Human Nature

Chapter 26

December 25th, 1991

Mariah rolled over, looking up at Michael. "Good morning."

"Good morning." He mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Ready for Christmas number two?' She asked.

She rubbed his face, which had a bit of stubble growing on it and was devoid of makeup. 

"I know, I need to shave." He chuckled.

Mariah giggled. "You really do,"

"I'll shave mine when you shave yours." He said.

Mariah swatted at his face, but he caught her hand. "I'm kidding, babe."

She giggled again and rolled off of him. "So, you wanna go downstairs?"

Michael rolled over and leaned on his hand. "We don't have to. I think I wanna stay in bed a little while longer."

He pulled her back into his arms and nuzzled her neck.

She blushed. "Babe,"

He chuckled again as he sang. "There'll be no darkness tonight. Lady our love will shine..."

Mariah felt his hand slide up her thigh.

"You're not serious right now." She gently pushed him off and sat up.

He pouted. "You never let me have any fun."

She giggled. "Like you don't know why."

"We don't have to go all the way, just let me touch you." His eyes traveled up and down. 

"If I let you do that, it's just gonna open up for us to do more until we do." She pointed out.

He laid back down with a huff. "Fine, hurry up in the bathroom so we can go downstairs."

"Hey, remember it's all up to you." She said and went into the bathroom.

Just ask me to marry you. That's all it takes, Michael.

She came back in the room and saw that Michael had dozed back off. Mariah chuckled to herself and blew in his ear. He rolled over and she snatched the blanket off of him.

"Get up."

He groaned. "Alright, I'll meet you downstairs in fifteen."

She nodded and went downstairs in the kitchen. Deciding on a bowl of cereal, she made a bowl and sat down by the tree. She finished her cereal and turned the radio on while walking into the kitchen. Michael was coming down the stairs when she went back into the living room. He came over and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I think you'll like your gift." He whispered.

Is it a ring?

Mariah raised an eyebrow and went over to the tree. Michael ran to beat her and handed her a small box. She coyly pulled the paper back and opened the case. Earrings.

"They're pretty." She smiled. "I'll wear them at my next performance."

Michael kissed her on the cheek and handed her an envelope. "And here's the other gift."

She opened the envelope. "Plane tickets to Africa?"

"Yeah, we're gonna go on vacation after I do this next short film." He grinned. 

Mariah jumped into his arms. "It'll be great to see the Motherland. We're going to see some of the hospitals and things, right?"

"Of course."