Look What I Found!

Ch. 28

Three days out of the facility and with Mike back home, Richie, for once, was content with life. Sure, he missed the occasional drinking and would subconsciously reach for a drink that was no longer there, but he had to admit that things were better. Calmer around the house that he didn't realize wasn't there before. He was lounging around on the couch, notebook in hand, filled with skits and ideas for a recent show he'd been thinking about. He even considered calling his old manager to discuss possible job openings. He didn't lie about wanting to return to work, but whether it would ever happen was a question yet to be answered.

A knock nearly caused Richie to drop his book as he turned to the door. The Losers had all left the day before and were supposed to be long gone by now unless Bill forgot something again and he and Mike had to turn back around. Slowly getting up, he made his way over, still wearing yesterday's pajamas since he hadn't gone out since the Losers left and wasn't quite expecting visitors so soon. Unless Mike's friends were coming over unannounced again, he could barely hear Mike in the kitchen yelling about how someone was at the door, and he scoffs.

"Oh really? I couldn't tell!" Richie was yelling back as he opened the door. He turned, facing- "Mom!? Dad!?"

"Richie!" Maggie Tozier screamed, engulfing him in a hug. Behind them, Wentworth Tozier spoke with his hands full of food.

"I would hug ya, son, but my hands seem kinda full."

"Oh! Here, let me," he gathered the bags of food in his arms as Maggie entered the house, letting herself in. Went gave an apologetic look as Richie sighed, used to his mother's antics and abrasive ways.

"That'll be the only time you'll ever get the groceries for us." She scoffed, "now! Where is he?"

She was walking toward the kitchen when Richie asked, "Where's who?"

"Your son that you didn't tell us about! I-Oh my!" Mike looked over as they entered the kitchen, face stuffed with the last slice of cake the Losers had gotten Richie for successfully going to rehab. He was obviously not expecting to be caught as he waved sheepishly toward the three new occupants in the room.

"Hello?" He said awkwardly, quickly swallowing the piece.

"Did you just eat my last slice?" Richie asked incredulously as Went laughed, thoroughly enjoying the scene before him. He was actually saving that slice for later, but that was obviously out of the question now.

"Well! He sure does have your appetite." Went boasted, giving Mike a friendly smile that he shyly returned.

"Good heavens! Tell me you did not just eat your dinner away on cake." Maggie fussed as she shooed him away from the now-empty container.

Richie placed the bags on the counter as Mike looked at him in confusion and slight fear. He was not used to all the attention Maggie seemed to give him, and Richie took pity on him. "Mike, meet my parents, Wentworth and Maggie Tozier. Mom, Dad, meet Mike."

"Yes, well," Maggie said hotly, still slightly miffed about the cake. "You can call me Nana if you'd like, or you can call me Maggie. And Went-"

"You can call me Went or Pop. I don't mind."

"Woah, woah. Wait a minute... What?" Richie asked, perplexed. What were his parents going on about now? He knew they were a bit random at times, which was, honestly, where he got his personality from, but even he couldn't follow along with this.

Maggie gave him a scolding look, "what, Richard? Is it wrong for us to want to meet our grandson? We saw the tabloids, and honestly, people are just downright sick to think you'd do that to a child. And the moment I saw him, I knew he was yours. So, I had Went book us a flight as soon as possible to come and meet him. And it's perfect, too! Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and you're no longer flying worldwide. We can finally have Thanksgiving as a family once more."