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like ships in the night
[ It's hard to count the way Eddie's life has changed in just the span of a few months. He thinks he can mark the change in trajectory to one specific moment, to Chrissy Cunningham of all people asking him for a drug deal. He's used to people most would never suspect asking for drugs, but her... there had just been something different about it. His deals didn't usually involve obvious flirting, offerings of discounts, reminiscing on previous connections. But he could tell she was going through something, and it was his job to try and help. And then she had asked for something stronger. He had it, tucked away somewhere in his trailer. There was nothing surprising about him having what she was after, but what was surprising was that she was willing to go there to get it.
So he had ferried them both there in his van, had explained to her just what taking special k involved. She had tried it right there in his trailer, under his supervision, and he had made sure she was alright. Everything had been completely, or, more or less, above the board. She had leaned against him, her hands a little more free with their touches, and despite the way each had sent electricity running through him, Eddie had kept his own hands to himself.
And so they had moved on, both of them determined to finish out their final year of high school. Against all odds, they had managed to squeak over the finish line, had earned the piece of paper that declared they were at last done with Hawkins High. Eddie still can't believe it, for as much as he had proclaimed 86 would be his year, the feeling is nothing short of surreal. He's free at last, finally, and that silly piece of paper grants him a surprising amount of opportunities. He has no plans for college, but the sudden opening of avenues leaves him dizzy.
There's no celebration for his own graduation, but he's managed to be invited to Chrissy's. Her parents seem to have spared no expense, and he drifts between the party goers, a plastic solo cup clutched in his hand. Between friends and family, it's been difficult to get her attention, but at last he's managed to get the happy graduate alone. ]
Hey. [ Eddie raises his cup, a little tipsy, a lot relaxed, but somehow he can feel Jason's gaze on him, even now. ] Guess it's finally my chance to say congratulations.
So he had ferried them both there in his van, had explained to her just what taking special k involved. She had tried it right there in his trailer, under his supervision, and he had made sure she was alright. Everything had been completely, or, more or less, above the board. She had leaned against him, her hands a little more free with their touches, and despite the way each had sent electricity running through him, Eddie had kept his own hands to himself.
And so they had moved on, both of them determined to finish out their final year of high school. Against all odds, they had managed to squeak over the finish line, had earned the piece of paper that declared they were at last done with Hawkins High. Eddie still can't believe it, for as much as he had proclaimed 86 would be his year, the feeling is nothing short of surreal. He's free at last, finally, and that silly piece of paper grants him a surprising amount of opportunities. He has no plans for college, but the sudden opening of avenues leaves him dizzy.
There's no celebration for his own graduation, but he's managed to be invited to Chrissy's. Her parents seem to have spared no expense, and he drifts between the party goers, a plastic solo cup clutched in his hand. Between friends and family, it's been difficult to get her attention, but at last he's managed to get the happy graduate alone. ]
Hey. [ Eddie raises his cup, a little tipsy, a lot relaxed, but somehow he can feel Jason's gaze on him, even now. ] Guess it's finally my chance to say congratulations.
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You-- [ The word comes out in a gasp of air, turns into a stilted laugh. ] How did I ever let you go?
[ But she's here now, and despite all odds it seems like she might still give him a chance. There's no way he's going to fuck things up this time. Eddie is looking just a bit more like himself, and while the smile he gives her is small, it's genuine. He pulls her down to him without another word, pulling both of them onto the bed. He takes the time to kick off his shoes and shrug out of his suit jacket before completely intertwining himself with her.
Every kiss and touch is slow and careful, as though worried he might wake himself up from what feels like a dream. He seems perfectly content to take things slow and easy, not yet spurred on by desperate need. Eddie even pulls back at one point, shifts down to settle his head against her chest. He takes a long, slow breath, closing his eyes to just take in the scent and feel of her. ]
Could you... just talk to me for a bit? I don't care what it's about, just something good.
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When he rests against her chest, her arms curl protectively around him. One goes into his hair, lightly running through the strands. The other rubs small circles against his back. And she just holds him, dipping her head to kiss at the top of his hair.
If he needs her to talk, she can do that. She tells him all about her attempt at making it as a fashion designer back in New York, her favorite things she made and how she actually got a piece in a show once. That was how she got started modeling. She tells him about her favorite shows she walked in, and about some of the inside secrets she learned.
It's all superficial things, but it gives way to her talking about her hopes and her dreams for the future. She tells him about wanting to design things for him to wear on stage, and tells him she wants to see the world with him. Chrissy names off every single place she's potentially excited to see, but also makes sure to add that anywhere they go together is perfect because they'd be together.
Lastly, she lists off every possible reason she can think of as to why she loves him. None of them have to do with his fame or his money, or what he can do for her. They all have to do with how he made her feel when they were teenagers, how attractive she finds him, and how she knows they have to be soulmates.]
I guess when you find someone that your heart aches for and cries out for as much as mine does for you, you just know.
[It's sappy and maybe a little too much for him right now. But he had asked for happy. And he's her happy place. She can't help but talk about him.]
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The room is still and quiet besides the sound of her voice. When she talks about her dreams for the future, the way she wants him to in that future. Eddie tries to imagine just what her designs for him might look like, tries to imagine returning to Corroded Coffin at all. Everything has felt so bleak, he hasn't felt like returning to normalcy was something he was capable of.
For the most part Eddie just lets her speak, remaining quiet aside from the occasional "oh yeah?" or "no kidding". When she starts to list the things she loves about him, that puts him into a real silence. A voice rises up to berate him, remind him that he doesn't deserve her love or kindness, but it is swiftly drowned up by the sound of Chrissy. When she finishes with that last last sentence Eddie moves for the first time, raising himself up onto his elbows so he can look at her properly.
Eddie's eyes are wet with tears, but they no longer seem dead and empty. Now there's a sparkle there, a gleaming fragment of his old self. ]
You are the best thing that's ever happened to me.
[ He reaches to cup the side of his face, brush his thumb slowly over her cheek. All he wants is to look at her, remind her that she is real and against all odds, loves him. And he loves her so terribly he feels he might split in two. ]
I can't make it another day without you in it.
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It almost feels wrong, given what he's gone through today. She shouldn't be smiling, shouldn't be this happy. But he makes her happy. Knowing that he doesn't want to be without her makes her sublimely happy. Her head turns, pressing a kiss to the inside of his wrist. With his thumb against her cheek, it's an easy reach.
I've really missed you the past few weeks. I love you, Eddie. So much.
[Her hand reaches up to slip around to the back of his head, and she guides him down to her for a kiss so intimate and devoted that feels like it sears itself onto her soul. When he breaks away she's left speechless, looking up at him with nothing but adoration. She wants him right now, craves him desperately. But it's not the right time for that. He'll let her know when it is. She can be patient until then.]
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I love you too. [ It feels so easy to say it, the words practically bursting from him like a damn breaking. It as though he's been holding those words in for years. Maybe he has. ] You are... you're like the sun.
[ And then he melts into her kiss, holds her close while his fingers run through her hair, down her back. The touches are desperate, but not in a sexual way. The intimacy he craves runs far deeper than physical, and he isn't even sure he'd be able to perform in his current state. But Chrissy seems to sense that, somehow, because of course she does. So he kisses her again, and again, until every one of his senses is properly flooded with her. ]
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She brings him to the bathroom and they share the shower, and they both focus on keeping the gentle touches and light kisses going in between getting one another clean. There's no expectation for something more, and Chrissy finds it refreshing when they wrap up in the same towel, his arms around her as they walk back to bed and fall into it.
They kiss again and again, and Chrissy's mindful to keep them from getting too intense. Day gives way to night, and it's when his head is resting on her stomach and she's combing her fingers through his hair that she turns to glance over at the alarm clock. It's later than she thought it'd be.]
Are you getting hungry? I can order room service if you want.
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Not really. [ He lounges on the bed in his boxers and undershirt, being the one without a change of clothes, for once. ] But I don't think I've eaten since the day before yesterday, so you should probably order something.
[ As Chrissy takes care of getting them some food, he shuffles over towards the tv, digging through a box of video tapes tucked into the console. One catches his eye and he smiles as he pops it into the player before crawling comfortably beneath the sheets. He rests his head on the pillow as The Princess Bride begins to play, watching her with utter adoration. ]
I can't thank you enough, really.
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There's a question the concierge asks her at the end of the call, one that makes Chrissy pause. She mutters an "I don't know, I'm sure Mr. Munson will update you tomorrow about that" before hanging up, and going over to join him in bed for the movie. The way he's looking at her makes her take pause, and her fingertips lightly touch at his lips as she smiles for him.]
I like being able to take care of you.
[There's a pause as she settles beside him, eyes glancing from him to the movie. They settle into watching, her hand holding his, her head resting against his chest. Eventually though, she gives his hand a squeeze and addresses something that needs to be talked about.]
The front desk wants to know if I'll be extending my stay for another week.
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Oh... [ The question should be a simple one, and yet it gives him pause. Besides a different hotel room, the only place they could go besides here is the trailer and he-- he just can't. He isn't ready to go back there. ] Yeah, you probably should.
[ He wants to explain more, but his throat tightens up when anything related to his uncle comes up. ]
I can't go back there right now. If you don't mind me staying with you.
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We can take care of it tomorrow. You could probably ask for the suite again, if you wanted. And I can also have them call the hotel you've been staying at and have them pack up and send over your things.
[These aren't things that they'd do for normal guests. But Eddie is special, the most successful and famous person to make it out of Hawkins. Every business here falls over themselves to get his attention, and she knows that the staff here goes above and beyond to take care of her because they think she's a kept woman living on his account.
Which technically she has been. But she thinks there's been a valid reason for that.]
I don't have anywhere to go. And I'm not leaving you.
[At least not while he still needs her. Her head turns, and she presses a kiss against his clothed chest. She loves getting to lay around and be lazy with him like this.]
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[ He says this softly, thinks about all of his things tucked away in his childhood home. Even still, with his newfound wealth and fame he could still probably find someone to go collect them, could certainly find someone to clean the place up so Chrissy doesn't see the embarrassing mess he's left there. The place is strewn with empty liquor bottles and crushed beer cans, crumpled packs of cigarettes tucked into every corner. ]
We can move to the suite if you want. [ He tries to push the thought of the trailer out of his mind, at least for now. Let him have one pleasant thought to cling to. ] Could be fun.
[ And there is something fun about the idea, treating it like some sort of vacation for the two of them. Their food arrives, and for an odd change of pace, Chrissy is the one encouraging him to eat. Eddie gets down some of it, knows that he needs to eat something. Once he's managed to choke down about half of what she's ordered Eddie retreats back into the safety of the bedsheets, pulling the duvet around him.
He curls up close to her, for the first time in a long time feeling truly at ease. It's no surprise then that he's soon fast asleep, pressed close against her. Blessedly, it's a sleep that's deep and dreamless, affording him the rest he's so sorely needed. ]
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Here she had been worried for the past few weeks that he was still in his hotel with his girlfriend, and instead he's been living alone in a reminder of how loved and safe he had been under Wayne's roof. The last thought she has before letting herself rest is that things have been so needlessly complicated the past few weeks. There's an element of shame that washes over her then, but she sleeps peacefully curled up with him.
She wakes up first the next morning, and carefully slips free from his hold to get dressed. The shame she fell asleep with is still present, and she realizes as she moves around the room that she needs to think some things over. She writes a quick note to Eddie, letting him know she needs to clear her head. And then she slips out of the room to walk around the block a few times.
It's grey and rainy, suitable for the day after the funeral of someone that was such a good man. Wayne Munson will be missed, and she wonders if he'd approve of her being with his nephew. She likes to think that he'd give his blessing, and he'd tell Eddie not to waste this second chance.
She's just about to turn back and head to the hotel when she hears her name being shouted. It's Eddie's voice, and she turns toward the sound of it. Her eyes widen when she sees him rushing toward her. He looks upset, she realizes. There's some things she can tell about Eddie from far away. His emotions are definitely one of those things. Her stomach lurches as she stands in the rain, knowing that she needs to let him have his chance to approach her.
Whatever he has to say now, she's braced and ready for it.]
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Eddie blinks stupidly down at her note, as though the words aren't quite registering. He tries to tell himself that needing to clear her head could mean anything. But despite their reunion, despite feeling more well rested than he has in weeks, anxiety clenches up in his chest, makes his breathing turn rapid and shallow. He's scrambling for his clothes, and each passing moment only sends him further into a frenzy. He settles for only pulling on his slacks and getting his shoes on before he's bursting out the door.
Stupid, it's so stupid. She could be anywhere right now, and he's racing out into the rain like he's right on her heels. The rain is starting to pick up as he stumbles out onto the sidewalk. Eddie tries to breathe, tries to think. There's a sliver of rationality inside him that tells him to go back inside and calm down, but it is drowned within a sea of grief and fair. He's patting his pockets anxiously, looking for keys, or cigarettes, or an answer.
Eddie picks a direction and starts walking, despite the fact that he has no idea just where to go, and that he's rapidly getting soaked. He follows the sidewalk down and around the corner, feeling more frantic with each second. He keeps himself moving despite that, it helps him remember to breathe.
There's a shape further down the street, slightly obscured by the weather. A low rumble of thunder almost swallows up the sound of him shouting her name. And then he's running to her, looking lost, frightened. His body practically crashes against her, his arms enveloping her a desperate embrace. When he kisses her his heart is still beating wildly in his chest, and the rain obscures the fact that he's begone to cry.
When he pulls back his body seems to go limp, almost collapsing onto his knees in front of her. A sob shakes his body as he wraps his arms around her waist and buries his face against her stomach. It takes him a moment to collect himself enough to speak, his fingers curling tightly into her clothes. ]
I love you, Chrissy. [ While his body trembles, his words are the strongest they've been in days, rising above the sound of the rain. ] I want all of you, forever, every day.
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When he declares his love for her over the sound of the rain, when he insists that he wants all of her forever, she knows with confidence that her love is plenty. Love is all you need, after all.
Her hand rests in his soaking wet hair at first, touch slipping down to his cheek.]
Eddie...
[He's trembling, and she leans down over him, curling protectively as her arms wrap around him.]
You have me. For the rest of our forever, you have me. All of me.
[Her lips seek out his then, claiming him with a searing kiss. They're both soaking wet, and she's actually shivering because of it. That's all easily ignored though, in favor of losing herself in him, in trying to get him to see that the future is theirs to claim. Nothing has to stand in their way anymore.
When she breaks the kiss, she guides him up to his feet, and her arms wrap around him in a clinging hug. She loves this man more than words can possibly express. ]
I don't want to waste anymore time. Eddie, I want you to marry me.
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When he lifts his face to meet her kiss, he's practically glowing, his eyes bright and alive. That's just what Chrissy does to him, makes him feel like a teenager with every opportunity to be with the woman he loves. He kisses her hard, as though sealing a promise. What she says next doesn't surprise him, or maybe it does, because he feels as though she's read his mind. ]
Oh yeah? [ He's grinning from ear to ear, clinging back against her as it continues to rain down on them. Despite the cold chill, the grey sky, the fact that they're both soaked, this moment feels impossibly perfect. It's as though the skies had opened up to release all the grief they had been carrying and set them free of it. ] Chrissy Cunningham, I am going to marry the hell out of you.
[ Eddie's laughing, bright and free like a bird escaping his chest. ]
Anything you want. We can go to Vegas and get married by Elvis. Or do you want to fly to Mexico and get married on the beach? Italy? France?
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We can decide where tonight. [She's still smiling as she presses both hands to his cheeks, rising up on her tiptoes to solidly kiss him, a silent promise that she will marry the hell out of him and it will be perfect.]
All I care about is that we do it as soon as we can. Tomorrow, maybe?
[The sooner, the better, as far as she's concerned.
With a laugh, her hands slip down from his cheeks to press against his chest, and her head tips back so she can look up at the rain that's still pouring down over them. It washes over them both, the perfect moment made even better by the fact they're on the same page. This is a fresh start for the both of them. The second chance they deserve.]
And maybe I also care about getting in out of the rain. I'm starting to get cold.
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[ With the band on hiatus, he has all the time in the world. As for her job, she's free to quit any time she wants, she'll never have to work again if she doesn't want to. Or she can find something new, something she actually enjoys, go back to fashion, or modelling. His mind is racing, but it's all thoughts that absolutely delight him. He's barely even aware of the rain or the cold until she mentions. ]
Oh, right. [ He's laughing as they break apart, and he threads his hands into hers so they can head back to the hotel together. ] Wouldn't want you to have a cold for the wedding.
[ They take off at a light jog, hurrying their way back indoors between laughs and stolen kisses. They stop at the front desk, upgrading their room to the suite. They're celebrating now, after all. If the desk clerk things anything about their soaked, giddy state, she doesn't say anything. Instead she simply smiles at the two of them and ensures all their things will be brought up to their new room for them.
Which reminds Eddie that he has nothing here except the clothes on his back. Fortunately he's reached a place in his life where almost nothing is out of reach, and nearly everything can be made to happen for a price. They negotiate quietly and Eddie is assured he'll have some clothes and toiletries delivered to their room before the day is over. It's a relief, because despite how elated he feels, he still isn't ready to return to the trailer to fetch them.
With everything taken care of, they make their way to their new room, spacious and beautiful and just for them. They shower together, trade touches, but otherwise the shower itself is largely innocent. It's only once they're clean and dry and changed into matching hotel rooms that Eddie feels like he can stop and breathe. ]
Jesus christ. [ He breathes the words out like a sigh, pulling her close to him and just hold her. ] You're perfect, Chrissy. The best. I love you so fucking much.
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Just getting to hold him is wonderful in its own right, but she still steals a few kisses as they finally take the time to stop and breathe in one another.]
I know you see me as perfect, but —
[This isn't the time to project the issues she still has thanks to her mother onto him. But she wants to be sure he isn't putting her up on some pedestal that can be easily knocked down.]
You'd still love me even if I wasn't, right?
[She just has to make sure.]
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[ The words come out quickly at first, rushing to reassure her. But he trails off, pausing to think about what he wants to say. It isn't that perfect is something she has to continue to strive to be, but he isn't sure how to put that into words. He lets his forehead rest against hers, twirling strands of her wet hair around his fingers. ]
What I mean is, I love you because you're Chrissy Elizabeth Cunningham. And you always will be. [ He smiles, considers something. ] Well, until tomorrow, I guess. Then you'll be Chrissy Munson.
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[Sounding touched by that, Chrissy reaches up to cup his cheek and guides him in for a lingering kiss. Her touch shifts into his hair, fingers curling against wet strands. They shuffle and make their way to the bed without breaking apart, and fall against the plush mattress to lay side by side.
Time stretches out as they spend what feels like a blissful forever slowly touching one another and making out like they're teenagers that can't help themselves. By the time there's a knock at the door to announce the presence of concierge service bringing their things, Chrissy's robe is undone and she's laying atop it more than within it.
He's worked a trail of marks along the column of her neck, and she's so giddy to be with him that she only laughs and scolds him for being a teenager again. That knock to the door causes her to gasp and him to turn his attention elsewhere, Chrissy quickly sitting up so she can put back on the robe and tie it closed around her.
Eddie takes charge and directs the bellboys on where to put what, and Chrissy watches with fascination as she realizes just how much he's grown into a different person. It's his musician persona, she thinks. A side she's only seen once, when she went to his show years ago.
It's after everything is in place and they're settled back in bed, Chrissy once again out of her robe, that she steers the topic back around to the fact they're both determined to get married tomorrow. He's sitting in the center of the bed with his legs draped open, and she's sitting pressed in between them so he can work a brush through her hair for her. If they're getting married tomorrow, her hair will not be knotted and frizzy.]
Would we really be able to someplace like Italy? Or somewhere with a beach? That sounds so expensive.
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[ Money has become no object to him, which still takes him by surprise on a regular basis. For the most part, he had always enjoyed the small world of his trailer, had never minded the life that came with it. It was a culture shock, when the money really started rolling in, of just how many doors could open for him. How he could truly have anything he wanted. Almost anything.
He wants to tell Chrissy this is her world too now, that she never has to worry about material things again. But he also doesn't want to overwhelm her by that prospect. He knows she doesn't care how much money he has, would love him just as much if we was playing music out of garages and bagging groceries on the side. ]
I mean, if you want something like Italy, we might need a few extra days to make preparations. But anywhere in the world, I mean that. Anything you want, Chrissy, we'll have it.
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[She reminds him, eyes closing as she basks in how good it feels to have his attention on her hair. There's not many people she'd trust to take care of it for her, but he's definitely one of the very few.
As they sit there, she thinks over the fact that he's just told her not to worry about cost or money. She had grown up in a nice house, and never wanted for anything tangible. But even then, her parents had limits. She gets the impression that Eddie no longer has those. That he really can give her whatever she wants.
It's an exciting thought, but not the reason that she's left grinning. His money is something that he's worked hard for. And he deserves every penny. But it's not the reason she wants to be with him.]
I'm not sure I can wait a few more days to be Chrissy Munson. Italy sounds beautiful, but beaches here are beautiful too. We could go to Hawaii, maybe?
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[ But that doesn't stop him from wanting to give her anything, everything in the world she could possibly want. By now, he's almost accustomed to being used. Even outside of Natalie, once Corroded Coffin had really taken off, all sorts of people had come to him with their hands out. He knows Chrissy would never do that, would love him just as much if he were penniless. And somehow, that makes him want to spoil her more.
Eddie never thought he would reach a point where having money and things could bore him, but that had been the case for years now. But the idea of being able to take her to see the world, to bring her to every beautiful place, there's just something about the idea that is all consuming. ]
You want Hawaii? We'll do Hawaii. I just need to make a few calls.
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I've always wanted to go.
[She feels the need to explain, even though logically she knows that isn't the truth. If she asked him to take her to the moon, he'd probably find a way to do it. There's a whole wide world to see out there, and she can't wait to see as much of it as possible at his side.
Crawling forward on her knees, she leans in to kiss him. They can just as easily have a wedding at the justice of the peace here, and she'd be happy.]
We'll need to find rings.
[And something to wear for the occasion, but that's not as important as the rings.]
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[ Somehow, this seems to take him by surprise. He's sure they'll be able to find something once they've landed on the island. But he wants her to have something now, something that can rest on her finger and remind her of his love. Eddie has a great number of rings on his hands, even now. He takes a moment to examine his rings, searching for the perfect placeholder. It's a simple silver ring on his pinky that he slides off his finger and onto the ring finger of her left hand. ]
This will have to do for now.
[ It's a little big on her, but he thinks it looks nothing short of perfect. Eddie pulls her hand to his mouth, kisses the ring, then presses another kiss against her palm. ]
We'll get real rings, get you a dress, and that's all we need. God, I love you, Chrissy. I've never been happier. I really mean that.
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