let me love you ~ michael jackson & ariana grande

nightmares continuing

   October 23rd, 1993

Ariana

"Liz, me choosing to stay here with Michael was supposed to help what he was going through. It's almost like it made it worse, our marriage is not only falling apart but so is he. He's so underweight, Liz." I pause speaking, trying my best to muffle my cries. "He doesn't eat or drink anything. The times I've tried to convince him to, he just lashes out at me."

I was really hoping that everything would at least go somewhat back to normal after me almost leaving the tour with Dede. Now, we're having more problems than we've ever had. Michael and I were never the arguing type, we rarely fought. That changed since August though. Every day is always something new and if we aren't fighting, we're not speaking unless it's about our daughter.

"You have to stay strong, Ariana." Liz's soothing voice says. "He still isn't taking up that rehab idea?"

I sourly exhale. "You and I both know Michael would never go to rehab willingly, he's so delusional that he thinks he's perfectly fine."

"What if he doesn't go willingly?" She asks. "What do you mean?" I question in response. "I mean what if we take him there without him knowing? Trick him into going? Once he's there, he can't possibly try and leave." Liz states.

The thought lingers for a minute. Betraying Michael's trust like that is something I'd never thought I would have to do. But Michael is literally killing himself with narcotics. I don't know what I'd do if I found him laying on the bathroom floor, dead from an overdose. I quickly realize I don't have any other options unless I want Michael to end up deceased.

"You think we can actually do that?" I query, incredibly disappointed it's gotten to this point.

"What else have we got to lose?" Liz is right. It's either this or nothing.

"Okay."

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                           November 12th, 1993

Ariana

I bite my bottom lip anxiously as the plane soars over London, England. It's about 1 in the morning so it's a dark night. In just a couple of moments, Michael will be shipped off to the Charter Nightingale Clinic where he will hopefully get all the help he needs. This place was recommended to Liz by Elton John so I imagine it's good. The guilt has been hitting me and still is considering I'm doing all of this behind his back but it's for the best. Michael ended up cutting the tour short a month early because he was simply not in the condition to keep performing. His health has been deteriorating drastically and having to watch that is dreadful.

Michael sits in front of me, these days it's hard telling if he's sleeping or just high out of his mind. Dede rests on his lap. The familiar force maneuvers around in my chest as we land.

"It's time, Ariana." Elizabeth whispers in my ear, worry emerges in me. "I don't think I can do this. He's gonna hate me." I keep my voice quiet as tears well up in my eyes. "He'll be okay and eventually thankful." Larry, Elizabeth's husband, says in a hushed tone.

I take a few deep breaths before facing Michael, nudging him a bit. He looks at me dazed. "We're here, Michael." My face is as blank as my voice. "Already?" He furrows his eyebrows. "Already." I affirm, Larry takes Dede's sleeping body and keeps her in his arms.

The jet door opens tall and Bill stands near them. "I'm ready when you guys are." His orbs are sad but content, I know Bill is one of the closest people to us so him seeing Michael finally get the aid that he needs is relieving.