Rayne's POV

A few weeks later Camille and I were preparing for her birthday. Camille didn't really want much, she only wanted a sibling and for her father to be home. Two things that were impossible to make happen at the moment. She was honestly in a little funk about it. She sat in the living room reading as always, creating her own little stories as she read. Michael says she's just like me, but her imagination definitely comes from no one other than him.

"Mommy?" She says peering her big lavender colored eyes at me.

"Yes sweetheart?"

"When is grandpa coming back from heaven?" She sighed. My eyes widen, clearly taken aback from that question.

"Oh baby, grandpa isn't coming back from heaven. He's gonna be there forever." I sit next to her on the floor. "What made you ask that?"

"Well this book said that some people from heaven come back and talk to you. I thought grandpa would do it." She lifts the book for me to see.

It was one of those baby Christmas books, where the angel comes down from heaven and explains what Christmas is all about. I giggle lightly. "Oh. I see. Well unfortunately, you can't see them if they do come down.. But you always know they're there." I kiss her forehead.

"Maybe grandpa is already here. I just can't see him."

"Maybe." I smile. The phone rings loudly, overpowering the conversation between us. "Hello?" I answer

"Rayne, it's Lea. Isabella and I just received your invite to Camille's party. We'd love to come." Lea says, her mood sounding much happier than the last time we spoke over the phone.

"Great! I can't wait to see you guys" I smile. "How are things?" I ask.

"They're better. Still no word from him, but it's alright. Isabella and I are going on vacation back to my home to visit my parents in Italy."

"Oh that's great, I love Italy. It's beautiful there I know Izzy will enjoy it."

"I'm excited to take her, this is her first time traveling out the country. My parents only see her via photographs and holiday cards so they're both excited to see her as well." She hesitated for a while before lowering her voice down to a whisper, "have you heard from Derrick or...that woman who stole him from me?" She spat those last words out like they disgusted her internally.

I sigh, understanding her anger. "No I actually haven't.." I shake my head, subconsciously thinking how could they up and run away together leaving her and her child like this?

She silenced herself from speaking ill of Derrick in front of Izzy before dismissing herself from the call. I hang up almost as angry as she is. How dare he do that to her? How dare Sharlissa do that to her as well! She should know, of all people, how it feels to just be left with nothing but your child. "Crazy how things come for a loop" I mutter to myself.

***
The day of Camille's little gathering, I invited mostly family and close friends of Michael and I with their kids. I even had a Minnie Mouse character come and entertain the children. Needless to say, with Minnie around "mommy" didn't exist anymore today.

I sat with Janet and Lea watching the kids play with each other and watch Camille reminisce on memories at Disneyland with Minnie, unbeknownst to the Minnie standing in front of her now. I giggle watching the character cluelessly nod at Camille's every word.

"How's Michael?" Janet asked, taking me out of my thoughts.

"He's fine last we spoke. He's in North Carolina. It really bothers me you never know what he's up to." I scoff.

"He never keeps in contact with us." Janet sighs.

"I know.. I'm still working on that."

"Has he called today? I know he's just dying to sing happy birthday to his newfound 6 year old." Lea grins.

"Not yet, but I'm sure he will soon. He's been beating himself up since he realized he won't be around for her birthday." I sit back and smile, watching Camille with her cousins and friends prance around the ranch.

Suddenly an unfamiliar voice distracts me, "Happy Birthday Camille!" He shouts a gift in his hand.

I look to see Derrick hugging my daughter tightly as Isabella runs to her father.

"Daddy!" Izzy gleams hugging him tightly. He hugs her just as tight causing a sick turn in my stomach. A few weeks ago he didn't even claim her. Lea stands to address Derrick, grabbing Izzy out his hands.

"What are you doing here?" Lea says quietly.

"Wishing my godchild a happy birthday. Better question is why are you here?" Derrick says coldly.

"I invited her. You were not invited Derrick." I respond.

Derrick laughs sarcastically, "Ray when have I needed an invitation to come over here?" He smiles half-heartedly expecting a smile back but I return with a glare instead.

"Since you decided to leave me for some cagna!" Lea says, whispering her obscene word in Italian.

Derrick approaches her closely, "you don't get to talk bad about her." his voice was deep and threatening.

"Ok look, not in front of all these kids, let's take this inside ok?" I push Derrick towards one of the side doors of the house and ask Leon to watch the party for a moment.

"Derrick you really have no business being here.." I continue.

"Why not? I'm your friend not Lea!" He yells.

"You're not the man I called my friend anymore.. I don't know who you are anymore. Look what you did to Lea." I groan.

"I can't believe you're taking her side. Everything she did to me.. You have no idea!" Derrick says annoyed.

"What did I do? You made me give up our twins for adoption. You convinced me we weren't ready for more kids. I was pregnant and you didn't know how to deal with it. You're afraid of commitment. You were scared before we got married, and you were scared once we had Izzy!" Lea says, tears causing her voice to jerk. She takes a breath and calms herself before continuing. "Izzy and I are going to Italy.."

"What?" Derrick says

"Maybe if you lose us for a while, you'll know what you missed." Lea heads to go get Izzy while Derrick follows her out and I follow behind them.

"You are not taking my kid overseas." He replies.

"You didn't even think she was yours!" Lea says. She scoops Isabella into her arms before giving me a light hug. "Rayne this was fun. Give Camille my love. I'll talk to you soon." And with that she heads to her car as Derrick follows behind.

I really couldn't comprehend anything that just happened and to be honest I wasn't gonna try to. Today was my daughter's birthday and I was focused back on her.

Michael's POV

I yawn loudly from a long night of barely any sleep. Last night's concert was phenomenal, I had to say one of our best shows yet. I was still high off the adrenaline the audience gave me. I took a long hot shower and got myself prepared for a day of travel; We were headed to Texas. I sat on the tour bus wrapped in a big red blanket watching the Three Stooges. Bill hands his cell phone to me, his face unreadable.

"What?" I ask. He simply shakes his hand and places his phone in my hand.

"Hello?" I answer cautiously.

"Good morning." I hear Rayne's voice on the other end of the phone, but it wasn't her normal warm 'I'm so happy to hear your voice' tone I usually get. She sounded cold, slightly upset.

"How are you? Are you ok?" I ask.

"Oh I'm fine. But your daughter is very upset with you."

At that moment, it was almost instantaneous, I realized what I did, or what I didn't do. "I didn't call her yesterday." I say aloud.

"You sure didn't."

"Oh God... I promised her. Is she awake?" I groan, flipping the volume of the Three Stooges down.

"Mmhm. Hang on.." Rayne says, the phone rustles for a while before Camille answers in a tone that almost breaks my heart.

"Hello?" She says sadly.

"Hey it's daddy." I smile nervously, I've never broken a promise with my daughter.

"I know.. "

"I'm really sorry I missed your birthday Millie." I say sincerely. "I was just so busy with the show, I forgot to call you." I explained.

"You broke your promise daddy.." She sighs.

"I know babe I'm really sorry.. I'll make it up to you. I promise!" I plead with her.

"How? You missed it.." She says, her voice still somber.

"I don't know yet, but I promise I will. I love you..."

Camille hesitates for a few moments before returning the sentiment with a stinging hint of anger. "I love you too daddy" and with that Rayne was back on the phone. I prepared myself for an earful.

"So.. Wanna explain how you forgot your daughter's birthday?" Rayne says.

"Rayne, the show was incredible last night. I guess the excitement of it really caused my mind to slip. Everything was almost perfect.." I explain.

"I understand that, but you know she's having trouble with you being away. The least you could do is call her on her birthday."

I sigh, "I know.. But it won't happen again. After this tour I'm going to be home all the time. It'll be to the point she's gonna get sick of seeing me."

Rayne giggles for the first time in this entire conversation, causing my mind to ease a little. "As much as she loves you, I don't even think that's possible right now."

I smile, it's true Camille is a daddy's girl. Rayne continued to tell me about the birthday party she held and all the events that transpired afterward. I couldn't believe Derrick convinced Lea to give up her newborn twins after birth. I let Rayne vent to me, telling me, once again, how happy she was to have me. It felt good to be appreciated, even though I did mess up from time to time.

We both ended the call with an "I love you" and I sunk into the seat behind me and went back to watching Curly continuously slip on the oil Moe had placed on the floor.

***
During rehearsals in Texas, I breathlessly sang History while the band played before stopping for a breath. I bring my hands to my knees panting. Bringing the mic to my lips, "I'm not 20 anymore that's for sure.." I chuckle. "I mean even running back and forth across the stage is a task, especially after a 2 hour show." I decided to take a break and watch the dancers practice while I caught my breath, giving an instruction here or there.

Elizabeth Taylor decided to meet me in Texas and her visits are always pleasurable. "I just want to look at you!" She exclaimed. "I haven't seen you in ages, it feels like. You look healthy Michael." She smiles.

I chuckle, "you mean fat. I hate being this big."

"No I mean healthy, you are a nice weight, you're smile is brighter.. You just seem happier."

"I am. This is my last tour, I miss my family and I'm 2 months closer to being there with them. I can't wait."

Elizabeth gives me a smirk, "That's what it is... You've got a strong woman in your corner.. Now you're stronger than you've ever been.."

"Yeah, she is very strong. She's been through so much with me.. I don't know how I lucked up with her." I grin. "All the more reason to be done with these tours. I wanna be strong for her too!"

"You and I both know you can't stay away from the stage for more than 2 years. I don't believe this your last tour. You'll be back"

I laugh, "it is. I'm done. I'll be 40 next year. I'd say that's perfect retirement age."

Elizabeth giggles, "We'll see. Oh I wanted to ask you, I'm throwing a birthday gala for my 65th birthday.. It will be home in California, and I would love for you to be my date!" She smiles.

"You know I can't say know to that. Of course!" I grin.

"Fabulous! It's gonna be a real nice event, lots of music and performances." She hints, and I knew what she was doing.

I clear my throat, giving her a face to let her know I knew.

She stammers, "I'm not asking you to perform, I simply want you to be there. No strings attached." She puts her hands up.

I giggle, "well then I'll be there."