Tight-Knit Family| Richie Tozier

25-

March 2007-

"Well, you have a tour booked starting next week. We discussed this back in November, Richie. You signed a contract. Three month tour of North America." Steve states as they sit in the meeting room. Richie sighs, sipping on his coffee. He's dressed somewhat smart, Eddie having to help him tie his tie before he left this morning.

"My baby is due in two months, Steve. I can't do the tour. Can't we shorten it?" Richie asks, a pleading tone in his voice.

"No, we can't. We have booked all of the theatres already. Most have a non refund policy so we won't get that money back and all of a sudden, my dad is breathing down my neck for fucking up the family business." Steve explains. Richie looks away, trying to contain his annoyance at the situation." Look, Rich, I know you want to see your baby being born and being present at the birth but...there's no way around this."

"Aren't I entitled to paternity leave?" He asks, glancing at Steve, who's sighs loudly and crosses his arms with irritation." I take that body language as a no then?"

"I'm so sorry, Rich, okay. If there was a way around this, I'd let you go. But we've been planning this for years now. Your first tour, it's not good publicity if you pull away or shorten it." Steve explains." I'm sorry."

Richie sighs once more and rubs his eyes with frustration. He's going to miss the birth of his second born, Eddie is going to be alone with Willow for three months— something they haven't done before. Sadness tugs at Richie's heart and he tries not to think about Eddie going through overloads and being stressed out and not having him there for comfort.

The meeting eventually ends, a lot later than anticipated, and it's 5pm when Richie leaves the Covall office. He sighs and gets in the car tiredly, undoing his tie slightly. LA traffic soon hits and the 31 year old sighs, bopping his head to the radio, which is playing Rocketman by Elton John, a song Richie loves.

The house seems quiet when Richie enters and he guesses it's due to Eddie putting Willow to bed. The comedian yawns and heads off up to his daughters room. He stands in the doorway and watches as Eddie reads to Willow, who's eyes are closed and Richie is pretty sure she's asleep but Eddie is so enamoured in the world of the book he hasn't noticed.

"'Please forgive me, Jo; I am very very sorry.' 'I shall never forgive you.' was Jo's stern answer; and from that moment she ignored Amy entirely." Eddie reads softly, yet enthusiastic. Richie smiles. He's reading Little Women to Willow, something Maggie would be thrilled about.

"Honey I'm home." Richie says gently and Eddie jumps a little before turning to look at him, a grin on his face. The older man places the bookmark in the book and closes it, placing it back onto the bookshelf before walking over to Richie and kissing him gently.

"Good day?" He asks softly as he pulls away, looking up at the taller man, who runs a hand through his boyfriends hair gently.

"It was...a day." Richie says as he wanders over to Willow, leaning down slightly." I'll explain over dinner."

"Okay." Eddie states, watching as Richie strokes Willow's auburn hair smoothly before kissing her temple. The girl smiles in her sleep and Richie grins before he and Eddie leave the room.

The two silently head downstairs and into the kitchen, Eddie explaining that Richie's dad had dropped round some food his mom had made for them. It was her famous spaghetti and meatballs and Richie makes his stupid cannibalism joke as Eddie hands him the plate. They sit at the island and begin to eat.