Human Nature

Chapter 45

March 19th, 1993

Mariah placed the last pot on the table and took her seat next to Michael. All of his siblings were present, save Latoya. Katherine had taken a southern approach to cooking and made fried chicken, greens, macaroni, and cornbread. Mariah had been excited to eat until she caught the smell of the macaroni, it was making her sick to her stomach. She had her hand pressed to her mouth to try to block the smell and Janet gave her a knowing smirk.

"You okay?" Michael whispered.

She nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure? You look green in the face."

"The food smell." She admitted.

Michael nodded. "Do you want to go lay down?"

She shook her head. "I'll be fine."

He gave her a wary glance and the proceeded to pile food on his plate. It was the most she had seen him eat in the three years she had known him. She had put some chicken on her plate, along with some cornbread, but the greens were starting to get to her as well.

"Mariah, are you alright? You aren't eating much." Katherine asked, critically eyeing her plate.

Mariah smiled. "Yes, Katherine. Thanks you for asking."

Katherine smirked. "I'm glad. Is the baby giving you trouble at all?"

How does she...?

Mariah glanced at Michael, who had the same puzzled expression as her.

"A mother knows, baby. I've nine kids, I know what a pregnant woman looks like. When are you due?" 

Mariah blushed. "I'm due in October."

Jackie clapped. "Congrats, Mike."

"About time you settled down." Jermaine chimed in.

Rebbie gripped her hand. "Mariah, if you need anything you can call me."

"Thank you, Rebbie." She said.

Joseph gave them a nod as he started to dig into his plate. 

Tito clapped Michael on the back. "Welcome to fatherhood, brother."

Marlon grinned at her. "Congrats Mariah."

"So when's the wedding?" Janet inquired.

Michael answered. "Probably towards the end of the summer."

Jermaine raised an eyebrow. "Why then? She'll be all big and pregnant."

Mariah held back an eyeroll. "Well, these things do take time to plan-"

"I say elope and then do a ceremony after the baby is born." Jermaine interjected.

Jackie rolled his eyes. "Let them do it the way they want to."

Jermaine put his hands up. "I'm just saying it doesn't make sense." 

"Just be quiet, Jermaine." Randy said.

Michael grabbed her hand underneath the table. She looked at him gratefully and then turned back to her plate.

"So how has everyone else been?" Mariah asked.

Janet frowned. "I saw Latoya."

March 19th, 1993

Michael dropped his fork. "You saw her? When?"

"Back in November in New York." Janet rolled her eyes. "I had to hurt her."

His mother shook her head. "Why would you do that Janet?"