I picked up my phone to call my girlfriend because I missed her. She had been out of the country in Monaco for a couple of photoshoots. Her and I haven't spent much time together because I've been busy with my album and she's been busy modeling and doing interviews all over. We were a busy couple. Most couples probably wouldn't stay together in our shoes because of the long periods of separation, but I can definitely say, absence does make the heart grow fonder.

And now, the media are breathing down our necks since the world finally knew we were dating. It was something new about us in the tabloids every week. We either got married, have a baby on the way, broken up, or one of us was cheating. It was always just something. It was rare to see a positive headline about us and I felt bad because I know Ashley hated seeing people bash our relationship.

Part of me felt guilty because I announced it to the world. I also felt guilty because Wes and Bill had to hire more security for Ashley because everyone knew about us. She started getting hate mail, threats, and awful fan encounters. She calls me crying sometimes about the horrible things she receives because now she's officially associated with me.

I try my absolute best to protect and comfort her through it. She's a trooper though. She puts on a smile and handles the rumors one day at a time. At first I was scared, this isn't what she'd want to deal with, but everytime she told me, she wanted me forever and that at the end of the day, it was me and her against the world and I couldn't agree more.

I sat on the edge of my bed as the phone rang. It rang four times before she answered, "Hello?" she asked with a low, raspy voice. "Hi, Smiles," I said cheerfully. I heard her muffle a cough on the line and I frowned up. "Hi baby. What are you doing?" she rasped back.

"At the ranch. What are you doing?" I asked weary. There was something wrong with her. "I'm just laying in bed watching movies," she answered back and I heard her voice crack. "Baby, you don't sound so good," I said slowly.

"I'm-I'm fine, I just have the flu. I think I caught it in Monaco. It's flu season out there," she responded before she coughed. My heart dropped a little at the thought of her being sick. "Oh no," I whined, "I'm sorry to hear that baby. What are your symptoms?" I asked sadly as she coughed.

"Um, I have a fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches. Sometimes, I'll get the chills too from my fever," she answered as her voice cracked. I pouted. Ashley was like me, we rarely got sick but when we were sick, we were sick.

I exhaled sadly, "Have you taken anything?" I asked. She sniffled, "yeah, I've been taking Nyquil and Dayquil all day." I sighed, "Is someone there with you?" I asked. "No, I don't want anyone to get sick so I've been cooped up in my room all day."

"When did you start feeling sick?" I asked. "Yesterday night when I got home. While I was on the phone with you, I started feeling hot and my throat started hurting," she said and her voice lowered, "I think I just lost my voice," she said laughing. I chuckled at her.

"I hate that you're sick," I said sadly. "I'll be okay. It'll just take a few days and I'll be back to myself again," she whispered back. "Do you want me to come over?" I asked and she coughed. "No! I don't want you to get sick."

"I have a good immune system and I took my flu shot, I should be good," I said hoping she'd let me come over. "No, baby. I don't want to get you sick and you need your voice! You're recording in the studio!" she exclaimed but it was still low.

"I'm not recording right now, I'm going over beats and the instruments," I said back matter of factly. "Michael, no," she said back and I pouted. "I want to help you feel better. I can bring over some chicken noodle soup, medicine, cough drops, all that. I can be your nurse," I said smiling and she laughed. "I would love that but no and I'm serious, don't come over here. I won't let you in."

"I have my own key," I said back smartly and she laughed again, "I'm coming over. I'll just wear a mask!" I exclaimed and I heard her shuffle around. "What's wrong?" I asked. "Nothing, I just got the chills so I'm cold again," she croaked.

"I'm coming over," I said, gathering a few things. "Michael, no!" she said, trying to yell, but she couldn't. "Too late. I'm on my way. I love you. See you soon," I said, getting ready to hang up and call a driver.

"Michael! N--" she said before I hung up. I wanted to help nurse her back to health and my immune system is strong and I took my flu shot this year, so I should be good.

I called a driver to come pick me up. I put on a baseball hat and a fake mustache with my big puffer jacket so I could go in the store and grab stuff for Ashley. I just needed to get in and out without causing chaos. The store shouldn't be that crowded since it's late.

We pulled up at a CVS and I got out of the car, praying I could pull this off. Luckily, there weren't many cars in the parking lot.

I walked inside and the store clerk told me, "Welcome!" and I nodded. I walked to the back of the store, grabbing cans of Campbell's chicken noodle soup. I also grabbed some candy for me to snack on.

I made my way to the medicine and I grabbed some lemon flavored cough drops. Ashley loved lemonade so lemon should be okay. I went through the aisles up and down and I couldn't find Theraflu anywhere. I sucked my teeth knowing I would have to ask an associate.

I found a young girl who looked like she was a teenager stocking up the shelves. I walked over to her and of course I dropped a can of soup. I internally cursed at myself. She looked at me as I picked it up off the floor, smiling nervously not trying to make direct eye contact with her.

"Hi, sorry, but I need help finding theraflu," I said using my deep voice. "Oh, I'll show you," she said with a smile, "Follow me." I nodded and followed her. "Here you are," she said, leading me to the aisle right next to us.

"Thanks," I said feeling stupid. It was practically right in my face. "No problem, you were almost there," she said, chuckling a little and I laughed a little. She left and I watched her walk away but she turned back around with a weird look on her face.

"I don't know if this is weird, but you look very familiar," she said, squinting at me. I froze. This was the moment. I just knew I was going to get caught. I just prayed she didn't tackle me to the ground.

I chuckled nervously, "Oh really?" I asked, trying to keep calm. "Yeah, I just don't know where from though." I nodded, "You've probably just seen me in here before," I said trying to play it off. She nodded slowly, "Yeah, maybe."

She walked away again and I exhaled, fixing the baseball hat a little to make sure it covered my face. "You know who you look like?" she asked from the side of me again. I slowly turned to her, "Who?" I asked. She squinted, "Michael Jackson. You guys are almost like the same build and the eyes."

Fuck, I thought. I chuckled, "You're not the first person to say that." She looked at me again, staring and I grabbed the theraflu trying to get out of there. "Have a goodnight," I said, smiling a little, passing her as she still watched me. "Thanks, you too."

I exhaled, going to the counter to pay for all the stuff. Everything was going smoothly until it came time to pay. As I pulled out a $50 bill to pay for the stuff, the same girl came behind the register.

She stared at me and I looked down at my feet. What is taking this guy so long? "Sorry, the machines are acting up," he said and I nodded, "That's fine."

"Hey Rick, doesn't he remind you of Michael Jackson?" the girl asked the guy at the cash register. He looked at me and I internally cursed again. "A little yeah. Do you get that a lot?" he asked. "Yeah, uh just keep the change," I said, grabbing the bag and walking out.

I got into the car and sighed. I had never been so stressed in my life than what just happened in that store. That girl was definitely a fan, but I didn't feel like getting tackled to the ground. She definitely seemed like that type.

Ashley is so lucky to have me. Look at what I just risked for some soup.

20 minutes later, the driver pulled into Ashley's gate and I thanked him, getting out of the car. I unlocked Ashley's front door and it was dark. Just a few lights in the kitchen were on. I walked upstairs and opened Ashley's door.

She looked at me from her bed and gave me a look. "I told you not to come!" she tried yelling but her voice was still low. I pouted at her, "My girlfriend is sick. There's no way I wasn't going to let you go through this alone," I said, grabbing stuff out of the bag.

She looked at me and saw the stuff I was putting on the nightstand. "Michael," she said, smiling slowly. "To make you feel better," I said smiling. I walked over to her and put my hand on her forehead. "Baby, you're burning up," I said sadly and she laughed, "I told you, I'm sick. You look so cute in your jacket," she teased.

"Maybe you should take a shower. Cool down," I said suggestively and she nodded, pulling back the covers. "When you get out, I'll have your chicken soup ready," I said, smiling at her. She shook her head getting out of bed, "You are too much."

"Only for you," I said, slapping her butt as I walked to the door. "Ow," she pouted with her low, scratchy voice. I smiled at her, closing the door, heading downstairs to heat up her chicken noodle soup.

As I dished up her soup, I heard her slippers pat against the floor. "Just in time," I said, placing her bowl on the bar as she walked in with a blanket wrapped around her. She sniffled, "Thanks babe," she said sitting down. I fixed myself a bowl and sat next to her.

We talked as we both ate her soup. I asked about Monaco while she asked about my studio sessions. I loved seeing her get excited about my new album that I was working on. I actually loved that she was someone who knew my discography and my career because I could ask her about certains things I wanted to do for my fanbase.

She sneezed, covering it in her arm. "Bless you," I said, chuckling at her. "Thank you. And thanks for the soup, and as much as I loved it, I still think you should go or stay downstairs. I really don't want you to get sick," she said, wiping her nose with a kleenex.

"I'll be fine," I responded, grabbing our bowls and putting them in the sink. "Don't say I didn't warn you," she said, side eyeing me. I walked over to her and kissed her head, "I'll be fine and if I get sick, I know it'll be my own fault."

I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her. "I missed you," I whispered to her. "I missed you too," she said, smiling.

We went upstairs to get ready for bed. I watched as she crawled underneath the covers. "Here take this," I said, handing her the cup of theraflu. She downed it and cringed. I chuckled while passing her the water bottle.

"Can we sleep with the ceiling fan on? I get hot," she said laying down and I nodded. I got in bed, sitting up against the headboard trying to find something to watch. "Oo, keep it on this please. I love this movie," Ashley said in reference to 'The Nightmare Before Christmas.'

I put the remote on the bed and laid down next to Ashley. I turned, facing her. I ran my hand through her hair causing her to look up at me. I smiled at her. "How you feeling?" I asked, still playing in her hair. "The same, but having you here makes me feel better," she said smiling.

"And you didn't want me to come," I teased and she playfully rolled her eyes at me. "I went through all this trouble tonight at CVS to be here with you, so no way was I going to back out." She laughed at me, "What happened?" she asked and I told her the story.

She cracked up laughing. "Smiles, I knew, I just knew if I didn't get out of there then I would've definitely been tackled," I said, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. "All the girls want my man," she teased, making me blush. "Like every guy doesn't want you," I teased back, seriously though.

"Maybe, but that doesn't matter because I only want you," she said, smiling at me. "You better," I teased and she laughed. "I do and you better only want me," she said back smartly and I nodded, scooting closer to her. "It gets no better than you," I whispered leaning into her.

She turned her head and pushed me back gently. "Michael! No kissing! I'm contagious right now," she said laughing. "I don't care," I said leaning in to kiss her again but she turned her head making me kiss her cheek.

I trailed kisses from her cheek trying to get to her lips, but she kept turning away laughing. I grabbed her face, turning it towards me. I kissed her lips softly but she pushed me away. "You are so going to get sick! No more!" she exclaimed with her scratchy voice, pulling the covers over her head.

I laughed and laid back down. She took the cover off and shook her head. "I love you," I said, smiling at her. "I love you too, but you're gonna get sick."

Today was Thanksgiving and Michael was hosting it at the ranch this year. Both my family and Michael's were coming for dinner and both of us were excited that our family's will finally be meeting each other.

It was my family's first time coming to the ranch so they were super excited. All of my cousins and my little brother were excited to ride the rides. Michael told me his nieces and nephews were just as excited and they've been here before.

Luckily for everyone, Michael was feeling better. Yes, he did get sick from me. I told him over and over again, but he kept saying he didn't care. He was just as sick as me, but like him, I helped nurse him back to health. He was way more needy than I was, but I happily obliged.

"Okay, the cornbread is in the oven. I'm going to get dressed," I said, taking off the oven mits. I had done my makeup and hair earlier, but I didn't get dressed because I didn't want to ruin my clothes. "Okay baby," Michael said, looking up from some papers and nodding.

I quickly got dressed, picking a simple black ensemble. I walked downstairs into the kitchen in search of Michael. He heard the sound of my heels and turned around, smiling. "We're matching," he said walking up to me, pulling me into him. He was wearing a black button up tucked into black levi's that had a crown brooch on the button paired with black boots.

"Are we turning into that couple?" I teased and he nodded, "Yep and there's no shame about it." I laughed when something popped into my mind, "Oh, by the way, Dick Zimmerman, the photographer, wants to shoot us. Cameron told me a few days ago. If you wanna do it, we just have to pick a day that works for us," I said to him. Michael nodded, "Okay, yeah. Let's do it," he said smiling.

"I'll call Cameron in a few days and let him know," I said back to him. "We've never been professionally shot before. I'm excited," Michael said, cheesing hard. "I have something to ask you," he said smiling at me and I raised my eyebrows at him. "I have to go to Budapest to shoot a teaser for the album and to visit some hospitals and I wanted to know if you wanted to come with me. We'd be gone for 2 weeks and leave in 3 days," he said.

"I'd love to. I'd just have to check my schedule," I said back and Michael smirked. "You're free. I already checked," he said confidently. "Oh, so you just knew I was going to say yes, didn't you?" I teased and he nodded.

The doorbell rang and Michael looked at me, "Our guests are here," he said, intertwining our hands and walking to the front door. He opened the door and both of our families had arrived at the same time. "Oh wow! Everyone's here at the same time! Good timing!" Michael exclaimed, smiling. Michael's siblings all walked in with their families. "Yo Mike!" Jermaine yelled, pulling Michael into a hug with his son, Donte, on his hip. "Hey!" Michael said laughing. "Come here!" I said holding out my arms for Donte and he reached over for me to grab him. "Hi!" I exclaimed tickling him, making him laugh. "Hi Ashley," Jermaine said flirtatiously, hugging me. I laughed, "Hi Jermaine."

"You're looking stunning today," he added and Michael flicked him. "Stop," he said sternly, making Jermaine laugh. I kissed Donte's cheek and gave him back to Jermaine. Everyone else of Michael's family flocked in with their kids. We saw Joseph and Katherine walking up the steps with my family all behind them.

"Mother!" Michael exclaimed, hugging her tight. I smiled watching them. I loved that Michael was a momma's boy. It was so cute to me. "Hi Ashley," Joseph said, making me look at him. "Oh! Hi Joseph!" I exclaimed and went in for a quick hug. We pulled back and Katherine was smiling at me. "Give me a hug!" she exclaimed, waving me over. I chuckled, switching spots with Michael and giving her a big hug while Michael greeted Joseph. "You look beautiful dear. You and my baby are matching," she said, smiling at us.

Michael smiled at me, making me giggle. They walked in and my family walked up. "Hi baby girl!" my dad said, pulling me into a hug as Michael hugged my mom. "Hi daddy! Happy Thanksgiving!" Michael and I switched places again and as I hugged my mom, I saw my dad and Michael hug, making me smile.

"MICHAEL!!" we heard Ashton scream running up the stairs hugging into his legs. "Hi Ashton!" Michael exclaimed, picking him up. "What am I chopped liver?" I mumbled and Michael laughed at me. "Hi sissy," Ashton said and I pinched his cheek, "Hi baby brother."

"I'm not a baby," he said, pouting in Michael's arms. I laughed at him and he gasped dramatically, "Can I go on your rides?" Ashton asked excitedly and of course Michael said yes.

"There's my smiles!" my grandpa said walking up and I hugged him tight, "Hi papa!" He shook Michael's hand, "Hi son," he said with a smile and Michael smiled back, greeting him. "Hi grandma!" I said, giving her a big hug. "Hi baby. Happy Thanksgiving," she said, pulling back and going to hug Michael.

The rest of my family made their way in and Michael closed the door. He turned to me, "Ready for this?" he asked and I nodded. He intertwined our hands again and led me into the living room with everyone.

Michael and I introduced everyone to each other and it was safe to say, everyone got along very well. Conversations never ceased and laughter was heard throughout the house. While the men watched the football game, drinking beer and the women were in the kitchen talking and drinking wine, the doorbell rang. "I got it!" I yelled out, walking towards the door.

I opened the door to reveal Janet and Rene. "Sorry I'm late! Hi sis! Happy Thanksgiving!" she said walking in giving me a hug. "Hi sis! Happy Thanksgiving! You look good," I said, pulling back from our hug to hug Rene. "Hi Rene! Happy Thanksgiving!"

"Hey Ash! Same to you!" he said back kindly. I walked them into the living room, introducing them to my family. After Janet greeted all the men, she and I walked to the kitchen. "Perfect, y'all are drinking already," she said breathlessly. Rebbie poured her a drink to join us. "Where's the kids? Ash, all your cousins here?" she asked. "Yeah, they are. They're all outside playing with your nieces and nephews," I said, taking a sip of my cranberry mimosa.