile. "Seriously?"

"Yeah, I've already set up your discharge papers, by tomorrow night you'll be home and comfortable! I knew you could do it."

"Thank you." I grin.

***
The next afternoon Leroy and I pull into Neverland. Rayne had no clue I was coming home, I had told her another week. It felt so good to come back into something that is all my own. I missed home. I peeked my head inside the house quietly.

"Hello?" I echo through the house.

"Who's there?" Rayne says before she gasps. "Michael!! What are you doing home so early!" She hugs me tightly, kissing me.

"The therapist said I was ready." I hug her back, "I missed you baby."

"You have no clue how much I missed you!" She giggles, squeezing my cheeks. "Come on come see Camille." She grins, grabbing my arm and tugging me through the house.

My daughter sat on the floor, playing with her toys. I barely recognized her, she had gotten so big without me. "Millie." I smile, crouching to her level. She looked at me for a second and I had thought my worst fear had came true. She'd forgotten me.

She put her little hands on my nose and giggled, "daddy" causing my heart to melt. I picked her up, hugging her closely. "Yes baby it's me. Oh I missed you so much." I knew she didn't understand why I hugged her so tight, but I was so happy to see her. I put her down and examined her while she continuously smiled at me. "Look at your teeth!" I exclaim. "You're so tall and you look more like your mom then I last saw." I sigh standing to see Rayne in the doorway watching us, a huge grin on her face.

"God how much growing did I miss?" I whine, wrapping my arm around her waist.

"Not that much. But I'm glad you're home so you won't miss anything else." She giggles pecking my cheek.

I flop on my couch as she flops next to me placing her legs over mine. "So, how are you here so early? I wasn't expecting you for another week."

I shrug, "I guess my therapist talked the hospital into releasing me early. I'm so glad.. I couldn't take another of their 'TV dinner cuisine' I missed my wife's cooking." I hint.

She gives me a quick smirk, "I catch your drift Jackson."

***

I sat in my office, Camille sitting on my lap. Since I've been home for the past two weeks, she's been with me everywhere I go. She's daddy's girl most definitely.

"Uh.. Hey Boss?" I hear Bill over my speakerphone.

"Yeah" I respond, "yeah!" Camille echoes causing me to giggle and shush her.

"There's a chick out here at the main gate, claiming you invited her here a couple weeks ago. Usually I wouldn't bother you but she's looks troubled and.. She's got a kid.."

I frown. "Bring her to the main house, but stay close. I've got Camille with me. Rayne's not home."

I grab Camille and head towards the door. Placing her behind me, I open the door slowly. "Audrey?" I say.

"Yeah.. Hey. Could you tell your muscle to back off now?" She chuckles weakly.

"Yeah, Bill she's good you can let her go."

"Jeez, you really weren't kidding around about having space." She says nervously.

"Told you. Is this your son?" I ask crouching down.

"Yeah, this is Malik. He's 6.."

I smile, "nice to meet you. You guys come on in. This is my daughter Camille."

"She's beautiful, her mother must be gorgeous." Audrey smiles. "Do you mind if we sit?" She asks.

"No go right ahead. What's going on?"

"I wanted to take you up on your offer. The CPS is trying to take Malik because my sister isn't able to help me anymore. I need a place to stay, just until I'm on my feet. I promise a month at the most. I just don't want them to take my baby away. He's all I have.."

I was so sad for Audrey I just want her to be able to keep Malik. Rayne is gonna kill me for making this decision without her but once I explain, she'll understand.

~Rayne's POV

After a quiet afternoon in the art studio, the break from Camille and being home really relaxed me. I opened the door to my home hanging on to my bag of art supplies.

I walk in the living room to see Michael and a woman sitting and talking. "Hello." I frown slightly.

"Hi." The young woman waves politely.

"Audrey, this is my wife, Camille's mother, Rayne. Ray, this is Audrey, we met at the Rehab place and this is her son Malik." Michael says, as Camille grabs onto my legs for me to pick her up.

"Ah. Ok. Nice to meet you.. Um, Mike can you help me with this bag? Excuse us Audrey" I smile politely.

Michael and I walk upstairs into our room and I place Camille on the bed. "Uh..."

"Before you start, She's a really sweet girl. She's on hard times and needs a place to stay for a month-"

"You offered her to stay here?" I sigh, I can't even be mad at Michael and his selflessness. It's who he is.

"Yeah, but in one of the guest houses. if she doesn't find a place, she's gonna have her kid taken. We can't turn her away." He folds his arms.

"Fine. But she can't be in the main house and I don't want her around Camille.." I explain. "You may know her through Rehab but you never know people.. Just be careful. I can't let anyone take her child."

"I know. She seems like a good person though. This is just until she gets on her feet." He kisses my forehead and rushes downstairs. I sigh, "your daddy is way too nice. Let's just hope this doesn't bite him back"

***

Later that night, I head over to Audrey's guest house and knocked on the door. "Hi." She answered sleepily.

"Hi. I just wanted to come by and introduce myself properly. I just didn't wanna come off as rude." I explain.

She smiles, "oh it's fine, I know I probably threw you off. Thank you though. I appreciate it. I promise I won't be in you guys space that long. I'll be out in a month."

"Don't rush yourself. Whenever you're ready.. But hey, if you need anything or if you just wanna talk. I'm here." I smile. I just felt so bad for her. I really hoped things worked out for her. This was also a way for me to keep my eyes on her.

"Thank you." She responds shutting the door.

I climb into bed with Michael, after he checks on Camille. "It's crazy how many books she has in that room. I couldn't even pick a story." He says cuddling under our blanket.

"You bought them all." I chuckle.

"I know.. Hey listen, thanks for being so cool about Audrey and her son being here. I know it's hard because of how I used to be, and not knowing her that well. I know it's hard. You're a good person Ray."

"The most important thing is that her son has a roof over his head. He didn't choose to be apart of her life. He doesn't deserve to be homeless.." I yawn, running my hand against his chest.

"I just want you to be careful, I know how trusting you are. I don't want that to come back on you negatively. You're too sweet." I add.

"As long as I have you, I know you'll keep me in the right direction." He kisses my forehead.