Mona Lisa (Eminem Fan Fiction)

Surprise!

I didn't understand why Porter drove me back to my place instead of taking me to the studio to pick up my car, but when a crowd of people yelled "SURPRISE" as I walked through my living room, I finally understood. Fresh tears pricked the back of my eyes and I swiftly wiped them away as I felt my face turn red. My daughters were there, my brother and his girlfriend, Royce, Kuniva, Bizarre and their chicks, Fifty and Dre showed up, and of course Porter. Hip hop music played in the background and balloons and banners hung all around. I smiled when I noticed Ramona laid back on the couch in a cute pale pink and black maternity outfit. She looked pretty with her hair shined and curled with just the right amount of makeup.

My eyes moved to the buffet of food in the kitchen. I made my way around the room hugging and dapping up with all my people. It was a defining moment. All of those in attendance were my closest people who had stuck by me through this entire journey of getting sober and I quickly realized it wasn't just my birthday we were celebrating. It was a celebration of me finally maturing and getting my shit together and it was my opportunity to thank everyone in my inner circle for their support. I hugged my daughters first with the knowledge that they were the ones who set all this up.

"Thank you, girls. I love you." I grabbed my daughters one by one to hug and kiss them.

We were so lucky to share this moment. Not everyone gets a second chance at life to make it right. I was so glad they get to see me like this. I wanted to make up for all the bullshit I had put them through in the past couple years.

"Thanks man." I dapped up with my brother.

"Congratulations Marshall. You deserve it."

I helped myself to some food and got a plate for Moe as well, "Hey baby. I can't believe you kept this a surprise from me." I sat next to her and kissed her cheek.

Moe smiled, "It was hard. I've known about this for weeks."

"Well, it turned out great. I was totally surprised." I leaned over to give her a slow kiss and when it broke, I slipped my arm around her. "Hey! Has everybody met Ramona? She's, my girl! She's about to have my kid!"

Moe looked like she could disappear from embarrassment as her cheeks turned crimson red.

Bizarre was the first to come over to shake Moe's hand and make the introduction. I sat next to her for almost the entire party, and she eventually met all my friends one by one as I made sure to conversate with everyone who was there that night.

"So, Marshall, you're like six months sober now. How's it feel?" Fifty sat across from us.

"It's awesome man. I never thought I could do it. I see things clearer now; I notice things going on around me. I'm so glad I did it." I said before taking a swig of my Red Bull.

"You should be really proud man. Congratulations...on everything." He nodded towards Moe's pregnant stomach.

I looked down as my phone started buzzing and saw that Skylar was calling me. Shit, I had forgotten about that. I excused myself to the bathroom to call her back.

She answered straight away "Hey, you ready? It's your birthday so maybe we could go out somewhere. Or I don't know if you just want to stay in and kick back to a movie?"

"Sorry Skylar, I'm doin some family shit right now. Ima have to catch up with you later on."

She seemed a little taken back, "Oh, ok, whatever. Well, just give me a call when you're done there."

"Ok, it shouldn't be too much longer."

I hung up and re-entered my party which was starting to die down, to take my place next to Ramona. She let out a huge sigh and laid back on the couch.

"You want another piece of cake?" I rubbed her thigh.

"No, I'm good. I'm actually about to go back upstairs; I'm getting pretty tired."

"Aight. I'm gonna go out for a while tonight."

"Really? Where are you going? I thought you didn't go out anymore since you got sober." Moe squinted her eyes trying to figure me out.

"Don't worry about it! Damn." I got heated.

"Sorry. Just a question." Moe gave a defeated look. "Anyway, stop by my room before you leave. I have a present for you, but I wanted to keep it just between the two of us. It's private. Goodnight."

Ramona went upstairs to lie down, and I took a few minutes to say goodbye to the rest of my homies and thank my brother again. My daughters were staying over and said they would cleanup in the morning then found their way down to the theatre room.

I knew it felt wrong that I wanted to hangout with Skylar, but it had been a long time since I'd spent time with a chick. I had a one-nighter here and there, but nothing that lasted more than a week.  I hadn't spent actual time with a woman or gotten to know someone since...well, since I first met Moe. It made me remember our night on the rooftop. It was the night she spilled her guts to me for the first time. She told me her secrets, her fears, and then we had our incredible time as the sun set. No one knew we were up there, far away from the rest of the world.

I went upstairs to spritz cologne, brush my teeth, and text Skylar.

Marshall: Meet me at the studio in 30 min!

We could meet there and then go to her place or maybe just go in the studio with nobody there at night, so we could talk. I don't like going out into the public, I like to stay at home and keep my life private. I walked through the hallway to pass Moe's bedroom and was reminded that she said she had a gift for me. I was excited because I knew it had to be something she made.

"Hey Moe! Moe." I opened the door without knocking, but just eased it open this time. I didn't burst in as I've been known to do.

She didn't startle but sat before me on her bed smiling, "I was waiting for you."

She looked fucking beautiful, "Yeah?" I walked over and sat on the bed.

"I've been working on this for a couple weeks now. I just finished it yesterday."

Moe reached to the side of the bed and grabbed a canvas with a purple ribbon tied around it that was propped next to her. She looked me in the eye and smiled that rare, mysterious smile that once in a great while will wander across her lips. I was a lucky motherfucker because I'm certain that no one else gets to see this side of Ramona. She turned it slowly around I was floored when she revealed a portrait of each one of my daughters perfectly executed. I was astonished at the level of skill and concentration it would have had to have taken her to do this for me. And in the middle of the three of my daughters, was a babies' face. I felt fresh tears prick the back of my eyes as I looked on in complete admiration.