I Think I'm in Trouble {Reimagined}

LXXIX.

~ The Year Previous ~

June 25, 1993

The drive home had been silent.

After 47 days of being in rehab, detoxing the tranquilizers she had been on for eight years, the singer was looking at life differently and anxiously, to say the least. She was extremely thrilled yet terrified to see her children and even though she knew it would be best for her to stay home and vegetate after intense rehab, she knew she had to finish the record she had started in the summer of 1992; Street Angel.

Due to her addiction, so many times were things delayed and so easily did days become weeks, did those weeks become months, and finally did they push into the next year. Once it was clear to production that her record would not be done anytime soon, it was when the people around her were becoming worried about her state, letting her husband know as well. 

It was no secret that she was struggling within those years, but asking for help was difficult and almost embarrassing, especially seeing that prior to the addiction she had one with another drug just before that. But for the sake of her health and the sake of her family, she finally gave in and on May 10, 1993, she checked into rehab to fix herself once again.

Pulling into the driveway, Robert settled his hand on her forearm gently. 

She looked over to him with a mildly blank expression.

"I'll get your bags," he assured. 

"Thank you," she nodded and pushed the car door open, stepping out slowly and with ease.

After being tied to a hospital bed and barely moving around after so long, she was weak and tired, and she wasn't entirely sure she was going to make it in her own home with the stairs. She was better, but still depleted after everything.

Just then, the front door flew open and her children came out to greet her.

Pulling her dark sunglasses off, she grinned softly. "Hi, my loves," her voice was as slow and as steady as she stood, no matter how excited she was to see them after so many weeks.

"I missed you so much," Jeffrey said softly. "I was worried," the 24 year old claimed.

"Are you feeling better?" Nicholas asked.

"I'm feeling much better," she assured, definitely humoring them as she wasn't feeling the best.

Meantime, smoking a cigarette, the 20 year old did her best to observe her mother before getting too close.

"Aren't you gonna say hello to your mother?" Robert asked the girl, settling the suitcase in the entry way.

"Duh," she rolled her eyes, throwing the cigarette butt onto the pavement before stepping on it. Walking over, she got close, hugging the woman tightly.

Relief filled the woman when all of her kids surrounded her so lovingly, especially after so many years of dealing with her absence and or erratic behavior. 

Being away in a hospital rather than a tour was much more of an emotional roller coaster for all of them and she knew it was her fault.

"I missed you," the younger blonde assured, her tone soft and welcoming.

"I missed you too," she took her hand, kissing the back of it. "All of you... I'm so happy to be home and I can't wait for you guys to tell me everything I've missed," she explained.