Michael's POV

Ocean and I are sitting in the kitchen with mother and Joseph and it feels kind of weird. We've been locked in a room for so long and today's the first time we've been out and Jermaine is bringing Nevaeh over today. "you don't have to be nervous" mother says softly bringing us some breakfast. "we're ok" I smile slightly while keeping a tight grip of Ocean's hand under the table."I don't want either of you to be scared, But when Randy and Jackie get here we're gonna take you both to the doctors" Joseph says softly. "but Jermaine's bringing Nevaeh back today and we don't need a doctor. We're fine now" I shake my head. "Jermaine's coming over in the afternoon and you both need to get checked out. With what happened with the abortion and the two of you using needles. It's really important that they do some test make sure"

"of what?" I asks confused "diseases" LaToya mumbles coming into the room and stands near the kitchen sink away from us. "LaToya!" Mother scolds her. "but, it's true. They could be infected with all kinds of stuff. Who knows what was on those needles"

"we only shared them with each other and they were clean!" I frown. "and we believe you, but it's best to check, just in case and to make sure what happened to Ocean didn't cause any kind of long term damage. It's just a few little test and they'll take some some samples of your blood and stuff it's nothing to be scared of" mother says softly. "An when will we know what they have?" LaToya mumbles still standing away from us. "it's a private doctor and if there is any health problems. He'll tell us today" Joseph frowns at her "and then Jermaine's gonna come over so they can see Nevaeh and..."

"I'm gonna go get ready" Ocean cut him off getting up to leave and I get up to and LaToya looks at us nervously. "your not catch anything. We don't have any diseases!" Ocean snaps "you haven't finished breakfast" Joseph cuts in. "we wouldn't want someone to catch something would we!?" I frown at LaToya and she doesn't say anything as we leave the room

we get upstairs and I close the door behind us and pull Ocean in close to me. "did you see the way she looking at us?" She sniffles. "just ignore her. We already know there's nothing wrong with us and them test will prove that"

"what about the other thing?" She mumbles. "what do you mean?" I look at her confused. "what your mother said about there being... Damage" she croaks. "you'll be fine. You've not had any pain or anything have you?"

"no, but what if there is something wrong with me and I can't have anymore kids. It does happen sometimes"

"you'll be fine. And if it's not. Then we can still have a big family like we always wanted. There's adoption, surrogate.. All kinds of stuff" I shrug. I'm about to speak and there's a knock on the door. "are you two ok?" Joseph asks coming into the room. "we're fine" I smile through pursed lips. "pay no attention to what LaToya said. I've spoke to her and..."

"it's fine" I cut him off. "Ocean's more upset about what mother said. That there could be damage" I explain and he sighs sympathetically and walks over to me. "I'm sure everything's ok, but it's just to be on the safe side"

"but, there could be a problem. And if there is I might not be able to have kids again" Ocean sobs and I pull her in tighter. "you two have all the time in the world to worry about that. You both have two beautiful children already, neither of you need to be worrying about anymore" he smiles through pursed lips. "Randy's home and Jackie will be here soon, so you both need to get ready"

"we're not gonna run" I mumble. "it's just a precaution" Joseph sighs "I'll meet you both downstairs"

******

Joseph's POV

We're all sat waiting in the room for doctor to arrive and I can see the nervousness on Michael and Ocean's faces. They've barley spoken since we left the house. I know it upset them what LaToya said and I don't know why she's been acting so cold towards them. I don't want to be here getting them tested for God knows what they could have picked up and I hate having to make sure all the doors and windows are bolted or having my sons having to play security to bring them out, but it's what needs to be done right now and I thought LaToya out of everybody would be the understanding and sensitive about this. My thoughts are broken when the doctor arrives and goes through with Michael and Ocean the kind of tests he'll be doing and asks them a few questions. I've already explained to him why we were here, but he still needed to ask the two of them some more. And some nurses will have to take Ocean into another room while they do some personal test. "we don't even need the test. We already told everything. Can't we just go home?"

"it'll all be over before you know it" Dr Ralph smiles through pursed lips, walking over to take his blood and Jackie and I were instructed to hold both his arms down as a safety precaution and then we had to do the same with Ocean. It's not that we don't trust either of them, but we with everything that's happened we don't want to risk them hurting anyone or even themselves.

After the test are done. We sit and wait for the results and everybody is sat in silence. "Soo... Nevaeh's first birthdays coming up soon any plans?" Randy asks to break the silence. "will still have celebrated DJs yet" Ocean mumbles. "it'll first birthday, you'll have with one of your kids. We should do something special" Randy says and I turn to him and frown. "I-I didn't mean it like that!" He turns back to both of them. "it's fine. We got to keep this one for a whole year. That's something's to celebrate I guess" Michael mumbles. "Is that why you both started taking that stuff? Because you don't have DJ?" Jackie asks and I elbow him slightly on the arm to shut him up. "we have to ask. These things don't just happen for no reason" he shrugs. "drop it! Both of you!" I hiss at Randy and Jackie. "are you two ok?" I turn to Ocean and Michael and they nod not saying anything.

Dr Ralph finally comes back and we go back into the room to get the results. "is there any problems?" I ask nervously and he smiles shaking his head. "your both slightly underweight, which is pretty normal under the circumstances, but other than that all the results came back clear"

"and what about the other thing" Ocean mutters and her and Michael look at him nervously. "everything's fine" he smiles and they both sigh in relief "You both got extremely lucky. Most people come out of this with all kinds of problems they never even thought of" those test to make sure and it was a huge relief knowing that we're both going to be ok.

When we get back Kathrine is sat in the living room waiting for us. "so what did they say?" She asks nervously. "they need to eat more, but everything else came back clear I tell her "thank God!" she sighs in relief "we told you we'd be ok" Ocean smiles "well it's always best to get these things checked. I'll go make you both something to eat. Jermaine called and said him and Aisha will be over with Janet and Nevaeh in an hour" she smiles heading for the kitchen. "is Nevaeh coming back for good today?" Michael turns to Joesph and we look at him nervously still not knowing what's going on. "If you both feel that your ready to have her back then she'll be back for good, but if you feel you still need some time them Jermaine said he's happy to take care of her until your ready"

"w-we want her back. We don't want her living with him" Ocean stutters. "your both still in recovery and having a baby here might be to much for you. But like I said before. This isn't like DJ. There's no courts or social workers involved and you can see her everyday and you take her back anytime you want. everything's entirely on your terms" I'm about to speak when LaToya walks in, but quickly stops in her tracks when she's Ocean and Michael are back. She doesn't say anything but stands looking at them nervously. "We're clean! Your not gonna catch anything!" Michal frowns and pushes past her storming upstairs and Ocean follows behind him.

**

Ocean's POV

"stuck up, fucking bitch! I preferred when we was locked in our room" Michael snaps slamming the door behind us. "don't worry about her. We know there's nothing wrong with us. Plus Nevaeh's coming back today" I smile slightly. "are you thinking about what Joesph said?" He sighs biting his lower lip and I nod. "I miss her so much" I sigh sitting on the edge of the bed. "so do I" he sighs sitting beside me. "our selfish to thinking this way?" He mutters. "I don't know. I think we've pretty selfish already" I mumble "I guess we could talk to Jermaine and Aisha before we decide" he shrugs still as torn about this as me.

We continue talking and Kathrine comes in. "I made you both some lunch" she smiles at us through pursed lips and sits beside us on the bed. "about what Joesph said. Nobody's trying to take Nevaeh away from you, you understand that right?" She says softly. "but you think we she should give her away?" I croak. "of course not! We would never suggests such a thing. What we meant was, it may be easier for her to stay with Jermaine and Aisha while the two of are getting better. Their not going to take her away from you. I know the four of you have had your problems in the past, but Jermaine would never take your child away from you and you can see her everyday and when you feel your ready he'll hand her straight over. Everything will be on your terms. You don't have to decide right now. Take as much time as you need and whatever you two decide then that's what's going to happen"

*********

Aisha's POV

I'm in the kitchen feeding Nevaeh while Janet is upstairs getting ready before we go over to Jermaine's parents. Jermaine still doesn't know about what happened that day with Michael and Ocean and I'm really nervous about seeing them. I saw them briefly when they came to get their stuff and even though they didn't do anything, just their presence scared me and I have no idea how their going to reacted when they see me today, especially since I've had their baby for the past three weeks.

"your a natural" Jermaine says bringing me from my thoughts. "it's just feeding a baby" I shrug. "I mean in general the way you are with her and Janet. It's kinda felt like we're a family since they've been here"

"it has been pretty nice. Shame she's going home today" I sigh. I've always said I never wanted kids, but caring for Nevaeh these last few weeks have started making me look at things alot differently. "maybe she won't be" Jermaine's shrugs. "what makes you think that?" I ask confused. "all this stuff with the heroin and stuff only started after Ocean got pregnant again. Maybe they don't want to be parents anymore"

"I think there's was more to it than that. They love their kids and they were even trying for another one before all this. It's pretty obvious they want to be parent's"

"that's what I don't understand. If they wanted more children then why go for an abortion?"

"you know why" I sigh taking Nevaeh out of her high chair. "it wasn't their baby it was yours"

"but, they could have still kept it. I wouldn't have gotten involved" he mumbles. "Can you honestly say that if she'd kept the baby, you would have sat back and watch your brother raising your child. And watch him or her calling Michael daddy?" I ask softly. "I wouldn't have gotten involved and as far a anyone else knew Michael was the baby's father"

"Jermaine, your getting involved now and there is no baby, not anymore" I sigh sympathetically. "I know it must be hard for you. But if Michael and Ocean didn't want the baby then that's their decision"

******

Ocean's POV

After what felt like the longest hour ever there's a knock at the door. And Joseph answers the door. "Mamma!" Nevaeh squeals practically jumping from Aisha's arms. "we've missed you so much" I coo holding her close to me and Michael wraps his arms around us. "she's been missing you guys too" Jermaine smiles sitting on the sofa next to Aisha, who's keeps looking away from nervously. "and we've been missing you too" Michael smiles at Janet who's standing timidly at the door and she doesn't say anything. "why don't you come and sit with us?" I smile and she slowly walks over and sits beside us. "I'm sorry I broke my promise" she mutters "what promise?" Michael asks confused "for telling" she mutters looking at the ground. "Dunk, you have nothing to be sorry for. You were right to break your promise. We never should have put you in that situation" I tell her softly. "your not mad at me?"

"of course not! What you did was the best thing anybody could have done for us. Me and Michael were in a very bad place and we needed alot of help and because you we got that help "

"that's right! Michael confirms. "and you were so brave... Just like always"

"so we're all friends again?" She looks at us nervously. "best friends" Michael smiles pulling her in for a hug.

******

Aisha's POV

Michael and Ocean haven't really said much to me since I got here and been more preoccupied spending time with their daughter which is understandable after not seeing her in so long. Even though they've been polite towards me I still feel nervous being around them. "has she been talking or walking anymore lately?" Michael asks bringing me from my thoughts. "she said dadda the other day. And walking a little bit. I took some videos on my phone for you" I smile through pursed lips handing them my phone. And they sit smiling watching Nevaeh walking up to the camera giggling saying mamma and dadda. "I can't believe she's almost a year old already!" Ocean smiles.

We continue talking and I start feeling slightly more relaxed, until Jermaine gets up to go to the bathroom and for the first time I'm left alone with Michael and Ocean and there's an awkward silence and all that nervousness comes back. "did you ever tell him?" Michael mutters and I shake my head. "I didn't tell anybody I swear"

"we're really sorry about what we did to you" Ocean mutters. "it's fine"

"no it's not. I don't know what happened to us that day. We were a mess and stupidly started taking coke again after we found some in our dresser and... we truly are sorry"

"is that what turned you to... You know?" I ask and she shakes her head. "I don't know if Jermaine told you, but um.. Something happened between me and him once and.."

"he told me and he said you both chose to have an abortion" I cut her off. "it went really wrong and we went to her brothers and stupidly we tried it and before we knew it we hooked. It wasn't his fault though. We could have said no, but we were stupid" Michael sighs. "so it definitely wasn't the coke?" I ask and he shakes his head. "no why?"

"I put it there and I messed with both of your medication. I was trying to break the two of you up. I didn't realised just how bad your problems with drugs were or your medication... This is all my fault... I'm so sorry" I croak trying not to cry and they look at me confused. "that's where the coke came from? And my blackouts?"

"I'm so sorry. I was trying to break you up and I know I shouldn't have and I'm so sorry" I mumble guiltily. "why were you trying to brake us up? Do you have feelings for Michael?" Ocean asks softly and I shake my head. I do have feelings for Michael. In fact the truth is I'm actually in love with him, but I know now that no matter how hard I try Michael is never going to love me back. His heart belongs to Ocean, just like hers belongs to him and saying this isn't going to change that. "I was jealous of you both" I half lie "Your both crazy for each other, have two beautiful children and from the outside it looked like you both had the perfect life. The life I've always wanted" which is the honest truth. "and you'll have that too someday" Michael smiles. "one day you and Jermaine will get married and have a family"

"I'm so sorry for what I did"

"and we're truly sorry for what we did" Ocean smiles through pursed lips. "and we're grateful for you taking care on Nevaeh for us"

"she's a sweet girl. You've both done a great job raising her" I smile. "Joseph told us what you said. About offering to take care of Nevaeh for us until we got better" Michael says nervously. "and we meant it. We just want you both to get better. That's why we were looking after her for you. But we were always going to hand her back"

"you'll really give her back?" Ocean says nervously and I nod. "I swear. If you two don't feel your well enough to take care of her by yourself. Then we can take her with us until you do, and we'll bring her here everyday and there's not gonna be any courts involved like with DJ. All you have to do is say you want her back and I'll be straight over with her. It doesn't make you bad parents. Your not abandoning her, your just getting better. For your children aswel as yourselves"

*******

Joseph's POV

All day it's seemed like LaToya's has gone out of her way to avoid Michael and Ocean. Even when Jermaine and Aisha came over, she's spent the intere time in her bedroom and I can see how uncomfortable she's making them feel.

While everybody is downstairs I go up to talk with her privately. "what are you doing?" I ask walking into her roo and she looks at me confused. "Ocean and Michael have came out of their room for the first time today and it's hard for them enough without you making them feel uncomfortable and hiding away from them like they have the plague or something"

"and what about me? Has it not occurred to you maybe their making me uncomfortable?" She frowns. "what are talking about they haven't done anything wrong" I look at her confused. "but they could! The fact we have to keep the house bolted at all times and hide anything sharp or medication... I'm scared of them!"

"that's mainly for their safety, but their getting better. Their off the drugs now" I explain. "their weren't always on that stuff though were they? They weren't taking anything when Michael raped Ocean or when she left the baby in the park and talking about demons and all that other stuff that went on before this"

"that's in the past! Why are you bringing all this up?" I frown. "they may be clean now, but Michael's still a rapist and if he's done it many times before he could do it again and what kind of person goes back to someone that raped them? For all we know Ocean could have that Stockholm syndrome and it'll only take one time for her to snap and hurt someone, maybe even kill them! Their not safe to be around and do you really think them having Nevaeh or Duncan with them is safe?"

"of course their safe! And they'd never hurt their kids! Why would they say!?" I snap. "well you hear about it all the time about people that get abused as kids. Abused becoming the abusers happens more often than you think and..."

"are you fucking serious!?" I yell shocked at what she's saying. "I'm just being honest. Their not safe to be around and it worries me that.."

"that what!? Their gonna molest their kid!? Or that Michael's gonna rape you or Ocean murdering you!?" She about to speak but I cut her off. "forget it! I don't even wanna hear you anymore and if you ever accuse them of hurting those babies again it'll be the last words that come out of your mouth. Michael's your brother! And he needs your support right now and so does Ocean, but instead your gonna sit up here and judge them!"

She doesn't say anything and looks nervously at the door and I turn round and see Michael. "Jermaine and Aisha are leaving soon" he mumbles and I can see by the look on his face he heard every word.

*****

Michael's POV

Aisha and Jermaine are getting ready to leave and Ocean is sitting on the sofa cuddling Nevaeh and I wrap my arms around the two of them. "are you both a hundred percent on this? Because if you need more time" Jermaine says softly and I nod "it'll selfish of us not to. She needs someone who can take care of her" I sniffle. "and we can't do that right now" Ocean sobs. "we'll bring her back first thing tomorrow and every single day until your ready I swear" Aisha says softly. "your swear your not gonna take her away?" I ask shakily and she nods. "I swear. Everything's gonna be on your terms. Nobody else's" we both give Nevaeh one last cuddle and kiss her good bye and I take her from Ocean and walk over to Jermaine and he puts his arms out to take her and Ocean and I begin sobbing. "why don't you put her on the sofa?" Jermaine says and I look at him confused. "but you said you'd said you'd take care of her until we were better"

"and we will. But I'm not gonna pull a baby from her parents arms. If it makes it easier for you both, then you can put her on the sofa and go upstairs while we leave" he says softly and we nod.

We kiss Nevaeh one last time and I put her on the sofa and take Ocean's and go upstairs and close the bedroom door. We hear the front door closing and break down in tears. "w-were doing the right thing right?" I turn to Ocean and she nods pulling me in close to her.

Neither of us say anything and lie on the bed holding each other tightly and continue crying until eventually we fall asleep.