Stay the Night

Chapter 4

September 11th, 2001

"Michael! Michael!"

Michael jumped up, finding himself in bed with Katherine standing over him.

He breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of his mother. "Mother, are you okay?"

Katherine nodded. "I'm fine. Are you okay?"

Michael looked past his mother at Alfred, who was standing by the door with the girls.

"Babies!" He exclaimed, gleefully running over to his kids.

He got down on his knees and pulled them in, together, for a giant embrace.

"Daddy missed you so so much!"

Noelle, amused by her father's enthusiasm, pinched his cheek. "Hi Daddy."

"Hi, mama. I love you."

"Whaddabout me?" Elizabeth asked, peeking up from under the height of her sisters.

"You too, Lizzie!"

Elizabeth clasped her little hands together like a Sunday School kid ready to pray. "How sweet!"

Michael chuckled at his clever one, soon hopping up to speak frankly to his mother.

"We've gotta get out of New York." Michael said.

Katherine nodded. "I agree. Ain't no telling what else could happen."

Michael blew out a breath, trying to gather his thoughts. "I'll call Phil and have him arrange a car to go to Connecticut."

He picked up his phone and dialed for his security.

"Michael! Glad to know you're alright." Phil said when he answered.

Michael nodded. "Good to hear from you too."

"Have you talked to your mom at all? Are the girls okay?"

Michael nodded. "Yeah, we're all at the condo. Um, do you think you can get us a car ready to drive to Connecticut?"

"Yeah I can definitely get that set up for later today."

Michael breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Phil. Call me when you're on your way."

Michael hung up the phone and turned back to his mother. "You guys should go back to your house and grab your stuff. We'll come pick you guys up from there."

"I'll go back." Alfred offered. "Katie, you can stay here with the babies."

Katherine squeezed the man's hand. "Be careful, Al."

Alfred leaned over and gave Katherine a peck on the cheek before walking out of the bedroom.

No sooner than the man had left, Michael's phone started to ring, and he quickly picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Mike. You all good?"

"Yeah Randy. We're all good. What's up?" Michael asked.

"Well Sony just called me and they said they're gonna push the album and the tour back because of what happened today. You know it's bad for business and stuff."

Michael nodded. "Yeah I get what you mean. It's probably better this way anyway. Where are you right now? You and the guys?"

"We're all at the hotel." Randy replied. "Our part of the city is still on lockdown."

"Do you know how long you're gonna be like that?" Michael asked.

"Could be all week. They're talking about no flights out."