Stay the Night

Chapter 1

July 13th, 2001

Michael pulled back from the phone in shock. He hadn't spoken to Pat since the twins were babies. He figured Mariah had gone to her mother's house after she left him, which only further proved to him that his estranged wife was out of her mind.

"Pat? Tell me what's going on." He demanded.

Pat seemed discombobulated. "Sh-she's out of it. I don't know what's wrong with her, she just passed out-"

Michael interrupted her. "Pat, do you know where my girls are?"

"Yes. I'm here with the twins. And Elizabeth, is it? They're here with me. Mariah is at the hos-"

"Where are you?" Michael interjected. He didn't really have any interest in Mariah at the moment, his main concern being to get his children out of harm's way.

"I'm in Westchester."

Pat continued on, giving Michael the exact address of her newfound home. Michael didn't stick around to linger on the phone with her--instead, he darted out of his bedroom and into the living room with Latoya, Randy, Jermaine, and Marlon.

"I found my babies." He declared, rushing toward the door.

"Let's go."

July 13th, 2001

Michael got out the car and ran up the decrepit steps of Pat's house. His siblings followed more slowly as he banged on the door, unable to wait for Pat to answer. The door opened and Michael bounced on his toes in anticipation.

"Come on in." Pat said, wearing a grim expression.

Michael pushed past Pat to see his three daughters sitting on the couch clinging to each other with fearful eyes.

"Daddy!" Noelle exclaimed.

The girls jumped off the couch and ran into Michael's waiting arms. He pulled them in close, holding on to them for dear life. Marlon, Jermaine, Randy, and Latoya stepped into the living room, observing the reunion.

"Daddy, where mommy?" Nicole asked. The toddler seemed nervous mentioning her mother.

Elizabeth glared at Nicole. "She go bye bye."

Michael cleared his throat. "Your mommy-"

"She's getting help." Randy interrupted flatly.

Michael glared at his younger brother before turning back to his terrified babies.

"What's wrong with mommy? Why she get help?" Noelle asked.

Michael sighed. "She's-"

"She's just tired." Latoya explained. "She'll be back soon."

Michael nodded to his sister gratefully, then turned back to his daughters. "Are you guys okay?"

"Yes." Nicole answered.

Noelle looked up at her father hopefully. "Daddy we go with you?"

He smiled at his daughter. "Yes, you're coming home with me. I just need to go find out some things first."

Michael stood up and walked over to Pat. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

Pat nodded. "Of course, dear."

She led him into the tiny kitchen of her home and gestured for him to sit down. He continued to stand.

"So what happened?" He asked.

Pat shook her head as if she were still in shock. "I have no idea. She just came into the kitchen and she was so angry, she starts breaking dishes and she cut herself--"