November 24th 2023
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Marshall's POV
Today is the day of Sophia's surgery and after I dropped her off at the hospital,I headed straight home to pick Ava up.
I tap my hand nervously on the wheel as we wait at a red light, I'm taking Ava into the studio to meet the guys, I haven't really been there or spoken to them in over a month since everything happened.
The only time I was there was the day I read the People article and I left almost immediately after that.
We've also had no conversation about Sophia and Ava in the studio since Royce announced her birth five years ago, I'm guessing they all figured it was a touchy subject when I stormed out.
As the light turns to green I speed off, taking a second to glance back at the little girl strapped in the back seat of my car, clutching her Rapunzel doll.
An overwhelming feeling of déjà vu taking over me as I remember Hailie being around the same age driving to the studio with me.
As I turn into the studio, security opens the gates and I park up, quickly jumping out to get Ava.
I lift her from the car seat and as I place her onto the ground I hastily grab hold of her arm as she tries to run away from me, finding herself hilarious.
"You ready to meet some people kiddo?"
She gives me the biggest smile before attempting to pull me towards the doors as I reluctantly follow, still worried about what the guys will have to say.
"Good Morning!" I hear Ava say as we walk through the entrance doors.
"Hi." I see Alice wave as she makes her way over to us.
"Good Morning to you aswell. I'm Alice." She says and offers Ava a warm smile which she returns.
"I'm Ava, do you work for my daddy?"
"Uh huh, I'm the receptionist here which means I get to greet all the amazing people that come through these doors." She beams as Ava grips my hand, clearly impatient to carry on.
"Are the guys here yet?" Alice nods at me.
"In studio 3."
"Thanks, see you later."
"Have a great day Mr Mathers and you Ava."
"You too." I shout back to her as Ava has already pulled me furthur down the corridor before stopping, obviously realising she has no idea where she's going.
"Through here baby." I say as I guide her to a door and slowly open it, my ears immediately being filled with the sounds of beats, laughter, cussing and conversations.
However, as I open the door fully the room goes deathly quite,all eyes on me and I realise Ava is still out of view, hidden by the door frame but still clutching my hand.
"So you finally grew the balls to show your face here?" Denaun asks me.
"You've got so much fucking shit to explain to us dawg." Bizzy says, sitting up straighter in his chair.
"Yo, can we stop with the cussing?" I ask, aware that my five year old doesn't need to hear it.
"Why the fuck should we?" Royce asks.
"Because I want you guys to meet someone." I look down and give Ave a reassuring smile and squeeze her hand, silently letting her know it's alright.
She steps closer to my side, now in view of the guys and their faces all immediately soften.
"Well, well, well if it isn't that little girl of Soph's." Royce snickers and Ava attempts to get closer to me, bothered by that comment.
Thankfully, before I get the chance to open my mouth Rufus smacks him over the head and Denaun rises from his seat and walks over to us, crouching down in front of Ava.
"Hey, I'm Naunie, your dad's friend. What you got there?" He talks with a friendly smile.
"Rapunzel!" Ava beams. "She's my favourite!"
"No way? She's my favourite too." He exaggerates, I know he doesn't really know much about Disney.
Ava smiles widely at him before looking to Bizzy who is now walking over to us.
"Hey Ava, I'm Rufus." He introduces himself before offering her a hug, which she gladly accepts.
One thing I'm noticing about Ava is she loves hugs, a trait clearly not from me.
"Ryan." Royce nods briefly at her before walking over to us. "You want me to teach you the best ways to annoy your dad?"
Ava nods furiously, I quickly pick her up and view this as the perfect opportunity to leave for Paul's office, not risking Royce having any sort of input on Ava's behaviour towards me.
"Where's mommy today?" My baby girl asks as I carry her down the corridor.
"She's with the doctors and they're going to make sure she's all better."
"Ok." She answers as she looks down at her doll and begins to play with its hair.
I can't wait to start this new chapter with Sophia and our little family...
A/N - next chapter tomorrow.
Also, any thoughts and opinions on TDOSS? I personally thought it was incredible.
Any feedback or suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
~ Im 💕
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RIVER (An Eminem FanFiction)
Fanfiction*Loosely based on the 2017 song 'River' by Eminem and Ed Sheeran* After being with Marshall for a little over a year, Sophia found out she was pregnant in March of 2018. Thrilled with the prospect of being a mother, Soph can't wait to tell Marshall...
