Their grief took time. It always does, regardless of who someone is or how strong they think they are. All in all, it took a year before they thought about it again.

Richie had spun deep into a depressive episode, and it took months of therapy to heal. His personality was slowly coming back. But it would take time. They were 31, and they were closer than ever. Healing from something like that seemed to do it.

Eddie was so thankful for therapy. It was so weird, not hearing those god awful puns, the dick jokes, his voices and impersonations. The house felt so empty without that lively smile and loud voice.

So when they started to make an appearance, Eddie had to hold it together before he excused himself to the bathroom and cried.

Richie was back. At least partially. And hey, he'll accept that with arms wide open. His husband was finally starting to get better. But he'd be patient.

And now, the question was thrown into the air again. They both wanted a baby still. So so badly. It was painful, how much their hearts yearned for a baby.

For Richie's sake, they chose a surrogate. His body needed time to heal and recuperate, and his hormones were so out of wack it was damn near dangerous. They needed a break, and some extra help.

So after looking through a few programs and having a few interviews with various people, they finally chose one both liked. Both Richie and Eddie liked her. And she was happy to help. A deal breaker for the both of them.

Her name was Michelle, she was 35, and she was very sweet. She's helped couples bring their babies to the world in the past. And they were no different. She had used her experience to her advantage. Three babies of her own, and two for other couples. By now, she knew every trick and hack to help.

Richie was so excited, but he was equally as terrified. But the excitement got larger and larger over the course of their 6 month journey. His smile grew with Michelle's belly.

And by seven months, they were planning a nursery. It was July, which just proved how fast time had flown by.

"We are not painting those walls yellow!" Richie counters. "What kinda color is that?! Looks like something you'd find in a damn toilet!" He exclaims. He'd be damned if he let their baby grow up in a room that was piss yellow.

"What else are we supposed to paint it?" Eddie counters, raising a questioning brow towards his beloved husband. He rests his hands on his hips.

"I dunno! Not fuckin yellow," Richie answers, crossing his arms over his chest. "No kid of mine is getting a piss wall,"

Eddie simply stared at him, dumbfounded and amused all at once. A piss wall? It was... a choice of words for sure.

"Don't give me that look! We can just wait til tomorrow," Richie defends. They'd get to know their baby's sex then, so what's one more day?

"Alright..." Eddie sighs out, dropping the clean paint roller to the ground. "But I get to choose the theme," He counters, grinning.

Richie gawks for a moment, before he grins a bit. "You're lucky I love you, you ass,"

Eddie laughs, glaring at his husband before standing on his toes to peck his lips."Oh please. You love my ass,"

"Yeah..." Eddie only laughed more.

Michelle smiles widely, waddling up to the duo. She was 8 months along with their baby boy. And she was always happy to pay a visit. Her own kids were in school, which came with August as it does every year.

She had time to kill, and two excited parents who were eager to feel her belly for kicks.

"Michelle, what're you doing here?" Eddie asks, hugging her with a smile regardless. She was always welcomed over. They were so grateful for her, and they spoiled her however they could.

Maternity clothes shopping, taking her out to eat and indulging in her cravings. It was the least they could do while she carried their rainbow baby. Their precious baby boy... .

"Well, I know Richie's worried. And I would be too," She simply smiles. Michelle always let him feel the kicks, talk to him, all of it. It's worth it to see his face light up behind those Coke bottle glasses.

"You're a real saint," Eddie smiles. Thank goodness for her kindness... .

"I know," Michelle teases, waddling inside with a smile. Eddie has to admit, the waddle is really cute. And it always bums him out a bit when he remembers it not Richie waddling, but someone else.

Eddie frowns deeply. Michelle had had some bleeding, and went to her doctor's for a small checkup. Only Eddie knew, for good reason. They didn't want to worry Richie if it was a false alarm.

But now, the worst had happened. The baby wasn't doing well. His brain hadn't developed nearly half of what it needed to, and his heart was struggling. It happened so suddenly, it was a shock to even the doctors. Michelle cried. Not even for herself, but for the couple. Those poor boys... .

"Richie... honey..." Eddie walked up to his husband, who was currently engrossed in his laptop writing new jokes. He took a deep breath.

"What it is, Spaghet?" Richie asks, pushing his glasses up to finish editing a segment. He was none the wiser. The male kept at it, typing on his computer. But when there was only silence, he looked up. "What?"

"Michelle called..." Eddie swallows the lump in his throat, "He's not doing so good,"

"No," Richie responds, his eyes flooding, "No. That... that can't happen... Not now.."

"I'm so sorry," Eddie sits next to his husband, watching the gears turn in Richie's head.

And on April 15, 4:26 am, baby Lincoln Wentworth Tozier-Kaspbrak was born. He was 4 pounds, 4 ounces, and 8 inches long. The baby boy was a month and a half early, for everyone's own good.

Eddie and Richie got to hold him, before he was gone. Time of death; April 15, 6:26 am. The sobs Richie let out were so raw... Eddie couldn't handle it. The amount of problems they've had, and the amount of tragedy, he didn't know what else he could bear.

He watched, with a broken heart, as Richie gave their baby a final goodbye. "Goodnight angel..." The taller male kisses his little head, "sweet dreams..."