"I need a break," I said as I looked at all the papers strewn out across my desk. I had been in here for over 3 hours signing documents and going over contracts. I looked around and saw my entire office was cluttered with all kinds of papers and files. I was in the process of scouting artists for MJJ Productions and I had artists from all over sending me information.

I pushed out my chair and got up in one swift motion heading for the door. I walked towards the kitchen to grab a snack. I opened my snack cabinet and grabbed a granola bar, taking a bite. "Esperanza, have you seen Ashley?" I asked with a mouth full.

She shook her head no, "No, I haven't Mr. Jackson. I'm sorry," I nodded, "That's okay. I'll find her," I said, walking off in search of her. I walked into the living room and she was nowhere in sight. I looked in my room and all upstairs, still nowhere in sight.

I frowned up, where could she be? I walked out the front door and looked around. My eyes landed on her when I saw her by the lake doing yoga. I smiled watching her for a few moments. She was so flexible. I watched her for a few more minutes before I made my way towards her.

I got on my knees and crawled to her. She was on the ground doing middle splits with the front of her body flat against her mat with her arms stretched above her head. I saw her eyes were closed and I heard her take a deep breath.

She slowly sat up and when she opened her eyes, I was right there. She screamed and then took a deep breath, "'Michael! Don't scare me like that!" she exclaimed, trying to catch her breath. I smiled, chuckling at her and sat Indian style in front of her. "I'm sorry."

She brought her legs in to sit like me and rolled her neck, "It's okay." I watched her as she seemed so relaxed. "I didn't know you were so flexible! You're holding out on me in the bedroom," I said, smirking at her. She rolled her eyes playfully, "Yeah, well I'm sore thanks to you, so I did yoga to alleviate my pain."

I held my hands up in defense, "You told me to go harder. Don't say that if you can't take it." She pushed me and laughed, "You're an ass!" I laughed with her. "Did you finish all you had to do?" she asked me as she sat on her knees. I shrugged, "Not all of it, but enough to be free for the rest of this weekend."

"That's good," she said, giving me a small smile.

"Ms. Richmond, there is a phone call for you!" Esperanza yelled out the front door to us. We got up and I held Ashley's mat as we walked back to the main house. "Go take your call," I said, giving her a quick kiss. She nodded and ran off.

I walked into my bedroom, placing Ashley's mat in my closet that wasn't full. I sat on the bed, looking through the newest issue of Elle Magazine with Ashley on the cover. I smiled looking at it. I had the baddest girl in the game and I was proud of it.

About 10 minutes later, Ashley walked in. "Sorry that took so long," she said, coming over to sit next to me, "Whatcha looking at," she asked, putting her chin on my shoulder. I flipped the magazine closed and showed her the cover, "Oh you know. Just my girlfriend," i said, putting my nose against her cheek, making her giggle.

"Who called?" I asked setting the magazine down. "Alisha. My parents were calling her trying to get a hold of me, so then I had to call them."

I nodded, "I'm so nervous to meet them tomorrow." Ashley looked at me with wide eyes, "What happened to "I never get nervous," she teased as she poked my side. I laughed and grabbed her hand, making her stop. "Well, I'm meeting the love of my life's family for the first time. That makes me nervous. Meeting your parents?"

She smiled at me with happiness in her eyes, "They're going to love you. Trust me, they already do. You're all I've talked about since I could talk," she said, making me laugh, "And besides, when we get married, they'll be your family." I smiled at her talking about us getting married. I leaned in and kissed her, making her smile. "I love you," I said softly, looking in her eyes. "I love you too."

I grabbed her hand, playing with it. "On the topic of us, marriage, and our future..." i trailed off making her smile, "I was just thinking you know and I realized I have a lot of space here at Neverland and sometimes it's very lonely in the big house all by myself and I do have closet space for someone's clothes and shoes."

She sat up, smiling at me, "What are you saying?" I laughed and looked down, still playing with her hand. "Well, I was thinking that you could move some of your stuff here, so you can stay here with me more. And maybe I can keep some stuff at your house when we're in LA?"

She turned my face making me look at her, "I would love that," she said smiling, hugging into me. I leaned my head on hers and exhaled in happiness.

I woke up with the bright sun shining on my face. I stretched and looked over to Michael laying on his side, facing me. I smiled looking at him. He looked so peaceful. I looked at Michael's bedside clock and it read, 10:36 AM. I slowly got out of bed to wash up in the bathroom.

I came out of the bathroom, tying my hair up. I chuckled looking at Michael still knocked out. I crawled up the bed and hovered over him. I kissed his lips a few times before he started to stir. I smiled watching him and kissed him once more. I felt him smile against my lips.

"Good morning," I whispered, watching him slowly wake up. "Good morning," he said, smiling lazily at me. "Time to get up, Joker. We have to leave soon," I said, getting off of him.

He groaned, placing his arms around. "Just a few more minutes." I chuckled. Michael was so hard to wake up sometimes. "If you get up now, we can shower together." Michael's eyes busted open as he sat up. "Come on," he said, pulling my hand towards the bathroom. I laughed letting him lead me to shower.

After fooling around in the shower for half an hour and then getting dressed, Michael and I were leaving to head to my grandparent's house for my birthday barbeque. The ride from Neverland to my grandparent's house was a little over 3 hours long, but Michael and I watched 'Peter Pan' in the backseat.

We pulled in the gate of my grandparent's house around 3:15 and I looked at Michael as he looked out the window at the house. "Wow. Nice house," he said deeply. I smiled, "Yeah. I bought it for them. One of my greatest accomplishments was buying them their dream home." Michael grabbed my hand, "You are the most selfless person I know." I shrugged sarcastically, "I know."

Wes opened the door for us and I got out fixing my hair. I walked over to Michael's side of the car. He gave me a nervous look and took a deep breath. I laughed and linked my arm to his. "Everything's going to be okay. They are going to love you," I said as we walked to the front door. Michael nodded and took another deep breath.

We walked in and automatically were met with 'Usa Ta' Be My Girl' by The O'Jays blaring through the house. Michael looked at me and I laughed, "Ah, feels good to be home. Come," I said, leading him to the kitchen. We heard voices and Michael stopped me behind a wall. "I need a kiss first to calm me," he said. I pecked his lips a few times, "You're gonna be fine," I said dusting off the collar of his black CTE button up. He nodded and gave me a smile.

We walked in the kitchen and all of my aunts, along with my mom and grandma were in the kitchen talking. "I'm home!!!" I exclaimed and they all turned to look. They all screamed and ran up to me. My mom bear hugged me first, "Hi baby! We missed you so much!" I laughed and rubbed her back, "Hi mom. I've missed you all too."

"Hi Smiles," My grandma said, coming over to give me a hug. "Hi grandma!" I exclaimed, hugging her back. My dad's sisters, my aunt Robin and my aunt Farrah came to hug me next. I laughed as my aunts fought over who could hug me first. My uncle's wives also came to hug me.

I turned to look at Michael who was standing behind me by the walk-in pantry with a smile. I grabbed his hand and pulled him next to me. "Everyone, this is Michael." Michael gave a small wave and nodded at all of them. "Hi everyone. It's so nice to meet all of you. Ashley has told me so much about all of you."

My aunts all walked up and gave him hugs, telling them how nice it is to meet him. "We're huggers if you can't tell," I said looking at him and he laughed. "So is my family, it's okay."

My mom and grandma walked up. "Michael, this is my mom and this is my grandma," I said pointing to the both of them.

My mom smiled at Michael and approached him first, hugging him. "Hi, Michael. It's so nice to finally meet you. I feel like I know you already. I've watched you grow up with Ashley as much as she watched you." Michael laughed and looked at me. "Hi, Mrs. Richmond. It's such a pleasure to meet you. Ashley's told me all about you."

My mom waved him off, "Oh please call me, Cary." Michael nodded, "Okay, Cary," he said with a smile. Next my grandma walked up, hugging him, "Hi Michael. I'm Ashley's grandma. It's so nice of you to join us," she said with a genuine smile. Michael greeted her back kindly.

"Make yourself at home," my mom told Michael as she cut up some limes. "Yes, please. Help yourself. Would you like something to drink? Or eat? The food isn't ready yet, but we have appetizers," my grandma added. "I'm good, thank you so much though. I appreciate the kind hospitality," Michael said sweetly.

"Come on, let's go outside," I said to Michael, but he grabbed my arm. "I probably should've started with this, but I brought a bottle of red wine as an appreciation for inviting me." My family all smiled at him. My aunt Robin spoke, "That is so very sweet of you. Thank you," she said, taking it and placing it in the wine chiller.

Michael nodded before we walked out the glass door, heading to the backyard. All of the men were outside and of course my little cousins were running around playing on the playground and playing tag. "Is that my favorite daughter?" I heard from the side of us. I gasped and ran towards my dad. "Hi daddy!" I muffled into his shoulder. He chuckled, "Hi baby girl."

Next I heard from my grandpa. "I know that isn't Smiles!!" he exclaimed and I gave him a huge hug. "Papa!" I said happily. My uncles approached me after giving me hugs. I turned around and waved Michael over. "Dad, grandpa, uncles," I said excitedly, "Meet Michael."

Michael nodded and smiled, "Hi! It's a pleasure to meet all of you." They all gave him a genuine smile. My dad spoke first, "I can't believe my daughter actually brought home Michael Jackson. I don't think you realize how surreal this is for us that she actually got you," my dad said, causing me and Michael to laugh. "Aw," Michael laughed, "It's surreal I have her."

"You're saying all the right things!," My dad said, making Michael laugh, ''I'm Ashley's father, but you can call me Gene. It's so nice to meet you," my dad said, giving Michael a handshake. Michael shook his hand, "An honor to meet you, Gene."

"And I'm Ashley's grandpa. You can call me Gene as well or Papa. Nice to meet you, son," my grandpa said smiling. "The pleasure is mine."

My uncles introduced themselves next and they all took a liking to Michael as well. "Michael, help yourself. I don't know if you drink but there's beer in the fridge behind the bar," my dad said while cooking the ribs. "There's mixed drinks as well," my uncle Ron added. "I'll get something later, but thank you!" Michael said in response.

We walked away from them and I turned to Michael, "See? I told you everything would be fine." He smiled, "Yeah. Your family is great. Very kind."

Before I could respond, I heard a small voice yell, "SISSY!!" I turned around and gasped, crouching down with my arms open. My little brother, Ashton, ran into my arms. "Hi buddy!" I exclaimed happily picking him up. I pulled back from him to see him staring at Michael. "Ashton, this is my friend Michael." Michael gave me a look and I laughed, "I mean boyfriend."

Ashton squirmed out of my arms, "Ewww! You have a boyfriend! You have cooties!" Michael and I laughed. "No, I don't. Be nice." Michael lowered down to Ashton's height and smiled at him, "Hi, Ashton. I'm Michael. It's so nice to meet you. I've heard so many things about you."

"I know who you are. You're the King of Pop!" Ashton said, throwing his hands up. Michael laughed at him, "I am." Ashton smiled at him, "Do you want to see my new Batman action figure? He's so cool. He has a cape and everything! Mommy and daddy are gonna buy me his Batmobile too!" Michael laughed, "Sure, I would love too!"

Ashton pulled him off to the bench table in the backyard by the built in canopy. Michael turned around and smiled at me. "Good luck," I mouthed to him.

I went back in the house to grab a margarita. "Smiles..." my aunt Farrah dragged out. "Oh no," I said, taking a sip of my drink. "Oh, don't give me that! I just can't believe you have Michael Jackson in our house. Playing with Ashton in the backyard." I smiled and looked out the glass window to see Michael and Ashton playing with the action figure. "I don't even know how to tease you right. You've been in love with that boy forever," my mom added, making everyone in the kitchen laugh.

"He's great. He's better than I even imagined." All the women cooed over me asking me how we met before my aunt Robin spoke up, "We've all been dying to know and I lost nose goes, so I have to ask. Are y'all dating?"

I laughed at her, shaking my head. "I can't believe y'all, but if y'all must know... yes we are." All the women screamed and hugged me causing all the men and Michael to look in the house. "Don't say anything to anyone though please. We want this to ourselves for a bit before the press and media get involved. We enjoy being exclusive," I said, wiggling my eyebrows.

"You know your secret is safe with us," my grandma said and I nodded, "I know." My mom came over to hug me, "I'm so happy for you. He seems like a lovely guy."

"Thank you, mom. And he is. He's the greatest guy. I've never felt so special in my life." All my aunts squealed again. "Will y'all stop that?" my grandma said, waving her towel at them.

After a while, I went back outside. Michael was now playing hide and seek with all of my little cousins and Ashton. "Ash!" they all yelled hugging me. "Hi!" I shrieked trying to hug them all. I talked to them for a while and properly introduced them to Michael. Safe to say, all of the kids adored him.

"Okay, keep playing. We'll join you guys again later," I said, grabbing Michael's hand, pulling him away from the soccer game. "I thought I'd save you," I said as we sat in some chairs. Michael chuckled, "They're great kids. All of them." I nodded, "they are. They're lucky too. I'm the oldest grandchild and I didn't get a cousin to play with till I was 8."

"Aw, you poor thing," Michael said, pulling me into a hug. I laughed, hugging him back. "Michael, look at me!" Ashton yelled running past us with the soccer ball as my other cousins chased him. "Good job ashton!" Michael called out and before we knew it, Ashton tripped over the ball, face planting.

Michael and I jumped up running over to him. "Are you okay, Ashton?" I asked checking him over as Michael dusted him off. "Yeah, I'm okay. My Batman hurt me though," he said, pulling his action figure out of his pocket. Michael and I laughed at him.

"Get up and try again!" My grandpa said to Ashton, smiling as he walked over to us. The kids took off with the ball again. "The food is ready you two," he said to Michael and I. "Ready to eat?" I looked at Michael and he nodded.

We made our plates and ate outside at the table. It was a good time. The food was good and the conversation was great. I could tell Michael was having a great time. He fit in perfectly with everyone. They all asked how we met and became good friends. I let Michael tell the whole story. They also asked about my 25th birthday and of course, I was happy to tell them about it.

"Michael, next time I want to be invited. I know how to party! Woot woot!" My uncle, Darren, said, getting a laugh out of everyone. "Of course," Michael responded laughing. "Sit yo old ass down," my dad teased. My dad was always the comedian out of everyone.

I helped clean up while Michael stayed outside with the men. I wasn't worried because my family isn't like that, but I knew Michael was nervous, so I gave him a supportive smile when I left.

"Don't worry son, we're not gonna hurt you," Ashley's grandpa said, causing me to chuckle nervously. I don't know why I was so nervous. These were genuinely nice people.

"My wife told me you two are dating?" Gene, Ashley's dad, asked. "Uh, yeah. We've been dating officially for almost 2 months now."

The men all nodded. "Did you know Aiden?" her uncle Ron asked. "I didn't know him well because I didn't care for him from the start," I said truthfully as they all erupted in laughter, "but I met him one or two times. I actually went over there the day Aiden did what he did."

"Oh yeah, Ashley told us. She said it was a sight to see to hear you cuss someone out." I chuckled rubbing the back of my neck, "Yeah, I hated that he hurt her like that."

"Tell us about it. We knew him since they were in elementary school so to hear what he did.. Oh, we were furious," Gene said and I nodded agreeingly.

"But, enough about him. Tell us about yourself. I feel like we know you. Ashley watched everything Jackson 5, The Jacksons, and when you went solo," her Uncle Darren said and her grandpa agreed adding, "Yeah. You should've seen her room. She had a Thriller poster, an Off The Wall poster, and made us buy her every cassette tape."

I laughed. "That's so funny. I sometimes forget that she's a fan of mine. She's always treated me like a regular person and that's one of the reasons I fell for her."

The men all smiled at me. We all continued to talk as they asked me about my family and myself. They even asked about my musicianship and that made me very happy. They weren't interested in celebrity gossip, but rather my art and how I create it.

Soon after, the women all came to join us and Ashley sat down next to me with a margarita in her hand. "How many is that?" I asked, laughing at her. "I told her she went to college and turned into an alcoholic," her dad butted in. "Shut up! No, I didn't!" Ashley laughed, "this is only my 4th one."

"Fourth!?" everyone exclaimed as Ashley waved all of us off with her hand. We all sat around the table as Ashley's family filled us in on what they've been up to and even shared funny stories of Ashley as a little girl.

"Oh! That reminds me! Grandma, where is the black photo album?" Ashley asked, standing up grabbing my hand. "On the entertainment center by the movies."