Slipping Away

Chapter 37

December 19th, 1995

Michael's hurt face was enough to make Mariah regret telling the truth.

"You told me Prince-"

She shook her head. "Not Prince. There was another baby."

"When?" He choked out.

She looked down at her hands, unable to look him in the face. "After I married Tommy, I found out I was pregnant. Tommy found out before I could tell you, I really wanted to tell you, but he told me if I didn't get rid of the baby he'd kill me. I-"

He abruptly got up from the bed and went to go stand by the window.

"Michael?"

He shook his head. "I spent the last two years begging Lisa Marie to have my child and you were pregnant and he made you kill my child. Why didn't you leave then?"

"Michael, I was afraid." She whispered. "I didn't know what to do. I was trying to survive."

His shoulders slumped. "How many months were you?"

"Almost three." She said quietly.

He walked away from the window and sat back down on the bed, placing his hand over her stomach. "So it happened last January?"

"Yeah." She said, putting her hand over his. "Not a day goes by that I don't think of it. I dream of her-"

"Her?"

"I think it was. Whenever I dream, I see you, Prince, and her." Mariah took another breath. "Her name would've been Monroe and she...she would've been born in August. She'd have your eyes...she would've been beautiful and then Prince...he would've been just like you. Whenever I dream of him he's mad at me, but Monroe she's sad. Then you, you take them away. You blame me for losing them, like I blame myself."

"I never blamed you for losing Prince." He said.

She sniffled. "I never understood why. It was my fault, I killed your children."

He shook his head. "Don't think that way."

"I'm being realistic." She snapped. "Just let me go. Move on."

He frowned. "If I could let go, I would. There's a reason why both of us are here right now. I want to be in love with you again, why won't you let me?"

"You can't mean that," She said, shaking her head. "How could you possibly love me?"

He took her hands in his. "I don't know what he did to you, but I want to make it right."

"You don't deserve someone like me. You deserve someone better." Mariah pointed out. "You're such a good man and then I-"

"Stop. Just stop." Michael said. "Stop talking about yourself like that. You used to be so confident in yourself."

"Well, sometimes things change." She shrugged, pulling away. He held on to her hands firmly and made  her turn back to look at him.

He gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Just let me help you heal."

She rested her head on his chest, blinking back tears. "I will never understand you."

"Don't," He whispered. "Just give in to me."

December 23rd, 1995

Things had changed. Not much, but Janet could see a difference in Michael and Mariah. They were curled up on the couch, watching Christmas movies, though it wasn't quite romantic. She had given up trying to analyze what was going on between them, but she was starting to think that they were on their way to getting back together.

Michael had his arm on the back of the couch while Mariah rested her head on his shoulder. Janet came out of the kitchen with a large bowl of popcorn and sat on the other side of Mariah.

Michael reached over into the bowl, but Janet swatted his hand away. "You're gonna eat it all."

"What? You ate the last bowl." He said.

Janet pushed him away again. "Go home, Mike."

"Why?" He laughed, resuming his original position. 

Janet laughed. "You've been here for like two weeks. Go home."

"I will, after you give me some of that popcorn." 

She handed him the bowl. "Here."

He offered the popcorn to Mariah before taking some for himself. Janet smirked at them and Michael mouthed a 'what' to her. She shrugged and turned back to the TV. Michael and Mariah couldn't fool her. They'd be back together before the summer.

December 29th, 1995

Michael saw Mariah heading towards the kitchen, caught her by the waist, and sat her on the counter.

"Janet is going to get us." She warned.

Michael laughed like a naughty five year old. "Janet's not here right now. I have to ask you something though."

"What?" She asked, griping his shoulders.

He grinned. "Well, I'm going to be going to Brazil next month and I wanted to know if you wanted to come with me."

Mariah bit her lip. "Why are you going to Brazil?"

"I'm shooting a short film with Spike Lee and I think it would be pretty nice if you came along." He said.

Michael had two motives on trying to get her to come to Brazil: he felt like it would be beneficial to get her out of New York and he wanted show her a good time, remind her of the good times they used to have together.

"I don't know." She shrugged. "It does sound nice..."

"So you'll come." He decided. He knew if he left the decision up to her she'd decide against it at the last minute.

She folded her arms. "I didn't say that."

"Yes you did." He teased, giving her a peck on the cheek.

Mariah playfully pushed his chest. "Who told you to be making decisions for me?"

"I just think it would be good for you to get out of New York. Or at least out of Janet's condo." He said.

She frowned. "Did Janet-"

"No, but I'm saying you haven't been outside since you've left." He reminded her.

Mariah shrugged, hopping down from the counter. "My face is still healing."

"That's not the only reason. You're scared."

She froze by the stove and turned around. "Shut up Michael."

"Don't be like that." He rubbed her shoulders to calm her down. "All I'm saying is you need to get out and what better way to relax than to take a vacation?"

"You have a point." She conceded.

He gave her another peck on the cheek. "I know."