The Plan| Reddie

Movin Out

The two weeks between the girls returning from their trip and to moving out had flown by. They'd consisted of late movie nights, a lot of baking and teaching Eddie and Quinn how the Tozier's 'live it up' as Richie had put it. Now, however, the day before the girls moved out to live on their own with Wren and Ivy (they still had about three months before school actually started but Wren had suggested they move in early to try and learn how to live parent-free) Richie and River found themselves last minute shopping in the mall. Richie was trying to enjoy his last full day with his daughter, silently fighting off the anxiety ridden thoughts that so often entered his mind. River was having the same battle but they were enjoying eachothers company. Quinn and Eddie were setting up the going away party back home whilst the two shopped.

"I need tampons." River awkwardly announces. Richie just shrugs. He'd never been weirded out by periods, he knew they were natural occurrences and he often cared for River when she was on. He would give her chocolate and ice cream and hug her if she wanted a hug or give her space if she preferred that. They often would watch rom coms on Netflix, a blanket over them as they ate junk food. River was going to miss it.

"Right, well, I'm going to Barnes & Noble so you can go to the CVS and grab some tampons." Richie states and River grins at him, the two heading off in separate directions.

In truth, Richie was getting River a leaving gift. It was a surprise that he would give to her tomorrow before she drove away with Quinn, finally using the car her grandparents had gotten her as a graduation present. River was able to drive, Richie just couldn't afford two separate cars, so they shared his but he did most of the driving.

Standing alone in the teen fiction section of Barnes & Noble, Richie's anxiety ridden thoughts finally catch up and almost plague his mind. He just stands and silently stares blankly at the different books, the titles blurring together as his chest heaves. He wants to fight off the oncoming panic attack but the burning in his eyes is letting him know that won't be possible.

"Can I help you, sir?" A worker asks and Richie blinks back tears and looks at her. She's a teenager, probably just younger than River.

"Yeah...I'm just getting a gift for my daughter." Richie responds with a forced smile, tears threatening to spill.

"Are you okay?" The worker asks and Richie nods. She takes the hint that he wants to be alone and so she walks off. Richie sighs and manages to calm himself down. Breaking down in a Barnes & Noble was not on the list today.

He gets two copies of the book he was looking for and then he heads over to the cash register, apologising to the worker for finding him in the state he was in. She just shrugs with a kind smile and hands him his bag. He smiles back, pays, and then finds River waiting for him outside, smiling at him.

"Okay, one more store. This way." He states and she follows him, running a little to keep up with his long strides. Being 5'4 with a 6'1 dad could be difficult as Richie was quite literally a giraffe.

River's eyes go wide as they get to a jewellery store, Richie walking in without a second thought, River scrambling to stay by his side. Richies looking at the engagement rings. River stands in silence as she looks aswell, glancing at her dad, who has a content smile on his face as his blue eyes scan the different rings.

"You're proposing to Eddie?" River asks and Richie grins." Oh my god. Dad oh my god. What the fuck? Are you ready for that?"

"Yeah I'm ready." Richie states and he looks at his daughter, who has excitement swirling in her blue eyes." I really love him, Cece, and I'm buying this ring to propose in the future. I'm too scared to propose right now but whilst I have the money, I'm getting him a ring. Do you...do you want to choose it?"