Never forget you

Chapter Six: Five Years Later

Five years had passed since the world had lost Mariah Carey, and while time had helped to heal some of the wounds, her absence was still deeply felt. The twins, Moroccan and Monroe, had grown into bright, curious children, their laughter a constant reminder of the light that Mariah had brought into the world. They were seven years old now, and although they were too young to fully remember everything about their mother, they knew her through the stories, the music, and the love that surrounded them every day.

Nick had done his best to raise them, to keep Mariah’s spirit alive in their hearts. He had moved out of their old house, unable to bear the memories that haunted its walls, but he made sure to take the pieces of her with them that mattered most—her music, her pictures, and the warmth of her love. The new house was filled with photographs of her, moments frozen in time that told the story of her life and her love for them. In every corner, there was a reminder of her presence, something that kept her spirit alive even after all these years.

It was a warm Saturday afternoon, and the twins were outside playing in the garden, their laughter drifting through the open windows. Inside, the living room was filled with friends—Da Brat, Janet Jackson, and Toni Braxton had gathered as they often did, coming together to share their love for Mariah and the twins she had left behind.

“Look at them,” Janet said softly, her eyes following the twins as they ran through the garden, their energy boundless. “They’ve grown so much. Every time I see them, they remind me more and more of her.”

Toni nodded, a gentle smile playing on her lips. “They have her spirit. That same light in their eyes. You can just see it.”

Da Brat leaned back in her chair, her eyes misty as she watched the children play. “She would’ve been so proud of them. They’re everything she dreamed of. I just wish she could be here to see them grow up.”

Nick walked into the room, a tray of drinks in his hands, and he smiled at the sight of Mariah’s friends sitting together, sharing memories of her. He placed the tray on the table and sat down, his eyes turning towards the garden, where Moroccan was trying to catch a butterfly while Monroe watched, her laughter ringing out.

“Thank you all for being here,” Nick said, his voice soft. “It means so much to me—and to them—that you’re still a part of their lives. I know Mariah would’ve wanted it this way.”

Janet reached over, her hand resting on Nick’s. “We wouldn’t have it any other way, Nick. She was family, and these kids… they’re a part of her. We’ll always be here for them.”

The room fell quiet for a moment, the weight of Mariah’s absence palpable. Then, Toni broke the silence, her eyes meeting Nick’s. “Do they ask about her much?”

Nick nodded, his gaze still fixed on the twins. “All the time. They want to know everything about her—what she was like, how she sang, how she loved. I tell them as much as I can, but… there are some things only you all can share. The parts of her that only her friends knew.”

Da Brat smiled, her eyes softening. “We’ve got stories for days. I remember when we were working on that one track… Mariah was so tired, but she still stayed up all night just to get it perfect. She was a perfectionist, but it was always because she wanted to give her best, especially for the people she loved.”

Janet nodded in agreement. “She was always like that. She never did anything halfway. Whether it was her music or her love for you and the twins… she gave it everything.”

Toni’s voice was gentle as she added, “She was so excited when she found out she was having twins. I remember how she called me, crying tears of joy, saying she couldn’t believe it. She loved you two so much, Nick. You and those babies were her whole world.”