Michael's POV

"happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday dear Neveah... Happy birthday to you"

Ocean and I sing softly in unison waking Nevaeh and she looks up and smiles. "happy birthday sweetie" Ocean smiles picking her up. "your a big girl today" I smile at her.

Ocean and I have been so excited about today, not just because it's Nevaeh's first birthday but because this is the first birthday we've got to wake up with one of our children on their birthday. We're having a party for her and Abby's going to be bringing DJ over for the whole day. She has to stay with us because of the circumstances with Ocean's family and the trail and everything, but we're trying our best not to think about any of that today. Today is all about Nevaeh and DJ and that's how we intend to keep it.

*

We get downstairs and everyone is sitting in the kitchen and smile the second they see us with Nevaeh. Well everyone but LaToya who looks miserable "there you are sleepy head" Joesph coos taking her from Ocean. "it's a special day for a very special girl today!" He coos kissing her forehead. "what times everybody coming?" Randy asks. "not until about 11" Ocean tells him "11!? We have to start preparing" Mother says getting up from her seat. "relax. It's only 8" I chuckle. "yes, but there's so much to do! We have to put up the balloons and the decorations up. I need to get the food prepared and we haven't even picked up the cake from the store yet. We only have 3 hours and..."

"relax woman! We have plenty of time. Michael and Ocean are gonna pick up the cake and everybody else can help set everything up while you do the food" Joesph reasures her. "your really gonna go against your religion and have this party?" LaToya mumbles. "we already told you we're not Jehovah's witnesses anymore" I roll my eyes. We've had this conversation with her more times than I can remember and it's really starting to old now. "but we are. And your having the party here" she shrugs. "well their not canceling now! Not after all the preparations I've done" mother says checking her to do list. "you weren't this eager about a party when Michael threw a birthday party for Ocean"

"that was different" mother shrugs "yeah. Plus, after everything that's happened and what's going on with the trail and everything. It's good we have something to celebrate" Randy cuts and looks at Ocean and I and smiles slightly and we smile back at him the same way. "enough of all that" Joesph cuts in "Todays a happy day. and LaToya stop being a bitch to your brother. Your ruining the atmos" he tells her sternly then turns to Randy "you kids say atmos now right?" He asks him unsure and he nods and smiles through pursed lips at him.

I don't know why LaToya's acting this way I understand why she did when we first came back and I even get why she was scared of me. But I've been trying really hard to be close to her again like we used to be, but everytime I try to talk to her she always mumbles bitchy little comments and walks away.

****

Ocean's POV

Michael and I leave the cake shop and we hear a familiar voice and turn around. "hey, I thought it was you guys!" Mollie smiles coming towards us. "hey, what are you doing around here?" Michael smiles. "oh, I'm just here visiting a relative. So how are you both? You wanna come get some coffee?"

"we'd love to but really should be heading back. It's Nevaeh's birthday today" I smile. "aww, kiss her happy birthday from me! C'mon let me buy you guys a coffee"

"we would but.." Michael says and she cuts him off. "c'mon. I'm only gonna be in town a few hours. I'm sure your family will ok for a little longer" she insists and Michael and I look at each other. "ok, but we can only stay for one" Michael nods and we all walk down the road to the coffee shop.

****

"so um... Robert told me about.. You know" she mumbles. "I can't believe your families just sat back and did nothing!" she sighs shaking her head. "they actually didn't know until recently, but they've been really supportive since then" I smile and she looks at me confused. "but Robert said your family didn't believe..."

"the Thomson's don't, but Ocean's a Jackson" Michael smiles proudly resting his hand on mine. "that's great!" She smiles through pursed lips.

We sit talking for awhile and we talk a little about our trails that are coming up soon and the letter which we still have no idea who sent it and I notice the time. "um, we're gonna have to get going. We still have alot of things to do before the party" I mumble awkwardly, feeling rude for just getting up. "ok, well we'll see each other again soon. Maybe next time we can all meet at my place" she smiles. "sure! We'll call you when we're in the area" Michael nods. "you can call me anytime, especially if either of you needs any you know?... Help" she winks. "thanks. We'll call you really soon" I smile and Michael and I leave quickly.

*****

We get back to the house and see Abby in the living room with DJ. "mommy! Daddy!" He squeals rushing over to us and pulls us over to the carpet "look! I made a giant house!" He shows us proudly. "that's awesome!" Michael smiles kneeling down to him. "Ouch!!!" We hear LaToya squeal then huff annoyed. "don't you wanna play with something other than Legos?" She frowns pulling a piece of Lego from her foot. "uh, uh I'm gonna be a builder when I'm grown!" DJ smiles then turns back to Michael and me to show us the other things he's made. "what are you two doing playing with toys!? We have a party to finish setting up!" Kathrine frowns coming into the room and Michael and I roll our eyes playfully and get up to help.

******"

Michael's POV

The party took off to a great start and all the kids from the neighbourhood and my nieces and nephews came. Everybody's been having a great time except LaToya. She's been like this all day and she's barley spoken to anybody. I know it Still bothers her Me, Ocean and our kids being Christinan and not Jehovah's witnesses, but today's not about any of that religious stuff it's about Nevaeh and DJ and Ocean and I wanted to celebrate our family by having a party for them and all the kids in the area. How anybody could be miserable during a birthday party is beyond me, especially with two huge bouncy castles in the back yard! Even Mother and Joseph have gotten into the party spirit.

******

The party ended around 7 and after saying our goodbyes and thanked people for coming. It was time for the goodbye Ocean and I hate the most. "can we have another party on my birthday!?" DJ asks excitedly "you can have a party for every birthday" Ocean smiles cuddling him tightly and we both give him a kiss and cuddle and say our goodbyes then Abby takes him back to Jessica.

"I hate this part" Ocean sighs and I nod and I pull her in close to me. We lost custody of DJ before he was even a year old and now he's two and it seems to hurt more everytime we say goodbye to him. And now he's getting older we can see it hurts him just as much.

"I think that went pretty well. Not a single fight or accident all day!" Mother smiles proudly coming over to us. "you guys should probably get started on all this mess" LaToya says looking around the room in disgust. "it's a kids party! Of course things were gonna get messy" I shrug. "messy!? Look at this place! It's all... Sticky and is that cake on the sofa!?"

"it's fine we'll get this place back together in no time" mother smiles and heads into the kitchen. "all the kids gone now?" Joesph asks coming through the front door with Jermaine and Jackie. "yeah, and Nevaeh's fast asleep" Ocean smiles. "when did you guys go?" I asks confused. "well now all the kids are out of the way, we can started on these beers" Jackie smiles holding up a shopping bag full of beers. "uh, uh!.. You can't bring that here.mother will flip and There's a baby in the house!" LaToya shakes her head. "Neveah's asleep" I shrug. She's about to say something when Joseph cuts her off. "if it quits your nagging. We'll go in the backyard.. Jeez!" He rolls his eyes and him and my brothers go to the back yard to join some of adults that stayed behind after all the kids went home.

******

Mother said that she would listen out for Nevaeh for us so that me and Ocean could go outside and hang out with everybody. She didn't seem to bothered about the alcohol, but only if everybody agreed to drink or smoke outside. Which we all happily agreed to since it's warm night.

We're all drinking and having a good time and Joseph pulls me to one side and asks to speak to me. "what's wrong?" I ask worriedly and he shakes his head. "nothing's wrong. I just don't wanna yell this over the music outside" he takes a deep breath and sighs and I look at him confused. "I know I don't say this to you enough, but you know I'm proud of you right... Not about everything....obviously, but I'm proud of the man you've become. In around what? 3 years? You've been through so much and you've had to grow up fast you and Ocean have. And you could have ran that day at the hospital when Duncan was born. But you didn't. You stepped up and became a man. Most 17 year boys would have ran like hell in that situation. But instead you did the right thing and went and got married and took care of you family and you gave me two beautiful grandchildren and you've not just changed yourself.. You've changed me too" he smiles through pursed lips "you and Ocean have your problems and mess up more times than I can remeber granted, but you both try and you stick together through everything no matter what. And I see the way you are with your kids and the way they look at you. I was never like that with any of you kids  especially with you and non of you ever looked  at me the way your kids look at you and that's all my fault, because I wasn't the father you needed" he croaks. "but you are the father I need" I tell him honestly. "look at everything you've done for me and for Ocean. Most dad's would have murdered their 17 year old son if he knocked up the neighbours 15 year old daughter, but instead you were there for us and you've supported me through so much. You helped me find the courage to admit what uncle Luther did,  and not once did you question if I was telling the truth and you've helped me with the trail and the drugs. If it wasn't for you me and Ocean would probably be dead from an overdose by now. Joseph your a great..."

"don't... I don't want you to call me that" he cuts me off and I look at him confused. "I'm your dad... And you should be allowed to call me that.. And I want you to"

"you mean that?" I mumble and he nods. "I meant every word I've said to you tonight... I love you son"

"I love you too... Dad" I smile the biggest smile as I say the word I've longed to say for so long finally comes out of my mouth and Joesp... Dad pulls me in close for a hug. "c'mon let's get back outside and have some fun" he smiles breaking away and I nod getting up. "how long have you been there?" I ask my mother who's standing quietly at the door. "long enough" she smiles "c'mon son" my dad says motioning to come back outside with the others.

****

LaToya's POV

I'm trying to go to sleep but the loud music from outside is making it impossible, so I get out of bed and go down stairs to asks them to turn on down a little.

I get to the yard and stand look in disbelief at the scene in front of me. Everybody is clearly wasted I look over and see Randy slumped over at one of the tables. "Toya!!" He says with a grin swaying from side to side. "Randy, what the heck!? You shouldn't be drinking your underage!"

"chill... It's all good" he shrugs. "where's Michael?" I sigh rolling my eyes. "last time I saw they went round there" he smirks pointing towards the side of the house and I look over and can't see them because it's dark and there's two large trees in the way.  "what are they doing?" I ask confused. "what do you think" he chuckles. "yeah right!" I frown walking over to find out what their really up to.

"Michael!" I stop in my tracks seeing him and Ocean kissing against the wall, with his hand up Ocean's dress. "we were just... Um... Talking" Ocean chuckles and Michael smirks shaking his head. "where's Joesph?" I ask turning away from them. "He's over there dancing. Ocean taught dad how to twerk" Michael giggles. "what did you say?" I turn back to him. "did you say taught dad to twerk?" I frown confused "mhm" he nods and turns back to Ocean. "your dancing hot though.. Especially when your get naked" he mumbles kissing her."eww!" I scrunch my face leaving quickly leave. "Toya! You come to join in?" Joseph smiles coming over to me, clearly wasted as everybody else. "um... No.. Actually I came to.."

"c'mon! Lighten up and grab a beer!" He cuts me off. "it's a party!... An imma bounce my booty like a basket ball" he sings dancing back to the others" I shake my head in disbelief and go back inside.

"have you seen what's going on out there!?" I say wide eyed to mother as she's walking into the kitchen. "hm? No I was listening out for Nevaeh incase she wakes up"

"well, everybody is wasted. Randy's practically passed out. Michael and Ocean are... Fornicating behind the house!" I uncomfortably whisper that last part. "their what!?..well.. It makes a change from my kitchen I guess" she yawns. "your just going to allow this!?" I asked surprised. "I'm too tired for arguing. I'm sure their fine" she yawns again. "and why are you the one looking after the baby? Michael and Ocean are the one's who should be taking care of her. not outside partying and drinking at what's supposed to be their Childs birthday party" I frown. "LaToya that party was over hours ago and the baby's sound asleep. Let them have some fun. They deserve it after what they've been through"

she looks out of the window and chuckles shaking her head at Joseph "imma rude boy boy I can get it up... Imma rude boy boy an I'm big enough" He sings dancing around. "I think maybe he's having one of those midlife crises thing's" I turn to mother. "he's fine.. why are you so upset?" She looks at me confused. "I just told you why" I shrug. "that's not the reason. You've been like this every since Michael and Ocean moved back. You should be happy"

"happy? They've trashed the house and the back yard with their partying and brought nothing but problems to this house. Ever since Michael first met Ocean it's just been problem after problem" I frown. "they've brought some amazing things to" she sighs contently. "you remember what Joesph used to be like and now look at him. He's changed. He's sensitive and loving and they've  made him want to be a better man and a loving and caring father. And look how close Michael and Joesph are now" she smiles pointing to the window and I look out and see Joseph and Michael with their arms around each other smiling and laughing. "at one point Michael was terrified of Joseph and Joseph was so hard on him and now look at them" she smiles wiping a tear rolling down her cheek. "I overheard them talking earlier and Joseph told Michael he was proud of him and loved him... Joseph even asked him to call him dad!"

"he what?" I say feeling hurt a little. I thought that Michael only said dad because he was drunk and Joseph wasn't there, but knowing that Joseph asked Michael to call him dad. The name we've all wanted to call him actually hurts.

"so when Michael did well at school and never got in trouble. Joseph hates him and beats him, but when he knocks up the neighbours 15 year old daughter and injects himself with heroin Joseph's suddenly proud of him?" I scoff shaking my head. "that's not the reason he's proud! LaToya. What's wrong with you? You and Michael used to be so close and You were the one who sat up with him at night comforting when he would be crying because of the way Joseph was towards him. Why are you so angry now that the two of them have finally bonded? I don't understand" She frowns confused. "because I'm jealous ok!?" I snap. "I'm jealous of Michael and Ocean. They get all the attention and no matter how many times they mess up everybody drops everything and goes running over to pick up the pieces of what ever mess they made this time"

"so that's what this is about? Because your not getting enough attention? LaToya your a grown woman and Michael and Ocean were just children and..."

"their not kids anymore though! Ocean's 18 and Michael's almost 20 soon their adults and yet everybody still acts like their little kids and no matter what they do, everybody always defends them"

"well what do you need help with?" She asks and I look at her confused. "are you about to become a teenage parent? Have your family disowned you? Or have you been abused or raped? Have you taken drugs to block out your pain and become addicted? Have you lost a child through miscarrage or had one unfairly taken from you?"

"of course not!" I frown. "then what? What do you need us all to help you with? And what do you need us to defend and support you about?"

"well... Nothing" I mumble. "so you want us take away the attention and support for the ones that actually need us, because your jealous and just want some attention?"

"that's not what I meant" I shake my head. "Then what? Your angry at them because they need us and you don't. And your standing here getting jealous of them for needing help! If anything their probably jealous of you. Because the thing's they've been through is something nobody should have to go through"

"I'd say let's switch places, but I don't hate you that much" Ocean frowns coming into the kitchen with Michael. "I didn't mean it the way it came out I meant..."

"everybody's going home now" Michael says to mother cutting me off. "I'll just go say my goodbyes. Please don't argue with each other" mother sighs at us both and goes outside to say her goodbyes.

When she leave I turn my attention back to Michael and Ocean. "I'm sorry for what I..."

"you heard what mother said" Michael cuts me off. "all youv'e done today is try and make everybody as miserable as you" Ocean frowns cutting in. "that party was getting way out of hand! Don't try and put this on me... Like you both always do!" I snap. "don't raise you voice at her!" Michael frowns. "oh, so you can raise your hand to her but god forbid anybody raise their voice at her" I scoff. "LaToya!" Mother snaps coming back inside. "but they started.."

"and I'm finishing it!"

"we're gonna go to bed" Ocean mumbles and her and Michael quickly leave, visably upset by my last comment and once again leave me standing looking like I'm the bad guy.