Hell & Back

Chapter Thirty

Everyone was in Mike's basement, literally everyone and it was a bit to crowded for Eddie's taste. He was sitting on the stairs with Chrissy sitting on the step below in between his legs. Steve was on the couch beside Nancy who was sitting beside Johnathan, that's a whole another mess. Argyle was sitting on the arm of the couch beside Johnathan while Will was on the floor with Max, Erica Lucas, Mike, and Eleven. Dustin was pacing around the room trying not to step on anyone. Eddie had told them all about Billy.

"Okay so what can we do? Vecnas really never left the Upside Down." Mike said looking around for an answer. Chrissy wasn't really paying attention, she cared about what was going on but she was tired and exhilarated from the game. She leaned back against Eddie who was playing with strands on her hair, she still had it in a ponytail which she hadn't done in what seemed like forever. Slowly she was feeling her old life and her new life coming together, she was starting to feel whole for once.

"Do you think you can do it?" Dustin was asking Eddie. Chrissy's attention was brought back to the conversation at hand. "Yeah, dude. Me and Billy will keep him distracted while wonder girl goes on and attacks." Eddie said making Chrissy tense up. She didn't want him going up against Venca, not again. Why did it always have to be him? "We have to kill him this time." Max was saying "We can't mess this up," she continued. "We won't." Lucas said  comforting her. Chrissy looked around at the confidence and determination on everyone's face but it did little to change her feelings. She placed a hand on his stupid and the other on the necklace.

As they were leaving Eddie could tell that something was up with Chrissy. She hadn't said much downstairs and even less on the way home. Steve was going to his house for the night, per his moms request so they would have the house to themselves When they walked inside Chrissy walked over and sat on the couch and he could see the tears running down her face. "Hey, what's wrong sweetheart?" He said walking over to her. He sat down and put an arm around her, pulling her into him. She whipped her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket but kept her eyes down. She was playing with the hem of her skirt while she spoke "I don't like this plan." She said. Eddie took a deep breath before he spoke "I'm just going to sleep that's all, babe." He said rubbing up and down her arm.

"Why does it always have to be you?" She asked sounding angry. "Because he's in my head. I brought him here and I have to be the one to help send him back." He said in a low voice. "Your not the only one he wants." She said breaking out of his hold and standing up to look at him. "I have to." Eddie said not raising his voice. "Why? Explain why to me." She said walking towards him and making him look at her "Explain to me, why you would rather go save someone who is dead than stay with me?" She asked while the tears started flowing again. "He's trapped. Like we were, with that...that thing. It's all happening in my head. All this" he motioned with his hand "it's not because I don't want to stay with you. I had to watch that bastard kill you over and over. And not only you, our kids too." Eddie said standing up and taking hold of her shoulders "Chrissy, I love you. I love you more than anything or anyone. I have never loved anyone before you and there is no after you. But we will never have a life with him around."

"I....I know your right." Chrissy said feeling bad for even being mad. She stepped in and wrapped her arms around Eddie's waist. " I love you so much." Chrissy said trying not to cry again. "I can do this, babe. I need you to believe that I can do this." Eddie said holding her tightly. Chrissy took a deep breath and pulled away from him. She was trying to compose herself a little bit and nodded trying to put on a smile "I know you can do this. I know you can do anything." She said and Eddie kissed her. "Can we eat now?" Eddie said making Chrissy laugh and nod in agreement.

They were sitting on the couch watching a movie. Eddie had his feet up on the coffee table, leaning back half asleep while Chrissy was laying down with her head on his thigh. He could hear little snores coming from her. Eddie smiled to himself while taking the blanket from the back of the couch and covering her up without moving to much. The last three nights they had fallen asleep like this and even though his body didn't appreciate it in the morning, he couldn't bring himself to wake her up either. He could always carry her into the bedroom but there was no guarantee that she would stay asleep. He just laid his head back against the back of the couch and wrapped an arm around her getting comfortable. These were the moments that kept him sane through all of this, she kept him sane. His whole world laying right there and she doesn't even realize it.

What a cute moment Vecnas voice came into his mind. "I wondered when you would be back" Eddie said quietly not wanting to wake Chrissy. Miss me? Vecna confused him sometimes. Eddie knew that he was messing with his mind and wanting to hurt him but he also seemed to have no intentions of killing him, he could use that. "Not quite." Eddie finally said "Billy not entertaining enough?" Oh, that boy is busy for the moment. But don't worry little Eddie, Billy will come back to protect you while he can. Vecna laughed as he said the last part. The presence in his mind faded and Eddie let out a breath, he felt Chrissy stirring from her sleep. "It's okay, babe. Go back to sleep." He said running his fingers through her hair and trying to soothe her. She rolled over so her body faced the back of the couch. "Goodnight, my love." He said and laid his head back again.

Chrissy woke up and turned over almost falling off the couch. Eddie caught her arm keeping her up on the couch. "We really need to start making it to the bed." She said sitting up and brushing the hair out of her eyes. She looked over at Eddie who still had his head back and eyes close. "How did you know I would fall?" She asked leaning her head against his shoulder. "Every time you wake up you roll over." He said keeping his eyes close. "And your the one who falls asleep out here first." He added with a laugh, to which she playfully slapped his chest. "Hey now." He said finally sitting up and laughing. He looked over at her with a smirk "No..No..Don't." She said backing up as he crawled over towards her. He grabbed ahold of her and started tickling her, Chrissy laughed and fought to get away from her. "Stop." She yelled and he finally stopped pulling away from her, he scooted back away from her and laid back on the couch.

Chrissy crawled on top of him and laid her head down just below his chin. "So what are we doing today?" She asked as he ran his fingers up and down her back. "I thought about that last night." Eddie said looking up at the ceiling. "Come up with any ideas?" She asked folding her arms on his chest so she could rest her chin on them while she looked up at him. "I do." He said meeting her gaze with a smile. "Are you going to make me beg?" She asked with a smile of her own. "As intriguing as that sounds... no I won't make you beg." He said the smile was gone from his face now and he was back to looking at the ceiling. "I just don't know what your going to say." He said and started pulling his hair across his face like he always did when he was nervous. Chrissy pulled herself up so she was face to face with him. "I love you." She said and kissed him, he seemed surprised but kissed her back. "But your making me nervous, so just tell me already." She said pulling away. "I think we should get married." He said meeting her gaze.