You Love Somebody

47 (Eddie)

Alice was having a hard time getting Anna off her back in the backseat. It was quite clear that she didn't want Eddie or Ted, for that matter, to hear what had happened. 

"I'll call you when we get back to Newark, okay?" She hissed at Anna, and that seemed to settle things. Either that or the fact that Anna was going to be getting on a tour bus with Ben in the morning, and she knew she could get it out of him somehow. 

Ted was making casual small-talk, while they drove. There was a lightness to his spirit, as if he had come to terms with things. He made sure to turn and talk to Anna as much as possible, probably to savour those last minutes they had together until they were at the airport drop-off. 

When he parked at the drop-off zone, Eddie felt heavy hearted, knowing he would have to see Anna cry. He loaded the suitcases out from the boot of the car, and set them down for Ted and Alice to take. Alice was holding Anna's face in her hands and speaking words of wisdom it seemed. Eddie opened his arms to Ted and they hugged it out for a moment. 

"Take care of yourself, Ted. Hopefully we'll see you soon again?" Eddie said and patted Ted on the back. 

"I hope so, son. Thank you so much for this," his voice cracked and Eddie needed to center himself not to get emotional. "I'm really grateful to you for this experience. It's right up there with my wedding day and the day Anna was born. You are a good man, Eddie. Take care of my girl, okay?" He smiled, but his eyes were gleaming with tears. 

Eddie felt overwhelmed and had to wipe at his eyes and sniffle, feeling so moved by Ted's words. Ted squeezed his shoulder and went over to say goodbye to Anna. 

She was crying in Alice's arms, and it was almost as if it physically hurt him that she cried. She was always so strong and brave. Alice let Ted take over, and opened her arms to Eddie. They hugged and she thanked him with as many lovely words as Ted.

"If you want her, she is yours, you know?" Alice whispered before she pulled away from the hug and grabbed the handle of her rolling suitcase. 

Eddie looked at her. She nodded and winked at him, before she lifted her index finger in front of her mouth as a gesture of secrecy. 

Ted cleared his throat to get Eddie's attention. Anna was sobbing into his shoulder, and he needed assistance to get her off him. 

"Now kiddo, I'm going to hand you over to this fine young man," he let Eddie scoop her into his arms. "I love you, Banana and I am so proud of you. I will call you when I'm home." He kissed her forehead and squeezed Eddie's shoulder one last time, before he turned and walked off with Alice.

Eddie hugged Anna tightly as she leaned her cheek against his chest and watched her family walk away. Tears were streaming down her face, but she was quiet and held onto Eddie for comfort. Once Ted and Alice disappeared into the building, Anna and Eddie stood for a while in silence. He ran his fingers up and down her spine, consoling her. Her breathing was calm and she sighed as she looked up at him. 

"Can we go home now?" She asked, her eyes red from crying, and the softest expression on her face. She was breathtaking. 

He nodded and opened the door for her. She slid into the seat and strapped her seatbelt in. She was quiet for the majority of the drive back home, but when they were almost home, she sighed and looked ahead. 

"I can't believe Ben canoodled my best friend," she said with no expression. 

Eddie chuckled, trying to hold back laughter. He looked at her, and she was looking at him with a smirk on her lips. 

"I am going to give him so much hell for this," she chuckled.

***

Eddie planned a full day at home, in bed, watching movies and eating ice cream and take out. He would do anything to take some of her sadness away. When they got back to the house, he ordered her to go put on something comfortable, and he would tuck her in.