As The World Turns

Chapter 56

''They really do want you to come, you're not going to be imposing at all,'' Jodie tried to reassure Marshall as he fiddled with the zip on the jacket he'd just put on.

He was nervous and he knew Jodie could tell. Her parents had decided to invite Jodie back to their Sunday lunches as she'd told them how well her recovery was going and they wanted to see her in person again. Marshall was proud at how far she had come and smiled every time she mentioned how she hoped after Coachella she wouldn't need her crutches anymore.

It wasn't the meeting her parents that concerned him because he'd already met them, even if it was briefly at the hospital just before she was diagnosed and just after the operation; it was the fact that he'd be spending a whole afternoon with them. He had no idea what they liked, well he knew Jodie's dad collected comic books, but he knew nothing about her mum or brother. There was also Maddie too, she was only about eight years old and Marshall hadn't been around kids in years, hell his youngest wasn't even that young anymore.

''Stop overthinking you'll be fine,'' he'd been sat in his own thoughts that he had noticed Jodie'd approached him until she ran a soothing hand across his shoulder,'' relax and be yourself, the hard part of introductions has already been done so there's nothing to worry about I promise,'' she reassured him before bending down slightly to kiss his cheek.

''You ready then?'' He asked lifting his head up, he'd been staring at his hands even during Jodie's comments. Marshall's eyes widened a little as he noticed that she'd straightened her hair and even put a little makeup on. The last time she looked the way she did was back on their first date, which made him realise they hadn't been on a date for a while (he made a mental note to take her out soon).

''Yeah come on let's go my dad hates it if people are late and don't have a good enough excuse,'' she laughed it off, but he could hear the annoyance in her voice.

''Whoa, whoa... since when could you get down the stairs without my help,'' Marshall rose an eyebrow as he witnessed Jodie using a combination of the bannister and her crutches to get herself down the stairs.

''Well sometimes you're not here and so I kinda had to adapt,'' she called back to him once she'd reached the bottom.

''So you're telling me when I carried you downstairs this morning, I didn't need too,'' he asked raising an eyebrow.

''Maybe,'' Jodie replied trying to suppress the small smile that threatened to crack her features.

+++

''Mum it's Joey and...'' Maddie's face scrunched up, Marshall could tell she was trying really hard to remember his name, but the amount of silence that passed between her saying her sister's name and his clearly showed she'd forgotten he'd existed.

''Marshall,'' she finally said with a big grin on her face, '' it is Marshall right?'' Maddie's little face shifted between the two of them the smile faltering a little, but when Jodie nodded the little blondes face lit up.

Then something Marshall didn't expect from the little girl happened, she hugged him around the waist before then hugging Jodie.

''Someone's clearly the favourite,'' he heard Jodie mumble as she fooled her sister inside, who was chatting at a hundred miles an hour about something to do with a goldfish and a chicken; Marshall had no idea he wasn't actually listening, he was too busy looking at the photos that littered the wall of the hallway.

Not wanting to interrupt what seemed to be an epic tale by Maddie, Marshall decided to stay in the hallway and look over the pictures. There were several of the whole family, Jodie, Maddie, Brad and someone else that Mashall guessed way Brads, twin brother. Marshall vaguely remembered that he was a professor and some university in the Uk, it was either oxford or Cambridge but he couldn't quite remember which. Either way, he noticed how happy they all looked, one big happy family. In a strange sort of way he felt jealously build up inside of him, he would have looked to have the type of smiling family that stared at him in the photos.

''Marshall, where are... Oh, you ok?'' He looked around at Jodie who'd appeared at his side. She was alone.

''Maddie went to her room to get the picture she drew of us. She was pretty excited for you to see it.''

''Wait, did she really draw a picture of me or were you just trying to get my attention because it worked if so?'' He asked turning his head to look at her.

''No she really did draw you a picture come on she'd probably back in the kitchen by now, also just a warning she might brag about how many stars are on her star chart from the past month,'' Marshall just laughed remembering when Hailie got excited over small things like star-shaped stickers on a piece of paper.

+++

''So Marshall you making any new music,'' Brad spoke, he mouth was full of roast potato and small chunks spewed across the table as he asked his question.

''Bradly, don't talk with you're mouth full,'' Grace scolded her oldest son, who mumbled a sorry in reply. Nobody commented on that fact Marshall hadn't answered, which caused an awkward silence, which to Marshall's relief was broken by Jodie.

''Dad, how are things going at the club?'' She asked Marshall noticed how she'd carefully placed her cutlery down on her plate. He had to stop himself from scoffing because she usually just dumped the cutely down along with plate on some random kitchen counter back home.

''It's going well all the girls are excited for you to come back and take up your new position as owner of the strip club,'' Marshall noticed how elated Adam seemed about the prospect of his daughter taking over his business. He'd found it difficult to believe how passionate Jodie said he was about having her take over his business and Marshall hadn't believed hr till that moment.

''I'm not sure when I'll be able to take over though?'' That part was true the doctor hadn't said anything about when she could go back to work let alone run a strip club. Although Marshall had no doubt that Jodie'd be great at it, he just wanted to make sure she was healthy enough to do it.

''Well like I said before as long as you tell me when you can I'll get the paperwork put together,'' Jodie just nodded in reply, gulping down her water.

''Right who wants dessert,'' Grace stood up and alone with help from Brad (who didn't have a choice in the matter) started to clear up the plates. When she left along with Brad, Adam excused himself to got the toilet, Marshall turned to Jodie and mouthed 'there's more.'

The action caused Maddie to giggle as she'd seen his wide-eyed reaction.

''Yep and mums trifle is the best, you're in for a treat, isn't he Maddie,'' Maddie nodded enthusiastically with a big grin on her face.

''Well then I can't wait,'' he replied, sticking his tongue out which had Maddie in fits of giggles.