Rayne's POV

"I'm sorry this is the first time I could reach you.. I swear it's like as soon as I landed in New York, I was put straight to work." Michael chuckles.

"I understand.." I respond, I honestly wasn't paying attention to anything he said. I held that piece of paper with Andre's number in my hand, crumpling it up for the fourth time. I contemplated calling him, there was nothing wrong with having friends. Only problem is, I knew he had a little crush on me, that's what would make this awkward.

"Ray, are you upset with me cause I couldn't make the gallery opening? You're really quiet.." Michael interrupts.

"No babe, I get it.. I was just thinking that's all. I'm not mad at you at all." I smile. I catch a glimpse of the time, "Michael it's 9 over here, that means it's 12 over there. Try and get some sleep, I'll see you Sunday night. I love you."

"Are you giving me a bed time?" He chuckles.

"Yes." I laugh, "you're sleep pattern sucks already. Go to bed."

"It'd be easier if you were sleeping with me.." he says sneakily, his voice lowering and causing me to blush.

"Hmm, really? Why is that?" I smirk.

"Cause, I could wrap my arms around you and bring you all close to me.. 'cause you're all soft and warm.."

"Mmhm.. I could do the same thing-"

"Mom.. I'm thirsty." Camille walks in, rubbing her eyes.

"Ok baby, I'll bring you some water. Mike that's your daughter, I've gotta go." I sigh.

He groans, "tell her I said goodnight, even though she ruined my phone call.."

"Goodnight Michael!" I laugh.

He whines, "night.. love you" he says with a pout before he hangs up.

The next morning, Michael called to speak to the kids giving Camille some really upsetting news. "What do you mean you won't be here til next Sunday?" She says sadly.

"I know Millie, I'm sorry baby girl, it's just work. I'll give you a call on Friday and then when I get back you and I will take a trip ok? Please don't be upset."

"But daddy, I want you to be here for my birthday.. besides who's gonna keep Mikey out of my room." She whines.

"I'm sure Rayne will keep him out.. I promise I'll call you extra early to sing happy birthday really loud so you can hear me from New York all the way to California.."

Camille gives an unsatisfied sigh, "fine.." she groans handing me the phone.

I give a sympathetic sigh over the phone, "how many more missed birthdays before she hates me?" He says sadly.

"Stop it, she's just upset. You know she doesn't hate you. Never will." I smile.

"Are you gonna be ok with all those little girls and our mischievous son by yourself?"

"I'll just have Derrick come and help.. I have to make sure Michael doesn't flash the girls and scar their little eyes like he did his sister." I chuckle.

"I wonder why he keeps taking his diaper off.." Michael laughs. "I gotta go Ray, I'll talk to you guys later."

***

The week went by pretty fast and by the time I knew it, it was Camille's birthday. While I was waiting for Derrick to show up I had Michael stick with me. Camille sat on the phone giggling with her father as he sang loudly over the phone to her. The girls started showing up around 12, all of their mothers handing me bags with their kids belongings and taking a moment to coo over my son. Finally, Derrick showed up with a very unexpected guest.

"Hey, I hope it's ok Andre came along.. He was visiting from Detroit again and he asked about you."

I was completely thrown off, my stomach clenched from my nerves. "No, it's fine. Come on in Andre." I smile. "The more guys the better for Mike.. all he has is his sister when his dad isn't home so.."

Andre gives me a smile, "nice to see you again, Rayne."

"Same here, Andre."

"Where's the birthday girl?" Derrick says, "Camillleeee" he runs off calling her, leaving Andre and I alone, standing in the living room.

"So, you told me you were married, you didn't tell me who you were married to." He smirks.

"I didn't?"

"No!" He laughs.

I giggle, "Well, Michael Jackson is my husband.. he's been my husband for about 13 years. I've known him since I was 17." I explain.

Andre nods his head, "Jesus.. that's gotta be intimidating.. all the news stories about the guy."

"Yeah.. we don't watch a lot of news here." I sigh placing Michael to his feet, he whines a little, grabbing at my leg.

"I was waiting to hear from you.. I never got a call what happened?" Andre says, his eyes studying me, a grin playing on his face.

I blush a little, "oh.. I don't know... I just.. it's weird for me to have a male friend Michael doesn't know... I mean, he wouldn't mind but-"

"I mean what's the problem? Are you afraid of something?" He says moving closer to me.

"No! Of course not."

"So how about this, I'll give you a call.. maybe it'll be easier that way.." he smiles, his eyes locking with mine. I was hit with a wave of discomfort and slight arousal, but I'm sure I'm just over thinking things.

"Um..." I start before I hear all the girls scream,

"MOM!!" Camille yells.

I run upstairs to see Derrick on the floor laughing until tears flowed and, of course my now, exhibitionist son naked in front of 6 horrified little girls. I grab Michael and cover him up taking him into his room as Derrick follows still cackling.

"What the hell is that?" He asks still laughing.

"That's why I needed you here to watch him because he's been taking his diaper off and flashing everyone. It's funny but those poor girls." I giggle quietly.

"Aw man that's the funniest thing I've seen all day." Derrick says wiping tears.

Andre stood beside me watching me change his diaper, "he may be ready to be potty trained.. I did that as a kid." He suggested.

I look at him for a split second, "already? He's only one.. I mean Michael started with him a little but he's still not used to it yet."

Andre shrugs, "I dunno, maybe."

***

Derrick, Andre and I sat with Michael downstairs while Camille had her sleep over.

"Rayne was always one of the popular girls. Everyone liked her." Derrick says wrapping his arm around me, "she always was my little sis though. I'm glad I've still got her around."

I chuckle, "even though you really let me down a few years ago.. I still love you D."

"Oh yeah, sharlissa... man." Derrick looks at Andre. "She called me the other day, told me she missed me and really wanted to get back with me. I told her I'm back with Lea.. and I'm HAPPY." He explains.

"I still haven't heard a thing from her." I sigh.

"Who's Sharlissa?" Andre asks

"She was an old friend. Got Derrick into some trouble with his wife." I explain.

"I mean she wasn't a bad girlfriend, I just shouldn't have fell for her. I was going through some stuff.. hey I'll hook you up with her." He says.

"Nah man I'm cool, I've got my eye on someone else." He glances at me with a grin, his bottom lip disappearing.

I let out a small chuckle, honestly, Andre was fun to flirt with, of course I'm happily married and nothing was going to happen between us. But while Michael was gone it felt good to be noticed.

Derrick laughs, "Yeah probably you Rayne. He's always had his eye on you. Even in school." He jokes, unbeknownst to him, it was me.

"Yeah well, sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm happily married." I say.

I grabbed the 6 juices and pieces of cake for the girls and take them upstairs. Andre offered to help while Derrick watched Michael.

"Hey ladies, how's it going in here?" I smile placing the cake on Camille's drawing table.

"Thank you mommy." She smiles. I kiss her forehead and close the door quietly while they continued to laugh and talk about whatever 8 year olds talk about.

Andre stops me in the hallway, "so you're happily married.." he asks.

"I am.. " I giggle, "why do you ask?"

He shrugs, "no reason.. just asking.. did you paint that drawing in your daughter's room?"

I nod, "yeah when she was a baby.. she loves it. I asked if she wanted to take it down now that she's older. She lost her mind.." I chuckle.

"You're a good artist, are you sure you're happily married? It feels like you were meant for me.. I mean Michael isn't even here." He says.

I grin, "I'm positive, I love my husband."