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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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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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This is only the start, Eddie. We have the rest of our lives to be this happy.
[She promises him, whispering words of love against his lips. In between every kiss is a soft I love you, and soon she finds herself having to pull away so she doesn't pin him down to the bed and have her way with him. He may be happy right in this moment, but he's also still grieving over the loss of Wayne. After the wedding will be a different story.
But for now, she settles on sprinkling sweet kisses all across his face and down his throat, until she can press her face into the warmth of the curve of his neck. She stays there, one arm wrapping around him in a hug. And the other lifts up from around him so she can tip her head upward, admiring the way his slightly large ring looks on her finger.]
I can't believe I'm about to be Chrissy fucking Munson.
[He'll have to excuse the out of character cursing from her. She's really just that excited.]
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[ He echoes her words in an attempt to make them real, because it seems so impossibly perfect that he can hardly believe it. The rest of his life with her. His only regret is that they could have had more years together, could have already gotten to this point. But perhaps things played out exactly as they were meant to, and everything was destined to come to this moment. Seeing her in this hotel bed, wearing one of his rings as a place holder engagement ring. It does something to him, deep inside, unlocks some part of his heart. ]
Better get used to it. [ He reaches to brush his fingers through her hair, as in awe of her beauty as he ever has been. There is no doubt in his mind that she is the most beautiful woman in the world, and her physical appearance only plays some small part in that. ] Mrs. Munson. Hey, that has a pretty nice ring to it.
[ There will be hard things to deal with after this whole whirlwind is over with. Wayne's trailer, figuring out what direction their life is going in. But for now all he cares about is this, her, about making her his wife. ]
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After the emotions of the morning and early afternoon, they spend some time curled up together napping. They order room service when they get hungry, and Chrissy spends her time picking out what things in her suitcase to take with them to Hawaii and which ones should stay behind. Eddie tells her that he can have the things that she doesn't bring stored somewhere until they get back, and she wonders if he means he'll have someone bring them to Wayne's trailer. She doesn't ask him if that's the case though. Instead, she makes sure they're both packed.
Eddie steps out for a while to go make the calls and arrangements he needs, and by the time he returns Chrissy has everything ready to go. Maybe she's overeager, she realizes, when he laughs and points out they still have the rest of the night. Everything is taken care of, though, and the next day he's whisking her away from the hotel in a town car that's waiting outside for them.
She's a little awestruck when he takes her to get on a private plane. The entire flight she's fascinated by looking out the window, though she does fall asleep against him off and on. By the time they land, they're both well rested. Eddie seems a little more at ease now, and Chrissy takes notice of the grin on his face as someone greets them on the runway with leis.
He has the driver take them the long way to their hotel, letting Chrissy see some of the sights as they go. She's starting to get the idea of what traveling with no concern for money feels like. It's a little overwhelming for her, but she likes feeling special. It's a once in a lifetime occasion, they deserve to be spoiled by it.
Nothing makes her feel quite as spoiled as she does when they're led up to the penthouse suite at the hotel. The room is massive, and nicer than anything that could have existed in Hawkins. The view is beautiful, white sands and ocean stretching out across any window view. She runs out and spends probably half an hour on the large balcony before Eddie drags her back inside to show her another surprise.
In one of the bedrooms of the suite someone has set up a little makeshift wedding store. There's dresses on a rack, and the top of the dresser is lined with various rings for them to choose from. She's completely speechless at first, only able to kiss him before hurrying over to look at everything.]
You had this set up for me? Really?
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But while he would be happy regardless of the circumstances, he is determined to put the full brunt of his star power to work. It only takes a few phone calls to get everything arranged, from the plane to the hotel, and even the dresses after sneakily checking the tag of one of her dresses for the size. He tells them to bring a little bit of everything, a wide range of styles so that Chrissy can find something truly perfect for her.
Hawaii is more beautiful than he ever could have imagined, and he is struck by the idea of just how lucky he is. There were so many ways their lives had gone, they had already spiraled away from each other on multiple occasions. Despite all that, they had managed to find their way back to each other. He's never going to let her go again.
Eddie is happy to join her on the large balcony, feeling so at peace as he wraps his arms around her waist and watches the waves lap against the shore. But he's so excited for her to see what he's had set up for, it isn't long before he's dragging her back inside. Eddie doesn't know much of anything about wedding dresses, but the look on Chrissy's face says it all. ]
Do you like it? [ Not that he really needs an answer. ] I can stay and help you pick, if you don't mind ruining the surprise.
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It's just the two of them in the room, and she doesn't hesitate to take off what she's wearing, going over to the rack to pick out the first dress.
He seems to love the look of her in each one she tries on, but it's the fifth dress she attempts where it looks like his breath has been stolen away from him. She's smiling as she does a double take to look herself over in the mirror. And...wow, she does look really good.]
There's a few more dresses left. Do you think I should try them on?
[But she want him to keep looking at her like she's the most beautiful woman on Earth. Really, she doesn't want to take the dress off.]
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But the fifth dress--- it's something else. That's the one, even if he doesn't say it just yet. It's light and lacy, drapes beautifully around his body. His eyes go wide at the sight of her in it, and he feels suddenly weak in the knees. Chrissy Cunningham, soon to be Munson, is his own personal angel. Eddie is practically glowing as he rushes to her, pulls her close to him so that he can kiss her. ]
This one. [ That says a lot, given how much he enjoys simply watching her get un and redressed. ] This is the one. Christ alive, you're so beautiful.
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I'm only this beautiful because you love me.
[She smiles, trying to put how she views their connection into words. She knows she's beautiful, but the way he sees her makes her truly feel like she is. Like she couldn't ever be more pretty than she is after he's turned her into someone loved.
Her lips press against his again and again, sweet kisses that she doesn't draw out in her excitement.]
This is definitely the dress. [She reassures him, taking hold of his hand to drag him over where the rings are set up.]
But we need to pick out rings next.
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[ Because he can't possibly believe otherwise. It's true that she seems to radiate light and love when she's in his presence, but even beyond that-- she is like the sun. Eddie is all to happy to orbit around her, to be drawn into her presence and wait for her to shine on him. His fingers trace over the delicate details of her chosen dress, mapping out the lace. ]
But, yes, rings are next.
[ Rings have been part of his every day attire from his teenager years. Usually it was a measure of how badass they made him feel. This choice is much more important, it's the thing that will be the outward representation of their love. With one arm still curled around her waist, Eddie surveys the rings carefully. There are all number of jewelry sets, most of them plain where his ring is concerned. There's one set that catches his eye above the rest.
They are white gold, the engagement ring a pear shaped diamond surrounded by smaller jewels, with a wedding band that fits carefully around the shape. And the matching band for him is the same effervescent color, with a circle of onyx set into the middle. Eddie smiles, then looks at her. ]
I really like these ones. [ He feels drawn to them, somehow, though he thinks he'll be happy with anything she pics. ] What do you think?
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And in that moment, she thinks she becomes closer to him, seeing a little more of his taste. She smiles as she steps in a little closer, holding out her hand to him.]
I really like them, actually! Try it on me?
[Maybe she just wants him to put a ring on her finger again. That will require him taking off his band he put on her finger the day before. Something she's only willing to do because they're trying something else on. In her mind, that ring is hers now. And she plans on wearing it forever.]
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[ His voice is hushed, as though this were occurring somewhere sacred. He stares down at her hand, pale and beautiful and lit by warm sunlight. The ring that he had from his own hand still sits there, and Eddie takes a moment to rub his thumb over it. He can't bring himself to remove that ring, staring at it as though it were some holy object.
Instead, he plucks the set from the box, sliding them onto her ring finger. Eddie presses the rings up against the one he had already put there, a set of three, one thick, two thin. To him, it looks absolutely perfect, as though he could imagine it no other way. To top it off, he slides the band onto his own hand, which he has purposefully stripped bare. It's everything he could have hoped for, and Eddie is quick to thread his fingers with hers, the rings shining brightly of their own accord. The sight of it steals his breath away. ]
They're perfect.
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[She whispers, admiring the way the three rings look on her finger. The way their hands are joined puts a soft smile on her face, and Chrissy can't help but bring their hands up toward her mouth so she can kiss his. She isn't sure what word is more than perfect, but she knows that their rings fall into
some kind of cosmic alignment territory.
These are the rings they're meant to have.]
I was thinking I could get the band from your finger sized down to fit me. I like the look of all three of them together.
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