In the weeks that followed most of the work they did pertained to the choreographing of the show. In between that Regina worked on writing and did appearances and interviews with Marshall. Though several more stories had been in the tabloids, neither Marshall nor Regina gave it any notice. They really didn’t care what they said.

As it became known who Regina was and whom she was dating, it became harder for her to go out with out a bodyguard. Eventually she had to get one, just for her and chose the guy she got along with best, Johnny, a massively tall Puerto Rican man who used to box and wrestle. He could throw Regina over his shoulder easily and whenever Marshall felt the need, he’d call out, “time to play Reggie ball!” Johnny would then pick Regina up under his arm and pretend he was making a touch down by running around and finally dropping her on her butt. Regina didn’t mind having to take him with her whenever she went anywhere, he was a nice guy, and he was one of the only guys that Marshall trusted around her.

Surprisingly enough, she didn’t get frustrated with the paparazzi, not as much as Dre and Marshall had anticipated. She could be walking along the street, just talking to Marshall with a gang of photographers in her wake and she wouldn’t even take notice. She never acted any differently with Marshall in front of the cameras than she did when they were alone. She never didn’t kiss him just because the cameras were there, she never didn’t hold his hand because they were watching, she did as she pleased. And she was never too good to stop for a fan. Regina would always stop and sign autographs for fans, take pictures or even just talk for a few minutes.

As it had turned out, the little episode outside of the MTV studio with Lily and Rose had been taped. Regina was now being referred to as Regina Congeniality by all the big networks and magazines, and Marshall was now, with the guys and on the news, known as “The Mean Yellow Haired Man.” They teased him mercilessly but he did take a lesson out of it. He started signing a few more autographs, posed for a couple more pictures and stopped complaining so much about the fans. Regina smiled at him often just for that.

A few weeks later, it was the end of June, so that meant school was out for both Hailie and Catalina. Marshall and Regina came to each other with the same idea, bring both girls out at the same time for a long visit. Regina also invited her brother who was more than happy to spend time away from his parents, in another state, with his cool big sister, the rapper. Edith and Sangio didn’t say anything about it. Regina never spoke to her parents, only Ricky and her grandparents who she also discussed the security measures with.

All four grandparents agreed that it was unlikely that Regina would be able to hide the fact that she had a family and if they ended up in the papers, it wouldn’t matter. Catalina had even said, when consulted on it, “I know the truth about my big sister, and no body can tell me different. Besides, if people want to waste their film on taking pictures of people doing nothing important, they can go right ahead.” Marshall laughed heartily when Regina repeated what her little sister had said.

“I wish I felt the way you did,” Marshall replied.

“My family knows me, they are the only people I’m worried about. And my friends, my real friends won’t believe the stories either. Besides, what the hell do I care what the rest of the world thinks?” Regina asked.

“I know, but I just don’t like Hailie’s face spread all over the news, that’s all,” Marshall replied.

“You do what makes you comfortable, she is your child, don’t let anyone tell you what to do for her, you are the only one that can make the right decision.” Regina said firmly.

The following week Regina and Marshall went to the airport under strict security, both in disguises as the airport was packed. They had been lucky and been able to coordinate both flights. Kim was flying Hailie in from Detroit and would catch a plane with Ricky and Catalina in Chicago, the connecting flight to New York. Kim was not about to let her nine year-old daughter fly anywhere without her, not that Marshall would have allowed that anyway.

They saved all introductions until they got back to the hotel and then it was a blow out of hugs and greetings, Regina and her family talking in three different languages. Marshall was swinging Hailie around the room. Finally, when things quieted down, they realized that they hadn’t introduced everyone to each other.

“All right, you two remember Marshall, Marshall, Ricky and Catalina,” Regina said with a hand on Ricky’s shoulder and the other on Catalina’s.

“Kim, this is my girlfriend, Regina, Regina, this is Kim, Hailie’s mom,” Regina nodded at Kim, both recognizing the awkwardness of the situation for what it was.

“This,” Marshall said picking up his daughter, “is my baby girl Hailie!” he was puffing proudly.

“Dad, I’m not a baby!” Hailie retorted.

“All right, fine, Hailie, this is Regina,” Marshall started but Hailie interrupted her.

“You’re the pretty lady that daddy talked to on the phone all the time,” Hailie said.

“I guess that’s me, its nice to finally meet you Hailie, your daddy talks about you all the time,” Regina said pleasantly.

“Daddy, can I get down now?” Hailie whined.

“Yes, here you go,” he laughed. Hailie saw the girl her own age and stepped up to her.

“Hi, I’m Hailie, that’s my daddy over there,” Hailie said pointing to her father.

“Yeah, that’s Marshall, my sister’s boyfriend. I’m Catalina,” Catalina replied.

“Who’s that?” Hailie asked looking over at Ricky.

“That’s Ricky, he’s my brother. Hey, you like Power Puff Girls?” Catalina asked looking at Hailie’s shirt.

“Yeah, I got a video, you want to watch it?” Hailie asked.

“Cool, yeah,” Catalina replied before she and Hailie went to get the video and watch it.

“Oh goody another Power Puff fan,” Marshall said shaking his head.

“All right, well I’m going to say goodbye to Hailie, then I’m back to Detroit. You’re flying her home, right?” Kim asked looking over at Marshall.

“Yeah, in a week and a half,” Marshall replied.

“She can stay as long as she wants Em, as long as you can keep her. Don’t worry about it,” Kim replied.

“You mean that?” he asked. Regina felt like she was intruding so she pulled Ricky away and went to help the girls with the video.

“I do. She just has to be home before school starts, that’s all,” Kim replied.

“You’d let her stay the entire summer?” Marshall asked.

“I would, and I am. Only if she wants to come home, or things start to get too hectic, do I want to see her home,” Kim replied.

“Well, thanks, I mean that Kim. Really,” Marshall replied surprised.

“Its no problem at all. And Marshall, don’t fuck it up with Regina,” Kim added giving him a look.

“What? Oh, yeah, I forgot about that,” he replied sheepishly.

“And obviously so has she other wise she wouldn’t still be here, am I right in assuming?” Kim replied looking over at Regina and the girls. They hadn’t been able to make the movie work so Regina was doing her Buttercup impression, sending both girls into hysterics.

“Yeah, she has, not after threatening me though,” Marshall replied.

“Good,” Kim said nodding stiffly. She went over to the couch with Hailie, both she and Catalina giggling profusely. She said her goodbye and then turned to Regina.

“Could I speak to you in the hall Regina?” she asked.

“Huh? Oh, sure, I guess so,” Regina replied, not just a little nervous. She shot Marshall a look before following Kim out into the hall.

“Just first and foremost, I know this must be awkward as hell talking to me, seeing as I’m his ex-wife and you are his girlfriend,” Kim said once they were facing one another.

“I wish there was a different word instead of girlfriend, it feels so, I don’t know, high school drama act,” Regina replied making them both laugh.

“I know what you mean. But I just wanted to talk to you for a minute,” Kim replied after a minute of laughter.

“I’m not trying to play house with Marshall, if that’s what you’re asking,” Regina replied.

“No no, I know that. You were married once right?” Kim asked.

“Yeah, who hasn’t. I’m sure Hailie is a very sweet girl, I mean Marshall talks about her all the time, but I assure you, I am not aiming to become her step mom or something, or her auntie whatever,” Regina replied.

“Not what I was going to say either, but that’s good to know. Hailie takes to whoever she wants. If she likes you, you may not have a choice in being an auntie whatever, though she usually likes to make nicknames for people herself,” Kim laughed.

“And you don’t have a problem with that?” Regina asked confused.

“No, Hailie is her own person, she knows who her mother is, but if she likes you, I’m not going to be jealous about it. What I wanted to talk to you about is Em,” Kim replied.

“What about him?”

“Don’t take his shit. I can tell you’ll be good for him, and you have been. I haven’t seen him look so good in a while. He’s happy Regina, and I think that’s because of you,” Kim said gently.

“Me?” Regina asked shocked.

“Yeah, you, you’re hard on him, so he tells me, and that’s what he needs. But just don’t jerk him around. Despite what he acts like he’s been run through the mill a few times and he deserves someone that won’t fuck around on him,” Kim said looking Regina dead on.

“This is just for curiosity sake, but, why do you care? I mean especially after all the songs, he’s recorded, talking about killing you and everything,” Regina asked.

“That’s just Em. He feels a certain way at a certain time, so he raps about it. It ends up on an album. Not much I can do about that. Besides, if even I did sue him, what would it do for Hailie not getting to see her father? I’m past it. No matter if I did sue, I still got half of the greatest thing he’s ever made, and that is Hailie. And I do care because no matter what, and you probably don’t want to hear this, but I will always care about what happens to him, you go on every day, caring about someone and then,” Regina cut her off here.

“It’s hard to just stop feeling a certain way after you’ve lived your entire life a certain way. You don’t have to tell me, I know exactly where you are coming from. The guy I married, knew him my entire life, literally, from the time I was born. Been five years now,” Regina nodded.

“So at least you know. I’m routing for the two of you, I am. But just one thing about Hailie,” Kim said.

“Don’t worry, Marshall’s got the body guards and I’ll guard her with my own life, she’ll be my second little sister,” Regina replied.

“That’s also good to know, but I was going to say is that be careful, Hailie likes to hide keys,” Regina burst out laughing.

“Yeah, I know, but if you can’t find them, ask Hailie, and if she denies it, she’s lying, it’s her favorite trick.” They both stood there for a moment, both wondering what else there needed to be said.

“Uh, thanks, you know, for calling and telling me, you didn’t have to, but you did,” Regina said after a moment.

“No problem, just take care of him, and yourself,” Kim replied. Regina stood awkwardly, looking around when Kim held her hand out.

“No worries then,” Kim said as Regina shook her hand firmly. Kim departed and Regina returned to the room, to find Marshall, Ricky, Catalina and Hailie watching the Power Puff girls. He turned when he heard the door close and asked,

“Everything okay?” Regina nodded and took a seat between him and Catalina, pulling her up onto her lap, happy to be with her family, at least for a little while.