The nightmares came back the moment she left. Sure, a few had slipped through before. He kicked himself that he'd let her see. All those times he'd frightened her, worried her, left her alone in the middle of the night to wander through this hellscape. Rosie had made it all better. Made it seem like maybe he could beat it. Maybe there was a light at the end of the tunnel, where she stood.
He tried to keep up after she was gone. Kept up his sessions with his therapist. Kept going to Hellfire and to rehearsal. It was like he was just drifting through life, existing in the shadow of all she had dropped behind.
It didn't help that Dustin was sad, too. The others asked for her, and they both just shared a look and shrugged. He liked to think she was happy, so far away, but how could he really be sure?
Warren was the hardest to deal with. He kept the nagging up for months. Telling him what an idiot he was, reminding him again and again of what he'd thrown away. Like Eddie didn't know. He just couldn't condemn her to life with a broken man, a screw up, a freak.
The only person that really tried to understand was Dr. Shelby. He sat and listened, mostly because Eddie paid him most of his earnings. He wrote things down and tried to help Eddie think his way out of the pit. But the pendulum just kept swinging, drawing Rosie further and further away.
Drugs helped, and not just the ones he took on his own. Dr. Shelby gave him pills he claimed would help, and they did. He still had to fix his thoughts, but the little boost they gave him was like a head start.
The stairway was dim, dusty. He didn't trust the elevator. Eddie trudged up four flights of stairs, nearly out of breath from that alone. A hall stretched out on either side, with an ugly, discolored carpet that sent up plumes as he walked. Door on the left. Number 16. He lingered in front of it, raised and dropped his fist three times, then knocked.
Something collided with his chest. His breath ejected in an instant. He rested his cheek to her hair.
"Hi."
"You made it!"
"In once piece, too." Eddie held out the bouquet. "They need water, stat."
Rosie didn't care. She looped her arms around his neck and wouldn't let go. Always smelled so good. Her skin was so soft. She tasted of coffee.
"What's this fuzz?" Rosie asked, running a finger over his top lip, pinching his chin.
"Oh…I-I-I forgot to pack a razor." She still made him nervous, even after all these months. He really should have shaved. He'd forgotten in his excitement.
"Keep it."
"You like it?"
"Mmm. It's hot."
There she was. His light at the end of the tunnel. That smile. The way she looked up at him from under her lashes. Eddie swallowed. "It is?"
"It is. It suits you."
"Well then I better keep it." Did it not scratch her? When they kissed like this? If so, she didn't seem to mind. He sighed as she leaned further into him.
"Before the neighbors start watching." She tugged him in by the belt. He just about got the door shut before she was on him again. Oh, this is a dream. Eddie held her there, feeling his body starting to respond. He just needed to get her to the bedroom, tear her clothes off -
"Ey!"
"In a minute. Look!" She pulled him into the cramped kitchen, across the entryway to the bathroom, then out into the living room, still littered with boxes.
"This is great, Babe." Eddie looked around. It was an old building, with high ceilings and tall windows, just like she said she wanted. The hallway had been musty, but the apartment itself was newly-finished and shining. "You're sure we can afford this?"
"Positive." Rosie stole his lips. He let her. A happy hum running through him, and not just from the medicine. "Do you want to…?"
"Oh, that's where we're going." He affirmed. "You thought you had a choice?"
They nearly tripped over a small brown shape as they went. The pup yipped.
"You didn't meet Molly!"
"I'll meet her later." Eddie kicked the door behind him and heaved her up on the bed. "When I'm done with you."
Thanks for all the encouragement, folks. I wanted this story to be a safe space for Eddie fans, no matter what the finale brought. A happy ending. Hope you enjoyed :)
