I kept poking at Janet's nose as she tried fixing up my curls for my next scene. Today was the last day of shooting the short film for 'Scream' with Dunk. It's been a lot of fun on set, getting to joke around with Janet and collaboratively do something together. I know the media and press is going to get a crack out of this. Janet and I working together was long overdue, but I feel that this is the perfect time.

"Michael, stop it!" Janet Zeitoun exclaimed giggling as I still messed with her. "Mike, leave her alone!" Janet said, nudging me with her elbow. "Fine," I mumbled. No one ever gets my childish ways except for Ashley.

"You have to excuse him, he's missing his girlfriend," Janet said as Kevyn fixed her makeup. "Oh right! Is she coming back next week? She booked me yesterday for something all next week," Kevyn said looking over at me.

"She called you yesterday?" I asked and he nodded, "Yeah." I scoffed, "Wow, she didn't even call me. I haven't talked to her in like 2 days. But she's supposed to be back today I think," I answered.

"Is she coming to set?" Janet asked. I shrugged, "She said she would stop by but I'm not for sure. I haven't spoken to her." Janet nodded.

"Are we ready to start shooting?" Mark Romanek, the director, said coming up to us. "Yeah," Janet and I both said simultaneously. "Jinx," we both yelled out, making everyone laugh around us.

"Okay, let's shoot!" Mark yelled out as everyone started getting in place for production. Janet and I were filming our dance scene together and let's just say my knees have never hurted so bad. And I'm still not old.

"Que the music!" someone yelled out and 'Scream' started blaring throughout the set as Janet and I took our places. "And action!" Mark yelled as Janet and I improvised before the breakdown.

"Mike, can we take a break now," Janet whined out of breath. I looked around at everyone and they all seemed to agree. "Fine, but only 15 minutes. We need this to be perfect," I said, playing with my hands. When I looked up, everyone had already dispersed leaving me alone.

I walked over to Mark to ask how the shots were going and to go over a few more things. I got distracted when I heard Janet yell, "You made it!" I turned around and my face lit up at the sight. I excused myself and walked over with a smile to Janet hugging my mother.

"Mother!" I exclaimed happily as she started to pull away from Janet. "Hi baby," mother said, coming over to give me a hug. I squeezed her tightly. I will always be a mama's boy. No one comes between me and my mama.

We pulled back from our hug and I smiled looking between Mother and Janet. "How are my babies?" Mother asked. "Good," Janet and I both said, simultaneously happy to see her. She looked at us and laughed. "Oh boy, y'all two already look alike and now you're speaking at the same time?" Mother said jokingly as Janet and us laughed looking at each other.

"Come, let's sit down," I said, linking my arm in Mother's and leading her over to my chair so she could sit. We talked amongst each other, laughing here and there, happy to all be in the same place at the same time.

"Today's your guy's last day?" Mother asked, looking between the two of us. We both nodded, "Yes, and hopefully we can get out of here soon. This one," Janet said, thumbing at me, "Is being picky and making us redo the scenes 30 times." I rolled my eyes, "It has to be perfect. I don't why you're acting like you don't do this. You're a perfectionist just like me," I said, giving Janet a look.

"Yeah, but not like you. You're actually insane. I'd hate working for you," Janet said and I scoffed. I opened my mouth to argue back but Mother held up her hand, "Aht, no. Stop it, the both of you. Janet, I'm sure Michael just wants this to be exactly as he imagined and there's nothing wrong with that," Mother said and I folded my arms, smirking at Janet happy that I got my way. "But Michael, you also have to understand that not everyone is like you either. Just because it's not up to your liking doesn't mean you can overwork people," she added.

"HAH!" Janet said and I squinted my eyes at her. I looked at Janet looking behind me, smiling. What was she looking at? She waved and squealed in excitement at whoever or whatever it was. I looked at Mother and she looked just as happy.

I turned around with a frown on my face and saw Ashley trying to sneak up on me. "Dang it! I wanted to surprise you!" she said as I smiled at the sight of her, quickly walking over to her. "You came!" I exclaimed as I hugged her up, lifting her off the ground. "Of course. You think I'd miss out on history!" She exclaimed as she pulled her head back to look at me.

I smiled and pecked her lips a few times, placing her feet back on the floor. She got out of my grasp and walked over to Mother and Janet, giving them hugs. "Hi sis!" Janet said as they hugged. "Hi Jan! I've missed you!" Ashley said, smiling at her. "I know! I've missed you too. We'll have to plan something soon," Janet said, wiggling her eyebrows and Ashley chuckled at her, "Sounds good."

Ashley walked over to Mother next. Mother got out of her seat to hug Ashley. They swayed side to side as they hugged, happy to see each other. I loved the close relationship that my mom and Ashley had with each other. The two most important women in my life and they had the best relationship. I remember when Ashley and I first got together she always told me she never wanted to come between me and Mother and I respected her so much for saying that. She told me she actually liked how I was a mama's boy. She thought it was the cutest thing ever.

"Hi Ash!" Mother said, pulling back from their hug. "Hi Katherine!" Ashley said, making me smile. "How have you been? How are you feeling?" Mother asked. "I feel good! Thanks for asking and checking on me every week, that's very sweet of you," Ashley said. "Just want to make sure you're taking care of yourself," Mother said and Ashley smiled.

"Oh, I am, trust me. I don't want to be like that again," Ashley said, still smiling, "But thank you, I appreciate that. And with Michael, he makes sure I eat and drink enough fluids every day. He's even more overprotecting than before," she said, turning to look at me. I smiled, rubbing the back of my neck.

"I just want to make sure you're okay," I said shyly. She smiled and rubbed my arm, "I know baby and I thank you for that." I smiled and grabbed her hand bringing it up to my lips to place a kiss.

Mark came up to us, "Hey, sorry to interrupt, but the break is almost over. Ready to get back out there?" he asked and I looked at Janet. She nodded and I turned back to Mark, "Yeah, let's go," I said and he gave me a thumbs up.

"We'll be back Mother," Janet said to Mother before she waved Tina, Travis, Lavelle, and Sean over for the dance scene. Mother nodded, excusing herself to the bathroom and I gestured for Ashley to sit in Janet's chair while we filmed.

I leaned down, placing my hands on the side of the chair Ashley sat in. "Ready to witness some greatness," I whispered to her. "You have no idea," she said dramatically, making me chuckle. As she chuckled, my eyes flickered from her eyes to her lips and back.

"Mike! Tina wants to go over something for the dance break! Come on!" Janet called out. "I'm coming!" I said back. I turned back to Ashley and she smiled. "You better go Mr. Jackson," she whispered. "I need a kiss first," I said looking down at her lips again. She smiled and closed the space between us, pressing her lips firm against mine.

She pulled back and I smiled at her. I leaned back in to kiss her but she pushed me away. "Go," she said laughing, "We can kiss and catch up later." I smiled, standing up straight, "Fine."

I walked over to the rest of them and we got to shooting the dance scene some more. We were on our last take of the scene and as Janet and I sat there both in thought, I felt something cold hit my ear. I flinched and realized the crew was spraying us with silly string. I stood up, laughing trying to reach for a can, so I can spray them back. I looked and saw Janet trying to do the same. I finally got a can but it was all gone. "We're going to get you all back for this!" I yelled excitedly and everyone laughed.

"10 minute break everyone!" Mark yelled, still laughing at us covered in silly string. We took a few photos of Dunk and I covered in silly string. "Mike, we have to get them back," Janet said as we walked over towards Ashley and Mother. "Oh, I know. I'm already scheming. Trust me," I said as we walked up to them laughing at us.

"Baby, I think you got something in your hair. Oh look it's on your shirt too! And your pants!," Ashley said trying to hide her smile. "Ha-ha you're so funny," I said looking at her. Her and Mother laughed at us some more. "Mother, come with me. Tina wants to say hi to you," Janet said, grabbing Mother's hand.

I watched as they left towards Janet's trailer. I looked back at Ashley as she watched them too. I grabbed her hand, pulling her hand. She got up and followed me, "Where are we going?" she asked. I turned to look at her over my shoulder, "My trailer."

She smiled and grabbed my hand tighter letting me lead the way. I opened the door for her, gesturing for her to go in. She thanked me as she passed me and I followed her steps, shutting the door behind us.

She walked over to the couch and sat down. I walked over and sat down right next to her. "Hi, you," I said, nudging into her, making her giggle. "Hey yourself," she said through her laughter. I pulled her into a side hug, "I missed you."

I heard her smile, "I missed you too," she said softly. "How's work?" I asked, still hugging her. She sighed a little, "Stressful. The agency wants me to do a million things. It's like they didn't even realize part of the reason I was in the hospital was because of work. I'm just an object, a money making machine to them."

I pulled away from her, "Ashley, you have to step away. Look at where not stepping away before got you. You have to put your foot down. I know what that's like being pushed around and being thrown into work and it's stressful. But I don't want anything else happening to you."

She nodded, looking down at her hands, "I know, but it's so hard. And it's not even Cameron and Gianna, it's the people above them. It's the people in charge of Ford's that just doesn't care."

"You have to say something though Smiles. Closed mouths don't get fed. They need to know that you're a person who needs to take care of herself and her health." She sighed, "I know, I just don't know how to go about that. I've tried to have Cameron cancel gigs but they get upset and threaten Cameron's job if I keep cancelling and I can't do that to him. He has a family he needs to take care of."

"They really threaten to fire him because you want to cancel jobs?" I asked stunned and she nodded, "Wow," I said, shaking my head, "That's so messed up."

"I know, that's why I just continue the show because I don't want him to lose his job," she said and I sat in thought.

"Threaten them," I said, cutting her off. "What?" she asked, looking at me confused. "Threaten them. You're the biggest model in the world right now and you have an advantage," I said looking at her. She tilted her head in confusion, "I'm not understanding," she said.

"Threaten to leave Ford's model. Like I said, you are the biggest model in the world right now. The most photographed woman in the world. They'd lose so much money if you left and I'm sure any agency would be happy to sign you. You don't need them, they need you. You have the ball in your court," I said and she sat up, taking in what I was saying.

"You're right," she said softly, "I never saw it from that perspective," she said looking over at me. "Set up a meeting with the top executives and Cameron, tell them how you feel and express that if they're not willing to compromise, you're done," I said. She smiled, "I'm going to call Cameron right when we get home," she said smiling a little, "Thanks for your help. I knew you'd be the one to help me," she said sincerely.

"Of course," I said, kissing the side of her head. We continued our conversation as she asked me how the short film was coming along. "It's good! We should be out of here in a few hours," I said.

She nodded, yawning. "You're tired," I said, stating the obvious. "That's not even the word. I haven't slept more than 5 hours since I left," she said, yawning again. I stood up offering her my hand, "Okay, well let's go back out there so I can finish up and get you home."

She smiled through another yawn, "Okay," she said as I chuckled at her and I did just that. We wrapped up the short film about two hours later and we were on our way home. We were going to throw a small dinner tonight, but I told them another night because I wanted Ashley to be there and I knew she was tired and jetlagged.

We walked into Ashley's house with Devon and Wes dragging along her luggage upstairs. "Thanks Wes, thanks Devon," she said, smiling lazily at them. I followed her into the kitchen, watching as she moved around putting stuff away and checking her mail.

"Hungry?" she asked, still looking at her mail. "A little yeah," I said sitting in the barstool. She looked up at me and gave me a small smile. "Let's see what we have in the fridge," she said, opening the doors.

"I can make us pesto with bowtie noodles?" she said, turning around to look at me. She turned back around, "Orrr, hmm," she hummed, "I can do a zuppa toscana soup?" she asked looking back at me. "Zuppa toscana soup," I said, nodding my head.

She laughed, "Okay," she said, pulling stuff out of the fridge. I looked at her as she grabbed pots to boil water and she looked so tired and worn out. I felt so bad for her because I know exactly what she's going through. That's going to be me in a few months with the release of 'HIStory.'

I placed my hand over hers on the faucet and she looked up at me. "Baby, just go upstairs, take a bath or shower to relax and I'll make this for us," I said softly. She smiled and leaned over the counter to kiss me. "It's okay, I got this. I'm fine," she said, smiling at me.

"Are you sure? You look so tired. I know you're ready to go to bed," I said looking at the clock and it read 9 PM. "I'm good. I'll put this on and then go jump in the shower that way it'll be done when I get out."

I looked at her, "You sure?" I asked and she nodded, "Yeah, you can go jump in the shower first," she said putting the pot on the stove.

"Are you saying I stink?" I teased. She turned around, "No! I didn't mean it like that! I was just-" she said but I interrupted her, "I'm just joking Smiles." She looked at me and blew out a breath, "Oh good," she said and I smiled at her standing up.

"Okay, I'm going to jump in the shower and then we'll switch positions. Deal?" I asked and she nodded, "Deal."

I turned and walked towards the stairs, "Just yell if you need me!" I yelled down to her. "Okay!" she yelled back.

About an hour and a half later, we were all showered and downstairs eating our soup. "Mm, this is so delicious. Good job, baby," I said, eating another spoonful. "Thank you," she said, "Getting better in the kitchen," she said, making me laugh. "I've noticed. You gotta teach me," I said, winking at her.

"Yeah because when we have kids we're going to have to be able to make some sort of dish," she said and I smiled at her. I loved when she talked about us and our future kids. I put my hand on her thigh and rubbed it affectionately, "I love that," I said and she smiled at me.

We finished eating and I decided to do the dishes since she cooked, "You sure you don't want me to help? I can dry them. It'll go by faster," she said standing on the side of me. "No baby. Go upstairs and get in bed. You can barely keep your eyes open."

She pursed her lips, "Go," I said laughing a little. "Fine," she said, walking up to me and placing a long kiss on my cheek. "Mm," I hummed, "Thanks for that," I said, turning to look at her. She smiled and kissed my lips this time. I pulled away, "Go," I said chuckling at her. "Okay, okay, I just missed you that's all," she said and I smiled.

I gave her another kiss, "I missed you too." She smiled and gave my arm a squeeze, walking behind me to go upstairs to her room.

I finished washing all of the dishes. I turned out all the lights, leaving the stove light on, and checked to make sure all the doors were locked. I armed the alarm and made my way upstairs. I got to the top of the stairs and saw the TV illuminating light from Ashley's room.

I slowly pushed open the door and saw Ashley with her back facing the door. I walked over to my side of the bed and kicked off my slippers, getting underneath the covers. I turned to face Ashley and as I went to lie down, her voice startled me. "Jesus, I thought you were asleep," I said, trying to catch my breath.

She chuckled, "No, I wanted to wait for you," she said softly. "You could've gone to sleep," I said lying down facing her. She slightly shook her head, "I needed to tell you something before I did," she said. I raised my eyebrows, "What?" I asked tucking her hair behind her ear.

"I love you," she whispered. I smiled at her. I would never get tired of hearing those three words come out of her mouth. I sat up on my elbows a little and leaned over to kiss her cheek, "I love you more."

I pulled away and saw her eyes closed. She snuggled into me and I wrapped an arm around her waist. As time went by, her breathing started to slow signaling that she was asleep and I followed suit.

I woke up to feathering kisses being placed all over my face. "Mmm," I hummed, stretching with my eyes closed. "Wake up, Mr. Jackson," Ashley said, making me smile. I smiled and rubbed my eyes. "What time is it?" I said, opening my eyes trying to adjust to the light.

"It's 9," she whispered, placing her lips on mine. I smiled as she kissed me. "Get up," she whispered. I wrapped my arms around her, snuggling into her, "Can't we just stay in bed all day to sleep and cuddle," I whined.

I heard her giggle and I pulled back to look at her, "That sounds amazing, but I have something planned for us," she said, making me slightly frown. "What is it?" I asked. She pecked my lips, getting out of my grasp, "I'm taking you on a date," she said, getting out of bed.

I sat up against the headboard watching her as she put her hair in a bun. "You're taking me... on a date?" I asked, pausing in between for effect. She scoffed, turning around, "Yeah, why is that shocking? Am I not allowed to?" she asked, standing against the bed frame. She looked so cute.