(Heyy everyone! Hope you had an awesome Christmas xxx sorry this chapter has taken AGES to write, but I hope you enjoy it. I am thinking of ending this story at chapter 50 or 55 - around there unless people want me to carry it on. I've thought of making a sequel though. Tell me what you think. There's a video of Mariah performing 'Love Takes Time' in Las Vegas and a picture bc why not? Right! Chapter 46! Elise)

...........

Mariah's PoV

"I'm also here with some very special people, including of course the amazing Mr Brett Ratner, the extremely talented Grammy award winning songwriter, music producer and music director, Big Jim Wright..." I started to walk back up towards the back of the stage.

"Who else do we have around here...oh yes! We have my very fabulous band here, the drummer, the pianist, everyone around here who will be playing for this show and how could I forget the A+mazing back up singers here, hi you guys!" I continued to ramble on until I mentioned everyone on the stage with me.

That's just what I do.

Diamond's PoV

The girls and I giggled. I smiled at how selfless Mariah had always been and how she loved to make sure she gave credit to everyone with her and helping her in her concerts and tours. We applauded once more before she returned back to where she was standing. She panted heavily as she received a bottle of water from one of the people backstage.

Mariah's PoV

"Thank you, dahhhling...Mmm! That's much better, thank you."

I returned the bottle back to the nice man helping and he walked back offstage. I then looked up and took a deep breath. It was all happening right here, right now.

I know I've been doing this for 25 years but every time I perform, it still feels so unreal to me...

I can still remember performing live for the first time but vaguely. How nervous I was, how scared I was that I was gonna mess up and sound terrible. Usually, I'd look up and breathe, like I was doing now, to prepare myself and take in the atmosphere. Peace came upon me. The audience quietened down, waiting for me to say something to them.

Facing everyone again, I declared, "I don't even know what to say right now, you guys. I'm sure you're all asking yourselves if this really is a dream or not. But I hope it's the best real-life dream you'll ever have!"

The audience clapped and cheered. Crazy lambs were still yelling,

"I LOVE YOU MARIAH!"

I looked over to Jim and Brett. They gave me a thumbs up from beside me. I nodded and gave one to them back. Now it was time to really get the show going.

"Okay...that's enough of an intro...let's continue our little journey of my infamous career. This was my second single off my debut album in 1990...the time when I had no idea what was going on...and I hope you still enjoy it. This is 'Love Takes Time'."

As soon as I said that, a memory of me singing that song during my break from rehearsals came to me. I still wondered if someone had actually recorded me singing. At least, I hadn't seen it on YouTube or Twitter or Instagram. I imagined being in that moment again, remembering the busy city of Las Vegas, recollecting the emotions of heartbreak and betrayal that struck me. Memories of James lurked into my head, but I pushed them away.

Not this time, I promised myself.

I went up to the microphone stand, slotting my faux gold encrusted mic in, and nodded in Jim's direction to start playing the piano. The song was playing in my head and I waited for my cue. The first verse came and I went for it again.

"Oooh...oh yeah..."

.........

I had it all
But I let it slip away
Couldn't say I treated you wrong

Now I wonder around
Feeling dead and cold
Trying to believe that you're gone

Love takes time
To heal when you're hurting so much
Couldn't see that I was blind
To let you go

Oh I can't escape the pain
Inside
'Cause love takes time

And I don't wanna be here
I don't wanna be here
Alone

.........

We skipped to the bridge as we rehearsed. My breakup from James only made me feel stronger.

.........

You might say
That it's over
You might say
That you don't care

(Oh)

You might say
You don't miss me, you don't need me
But I know that you do and I feel that you do
Inside

To heal when you're hurting so much
Couldn't see that I was blind
To let you go, I can't escape the pain
So deep inside, because
Love takes time

And I don't wanna be here
I don't wanna be here alone

........

The show was going amazingly for me and the lambs. Adrenaline was pumping through me. I got to prance around, was lifted up by some very handsome men for the 'Honey' choreography and singing songs like  'One Sweet Day' and 'Hero' got all too emotional.

As I strutted across the stage, I could see Diamond looking up and smiling, enjoying the show like everyone else. That made me happy. Lights were flashing at me and I felt like nothing could stop me from singing more than I was expected to. So I just started improvising a little bit to keep the flow going.

"Do-do-do-do-do-do-do...Oooh..."

I loved the vibe I got from the Lambily. Only two words could describe my feelings right now.

Festive and Fantabulous dahhhling!

"La, la, la, la, la...do-do-do-do-do-do...la-di-da-di-da..."

There were only 4 songs to go. 'We Belong Together', 'Don't Forget About Us', 'Touch My Body' and 'Infinity'. I was buzzing, and I didn't know how to stop myself.

Diamond's eyes met with mine again. She was so mesmerised. It was weird to have this effect on people and even weirder when I hardly knew the person. After everything that had happened since I've known this girl, I never regretted meeting her.

I decided that I teased the crowd long enough. So I asked for some more water and took a minute to prepare myself. The cheers and screams got louder by the second. Everyone was screaming my name.

"MARIAH!"
"MARIAH!"
"MARIAH!"

Jim started playing, which calmed everyone down. With that, I spoke again, while my eyes scanned across the auditorium.

"Woah! Look who's being festive tonight! Okay, okay...right, I'm just gon' turn it down for a few minutes. I can't believe we're already at song number 16, and tonight's been amazing. I'm sure all of you know this one...you may recognise this from 'The Emancipation of Mimi'."

I nodded at Jim to play the intro to the song. I received a short applause as I improvised again. The music came to me and I could remember the lyrics like the back of my hand. I could a,so remember shooting the music video at that moment. The dress from my first wedding, the huge limo...filming 'We Belong Together' was amazing.

"Ah...sweet love...yeah."