Half The World Away

Prologue: You Can't Give Me The Dreams That Are Mine Anyway

CW: mentions of cancer and cancer treatment, vomit, grieving and character death

"When we're older, how many kids would you want?" 9 year old Frank Kaspbrak asks as he sits beside 10 year old Maggie Leigh on the grass of their local park one hot summers day. The young girl looks at him, brown eyes sparkling in the summer sun, small smile upon her doll-like face. Her brown hair was tied up into a ponytail and she was wearing overall shorts and a white t-shirt. Frank smiles back, green eyes also shining in the sun, freckles more prominent then ever, wavy brown hair almost falling in his eyes. He, too, was wearing overall shorts but with a green t-shirt.

"When we're older, I will be out of Derry, in a big house with a nice husband and three children. Living next to me will be you and then on the other side will be Fran." Maggie tells in response, a wide grin on her face." What about you?"

"Married with four kids, living beside you and my twin in those big houses, wherever we are." Frank responds, an equally happy grin on his face, showing off his dimples." I'm sure Fran doesn't want children...but that can change."

"Our children will be best friends." Maggie states, Frank nodding enthusiastically." And our grandchildren!"

"Generations of Leigh's and Kaspbrak's running wild!" Frank laughs, causing Maggie to laugh." Mags I love you, but I don't want to marry you. It would be like marrying Francis."

"No, it would be weird." Maggie agrees, glancing at him. He's staring up at the white clouds, so she does the same." My mom and dad are so sure we will be together but I don't see you like that."

"Mine are so determined to marry me off to you." Frank adds. Maggie leans her head on his shoulder, Frank resting his head on top of hers, the two looking at the clouds.

After the christening of his son, his wife had stopped him from seeing his best friend. Frank had hated every second of it, even his sister had warned him that this would happen. But Franklin Kaspbrak was stubborn and hadn't listened to her. He'd met the son of Maggie and Wentworth Tozier once, and that was it...childhood dream over. They were still in Derry, both married with a child each. Maggie and Wentworth were happy and in love, Frank and Sonia were not. She was controlling and she smothered him but he was staying with her for the sake of Edward having a mother in his life.

Sonia had been 19 when she'd starting dating a 17 year old Frank. It was fun for the first year or so, but after 17 years together, fourteen of them married, Frank's short temper was wearing thin. They'd had Eddie to try and help their marriage, but now the boy was 5, it was proving to Frank that things between him and his wife hadn't changed. They hadn't gotten better or worse, they were just...there together. They argued, probably not a healthy amount, but Frank wanted Eddie to have two parents...not one.

"Good morning!" Eddie greets brightly, sitting at the breakfast table in overalls and a red jumper. His hair is messy and he's happily eating some cereal. Frank smiles and then spots Sonia, who's making them both some toast.

"Morning, Teddy. Sonia, I'm not really all that hungry." Frank states, sitting down next to his son, who eats his breakfast, minding his own business. If Frank was being honest, he was too nervous to eat. He'd had a secret doctor's appointment to get some tests done after displaying concerning symptoms, and today he was getting the results.

"You have to eat." She says, placing her hand on her husband's back gently as she places his toast down in front of him. He smiles a little and starts to eat as she sits down opposite him. The two look at their son, who is still eating his breakfast happily.

"Are you excited?" Frank asks, Eddie silently nodding as he eats." You aren't going to fuss when I drop you off, are you?" Eddie shakes his head. He tended to freak out if Frank left him alone for too long." You'll only be there for a few hours before I pick you up, okay?"