Human Nature

Chapter 44

March 18th, 1993

Mariah was watching Michael say goodbye to the Chandlers and Cascios from the window of their bedroom. She had a dizzy spell earlier that morning so Michael had all but forbade her from leaving the room.

She watched the cars pull off and made her way back to bed, laying on her stomach while she still could. She had decided to call Brenda and Patsy to tell them about her pregnancy, but Michael had suggested that they invite their friends and family to dinner so that they could tell them all at once. 

Part of her wished she could share the news with Alison, but she knew better. Mariah been thinking about her estranged sister a lot as of late. She wanted to have her family around as she was beginning to embark on her new life as Michael's wife and the mother of his children. She wanted Alison to go to rehab.

Michael came into the bedroom and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Hey, beautiful. How are you feeling?"

She rolled over and poked him in the nose. "I'm not doing this again. This is going to be our only child."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever." He laughed, putting a hand on her belly. "Wait until we have our child in our arms. Then we'll see what you'll be saying."

She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, what are you going to be doing today?"

"Rehearsing for the Soul Train awards." He bit his lip. "You know I still need a date if you're interested."

She giggled. "Are you asking me on a date, Mr. Jackson?"

"Is that a yes?" He wiggled his eyebrow suggestively.

She gave him a peck on the lips. "I'll think about it."

March 18th, 1993

Remember the Time had the most complicated choreography out of all of the songs, but he had chosen to perform it at the Soul Train awards that were happening in a couple days. He was getting a little frustrated with his dancers, who were missing steps left and right. The routine had to be perfect by his standards.

After a few more runs, his dancers were starting to get better and he was glad for it. He wanted to wrap up as soon as possible so he could get back to Mariah. He hated leaving her by herself for any period of time. He went into a spin, but as soon as he did he felt a sharp pain in his ankle.

"Fuck!" He went down, clutching his ankle. 

The dancers moved back, clutching their hands over their mouths.

Bill rushed over to him. "What happened?"

"My ankle." He replied, gritting his teeth in pain.

He moved his hands and noticed his ankle had already started swelling badly as Bill helped him up.

"Can you walk?" Bill asked.

Michael gingerly lowered his foot to the ground, grimacing in pain as it touched the floor. "No, I can't."

He hopped over to a chair in the corner in the corner and rubbed his ankle. "Fuck."

"You're probably not going to be able to perform." Bill said, rubbing his jaw.

"Yes I can." Michael said, attempting to stand before sitting back down.

Bill raised an eyebrow. "Mike, you can't even walk."

"It'll be fine. I'll just wrap my leg up and leave it." Michael shrugged.

Bill shook his head. "No, you need to see a doctor."

March 18th, 1993

"Bill watch the-"

"Michael, I see it."