Slipping Away

Chapter 22

August 12th, 1994

Michael yawned, noticing that Lisa wasn't there. He rubbed his eyes and got up from bed, finding Lisa in the living room in the lower level of the bedroom. 

He playfully rested his head on her shoulder and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Good morning."

"Good morning." She said, eyes still focused on the TV.

Michael rested a hand over her stomach and Lisa moved it. "I'm not pregnant, Michael."

Michael sighed. "I thought we'd be expecting a baby by now. It's been a few months."

"It takes time, babe." Lisa replied, shrugging. "It'll happen eventually."

I wonder if Mariah would've had this problem.

He shook his head, clearing the thoughts of his ex. He was married to Lisa, so he had to get rid of his thoughts of Mariah. He was over her, though he still couldn't get over the last time he had seen her. She had walked in with bodyguards on either side of her, head held high and shades to cover her eyes as if she were above them all. It was like she had become a completely different person after marrying Tommy. 

"I know, in the meantime though." He gave an impish grin. "We can have some fun trying."

Lisa smirked. "I'd love that, but I have to get the kids from Danny."

"Right." Michael nodded. "So we're going to New York?"

"I'm going to New York. There's no real reason for you to go." Lisa shrugged.

Michael frowned. "I told you I was going to be doing some recording in New York so I was going to go with you."

"Oh, I thought you meant go with me to get the kids." Lisa nodded. "Right, we can fly together."

"Why wouldn't you want me to go? It's not like Ben and Riley don't know me." Michael pointed out.

Lisa shrugged. "I don't want you to meet Danny yet."

"Why? I'm going to have to meet him eventually." He said. Lisa's resistance to him meeting her first husband was strange. He had asked her about it prior to marrying her, but she had refused then as well.

Lisa sighed. "I know. Just not now, okay?"

Michaeal, sensing the hostility, got up and went back to his room. He didn't like to argue and he wasn't going to start with Lisa, especially not so early in the morning. 

August 17th, 1994

Mariah was in the booth recording her Christmas songs for the album. Tommy told her that the entire album had to be mixed and mastered by mid-October to keep with the November 1st  release date. He had also told her that she would start recording her next studio album in November as well. Walter and Tommy were both sitting at the control panel

"Mariah take it from the second verse."

She nodded, gripping the headphones. Once the music started playing she sang:

I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe

I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click

"Stop!"

Mariah stopped and rolled her eyes. "What's wrong?"

"You're not lively enough. You're the one who said it should be upbeat, but you're singing it like it's a ballad." Walter chided. "Perk up."

Mariah nodded and smiled at him. "I'm ready." 

She re-recorded the first part of the second verse and Walter was quiet so she continued on to the next part.

'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
'Cause baby all I want for Christmas is you
You, baby

"Alright, we got it. So now the bridge, okay?"

Mariah nodded. "Let's do it."

All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children
Laughter fills the air

And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need
Won't you please bring my baby to me

Tommy was grinning at her and though she smiled back, she wasn't singing it for him. She couldn't say that she wasn't, but she knew her heart would always belong to someone else.

I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door

Oh I just want him for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas
Is you, baby

It's all I want for Christmas
It's all I want for Christmas
It's all I want for babe,
All I want, all I really want is you baby
All I want, all I really want is, want is, want is, want is
Ooh baby

She pulled off the headset and walked out of the booth, feeling more emotional than she thought she would. Tommy's gaze seemed to burn right through her and she began to feel self-conscious. He made her feel like a trophy, like she had been something to be won and she were now his possession.

"Mariah?" Tommy raised en eyebrow as she brushed past him and headed up to their room. She sat on the bed, and had the mind to dial Janet's number. She picked up the phone as Tommy was coming into the room and quickly set it down.

Tommy came into the room, blustering in rage. "What are you doing?"

"I got light-headed." She lied. "I needed to come sit down."

He rolled his eyes. "You have five minutes. Remember, you wanted to do this Christmas album."

"What? No I-"

Tommy nodded. "Yeah, you did. You love Christmas so much-"

"Yeah, I love Christmas, but the album was your idea. Not mine."

"No it wasn't. It was your idea."

Mariah bit her lip, shaking her head. "I didn't-"

"You did."

Mariah sighed. "You're right. It was my idea and I'm excited about this album."

"So, I'll see you in five minutes?"

"Right." She watched him leave and then grabbed the phone, frantically dialing Janet's phone number.

"Hello?"

"Janet? It's me, Mariah."