Slipping Away

Chapter 49

June 13th, 1996

Mariah stepped out on the balcony and waved at her fans. She was in Frankfurt, Germany as she continued her Daydream tour. She felt a hand on the small of her back as Michael stepped out with her and the fans erupted into applause and started chanting Michael's name.

"It's my concert, but everyone's here for you." She teased, nudging him with her elbow.

He laughed. "I can't help it, they love me in Germany."

"I know." She leaned her head against his shoulder. "Have you ever thought about moving here?"

He shook his head. "I love Neverland too much to sell it."

She shrugged. "I want to get away, I hate how they treat you at home. Like you're weird or a freak, I can't stand it."

   They backed off the balcony and closed the door. Michael flopped down on the bed, clearly exhausted.  Mariah joined him, laying her head on his chest.

He ran his fingers through her hair. "Maybe we could buy a home in Switzerland somewhere down the line. Settle down with our kids...live the good life."

Mariah raised an eyebrow. "How long are you trying to wait until we start a family?"

"Soon as we get married, I want to start trying if that's okay with you. I don't want to push you, but I really want to have children Mariah." She could see the desperation in his eyes and she wanted to give him his one desire. After losing two of his children, she felt like she was obligated to give him at least one. 

She put her hand over his. "I want to start a family with you, Mike. I'll have your baby, if I can."

Mariah wondered how long it would be until Michael proposed to her again. She was still in love with him, but she figured he'd grow impatient with her fear of intimacy.

"If not we can adopt." He pointed out.

She nodded. "That's what we'll do."

June 25th, 1996

Michael had invited Janet over because he had to talk to her about something important. Mariah's tour had wrapped two days earlier and even though he was tired from jetlag, he had to get a few things off his chest.

Janet sat down across from him at the table. "Where's Mimi?"

"Studio." He said and pulled a box from his pocket.

Janet's eyes widened. "Why does this look so familiar?"

She opened the box and her jaw dropped. "You did not keep this. How do you still have it?"

"Well, when she left me she threw it at me and when I went to the condo again it was on the floor. I was intending to give it to her but then all of that other stuff happened." He explained.

Janet picked up the ring that had been encased in the box. It was the engagement ring that he had given to Mariah four years earlier. 

His little sister quickly realized what Michael was planning. "You're going to propose?"

He nodded. "I'm going to propose. I think we're ready, it's like our relationship never really stopped. It picked up right where we left off."

Janet nodded slowly. "Do you think she'd accept? Like do you think she's ready to commit to another marriage?"

"I think she's ready to commit to me. I'm just nervous about this, she could say no." He said.

She nodded. "She could. I mean, has she even budged on the other thing?"