Through The Storm (Eminem Fan Fiction)

But on the Surface, She Looks Calm and Ready

Val POV

I was touched that Marshall was so open about our relationship to his fans. He was right. I had to give up social media altogether because there's no way I could keep up. All the messages and friend requests were insane. I was still able to go out and about back home in Detroit, I always wore sunglasses, and it was getting chilly out, so I could wear a big coat around my pregnant belly.

It wasn't until Halloween time that our dynamic changed a little more. I didn't think it was possible to feel more bonded or like a true family when we were together, but I was wrong.

Marshall set aside some time one evening for he and I to take my little girls to a local fall festival. It was just the four of us, but it was fun all the same. There was a lady there that did facepainting and she designed a bright, orange and black monarch butterfly on Bella's sweet little face, and mermaid scales on Cassandra. Next, we picked some apples and went on a hayride.

"Can we get a pumpkin daddy?" Cassaundra exclaimed as our wagon pulled by the pumpkin patch.

Marshall and I exchanged glances both unsure if we just misunderstood what she said at first.

"Daddy," She patted his leg, "Daddy, can we get a pumpkin?"

"Of course, we can get a pumpkin princess." My daughter leaned against him, and he kissed her head, "We can get a million pumpkins."

I'll never forget that moment.

~~

I loved the fall time in Detroit. Autumn wasn't magical like this back in Florida. I loved wearing big bulky sweaters and boots. I loved drinking coffee in the crisp air but stuck to only one or two a week because I didn't want to overdo it with caffeine. I felt like I was getting bigger by the day, and I knew I was only going to become more uncomfortable as time went on. This is the part I didn't like about pregnancy but having this bond with my husband felt so safe compared to what I lived through before. I tried so hard not to think about my past, but it came back to me in the form of flashbacks and nightmares. Having a huge pregnant belly was triggering.

"Fat, obese, big nose, thick stomach, nobody else wants you, you need me to teach you how to do adult things, you couldn't make it without me, you can't do anything right!"

"Marshall?" I threw the covers off my body as I woke up in a cold sweat and turned to place my head on his chest, rubbing his cheek with my thumb. My entire being was shaking, "Marshall? Baby?"

"It's ok sweetheart, I'm here." He drew me tightly against him.

My husband was hardly conscience, but he knew from previous experience that I had awakened in the middle of the night from a nightmare.

"I hate this shit." I pressed myself against him tighter, my arms holding onto him as hard as I possibly could, "I'm so afraid of losing you Marshall. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me and the kids." I wept.

"You're not going to." Marshall whispered as he placed kisses over my face, "I'll always be here for you Val. Always. I'm not going anywhere."

"I'm sorry." I wailed harder into his chest.

"Don't do that now," He laughed a little, "Don't start apologizing, please. You have nothing to be sorry for. Everything's fine babe, you're a wonderful mother, and I'm not going anywhere Val. We're going to be happy together like this until we're old and gray."

"I hope so." Was my meek answer.

"You hope so?" He sat up to turn on the lamp at the side table.

"I went through a lot of horrible things when I was pregnant before Marshall. I don't know if these panic attacks will ever fully stop." My teeth chattered wildly.

"You don't have to go through any of that bullshit ever again." He kissed my forehead, "In this moment, you are absolutely fine. And the girls are fine too. They're sleeping warm in their beds."

"I know I'm lying safe in bed with you, but sometimes when I close my eyes, I'm taken to a place that I've tried for the past two years to forget." I sat down at the edge of the bed running my hands nervously through my hair. I was still tearing up, but then started giggling through all my panic, "This is going to end someday, right? I can't be crazy forever."

Marshall smiled as he wrapped a blanket around my shoulders, "Here comes the manic part. Please, not the laughing and crying at the same time."

Marshall and I both laughed together at this crazy emotional moment, and I was beginning to feel a bit better. I was becoming sleepier. Panic attacks take a lot of energy out of you.

"Sweetheart, you're not crazy. I know two years seems like a lot, but when you're dealing with a lifetime of trauma, it can take a long time to unpack."

"Awesome." I sarcastically smirked.

"You know there's shit I still ain't over. Like shit with my mom, Proof's death. It's still there but it doesn't quite sting as much as it used to."

I looked at him in defeat trying so hard not to cry, "I just want to be a good mother. I don't want to make any mistakes." I could barely make it out in a whisper.

"Val, you're going to be fine. The girls love you; I love you. In our eyes, you're perfect. You have nothing to worry about."

Marshall POV

Valentina's stomach was getting bigger each day. She gained weight in other areas too, but she's always beautiful to me; her body was home to our baby boy. Val's titties became even more full and luscious, her big ass was slammin. I loved the changes taking place with my wife's body, she was perfectly proportioned, but she didn't see it that way and entered the final trimester of her pregnancy filled with nightmares and self-doubt.

Then, one day Val's attitude changed. She began meditating every night before bed and would do pregnancy yoga in the morning. I would be in the kitchen making the girls breakfast and keep peeking in the living room to see her cute pregnant body in all different poses preparing for the birth of our son. We talked about names together but kept our decision a secret from everyone. We spent a weekend painting the nursery in monkeys and positioned all the new furniture in its' place.

~~

The holidays were way different now that I was married to a woman whom I truly loved and there were little kids running around the house again. We had a big, family thanksgiving with Nate and his family and my daughters with their boyfriends. Bella and Cassaundra were both calling me "Daddy" on the regular at this point and I loved it. Sometimes it feels strange to be starting over again with little girls and a new baby on the way while my daughters were already adults, but I was getting crazily excited for this new chapter of my life to unfold. Val and I were thrilled. This changed me.

Christmas was great too with Val's little girls ripping open their presents by the fire with snow coming down outside. I spoiled Val with a new handbag and a bunch of makeup shit Hailie helped me to pick out. Our entire family and a few friends stopped by for a big feast, and it turned into Christmas, Hailie's birthday, and baby shower all rolled into one. We finished the day with a cake for Hailie.

My beautiful wife and I sat alone in the theatre room after all the festivities had ended for the evening. She was exhausted from our long day and couldn't stay awake for the movie. I kept running my hands over Valentina's big belly to feel my son kick while she slept in my lap, and it was magical. I couldn't wait for our future to unfold.

It was the best holidays my family and I had ever had!