Half The World Away

Epilogue: I've Been Lost, I've Been Found, but I don't Feel Down

LOS ANGELES, MAY 29TH, 2020: 6:45am

Waking up with a three year old burrowed into his arm pit was the usual for Eddie. His son often got bad dreams; Eddie having figured out that that was why he had trouble with sleep when he was a baby. The losers all still had bad dreams, those never went away, Richie and Beverly having them the worst due to the deadlights. Mike had suggested that maybe Frank had nightmares from genetics, and the deal had been solidified for Eddie when Frank had said there was a clown in his dreams.

But, for now, the 44 year old slowly gets out of bed, careful not to wake his son up. Eddie sighs with relief and starts getting ready for work, throwing on some trousers and a white shirt before a small, tired voice says, "good morning, daddy."

Frank is sat up as Eddie looks over at him, the three year olds hair wild, pacifier still in his mouth. He rubs his eyes tiredly, wearing Paw Patrol pyjamas. Eddie smiles at him as he starts to tie his tie, looking at Richie, who is lying on his stomach, mouth wide open, breathing deeply. Eddie smiles and looks back at his son.

"I have work until 2pm so it will be just you and papa today, okay?" He states, Frank nodding, gripping onto Elliott. Eddie smiles and walks over to him, placing a kiss onto his head." Be a good boy."

"I will." Frank says as Eddie kisses Richie's temple, making him stir in his sleep and move onto his back. Eddie grabs his blazer and briefcase and heads off, Frank watching before turning to Richie and poking his bare arm." Papa!"

"Frankie." Richie mumbles, opening his eyes to be greeted with a pacifier right by his face." I take it you don't want that?"

"Nope." Frank replies, popping the 'p'. Richie laughs and places the pacifier down onto his bed side table before sliding on his glasses, smiling at his son as Frank stands on the bed, staring at Richie with bright blue eyes." Cuddles!"

"You want cuddles?" Richie asks, Frank nodding. Richie lifts up an arm and Frank giggles, lying down beside him, Richie wrapping an arm around him. He places a gentle kiss to the back of Frank's head, while the three year old grabs his hand, holding it up curiously.

"What's this?" He asks, pointing to the ring on Richie's finger.

"My wedding band."

"What's that?"

"Well, I got it when your dad and I got married, he has one as well." Richie replies." We need to get up, bub."

"Cuddles!" Frank whines, turning and burying his head into Richie's chest, causing Richie to laugh and say, "five more minutes, monster, then breakfast."

After twenty minutes of the two hugging and talking, Richie finally pries his son from the bed. Frank holds Richie's hand, sucking his thumb as they go downstairs and into the kitchen. Richie turns on some music, Frank instantly dancing around the place while You Need to Calm Down by Taylor Swift comes on. Richie laughs as he heats up some oatmeal for Frank. He eats an apple and a breakfast bar for his breakfast before grabbing the oatmeal, Frank rushing off to the living room while Richie turns off the radio.

"TV, Chee Chee!" The three year old demands. Chee Chee had been Frank's first word. He didn't know how to say Richie so he had said Chee Chee instead. Richie had cried.

On request of his son, Richie turns the TV on and sits down on the couch, Frank sitting on his lap. They often did this in the mornings. Richie puts SpongeBob on the TV and Frankie begins to eat his breakfast, abandoning the spoon and using his hands. Richie never understood why he gave Frank cutlery; he always abandons it and uses his hands anyway. Once he's eaten, he places the bowl down beside him and leans against Richie's chest, holding onto his thumb gently, causing his dad to smile. He had continued to do that, even now as a toddler, and every time Richie's heart melts. Frank also happened to be a mini version of Eddie, from the way they spoke, to the way they acted, even to little things they disliked. He had also adopted some of Richie's personality.