Stronger Than I Was (Eminem Story)

The Despondent One *The Final Chapter*

December 23, 2007

I sat in Marshall's house with the kids and we took turns holding Rosemary.

"Is Norman coming with Mingus for Christmas?"

"If he wants to, he probably will." I said and my phone rang.

"Hello." I answered and Norman was on the other end.

"Hey I'm here where are you?"

"Marshall's."

"Open the door for me, Helena, and Mingus." He said and I stood up and opened the door. Everybody walked in and I hugged them. He grabbed Rosemary from me and kissed her. I smiled and kissed Mingus's cheek.

We walked to the living room and Marshall came down.

"Babe." He said and I looked up at him.

"Yeah Hon?"

"I just came to say goodnight to the kids." Marshall said and I nodded. He hugged and kissed me goodnight and walked to the kids. He hugged them one by one and told them how beautiful they were and how proud they made him. That he loved us. He shook Norman's hand and hugged Rosemary and then Mingus and Helena. No Helena and Norman weren't dating they were friends, good friends if your wondering. Marshall kissed me one more time and hugged me tightly.

"I love you so much." He said and I smiled.

"I love you too." I said and he kissed me and walked upstairs. We all sat down and Kim walked in with her boyfriend.

"Hey everybody." She said and the girls hugged her. She grabbed Rosemary from Norman and smiled.

"Hi Pumpkin!" She said and Rose laughed. I smiled and she passed her back to Norman.

"So everybody is staying at my house." I said and they nodded.

"Micah, Kristen, Hailie, Alaina come with me. Kim, Norman, Rose, Michael, Helena, Mingus, Whitney, go to my house." I said and passed Norman the key." We went our group and as soon as they left we heard a thud. Then a couple of seconds later we heard another one."

"Hailie, Alaina come with me. Micah, take your brother and catch up with the group." He grabbed Kristen's hand and ran out the front door. I walked to Marshall's room and opened the door. We walked to the bathroom door and it was locked. Me and the girls started crying. I rammed my shoulder into the door and it broke open. Marshall was on his side in a pile of throw up. I grabbed him by the shoulders and Hailie and Alaina lifted his legs. We walked to his bed and Hailie called 911. I looked at Marshall and looked around and looked for the pills. I found a couple of bottles, all empty. He was looking at me and blinking but he couldn't speak.

"Daddy, stay with us." Hailie said and the EMT's rushed in.

"Pack a bag, run to my house. I'll call you if anything happens." I said and I ran outside and followed the ambulance.

A couple of hours later Norman was here with Rosemary.

"Can you make sure the kids enjoy this Christmas?"

"Kim is already doing that with Helena. I'm staying here with you so you don't lose your mind." He said and I smiled. He walked out briefly and when he came back in he had two boxes. A bassinet with a cover for Rosemary and a box of books and baby formula for me and the baby.

"Thanks so sweet of you Norman." I said and looked at Marshall. Norman set the bassinet up with her still in his arms and I smiled.

"You're such a great dad, I feel bad that you're not around her all the time."

"Don't, it makes it worth the while to come stay with you and her when I'm here." No we don't have sex, Marshall understands why he's here, when he's here. He tucked Rosemary in and I grabbed Marshall's hand and sighed.

"What if he doesn't come back?" I asked.