Patiently Waiting

Shanea laid completely still as the orange glow of the candles flickered against her naked body. Marshall had definately made up for being so rough the first time - showering her in soft kisses and slow, passionate 'love making' for the last two hours. She never planned on getting out of that bed.

"Hey.. you're awake.. for a minute there I thought you were dead.." Marshall whispered, placing his lips against her temple as he sat up on one arm beside her. She turned her head slowly and smiled, "If only I were that lucky.." assuring.

"I'm not as young as I used to be, Em. My body can't take.."

"Your body is.. magnificant." He whispered, running his fingers over her bare stomach. She really was the best thing that had ever happened to him. "When do you want to get married? Tonight?"

"It's three in the morning, Em."

"Okay, tomorrow? Before we got and pick up the kids?"

Shanea rolled her eyes, "Desperate for a house wife, huh?" She teased, biting her tongue at the look he gave her. She didn't want to fight - not right now. It had been such a perfect night. "House wife, shit. You're gettin' a job AND takin' care of the kids while I go do my thing, do some battles - hang out with my boys. I think I might retire."

Marshall grinned, running his fingers through her hair. "Well as long as I get alamony I don't care what you do." His grin faded, "Damn girl - you're mean as hell." Shanea shrugged her bare shoulders and smiled up at him, accepting the soft kiss he placed on her lips. "I hope you know your payin' for that expensive ass dress on the floor over there - Dee knows Biz banned her from going into mall..."

~

"Dat is so pretty mommy.." Madison assured quietly, touching the ring Marshall had given Shanea. "Me and Jason are gonna get married too, I think.."

"Who is Jason?"

Madison spun around and stared at Marshall, giggling as he ran towards her and scooped her up in his arms. "You aren't getting married - ever! You or Hailie Jade." The toddler pushed her father away and laughed. "I is to gettin' married I wove him!"

Marshall looked at Shanea. "Jason goes to the same pre-school Madi does, obviously they've found love during play time." She assured, grinning as Marshall's face formed an 'unpleased' look. He was definately going into 'father' mode. "You better leave them boys alone.."

Madison giggled and crawled down to the floor - running off towards Hailie's bedroom. "Hailie! Daddy won't let me get marry to Jason!" She cried, jumping onto the bed where Hailie was laying - watching TV. "What you doin?"

Hailie looked over at her sister; "Watching TV." Madison's eyes went wide; "Can we watch Barney? Please!"

~
Two weeks later.

"I miss you more.." Bizarre rolled his eyes and slapped Proof on the arm, nodding his head towards Marshall who was buired in his XXL clothes at the head of the table, mumbling into his cell phone. "I know - the flight leaves tomorrow night.." He went on, flipping his middle finger up at Proof and the others as they laughed.

After a few more moments of I love you - I miss you Marshall closed the phone and glared at his group. "Man - Kim didn't even have you pussy-wipped liked that, man. Oh, Shanea I love you I miss you - I wanna have your babies."

"Fuck you, Swift. You just pissed cause you ain't got a woman."

The rest of D12 laughed and pointed to Swift who was speechless. "Shit, I just want to see her - it's been weeks. Ya'll fool's know how it is when your tryin' to be a faithful man." Marshall assured, flipping through the paperwork in front of him.

"Now shut the fuck up and show me what ya'll have come up with.."

Proof gathered up the rap battles they had wrote up - trying to think of new songs for their album - and passed them towards Marshall.

~

Shanea opened the front door quickly and wrapped her arms around Marshall, kissing him passionately. "We've gotta stop doin' this - I can't keep being without you.." He whispered against her lips, kissing her again. "Hailie and Madison have school here though - we can't just take them out for weeks at a time.."

Marshall nodded his head in agreement but he didn't like the idea of leaving his family everytime Los Angeles demanded his expertise. He was going to have to figure out a way for them to be together all the time.

"I guess you missed me, huh.." He asked with a grin, feeling her body press against his as her hands traveled to his chest. She kissed him softly - letting their tongues slip together for a moment. "I missed you too.." He assured, sliding his hands down her back to pull her even closer.

"You said we would always be together for Hailie!"

Having once pulled a gun on a man for making out with his wife at a night club, Marshall knew the unmistakable click of the hammer on a .38. [A/N: I don't know anything about guns so hopefully ya'll know what I'm talking about - the smaller ones.] He shoved Shanea into the house and turned around to face Kim - who was standing at the end of the driveway holding a gun in her shaky grasp.

"I can't believe you would pick her," Kim pointed the gun at Shanea, "..over me!" She cried, litterly sobbing as she fumbled with the gun. "Kim! What the fuck are you doing? Your daughter is in there sleeping! Put that shit down!" Marshall yelled, moving closer to Kim who pointed the gun at him and screamed.

"Don't tell me what to fucking do, Marshall! You can't tell me what to do! She's not gonna come into MY house and take over my daughters life! I'm a good mother...."

Marshall stared at his ex-wife in disbelief.

"Kim - you're threatening us with a fuckin' gun. You need help."

Before he could think he heard the gun shot and watched Kim stumble backwards with fear in her eyes. Shanea screamed behind him - everything seemed to be going in slow motion. He wasn't hurt so he ran toward Kim and grabbed the pistol from her - turning around to find Shanea.

Marshall felt the air escape his lungs and his heart stop at the sight before him.

~

Ashes to ashes..

"I can't believe that bitch shot up your ride man.." Proof muttered, running his fingers over the bullet wound on the large black SUV. Marshall was nearly in tears as they inspected the vehicle - trying to figure out where they could take it to get it fixed. Last night had been over dramatic but at least Kim was going to a place where she could get some help.

She had cried for hours, apoligising to Marshall and Shanea for the things she had done. She was messed up on coaine and neither of them had the heart to call the police on her. Instead, she agreed to go into a rehab program and get clean so she could be in Hailie's life.

"You should make her pay for this - hell, Slim she could have killed your ass or your girl.."

Shanea had been shaken up for the rest of the night - unable to sleep, jumping up at every tiny squeak or crack of the house. Marshall sighed at the thought and closed the door to his SUV. He didn't need Kim to pay for the damages - hell he had enough money to buy a million SUV's - nicer then this one; he just needed her to stay out of his and Shanea's life.

"I'm gonna bounce, man. When you get back to L.A. tell Dre I'm takin' some time off. I got a wedding to plan."

DeShaun slapped hands with Marshall and watched him walk back into his house, closing the door behind him.

~

"I wanna wear pooh bear mommy!" Madison yelled, throwing her hands up in the air as Shanea desperately tried to put the lavendar t-shirt on her daughter. "Madi, baby, don't do this to me - we're gonna be late."

"Is daddy gonna be dere?"

"We have to go pick Hailie up from Dawn's house. You remember Alaina right? If you're good for mommy you can play with her for a few minutes. Daddy's still at the shop trying to get his car fixed."

"I wanna wear pooh bear!" The toddler screamed, sitting down on the ground heavily - crossing her arms infront of her tiny chest. "Fine! You want to wear Pooh Bear, fine.." Shanea growled, searching in the dresser for Madison's favorite shirt. She pulled out the white shirt with a yellow bear on the front and tossed it down to the little girl.

"There you go, miss thang."

Madison watched with wide eyes as Shanea walked out of the room - leaving her alone to put her clothes on by herself. She huffed and grabbed the shirt, turning it around several times before crying out in frustration.

Shanea walked into the kitchen, surprised to see Marshall standing at the table with his keys in his hand. "Hey.." He muttered, sitting a few papers down and walking towards her slowly. The hugged and she smiled - glad to see him. "I just told Madi you were still gone - we were headed to go pick up Hailie." Marshall nodded his head and watched as the toddler stumbled out of Hailie's bedroom, wearing her shirt in all the wrong places.

Madison walked into the kitchen slowly - one small arm sticking out of the neck of her shirt - that happened to be on backwards anyway. Her head was buired inside the shirt, trying desperately to push through the sleeve. Shanea laughed quietly and knelt down to help her daughter as she wined - nearly ripping her favorite shirt.

"Daddy!" The little girl growled once she was free from her prison. "Mommy said you were gone! She's being a mean mommy!" Madison put her hands on her hips and glared at Shanea, walking over to stand beside Marshall.

"Now - where's Hailie?"

~

Two months later.

Hailie looked at herself in the large vanity mirror - smiling as Shanea knelt down and handed her a tube of very expensive lipgloss - brushing a sheer powder over her already beautiful face.

"You're beautiful without any makeup, Hai." She assured quietly, smiling as the little girl applied the clear gloss to her lips. "Big girls wear this though and today I wanna be a big girl.."

"You've got all the time in the world to be a big girl, baby - enjoy being a kid while you can."

Hailie smiled, looking up at Shanea. "I think your beautiful.." She whispered, marveling at her soon to be step-mother as she stood straight and looked into the vanity. Her thick long hair was pulled up - long brown curls cascading down to her shoulders and framing her perfect face. "Well, thank you - honey."

"The littlest flower girl has arrived." Dee, Bizarre's wife, assured as she made her way through the room carrying Madison who wore a beautiful rose colored dress that matched Hailie's perfectly. Her hair was pulled back like her mothers and she reach for the lipgloss, smearing it over her lips like her older sister. "Me pretty.."

"You are - very pretty - baby." Shanea agreed, lifting Madison into the air - causing her to giggle. "Mommy's pretty too.." She giggled, hugging her mother tightly around the neck.

"Girl - look at you - Em's not gonna know what to do with himself when he sees you." Dee muttered, smiling at her friend as Shanea twirled around the room holding Madison. Her dress was simple, thin straps holding up a sleek white/silk dress that fell just past her knee. "Are you going to throw the flowers good for mommy so I can walk down the isle?" She asked Madi who nodded her head seriously.

"Shanea - five minutes."

Dee and Shanea stared at each other - nervousness buzzing in the room as they scrambled to finish with the last few touches. "You're beautiful girl - go out there and get your boo.." Dee whispered, hugging Shanea tightly.

~

"You ready for this dude.." Bizarre muttered quietly - glancing towards the preacher as he helped Marshall straighten his tie. He had only seen his friend this fancy one other time - when he was going to court for those dumbass gun charges. "Yeah - this ain't nothin'.." He answered quietly - trying to hide the fact that his hands were shaking.

He loved Shanea - more than life and he wanted to marry her but all these people and that damn preacher staring down his neck for the past thirty minutes - he was nervous.

"When you and Kim got married it was just standin' in front of a judge.. look at all these people, dawg."

Marshall closed his eyes, swallowing hard as he tried to ignore Bizarre's untimely comments. He felt another hand on his shoulder and exhaled - looking up to see Proof's familiar grin. "Thanks, Biz. Let the best man handle it from here." He laughed as Bizarre backed away and stood to the left of the groom, beside Von and the rest of the dirty dozen.

When he and Kim were married the dirty dozen hadn't even shown - assuring him from the start it was a mistake. Of course he was stubborn but in the end his friends had been right. He had sworn off marriage from the day his divorce was final but seeing Shanea, so loving towards Hailie and an amazing person in general - it felt right this time.

"Yo, man. Before you do this I just want to tell you somethin'.." Proof started, letting his hands fall to his sides as he looked into Marshall's eyes - catching his full attention. "You my family and if this.." He motioned around himself, noting the elaborate wedding that was about to take place. "..is what you want. We all with you a hundred and ten, brother. Shanea's a good girl - you finally doin' somethin' right.."

Before Marshall could respond that old familiar wedding march began to play in the background of the church - causing his knees to go weak as DeShaun stepped over to his side and watched Dee walk down the isle throwing pink and red rose petals. Behind her Mike's fiancee Jessica, Hailie and Madi followed all doing the same. Hailie waved towards Marshall and he waved back smiling, watching his eldest stand with Madison - holding her hand as they moved to the right side of the pulpit.

They were so beautiful.

His hands were shaking more than ever now and he held them tightly at his sides, staring down the long path as the guests all stood to their feet once Shanea appeared at the doorway. She had never been more beautiful.

"Aw man, that's what I'm talkin' about.."

Marshall laughed to himself as Proof elbowed Swift in the side - locking his eyes with Shanea's as her brother walked her slowly down the isle and stopped right in front of him. He was so fixated on her beauty that he barely heard Mike assure the room that he was giving his sister away.

"Dearly beloved - we are gathered here today to unite these two people in holy matramony.."

"Hi." Shanea whispered, taking Marshall's offered hands as they stood motionless in front of the preacher - staring at each other, smiles plastered on their faces. "Hey, baby.."

~

"Do you Shanea take Marshall to be your husband? Will you promise to love him, comfort and keep him - forsaking all other remain true to him as long as you both shall live?"

God, she was so beautiful - staring at him, shaking just as badly as he was.

"I do." Shanea squeaked, squeezing his hand tightly. A single tear fell down her cheek and she smiled, sniffing back her emotion as she glanced towards Madison who looked a little bored, her eyes wondering around the room - which caused her mother to laugh.

"Do you Marshall take Shanea to be your wife? Will you promise to love her, comfort and keep her - forsaking all other remain true to her as long as you both shall live?"

Marshall looked up at the preacher and then to Shanea, watching as silently tears of happiness fell past her cheeks.

"Shanea, baby - I've been paitentally waitin' for you to be my wife. My everything. 'Course I do."

"With the power invested in me - by the state of Michigan - I now pronounce you man and wife."

Shanea exhaled loudly and met Marshall half way as their lips locked in a sweet, deep kiss - causing their audiance to cheer and stand to their feet - clapping happily. She felt Proof and Bizarre wrap their strong arms around her and Marshall both, laughing and nearly crying at the happy union.

"Mommy!"

Madison and Hailie ran towards Shanea and hugged her tightly, moving over to hug Marshall. "Mommy - why you crying for?" Madison asked as her mother knelt down to hug her again. "It's a good cry, baby.. I'm happy.." The toddler smiled, "I'm happy too." She declaired.

"Hey." Shanea stood to her feet and smiled at Marshall, holding onto his arm for balance. "Hi." He kissed her again, loosing his hands in her hair as he pulled her closer. "I love you baby."

"I love you too, Em."
--------------------------------------------

Detroit, MI - Present Day

"No no no no - don't funk with my heart." Shanea took Hailie by the hands and spun her around the living room - dancing wildly with the little girl as Madison walked into the room. "What are you doing?!” She demanded, laughing once her mother took her hand and continued to move to the music. "I wonder if I take you home! Would you still be in love baby? In love baby!" Hailie sang, trying to match Shanea's sexy dance moves.

"You're not taking anyone home young lady!"

Hailie spun around; frozen as she stared at Marshall once he stepped through the door.

"Daddy!" She and Madison both yelled together, running towards their father quickly. They wrapped their arms around him in a tight hug and giggled at the look on his face. "You're both grounded for thirty years for dancing like that and listening to this crap." Marshall assured, looking up at Shanea as she turned the CD player off and laughed. "Welcome home, honey."

"Come on, Madi. We'll go listen to this song in our room!" Hailie squealed, running towards the CD player. Madison followed her quickly and disappeared into her bedroom - slamming the door as the song began to play again.

"Those are your kids - rotten to the core." Shanea muttered, wrapping her arms around Marshall's neck in a hug. He slid his arms around her waist and pulled Shanea into his chest, burring his head in the bend of her shoulder. "I missed you.." His voice was a whisper against her skin - causing goose bumps to form on her arms. "I missed you too.." She assured, pulling away just enough to look into his eyes.

"Good news from L.A.?"

He nodded slightly and kissed her before answering; "Four bedroom, two bath - pool, straight up MTV Cribs shit." She smiled at the thought - a bigger house closer to where Marshall spent most of his time. Even though they had been married since January of '04 it was really going to start feeling like they were a family. All four of them.

As if on cue a baby began to cry in the background - causing Shanea and Marshall to pull apart. "Ut oh, daddy must be home." She whispered, taking off down the hallway towards their bedroom - Marshall in tow. "If he's awake now he'll never get back to sleep and I'll never get to have my way wit you." He muttered quietly, receiving a stern look from his wife as she opened the bedroom door. "Hey, baby - it's okay.."

Marshall watched as Shanea went towards the small crib on one side of the bedroom, holding the crying baby in her arms as she soothed him with her words. "Come on, Ronnie - don't cry. Mommy's here.." Ironically enough Shanea had been nearly three months pregnant during their January (2004) wedding and six months later little Ronnie Mathers had been born.

"You want daddy? Yeah, I bet you've missed him huh?" Marshall walked across the room and held Ronnie in his arms - smiling as his son quickly stopped crying and wrapped his arms around his father’s neck. Shanea kissed Ronnie on the forehead and then Marshall lightly on the lips before slipping out of the room and towards the kitchen to get her son a bottle. Marshall hugged Ronnie close to his chest and sighed, reliving the past two years of his life.

He knew - hell everyone knew - that he didn't deserve Shanea, he had put her through the ringer a million times but she stuck with him. She was everything he needed in a wife - everything that Kim could only imagine to be. Hailie's mother had her visitation rights and for the past year she was clean. Marshall made sure every week she had to do a drug test and thankfully she had stayed straight for her daughter’s sake.

Kim was always going to act resentful towards Shanea but she had her own life now with the father of her youngest daughter and she hadn't caused anymore trouble with The Mather's family. Things were finally starting to come together - his newest Album 'Encore' had made millions, not to mention the various hits he was helping Fifty and Obie with. Then there was his son. Ronnie had surely been a surprise but a blessing none the less and there he was, beautiful like his mother - staring up at Marshall with those amazing eyes. "Daddy loves you." He assured, kissing Ronnie between the eyes as he giggled.

Shanea came back into the room five minutes later with Madison and Hailie behind her, all talking and playing with the baby. Hailie really felt as if she was the 'big' sister now - having two younger siblings to watch over and Madison couldn't get enough of her baby brother. Their parents were lucky they had such great kids - neither of them were ever jealous of one another - they were truly blessed.

"Mommy says were moving." Madison stated, looking up at Marshall as he handed Ronnie back to Shanea. "Yeah? Well, it's kinda like moving - we're going to have a second home in Los Angeles where daddy works." He explained, kneeling down in front of Madi and Hailie. "We're not gonna live here anymore? What about all my friends!" The little girl demanded, hands on hips - glaring at her father.

"You know all the times I have to go away and you guys can't come with me?" She nodded slightly, trying to understand. "Well this way we can all go and be together." Madison's eyes lit up as she turned to Hailie. "Can Hailie and Ronnie come to!?"

Marshall kissed Madison's forehead and laughed, "Of course - honey. We're all going to go. You can have your own bedroom and everything."

"Did you hear that Hailie?! We can have are own bedrooms and everything!" Shanea laughed at Madison's excited remark and hugged Ronnie close as she knelt down beside Madison. "I think we're all going to be very happy at the new house. Don't you?" She nodded and grabbed Hailie's hand. "This is the happiest day of my life!" The toddler exclaimed - jumping up and down with her sister as Ronnie clapped his hands and giggled at the sight before him. They were finally the happy family they had always wanted to be.

Marshall kissed Shanea softly, bending his head down to whisper in her ear. "It's like an angel came to me sent from the heavens above.." He whispered and she smiled - knowing exactly what he meant.

"You've been patiently waitin' to make it through all the hatin' - debatin' whether or not you can ever weather the storm."


~

FIN, COMPLETE - DONE - NO MORE, NADA. END!