Michael's POV

"Daddy when is it gonna be our turn?" Camille whispers.

I chuckle, "soon Millie.. we've gotta wait for Doctor Fred to finish with his patient."

"I set the appointment a month ago, I didn't wanna have to wait for another patient.. I thought that's why we had a private practice.." Rayne says irritably.

I pat her back calmly, "I'm sure he's almost done."

After a few more minutes, we filed into the small room with one bed and a few chairs.

"Welcome Jackson family. How are we today?" Dr. Fred says in a chipper voice.

"We're great, very excited to learn the gender of the baby." I smile.

Rayne places herself on the table, lifting her shirt over her belly, grabbing my hand tightly.

"Are you excited to be a big sister?" Dr. Fred asks Camille.

She nods cautiously watching everything he does. He places the cold gel and device on Rayne's stomach moving around while the computer screen broadcasts the mysterious baby.

"Daddy what's that??" Camille asks nervously, curling into my chest.

"That's the baby." I reply.

"That is... your new brother." The Doctor announces.

"It's a boy?!" Rayne says, her eyes wide.

"Yes!!" I pump my fist. My son was gonna be just like me. Camille had so many of Rayne's traits, my boy was gonna be just like me.

Rayne simply shakes her head. A small grin on her face. "You win Jackson." She giggles.

I smile, "you're getting a brother. He'll be here in 5 more months." I think now I was more excited than Camille was for our little boy now. She really wanted a sister.

"Yeah it's a boy, he's nice and healthy, in the perfect stage he should be of your pregnancy. Let's take a couple photos, and you'll be done!"

***

A few days later Rayne pushed me into having another Joe Jackson day, before summer officially ended. With things being the way they are, I was not too excited. We were having a great time to my surprise, everyone was getting along and even Latoya came back. Although I wasn't happy with what she said about me I'm glad she was home and safe with her family.

"Congratulations on the new baby!" Rebbie smiles, hugging Rayne. She places a hand on her stomach. "Your so small to be 5 months! I wouldn't have known if Camille didn't tell me 'mommy has a baby in her belly'" she giggles.

Rayne grins, "she's been telling everyone she can." She says, shaking her head.

"Well come on, let's tell the rest of the family. Do you know the sex yet? Michael!" She calls me over excitedly.

Rayne sighs, squeezing my hand tightly, signaling me she was annoyed. "Rebbie, I don't wanna announce this at our father's party. This can wait." I add.

"Why don't we just do it now and get it over with.." Rayne sighs, plastering a fake smile on her face.

"Everyone! We've got an announcement from Michael and Rayne. Take it away Mike."

I grin awkwardly at all the eyes looking at me, "Rayne and I are having another baby. Joseph already knows, and Rebbie thanks to Camille." I chuckle. "The most exciting part is it's a boy!" I smile. Jackie shakes my shoulder, "congrats Mike! A baby boy!"

Latoya, Rebbie, and Janet huddle around Rayne slowly separating us from our grasp on each other, as my brothers surround me. This is honestly the first time their congratulations sound genuine; they sincerely seem happy for me.

Rayne and I finally found a quiet little spot to sit and relax while everyone enjoyed themselves on the amusement rides.

"You know every time you force me to do something big for the family I hate doing it.. but when it's done, I have to say I enjoy being around them a little." I smirk.

"Good, I'm glad. I'm still trying to get you to get closer to your family! Camille is meeting cousins she's never met before!" Rayne grins. "And our son needs to meet them to."

I wrap my arm around her shoulder, leaning my forehead on hers. "What are you thinking for names?"

"I don't know. I figured you would want to name him. I was thinking we make him a Jr." She smiles.

"You know I won't argue with that. Michael Joseph Jackson Jr.. that sounds great." I couldn't hold back the cheesy grin that showed all 32 of my teeth.

Rayne squeezed my hand and pecked my cheek, "you've really been here the entire pregnancy. You're making this go round so much easier than the last."

"After you said you felt alone, I never wanted you to feel like that. So hopefully I'm making it up to you."

"You are" she says, kissing my lips softly.

Joseph approaches us, calling my name loudly across the courtyard. I groan inwardly against her lips. "Can I just ignore him?" I mumble

She giggles "no, you know he's just gonna keep calling you.. just don't let him get under your skin."

"Yes Joseph?" I sigh standing up.

"Let me talk to you for a moment." He pulls me into the nearest building, which was the theater. "Raising a boy is different than raising a girl. You know you can let the mother raise the daughter. But a boy, needs a male influence. You see how I raised you boys."

I roll my eyes, "Joseph you terrified us."

"I was just toughening you all up..you guys ended up alright." He laughs. "All I'm saying is raise them like I raised you all."

"Joseph, I'm not gonna scare my son. I'm not that kind of father. I've been determined not to be like you since Camille was born. My son and daughter will call me daddy. I'm never laying a finger on my kids. My kids will have a childhood, my kids will have a choice in their future." I know I was coming off harsh towards him, but I couldn't help it. I was so upset at how he raised us. We're all scarred because of it.

"All of these successes you've got because of how I raised you. I got you out of poverty! You're acting like I almost killed you!" He yells, honestly scaring me. No matter how old I get the fear of Joseph still rattles me. I jump with every emphasized word.

"You're ungrateful! You wouldn't be like this without me!" He continued.

"I did this myself. When I left I left for good! I created my own legacy for my children. Not for you."

"You owe me boy." He growls in that low, terrifying, distinct voice. Suddenly I feel that feeling the pit of my stomach. My throat closes slowly and a heat overwhelms my cheeks. My face takes a tint of red as I feel my body double over and I release all the contents of my stomach.

Joseph doesn't even bother to help, he simply laughs. "Punk." He mutters walking away. I cough again spewing more on the floor. Suddenly Rayne and Camille file inside, Camille has no clue why I'm vomiting, but Rayne knows exactly why.

"Daddy are you ok?" Camille asks fearfully.

Janet files inside as well, grabbing Camille to bring her away.

"Michael, I told you don't let him under your skin.." Rayne sighs helping me to the closest seat.

"I tried. I just can't get along with that man. He didn't even try to help me." I sigh.

"Well, everyone is leaving.. Joseph said he's leaving. Let's get to the house.." Rayne says.

***

"Thanks Janet for staying with Camille while Rayne helped me.." I hug my sister.

"Of course, you know I understand all to well.. he's so irrational. I mean I love my father, but he's terrible. Get some rest Mike. I love you." Janet sighs walking out.

"I love you more dunk."

As I payed in bed, I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. I was almost 40 and I was still scared of my father. I don't know anyone who was afraid to stand up to their parents like I was. My thoughts were interrupted by my daughter coming to check on me, tears in her eyes.

"Daddy?" She sniffles.

I lean forward, "what's wrong?" I frown.

"Are you ok now?" She says wiping her teary eyes.

"I'm fine, just a little sick from earlier, but I'll be fine in the morning. Why are you crying Millie?" I hug her closely, she buries her face into my chest.

"Because..when people get sick the go to heaven like grandpa and grandma, and I don't want you to go to heaven.." she cries. I hug her tighter.

"Oh baby I'm not going anywhere. I'm here forever ok? I swear! Daddy just...ate something bad and it made his stomach upset. I promise I'm ok." I grin. I lay on my back and allow her to hop into bed and lay with me. Her head on my chest as she slept soundly.

Rayne's POV

I sat on the phone with Latoya for almost two hours, after not seeing her for years I had a lot to catch her up on. But right now, she was getting on my nerves.

"Latoya I really don't want a baby shower, I didn't have one for Camille.."

"Only because I wasn't around.. but I'm back now! You're having one"

"Seriously, you are more than welcome to get the baby a gift. But we're not having a shower."

"Ooh you've gotten stubborn! Fine! No shower.." She pouts. I giggle, hanging up with Latoya. Then I get another call, I'm assuming from Lea since the number was a foreign number.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Buongiorno Rayne!" Lea says happily.

"Lea! It's so good to hear from you. How is Italy?"

"Amazing. The change of scene we've needed. Isabella is so happy. She starting to learn Italian."

"That's great Lea, are you doing better?"

She sighs quietly, "I miss him, I won't lie.. I truly miss him. But I'm getting by without him. He doesn't deserve me or Izzy."

"You're right, he doesn't. I know you'll be fine. You're doing well without him now. I don't even know what he and Sharlissa are doing now. I haven't heard from neither of them in months." I say out the side of my mouth.

"I couldn't care less about that cagna.. she ruined my marriage.. anyway, Isabella is turning 5 so I would love for you all to attend her birthday party here in Italy."

I hesitated for a while, I know Lea missed being here in America and between Derrick and I we were honestly her only links here. She had the means to fly back to the states if she wanted to, but, she didn't want to.

"Lea, that sounds great, only thing is.. I'm 5 months pregnant, and Camille is in the middle of school. I don't know if it's a good time to travel. Maybe you should come here, you're always welcome to stay with us."

"I would, but my parents.. they wanna spend a birthday with her. Just think it over.. you know how close Izzy and Camille are..talk it over with Michael! Oh and congratulations on the baby!" Lea smiles.

"I'll talk to him." I reply before letting go of the call.

Michael sat in his music room sitting in front of his piano, a notepad sitting on the space of the bench beside him. I was tempted to knock but I was stuck watching him at his art. As many years as I've heard him sing to himself or to Camille I've never watched him create from scratch; it was amazing to witness.

His fingers graced the piano as he began playing the same tune again. His eyes focused on the notepad beside him, mumbling the lyrics he scribbled. "You, suddenly appeared.. it was cloudy before, but now it's all clear. You, took away the fear.. and you brought me back to the light. You are the sun, you make me rise..." his piano keys jumble as he groans in frustration. "No no" he mumbles. He grabs his notepad scribbling with the pen cap in between his teeth.

"It sounds beautiful so far. Who's it for?" I smile.

He turns towards me, flipping his legs around. A broad smile greeted me, "the kids..it's not finished yet.. what are you doing in here?"

I shrug, "Camille's in school. I'm bored, thought I'd explore the grounds." I joke, sitting next to him on the bench.

"Lea called. She's inviting us to Italy for her daughter's 5th birthday." I explain, "I just wanna know how you feel about taking Camille out of school for about a week?"

"Well.. Camille's tutor is always available. What I'm more concerned about is you traveling..are you ok with that?"

"I think I'll be fine. I think we need a little change. Especially all of that stuff that happened with Joseph.. you need a break from him." I lean my head on his shoulder.

"I guess I'm ok with it. Sure, why not?"

"Ok..I'll leave you here to create." I smile standing up to leave. He gives me a grin before pecking my stomach and turning back to his piano.

I decided to hover at the door for another peek at my husband in his creative state. He continues to play the same tune again muttering words to himself before singing. "Now, I wake up everyday.. with this smile upon my face. No more tears, no more pain; cause you loved me. You, helped me understand that love is the answer to all that I am.." I grin before leaving the room. "My husband is amazing." I smile to myself.