Stay the Night

Chapter 72

April 18th, 2005

Mariah stepped into the familiar foyer of Neverland after finishing up her promotional work for the month. Now that the album was out and We Belong Together recently released, she finally had time to relax for a moment and spend time with the ones that really mattered. 

No sooner than she had kicked her heels off, she heard footsteps running towards her. 

"Baby!" Natalie shouted, pulling Mariah into her arms. "God, I missed you!"

Mariah planted a passionate kiss on Natalie's lips before pulling away. "I missed you too, sweetie,"

Mariah let her hands slide down from Natalie's neck, down to her waist. "How have you been?"

Natalie giggled. "I've been fine. I just put the kids down for bed, I thought you weren't coming in until the morning,"

Mariah sighed. "I couldn't spend another day away from all of you. I missed my babies,"

Natalie peered up at Mariah sheepishly. "I am one of your babies, right?"

Mariah playfully rolled her eyes. "What do you think?"

Tap. Tap. Tap. 

Mariah glanced up and noticed Michael leaning against the wall. He looked tired like he hadn't slept in days. 

So does your girlfriend not take care of you at all?

"Hello, Michael" Mariah started, keeping her arms firmly wrapped around Natalie's waist. 

He smiled nervously. "I'm glad you're home, Mimi. The girls really missed you, and...I-I think they'll be really happy to see you in the morning,"

The unspoken "I missed you too" hung in the air between them as the estranged spouses sized each other up. Mariah missed him, but more in a familiar sense, as opposed to the craving she had for Natalie's touch and to hold her in her arms. 

"I missed them too," Mariah responded. "I'm glad to be home,"

"Sorry for interrupting--"

"You're fine," Natalie reassured him. "Mariah and I were just heading upstairs for bed, right Butterfly?"

Mariah narrowed her eyes with a coy smile. "We were?"

"Ack!" Michael shook his head. "Get a room,"

Natalie grabbed Mariah's hand started towards the stairs. 

"Gladly!"

April 27th, 2005

Michael chewed the tip of his pen as he heard the familiar click of high heels against the wooden floor of the courtroom. He'd know the walk anywhere, his thoughts only confirmed as he saw the long, slender legs through the corner of his eyes, long honey-colored locks falling down her back like a river. The bailiff helped her into the witness stand as she placed a protective hand over her growing bump.  

"Please state and spell your name for the record, please,"

"Mariah Carey-Jackson. M-A-R-I-A-H C-A-R-E-Y J-A-C-K-S-O-N,"

Zonen took his place at the microphone, clearly taking pleasure in questioning Michael's pregnant, estranged wife. "Thank you, Mrs. Jackson. Would you say that you know the defendant in this case, Michael Jackson?"

Mariah nodded. "Yes,"

"And how do you know him?"

"He's my husband," She answered.