You Are My Life

I Knew It!

Weeks later, Brian and I were working on our relationship, and I must say we were doing pretty well. I was a lot more open with him and I shared my feelings with him a lot more. Michael and I were even handling our friendship and keeping it strong. Everything was great. Brian, Angel and I were getting back to being a real family. I called a studio session for Destiny's Child to record background vocals for one of the songs I wrote called "Free" and they sang beautifully as we alternated leads. The song symbolized a special moment in my life which was now, my mind was completely free from worry, stress and sadness. I was on my own path and nothing bothered me. I was genuinely happy. Beyonce and I seemed to pair up a lot at the mic, she gave me a sisterly smile and grabbed my hand as we sung together.

"Ain't no feeling like being free, when your minds made up and your hearts in the right place. Yeah... Ain't no feeling like being free, when you've done all you could but what's misunderstood is all good..."

We complete our harmonies and get ready to leave as they thank me Beyonce steps to the side and places a hand on my shoulder. "Jayla, I wanted to take the time out to say thank you for everything. I'm a huge fan and I have so much respect for you as an artist and a woman..I've always looked up to you, honestly it's taking everything to not burst into tears right now. I mean, singing with you is a dream come true." She giggles. I give her a polite smile. "Thank you Beyonce, I truly appreciate that. You're very talented with a powerful voice, keep it up and I'm very sure you'll go far." "Thank you... It means a lot to me for you to say that. Maybe we'll work together again." She smiles. I walk out the studio as she stays behind to speak with the engineer. I feel my cellphone buzz in my pocket to see Michael's name lit across the screen. "Hey Mike, what's going on?" I answer happily. "Hi Jay... I was just calling to remind you that my documentary with Martin Bashir is airing tonight, I was curious if you wanted to come over and watch it with me and the kids." I think back to those months Bashir followed us around, trying to sneak shots of the kids with no masks. It disgusted me how much Michael trusted him, he swore that everything would be ok. But just in case it isn't, I wanted to be there with Mike. "Yeah, definitely, what time will it air?" "At 8, can't wait to see you" he says with excitement. I giggle and hang up checking the time "4:07 I've got 4 hours" I say to myself hopping in the back of my car.

"Hi mommy" Angel says running into my legs. I swear everyday I see her my love for her grows more and more. I was so proud of her, she was only two and able to speak fairly well. "Hi baby!" I smile scooping her in my arms and kissing her. "Can you go get your daddy?" I smile. "Daddy!" She yells at the top of her lungs. I laugh and tickle her. "I could've did that." Brian comes around the corner, a smilie on his face. "Hi. I didn't hear you come in.." He plants a kiss on my lips. "How was the session?" He asks sitting on the couch. "Oh it was great, the girls were brilliant." I smile, sitting on the couch next to him. "Hey, tonight I'm going to go to Michael's to watch his documentary with him, is that ok with you?" I ask. Brian hasn't really cared for Michael since I left him but he does know that we are established as friends, so I'm hoping this won't be a problem. He scrunches his face and gives a small sigh before looking at me. "Don't be like that Brian..." I groan. He rolls his eyes and folds his arms. "I don't know about that Jay..." "Brian, do you trust me?" I ask slightly annoyed. "Its not you, it's him. I know how you feel about him and I know his feelings for you. I don't trust him. I don't want anything to happen. I know you guys are trying to be friends-" "Brian look at me...nothing is going to happen ok?" I turn his face towards me gently. "Nothing. I promise." I smile as I bring my lips to his. "Ok.." He says reluctantly. After dinner, We all sit on and watch a movie for the the next two hours cuddled on the couch as Angel leaned on my lap curled with her teddy bear. I lay my back on Brian's chest as his arms wrap around Angel and I. "I'm so glad you came back." Brian whispers. I smile as I lay my head further into his chest. I was glad I came back too, I missed my family and I had never been so happy. I tuck Angel into her bed as Brian stood at the door to watch. "Who'd think another human could create something so beautiful?" I smile. "Well it involved some beautiful people...and who knows we could make another one." Brian smirks, grabbing my waist. He places soft kisses on my neck. "Hey, I've gotta go, but I promise when I get back I'll make it up to you." I whisper in his ear seductively. "I'll hold you to it.." He says, still kissing my neck. I giggle at him and manage to maneuver out of his grasp. I slide on my shoes and walk out the house to head to Michael.

Michael and I sit on the couch with Paris, Prince and Grace holding Blanket. The intro comes on and everything seems fine. "See I told you there was nothing to worry about." Michael smiles, nudging my arm with his elbow. He tosses a piece of popcorn in his mouth as the show continues.

"Why can't you share your bed? The most loving thing you can do is share your bed with someone...What Michael said had troubled me deeply.."

"What?!" Michael yelled. I buried my face in my hands. I knew this would happen, I knew this would take a turn for the worst, but the last thing Michael needed was an "I told you so." "Grace get the kids to bed..." I whisper to her. She grabs Paris and Prince and takes them upstairs. Michael sat there emotionless, his face unreadable. I couldn't do anything but look at him. "Why would he do this to me? I trusted him." He says angrily. He turns the tv off tossing the remote to the side. "I brought him around my children, I let him into my life!" He yells, beginning to pace. "Michael you have every right to be angry. But you've got to calm down." I say softly, trying not to worry his kids upstairs. "I always do this Jayla, I always give people the benefit of the doubt and they turn on me for a dollar. I can't find one person who can just be honest, be truthful, and a good person. I can't trust anyone." He growls. I've never seen him so angry, his face turned red and his breathing increased. What could I say to him? There was nothing crossing my mind. I just sat there to listen to him letting him know I was here. "You told me, there was something wrong with him. You told me. I tried to see the good in him." Michael flips the popcorn bowl he had off the table causing it to fly across the room with popcorn flying everywhere. I squeal slightly curling into the cushion. He sits next to me weeping into his hands. I have a flashback to the last time he was broken like this and my heart aches for him. I wrap an arm around him placing my head on his shoulder. "Michael, it will be ok. People won't believe this garbage." I grab a couple tissues from the side and hand them to him. "I'm sorry Jay, I should've listened to you. He was nothing but trouble. I'm just under so much stress and I had hoped this would help get some of the tabloid trash off of me." He leans his head on my shoulder as I lean my head on top of his. "Mike I told you, I'll always be here for you no matter where we are in our friendship or relationship or whatever. If you need to talk I'm here. I mean, it's not good to hold in stress like that." "I know...I just thought I could handle this." He groans wiping his face. "Promise me, you won't wait until things get too heavy, before you come and talk to me." I ask. He gives me a small nod as I kiss his temple and stand up. "You're leaving?" He asks. "Yeah, it's getting late...unless you want me to stay.." I say. "No go ahead, I don't want Brian to suspect anything." He walks me to the door and holds it open for me. I give him a big hug holding his back to comfort him a little more. "It'll be ok Mike" I reassure him. "Thank you Jay. Be safe..." He smiles weakly. "I love you, Mike." I smile. "I love you too." He kisses my hand and I walk to the car. I sigh as I think about what just happened. "He's really gonna need a friend these next couple days." I say to myself.

I creep inside my house and upstairs into my room to see Brian reading. "Hi." He says slowly. "Hey...what are you reading?" I ask. "Just reviewing some lines for a movie. I can do it later... Wanna talk about it?" He says tossing the pamphlet to the side. "Talk about what?" He gives me a weird face. "I watched the documentary Jay. Is Michael ok?" He asks. I sigh deeply taking off my jeans. "I've never seen him so angry. I can't believe what that guy did to him." I scoff getting into bed. Brian leans back and gets into bed with me. "I knew he couldn't be trusted, and I told Mike... But he told me he was under so much stress, he thought he could handle it. I mean he tried to turn Michael into a complete pedophile!" I shake my head as I began to get upset. "I'm sorry he had to deal with that, and I'm sure people know that's not true. He's done a lot for children." Brian says pulling me into his arms, laying his head under my chin. I sigh again trying to shake my emotions. Brian kisses my neck and I can't get into the mood. "Are you serious right now?" I ask. "What?" He says. "You're really trying to have sex right now, and I'm upset." Brian shrugs "maybe it'll make you feel better." I turn my back towards him as I hear him groan and sigh loudly. I know I promised him a great night but this was not what I expected to deal with.