Michael Freeman thought he knew what happiness was with a beautiful wife and two young kids  – until she broke his heart. Patrice Freeman decided that the role of wife and mother wasn't for her; it conflicted with her career goals and fun-craving lifestyle. She filed for divorce and didn't challenge his request to keep custody of the kids, flitting off to another city with hardly a backwards glance.

Michael might have thrown himself into his work as an architect in the successful firm that he and his best friend had built together, but he didn't have that option; The twins, Michael jr. and Tanisha needed him more than ever. The stress soon started to get to him; looking after a pair of bawling, rambunctious one year olds kept him up all night, and the nannies he tried to hire proved unreliable. Fortunately, his partner John Daniels' daughter had just dropped out of high school and was looking for a job to keep her father off her back. She was a godsend, great with the kids, and her light-heartedness was a great lift to his spirits. She took care of them during the days and when he had to work late, often hanging around long enough to have dinner with the family and generally making herself indispensable.

Michael is a tall, well-built man of 40, naturally athletic and toned, though he also keeps himself in shape with the pool and home gym he designed. He stands 6'2", with broad shoulders tapering to a toned waist and legs. His dark eyes are serious, though he has learned to laugh and smile more of late, and developed a dry sense of humour.