The Plan| Reddie

The Happiest Man on the Planet

October 2019-

Richie and Eddie had moved into the house they'd been looking at and they loved it. It was just big enough for all of them and even had a spare room that Eddie converted into a double office. Meaning it had two desks so he and Richie could both work in there at the same time. It wasn't too far from Maggie and Wentworth's, either, so Richie often went to visit his parents.

The girls liked the new house too, especially River. Richie had decorated it somewhat similar to their old apartment to get a sense of familiarity around them. Rivers room was bigger but she still liked that her bed was a mattress on the floor. Even Quinn had thought that was cool, and so she'd decorated her room in a similar way. Eddie had decorated his and Richie's room and had gone for a baby blue and baby pink colour theme.

The girls were doing well at college. They were really enjoying it and Richie was finally settled at work. He found it odd not seeing River everyday but his new freshman class were all sweet and polite. Eddie was doing good at work two, currently sitting with his glasses on, sipping on coffee as Sharon is perched on his desk.

The photos on his desk had expanded past just that one photo of him and Quinn. Two more had been added. There was one of him with Richie in Maggie and Wentworth's garden. Eddie's grinning and Richie's laughing. It's probably Eddie's favourite photo on the planet. Then the other photo was of him with River and Quinn on Father's Day, they were all dancing in the kitchen to music and Richie had snapped a quick photo. They all look really happy.

"I'm just so nervous as to wether I should do it or not." Eddie states as Sharon sips on her coffee.

"You've had it all planned out for months. It's been a year today since you met...I think the timing is right, Ed Ed." She reassures him. He sighs and takes a sip of his own coffee." You love him and the principal gave permission so there's no point in backing out now, Eddie."

"I'm just so scared he will say no. Both of our previous marriages didn't end well and...he may not be ready." Eddie says.

"Excuses excuses. That man is head over heels for you. The second you go down on one knee he will instantly say yes." Sharon says and Eddie glances at her, anxiety ridden." I betcha he will."

"Come with me." He begs and Sharon gives him a big smile.

"Of course I will." She states and Eddie grins." What time are the girls getting here?"

"Uh around 4pm so we have plenty of time to go through everything again." Eddie replies and Sharon nods.

Richie smiles as he waits at his desk in the gymnasium for the parent-teacher conferences. It was his first one without River present and it felt a little odd. He kept looking to the corner of the room, expecting to see the four sitting there and talking. But they wasn't. He sits with a few more parents and talks through things with them, trying to keep his spirits up. He felt really lonely. The parents he was talking to eventually leave and when Richie looks up and over to the corner, standing there are River, Quinn, Ivy and Wren.

"What on earth?" He says as they walk over with smiles." What're you doing here?"

"How many parents do you have left to see?" River asks as her dad just stares at her.

"O-one." He responds and River and Quinn grin at one another, nodding and then walking." Hey, wait! I don't understand- oh hi, Mr and Mrs Eden, is it?"

The two nod and then sit down with Richie, him going through everything. He looks over Mr Eden's shoulder at one point to see Eddie and Sharon stood with the four. He raises an eyebrow and Mr and Mrs Eden look at him, really confused.