Whisper Three Words

Careless Decisions

~Rayne's POV
I sat with Sharlissa in the breakfast bar by my kitchen. I needed to see her one last time before Michael started his tour.

"You guys are all packed up I see!" Sharlissa says looking at our suitcases lined across the door. "You guys are gonna be gone for how long?"

"A little over a year. I'm excited Camille gets to travel the world. She'll see things I've never seen through a child's eyes. It'll be an amazing experience for her." I grin.

"I want to take Brielle on vacation but her grades just aren't cutting it for me. Maybe next year!" She chuckles, "how have you been feeling since your dad? That's why I came over, I didn't really get to see you after the funeral service and you guys ran off to Brazil so quickly...how are you?"

"I'm fine. It's getting easier day by day.. But I'm so glad you came by before we leave tomorrow." I hug her tightly.

"Of course! You're my best friend! I had to make sure you were ok.. Have a safe trip and don't come back pregnant." She teases.

"Always speaking up babies!" I giggle closing the door behind her.

***

That early September morning we landed in Prague. In the hotel, Michael was so focused and clearly in his own world, humming his scales and drinking hot tea, trying his best not to talk often so he wouldn't lose his voice.

"Mommy, why can't daddy read me a story today?" Camille asked after Michael instructed her in a whisper to come to me with her book.

She sits in my lap, passing me her story book. "Daddy has to sing in front of thousands of people tonight so he wants to make sure he can sing perfectly like how he sings you to sleep." I explain. Camille never understood why her father was such a big deal to people; and, I don't think she ever will until she's older. There were times I'd see his fame annoy her.

"I wanna see daddy sing!" Camille smiles.

"We will later on tonight!" I say beginning her book.

Once we get to the first show backstage, Michael was more talkative than he had been since we landed. "Bill, please watch my girls.." He demands. Bill gives an understood nod as Camille jumped at the sound of her father's roaring fans.

Michael hops in place, his eyes wandering through the cracks of being under the stage, trying to get a peek of the audience.

"Nervous?" I giggle.

"Of course not. I'm never nervous. Just...anxious." He smiles.

"Michael we need you." Kenny Ortega says rushing past him.

Michael kisses me quickly and looks at Camille with wide eyes. "Give me good luck?" Michael asks, puckering his lips. She kisses him sweetly giggling. Bill leads us to the side of the stage where we could see him. A few paparazzi met us there trying to grasp snapshots of Camille watching her father but Bill wasn't having it. The most they could get was the back of her head

"Get the hell from back here!" Bill yells.

She was in awe of the whole show. No matter how many times she's seen the rehearsals, I don't think it adds up to the energy from a real show. During a small break, Michael ran back to switch into another outfit. "Daddy are you tired?" Camille asked as she watched, sitting on his dresser in front of his mirror.

"Not tired yet Millie. Are you sleepy?" He tickles her stomach briefly.

"No" she giggles. "Daddy can I go out there?" She asked pointing at the audience.

Michael contemplated for a while. "Oh Mil' I don't know.. Ray what do you think?" He asks.

I look over at Bill, "Do you think it's safe?"