Tessa's P.O.V:
In August of 1994, Karla had given birth to a baby boy. Chris was in Detroit then, so he didn't know that he had a son. Karla promised me to keep it a secret so that's what I did.
She was only young then. She couldn't look after a newborn. She had her education to get on with. Her mom would have killed her if she found out about her baby boy.
So, when the baby was five months, she gave him away. She took him to an adoption center. Rumors spread around the college and reached Chris.
Christopher and Karla had broken just a couple of days before she found out she was pregnant with his child. Chris was the one that broke up with her since he wanted to move to his home town in Detroit.
She thought that if he told him that she was pregnant, he wouldn't believe her. She thought that he would move back to California for the baby and not her.
As selfish as she sounded, she was doing it for the sake of the baby. She didn't want the baby to see the parents fight and argue like her parents used to infront of her.
Anyway, she couldn't take care of the baby so she gave him up. She became depressed and wasn't fit enough to look after him. So then Christopher came and found out about his son.
Chris went nuts. Until a year later they both got back together. Karla got over her depression. The finsihed med school. They got engaged and became doctors.
Never in a millon years did I ever think Milo would be back home. Never in a millon years would I ever think that Chris would bring their 9 year old son home without telling Karla.
"Have you worked with a lot of famous people?" Milo asks.
I look up from lap and lock eyes with the 9 year old that is sitting next to his proud father that's looking down at him with love in his eyes and a huge smile plastered across his face.
"I do." I smile at Milo.
"Did you used to look after me when I was a baby?" He asks.
"That's enough of the questions. Time for you to get ready for soccer practice." Chris says.
"But-" Milo starts but gets cut off.
"Aunt Tessa has a flight to catch." Karla says, walking into the living room.
"Okay." He sighs and stands up. He walk towards the door but stops by the couch that I am seated on.
Milo walks towards me and wrap his tiny arms around my neck. I stay in stunned for a few seconds before I wrap my arms around him as I smile lightly.
"Have fun " I say softly.
"I will. Have a safe flight." He says as he walks away from me.
"Thanks." I chuckle as I watch him walk away.
"I'll be there in 10 minutes so get ready." Chris says as I stand up.
I pick up my handbag and stand up from the couch. Chris stands up and follows me out, Karla had dissappeared with her son upstairs so Chris walk me to the door.
"What's wrong?" Chris asks. I stop infront of the door and sigh.
"You should have told Karla before-" I start buy he cuts me off.
"Milo is my kid. I don't need Karla's permission to see him." Chris states.
"No you don't. But you could have told her before your randomly came home with Milo." I sigh.
"Tessa. I did the right thing." He says.
"Look. I'm not here to fight. I'm happy for be both of you." I say.
"Yeah. Thanks." Chris mumbles. I let out another small sigh and hug Chris. "Have a safe flight." He says and hugs me.
"Thank you." I smile.
We pull away from eachother and he send me a small smile before he walks away. Chris and Karla pass eachother in the hallway without saying a word to eachother or looking at eachother.
"You ready to leave?" Karla asks.
"Yep." I smile as I pull open the door. Karla walks out with me and walks with me towards my car. "Are you and Chris not talking still?" I ask.
"Why should we?" She asks.
"Because your engaged and because you have a child to look after." I state.
"A child that I didn't even know he was seeing for the past few weeks." She says.
"What?" I say in confusion.
"Yeah, he didn't tell me." She sighs. "What are you going to do about Marshall?" She asks.
"I don't know." I sigh.
I left this Detroit this morning to see Karla and Chris as soon as I found out about their son coming home. Leroy left right afterwards and instead of watching a movie with Marshall, I made an excuse and told him that I wasn't feeling so well.
Yesterday when Leroy left, I was about to call Karla but remembered that she had problems of her own to sort out so I didn't call her. The next morning Karla had phoned to tell me about Milo coming home.
I didn't want anyone to know I was coming, so I didn't tell Leory or my brothers. I didn't even tell Karla and Chris because they would tell me not to come after I told them about Marshall collapsing on stage. Chris kept on telling me to stay with Marshall but I just ignored him.
I only came to see Milo but also to avoid Marshall. I don't know why but after Leroy's talk I just feel weird being around him. I didn't think I would have feelings for another man after Marcus.
I don't know what to do. So I just left early in the morning whilst Marshall was asleep and before Proof or Paul showed up. I know Paul would tell Leroy about me coming to California and the last thing I want to do is see my manager or talk to my manager.
"What he said was wrong." Karla says, referring to my manager.
"What he said was right." I shake my head. "I can't have feelings for Marshall. We have a contract to stick to." I sigh.
"So what for the next three to four years you're not going to see any other guys? Your going to stay single?" She asks.
"Yeah." I shrug.
"No!" Karla say quickly. "Tess you have been in a relationship with Marcus for 10 years. He meant the world to you, I know that. I was there every night next to you when you were crying during your divorce. But it's time to move on." She says softly as we stop by my jeep.
"I don't know, Karlz." I sigh.
"Marcus did you dirty. Let him go. Forget about him." She says.
"You're right." I sigh.
"Don't listen to Leroy. You do what you want babe." She smiles making me smile. "Plus Marshall is hot." She says making me laugh.
"You always know how to lighten up the mood." I comment as we hug. "Thank you." I sigh and pull back.
"I'm your friend. You don't ever have to thank me. Now get your ass in the car before I drag your ass back into the house." She smiles making me laugh.
"Charming." I laugh. "And are you sure you're going to be alright?" I ask.
It turns out that Karla and Chris weren't talking to eachother because Chris wanted to bring Milo back home but Karla didn't agree to it because she was scared.
They're still not talking. I know this because they haven't been talking to eachother infront of me. They haven't even stayed in the same room, even though I was in the room. Karla's happy to have Milo back. But she didn't like Chris lying to her and not telling her about Milo coming home.
"Yeah. We'll get through this." She sighs. "Now quit worrying about us. Mars-" She starts before I cut in.
"Nothing happened between me and Marshall so I don't understand why you're making such a big deal." I shrug making me roll her eyes.
"Have you seen the way he looks at you?" She questions.
"No-" I start but get cut off.
"And I see the way you look at him!" She says quickly.
"What?" I laugh in confusion.
"It's true." She shrugs. "It's like you can see through his clothes and you want t-" She starts.
"No no no no!" I say quickly and cover my ears. "Your mouth is too dirty for my ears!" I say making her laugh.
"Oh yeah, act innocent." She says making me laugh. "But we all know you're far from innocent!" She says before I push her back.
"I have to go, I love you." I say and hug her.
"I love you too babe. Have a safe flight." She says as she squeezes me hard. I let out a small sigh as we let go of eachother. I send her a small sigh and unlock the door to my car and climb in.
"Give it a chance with Marshall...See where it takes you." Karla says as she walks backwards towards her house.
***
I slowly unlock the front door and quietly walk in. It was 3pm and light out but I didn't want anyone knowing about me leaving to California. The last thing I need is for Leroy to find out.
I close the door slowly behind me and walk towards the marble stair case. I let out a loud scream when someone literally pounces onto me.
"Jesus Christ!" I scream as I fall onto the floor. "Nathan! You idiot!" I shout when I hear him laugh as he rolls off me.
"That...Oh my god...That was priceless!" He laughs.
"What happened?" I look up at the top of the stairs to see Marshall coming down the stairs.
"Tessa tried to sneak back into the house and..." He trails off and bursts out laughing as he holds his stomach.
"You asshole." I huff as I slap his arm and stand up before I walk up the stairs.
Marshall's P.O.V:
Hailie hands me a paint brush as Alaina places a picture infront of me. I help Alaina and Hailie paint the picture as we sit out in the garden. I look up from the picture when I see Kim walk towards us with a tray in her hand.
I watch Kim as she sits down across me and between Alaina and Hailie. She hands Hailie and Alaina juice cartons and hands me a coke can before she places the tray down behind her.
"Can you help me?" Hailie turns towards Kim. I look down her right arm which is covered in a pink cast, she had fallen and hurt her arm this morning.
"I gotta go. It's getting dark." I say as Kim helps Hailie. Kim ignores me and helps Hailie with her drink.
"Bye." Alaina smiles. I return a smile and kiss her on her hair before I stand up.
"Bye daddy." Hailie looks up at me.
"I'll see you girls soon." I say before I kiss Hailie.
I ignore Kim and pick up my jacket before I make my way out. I climb into my car and start the engine as I pull on my belt. I spent my whole day at Kim's place again, looking after our kids.
She called me yesterday morning when I was spending time with Nathan. Tessa had left early without telling us where she was going. Nathan was about to get breakfast from a café when Kim called.
Kim was freaking the fuck out. She told me she's pregnant and I had to come to her place as soon as possible right before Tessa came back home yesterday.
She had a test done again and it turns out she's three months pregnant. She hid it for me because she's scared I would flip out and get mad about the news and I did.
I got mad as fuck when I found out the baby wasn't mine. I prepared myself. Proof helped me out on the way, he talked me down. I was ready to be a father to another baby.
I had a feeling that I wasn't going to be the father of the child. But that was until Proof reminded me that I had sex with Kim after I got drunk at some party.
But I wasn't ready for the results that I got. I really thought I was the father when the memories of having sex with Kim flushed my head. Kim and I became close and we talked about it calmly and we got along the whole day until around an hour ago.
That's when I found out about me not being the father. I dropped her off and went home after we had a heated argument in the car. I was avoiding Nathan and Proof because they would know right away something was up.
As for Tessa, I didn't want to flip out infront of her and ruin everything with her because I couldn't keep in my feelings so I avoided her all afternoon and stayed in my room but it was hard.
I couldn't stop thinking about her. She's driving me fucking nuts because all I want to do is touch her. But I just need time to calm the fuck down about this whole baby thing.
I don't even want another baby but when Kim told me that I might be the father my thoughts about her being a father to another child completly changed. So the results crushed me.
But I had to go back to Kim to see Hailie and Alaina. I promised them that I would spend time with them since I was busy with the concert and couldn't spend time with them.
I park in my parking lot next to my Mercedes and climb out the car. I open the door that's connected to the kitchen and garage and then walk into the kitchen.
"We should go." Tessa shrugs as she leans against the kitchen counter. She opens her mouth to speak but closes it again when she see's me.
"I don't know. What about paparazzi?" Nate says as he sits down on the counter.
"Uhr...I'm used them." Tessa says. "Hey." She turns towards me and smiles.
"Sup." I mumble. "What are you two talking about?" I ask.
"We're planning to go to the movies." Nate says as he chews his food.
"What about paparazzi?" I say as I take a seat next to Nathan by the counter.
"She said she's used to them by now." Nate shrugs.
"Yeah but you ain't." I say. "Fuck going to the cinema. We have a cinema upstairs." I add as Tessa places a plate full of food infront of me. She walks over to the fridge and takes three water bottles and walks back towards us.
"That's boring. I'm gonna go with Tessa." Nate mumbles as he chews down his mouthful.
"Nate." I sigh.
"You ain't my dad." Nate says. Tessa lets out a sigh as she sits across us.
"Shut up before I slap you one." I warn him before I take a bite of my food.
"What's up your ass." Nate rolls his eyes.
I've had enough of his bullshit. Ever since Tessa came he's been acting different. I'm not saying she's a bad influence or anything, it's just that she kinda spoils him I guess. He's a grown ass man but she still spoils him some how.
That time we were in New York, Nate phoned Tessa because he had a problem with the cops when he threw a party. I was going fucking nuts when the security told me but I didn't say anything to Nate or Tessa. Instead, I kept my mouth shut.
The cop who searched my house gave a written warning and left it at the gate under Tessa's name. We were busy with this whole contract thing back then and the security forgot about the letter too.
They said that Nathan was left without an adult. That there was empty alcohol bottles everywhere. Luckily nothing else or Nathan would have been dead.
Just five days ago, they handed me the letter. I know I shouldn't have opened the letter since it had Tessa's name on it but it also had Nate's name on it too so I opened, reveling a warning letter about Nathan drinking under age. The letters over a month old.
"Nate, what the fuck did I just tell you to do?" I turn towards him and give him a glare.
Tessa places her elbow on the counter and places her chin in her palm as she rubs her neck with her other hand and looks away from me and Nate awkwardly and uncomfortably.
"I'm just asking? What the hell is wrong with you? Yesterday you were acting like a complete ass and today you're acting like a complete ass." Nate says turning towards me.
"I need to...uhr call...Karla back." Tessa says making up and excuse as she stands up from her seat.
"Na. It's cool. You don't gotta leave. I'll be upstairs in my room." I say as I grab my plate and water bottle before I walk off. The last thing I need is more drama.
Tessa's P.O.V:
"Nathan." I tut as I pick up his empty plate and place it in the sink. Nathan rolls his eyes and helps me clean up.
"I didn't do shit." He shrugs.
"He's your brother. He looks after you." I say as I place my hand on his shoulders and make him look at me. "The least you could do is respect him in his own home." I add.
"Whatever." He mumbles.
"Go. Fix things with him." I say as I turn him around and push him towards the door.
"It's not my fault if we get into another argument." He says before he walks out.
"You won't!" I shout after him.
I spent half an hour cleaning the kitchen since I didn't really have anything to do. Nathan came back once he had sorted everything out with Marshall to ask me what movie I wanted to watch.
I look up at the time as I grab the popcorn, drinks and other snacks. It's was midnight already. I make my way upstairs but stop at the top stairs when I can't remember where the cinema room is.
"Nathan!" I shout his name down the hallways. I see a security come out from one of the room and he stops when he see's me.
"Everything okay, Miss Black?" He asks as he takes out his walkie talkie.
"Mhmm. Yeah." I nod. "I was looking for the cinema." I add.
"Oh. Well it's down the hall to the left. The last room at the end of the hallway is the cinema." He says.
"Okay. Thanks." I smile and start to walk away.
"Oh and Tessa-" The security calls after me making me turn around. "I'm sorry, I mean Miss Black." He says.
"You can call me by my first name." I tell him and wait for him to speak.
"I can't actually." He chuckles. "I gave Mr Mathers a letter with your name on it a few days ago. We found it in the scrap draw. It's a few weeks old." He explains.
"Alright..." I nod slowly.
"The officer who came to search for the drugs dropped it off a long time ago and he also came today since he didn't get a reply from you. He came to ask if I had handed it to you." He says.
"Yeah. I've got it." I lie. "D-did it say anything about any papers need to be filled in?" I ask.
"No." The security shakes his head. "Have a nice night." He smiles and jogs back down the stairs.
"You too." I sigh and start to walk towards the cinema.
I just hope Marshall hasn't opened the damn letter. Why did he have to give a warning anyway? Maybe that's why Marshall's not in a good mood. He opened the letter.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!
I stop infront of the cinema door and try my best to calm the hell down. If Nathan see's me like his then he knows something is up. I hold in my breath as I open the door and walk in.
I close the door behind me and stop in my tracks when I see Marshall also sitting down on one of the bean bags behind Nathan. I clear my throat and look away from Marshall and walk over to hand Nathan the food.
"What are we watching?" I ask as Nathan takes a bean bag from the corner for me and places it behind him, next to Marshall.
"Horror movie." Nathan says and presses the play button on the huge screen.
"Why horror?" I tut as I take a seat down next to Marshall and get comfortable.
"Why not?" Nathan smirks and turns up the volume. I place a bucket of popcorn between Marshall and I before I focus my eyes on the movie.
Me and Marshall make small convo with eachother as the movie starts. Marshall takes my hand in his and locks our finger together as he keeps his eyes on the movie.
I clear my throat awkwardly and hold his hand back as I keep my eyes locked onto the screen. Marshall turn towards me once he feels me squeeze his hand and smirks as he watches me. It feels...nice and normal to hold Marshall's hand.
We were twenty minutes into the movie and I was already fucking terrified. Marshall and Nathan kept making jokes where as I would squeeze my eyes shut and look away.
"Pussy." Marshall whispers in my ear.
"Am not." I whisper back.
"Alright, prove it. Keep your eyes fixed on the movie for the next ten minutes." He raises his brow.
"Deal." I whisper. Marshall smirks and goes back to watching the movie.
I watch the stupid girl in the movie as she uses the ouji board. This is what I hate about horror movies. Stupid things like ouji boards and the devil taking over a child's body and girls with long hair that's covering their faces.
The music starts to go quiet until it stops. I tighten my grip around Marshall's hand and swallow hard as he turns towards me. I keep my eyes fixed on the screen and try not to look away.
Something's going to happen. Something's going to happen. Something's going to- BAM!
I jump in my seat and let out a gasp as I look away and cover my face with my free hand. Marshall starts to laugh next to me at my reaction as he tilts his head back.
"That's not funny!" I huff as I slap his chest.
"Your reaction...It...It was...Priceless!" He says through laughter.
"You are a jerk." I huff as I let go of his hands and start to move away. Marshall pulls me back and wraps hand around my wrist to prevent me from going anywhere.
"I'm sorry." He says in serious tone. Just when I open my mouth to speak to tell him that it's fine, he bursts out laughing again.
"You asshole!" I wack him on his chest. Marshall wraps his arm around my wrist and holds in his laughter.
"Alright...Okay." He says. "I'm really sorry." He says calmly.
"Mhmm...Whatever." I mumble and cross my arms across my chest, letting his hand fall.
"That was priceless though." He mumbles making me roll my eyes.
"Where were you all night yesterday and where were you all day today?" I ask.
Right when I arrived back from California, Marshall had left without telling Nathan where he was going. He hadn't come home last night either, he called Nathan and told him that he was staying at Proofs.
"Where were you all day yesterday?" He asks. I roll my eyes and look away. "When were you going to tell me about this?" He asks as he takes out a white envelope.
Damn it, it's the letter that the security had just told me about.
"I can explain." I say.
"Alright, explain." He says.
"Well.." I say as I rub the back of my neck.
"You should have told me, Tessa. Nates my baby brother an-" He starts but I quickly cut in.
"I know. I'm sorry." I say quickly. "I should have told you." I add.
"Then why didn't you?" Marshall asks.
"We were going through the whole contract thing after New York and I guess...I just forgot..." I shrug.
"And you called Nick?" He asks.
"Well yeah. He was the only lawyer I knew. He helped him out and solved the problem didn't he?" I say.
"I guess." He mumbles as he looks to the front. "Thank god there wasn't any drugs involved or he would have been dead by now." He says.
Oh yeah, he doesn't know about the drugs that were found and hidden by security.
"Yeah...Thank god." I say and swallow a huge lump down my throat. "How are you feeling. You know after the whole concert thing." I ask.
"Good actually. My head is a little sore but i'm fine now." He shrugs.
"That's good." I nod.
"And thank you for sticking up for me infront of our managers." He says.
"It's no problem." I smile.
It goes quiet for a few minutes between us and we go back to watching the movie. I feel Marshall place his arm around my waist, making me quickly look up at him.
"What about Nathan." I say quietly.
"He fell asleep a few minutes ago." Marshall replys as he pulls me closer next him and try to calm down. I lock hand with Marshall as he looks down at me.
I nod slowly in response. Leroy's words run through my head as I stroke my thumb on the back of Marshall hand. In push Leroy's words out of my head as Karla's words run through my head as I slowly lean my head on Marshall's shoulder and close my eyes.
'Give it a chance with Marshall...See where it takes you...'
♤♤♤
Chapter 40 is finally up! Tell me what you think!:)
Woah, that's alooot of baby dram in one chapter! I'm sure you all know who Kim is pregnant with. Now I know, Kim had Whitney in 2002 and not 2003 but I forgot the year she was born in, then again this is just a made up story.
Anyway, tysm for the votes and comments. Really appreciate it. Please excuse any mistakes that I have made!
I really feel bad for not making Marshall and Tessa become closer, I'm really sorry about dragging this out for so long but most of the fanfic is already written. So this chapter might seem rushed since I cut put out a few paragraphs but it gets better!
I am trying to update everyday but that might change soon, sorry. Anyhoooo, don't forget to vote/comment and share!
Byyyyyyyyeeee! ♡♡