Michael's POV
"Daddy, how come you have to go sing again. We just got home." Camille says while she helps me pack.

"We didn't just get home silly girl." I chuckle

"Well it feels like it." She pouts. "I wanna go with you.."

She says quietly, I've told her three times already she can't because she has home schooling. I simply give her a slightly annoyed look.

She sighs loudly, sitting on my suitcase to help me zip it. She slouches her elbows on her knees, burying her face in her hands. "Will you make it back home before my birthday?" She asks.

"Let's see." I grab my tour schedule, "your birthday is the 10th of September.. Let's see where I'll be..." I run my finger down the calendar.

"It says Ah-Ree-Z-za..zo..." She sounds out. She's been working on her reading since we've been on tour and she hasn't been as frustrated as she usually gets.

"Daddy what's that say?" She asked.

"Arizona. I'll be in Arizona on the 10th... So I won't be home for your birthday, but I promise to call ok?"

She gets quiet and simply shrugs sadly. It breaks my heart that she gets so upset that I can't be around as much as she wants me to be. I wish I could, but this tour has been taking everything out of me. "Listen, after this tour, it will be just me and you. Ok? I promise. I'll bring you a souvenir, from every place I visit!" I smile.

"Ok.." She hugs me, hanging off of me as I stand up. I swing her over my back as she giggles. Rayne meets us in the living room, handing Bill another bag to place in the car.

"What do you want for your birthday? Maybe I can get you something and bring it home for you!" I smile.

"I don't know yet..I haven't thought about it." Camille replies.

"You're all set babe." Rayne sighs. She was very upset I was leaving as well, but I'm sure she was happier here. I kiss her sweetly on her forehead, before turning around to let her grab Camille from my back. "I love you Ray.." I grin.

She smirks, "I love you too Mike."

"Camille, think of what you want for your birthday.. An extra special gift! And when I get to my first stop i'm gonna call you in the morning, whatever it is. Mommy and I will get it ok?" I smile.

"Ok.. I love you daddy." Camille says, puckering her lips. I return with a peck back, "I love you more Millie girl. I'll see you later."

"Have a safe trip baby." Rayne says, closing the door behind me.

After strapping into my seat in the car I sigh loudly. "Bill, have you ever missed your daughter's birthday?"

"My daughter is about 14, I've missed about 3. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know, this is my second time missing Camille's birthday. She's turning six. I just feel like she's growing faster than I expected. Soon enough she'll be old enough to do whatever she wants."

Bill laughs, "I understand, I've had so many illogical thoughts like my daughter will be 14 when I leave and when I come home she'll be 22... It's a scary thought that your daughter won't need you, but she will always need you. Don't worry Mike, no matter how old our kids get, they'll always need their parents."

I knew that more than Bill did. Here I am 37 years old and there are times I wish I even had the option to call my father for help. I guess that's apart of my fear, that my daughter will look at me how I looked at Joseph at that age. I hated him. I know she doesn't hate me, but what if the smallest thing could change her entire perspective of me. Like me not letting her come with me on the rest of my tour, or me missing another birthday. It scared me to think of it.

I'm starting my tour on the sat coast of the country and making my way back towards home. My first stop was my home away from home, New York City.

I guess being a father has really affected me in a big way because I could only think of her, no matter what I did, I couldn't stop thinking of my little girl. Kenny calls my name again, pulling me away from my own distraction.

"I'm sorry what'd you say?" I reply.

"I said we're gonna start at blood on the dance floor..."

"Ok.. Sorry my brain is just a little fried right now...ok on my point." I direct.

After about 2 minutes into the song, I stop. "Hold it, Kenny, I'm not sure I'm gonna do this song in the states. It wasn't that big here. I did it overseas because I know people actually liked it.." I chuckle.

"I'm just going by your set list Michael. Did you wanna take that out?"Kenny says.

I nod and continue to rehearse other songs for the concert tomorrow night.

The next morning, well afternoon for me, as promised, I called the house. My face beamed at the sound of my wife's melodic voices.

"Good morning my love." She gleams

"Good morning beautiful. How are you?"

"I'm great, how are you?"

"I'm fine on my way to the dress rehearsal, tonight's the big show. First show in the states."

She giggles, "are you excited?"

"Always." I smile, "how is Camille? I wanted to keep my promise to her. Is she awake?"

"Yeah, here she is hang on."

"Hi daddy!" Camille says with her squeaky high voice, causing my heart to melt.

"Hi baby, I told you I'd call. I kept my promise.. Did you think of what you wanted?"

"I had a dream about it! I want a baby brother!.. or a sister... Yeah, a sister cause boys are icky"

I cough loudly, "uh... Yeah boys are icky.. You want a sister for your birthday? I um...oh boy." I stammer. "Can I talk to mommy?" I practically beg.

"Are you gonna get me a sister daddy?" She asked enthusiastically.

I giggle, "I'll give you an answer later. Please let me speak to your mother." I didn't want her to think I was laughing at her idea. It was more about how cute she was when she asked.

When Rayne finally came back to the phone I basically cackled into her ear.

"What's so funny?" She asked.

"Do you have any idea what your daughter wants for her birthday?" I chuckle as I walked inside the stadium venue.

"No.. What'd she say?"

"Well, she wants a baby sister." I laugh again.

"Mike... Oh my god. Are you serious."

"Yeah. I would have that conversation with her with you... But I can't, I'm at rehearsal."

"Wait a second! I gotta have this conversation with her alone?! This isn't fair.. " she laughs

"Bye Ray! I love you!" I hang up cackling.

Rayne's POV

I scoff loudly, giggling to myself. This conversation is gonna be so awkward.

"Buggy? Can we talk for a moment?" I peer in her room.

"Did daddy tell you what I wanted?" She smiles again, jumping on her bed.

"Yeah.. He did. That's why I wanna talk to you.." I clear my throat. She lands on her bottom to stop jumping and moves her pillow so I can sit next to her.

"So are you guys gonna get me a sister?"

"Well.. How do I put this... A sister isn't something you 'get'.." I struggled trying to put this in a child's way of understanding. "When you get a sibling, it can either be a boy or a girl.."

"But I don't want a boy..we can't go to the baby store and I can pick a sister?" She ask, I snort a little from stifling my laughter.

"Honey babies don't come from stores.."

"Well where do they come from?"

Oh god. "I... Babies come from mommies and daddies.. And.. They take a long time."

"Did I come from you and daddy when I was a baby?" She asked.

"You sure did."

"Well can you and daddy make me a sister?"

I chuckle loudly at the context that statement could've been taken. "Daddy and I have to talk about that. Babies are big responsibilities.."

"Well can I have a pet kitty?" She asked unenthusiastically.

"I think we can handle a kitty." I smile. Camille jumps up and hugs me

"Thank you mommy!!" She kisses my cheek.

***
A few days later, Camille begged me to take her over Joseph and Katherine's house for the weekend. Michael's nieces and nephews would be there as well. I believe they were having some kind of grandkids day. I wasn't too excited to leave her there for the weekend, but I had to get over that fear of leaving her. Besides, it's not like she's with strangers, she's with her grandparents and cousins.

While she was gone I had nothing but time on my hands. I cleaned and invited my two closest friends, Derrick and Sharlissa over.

"Guys I don't know what to do... At first Michael was bugging me for another child and now my own daughter. I got her a kitten, she loves it to death but it's not enough, she wants a sibling." I sip my wine.

"Listen, Lea and I have 3 kids now. I'm all for you having another one catch up with me. You've got more than enough space." Derrick jokes.

"Don't listen to him, Brielle is 9 years old and once she was around her younger cousin she never asked me for another sibling. I'm pretty sure this weekend with her cousins will change her mind." Sharlissa giggles. "Besides, you have to be the one to carry that baby for months. And it takes a toll on our bodies. Men don't understand."

"You women don't understand the mental stress you guys put on us while you're pregnant.."

"What?" I giggle.

"No way you're serious!" Sharlissa chuckles.

"I'm serious! We have to deal with so much drama with you guys. We can't control your emotions. When Lea was pregnant, she cried at a homeless dog commercial and blamed me for not doing anything to help them. our first kid, I nearly lost my mind."

I chuckle, standing to take our empty wine glasses into the kitchen. "I can't believe you D.." I giggle. I frown at the silence before stepping back out into the living room.

"What the hell are you guys doing?!" I yell loudly. Derrick and Sharlissa pull their lips apart in shock.

"Oh my god. That was an accident, I swear." Derrick says.

"Derrick, you're married! And Sharlissa..." I scoff.

"It's the wine, it's gotta be. I'm so embarrassed.. I'm gonna go..." Sharlissa says.

I watch as they both scramble out of the house, stammering unrecognizable words. I didn't even know what else to say.

Once Michael called after his 3rd show in North Carolina, I told him what happened. He couldn't stop laughing.

"And Derrick's got 3 kids?" Michael laughs while he asks.

"Yes! His poor wife." I sigh.

"How's Camille?"

"She's fine.. Constantly talking about your tour. She can't wait for you to come home". I grin.

"I can't wait to be home! Maybe we could work on giving her that sister she wants." He chuckles. He's such a cheeky man, I laugh.

"Mike I'm still unsure. After your retirement, we may go that route..but don't put those idea in her head!

"Oh, I wanted to talk to Camille but it's time for me to go. I love you Rayne."

"I love you more Mike."

"Behave out there. No kissing friends." He chuckles.