Slipping Away

Chapter 21

April 29th, 1994

Mariah skipped into the house with her shopping bags, feeling a bit freer. Tommy hadn't been around during the day because it was busy with Sony. 

"Where have you been?"

She froze, turning around slowly like a teenager who had been caught after sneaking out. "I went shopping."

"You should've been in the studio." Tommy folded his arms.

Mariah raised an eyebrow, setting down her bags. "I didn't get to celebrate my birthday at all and I haven't seen my friends since we've been married. The album isn't going to be released until November anyway."

"I don't see what the problem is. You wanted to be a singer, right? Put in the work." Tommy said, adding under his breath. "I'm surprised Michael didn't teach you that one."

She took a deep breath. "I've been working. I've put out an album every year since my debut, I think I can take one day for myself."

"Don't do it again. By the way, your stepchildren are here." He walked away and Mariah sighed, taking her bags to her room.

She set the bags down and reached for the phone. She wanted to call one of her friends, but she decided she was already in enough trouble with Tommy. Instead, she went to go talk to Tommy's two children. She knew they probably resented her for what happened between Tommy and their mother Lisa, but she was lonely.

Tommy's daughter Hannah was in her room, working on something at the desk.

"Hi, Hannah. How was school?" She asked.

Hannah shrugged. "Fine, I guess."

"What are you working on?" She asked.

"A picture." Hannah responded, annoyance apparent in her tone.

Mariah smiled. "Can I see?"

Hannah raised an eyebrow. "Sure, I guess."

Mariah took the picture from Hannah and saw that it was actually a collage of pictures of her parents, some from Mariah's wedding with her cut out of the photos. Mariah bit her lip and handed the picture back to Hannah.

"It's very pretty." Mariah said.

Hannah frowned. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Anything." Mariah said.

"Why did you marry my dad?"

Mariah shrugged. "Things just happen that way sometimes."

"You just don't seem happy. You looked happier when you were dating Michael Jackson." Hannah observed. "So why not be with him?"

Mariah continued to hold a smile on her face despite . Hannah was intuitive for a twelve year old

"Your father loves me." Mariah started. "And I care for him-"

"But you don't love him?"

"I do." Mariah said, quietly. "And part of me loving him includes loving you. I just want to be friends with you and your brother."

Hannah remained quiet, focusing on her picture.

"You can think about it if you want." Mariah said and went back to her room. She didn't know what she had been hoping for, but she was glad that she had opened herself up to Tommy's children. No matter how messy the divorce came about. 

May 26th, 1994

Michael was nervous for once. He was about to marry Lisa Marie and despite the voice in the back of his head telling him he was rushing, his heart was screaming that it was the right thing to do. Lisa had stirred something in him with her brash nature. He had fallen for her faster than he had fallen for Mariah and Diana.