Human Nature

Chapter 15

December 25th, 1990

Michael woke up to find that Mariah wasn't in his arms. 

What is she up to now?

He looked around the room before heaving himself up. He thought he smelled breakfast cooking, but he assumed he was just hungry, considering that Mariah never cooked. Then he realized it was Christmas. He rolled out of the bed, fixing the comforter, and walked into the living room. He was right; he had smelled breakfast cooking and Mariah smiled when she saw him come into the living room.

"You're awake!" She ran over and kissed him.

He squeezed her and playfully grabbed her butt. "Good morning."

She pushed him back. "Excuse me sir."

He laughed. "I'll be back, I need to shower."

"Then why did you come up here?" She asked, hands on her hips.

He grinned. "I was just trying to make sure the house wasn't burning down."

She folded her arms."I guess there won't be any for you." 

He laughed. "No...please?"

"Fine." Mariah walked back into the kitchen as he went into the bathroom.

He came back out in his robe, towel wrapped around his shoulders. "So what exactly did you make? I heard the smoke detector go off."

Mariah rolled her eyes. "It was from the steam. I made steak omelets."

She proudly handed him a plate and he raised an eyebrow. "So you can cook?"

Mariah shook her head. "Ma taught me how to make them specifically for today."

He kissed her. "Isn't that sweet of you?"

"I wanted you to have a nice first Christmas." She said.

"Well I'm with you, so I guess you were already on the right track." He replied.

Mariah smirked. "I know what you're doing."

Michael put his hand on his chest. "What are you talking about? I'm of the innocent." 

She put her plate on the table. "Uh-huh, you know I heard you talking to your brother, right?" 

Michael nodded. "Really?"

Mariah walked up to him and threw her arms around his neck. "Yeah, so you wanna 'jump my bones'?"

Michael felt his cheeks flush. "You weren't supposed to hear that."

"I bet I wasn't. You said, and I quote 'I just wanna jump her bones once. I respect the fact that she's waiting, but when I get a hold of her...ow!' That's what you said." She laughed.

Michael looked down. "Now I'm embarrassed."

"Embarrassed that you're attracted to me?" Mariah raised an eyebrow, leaning forward.

Michael covered his face and laughed. "No, that you heard me say that."

"You wanna jump my bones, you wanna, wanna jump my bones." She sang.

Michael blushed harder. "Stop it."

Mariah laughed. "I'm sorry, it just sounds so funny. I wonder who came up with that."

Michael shrugged. "I have no idea."

He started to eat, but Mariah was staring out in space.

"Jumping someone's bones." Mariah mused.