Tessa's P.O.V:
"Tell me you fucking didn't..." Marshall says as I slowly walk back with the paint brush in my hand. I watch him as he touches the paint that I just spilled over his head.
"You started it." I shoot back like i'm some ten year child. "Marshall...What are you doing..." I say slowly as I watch him pick up the bucket of paint. "No....that's not fair!" I say quickly.
"It is fair. I just splashed you with the paint brush and you drowned me in paint." He grins.
"Let's talk about this." I suggest as I look back and walk towards my dresser.
"Let's not." He chuckles as he tosses the paint brush on the plastic that's covering my bedroom floor.
The both of us are finally free and back in Detroit. Marshall was busy all week and I spent a week in California with Karla and Chris and my two brothers. We had gone on our second date just before I left which was amazing!
I had to beg Marshall to help me paint my bedroom. He was being a lazy asshole and suggested to hire someone to paint my bedroom but I refused and begged him to help me paint my bedroom.
Finally after days of nagging and begging him, he gave in and decided to help me paint my bedroom. I like decorating my own bedroom. Plus I want to spend time with Marshall before I leave.
I was leaving for two weeks in four days. I had to start on my collaboration with Versace for their Christmas collection, I had a really busy month ahead of me. Not only do I have to work with Versace, I have to start working on my new album.
"Marshall..." I say slowly.
"You're dead." He smirks. Marshall pulls me by my wrist and wraps his arm around my waist as our laughter fills up the room.
"No!" I let out a scream and squirm in his grip as he pours the paint all over me. Marshall laughs as he dumps the paint bucket on the floor and massages the paint on my cheeks and body. "You asshole." I try to be angry at him but burst out laughing.
I push Marshall away by his chest and walk away from him. I pick up the other bucket of paint and turn around. I bump into Marshall, making me gasp a little at the sudden suprise.
"No, let go." I laugh as he tries to take the bucket off me. We tug at the bucket until it spills across the room. I pick up the paint brush and I swipe it on the paint before I swipe it across Marshall's face.
Marshall picks up the other paint brush and reaches foward as I take a step back. He manages to swipe it across my neck. I reach out fowards to get more paint but Marshall pulls me towards him before he pushes me against the wall.
I keep the paint brush in my hand as I wrap my arms around him. Marshall pins me against the wall as he claims my lips before I slide my tongue into his mouth, deepening the kiss. His hands travel to my waist and I feel the hair of the paint brush against my stomach as he holds me against the door.
I move back as I gasp for air and Marshall places his lips on the side of my neck that not stained with paint and leaves kisses down to my chest as he lifts me up against the door.
I wrap my legs around Marshall and he pulls me away from the wall before he walks over to the bed. He drops me down on the bed and I sit up and pull him towards me by his shirt.
"No." I mumble against his lips as his hands go down to the zipper of my jeans.
"Why?" He mumbles as he pushes me down on the bed. I sit back up and roll us over so i'm ontop of him.
"I need to get this paint out of my hair before it drys up." I say as I lean down and kiss him. Marshall smiles up at me as I lean down and kiss him one more time. I reach for the paint brush and brush it against his nose, making him curse under his breath as he laughs.
"What time are we going to this dinner then?" I ask Marshall as I climb off him and walk towards my closet.
"Shit, I forgot about that." Marshall says as he walks towards my bedroom door and locks the door.
Marshalls Aunt Betty had come around last night and invited us for dinner today. It was originally meant to me on Halloween but Marshall is spending halloween with Hailie and Alaina.
"We have an hour." He says.
"What shall I wear?" I ask as I look through the racks of clothes.
"Wear anything." I hear him say.
"I mean...do I wear a dress or-" I start but get cut off.
"My family ain't like yours, baby." I hear him say, making me blush at the last word. "They're not the dress up type." He adds.
"So shall I wear jeans then?" I ask.
"You can wear a trash bag and you'll still look good. Come on, your gonna get us late." He says as I grab my clothes and walk out.
I kiss Marshall on the cheek that's paint free and walk towards the bathroom. Marshall places his arm around my waist and pulls me against him as he kisses me on my neck.
"I thought you said we would be late." I say as Marshall follows me into the bathroom and closes the door behind us.
"You need more than an hour to get ready so we're going to be late anyway." Marshall smiles as he claims my lips. I walk backwards towards the shower as I kiss Marshall.
"Doesn't mean we have to be anymore late." I say as I let him pull my shirt off.
"I'll be quick, I promise. Plus, what's the point of trying to get there early when we know we're going to be late anyway." He shrugs as he reaches behind me and turn on the shower.
"True." I shrug as I step into the shower and pull him in with me before we start to help each other take our clothes off.
***
"You still on the pill?" Marshall asks as he ties the laces to his shoes.
"Mhmm." I hum as I grab my bag and walk out with Marshall right next to me. "Is Nathan coming?" I ask as we walk down the stairs.
"Unfortunately." Nathan says as he appears out of the kitchen with a apple in his hand. Marshall roll's his eyes at his brother as he watches him walk out.
"Do they not get along?" I ask Marshall as I slide the engagement ring down my finger.
"They hate eachother." Marshall states. "Aunt Betty and my mom are always fighting and Nathan takes mom's side." He explains as we walk out of the house.
"I wouldn't have taken mom's side if she didn't say all those things about mom." Nathan says as Marshall unlock's the door. I slide into the passengers seat as Nathan sits at the back. Marshall sits in the driver's seat and roars the engine to life as I pull on my belt.
"She was drunk." Marshall states.
"Is there anything I should know about your aunt?" I ask quickly, changing the heated topic.
"Not really. I mean she has a son but I doubt he's going to be there." Marshall shrugs.
"Why not?" I ask as I look through Marshall's collection of cds.
"Joshua is in jail." Marshall states.
Damn.
"He got out." Nathan correct's him. Marshall looks at Nathan through the mirror before he turn to his right.
"When?" Marshall asks as he drives.
"Last night." Nathan mumbles. Marshall doesn't reply carries on driving.
For the rest of the ride, we all stay quiet and listen to the radio. After twenty or so minutes, we finally drive into a nice neighborhood. Marshall parks the car and kills of the engine.
Marshall and I get out and Nathan follows. I look up at the house in confusion, making Marshall chuckles bedsides me. It was a really nice house and it looked like it cost alot. I dont mean to judge but I thought Marshall's family are poor.
"Marshall loves his aunt so much he bought her the house." Nathan says as he walks past us and towards the front door, making Marshall sigh as he watches his little brother with a pissed off look on his face.
"Come on." I take Marshall hand in mine and rub the back of it with my thumb. It doesn't really matter that we're holding hands infront of Nathan. Nathan knows we have to act like a couple infront of others.
Nathan knocks on the door as Marshall and I follow him. We wait patiently for a few minutes until the door flies open and a blonde haired girl appears.
"Janet." Marshall smiles, making her go bright red.
"H-Hi Marshall." She stutters. Nathan doesn't say anything and walks in.
"Janet, this is Tessa. My girlfriend." Marshall says as he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me closer. It still hadn't settled in yet that i'm his girlfriend. It all just feels so unreal and I get this weird tingly feelings inside me whenever he calls me his girlfriend.
I snap out of my thoughts when I realise what he just said. I nudge Marshall and clear my throat as I show him the ring on my finger by scratching my face.
"I mean my fiancé." Marshall clears his throat. We look back at Janet to find her looking at me with wide eyes as she shakes slightly.
She's a fan.
"Hi. Nice to meet you." I smile at Janet as I reach for her hand.
"T-tessa B-black." She stutters as she shakes my hand. I look up at Marshall for help but all he does is grin at Janet.
"Janet. Let my nephew and his fiancé in!" We hear aunt Betty say. Janet doesn't move as she keep her hand locked with mine and carries on shaking it.
Okay then...
Marshall walks in, dragging me along with him. I pull my hand away from Janet before I walk past her and watch her stand there like a statue.
"She was like that when she first met me too." Marshall says as we walk down a hallway.
"Who is she?" I ask.
"My cousin Joshua's girlfriend." He explains.
"Oh. There he is, my handsome nephew." Aunt Betty walks down the stairs. She was dressed in a warm red sweater and wore a pair of dark pants.
"Aunt Betty." Marshall smiles. Aunt Betty places her hand on his face and starts to kiss his cheeks as she chuckles. I laugh softly as I watch Marshall trying to make her stop.
"Where is she. Oh there you." Aunt Betty says as Marshall steps out of the way. I let out a suprised laugh as she pulls me in for a big hug.
"Mrs Renee. How are you?" I ask as we hug.
"I'm great, dear." She says. "Come on, meet my son." She says as she wraps her arm around me as Marshall follows behind. "Joshua!" She shouts.
A man dressed in a pair of brown dusty jeans and a checkered top comes into the room through what looks like is the door to the back garden. His brown hair was brushed back and his blue eyes scan mine. He reminds me alot of Nathan.
"Marshall. What's up man." He claps hands with Marshall before he turns to me. "Your that famous chick that's going to get married to my cousin. Welcome to the family." He nods before he walks away and dissappear's into the same door he just came from.
"He alright?" Marshall asks his aunt.
"No." She sighs. "He barley speaks to me anymore." She adds.
"What was he in jail for?" I ask Marshall once his aunt walks away.
"He broke into a few houses and set them on fire with his friends." Marshall tells me as he walks away.
Lovely.
For the next hour or two, we all sit in the living room with Mr Renee, who is Marshall's uncle. Janet and I talk a little as Marshall and his uncle watch as recorded game from yesterday.
Nathan doesn't say much to anyone apart from Joshua who occasionally walks in to grab the phone or a drink. Aunt Betty tries to talk to Nathan by asking him questions about school and his friends but all Nathan does is mumble a quick answer and goes back to texting.
I stand up from the couch as Marshall and his uncle watch the game. Janet follows me into the kitchen where Mrs Renee is busy taking out the dishes.
"Need any help?" I ask. Mrs Renee turns around and smiles at me lightly.
"Could you take the lasagna out of the oven please, sweetie. Janet, could you set the table?" She says. I take the oven gloves and open the oven as Mrs Renee mumble's to herself about what needs to be done.
I place the hot dish on the counter before I start to help Mrs Renee with the salad. Nathan also helps me out as him and I talk once Mrs Renee is gone.
"The only reason i'm here is because grandma made me come." Nathan says.
"You have a grandma who's alive?" I ask.
"Marshall never told you?" He raises his brow.
"No." I shake my head.
"My Grandma and Marshall don't talk much." He explains. "She's a monster." Nathan mumbles as he opens a can of coke and jumps on the counter where I'm standing.
"Your grandma?" I ask in confusion. Honestly, does Nathan like any of his family apart from Marshall and his mom.
"No. My aunt Betty." He states. "She's a monster." He adds.
"She's nice." I state as I fold my arm across my chest and look up at him. Nathan snorts and rolls his eyes.
"Yeah. Aunt Betty is like that at first. Once she's used to you then she'll pick fights with you." He says.
"I doubt that." I mumble. "Nathan, I know it's not my place to say anything but you should talk to her. She's trying her best to make conversation and you're just ignoring her." I say as I fold my arm across my chest.
"She said some fucked up shit to my mom." He states as he knits his brows together in anger. I walk towards the counter across him and fold my arms across my chest. "She's using Marshall." He adds.
"How?" I ask.
"She's living in a house that Marshall paid for." He states.
"It's probably a gift." I shrug. "When I first started to get money for my music, I brought my cousin Bonnie a house when she was struggling to rent one." I shrug.
"Thats not the same. Your cousin was probably close to you before the fame." Nathan says.
True.
"But Marshall kept to himself. Before the fame, aunt Betty lived far away from us with her husband. Suddenly, when Marshall was all over the news she was back. She was close to Marshall. Her and our uncle both." He explains.
"Maybe she was scared to talk to him before hand when your aunt and your mom were fighting all the time." I shrug.
"They never used to fight. My mom and my aunt were close until she randomly showed up just when Marshall became famous." He says.
"Nathan-" I start but he cuts me off.
"Stop defending her." Nathan says quickly. "I need atleast one person on my side." He adds.
"I'm not taking sides." I shake my head.
"I don't care if this whole contract thing is fake, your still a friend to me and I thought the least you could do is take my side...Maybe knock some sense into my dick of a brother." He says.
"Nathan!" Mrs Renee walks in. Nathan jumps of the counter and grabs his coke can.
"You know what. It's all fake." Nathan whispers as he walks up to me. "You're right about one thing. It's not your place to say anything. I shouldn't have said anything to you." He adds before he walks out the kitchen.
***
Nathan had left right away. Aunt Betty tried to make him stay but he ignored her and walked out. I expected Marshall to stop him but he just ignored Nathan and walked towards the dining table.
"Any weddings plans yet?" Aunt Betty asks.
"No. Nothing yet." Marshall shakes his head as I hold his hand under the table.
"You know you should have the wedding where you and Kim wanted it. That place is so beautiful." Aunt Betty says.
"Why would you talk about Kim when Marshall's girlfriend is sitting there." Joshua says. Marshall let's out a sigh as he finishes his dessert and wrap his arm around my waist.
"I'm just give them and idea." Aunt Betty says. "They planned the wedding so well when they were planning to get married again." She adds.
"Betty." Mr Renee sighs.
Wait....Kim and Marshall were planning to get married again after they got divorced? I know I never ask about his relationship with Kim but it annoys me that he knows everything about my ex yet I don't know anything about his.
"Do you remember the dress that Kim liked for the second?" Mrs Renee smiles as she places her chin in her palm. I refuse to look at Marshall as he looks down at me, making him sigh as he turns to his aunt.
"We're planning to have a winter weddings." Marshall says, trying to change the topic about Kim.
"A winter wedding." She smiles. "Marshall it's going to be beautiful...a little chilly but beautiful." She adds.
"Yeah." Marshall mumbles, happy that the topic has changed.
"Kim wanted a wedding in spring." She says, making Marshall roll his eyes as Joshua laughs.
"Mom. Tessa looks like she wishes she could be anywhere but here and Marshall doesn't want you to talk about his ex wife infront of his fiancé. Can't you get the hint?" Joshua says.
"Oh nonsen. Kim will always be part of Marshall's life and Tessa needs to understand that, don't you agree Jack." She turns to her husband.
"I agree with Joshua." He gestures towards his son who still has an amused look on his face.
"It's getting late aunt Betty." Marshall clears his throat.
"What? You're not staying?" Mrs Renee asks.
"No, we didn't bring and clothes and-" Marshall explains but gets cut off by his aunt.
"You're staying." Mrs Renee says sternly. "I still have some of your clothes laying around in the closet. I was supposed to bring them the other day but I completely forgot. As for Tessa, she can burrow Janets." She says as she stands up.
"Aunt Betty-" Marshall starts but gets cut off once again by his aunt.
"I'm not taking a 'no' for and answer." She says as she gathers up the plates and walks out.
***
Marshall talks on the phone as I rip the packet open and take out the blue tooth brush. Aunt Betty wouldn't let us leave no matter how many times we tried to tell her we couldn't stay or no matter how many excuses we made, she wouldn't let us leave.
I place my tooth brush on the counter once i'm done and walk out of the bathroom when I hear a knock on the door. Marshall carries on talking on the phone as I walk over to the door. I pull open the door, revealing Janet.
"I picked out clothes for you that aren't worn." She holds up the folded clothes in her hands.
"Thank you." I smile as I take the clothes.
"Have a nice night." She smiles.
"You too." I reply as she walks away before close the door. I feel a pair of arms snake around my stomach.
"What's wrong, baby?" Marshall asks as he kisses my neck and pushes my back against his front.
"Nothing is wrong." I shrug as I turn around and kiss his cheek before I remove his hands and walk towards the bed.
I hold up the pair of black leggings and take off my jeans. I change into the leggings and pull them up so they stop just under my knees. I take of my shirt and place it on the bed before I pick up the milltary top and frown.
Janet is way shorter than me so this is never going to fit me. I place Janets top back down and I pick up mine. Marshall places his cold hands on my shoulder, sending shivers down my back before he slowly turns me around.
"As much as I want you sleeping next to me naked.." He says as he pulls off his shirt. "I don't want you to freeze to death." He says as he pulls the shirt over my head.
"Thanks." I smile as he pulls it down. I pick up my clothes and toss them on the chair as Marshall gets into the left side of the bed. "Aren't you going to feel cold?" I ask him.
"Na. I'm fine." He yawns as I move the duvet from my side of the bed and lay down besides me.
Marshall pulls me against his chest and kisses me goodnight on my lips. I keep my hand on his cheek as he places his on my lower back and keeps me against his body.
"Goodnight, Marshall." I half whisper as we hold eachothers gaze.
"You gonna tell me what's bugging you?" He asks.
"No. Now go to sleep." I yawn.
"Tess." Marshall sighs.
"Go to sleep, Marshall." I sigh.
"Did Nathan say something?" He asks.
"Nathan said alot of things." I mumble to myself. "But nothing is wrong." I add.
"Did my Aunt say something?" He asks. I don't say anything as I close my eyes and snuggle my nose into his neck. "Tessa." Marshall moves back and places his finger under my chin and lifts it up so i'm looking straight at him.
"I don't know anything about your ex." I say. Marshall sighs and runs his fingers through my hair. "You know everything about my ex." I add.
"What's there to know?" He sighs. "Kim and I loved eachother....we had a good time...we had a family togther...we started to fight...I became famous....She cheated on me when I was away....we had another fight...I cheated on her....we broke up...got divorced...The end." He says.
Marshall sighs and closes his eyes when he realises how angry he sounded. I don't say anything as I turn onto my back and look up at the fan.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked." I clear my throat.
"No. I shouldn't have snapped at you." Marshall says. "And my aunt shouldn't have mentioned Kim either." He adds.
"It's fine." I shrug lightly. "I'm tired. Goodnight." I mumble.
"Tess." Marshall sighs. I roll my eyes as he places his arm around me and turns me around so i'm facing him. "It's not fine though is it?" He asks. "I don't like talking about my relationship with Kim." He says.
"And you don't have to." I sigh.
"I knew we'd have to talk about it sometime." He says. "So why not talk about it know." He shrugs. "Kim and I we like best friends before we became a couple." He starts.
"That must have made you break up harder." I mumble.
"You have no idea how hard it was." He says as he moves a loose strand away from my face and tucks it behind my ear as he carries on talking. "Kim lived with me at my mom's and they actually got along until we started dating. We got kicked out and we moved into a bad neighborhood hood. You know Kim nearly got shot with a stray bullet when she was washing the dishes in that house...Anyway, we had Hailie when we were really young and at the same time, we were looking after Kim's niece, Alaina. We couldn't find a place to live so we would stay at Proofs or crash at Kim's friends. Eventually, we stacked up enough money to rent a house in that bad neighborhood. It was a small house with one bedroom. Nothing fancy but it was still our home." He shrugs as he rubs his thumb over my cheek. "We used to hide money in the closet and one day we came home from the park and found the house was broken into and the money was gone." He explains.
"That's terrible." I mumble.
"Kim tried to save money for Hailie and Alaina's education too but the money was stolen." He says as a flash of anger and then sadness crosses his face, making me regret asking him about it. Marshall stops stroking my cheek with his thumb as he stares off at the far wall in deep thought.
"Marshall?" I place my hand on his cheek, making him snap out of his thoughts.
Marshall clears his throat as he turns to lay on his back and keeps his arms on my lower back. I sit up slightly and place my chin on his chest, making him look down at me as he speaks again.
"We would fight all the time. We couldn't pay for the bills. We couldn't afford food and Hailie and Alaina were getting older and older." He says as he runs his fingers through my hair. "I had a job but it didn't pay much and Kim would only get angry when I would go down to the hip hop shop." He adds.
"Did Kim work?" I ask.
"Yeah. She worked as a masseuse but she eventually quit since Hailie and Alaina were only little and she had to take care of them whilst I worked. I had to work for the both of us." He explains. "In 96, Kim and I broke up and she moved out and took Hailie and Alaina with her and lived in a one bedroom apartment and I moved back to 8 mile. We eventually got together again." He adds.
It goes quiet between us once again and Marshall carries on twirling strands of my hair around his finger as he stares off at the far wall.
"We would always fight over not having enough money. So when I became famous, I thought she would be happy that I was bringing food to the table, you know? We weren't poor anymore. We had money to buy our kids clothes and food and everything else they ever wanted but Kim hated it." He says.
"How come?" I ask as he twists my hair around his finger.
"I was barley home. I would alway be busy and she thought that I would be cheating on her since i'm famous and could get any girl I wanted." He explains.
"And you didn't cheat?" I ask.
"No. She cheated first." He states. "She kissed this bouncer named John Guerrera." He explains. "I got pissed and punched the guy." He adds.
"And then what?" I ask.
"Then, I got arrested." He states.
"You're shitting me." My eyes go wide.
"You haven't read about it in the news or heard me rap about it?" He asks.
"No." I shake my head.
"Well, I was charged with assault and possession of a concealed weapon." He explains. "I pleaded guilty and was on probation for a year." He adds.
"That sucks." I mumble.
"Then...One day I decided to come home early and found her fucking some guy." He sighs.
Weird, same thing happened to me...
"Well, I know how that feels." I mumble to myself but Marshall hears and chuckles slightly.
"So...I got revenge and cheated on her." He explains. "I regretted it later but somehow she found out and she wanted a divorce." He says.
"And you didn't?" I ask.
"No." He sighs. "I guess I still loved her then and I didn't want her taking our kids away from me." He shrugs. "In 2000, we reconciled and didn't go through the divorce but then, later on she was arrested for riding a jet ski whilst she was drunk and disturbing peace and the cops found cocaine on her too, so hat's when we both had enough and got divorced in October of 2001." He explains.
"That's when you started to date Mariah Carey." I smile, making the situation lighter. Marshall chuckles as he leans foward and kisses my forhead. "So. How long did that last?" I ask.
"A couple of months." He shrugs. "We started to date in December of 2001 and split up in August or September of 2002." He adds.
"Can I ask you something?" I ask him.
"Go ahead." He yawns.
"When were you and Kim planning to get married again?" I ask. Marshall goes quiet for a few seconds as he looks away. "Mrs Renee said that you were planning a really nice wedding when you were planning to get married again." I add.
"Aunt Betty shouldn't have mentioned Kim." He turns to face me again. "We were dating eachother again just before the contract. Aunt Betty loves wedding and her and Kim were talking about a wedding." He explains.
"How long did that last?" I ask.
"Two weeks." He mumbles. "But we ending up arguing again, that's why Kim was so pissed when she found out that we were engaged." He adds.
"Oh." I mumble. Just when i'm about to speak, the door opens. Marshall and I turn towards the door to find Aunt Betty standing there.
"It's almost one in the morning. You can't sleep?" Marshall asks.
"No, I can't." She states. "Espically when these walls are paper thin and I can hear you talking when i'm trying to sleep." She adds, clearly annoyed.
"We were just about to go to sleep." Marshall chuckles lightly.
"You better." She points at us. "If I hear anymore talking then i'm going to place you in separate bedrooms." She adds.
"Night." Marshall rolls his eyes.
"Hm." Aunt Betty hums and closes the door.
"How d-" I start but Marshall hushes me by placing his hand over my mouth.
"You heard the lady." He whispers.
"She was serious about separating us?" I ask. Marshall opens his mouth to speak but get cut off.
"You damn right I was! Now don't make me come there!" Aunt Betty bangs on the wall that was between the two bedrooms.