Half The World Away

Crazy Little Thing Called

LOS ANGELES, JANUARY 3RD, 2017: 19:03pm

Richie was feeling all sorts of things as he waits with Sandy for Eddie, Sharon and Frank in the airport. He was nervous to meet Frank, but excited for this new chapter in his life. He spots Eddie first, the man wearing a white t-shirt, khaki trousers and a navy cardigan. He had stubble and was carrying a baby car seat and a baby bag, Sharon dragging their suitcases. Richie had a new favourite Eddie. DILF Eddie.

"Oh my god!" Richie gasps as Eddie arrives with Frank, who looks like he's about to spit out his pacifier and make a fuss. He's in a teddy bear onesie, with a green pacifier, Richie's baby blanket over him and blue eyes filled with tears." That's a baby!"

"He won't go down tonight." Eddie sighs and he looks exhausted." Time zones...he's already starting to fuss as he's normally asleep by now. The plane freaked him out, he wouldn't feed on there so he's probably really hungry, he hasn't tried formula yet!"

"Can I hold him?" Richie asks.

"When we get home." Eddie states and Richie melts at the thought of Eddie calling Richie's house his home. Frank starts to cry and Eddie places the car seat down onto the floor, kneeling in front of it to comfort his son.

"I got something." Richie says, joining Eddie and pulling out the stuffed elephant. Frank goes quiet and stares at the taller man with curiosity before Richie hands him the elephant. He grips onto it and Eddie places the pacifier back into his sons mouth.

"You two are a great duo already." Sandy says as she holds Sharon's hand, helping her with the bags. Eddie and Richie smile and then stand up, Eddie picking the car seat back up. The four leave together, Richie just watching Frank stare at him, eyebrow raised, making him look like a tiny, baby version of Eddie. He was a Kaspbrak, that was for sure.

The drive to Richie's is silent. Frank doesn't sleep, but he doesn't fuss either and Eddie is glad about that. He explains to the others about how Frank was struggling with sleep lately and that's why 'he looked like a raccoon'. Richie had laughed at that. Eddie sighs with relief when they pull onto Richie's driveway, the four heading into the house. Sandy and Sharon head off to go to bed, whilst Eddie goes off to unpack, leaving Richie with Frank. Richie gently gets Frank out of the car seat, cradling him gently, Frank abandoning his elephant and blanket in the car seat. He carries Frank into the kitchen, Frank frowning at him, making Richie grin as he grabs a bottle. He was definitely a Kaspbrak with that frown. Richie grabs the formula and makes Frank his dinner. Once it's ready, he grabs one of the rags for when Frank had to be burped, and he sits on the sofa, the baby slotting perfectly into the crook of Richie's arm.

The comedian smiles as Frank begins to drink the milk, making little gulping noises that made Richie want to sob from how cute they were. Then, Richie very nearly cries when Frank's small hand wraps around his thumb as he feeds him. Frank's blue eyes stare into Richie's for a while before he blinks and looks away, eye lids heavy with sudden sleep. He hiccups and Richie takes that as him being done with his food, so the man places the bottle down and places a rag over his shoulder. It had been almost 12 years since Richie had burped a baby, but he remembered how to do it. He pats Frank's back gently, standing up off of the couch in case Frank was sick. Richie did not want baby vomit on his couch...or his back. He was praying he wasn't sick.

"Jesus, that was loud. You definitely are your fathers son. Eddie, I mean, not me. I don't even know if I am your dad. I want to be." Richie chuckles as Frank lets out a loud burp. He goes back to cradling him, wiping his mouth with the rag before picking up his pacifier and elephant. He gently places the pacifier into Frank's mouth, and then the baby clings to the elephant. He closes his eyes when Richie sits down, the man watching the baby with a small smile on his face." I love your dad, y'know that. Like a lot. Have done since I was only a bit older than you. He may have the shortest temper and the meanest glare, but he has a big heart underneath that cold exterior and he loves you, Frankie. I can tell already...and I love you, as well."