Human Nature

Chapter 42

February 25th, 1993

Michael was laying on the couch, trying to fall asleep at five AM, but he wanted to be next to Mariah. He felt more at ease around her and it helped his insomnia, but when she was gone he found himself staring at the ceiling most of the night. 

He decided to listen out for Mariah, when he heard music playing softly from the bedroom.

What the hell is she doing up so late?

He decided to go upstairs since the door was open and he leaned against the door frame as Mariah was facing the radio away from him.

She was singing along to I Just Can't Stop Loving You in her beautiful voice and he wished he had known Mariah when he was recording it after he struggled so hard to find a woman to sing with him. 

"And if I stop, then tell me just what will I do?"

"I just can't stop loving you." He finished.

She turned around and  faced him, sitting cross legged on the bed. "You scared me."

He chuckled. "Are we done being mad at each other yet? I miss you sleeping next to me."

"I'm sorry I threw a shoe at you. I just haven't been feeling like myself lately." She shrugged.

He laughed. "That's an understatement. What's been up with you lately? You've been tired and you're acting...I don't want to say crazy..."

"But crazy." Mariah guessed. "I don't know. Everything bothers me now, I don't know what's going on. Maybe it's PMS."

"You did get a period, right?" He asked.

She nodded. "It was a little different-"

"Aye, I don't want details." He interrupted.

She giggled. "Come here, I want to cuddle."

"Don't have to ask me twice." He crawled into the bed beside her and laid his head on her chest.

She pushed him off. "Ouch, that hurts. Move your big head."

"Fine, I'll be big spoon." He conceded, rolling over on his back.

She snuggled up next to him. "I love you."

"I love you too."

March 5th, 1993

Mariah had been hugging the toilet all morning while Michael leaned against the door frame with a pensive expression. She had been feeling sickly all week, but it had gotten worse.

"Are you sure you took your pill?" He asked.

She scratched her head. "I think so, I'm pretty sure I did."

He raised an eyebrow. "You don't remember?"

"No, not really. I usually take them when I first wake up." She said.

Michael sighed. "I'm gonna ask Bill to make a run to the drug store."

She didn't try to argue with him as she thought back to all the times she and Michael had sex. She grabbed her pill box and they had all been taken, but once her eyes fell on the days of the week she realized she was off by a day.

"Michael?" She called.

"Yeah."

She shook her head. "Would you want a boy or a girl?"

She heard his footsteps charging back up the stairs. "What?"

She held up the case. "Today's Wednesday, right?"