Authentic Made

Detroit, MI - 1998
I don't think you understand,
That what you doin' is not so cool.
You think it's funny to mess with my mind - don't you?
You know I like you so you just tease me,
You give me just enough to hang, on and on.
When you're just wasting my time.
You're simply wasting my time.

Jimmy searched his pockets quickly, trying to get out of the bitter cold as he fumbled with the keys. He had been mixing tapes at J.O.B for nearly two hours now - on top of a ten-hour shift at Detroit Stamping.

After another few minutes of searching he pushed the key into the lock and opened the door, disappearing inside the poorly heated apartment building. The light over the stove flickered before going out completely - leaving him standing in the dark.

He felt his way through the small 'living room' and moved into the first bed room, smiling once he saw Lily sleeping peacefully in her bed. She turned on her side and pulled at the covers, frowning in her sleep.

Jimmy helped her pull the covers over her small body and ran his hand through her hair - turning back towards the living room before he managed to wake her.

"Hey.."

He nearly jumped out of his skin - turning quickly to glare at Lea as she walked out of the bathroom and towards the dark kitchen. She was wearing a pair of his rolled up sweat pants and an oversized black sweater - grinning at him as she started to work with the broken bulb over the stove.

He quietly made his way to the kitchen and helped her change the bulb, smiling down at her once the small room was flooded in light.

"What are you doing up?"

"Couldn't sleep. Lily okay?"

"Yeah, I guess. She's asleep."

Lea nodded, wrapping her arms around her body as they stared at each other. His eyes were so intense - like two perfect sapphire orbs burning into her - analyzing her, craving her. She parted her lips to speak - taken back as his lips covered her own.

His tongue found hers quickly - pushing her back against the stove as one hand roamed freely down her body. She arched her back allowing him access to run his hands underneath her shirt and touch bare skin, moving forward to press their bodies together.

Lea moaned against his mouth, feeling every inch of 'him' beneath the thin material of his sweat pants. Jimmy pulled her up quickly and sat her on the counter - licking at her lips to deepen the kiss once again. He had been aching for her since he left that morning trying desperately to get his work finished without thoughts of the infamous Lea William's leaking into his brain.

This girl was going to be the death of him and his music if he wasn't careful.

His fingers were entwined in her mid length dark hair, holding her against his body with one hand while the other slid down to her side and under her shirt to cup her breast gently. After another agonizing moment he pulled away from her lips and began traveling down her neck.

Jimmy held onto the sides of the stove until his knuckles turned white - swallowing his own moans as they surfaced. The way that she was kissing him, trailing her tongue slowly down his neck just so she could make him scream. It was quickly becoming too much for him.

He opened his eyes and looked at her, pulling away slightly to really see her. The stove light cast a warm yellow glow on her skin, highlighting the bits of red and brown in her dark hair. When she was like this - so quiet and yet so full of passion she was...

"..there are no words to describe you.."

His everything was right in front of him and he didn't even know it. They had been living together in this run down apartment for nearly a year now and neither of them truly knew what their status was. They lived together and did 'this' every night - but they were merely friends.

He couldn't bring himself to tell her how he really felt; how he secretly craved her every second of the day and wanted to be 'hers' more then anything in the world - but he couldn't - he had her once and managed to fuck that up terribly.

He didn't want to hurt her anymore.

"Rabbit.."

Before she could utter another word he had lifted her up into his arms - carrying her towards their shared bedroom in three quick steps. Once inside he laid her back on the mattress and quickly advanced on top of her - kissing her slowly as she welcomed his weight on her body.

Lea moaned as he idly parted her legs with his own and pressed himself against her; showing her just how bad she got to him. She whimpered and arched her back to be closer to him. She wanted to feel every part of his body at once - to know that he was really there with her.

Sometimes she was afraid that it was all a dream, this life - none the less shitty - with her going to school for her business degree and working at her third restaurant in two years - wasn’t real at all. Jimmy was still some place else locked away with Jeanene in his own personal hell.

It surprised her every night when he came back to their apartment - he came back to 'her' even though they had no real ties. He was free to go and be with whomever he wanted but he chose to be there with her and Lily.

Sometimes she wished she had the nerve to tell him that she loved him - more then life itself.

"Jimmy!!!"

Jimmy's body suddenly went limp as he buried his face in the bend of Lea's neck - listening as Lily frantically tried to untwist herself from the sheets on her bed. She cried for him again, causing him to look up at Lea and sigh.

"I'll go check on her."

He shook his head and placed a quick kiss on her lips before pushing himself off the bed and towards the other room, adjusting himself quickly before going to tend to his baby sister.

Lea sat up on the bed slowly, folding her legs Indian style underneath her as she listened to Jimmy comfort Lily - singing to her quietly as he assured her there were no monsters and that 'Lea's safe, asleep - like you should be.'

After a few minutes he walked back through the apartment and stopped at the door - meeting her dark eyes with his own paler hues. They stared at each other for what seemed like hours before he finally walked inside and sat down beside her.

"Do you think we have a relationship, Rabbit?"

He remained quiet - not quite sure how to answer her question or if he even wanted to. Whatever they had was simple, it wasn't jealous girlfriends or cheating boyfriends it was just them - and Lily.

Maybe on the outside it seemed that way.

"I don't want to hurt you again, Lea."

"So your saying that if you and I were dating, you'd cheat on me?"

"No.. I don't want.."

His voice trailed off for a moment, trying to find the right words to say. He didn't want to cause World War III in their bedroom, he was too tired for that.

"What, Rabbit?"

"I don't want to be the cheating boyfriend. I don't want to hurt you again, alright?"

Lea narrowed her eyes, causing him to sigh.

"I like what we have."

"What do we have, Rabbit?"

She looked down at her hands folded in her lap, waiting for the brilliant answer that would past his lips any moment and make all her problems disappear. Unfortunately, no answer came. He continued to stare at the pile of unpacked boxes in the corner of the nearly empty room - unable to find an answer good enough for her.

"That's what I thought. Nothing. We have nothing - just a bunch of meaningless kisses and a good fuck once a week. That's all I fucking am to you."

"No.. fuck, Lea. I didn't say tha..."

"You don't have to say shit, Jimmy. You want sex and you want my body but you don't want 'me'."

"Lea, damnit don't do this. I just don't want the same shit to happen again alright? I don't want to lose you - you mean to much for me. I love you----."

"Forget I even said anything, it's bullshit."

She laid back on the mattress and turned her back to him - pulling the covers stubbornly over to her side before covering her head. She didn't have anything else to say to him and if he didn't want to be with her in fear that he would cheat, or fuck something up then so be it.

"I don't need you any fucking way, Rabbit."

Jimmy sighed and stood up from the bed, making his way across the room to go take a shower.

"You don't mean that."

Lea closed her eyes - sighing to herself as she slipped into a dreamless sleep. He was right - she did need him, more then either of them realized.

They needed each other.
------------------------------------

Lea opened her eyes slowly - feeling Jimmy's lips against her temple. He smiled down at her and ran his hand over her stomach and to her hair.

"I gotta go to work. You better get up or you're going to be late."

"Mm.."

She turned over on her stomach and yawned, whining at the thought of having to get up. Between getting Lily off to school, going to her own classes all morning and working until closing - she had very little time for herself.

"Don't make me.."

Lea clawed at the pillow beneath her head, turning away from him as he watched her; silently noticing the way the black sweater slid up and exposed the small of her back; not to mention the rim of the red thong she wore under her sweat pants.

"Damn.." He turned away from her and moved towards the kitchen, trying to fight back the thoughts that quickly plaque his mind. For one day he would like to go to work without thinking about Lea - completely naked and inside her.

"Fuck."

"Jimmy! Don't cuss.."

Lily walked out of her room slowly and looked around the apartment, smiling once she saw Lea walk to her bedroom door and peek out at them both.

"Yeah, Rabbit. Don't cuss."

Jimmy turned his back so Lily couldn't see and stuck up his middle finger, gritting his teeth when Lea mouthed, "Right now?" Damn her.

"Lillian! Get your booty over here and get some breakfast so you can go to school and flirt with all the boys."

Lea's lips formed a slow smile as Lily giggled at the look that passed over Jimmy's face. When it came to Lily he went into 'strict father mode'.

"I gotta go to work.. you girls stay out of trouble. Lily - no talkin' to any boys.. don't even talk to your boy teachers."

Lily continued to giggle as Jimmy kissed her forehead and looked up at Lea, who was staring at him. She smiled and reach for a box of cereal, holding his gaze for another second before finally looking away and towards Lily.

"Bye, Rabbit."

He looked at her for a moment longer before turning towards the door to start another day, at the same boring job with the same dumbass people.
-----------------------------------

Jimmy sat down on the sofa with a thud, rolling his head back on his shoulders. He had agreed to work three extra hours after calling to make sure his mom was picking Lily up from school - getting in as much over time as possible to have a little extra money after the rent was due.

It took nearly both his and Lea's check to pay for the small apartment they lived in, not to mention lights, phone and enough food to last a week. They both often went hungry so that Lily could get a decent dinner at night.

It wasn't the best life but it was life none the less.

He watched the front door open slowly - sitting up as Lea walked into the room and shrugged off her coat, turning around to spot him on the couch. He looked exhausted; almost as tired as she felt. The past few months she had felt different; extra tired, drained - but going to the doctor was out of the question.

It cost money she didn't have to go to the doctor.

"Hey.."

"Hi, Long day?"

"Yeah.. I worked some extra hours for Paul. Mom picked Lil' up from school."

Lea noticed that the little girl was nowhere to be seen; only Jimmy sitting on the couch with one foot against the coffee table and the other on the ground. His head was back - staring at the ceiling like he was trying to figure out the meaning of the universe.

Without a sound she moved towards him; slipping her body between his legs to straddle his hips. His head leaned forward in surprise; feeling her weight suddenly become apparent on his dick as she got comfortable and leaned into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around her and held her against him - noticing the tension in her muscles slowly loosen at his touch.

"Did you have a bad day?"

Lea nuzzled her face into the crook of Jimmy's neck, laughing quietly at his question. School had never been that important to her in the first place and now she was trying to 'better herself' on top of working at a new restaurant across 8 Mile.

"Everyday is a bad day." She assured quietly, closing her eyes once she felt his hands move under her shirt and against her skin. His hands were like magic when he was touching her - soothing her into a comfortable silence as they sat with each other.

Once she felt completely relaxed she pulled away from his chest and looked into his eyes. Moments like this were heaven and hell - an ironic purgatory that had them bound for eternity. It was love. Buried deep down beneath all the sorrow and the broken hearts, under the shame and regret of it all - they still loved each other.

"I'm sorry about what I said last night.."

Before she could say anything else he was kissing her - parting her lips with his tongue. She leaned forward and deepened the kiss, feeling his fingers massage her hair as they traveled back down her body. They broke away from each other, remaining dangerously close as they both took in gasps of needed breath. When they kissed it was like the world melted away and for the few moments they were together - all their problems disappeared.

"Lea.."

Jimmy was nearly panting, digging his fingers gently into her hips as she rocked against him, licking at his lips before kissing him again quickly.

"..I fuckin'... need to be inside you.."

He gasped quietly as she hit the perfect spot on his neck with her tongue, causing his whole body to tighten up as her hands began to remove his shirt.

As if on que the telephone rang - causing Jimmy to groan loudly and pull away from Lea.

"Let it ring.." He muttered, grabbing her by the back of the head and pulling her towards him. They continued to kiss, trying to ignore the ringing phone beside them but the constant noise failed to stop.

Finally, after another long moment of her lips - Jimmy sat up on the couch and grabbed the phone, holding Lea on top of him as he roughly jerked it from the receiver.

"What!?"

His voice suddenly became softer, looking over at Lea as Lily's tiny voice filled his ears. She sounded afraid and distraught - quietly pleading with him to come and get her.

"Okay, baby. I'll be right there - keep the door locked and don't let anyone in. Not even Stephanie."

He hung up the phone quickly, watching Lea stand up and back away from him.

"What happened?"

"That fucking bitch mom of mine.. Lily took a nap when she got home from school and the bitch left here there alone, again."

"Is she alright?"

"She's just scared. Fuck!"

Suddenly he picked up the phone and threw it across the living room, watching as it broke into a few pieces before falling to the ground. His mother really knew how to get under his skin sometimes; the way she did as she pleased and didn't even give a fuck about her own daughter.

"I gotta go get her.."

Lea sat down on the coffee table and held her head in her hands, nodding slightly as he moved past her and slammed the apartment door.

Something's never change.

~

Detroit, 1996

"Open the fucking door!"

Marcus, one of the many bouncers at The Shelter yelled, beating his fist against the rattling bathroom door. Every time B-Rabbit came to battle he locked himself in the bathroom for an hour to practice.

"Stop playin' with your damn self!!"

Suddenly the door unlocked and Lea appeared in front of him, grinning coyly as she pushed past him and towards the small crowd that had gathered.

"Sorry, man. The woman's bathroom is packed and I 'really' had to go."

Marcus nodded slightly, raising an eyebrow as the girl disappeared into the crowd - adjusting her t-shirt as she combed fingers through her messy hair.

A few guys entered the bathroom nosily, each going to their own urinal to talk about the battlers that were going on tonight.

"Yo, I wonder when that white bread's gonna spit. That fools got some talents - he kicked Papa Doc's ass, ya know."

"Shit.. that white boy can't rap. He's got 'no-skills'."

"You a stupid nigga."

~

Jimmy leaned back against the bathroom stall, taking in a few quick breaths to regain his stature. Lea had followed him into the men's room earlier to give him a 'good luck fuck'. At first he thought she was bullshitting him but soon enough their innocent kisses had turned into aggressive sex in the last stall. He ran a hand over his race; wondering how the hell he was supposed to think about battling after 'that'.

~

You probably thought this was a joke at first/
But there's nothin' funny when you’re leavin' in a hearse/
After I spit my verse/
Hell it couldn't be worse/
'Cause you could burst while I curse and blurt this bizarre shit that works/
You gonna lose, fuck there's no doubt about it,
And next time you rap, bitch you better shout it,
Scream it from yo' lungs till they feelin' your shit,
And you got a million fans grabbin' at your dick.
So go hit the 'Tiki - go have a little fun,
'Cause by the way things are soundin' - hell, this battles been won.

Jimmy threw the microphone at his opponent; turning toward the crowd as they yelled and cheered for him. This was what he lived for - to hear people calling his name, to be the center - the best in the whole damn building.

Future jumped down onto the lower half of the stage and stood between Jimmy and Jay, the man that 'claimed' he could kick 'white breads' ass in any battle.

"Give it up for my man, B-Rabbit."

The crowd roared with cheers, making it obvious that B-Rabbit had won and defended his title. Jay backed away from Future and shook his head, retreating in defeat.

"That's what I'm talkin' about people. B-Rabbit is the real future of hip-hop! You just wait this man right here is on his mother fuckin' way!!"

Jimmy threw his hands up in the air - scanning the crowd to spot Lea, who was in the back swaying with the rest of the masses. She winked at him and turned towards the door, flipping him off as she went. Cheddar, Sol and DJ Iz were over to the side - smiling proudly while Future grabbed him in a chokehold and celebrated.

Even if his job did suck, and Lea mostly showed up just to have sex with him. Even if Sol was still talking about 'fine bitches and phat rides' and Cheddar followed him around like a fucking lost puppy - even though Fut was still an uncle Tom and Iz wouldn't shut the hell up; he had his battles.

~

Lea unlocked her trailer door and stepped inside, hanging her coat on the side of the couch as she moved towards the bathroom.

"Where the hell have you been?"

She looked up quickly, surprised to see her mother, Maria, standing in the poorly lit kitchen. Maria glared at her daughter and pushed herself away from the table, staggering towards her.

It was obvious that she had been drinking, and by the two black eyes she had - she wasn't a 'happy' drunk.

"What are you doing here?"

"This is my fuckin' house - or have you forgot?!"

"I was just wondering, mom. I haven't seen you for almost two years, damn."

Lea crossed her arms in front of her and sighed, watching as her mother dropped a bottle of gin onto the kitchen floor - a string of loud curses flowing from her lips.

"It would'a been a lot longer too if that bastard Charlie wouldn't have left me. He found him one of those young bitch waitresses or something to fuck, stupid bastard."

Maria walked up to Lea and glared at her, mocking her as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"You gotta get outta here, Lea. That asshole's divorcing me and I can't have my grown kid hanging around ruining any chance of me being happy. Hell you're the reason Bruce left."

"Fuck you."

Lea turned around to leave, only to be grabbed roughly by the arm and spun around.

"What the fuck did you say to me? I'm your fucking mother?!"

Suddenly, Maria backhanded Lea - sending her head to the side in one painful blow. It had been a long time since anyone had smacked her in 'that house'. She clenched her jaw and looked up at her mother, "Fuck - you."

Before she had the chance to strike again, Lea pushed her mother away and left the trailer - slamming the door with all her mite. If that 'bitch' didn't want her there she sure as 'fuck' wasn't staying.

~

Jimmy slammed the trailer door, nearly bringing it off the hinges. He stayed on the small porch for a second, looking up into the dark sky for any kind of answer.

His mother had left Lily alone - yet again - to go play Bingo.

"Fuck you, Rabbit! Get outta my fucking house!"

"She's just a fucking kid, mom! God damnit!"

Their fight had left his words unheard and his brain nearly bursting from his head. Sometimes he didn't know why he bothered coming back to this shit hole. He had managed to save up enough money to get his own place - but the only apartment he could afford was in the worst part of town.

If he left he was taking Lily with him and he wouldn't allow himself to live somewhere like that with her. He had to do something - but there were no answers to his problems.

"Hey.."

Lea wrapped her arms around herself and sighed as Jimmy made his way across the lawn.

"Hey.. what's wrong?"

She nodded towards her trailer and shook her head sadly, mentally promising herself she wasn't going to burst into tears. Her mother had never been much of a 'mom' and it hurt her that after all these years she was still a vindictive, horrible person.

"My mom's getting a divorce or some shit.. she showed up and kicked me out."

Jimmy sighed at the drama that was all around them; looking down at Lea in surprise as she rested her head on his chest and took in a breath of bitter Detroit air. She had been less then affectionate for the past few months - hanging out with him and the boys but her heart just wasn't in it anymore. Not since he had cheated on her and the rest of 313 had pretty well abandoned her. She wasn't the same Lea they had grown up with.

Lea buried her face in Jimmy's chest and sighed deeply, feeling his arms snake around her back and his lips rest gently on the top of her head. He missed moments like this.

"We gotta get outta here.."
------------------------------------

Detroit, 1998

"Come on, baby. We're getting out of here."

Jimmy lifted his baby sister up on his hip and carried her outside into the trailer park, narrowing his eyes as his mother pulled up with the 'love of her life'. She had been dating Ted for nearly three months and in her world 'things were going great'. Ted bought her things, a shitty car, groceries and even paid her rent.

Unfortunately, Ted could also been found across 8 Mile - smoking crack and fucking anything willing.

Stephanie Smith sure knew how to pick 'em.

"Go wait in the car, okay Lil'?"

Lily nodded and wiped her eyes on the back of her sleeve - sliding out of her brother's arms before running straight to his car. She opened the door and slammed it shut, watching her mother stagger out of a vehicle and walk towards Jimmy.

"What the fuck are you doing here, Rabbit?"

He pointed towards her trailer, "You fuckin' left Lily alone, mom. She ain't fuckin' old enough to be left alone."

"I left you alone when you were her age. Get outta my way, Rabbit."

"She's just a little girl! I swear... I fucking swear you won't see her again."

Stephanie wrapped her arms around herself, "She's fine, Rabbit! She didn't fucking get hurt... you aren't her fucking father!"

Jimmy suddenly grabbed his mother by the arms and jerked her forward, "..and you're a bad fucking mother! I don't care if you don't give a fuck about me but Lily fucking needs you!"

He let go of her and shook his head in disbelief, looking towards his own vehicle. Lily was sitting quietly on the passenger’s side - looking straight ahead. She was just a little girl and her mother acted like she could care less.

"You probably didn't even feed her.. fuck mom."

Stephanie watched him push past her and go to his car, "You need to get your fuckin' life straight, mom."

With that said, Jimmy climbed inside his car and turned to Lily, who was staring down at her hands. He knew that she was upset, betrayed by her own mother countless times. He didn't understand how someone could be so thoughtless to her - because Lily had never given his mother a reason.

"You okay, baby?"

She nodded slightly, never letting her eyes move away from her tiny hands.

"Are you sure? You can talk to me, Lil."

"I'm fine.."

Jimmy sighed and started the car, pulling out onto the highway.

~

Lea walked out of Lily's room and crossed her arms over her chest, resting her back against the wall. Sometimes she didn't blame the kid for having nightmares - she knew all to well how fucked up mother's could be and when she was Lily's age - she had her own share of bad dreams.

Jimmy walked out of the bathroom - drying his hair with a towel. He stood shirtless in a pair of baggy sweat pants and socks, watching Lea move away from the wall. If it hadn't of been for her - Lily would still be awake, afraid of being left alone - worried that her mother didn't love her.

"Is she okay?"

He sat down beside her on the couch as she curled up into his lap and sighed, "I think so. I made her a cheese burger while you were in the shower - I told her that neither of us were leaving tonight and that your mom just has a lot of things going on right now. I really didn't know what to say."

Lea turned on her back and looked up at Jimmy, resting her hands on her stomach as his fingers raked through her hair.

“I don’t know what I’d… what Lily’d do without you.”
--------------

One week later.

“Yo, man. You alright?”

Jimmy looked up at Future and nodded, shifting the bag of clothes on the other shoulder. Cheddar, Sol and Iz were walking behind them - talking and laughing about some off the wall shit.

“Why the hell is your woman makin’ you do the wash, Rabbit? You know that shit is Lea’s job.”

“Lea’s picking Lily up from daycare, Sol.”

Sol and Iz turned to Cheddar, “I know that fool. Damn.”

Jimmy nodded towards the Laundry Mat and ducked inside with Future, leaving the others on the corner arguing. He sat the large bag of clothes down on a table and began searching his pockets.

"What you lookin' for, B?"

Future watched Jimmy pull a small black box out of his pocket and study it for a minute.

"No.. no way, man. You ain't seriously considerin'?"

Jimmy looked up and nodded slightly as he opened the box, showing Future a small cut diamond ring.

"I busted my ass for half a year to save up and get this and it's worthless. It's not good enough for her.."

He closed the box and returned it to his pocket, opening the bag of dirty clothes.

"What the hell, Rabbit? You and Lea ain't even datin'."

"I know that, man - alright? I just want to be with her."

Future shook his head and sighed, trying to understand what Jimmy was telling him. He wanted to marry a girl he wasn't even dating.

"You sure about this, dawg? This is Lea, alright? You gotta be 110%."

Jimmy rested his palms on the table and turned to look at Future; he didn't know what the fuck was going on inside his head either but he knew he wanted to be with Lea. He wanted her to know that he loved her.

"I gotta wash this shit. Tell the other's I'll catch them at The Shelter, alright?"

Future nodded and slapped hands with him, "Alright, Rabbit."

~

Friday.

"I don't know about tonight. There's a lot of shit going on and I ain't feelin it."

Future nodded towards the stage, "You got this fool, Jimmy. Don't stress about shit."

"Yeah, Rabbit. Don't think about all that bullshit with your mom and Lily. Go win some battles!"

"Shut the fuck up, Cheddar - Damn! Don't you know when you shut the fuck up?!"

Sol smacked Cheddar on the back of the head and pulled him into the crowd with DJ Iz - assuring Jimmy that 'he had this shit won already'.

"I ain't feelin' it, Future. I'm tellin' you."

"I gotta go on stage, B. You got this - bring your ass to the stage in ten minutes."

Before he could protest, Future had disappeared through the crowd. No one was going to let him take a night - he had to battle, he had to get three and one third on the map, he had to prove to all these people that he had what it takes to be the best.

"Fuck."

"You don't have to do this shit, you know."

Jimmy turned around - surprised to see Lea standing in front of him.

"These battles aren't shit anymore, everybody in Detroit knows what you got. You could walk away from this shit and still make it bigger then anyone who went to J.O.B."

"I thought you were stayin' home tonight?"

She shook her head no and moved past him, "Somebody's gotta come boo your fuckin' ass." She teased, leaning against the wall. "Lily's with Ms. Hubbard - you're mom ain't even home so don't stress over that shit - just go win."

Jimmy reach out and touched her arm, idly running his hand down to her own. She looked pale and tired; her lips dry and vacant dark circles under her eyes.

"Are you alright? Shit, you ain't gettin' sick on me are you?"

Lea moved so his hand would fall from her own, "I'm alright."

"You sure?"

She nodded towards the stage, "B-Rabbit! Get yo' ass up here!"

~

Jimmy glared at the man in front of him, taking the microphone once it was handed to him. He was used to people calling him, 'white bread', talking shit about the white boy that wanted to be a rapper. Those Free World bitches had tore him a new a few times in the past but he had skills now - he could murder anyone on the mic.

Except for this mother fucker. Jimmy took in a breath and turned towards the crowd, trying to think of a quick come back as the beat started playing. His eyes scanned the people below him, watching Cheddar, Sol and Iz cheer him on with the crowd.

/Alright, look... don't let me lose you/
/I'm not tryin' to confuse you/
/You get the message/
/..am I gettin' through to you?/
/You know what's comin'/
/You mother fuckers don't know, do you?/

He stopped for a minute, shaking his head. He didn't feel right about this tonight. His eyes went back to the crowd and he froze, noticing Lea in the mass of people. She stood off to the side - leaning back against the cool wall for support.

The crowd continued to yell - demanding that he continue with his battle. He had come along way from the days when he froze up on stage but tonight was different. He was the first person to see her hit the floor; like slow motion she fell backwards and slid down the wall.

Jimmy dropped the microphone and jumped off the stage, pushing past the confused crowds of people as they yelled and screamed all around him. He could hear Future yelling for him in the far distance; could see Cheddar and Sol grab at him to calm him down.

There was no use.

"Move! Move the fuck out of the way - give her some room."

He fell to his knees in front of Lea as the bodyguards pushed the crowd back, "Someone call 911!"

"Lea, baby.. wake up.."

Her eyes rolled back before she opened them, trying to focus on what had just happened. She remembered watching Jimmy step up to battle - but it went blank after that. Now everything was vacant and fuzzy - as if she were dreaming. She reach out for him slowly as he pleaded with her to stay awake. The fear in his eyes scared her, causing her to grasp a hold of his t-shirt as he laid her down on the cold floor.

Lea watched Cheddar Bob and Sol come into view, each taking one of her hands as Jimmy jumped to his feet and began screaming in a bouncer’s face.

"What the fuck happened to her?! Where the fuck is the ambulance.."

Future suddenly grabbed him by the arms and pulled him away from the enraged bouncer, "Rabbit.. you gotta calm down alright? I called an ambulance.." He knelt down beside Lea again and took her limp hand in his own, squeezing it lightly as her head rolled to the side.

The rescue squad moved into The Shelter like a blur, checking Lea's vitals and loading her into the ambulance in mere seconds. Jimmy grabbed onto the back of the vehicle with shaky hands and pulled himself in the ambulance beside the stretcher - taking Lea's hand again.

~

"Time of death, 3:07am."

Jimmy looked up from his hands slowly, watching the medical staff pull a blanket over an elderly mans face before they continued to wheel him down the hallway. He returned his head to his hands and took in a long, nervous breath. Lea had been gone for nearly two hours now - disappearing on a stretcher with a doctor and a few nurses. The rescue squad had assured him that she would be fine - but something still felt wrong.

"Hey.. Jimmy."

Future sat down beside him and sighed, looking around the hospital. The waiting room was full of somber looking people - all staring at the walls or the floor, waiting for 'good news or bad news'. A broken TV buzzed quietly over their heads showing gray and black lines of snow.

"Hey, man.. I went and got Lily - she's staying with my sister tonight."

Jimmy nodded slightly, only hearing half of what his friend had said. He wasn't fully aware anymore - slipping in and out of his own reality as he fought back sleep. It had been a long day with work and the battles and now this.

"I didn't mean to choke up like that, Fut. Lea.. damn I just stood and watched her fall.."

"Don't even stress, dawg. You heard anything about her?"

He shook his head no and leaned back - watching a few doctors walk down the hallway. He had counted thirty-seven nurses and eight doctors walk pass him since he had sat down, none of them bothering to stop and tell him how Lea was doing.

"What do you think would cause her to do that? She sick or something?"

"I don't know.. she said she was fine before I went up on stage but I should have fucking known better. She was white as a fucking ghost, Future. Damn, what if she's..."

Jimmy shook the thought from his head, burring his face into his hands again. He felt Future's hand on his back - reassuring him that Lea was tougher then she looked and someone would give them some information soon.

Another doctor stepped out of a room and walked down the hallway, stepping back in surprise as Future stood and blocked him from passing.

"Hey, man. You think you can give my boy some information on Lea Williams? He's been sitting here all night waiting to hear something and you fools keep passing him up."

The doctor glanced down at Jimmy, who was literally shaking as he folded his hands together and continued to stare at the ground, silently praying that Lea was alright - wherever she was.

"I'm sorry but if you aren’t related to the patient then we can not give you any information on her condition."

Suddenly, Jimmy jumped to his feet and stood in front of the doctor - causing the short man to stumble backwards and glare at him.

"You wanna know about her fucking relatives? Her dead beat dad is long fucking gone and her mother is sitting on her fat ass in eight one o trailer park - she don't give a damn about her just like you doctor's don’t give a fuck about her. I'm all the fuckin' family Lea's got!"

Future pulled Jimmy away from the doctor quickly - afraid that he had lost his cool and would start swinging any minute.

"Man - can you please just find somebody we can talk to?"

~

Lea opened her eyes slowly, blinking from the bright hallway light as the door opened and Jimmy appeared. He smiled at her and threw his hand up before closing the door and walking inside.

"Hey, baby.."

"Mmm.. Hey, Rabbit..."

He pulled up a chair and sat down beside her bed, taking her hand in his gently. It had taken the doctor another hour to find out where Lea was and if she was alright - but finally they were together. The fear and worry quickly melted off his face once she smiled up at him, running her fingers along his cheek and to his lips.

"Are you alright? You had me so.. fuckin' worried, Lea."

"...mm fine.. tired.." She assured quietly; her eyes slowly drifting closed again. The doctor had told him she was sedated and they were going to keep an eye on her over night to make sure she stayed stabilized.

Jimmy leaned forward and placed his lips against her forehead, taking in a breath of her hair. He had been a nervous wreck all night and if it hadn't of been for Future - he would have murdered every piece of shit doctor in Detroit.

"I love you.. Lea.."

Lea sighed quietly and clutched his hand in her own as she drifted off into a deep sleep.
----------------------------

Two years ago.

Lea opened the apartment door slowly and stepped inside, raising an eyebrow at the bland - tan and white carpet. A brown sofa, dining table - two chairs and a love seat.

"Honey, we're home."

Jimmy pulled Lily up on his hip and pushed through the door, holding onto his little sister as she nearly fell out of his arms in her limp - sleeping state.

Lea pointed towards the front room and watched as he disappeared inside with Lily, tucking her into the small day bed inside her new bedroom. He had promised her in the morning they would decorate and put up a few of her drawings to make it feel more like home.

"So what do you think?"

He glanced around and looked at Lea - who was standing against the doorframe with a smile on her lips. She watched him kiss his sister’s forehead before exiting the room.

They stood in the small living room quietly, taking in their new apartment. It was going to cost them a small fortune to live there but at least it was in a better part of the neighborhood.

Lily would be safer living here with her big brother to protect her; Lea could walk to work and take a more reliable bus to her classes.

"This isn't so bad."

Lea nodded in agreement, smiling over at him before she disappeared through the apartment. At least they weren't in eight one O anymore.

~

"Rabbit.."

Jimmy opened his eyes slowly, searching his surroundings - squinting as a few rays of morning sun came through the window.

The orange light cast a fiery glow through the bedroom, setting Lea on fire as she adjusted her weight and straddled his hips - placing one leg on each side of him. He let out a shallow moan, reaching up to hold her hips in place.

"You gotta get up.."

She grinned, leaning down to nibble at his ear lobe.

"Why?"

Jimmy's head rolled back on the pillow before his eyes opened fully, suddenly aware of her little game.

"You know why, move."

"What's the magic word?"

His jaw clenched tightly as Lea moved down his neck with her lips, sliding her left hand down his chest and towards the quick rising bulge between them.

"Please.."

He hated her - hated the way only she could make his voice crack with such emotion that he felt weak. His hands slid up her sides and into her cotton nightshirt; pulling her down on top of him.

"..please, what?"

Lea ran her tongue against his lips, causing him to moan as she pressed her weight down onto his very noticeable erection - playfully moving her hips back and forth.

"Fuck... Lea.."

"You wanna fuck me?"

Her voice was quiet and childlike - almost innocent, but he knew better. She was the type of girl to crawl through your bedroom window early in the morning - when your mother and your sister were long gone and you were trying to get the next few minutes of sleep in before work.

Always full of surprises.

"How bad do you wanna fuck me, Rabbit.."

Jimmy opened his eyes again, looking up at her as she sat up and grinned. Her hair fell down around her shoulders in the perfect porn star fashion, causing him to secretly wish for their clothes to disappear.

"Where's Lily.."

"You're mother came and got her a few minutes ago - something about shopping, or breakfast.." She assured, shrugging her shoulders slightly as her finger's danced down his bare chest.

In one quick movement, she was pinned beneath him and squealing - pleading with him to bring her back to her dominating stature.

"Come on, Rabbit! You know you like it.. when.. I'm.. on..."

Her plea's quickly turned into quiet murmurs as his tongue met her lips and slipped between; running his hands up her body to remove the soft fabric she wore. She could feel him hard in his sweat pants - pressing into her thigh as the nightshirt flew across the room.

"You're such a fuckin' tease.."

"Mmm, but you like it.."

Lea arched her back - pressing her body into Jimmy's as he kissed her, grinding his body into hers slowly. His hands cupped her breasts; groping them roughly as she worked his boxers down his thighs.

“Rabbit.. please..”

Jimmy’s fingers slid down her sides; gently pushing past her panties; his lips trailing her neck slightly as she moaned.

“Fuck - Jimmy..”

“You wanna fuck me…?”

Lea threw her head back in frustration; sucking in a deep breath once two of his fingers were completely inside her. She moved against his hand, whimpering his name as their lips met again. His tongue lapped at her lips before moving to her ear, nibbling at the lobe:

“Jimmy..”

The demand in her voice became a weak plea - rocking her hips in perfect motion with his fingers as her body tensed - her orgasm powerful, causing her body to shake as she clung to him. He slipped his fingers past her core and down her thigh, grinning at the thought of bringing her such pleasure. He had never seen her look so beautiful. Lea opened her eyes, looking up at him.

“..don’t stop..”

Jimmy kissed her slowly, running his hand up her thigh and back to her breasts - slipping his boxers completely off. His dick was raging between them - throbbing as Lea gripped it in her hand and began slipping it between her silky folds. A low moan escaped his throat; causing his arms to give out slightly as she pushed him inside of her.

“Fuck…”

Her hand moved to his back, pulling him down on top of her as he began moving back and forth slowly - resting his head in the bend of her neck as the sensations took over his body. Blunt teeth sank into her shoulder, causing a quiet moan to surface.

Lea arched her back - making him slip further into her depths.

“..fuck..”

His arms tightened as he held onto her; murmuring obscenities into her hair. Lea met each of his thrusts - holding onto his shoulders and he slammed into her, whispering how good she felt.

“..shit Lea.. I’m gonna..”

Lea closed her eyes tightly - exploding with him as he thrust into her a few more times gasping for air; clutching her in his arms.

“Fuck.. that was amazing..”

Jimmy moved his hands up Lea’s body and smiled, kissing her before he pushed himself up.
-------------------

Detroit, 1998

"..a baby?"

Future couldn't believe his ears. Jimmy had left thirty minutes ago to pick Lilly up from his sisters house, asking Fut to stay with Lea incase something happened - he didn't want her to be alone.

"I don't know what to do, Fut. Rabbit's gonna be so... dissapointed."

Lea sat in the hospital bed with her hands folded neatly in her lap, staring out the small window beside her cot. It wasn't a huge surprise to her - the morning sickness, being extra tired all the time, back aches, the signs were all there. Five months pregnant.

"Listen to me, girl. If anyone knows I do - and B, he loves you."

The door opened slightly, a tiny blond head peeking inside - "Lea?" Lilly pushed through the door infront of her brother and squealed, running towards the bed. "Are you okay? What's the matter?"

"I'm alright, honey." She lied, she had never been more scared in her life.

"Lil, me and you gonna go get some food down at McDonalds, alright? We gonna let B talk to his girl."

Lilly giggled, "You talk funny." Future slapped hands with Jimmy, nodding his head towards Lea before taking Lilly's hand.

"Go holla at your girl, man."

~

"Feelin' any better?"

Jimmy sat down on the bed beside Lea and smiled, running his hand through her hair gently. She looked a little better then yesterday, still dark around the eyes and worn out but her color was slowly coming back.

"The doctor's came in while you were gone.. they gave me some news."

"Good or bad?"

"I don't know."

He sat back against the wall, taking this information in. His whole body went cold at the thought of something being seriously wrong with Lea.

"What do you mean you don't know? Fuck Lea, what is it?"

Lea took in a breath of air, closing her eyes. Her hands never left her stomach as she spoke, "I'm pregnant."
------------------------------------------

Two weeks later.

Jimmy sat down on the bed slowly, staring into the black velvet jewelry box that held a small - mediocre engagement ring. One tiny diamond set in silver with a gold band was supposed to confess his undying love for Lea - but he didn't see it happening.

She deserved all the diamonds in the world but he couldn't give that to her and he wasn't even sure she would accept what he did have to offer. A bullshit job that probably wouldn't last much longer, talent and skill that was going nowhere fast - a little sister to take care of, a run down apartment and now a baby of their own.

He shook his head - sighing at the constant stress in his life. In the back of his mind he wondered if Lea would even marry him - if he ever had the nerve to ask.

"You look tired.."

Jimmy quickly returned the jewelry box to his pocket as Lea walked into the room, moving past him to sit down. He had only left her side once in two days - to go pick Lily up and even then he was skeptic of leaving her alone. He didn't want her to have another episode like at The Shelter - he didn't want to lose her...

"I am tired."

"You want me to call Manny? Get you another day off..."

He shook his head no and laid back on the bed, taking in a breath as Lea slid down beside him and placed her hand on his stomach - inching closer to his embrace.

"I gotta go to work... the bills don't pay themselves."

"You sound like an old man... be irresponsible, live dangerously.. don't show up tomorrow.."

Lea closed her eyes once he turned on his side and wrapped an arm around her; laughing to himself. If only life was simple enough to miss work - have all the bills paid and all the money in the world.

"Easier said then done."

She nodded - snuggling her body against his as his lips found her hair and kissed softly. Working all day, mixing tapes to send to recording companies all night, just to be rejected - taking care of Lily - having hardly any free time... all of life's drama was worth it if this is what he could come home to.
-------------------------------------------------

One month later.

"Oh my gosh.." Lilly reach out and touched Lea's stomach - utter amazement in her eyes. The small 'bump' in her belly was a baby, a real live baby growing inside her and it was going to be a girl. "Can we name it Chikita?" She asked, looking up with a hopeful expression. Jimmy looked up from his book slowly, silently praying that his kid sis was only joking.

"I don't know, Lil. Your brother and I were thinking about Katie or Madison. I'm sure when the baby comes we will think of the perfect name."

Lilly nodded, sitting down beside her brother on the couch. She picked up a coloring book and her crayons, considering the name possibilities. In just a few months there was going to be a baby in their home - she was going to be an aunt.

"It's getting late, Lil. I think you need to go brush your teeth and get in the bed." Jimmy assured, laying his magazine down on the coffee table. Lea looked up from the TV and smiled at him, reaching her hand out for a little help off the couch. She was well over six months pregnant after all. Lilly took her by one hand while Jimmy got the other and pulled her off the couch.

"Goodnight, Lil." Lea kissed her head, watching her run off into the bathroom to get her toothbrush. They might be young but at least they knew how to raise a kid, to give it everything it needed and be there for it more than anything else. They wouldn't make the same mistakes their parents had made.

Jimmy had started working double shifts at Detroit Stamping, plus he had sold a few mixed tapes to some regulars at The Shelter. It wasn't much - he could barely stay awake during the day but he had responsibilities now and he was going to do anything to give his daughter everything he never had.
-----------------------------

"Lil' asleep?"
"Yeah, finally."

Jimmy walked around the couch and stood infront of Lea, smiling down at her. They say that women 'glow' when they are pregnant and he believed that with everything he had. Even though she complained daily about her weight - she had never been more beautiful.

"We gotta talk." He grabbed the remote and flipped the television off causing Lea to look up at him in confusement. This wasn't talk time - this was sit on the couch with chocolate and tv time. "Come on, rabbit - what do we have to talk about?" She stopped for a second, eyes going wide. "You aren't fucking around on me, are you? Oh god."

Jimmy sank down to the coffee table and took Lea's hands in his own, laughing. "Never. For nothing. We have to talk about us." She was suddenly all ears, silently praying that this conversation wasn't going to take a turn for the worse. Their relationship had been almost wonderful for months now - why was this happening?

"I love you." He assured, dipping his hand into his pocket quickly. He had been waiting all his life for this very moment and her own fears were trying to get in the way, if only she knew that he loved her more then his own life and he always would. "I love you, too."

Slowly, Jimmy pulled a small black box out of his pocket watching the fear melt from her precious face and turn into delight and excitment. He smiled at her for a moment before opening the box to reveal a small diamond set in silver. Emotions ran across Lea's face quickly making it hard to comprehend what she was really feeling, "Oh my gosh, Jimmy.."

"I want you to know that I'm always gonna be here.. and I want you more then anything.." He took the ring out and handed it to her, suddenlly at a loss for words. "Do you.. you know, want to marry me?"

Lea smiled, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "Yes, I love you so much."
--------------------------------------------------------------

Detroit, MI - May 12, 1999

"Smith, there's someone in the breakroom to see you - take fifteen."

Jimmy looked up from the huge machine in front of him and sighed thankfully, falling back on his heals before making his way towards the back of the building. A small, cramped room that smelled of body odar and stale cigarettes - not his favorite place to be. Even if it was twenty below outside he'd rather freeze then sit in the breakroom. Someone was waiting for him though - but who? Lea was home with Lily, waiting the days until their baby would be born, Future and the guys all had a job - somewhere - so who could possibly be looking for him?

"Jimmy Smith, Jr?"

He stepped into the small room and nodded his head slightly, fishing out some lose change for the soda machine. A tall, well groomed black man stood from his seat and extended his hand towards Jimmy. "I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Smith."

"Okay? From who?"

The mystery man smiled, retracting his untouched hand. "Who? Many different people. I know that I don't quite 'fit in' this town but the Shelter is one of my many hangouts. We are always looking for talent in these parts of the country. People with real talent."

"You think I've got real talent?"

"I watched you at the shelter the other night - you are mad on the mic. The way you spit it at people without holding back? That's why I'm here. I represent one of California's most popular record landestries and someone slipped us your demo. We want you to come in and show us what you can do."

Jimmy looked at him as if he was about to laugh his ass off and walk away - or punch him in the face. Whatever this man was saying, he had to be fucking crazy. Shit like this wasn't supposed to happen.

"I don't even know your name or what label your talkin' about or nothin'.."

"Don't worry, you will." The msyterious man grinned and handed Jimmy a small white card. "You're fucking with me, right?" The man just smiled and tipped his hat, turning to exit the building. "We'll be seeing you, Mr. Smith."

~

Jimmy walked out of the break room slowly, taken back by what had just happened. There was no way this was happening. His eyes never left the piece of paper which he clutched with brutal strength, fearing it would dissapear.

"B.. yo, Rabbit!"

Suddenly, Future was standing infront of him - a look of panic on his face. "Yo, man? You there? What the fuck.." Jimmy stuffed the piece of paper in his pocket and stepped back, surprised to see his friend. "Yo man, what's going on?"

"Lea's water broke. My sister's with her now but we gotta go!"

The color vanished from Jimmy's face, "Shit.."
------------------------------------

"It's a girl!"

A few nurses clapped happily, watching as the doctor took the tiny baby into the back room. Lea's head fell back onto the pillow, she was psyically drained. The last thing that even seemed somewhat real to her was the scared look on Lily's face and the pain. Oh, the pain.

Jimmy leaned down and placed his lips on her forehead, brushing back her damp hair.

"Is she okay?"

He nodded, watching her eyes close. How wemon had babies was beyond him and he silently thanked the Lord that men didn't have to. "She's fine, baby. I'm so proud of you." They kissed quickly before the doctor brought the baby back into the room, screaming and crying.

"So what are we going to name this precious little bundle?"

Lea took the baby into her arms and was suddenly overcome with joy. It was the sweetest thing she had ever seen.

"Madison Reane Smith."

She looked up at Jimmy who nodded in agreement as he looked at his daughter. This was the luckiest day of his life.

~

"What's this?"

Lea took the piece of paper and unfloded it - looking up at him in wonder as she read the name.

"Some man came into the factory today and talked to me. He said that he's been watching and thinks I have real talent. He gave me this card before he left - then Fut ran in telling me about you.."

"Aftermath Records?" She met his eyes quickly, "This is Dr. Dre's record label, Rabbit."

Jimmy nodded his head as he smiled, looking down at Madison asleep on Lea's chest. The baby coo'ed in her sleep, snuggling against her mother. Before Lea could say another word, he kissed her and smiled. Finally, they had got their break in life and the possibilities were endless.
-------------------------------------

Author's Note: Welp, that's it for Authentic Made. I finally finished this story... it only took......... 3 years? lol. Thanks so much for the great reviews! Check out my other stories!