Slipping Away

Chapter 47

March 31st, 1996

Michael released a breath that he didn't know he was holding. Mariah was sitting at the bench, looking completely shell-shocked. He didn't think it had completely hit her that she was no longer married to the man that had tortured her for the past two and half years.

She stepped down as the judge left the room, and he pulled her into a tight embrace. "You hear that, it's over."

She shook her head. "It's not over. This is the beginning."

She picked up her bag and he couldn't understand why she couldn't be happy that she had won her case. He exchanged a worried glance with Janet as they walked on either side of Mariah into the frenzy of reporters waiting for them outside. 

He tried to shield her from their questions and flashing camera shutters. Janet was trying to do the same, but the walk from the courthouse to the car seemed so much longer .

Once they made it in the car, Mariah broke down. He pulled her into his arms while Janet rubbed her back.

"Mariah, what's wrong?" Janet asked.

She seemed to pull herself together, shaking her head. "It took me back. It took me right back to those moments where he was taking over my life. I felt like I was back there, and it was...it was scary. Hearing him talk about it like it was nothing, and to see my mother sitting there on his side..."

He rubbed her shoulder. "Well you never have to go back."

"You're not his wife anymore." Janet added.

Their words didn't seem to console her.

"I'm still his employee."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "How many albums are you under contract for? You've already done six."

"And I owe him three more."

"Damn! Why would you sign that?" Janet inquired.

"I was eighteen, I didn't understand what I was signing." She explained. "I've already written some songs for a new album, I just need to get in the studio. I'm going to just pump out these last few albums and leave Columbia."

"You could try to get bought out of your contract." Janet suggested.

Michael shook his head. "She'd have to flop. I think Tommy would give her probably one good single off these next few albums just to keep her on the label."

Mariah nodded. "That's what I'm afraid of."

April 2nd, 1996

Mariah didn't want to get out of bed. Michael had a break that day and so did she, so she just wanted to lay in bed with him all day. They had the AC on high and were curled up under the blankets together. She could faintly hear Michael's light snoring as the early rays of sun filtered in through the curtains. 

She had been waking up earlier than usual since her divorce had been finalized. She was on edge, wondering when she'd have to go to his office and face him, discuss her album plans and promotion, and act as though her hell of a marriage had ended amicably.

Michael shifted and wrapped his arms tighter around her waist. She smiled and ran her fingers through his short hair, noting that it was growing back. She placed a kiss on his brow and his hand came up to cup her cheek as he placed a kiss on her lips.

"Good morning." Mariah said quietly.

He opened his eyes into slits. "Good morning, why are you up so early?"

She shrugged. "I've been waking up early, watching the sun rise, being peaceful."

His voice was still husky with sleep as he chuckled. "You know, I never thought you'd be waking up before me. You used to sleep like a rock."

"Yeah, I did." She giggled. "Not anymore."

"You know, we didn't really celebrate the divorce. You're a free woman now, let's be happy about that part."

She tried to grin, but it turned to a tight grimace. "I want to be happy about it."

"Look, don't worry. Just take it one day at a time." He gripped her hand with a grin. "Let me make you feel better about all of this."

He placed a tender kiss on her collarbone, then another on her neck. She remembered a time when his actions would make her problems would make her problems melt away, but she tensed up and he pulled away.

He looked concerned. "Am I making you feel uncomfortable?"

She let out a breath. "I'm sorry, it's not you-"

"No, it's okay. All in your own time." He kissed her cheek and she relaxed. She rested her head on his chest, wanting to love him fully again. 

She pulled him closer and kissed his lips, as passionately as she could. She didn't want Michael to feel as though their love was one-sided. He was the only man she had ever loved and she wanted him to feel it.

He tangled his fingers among the curls in her hair, and she savored the closeness. She straddled him, feeling the bulge beneath his pajama bottoms as his other hand firmly gripped her waist. She didn't care about the consequences, if she got pregnant she'd just be a step ahead. Michael had made it clear that he wanted to start a family as soon as possible.

He took control, pulling her shirt over her head and flipped her on her back, pinning her hands above her head. 

Mariah watched him closely as he kissed her neck and breasts. Once his hands reach the top of her shorts, she was no longer looking at Michael, but Tommy Mottola's sinister gaze.

"Stop! Get off me!" She pushed him away, knowing what was to come.

He got  up with his hands in a conciliatory. "Mariah, it's me. Michael."

She caught her breath and Michael was standing there with his hands up. "I'm not going to hurt you, I'm not him."

She nodded. "I'm sorry. I'm not ready, I'm just not ready."

"There's nothing wrong with that baby." He slowly approached her and gave her a hug. "I'll wait as long as you want me too. I don't want you to feel like you have to do anything for me."

She nodded, feeling the tears threatening. "I just don't want you to feel like I don't love you because I do."

"I know you do, but I don't want you to do anything you don't want to. I don't want to make you feel like you have to do anything for me. Mariah I can wait as long as you want me to and I want you to feel comfortable with me before we do anything." He said.

Mariah nodded. "Can we wait until we're married?"

"Yeah, we can. I have no problems with that."

He pulled her up from the bed and she rested her head on his shoulder, feeling more loved than she had in a while.