Author's Note: WOW...the end of another one...it's always bittersweet I thoroughly enjoyed writing this fic...I loved Marshall and Brianna...they were a volatile yet very fun set of characters to write and I will miss them...I want to give MAJOR thanks to Jenn because she helped me so much with this fic...everytime I got stuck and didn't know which way I was going she was right there to help pull me out by shooting off ideas and I appreciate all her help and her friendship more than she will ever know, I love you Jenn...Christie (my baby sister) who always backs me 100% and forced me to write my first fic without which there wouldn't be a second, I love you Christie...Short Stuff (Shorty), you are such a sweet and genuinely true person and I respect you so much for that, I have MAD love for you and thank you so much for the times you spent scouring the internet to help me find the *perfect* song for one of my chapters, also for your input and ideas, it always meant so much to me....ALSO BIG THANKS TO Sky, Tine, Taz, Alexia, amy, Diamond, JennyS, faith, Cassidy, Gia, RaeRae, Tiera, Rana, Ashley (A*S), Mandy, carla, kathy, Dani, Carmen, Sniickers, thoseblueyes, D3Aths_Ang3L, tiff600, Amy Kathryn and Mander6651 for all the *LOVE* you showed me...
Chapter 15
Marshall sat reflecting over the last six months. Something in Brianna had changed. That intense sadness that usually haunted her eyes had dissipated. They hadn’t been able to create the child that they both desperately longed for and though he sensed a sadness in her every time that small ray of hope was stolen from them she didn’t let it take her under like before. Sometimes he felt selfish and heartless because though he *wanted* a child with her, An innocent life that entwined the best of both of them what he truly *wanted*, what he *needed* more than anything else was for her to be happy and he didn’t know what had changed her but something had, she was happy...she was *finally*happy*...
“Hey Mathers” Brianna said interrupting Marshall’s thoughts “what’s got you all weepy looking over here?”
“Weepy?” he asked looking up at her with an arched eyebrow “Me?”
“Yeah, you” she smiled wrapping her arms around his neck from behind.
“I’m sorry to inform you Mrs. Mathers” he said pulling her around him so that she stood in front of him “but I’ve never been weepy a day in my life.”
“Is that so” she laughed “so what about the time...”
“Hey” he frowned pulling her forward. She landed in his lap with a thud and he wasted no time claiming her lips. His tongue slipped into her mouth and she sighed.
“Oh GEEZ” Libby said gagging as she walked into the room “is that all you two ever do?”
“What?” Marshall asked pulling away from Brianna’s lips and swinging his eyes towards Libby “would you rather I smacked my bitch up?”
“Marshall” Brianna scolded trying to look offended but failed miserably by giggling.
“HA, HA very funny” Libby said rolling her eyes “are we gonna bounce or what?”
“Yeah, *you’re* gonna bounce” Marshall smiled “right on outta here.”
“Very original” Libby smirked “now stop playing kissy face and hurry up”
They both watched her sashay right on out of the room before Brianna turned to Marshall “Isn’t she cute?” Brianna gushed.
“Yeah, real cute” Marshall smirked before pulling Brianna’s lips back to his for a steamy kiss “I’m gonna miss you so much baby” he whispered against her mouth.
“I’m gonna miss you too” she sighed “but it’s only a few months”
“Hush Woman” he growled “only a few months? I think I’ll die of loneliness”
“Oh don’t fret” she whispered leaning in to trail her tongue over his pouty lip “I’ll give you something to remember me by.”
“Yeah?” he perked up.
“Yeah” she laughed getting up to sashay out of the room in the same path her daughter had taken.
~*~
They spent the day at the park having a picnic like any normal family would. They weren’t a normal family, far from it but it felt good to pretend that for just one day they were like all the other families picnicking in the park. They laughed, they talked, they horsed around but none of them brought up the fact that Marshall would be leaving in the morning to go on tour with D12. It was there swirling around them like a tornado but no one mentioned it.
“All right Short Stuff” Marshall said ruffling Hailie’s hair “I’ll race you too the car.”
They took off and Libby and Brianna giggled watching them race across the park towards the car “You ok, mom?” Libby asked looking over at Brianna.
“Yeah Baby” Brianna said stopping to gather her daughter in her arms “I’m ok”
“I’m gonna miss his silly ass” Libby said chuckling.
“Language” Brianna scolded burying her face in her daughters baby soft hair “I’m gonna miss him too” she whispered.
~*~
It was a sight to behold in the Mathers house that night, like some scene out of Good Housekeeping or something. They all sat around the dinner table sharing a meal, a real meal, not one of those scarf down your food real quick cause I gotta get to the studio kind of meals but a real, civilized sit down meal *together*. ‘This is nice’ Brianna thought sighing contentedly as she looked around at her family...she looked over at Marshall joking with Libby and her heart twisted...she was going to miss him something fierce. She was playing it off fairly well but inside her heart was aching.
“Movie time” Hailie said giggling as she dashed into the family room to grab a DVD “come on y’all”
“Whatcha got there Hai?” Marshall asked when she came running back in craning his neck to try and get a peek at the movie in her hands
“Wouldn’t you like to know” Hailie said flippantly as she pranced out of the kitchen.
“I swear if she makes me watch one of those sappy romance movies again, I’m gonna...”
“You’re gonna what?” Brianna cut him off with a raised eyebrow.
“Nothin” he muttered pouting and walked toward the living room mumbling under his breath.
“I CAN HEAR YOU” Brianna called after him from the kitchen.
“What’s she got a fuckin radar attached to her ears?” he mumbled agitated.
“I heard that” Brianna yelled from the kitchen with a smirk on her face “and the answer is YES, dear”
Marshall couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled up. ‘Figures’ he thought shaking his head.
~*~
They all curled up in the family room to watch the movie. Brianna passed the popcorn to Hai and her and Libby dug in.
Marshall scooted closer to Brianna and practically pulled her into his lap. The movie started and Marshall groaned “Good God could you have picked out a sappier one, Hai?” he bitched as the Titanic started to play. Brianna smacked him playfully on the arm “Ouch” he whined glaring at her.
“Baby” she laughed winking at him
Marshall sat silent through the entire movie while all his ladies sat sniffly and teary eyed. When the ending credits rolled around he breathed a sigh of relief.
“All right kiddies” Marshall said “it’s night, night time”
“Butt Daaaad” Libby and Hailie yelled in unison.
“Don’t but dad me” he scolded “you made me sit through *THAT* movie” he sneered wildly at the DVD player as if it were his enemy “and now it’s time for bed.”
With quite a bit of grumbling and a few dirty looks they gathered themselves together and made their way to bed....
~*~
Hailie and Libby were tucked in tight and Marshall was throwing some last minute shit together for the tour when Brianna came walking in. She snuck up behind him and wrapped her arms around him running her hands up his chest “I love you” she whispered against his back.
He grabbed her hands in his own bringing them up to his lips “I love you too” he whispered kissing her fragile fingers. He released her hands and she dropped them to her sides. He turned around to face her “I don’t think I can do it this time.” he whispered dropping his forehead to lean against hers.
“Yes, you can” Brianna whispered bringing her hands up to frame his face “I’ll be right here Marshall, right here.”
*Whenever I'm weary
From the battles that rage in my head
You make sense of madness
When my sanity hangs by a thread
I lose my way, but still you
Seem to understand
Now and Forever,
I will be your man*
He grabbed her face cupping it in his palms “It was so easy to leave” he dipped his head down rubbing his lips gently against hers “before you”
“Marshall” she whispered brokenly.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve given me Brianna?” he asked gently “before you I was a hollow man, empty and alone. You gave me a reason, a purpose. You showed me that it was ok to love again, that it was ok to trust.”
*Sometimes I just hold you
Too caught up in me to see
I'm holding a fortune
That Heaven has given to me
I'll try to show you
Each and every way I can
Now and Forever,
I will be your man*
She opened her mouth to speak but he stopped her by placing a finger over her parted lips. “I am a selfish bastard Brianna” he said honestly “I always have been but you changed something in me baby, you made me care about shit” he peered into her eyes “you made me realize that anything worth having is worth fighting for.”
*Now I can rest my worries
And always be sure
That I won't be alone, anymore
If I'd only known you were there
All the time,
All this time.....*
“You took a broken man and made him whole again Brianna” he whispered “you showed me that real love, true love can be the most magically potent thing on this earth” he grabbed her face tighter “you made me see that I am not alone, I am *never* alone. I don’t have to pretend with you, be someone I’m not. With you I can be real, I can be me.”
*Until the day the ocean
Doesn't touch the sand
Now and Forever
I will be your man*
“You gave me a family” he said in awe “a real family, I’ve never had one of those before” he whispered “do you even remotely understand all the things you’ve given me baby?”
*Now and Forever,
I will be your man..*
“I...” Emotion so thick it hurt blocked the words that she desperately wanted to say. A solitary tear glistened as it ran down her cheek.
“Shhhh” he said wiping the tear away “you don’t have to say anything baby, I know.”
She shook her head and tried to swallow the lump that was stuck in her throat “Make love to me Marshall” she managed to whisper.
He placed his lips over hers nudging hers open with his tongue. He dipped his tongue inside her luscious mouth swiping it over hers and she moaned. Their tongues began to duel wildly for possession, for control. She sucked his tongue deeper into her mouth and applied pressure. The erotic sensations it sent thrumming through his body shot straight down to his groin and he moaned helplessly clutching her for support. They broke the kiss and stood breathlessly gazing at each other.
“Oh God Brianna, You make me feel things....” he trailed off as she pushed him back against the bed.
He swiped his hand across the bed knocking his suitcase to the floor and reached for her yanking her down on top of him and flipping her over so that he loomed over her. He dipped down and trailed his tongue across her neck working her shirt up and over her head with his free hand. He tossed it aside and gently licked his way down her chest stopping to linger at the hardened peaks of her breasts. Taking one slowly into to his mouth and rolling it between his tongue and upper lip while gently rolling the other between his fingertips. She moaned arching up toward him as the pleasure made it’s way through her body. He dipped his head lower circling her bellybutton while he slid her pants and panties slowly over her hips and down her legs to hang around her ankles. She kicked them to the floor and gently spread her legs. He continued his journey lower until he reached her core. He swirled his tongue around the outer area of her clit teasing her while he inserted two fingers palm up into her heat. He crooked his fingers gently seeking out her G-spot. She moaned arching up farther when he hit the spot and he began to rhythmically press his fingers against it. While his fingers did their magic he swiped his tongue across her swollen clit, licking it gently. He continued his assault while the pressure built to near unbearable. Brianna arched up again into his hand while the orgasm began to build and her body tried to forcefully push his fingers out. He gently pushed back running his finger over her G-spot again and she exploded, literally, her cum gushed out soaking his hand. He gently sucked her clit while removing his fingers. He discarded his clothes and slowly crawled up her body positioning himself between her thighs.
“Fuck Marshall, I’ve never...” she trailed off biting down on her tongue as she felt him enter her in one swift motion “Oh God” she moaned as he began to slowly thrust in and out of her swirling his hips to apply pressure to her already sensitive clit.
He was in a trance. The pleasure was bordering on insane. She was so wet and he could still feel the after effects of her orgasm milking him. It pushed him over the edge and straight into ecstasy as he exploded inside of her. Her inner muscles clamped down around him, helping him ride out his orgasm. He dropped his head to lay on her breast while they both fought to regain control.
After their breathing returned to normal he rolled over onto his back pulling her into the circle of his arms “I love you Brianna”
“I love you too” she whispered placing soft kisses on his chest. “Hey” she complained sitting up “*I* was supposed to give *you* something to remember *me* by not the other way around”
He pulled her back down rubbing his lips against hers “YOU DID” he whispered lovingly.
She relaxed in his arms sighing contentedly. They laid there holding each other until they drifted off to sleep....
~*~
Brianna stood in between Hailie and Libby watching his plane lift off and it felt like her heart was being ripped from her chest. To not see him, touch him, feel his skin on her skin for three months was unbearable she felt like she was going to be sick. She’d been so strong for him but as she stood there watching his plane disappear from sight it ate at her.
“Mom?” Libby asked in a questioning tone.
“I’m ok” Brianna said a bit too shaky.
“Daddy will be back” Hailie said placing a comforting hand on Brianna’s arm.
“I know” she said gathering them both in her arms “thank you.”
The three of them stood there comforting each other’s sadness over the absence of the man *they*all* loved.
“Let’s go binge on ice cream” Brianna said “always helps a broken heart.”
Libby and Hai giggled as the three of them locked hands and headed towards the car.
~*~
Marshall sat back on the plane and stared listlessly out the window. He missed her already....this was going to be a very *long* three months....
~*~
“All right you two” Brianna said sternly “be good while I’m gone...NO TROUBLE, ok?”
Two sets of heads bobbed up and down as Hailie and Libby gave their confirmation and Brianna smiled. Marshall had been gone two and a half months and Brianna felt numb. Every time he called she spent the whole night crying. God how she missed him. He was coming home in two weeks and she couldn’t wait, the anticipation was killing her but something kept nagging at her. Like she had some unfinished business that needed to be taken care of...it hit her one night like a tone of bricks...Devin...she had to say goodbye to Devin and close that chapter of her life...
“I’m gonna miss you mom” Libby said staring intensely at her mother.
“Me too baby” Brianna sad gathering her in her arms “but I have to do this.”
“I know you do” Libby said gently.
“I promise I’ll take you back one day Libby” Brianna said studying her daughter “and let you say your goodbyes but I have to do this one alone”
“I understand mom” Libby smiled “don’t worry about me.”
“I’ll always worry about you” Brianna said getting teary eyed “you’re my baby.”
“Awwww mom” Libby said sniffly “you’re gonna make me all weepy.”
Brianna laughed “Come here Hai” she said gesturing her over. She wrapped the two girls in her arms tight and whispered “I love you both so much.”
Libby, Hai and the nanny stood waving goodbye as Brianna’s car pulled out of the driveway. In the car Brianna fidgeted. She hadn’t been there in years but she was finally going home again...
~*~
Brianna walked on shaky legs through the rows of tombstones. As if on autopilot she found his and dropped to her knees on the dewy grass “Hey” she whispered “it’s been a long time”
~ I once loved you more than life
~ I thanked the heavens above that you made me your wife
~ We shared some things that were truly momentous
~ We thought there was nothing on this earth that could separate us
~ We shared a love both giddy and free
~ Content in the knowledge we were meant to be
“Oh God Devin” she whispered running her palms over the overgrown grass “where do I start?” she whispered as the memories overcame her.
~ We created a life, our precious Libby
~ It amazed us how truly blessed we could be
~ We forsook our feelings, pushed us to the side
~ Concentrated on her, we thought we had time
~ But death came knocking before we were ready
~ Knocked the wind from my lungs left me unsteady
“You were my first love” she whispered brokenly as the tears started to fall “I didn’t think I could ever love again after I lost you”
~ I watched you fight so hard at first
~ But it sucked you in, nothing could quench your thirst
~ You looked so defeated, you didn’t want to die
~ It broke me down, I couldn’t stop the tears that I cried
~ I tried to be strong and give you some hope
~ But the truth of the matter is I just couldn’t cope
“I’m sorry I wasn’t stronger Devin” she cried the tears running down and landing softly on the grass “In the end you needed me to be stronger, I’m so sorry I wasn’t.”
~ You were my whole life, the only thing I ever knew
~ I couldn’t fathom living one moment of my life without you
~ You tried so desperately to be strong, to be there for me
~ And it tore me up inside because that’s not how it was supposed to be
~ I was supposed to be the one fighting for you
~ Giving you the strength to help get you through
“I can’t take back that time” she whispered “God I wish that I could” she fisted her hands in the grass “I wish I could have made your pain less, I wish for that everyday.”
~ You didn’t get better, you only got worse
~ You suddenly stopped fighting, your movements were terse
~ You begged me to leave, let you die in peace
~ To leave you be, so you could have eternal sleep
~ You said to move on and find someone new
~ But I couldn’t think past my grief, I only wanted you
“God, Devin I was resigned to live the rest of my life only loving you” she whispered gently “if I couldn’t have you then I didn’t want anyone else, you begged me to find someone new, you were on your death bed and you were pleading with me but I didn’t understand....”
~ You said you needed me to be happy and complete
~ Without that you could never truly sleep
~ You tried to make me see the light
~ But I was too stubborn to see your strife
~ I couldn’t imagine giving myself to another man
~ But you pleaded with me to understand
“I do now” she whispered solemnly “I understand”
Brianna bent down and lightly kissed the ground covering her *first* love “Goodbye, Devin” she whispered her tears soaking the grass below her. She got to her feet turned and walked away, she never looked back...that chapter of her life was closed....
~*~
Brianna saw Marshall walking toward her and she took off running. She flung herself in his arms showering his face with kisses “I missed you so fucking much” she whispered burying her face in his neck and holding on tight.
“I missed you too” he whispered taking in her scent. There was nothing else like it on this earth. He held her wrapped tightly in his arms as they made their way through the swarm of reporters and paparazzi. He never loosened his hold on her until they got to the waiting limo. He placed her on her feet and gave her soft kiss on the tip of her nose before she got in the limo.
“Marshall” she said looking over at him once they were comfortably seated in the limo and heading home.
“What is it baby?” he asked looking over at her.
“I love you” she whispered “and if we are never able to have a child together it doesn’t matter” she said locking eyes with him “I have you and that’s all that matters.”
He pulled her across the limo and into his lap so that she was straddling him and pulled her in for a kiss “I love you so much” he whispered “how the fuck did I ever get lucky enough to find you, Brianna?”
“I could ask the same thing” Brianna said framing his face with her hands.
They leaned in together capturing each other’s lips. Both silently thanking God for helping them find each other...
EPILOGUE
Brianna silently padded across the room. She pressed herself against Marshall’s back entwining her arms around his waist, craning her neck around him “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” she whispered.
“Yes, he is” Marshall said grabbing her hands and enfolding them in his own.
They stood there together holding on to one another as they watched their son, Devin, sleeping peacefully in his crib...
THE ENDAuthor: AIMEENDREW@aol.com
These stories are for entertainment purposes only. They are completely fictitious, and the authors mean no harm to EMINEM, his family, friends, or anyone else that may have been depicted as a 'real life' character. No money was made on the fiction here, either directly or indirectly, i.e. paid advertising. In other words - it's just a bunch of shit we wrote for fun. Please don't take it seriously.