It's been three years since the defeat of IT, and Eddie Kaspbrak is questioning his sexuality. Richie has just been kicked out of his house because he came out to his parents, and now he's staying with Eddie. Eddie has never had a crush before, but...
"Japan is so beautiful, Chee," Eddie sighed, looking around. They were in Hiroshima, a large city in Japan. "I know. Even though we can't understand anyone, I could totally live here. But, honestly, I love NYC too much," Richie replied, holding Eddie's hand tightly. Accidentally, they wandered into the ghetto part of the city. Eddie's eyes filled with tears as he looked at the poverty.
There were small children running around everywhere, their clothes and skin dirty. "Holy shit," Richie whispered. Eddie's bottom lip trembled. "They're so skinny, Chee. Where are their parents?" "I have no idea." They kept walking and almost tripped over a small girl sitting on the sidewalk, trembling. Her clothes were dirty and torn, and were way too big. Her skin was also covered in dirt. Eddie immediately crouched down beside the girl.
"Are you American?" asked the girl in perfect English. Eddie was taken aback at this but nodded. "Yes, I am. My name is Eddie, and this is my husband Richie. What's your name?" Eddie asked quietly. "I'm Sakura Nakamura," the girl replies."That's so pretty! Where are your parents?"
Sakura's bottom lip trembled, and her eyes filled with tears. "I don't know where Papa went! Mama died when I was really little, and Papa left last year. He promised he'd be back but he never came!" she wailed, tears cascading down her cheeks, washing away some of the dirt. Eddie's heart broke for the little girl. He gave her a gentle hug. Richie crouched down next to Eddie and whispered, "We can't leave her all alone. We need to take her somewhere safe." Eddie nodded in agreement.
"Sakura, how old are you?" Richie asked gently after the tears stopped. "E-eight," she breathed. Richie's eyes tightened angrily. Her father had left her to fend for herself when she was just SEVEN. "Okay. Could you come with us? We're gonna take you somewhere safe," Richie said. "Okay. I trust you both. Should I pack my stuff?" Sakura asked. "Yes. Would you like some help?" Eddie said. "No thank you. I don't have much so I can manage." She stood and walked away, toward the smallest house, her long hair swinging behind her.
She came back about five minutes later, carrying an old, worn book bag. "I'm ready now," she announced, taking Eddie's hand. They made a short trek to the police station, where, thankfully, the officers spoke English. "Why you bring the girl here and not orphanage?" asked the officer they'd been speaking to for an hour. "Well... I'm not sure," Eddie confessed. "Can I talk to Richie alone for a bit?" "Go ahead. I take care of girl while you talk."
They walked over to the corner. "Chee, can we please take her home? Adopt her, I mean," Eddie whispered. "I was thinking we should. I can't imagine the orphanages could be very good here. Besides, we've been wanting a child for quite a while now," Richie replied. "That's what I was thinking. If we bring her to the orphanage, I think the waiting policy is two days." "We can do that."
They returned and talked things over with the officer, who said she'd visited the ghetto several times, and she was ready to do something to help at least one person. Sakura clung to Eddie the whole time, like he was already her dad. They brought her to the orphanage and promised they'd be back in two days to get her. She grinned at them both and gave them each a kiss on the cheek before leaving with the matron.
Six Months Later
"Welcome home, Sakura," Richie and Eddie said at the same time as they opened the door to their flat in NYC. "Wow! Thank you so much!" the girl cried happily, flinging her arms around both of them. The adoption process had been long and difficult, but they had done it. They had a child of their own. "Auntie Bevvie is coming over today!" Eddie cheered when his phone dinged. "Who's Auntie Bevvie?"
"She's one of our best friends, but she's more like a sister to us, so you get to have an aunt," Richie said with a smile. "Oh. Okay!" "She's going to take you shopping tomorrow for clothes and toys," Eddie said, checking the message Beverly had sent him. "What about books?" she demanded. "Books too." "Can I see my room now?" Sakura asked quietly.
"Sure hon. C'mon! Beverly decorated it for you," Eddie said. "Daddy Richie can come too," Sakura said. "Okay, Koibito," Richie replied. Translation: sweetheart. Eddie had a nickname for her as well: Cherry blossom, which is what her name translated to. When they opened the door, Sakura gasped.
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"It's so beautiful! Thank you!!!" she squealed. "Anything for my little cherry blossom," Eddie said. There was a loud knock on the door, and Richie went to answer it. "Hey Bev. She's in her room with Eddie right now. We just showed it to her." "Okay," Beverly said and went down the hall. "Where is the beautiful young lady I hear is staying here forever?" Beverly called in a singsong voice. "I'm here! My name's Sakura! You must be Auntie Bevvie!" she chirped, running over and giving her a big hug.
"Hello love! It's so wonderful to finally meet you," she said adoringly. "Thanks!" Beverly smiled and thought, "She's so beautiful."
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(Disregard background lol)
"Are you liking New York so far?" "Yeah! I can't wait to go to Chinatown! And I'm UBER excited for school!" she said with a big smile. "I'm glad you like it here. I hope to see more of you soon, but my husband's waiting for me at home," Beverly replied, smiling. "Okay. Byeeee!" Sakura said, going over to inspect her bookshelves. Eddie and Richie smiled at each other. They were finally complete.
A/N: Hey guys! Sorry it's been a while. I've been pretty busy! This is my second-to-last chapter! And the next chapter isn't really a chapter... it's an epilogue. Read and review, and don't forget to comment! BYEEEEE!!!!! And TYSM for 2K reads!!! I'm so happy!!!!
