Michael's POV

"How is it that we can go over every aspect of every song and I'm still finding problems?" I groan to myself, smashing my palm to my forehead. I had been sitting in this studio alone for the past 7 hours reconstructing my album, trying to reach an unobtainable perfection. I hadn't even checked my phone I was so busy.

After giving up on my album for the night, I grabbed my phone, squinting at the brightness of the screen to see I had 14 missed calls from my wife, mother and Tommy Matola. Majority were from Rayne but I already knew what they were for. Calling to check on me, tell me something Mikey did that made her laugh or ask when I was coming home because Christmas is coming and I need to be home with the kids. I roll my eyes.

I hit the dial pad to call back Tommy his crisp voice answering almost immediately. "Michael! Hard at work are we?"

"Of course, that's all I've been doing recently. I'm just returning your call." I explain

"I was just interested in the process of the album. We're only a few months away from our first single release. Are we ready?" He enthuses.

I roll my eyes, this wasn't our first single.. it was mine. He wasn't putting in the hours and days of work to create this album, sacrificing days and nights without his family. He didn't write one lyric to any of my songs. So no, this wasn't our first single it was mine. I fake a laugh over the phone before responding, "I'm completely ready Tommy, you have no clue!"

"That's what I like to hear. We've got a lot of money riding on this album, we expect the best." He says.

"I'll never give you anything less." I say dryly. My eyes couldn't go further to the back of my head.

"I know that. We also need to get started planning on a tour just the minor things like tour dates and stuff like that."

I frown, "a tour? I don't think I wanna do a tour this time. I think a few appearances here and there will work out just fine. I'd just like to take this time off to get my family life back in order."

"Michael, you have to tour. It's an album, you can bring the family on the road with you."

I shake my head, "Tommy I have to think about that."

He sighs before giving up for the night, ending his call. I hang up, shutting down the engineer board and turning off the studio lights to head back to the hotel we had been staying in for the past 8 months.

"Hey baby. How'd it go tonight?" Rayne asks, her eyes not leaving her book.

"Same as always..." I respond shortly. I hadn't been in the mood to talk recently, this album had been draining me so bad that I didn't have the energy to do anything but sleep.

I put my head on my pillow, shutting my eyes tightly for about ten minutes before Rayne opened the floor to a question I was not expecting.

"Michael, are you happy?" She says, peering over at me.

I frown and roll to my side, looking over my shoulder. "What?" I groan. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, are you happy with where we are as a couple?"

Sighing, I answer, "babe if I wasn't happy, we wouldn't still be together after all these years. Where is this coming from?"

She smirks to herself, shrugging, "I don't know. It's probably something silly that I'm thinking. Never mind."

I sit up, "no, well now I wanna know. What made you ask that?"

"I just- I was sitting here thinking, maybe you cheated on me because you weren't happy. It would make sense to me.." She expresses before I groan over her statement.

"Babe, really? This Maria thing again? I told you the drugs made me do that. Please don't-" I whine.

"Yes Michael the Maria thing again. I know what you said... but I need to make sense of this in order for my mind to truly process this. I need to understand." She says with a slight whimper.

"This was months ago Ray, I thought we were over this." I ask.

"Do you know how long it's gonna take me to get over this? It's not as easy as it looks. I'm seeing different things in you.. you don't seem happy like you were when we were younger. Ever since this whole Maria fiasco, I've paid more attention to you than normal because I don't wanna miss anything like I did before."

I knew that it'd take a while for her to get over the fact that I slept with another woman, I knew it'd hurt her. But I thought she'd know that I feel too strongly about her to ever intentionally hurt her and that my actions were not my actions when I cheated.

"Ray, I'm only unhappy right now because I'm being forced to record this album. I don't want you to think that I'm unhappy with you or any aspect of my life with you. I'm just simply tired." I explain, my eyes halfway shut.

She nods quietly, "ok.." she says, shutting her book and laying on her side away from me.

***

Finally, the big moment had come. My single had dropped and we were headed into the big show with me and my brothers. Mikey, Camille, Rayne and I sat in the limo waiting for Leon to open our door leading to the fans, paparazzi, and red carpet. "Dad it's so many people out there. Can I hold your hand?" Camille says peeking her eyes out the window. This was her first time walking the red carpet with me and I was honestly excited. I was happy I could share this moment with both of my kids. As quickly as I enjoyed that initial red carpet entrance, I was swept away from my family and taken backstage to meet a few performers before showtime.

Rayne's POV

Mikey, Camille, and I sat in our designated seats surrounded by close friends like Elizabeth Taylor and Macaulay Culkin. I stood and gave a big wave as I heard my name called by a few of Michael's fans, Camille and Mikey echoing. "Where's Daddy?" Camille says in my ear over all the noise. "He's backstage, he'll be back here soon." I assure her placing the sound protective ear muffs over here and Mikey's heads. Camille had been to so many of her father's shows she didn't really want to use them, but Mikey's little ears was not used to the noise of a large crowd as well as the amount of loud blasts that would be used in the show.

I feel my cell vibrate in my clutch before digging it out and answering it. "Hello?" I answer loudly, plugging my ear to hear better.

"Ray! We see you! look at the front row!" I hear Derrick say. I look down to see his large arm waving in the air.

I grin, waving back. "Hey!! I didn't know you were coming I would've told Michael to get you a seat up here."

"Oh no worries! I brought Andre along!" He smiles, pointing his thumb next to him. Andre smirks with a small wave towards me.

"Oh.." My smile disappears and my eyes revert back to the empty stage. Derrick never knew the real reason why Andre and I fell out so I wouldn't expect him not to invite him places that I'd be.

"Let's talk after the show!" Andre shouts hanging up quickly as the lights began to dim. I feel Michael's hand around my back as he slides behind me to sit in his chair.

My family and I watched as different artists honored my husband for his years of hard work and dedication to the music industry. Each song reminded me of a moment in our relationship and most likely caused me to be over emotional and sentimental. Every once in a while, I'd glance down to Derrick and find Andre catching a glance at me, prompting me to lay my head lovingly on Michael's shoulder, squeeze his hand sweetly, or lightly peck his cheek.

The moment came where Michael was onstage dancing with his brothers again. To say I was excited was an understatement, I always enjoyed when he and his family worked together and he knew that so he'd sneak a glance across the stage, trying not to giggle at me enjoying myself like a teenager to every song they performed. Every now and again, I'd hear Mikey yell "uncle Jackie! Uncle Tito!"  As Camille would point them out to him while he'd clap to the music, sitting in Katherine's lap.

After the entire show was over, we met Michael backstage. There was too much excitement, so I had Leon take the kids in Michael's dressing room with him, while I talked to Derrick outside for a moment.

"Mike was phenomenal!" Derrick walked up to me with his arms outstretched for a hug. "Please tell him that for me! He was incredible."

I giggle, "I'll let him know, for sure."

Andre approaches behind Derrick, "Rayne, so good to see you again. Our last moment together ended so abruptly." He smirks, "you look good."

I clear my throat, "thank you." I stir my eyes away from Andre and back to Derrick's "I wish I'd have known you were coming. You really could've just sat with us!" I tap his arm.

"I told you I brought 'dre along, we were cool with the front row seats. But next time I'll let you know" Derrick smiles. "Where are my Godkids?" He asks.

"Inside with Mike, poor things are exhausted." I smile.

"Let me go say hi before we get outta here. I'll be right back." Derrick says running off before I could object.

Now I was stuck here with Andre, I sigh, turning on my heel before my arm was lightly grabbed.

"Hold up, why you running off like that. You haven't said two words to me." Andre smirks from his still perfectly chiseled lips.

"What do I need to say to you?" I fold my arms.

He shrugs, "I don't know. Hello would be nice. It's been a while since I've seen you."

"And that was for a reason Andre."

"Oh right, the attraction thing.." he chuckles eyeing me up and down. "I mean you told me you were happily married, I'm not gonna mess with that. You looked like you had a good time trying to prove that to me."

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

"Kissing on your husband and what not... I know the game." He winks with a slick smile.

"I love my husband. That wasn't a game."

"Of course you do, never said you didn't. But your body is telling me it wants something different. And when you're ready.." he says inching closer, licking his lips. "You'll find what you want."

A small shiver runs down my spine before I turn away and walk inside the dressing room to my two kids knocked out on the couch. "There she is! I was wondering when you'd come in here." Michael smiles wrapping his arms around me and kissing me swiftly. "How'd I do?"

"You did amazing baby. I'm so proud of you." I kiss back. I look at Camille and Mikey giggling, "look at our kids." I pick Mikey up as Michael grabs Camille, hoisting her up on his shoulders to head home.

***

Michael climbs into bed at the hotel, pulling me close to him. After tomorrow, I don't plan on doing a thing. I want to truly retire. Tomorrow's show is my last show for the public. I am done. "You deserve your break babe. You've worked really hard." I smile.

"Remember when you asked me if I was happy? Now I'm happy because, I'm done with that album and I can finally just live my life in peace with my family.

"And I'm happy with that." I smirk. I was going to avoid thoughts of what Andre said at all costs. I loved my husband and was not longing for anything different... I think.

*Turns and laughs like MJ at the end of thriller 😈*

I been gone for a looongg time.  But I'm finally back and have come out of that writers block I found myself in. I mean seriously, I would open this app write like 3 words in this chapter and close it, not knowing where this chapter was going. But I got it, you guys are gonna hate me but hey, I still love y'all. So read on and I'll see y'all next chapter! I promise it won't be 6 months from now! 😭