Ocean's POV

I've been back at my parents for a month now and except for getting to see DJ everyday I've hated everyday of it. They still have custody of him and it kills me having to ask for permission to do anything with him. I can't even go to the store or to the park with him without their permission and it kills me. DJ is my son and all I want to do is just scream and take him away with me. Since I got back Sherri has done nothing but question and pick at every little thing I do. I know it's going to take a long time before I can convince my mother I'm able to care for DJ myself and get her to sign custody back over to me that's the only reason I've kept my mouth closed and done everything they've asked and as hard as it is to bite my tongue and not flip out, I look at DJ and remind myself why I'm here.

I get downstairs and my mother is in the kitchen trying to feed DJ who's refusing "I can do that" I smile walking over to them. "Not this time sweetie" she shakes her head "I've only just put fresh clothes on him and I don't want him getting all messy again" I sigh an sit at the table watching my mother making aeroplane sounds, trying to convince him to eat "he doesn't like it when..."

"Ocean, I've have had two kids. I do know how to feed a baby" she cuts me off and I sit back and watch as DJ continues to move away every time. I keep telling her he doesn't like the aeroplane game but she refuses to listen. DJ is just like Michael when it comes to food. He just wants to sit and eat it in peace. not fuck around having to listen to stupid noises.

"I was thinking of taking DJ to the park today"

"I'm going to be visiting a friend today. Maybe tomorrow" I bite down on my tongue fighting the urge to say something. "Why don't you go down to the school today since you have nothing else to do?" Sherri says walking into the room "now you haven't got Duncan to worry about you should be thinking about going back" I'm about to speak when my mother interrupts "you could at least go down down there and speak to the principal...it's not like you have anything better to do today" she shrugs "fine! I'll go take a shower and get ready" I sigh rolling my eyes and head upstairs to get ready.

***
Jessica's POV

I do feel kind of bad about not letting Ocean do more with Duncan, but once she's back at school and hanging out with her friends being a normal teenager again. She'll be to busy to worry about Duncan and getting custody back and will realise it's for the best. "She's not gonna give up" Sherri says snapping me from my thoughts "Duncan's her child she isn't going to just hand him over to you"

"She will soon enough...trust me. Once she's back at school and starts being a normal teenager again. She'll be too busy to look after him or even care" I reassure her "we messed up the first time" I smile picking Duncan "we have a second chance with Duncan and we're not going to mess it up like we did with our other kids"

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Michael's POV

I'm finally out of rehab and the first thing I do when I get back to Jermaine's is run upstairs to get my phone "what are you doing?" Jermaine asks following me into the room "I'm gonna call Ocean" I smile and begin dialling but before I can finish, Jermaine takes the phone from me "what are you doing?" I ask confused and he sighs sitting beside me at the end of the bed "maybe you should wait a few days and get used to being back" he suggests "I haven't spoken to her is six weeks! I wanna talk to her. I wanna hear her voice" he sighs sympathetically "I know you do but...just give it a few day ok? Figure out what you wanna say to her" I sigh knowing he's right. "I'm gonna run to the store and get us something for lunch. You wait here and get settled in ok?" He smiles changing the subject "I nod smiling back through pursed lips "Ok"

"I'll be back in about ten minutes. And don't call her ok?" He says sternly raising his eyebrow "I won't" I roll my eyes.

After Jermaine leaves I wonder around the house trying to think of what I'm gonna say when I speak to Ocean. I've always been able to talk to her confidently but this time it's different. Even though she's still my wife I haven't spoken to her in  six week and I have no idea how to even start a conversation her with her. Or what to say.

I sit on the couch smiling looking through all my photos of the three of us. We were so happy then and I know we can have that again. I know I told Jermaine I'd wait but I can't. I need to speak to her now. I can't wait a few days

***
Jermaine's POV

I know how desperate Michael is to talk to Ocean. But before he does I need to prepare him for the fact that anything could have happened in the past six weeks. He has it in his head that Ocean is going to come back and the three of them are gonna be a happy family again and everything will be perfect. But the fact is, things may not turn out that way. For all we know Ocean may not even want be with him anymore. She could have found somebody else and moved on.

I haven't said any of this to Michael yet because he was in rehab and he needed to concentrate on getting better. I really hope things do work out for him and he gets Ocean and DJ back, but he still needs to prepare himself before he's goes looking for her. Or tries to make any contact.

I get home a few minutes later and Michael is on the couch crying. "What's happened?" I ask sitting beside him. "She wouldn't talk to me" he croaks "she wouldn't even answer my call. She just hung up" I put my arms around him pulling him in close. "Michael, I told you not to call" I sigh sympathetically "has she found somebody else?" He sobs "d-do you know where she is? Is that why you didn't want me to call her?" he sobs and I shake my head "I swear I have no idea where she is or what's going on with her" I honestly tell him "but you need to prepare yourself. Before you try and talk to her"

********

Ocean's POV

I'm sat in the living room watching TV. I didn't go to the school like I said I would and I have no plans on going back either. I just told my mother and Sherri I would so they'd get off my back. I have way more important things to worry about and the main one is getting DJ back. Everyone works during the day and my mother has got DJ in a daycare so nobody will even know I'm home during the day.

As I'm sat watching a movie my phone starts ringing. I look at the number and stare at it nervously for a moment seeing Michael's name. It's been weeks since I've spoken to him. I have no idea what he could possibly want after all this time or what to even say to him. I sit staring at it for a moment hesitant whether to answer. I take I deep breath and I'm about to push except when the door opens and I quickly press cancel "who's that?" Sherri asks as she walks in "oh, um. It was a privet number so I didn't answer" I lie "probably one of those prank callers or someone trying to sell you something ...I hate when that happens" she frowns "yeah, me too"!I fake a smile "I thought you were going down to the school today?"

"I did, but the priceable had a lot of meeting today so I have to go back in a few days" I lie 'just one more secret to add to my collection' I say to myself.

About and hour or so later Sherri heads out and once again I'm all alone in the house. I sit nervously staring at my phone. I know it's risky but I need to know why he's calling after all this time. I take a deep breath bracing my self and begin dialling.

"Ocean!" Michael answers after the first ring. "Hi" I say shakily "Hi" he answers back in the same tone. "I um. I'm sorry I hung up" I mumble unsure what to say "it's ok. How are you?"

"I'm ok..you?"

"I'm good"

"Did you wanna speak to me about something?"

"I needed to hear you voice again" he sighs "after six weeks?" I frown down the phone confused. "I wanted to call you sooner but...I've been in rehab And we weren't allowed cell phones"

"That's great. I'm glad your getting better" I smile down the phone

"Are you still living with my parents?"

"No, actually I'm back living with mine. Where are you?"

"Jermaine's" he sighs and goes silent for a moment "I miss you so much" he whispers "I miss you too" I whisper "can I see you?"

"Um, I'm not sure if..."

"Please?" He croaks. As much as I want to see him again I know if my mother found out she'd kick me out "I-I can't. I'm sorry" I sigh "Please? I need to see. I've missed you so much you and DJ...please let me see you?" He practically begs and I can hear him sniffling "Michael, I can't" I croak trying not to cry "I'll come over to you. Y-you won't won't have to drive all this way"

"No! You can't come here!" I snap shakily "I'm not gonna hurt you if that's what your worried about I swear. I just wanna see you" he says softly "it's not that. If my...."

"We can meet somewhere public like a park or something. Whatever makes you comfortable"

It's risky enough I'm even talking to Michael right now. But hearing his crying is breaking my heart. I want to see him just as badly as he wants to see me. "Ok" I mumble shakily still unsure whether I should "thank you!" He sighs in relief "just give me a few a days. But whatever you don't come here or call me ok? I'll call you and I'll come to you" I say in a shaky yet stern tone. He goes silent for a moment "are you really gonna gonna come?" He asks nervously "I swear"