Stay the Night

Chapter 31

April 5th, 2003

Michael gripped tightly to Mariah's hand. She was in the hospital bed, laying on her side with an IV running into her arm. They were both frozen, anxious for Dr. Powell to return and check on their little girl. What was once a happy time for them was becoming a nightmare.

Thankfully, Janet stayed at home to watch the kids for them while they tried to figure out what was going on with their baby.

Mariah winced and Michael snapped his head in her direction. "What is it? Do you need me to get somebody?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm just nauseous. I think it's the medicine though."

He stroked her hair and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Did the cramping stop at least?"

"Yeah," Mariah glanced up at him. "I don't know, Michael. I'm trying to keep this baby in, I really am-"

"Look, it's okay." He interrupted. "We're going to be okay. Just relax until Dr. Powell comes back."

Mariah nodded slowly and laid her head back down. She looked absolutely miserable. Turning away from her, he closed his eyes and started on a prayer for the health of his wife and unborn daughter.

"Alright, I'm back."

Michael opened his eyes as Dr. Powell and one of the nurses walked into the room. He got up and gently helped Mariah into a sitting position.

"Is the baby okay?" Mariah blurted out.

Dr. Powell sighed. "Hold on, let me check and make sure you aren't dilated before I answer that."

Michael watched closely as the doctor went about inspecting Mariah while the nurse took notes. He found himself growing nervous with every passing moment.

Dr. Powell cleared her throat. "Okay, it looks like you're not dilated which is good, the baby is not coming today."

He audibly exhaled. "Thank God."

"So what happened?" Mariah asked.

"Your placenta is attached too close to your cervix which is what caused the bleeding. I have no choice but to put you on bed rest again and you'll be staying in the hospital so you can be monitored."

Mariah's eyes bugged out of her head. "I can't! I have a tour!"

Really, Mariah?

"Mariah, I think you need to listen to the doctor." Michael interjected.

Dr. Powell frowned at the woman. "Mariah, you don't have a choice. This condition can kill you."

Michael reached over and grabbed his wife's hand. "What?"

Mariah bit her lip, gripping tightly to his hand. He stroked her knuckles in a feeble attempt to calm her nerves, but he was just as frightened.

"Now, there's a chance that it'll move into the right position, and if it does then you'll have a normal delivery. If not, we'll have to do a C-section." Dr. Powell continued. "If you're out on tour and you can't get to a hospital in time you could not only lose the baby, but you can die."

April 6th, 2003

"Auntie Janet, when are Mommy and Daddy coming back?" Elizabeth asked.

While Michael and Mariah were at the hospital, Janet was back at Neverland watching the children. She was still in awe of how much they'd grown since she'd last seen them. They all had distinctive little personalities and were starting to be more like little people than live baby dolls.