let me love you ~ michael jackson & ariana grande

no more bad blood

                                 May 7th, 1996

Ariana

After I'm done breastfeeding Prince, I change his diaper and lay him down in the crib, pressing my lips soothingly to his forehead and wishing him a goodnight. I brush my teeth before slipping in bed, covering myself with the warm blanket.

I hear Michael step in the bedroom, whispering a few words to Prince. My eyes sense the bathroom light switch on, the sound of the water from the tap fills my ears. It's twisted off once a couple minutes pass by, Michael's feet shuffle from the bathroom to the bed. He brings my body closer to his and I heave heavily.

"Ariana?" He mumbles.

"Yes, Michael?" I mumble back.

"Have you changed your mind on attending the awards with me tomorrow?"

I'm silent for a few moments, we landed in Monaco today for the World Music Awards that are tomorrow. Michael wanted and still wants to bring me along to the ceremony with him. For days, I've been denying his request because I simply didn't feel like I was in the best mindset to go out to an award show. Thinking about it now though has slightly changed my mind. But even if I fully wanted to go, I don't have a dress.

"I'd like to go, Michael but I can't. I didn't bring an outfit with me."

"You know Michael and Dennis can whip you something up within just an hour." Our voices are quiet and mellow.

"Who's gonna be there?" I question, not like it would matter anyway.

"Uh..." He's quiet while he thinks. "If I remember correctly Celine Dion should be there....Shania Twain...Seal, who I'm very excited to meet and um...." He mutters a last name very unclearly.

"What?" I inch closer to get a better hear. He says the name again in an even more muffled tone.

"I can't understand you."

"Diana Ross." He states too fast. "And a couple other people, like-"

I've came to a point in life where I'm comfortable with Michael and I know he's loyal enough to never hurt me like that again. So, I honestly don't give a rat's ass if Diana Ross is there or not. Ever since I had my miscarriage, my mind has been wandering everywhere. I think it knocked some real sense in me and I gained a wave of benevolence because I've been making mends with everyone I've ever had issues with, it's now time for Diana Ross. I think it's a good time to clear up any bad blood between us anyway, I still don't like her nor would that ever change but I'm sick of this unspoken fury between us.

I cut Michael off. "I don't care about Diana, Michael. That was a long time ago and we've came along way, I'm secure enough to know that you wouldn't even think of doing that to me again. And as for her, I've been wanting to set the record straight with her for some time now. I imagine she's wanted to do the same."

His face softens and his head sinks back into the pillow. "I'm proud of you for being so mature."

"Am I not mature?"

He laughs gently. "You are, you always have been. It's just...6 years ago, you'd probably want to rip her head off."

I laugh a little too loud. "I guess."

"Goodnight, Ariana." He kisses me. "I love you, my love."

"I love you too, Michael."

⊹⊱✫⊰⊹

I sit next to Michael and he's sat beside Shania Twain, who was such a sweetheart to meet. Celine Dion performs, and I'm honestly in awe of her beautiful voice.