The Plan| Reddie

A funeral

Eddie hadn't been to a funeral since his father died. That was 38 years ago. So, he stands outside of the church in his black suit, watching as relatives and family friends head inside, giving him their condolence. Richie was stood beside him for moral support and Cecelia was Quinn's moral support. Eddie smiles as Sharon walks over, dressed in a nice black dress, her hair pulled into a sleek ponytail. She could've been a model. Eddie didn't like women in that way, but he could admire if they were beautiful or not.

"I'm not going to ask you how you are or say I'm sorry for your loss." Sharon states." I've known you for 13 years. I knew your mother. I knew your ex-wife. I know what you're feeling so I don't need to ask."

"What am I feeling?" Eddie challenges, sliding his hand into Richie's, fingers interlocking. Richie squeezes his hand reassuringly and Eddie suppresses a smile as he feels the cold metal of a ring against his hand.

"Irritated. Because people keep giving their condolences. I know you're relived your moms gone. I know you feel guilty about feeling relieved." Sharon explains and Eddie smirks slightly.

"You know me so well." He says and she hugs him a little before hugging Richie tightly." See you inside?"

"Sure thing." Sharon says as she and Richie stop hugging. She flashes them a smile and then walks off into the church.

Eddie wasn't religious. Far from it. He had been as a kid, he'd attended church regularly despite his father being agnostic. But his mother was a Christian and had forced them to attend. By the time Eddie had reached 12 and was starting to question his sexuality, he'd stopped attending Sunday school. He felt like he wasn't worthy of being there. He was literally an atheist now. Sonia had wanted her service to be done at church. So here was Eddie, stood with his atheist fiancé, with his atheist daughter and his atheist step-daughter.

"Is that little Teddy Kaspbrak?" Comes a voice and Eddie flinches slightly at the nickname. Only his dads side of the family called him that and he wasn't expecting any of the Kaspbrak's to be attending.

"Aunt Francis?" Eddie asks and she grins. He hadn't seen her since he was 14. They'd fallen out of contact due to Sonia.

Francis Kaspbrak was the twin sister of Frank Kaspbrak and therefore, Eddie's aunt. Francis looked like the female version of her brother and so, Eddie looked like a male version of her.

"Oh my, you've grown in the last 30 years." Francis chuckles, squeezing her nephew into a tight hug. He smiles and hugs back before they separate, Eddie holding onto Richie's hand again. Francis looks at Richie." And who's this handsome man beside you?"

"This is Richie, my...fiancé." Eddie introduces and Francis shakes Richie's free hand, the two smiling at one another." Oh and this is Richie's daughter Cecelia and...and my daughter, Quinn."

"Oh my god she looks so much like you!" Francis says as she pulls her great-niece into a bone crushing hug. Quinn chuckles and hugs her back. Normally she would hate this. But this was clearly someone her dad trusted. The two separate and Francis looks toward her nephew once more." Last time I saw you you were a scrawny little 14 year old boy with severe acne and braces. Now look at you. A handsome 44 year old man with a stunning daughter and step-daughter with a handsome fiancé."

"And I'm gay. Have I mentioned I'm gay?" Eddie asks with a grin. Francis chuckles in response.

"I'm proud of you, Ted. Your dad would've been proud, too." She says as the laughter dies down. Eddie chews on the inside of his cheek at the mention of his father. It never got easier and it's clear Francis feels the same way." God you look so much like him. So much like him."