So, this chapter's gonna go through different people's points of view quite often, and the time of day will, too. Sorry if it gets annoying :O Also, it's the longest chapter I've probably ever written, so I hope you won't get bored :p decide for yourself how pointless the ending is.. xD

*The next day*

*Becky's POV*

So, day one without Michael. It's Ryder's sixteenth tomorrow. I feel a little bad about kicking Michael out, but at least I had reason to. He went too far with Brooke yesterday. Still, he should be lucky I've not, like, divorced him or something more drastic. Thing is, I could murder him now.. but I still love him. However, he needs to get the idea that what he did was wrong, as I'm sure he has. But I'm not ready to talk to him yet.

*Ryder's POV*

It's my birthday tomorrow. Finally gonna be 16. And I can't wait to see Katrice. She is all kinds of perfect.

I change into jogging bottoms before heading downstairs.

"Morning, mum," I greet. I look around for dad. No sign.

"Morning, sweetheart. Sleep well?" mum asks.

"Yeah, uh.. where's dad?"

"Oh, he went out on a trip," Electra answers on behalf of mum.

"A trip?" I ask.

"Yes," mum sighs. "Your father's gone on a trip, and I'm not sure when he'll be back."

"Before my birthday, right?" I ask unsurely.

"I'm not sure, Ryder," mum says.

"Well, ok. My party's still going on, right?"

"Of course."

"Great! See you later," I smirk and leave the room.

*Michael's POV*

I'm missing Becky and the kids like crazy already, and it's been less than 12 hours! I've gotta convince Becky to let me back in the house. I have to. I can't miss my oldest son's sixteenth birthday. It's only gonna happen once, I wanna be there.

I've been sleeping in Neverland, but, like, right at the front of the house, by the gates. Becky won't notice me there, and it's alright to sleep there as well. There's a garage, and I went there last night to sleep.

But seriously, how am I gonna convince Becky to let me back home?

I've got two days to do this.

*Becky's POV, 7 hours later*

I've been rushing around, sorting last minute things for the party tomorrow. I went out earlier to get the phone Michael would have gotten, had he have been here, and I've been finding banners and decorations, that kinda thing.

I've been receiving texts from Michael, and he's been trying to ring me. Most of the time, he's left messages because I've never answered. Most of them saying something like "I'm sorry about what happened, I miss you, I love you," blah blah blah. Should've thought about that before you kissed another girl, Michael.

Apart from that, everything's fine. Dexter's in his room, as is Ryder, and Electra is out with a friend of hers. Meaning.. I'm alone in the house. Normally, that's me and Michael's time, but not today. I'm alone, and so is he.

*Michael's POV*

I've called her, what? Ninety-nine times! She's not answering. I've texted her, left voice messages, everything. You'd think she'd answer one of them, right?

I need an idea.

My phone starts to ring. Becky?

No. Janet.

"Hello?" I say irritably.

"Michael, not quite the greeting I was hoping for."

"Sorry.. just got a lot on my mind, that's all. I miss you."

"I miss you too, big brother. How's life in California?"

"It's great at Neverland.. how's it back in Gary?"

"Just normal, really," Janet laughs. "So, what's been on your mind, then?"

"Becky kicked me out the house.."

"Oh gosh, why?!"

"Promise me you won't hate me.."

"Promise."

"I kissed another girl."

"Michael! How could you do that?!"

"I thought you said you wouldn't hate me.."

"That wasn't hate, that was 'are you completely stupid?' There's a difference."

"I feel so bad for doing it, Janet. I've tried calling Becky and texting her, but she won't answer."

"I wish I could help you bro. Who was it that you.. kissed?"

"Brooke.."

"Shields?!"

"Yeah.."

"Where the hell'd you meet her?"

"Long story.." I say. "Please come over and see me."

"It's ages from here to there, Michael."

"Please?" I whimper.

"Alright. I'll be over soon as I can."

"Thanks, sis. See you soon."

"Yeah, bye for now."

I end the call and sit back in my chair. One step closer to Becky. I'm gonna use Janet's phone to call her.

*Ryder's POV*

I'm bored. I want my birthday to come, plain and simple. I'm gonna go talk to mum. She's always entertaining, somehow.

I creep downstairs, as not to cause Dexter to come out his room.

"Yeah, it's been a crazy couple days," I hear mum say as I walk downstairs.

"I understand, Cozzy. It must have been so hard for you."

That's mum's friend, Emma's voice. When did she get here?

"And he's been calling me non-stop, literally. I'm going insane!"

"You've been ignoring them, right?" Emma asks.

"Of course! I don't think I'm ready to talk to him yet."

I creep to the door and look through the keyhole. Mum and Emma are sitting on the sofa, drinking hot chocolate, opposite each other.

"Well, only you can decide when you're ready."

What are they talking about? Dad? He's on a trip, why wouldn't she answer his calls?

"I know that, Emma. The past 24 hours have been all doom and gloom for me. It's been real lonely. I miss Michael, but I don't want him to return yet. I just can't get over what he did."

What he did? What did dad do?

"Well, that's just it, Becky. You can't just click your fingers and forgive him for kissing Brooke."

Oh. My. GOD.

Dad kissed another girl? That Brooke girl that came over yesterday?

No wonder mum was almost killing her.

Woah, dad. You is a player!

"I know!" Mum's on the verge of tears. "I love him, but I hate him so much!"

I decide to let it be known I'm there.

"Hey, mum," I say, coming through the door. I act shocked that she's crying. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing sweetheart," mum replies. "Just missing your father."

"Aww," I sit down by her and Emma. "Just think happy thoughts."

"Thanks, sweetheart. Why don't you go to your room, let mum cry without worrying you, eh?" She strokes my face gently.

"Alright. But if there's any problems, any at all, come to me," I hint.

"Thanks, Ryder. Love you."

"Love you too." I leave the room.

Now everything makes sense.

*The next day*

*Becky's POV*

Today is Ryder's birthday, and I won't let what happened with Michael ruin our son's day. Part of me is thankful he doesn't know what happened.

"Happy birthday, Ryder," I smile as he walks down the stairs.

"Cheers, mum. Finally sixteen, eh? Thank god."

"Yeah, well, don't get too crazy. A change in number doesn't necessarily mean a change in attitude."

"I won't. Hey, where's my present?" he asks cheekily.

"You will open it at the party, " I chuckle.

"Hmmph, that's ages!"

"Is, isn't it? Shame." I wink at him, and he smiles faintly before sitting down by me at the table, and eats breakfast, which I pre-made for him.

*At the party*

Well, the party's just started. Michael's been calling me over and over, it's getting a little crazy now. I've not listened to any of the answer messages yet.

My phone rings. Michael?

No. Janet.

"Janet, what's up?" I ask.

"Becky?"

That's not Janet's voice.

"Goodbye, Michael," I go to hang up.

"Wait!"

"Ugh, what?!"

"I wanna speak to you, I miss you so bad."

His voice sounds like he's crying. I kinda feel bad.

"You've got thirty seconds, then I'm gone."

"Ok," Michael exhales. "Firstly, I'm sorry about everything. You should know by now that I never wanted any of this to happen. Secondly, I called Janet to come see me so I could use her phone to call you. It worked. Third, I miss you like crazy, fourth, I wanna see Ryder on his birthday. Tell him happy birthday for me."

"I will," I reply shortly. "Anyway this has been fun, goodbye--"

"Not done yet!"

"Hurry up."

"There's more I wanna tell you."

"Well, out with it."

"Ok, fifth.. I've been nowhere near Brooke since last time she was at our house. Sixth, please let me come home?"

"I can't, Michael. Not yet." My tone of voice is calm now.

"At least let me see Ryder at the party."

"Hmm," I sigh, "alright."

"Thank you so much!"

"Whatever."

"There's one last thing."

"Yes?"

"Seventh, I love you more than anything in this world, excluding the kids. You know that? I love you."

He's making my heart melt, but I can't give in yet.

"Anyway, come if you're gonna come," I change the subject.

"I will. I love you." Well, looks like he brought it back to the 'I love you' subject again.

"I'll see you here, then." I say, slightly more calmness in my voice now, and I hang up.

*Michael's POV*

Looks like I was right. I get to go to Ryder's party, and see my family again. It's been 48 hours, but even that's too much for me. I give Janet her phone back, and we walk to the party together. The party's at home, so at least I don't have far to walk.

We arrive at the door, and I take my key out and unlock it. We enter the building, hearing nothing but loud music.

Janet goes off to greet other people, and admire the place, and I arrive in the living room, where loads of teenagers are dancing and hanging around.

I scan the room, trying to find Ryder, Becky, or both.

I see Ryder with a girl, I think Katrice, and walk over to them.

"Hey, Ryder. Happy birthday," I smile. He looks over at me, slightly confused. The girl walks away for a moment.

"When did you get here?"

"Just now. Happy sixteenth," I say once again.

"Thanks, but.. did mum let you in?"

"She let me come here, if that's what you're asking."

"She forgave you already?"

"What for?"

"For kissing another girl," Ryder says, just as Electra and Dexter arrive.

"Dad, you kissed another girl?" Dexter asks.

"Daddy?" Electra gasps.

Crap. None of the kids were meant to know. Now, all three of them do.

"Uh.. I.. I--"

"No, kids. He didn't." I turn around and see my beautiful girl, Becky, standing there. She's wearing a flowing red dress. I know my favourite colour is purple, because it's our lucky colour, but god damnit, I could easily come to love red if she carries on dressing this way.

"Becky.." I mutter in awe.

"Hi, Michael," she replies distantly.

"Uh, I.. you look amazing," I stutter a little.

"Thanks. Hey, kids, I just need to talk to daddy," Becky says, and she takes my arm and pulls me to one side.

*Becky's POV*

"Michael, we need to talk," I say. I'm not sure why I've changed my mind, I just feel the need to talk to him. I want this sorted out, now.

"I know. But I wanna be the one who does the talking," Michael replies. We go upstairs to the bedroom, and sit on the bed together. I feel a little awkward.

"So--"

"I said, I'm doing the talking," Michael dominates. "Firstly, like I said over the phone, I regret what I did, so much. I've been crying since you kicked me outta here. It's only been 48 hours, but it's been 48 of the worst hours of my life. It's bad enough not having my family and friends here, without having you and the kids gone, too."

"But you're here--"

"No, I'm not done. But thanks for asking. I wanna say sorry again for what I did. I know how you must have felt, seeing me kiss Brooke. It hurt me, too. At the time, I was attracted to her, and she was attracted to me, we were both talking and.. it's no excuse. I'm not sure why I'm explaining this over and over. You know what happened, and I feel crap about it. I know you feel worse, and I know how it feels. Being hated by the person you love most in the world, or your heart being broken by them is one of the most awful pains ever.."

"Yeah.." I agree.

"And I wanna say that I wish I'd never done it, despite already saying that a gajillion times. And.. when I kissed Brooke, a lot was going through my mind. Regret, guilt, curiosity as to why I was doing it, and.. Brooke's lips were so chapped, it was unreal."

I try not to giggle at his comment, but it's hard.

"I see you gigglin'."

"I'm not." I regain my straight face and look down at the floor.

"And I also wanna say that I miss your cuddles and kisses, your love, your respect for me.. which, I know you've lost. I know you don't respect me anymore. And that makes me feel so bad."

I stand up, and walk pace around the room, trying to think what to say. Michael stands up, too, and follows me around.

"And I'm sorry, and.. I love you, so, so much. I can't imagine life without you."

"Michael--"

"Oh, just forgive him already. He looks dead guilty," Emma enters the room.

"Emma?" I try not to laugh. "Why aren't you downstairs?"

"What, you thought I wouldn't listen to that conversation? Of course I would!"

"I could murder you," I chuckle. Emma stands with a glass in her hand.

"Yeah, yeah. Just forgive the man already. He looks sorry."

I turn to Michael, then back at Emma. She winks and leaves the room, predicting that me and Michael will make nice again.

I look at Michael awkwardly.

"I am guilty.. and I'm sorry.. and I love you to the point that I'd die for you."

"Alright," I say quietly. "But if you ever do anything like that again, we're done. And I promise that."

He runs up to me, and pushes me against the wall, and begins kissing me uncontrollably.

I let him this time.

"I love you," he says between breaths.

"I love you, too," I say.

He continues to kiss me, and keeps me against the wall as he does so. He rests the palms of his hands on my cheeks and then allows them to run down my body.

I do actually feel better for forgiving him. Carrying the grudge I had on him was killing me.

He finally pulls away and smiles at me.

"Let's go enjoy the party now," he says.

"Yeah, let's," I reply. He takes my hand, and we walk downstairs, where the action is.

"Look," Michael points, and I look over to see Ryder kissing that Katrice girl he's been going on about for months.

"Looks like everyone's playing lovey-dovey tonight," I say. Michael places his arm around me and pulls me closer to him.

"Looks like it," he agrees. "That's my favourite game."

He begins kissing me again, and I smile against his lips, feeling the heavy weight of worry, sadness and anger coming off my shoulders little by little.