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[ace-for-eddie]

Part 5

After dinner, Eddie and Wayne went out on the porch and talked more about the details of the day. They’d had to wait until they had a moment away because they didn’t want Evelyn to overhear some parts of the conversation. While she was the spitting image of Eddie, they still needed to figure out what they may need to do legally.

Joyce helped get Evelyn a bath and in clean pajamas. She carried Evelyn back to Will’s bedroom where they’d determined to have Evelyn and Eddie stay for the night. Will was happy to give up his room for the night and stay over at Dustin’s.

“So uh… what do I need to do?” Eddie asked Joyce. “I don’t exactly have a lot of experience with how to put a kid to bed. Oh, right! Cough medicine from her bag.”

“Does she have a cough?” Joyce asked, scrunching up her nose a bit in confusion.

Eddie thought back, “Off and on earlier today. But I haven’t heard it since we’ve been here.”

“Hmmm… okay, I think we should wait on that and see if she needs it.” Joyce suggested.

“Her mom said she gives it to her to sleep?” Eddie scratched the back of his neck. “Is that normal?”

“She gives it to her to sleep?” Joyce’s mother bear instincts peaked.

“She was drugging this baby to sleep?” Joyce’s tone took a sharp turn. “No. That’s not normal.”

“I don’t know exactly, it was all kind of a blur.” Eddie shrugged. “But uh, she didn’t really seem like she was getting any nominations for mother of the year.”

He felt a sense of relief that Evie was with them and not her mother tonight. He hadn’t had time to process everything that happened in this whirlwind of a day. There was so much to think through and figure out. So much of it did not sit well with him. But he didn’t have much time to worry about that now.

In fact, he wouldn’t have to worry too much about all that at all, because the moment Joyce mentioned the additional details to Hopper, he was out the door and headed to the station to write a report. Eddie had no idea he’d even left.

***

Eddie sat down on the floor of Will’s bedroom and brushed Evie’s hair gently while she looked at the pages of a book that Joyce had saved in her hopes of sharing with her grandchildren. El helped him braid Evie’s soft hair. He was still learning, but starting to get the hang of it.

But as he turned around to say goodnight to Wayne who had just popped his head through the doorway, he felt a pull on his shirt. He turned around to Evelyn climbing her way into his lap.

“Uh…okay, make yourself at home, I guess.” He chuckled.

He shook his head, which caught the girl’s attention as she reached up for his long wavy hair.

“Pretty hair’” she whispered with a slight ‘w’ sound on each ‘r’. He smiled at how gentle she was with his wavy strands.

He looked down into her big brown eyes chuckling. Now it was his turn to melt.

“No, you have the pretty hair darling.” Darling? Where the hell did that come from? Wayne? Does Wayne say Darling? He heard a chuckle from the hallway as Wayne headed to the living room.

Eddie scooped up the little girl giving soft tickles, making her giggle loudly. Then he plopped them both down on the bed and began reading the book.

Evelyn fell asleep after they’d it read through twice. The second time making up a new story based solely on the pictures, wrong answers only.

But Eddie naturally toned down his voice as he noticed she started to settle down and her eyes got heavier. After she’d fallen asleep, Eddie stayed seated on the bed with his daughter laying across his chest.

When Joyce returned to the room from cleaning up the kitchen, she found the little one asleep on Eddie’s lap.

Eddie stuck out his bottom lip pouting.

“What do I do now? She’s asleep.” He whispered.

“She’ll probably stay asleep even if you move.”

“I don’t want to chance it.” Eddie said seriously, then groaned.

“But I do really need to pee.” He whimpered slightly.

Joyce smiled and chuckled, before reaching down to lift the girl slightly and tuck her under a blanket as Eddie extracted himself and went to the bathroom. He returned to the living room with El and Joyce.

“Where’s Hopper?” he asked.

Joyce paled at the question. “Just to the office for a bit.”

@estrellami-1

[ace-for-eddie]

Part 4

Eddie and Hopper sat on the porch waiting for Wayne to arrive. 

“Listen Munson. I know we haven’t always been on the best of terms.” Hopper started.

Eddie hummed, feeling himself tense up.

Although Hopper had been instrumental in getting his name cleared of the murder charges, they hadn’t really had many conversations since. And any before usually involved Hopper reciting the Miranda rights and Eddie being shoved into the back of the police car. 

“But uh… while I won’t hesitate to arrest you again.” Hopper pointed his finger in Eddie’s face. The front door swung open as Joyce walked out onto the porch.

Hopper cleared his throat and continued. “I can tell that you’ve grown up a lot, kid. And the shit this town has dumped on you isn’t right. I will do everything I can to help you in this. And if you aren’t sure what to do with this little girl… your little girl, you can… you can always come to me one Dad to another.”

Hopper placed a strong hand on Eddie’s shoulder, sniffed then nodded before walking back inside.

Eddie was stunned and simply nodded in shock. 

Today was getting weirder and weirder, and given Eddie’s standard, this was next level intense. 

Joyce smiled warmly and took Hopper’s place pacing a soft hand on his shoulder. “It’s going to be okay.”

He took a deep breath, “...okay.”

Wayne arrived in his beat up pickup concerned that Eddie was sick, hurt or had gotten into trouble somehow. He was not expecting the news that he was basically a grandfather.

He teared up a little, then started laughing. Loud. 

“Shit Eds, I didn’t think you…” he stopped realizing Joyce Byers was beside them. “I didn’t think that girl… was your type,” giving Eddie a knowing look.

Eddie huffed a laugh. “She wasn’t. But I was still figuring things out 3 years ago. And it’s okay Ms… I mean Joyce already knows I’m gay. She’s safe.” 

Wayne smiled at Joyce. “Thank you for being here for my boy Ms. Joyce.”

“Of course! It takes a village right?” She smiled. 

“Speaking of which. When can I meet my grandbaby?” He asked. “Is it okay if…if I call her my grandbaby?”

“Wayne, I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Eddie smiled and hugged his uncle. “You’re gonna love her. She’s amazing…” Eddie led the way to introduce Evelyn to her Grand-deddie Wayne. 

Of course, Wayne instantly fell in love with the sweet child, reading her another book as she nuzzled against his side on the couch.

Eddie found El and Will at the table in the small kitchen and pulled up a chair.

“Hey guys, uh thanks for helping so much. Wow, this is so weird.” He ran his fingers through his hair. 

“She is very sweet. And she likes you a lot. You are a good Dad Eddie.” El smiled. 

He just smiled and stared at the table. “Thanks Supergirl.”

“Have you told anyone else?” Will asked curiously.

“Uh…no not yet. Please don’t tell anyone though okay? I want it to come from me.”

“Of course. It’s not our story to tell.” Will smiled at Eddie using the same phrase Eddie had used when Will came out to him in recent months. Eddie offered to be there to talk if he ever needed anything. He knew how hard it could be to be gay in such a close minded town. 

“I should probably tell Henderson soon though, so he doesn’t shit himself if everyone else knows first.” Eddie sighed. “Can I use your phone?” 

“Of course.” Will stated.

“Are you going to tell him on the phone?” El asked.

“Yeah, why not?”

“It seems like something to tell friends in person.” She replied. 

“Uh… yeah I guess so. I’ll see if he can come over.” Eddie didn’t know if he’d have the energy to deal with Dustin Henderson and a toddler today, but figured it would be worse to wait.

The phone rang a few times before Claudia answered and brought Dustin to the phone. Eddie invited him to come over to the Hopper-Byers house and waited on the porch with Will.

While Eleven and Joyce took to washing Evelyn’s clothing which reeked of smoke and something like cat urine. Joyce threw some of the pieces away immediately and decided she’d be making a trip to the children’s section at Goodwill the following day. 

Dustin Henderson was dropped off at the cabin and took the steps two at a time.

“So what is so important you need to meet me at Hopper’s cabin?” Dustin rolled his eyes.

“Well, Henderson. I just wanted to congratulate you on becoming an uncle.” Eddie smiled his snarky grin while Will tried not to laugh and choke on the soda he was drinking.

“Eddie, what the hell are you talking about? I’m an only child.”

“Ouch man, didn’t know you thought so low of me. Wow. Okay nevermind.” Eddie put his hands up in defense.

“Oh, well, yeah you’re like my brother. But what do you mean… uncle? Did you get a dog or something?”

“Ew, no. That’s too much responsibility.” Eddie grimaced. “I got a kid.”

“You got a kid?”

“I got a kid.”

“Where did you get a kid Eddie?” Dustin was starting to get tired of this bullshit.

“Well DustyBun, when a guy and a girl…” Eddie started and Will just about fell off his chair.

“Shut up. What the hell did you drag me out here for?” Dustin stomped.

“No, I wanted to tell you I have a kid. A daughter actually. Her name is Evelyn.” Eddie beamed. 

“You’re… you’re serious.” Dustin started to smile. Eddie nodded.

“How? When?”

“That’s a longer story…” Will stated from behind Eddie. “Sit down.” 

Dustin peeked through the cabin window to see Eddie’s uncle Wayne sitting on the couch napping with a toddler and his eyes grew incredibly wide along with his smile.

“You want me to be… her uncle?” He teared up.“Yeah, man. Just feels right.”

“Holy shit…tell me everything.” Dustin plopped down to hear about Eddie’s news.

[ace-for-eddie]

Part 3

“So how do you know this is actually your biological child Munson?” Hopper asked sternly.

Joyce had driven them back to the cabin and was looking through the duffle bag left for Evelyn. She grimaced at the sharp acridic smells of cigarette smoke, must and other unidentified scents.

“The timing adds up.” Eddie shrugged, still coming to terms with the news himself.

“Sure but how do you know she didn’t just put your name on the birth certificate?”

“I know she is his daughter. They look alike.” El stated from the floor where she and Evelyn where playing with some blocks that Joyce had pulled out of storage.

Hopper groaned.

“I just don’t think we can be sure.” He rubbed his temples.

“Should we call social services or something? Isn’t that like abandonment?” Jonathan asked unhelpfully from the hallway.

“No. Absolutely not!” Eddie stated with a fire in his eyes. “Sorry, just no. She’s not going into foster care.” He sighed shakily trying to push away unwanted memories.

Joyce stand behind the couch and squeezed his shoulders gently. “It’s okay Eddie, she’s staying with us. With you. And we are here to help.”

He gave her a tired smile.

“Oh god. I have to call Wayne.” He buried his head in his hands, shaking again.

“When’s he off work?” Hop asked.

“2” Eddie sighed.

“I’m going to call and have him swing by here when he’s done alright?” Joyce asked. She picked up the phone with the go ahead.

Eddie was so damn thankful for Joyce. He really needed a real adult to help him figure things out and he was sure Wayne would help but he was worried about the initial conversation that was needed.

“Eddie,” El said. “Come read a book with us.”

Evelyn looked up at Eddie and smiled. He obliged and gently lowered himself to the floor careful of his still tender wounds.

“What will she call you?” El asked.

“What do you mean?” Eddie asked in confusion.

“You are her father. She can’t call you Eddie. Will she call you Dad or Daddy?” El inquired.

“I don’t know, I guess Daddy is fine.” He really hadn’t thought about it.

El nodded swiftly. “Your Daddy can read you a book Evie.”

“I like the nickname,” Eddie smiled.

“Okay Miss. Evie. Which book did you pick out?”

“Puppy book.” Evelyn smiled up at Eddie.

“Deddie wread book please.”

El and Joyce erupted into laughter at the adorable new nickname Eddie had just received.

“How could I possibly say no to that?” Eddie wheezed out a huff, heart melting.

“Okay sweetheart, The Poky Little Puppy. Oh I like this one already. What is that?” Eddie pointed to the page.

“Poky Puppy.” Evelyn grinned wiggling in joy.

“And what in the world is that?” Eddie gasped.

“Is that a dragon?” Eddie pointed to the small green lizard on the cover.

“Noooooo…” Evelyn giggled. “It’s a lizawrd.”

“A wizard? I don’t think wizards are green.” Eddie huffed.

Evie laughed even more. “No… lizawrd.”

“A lizard? Really?” Eddie looked at her with eyebrows furrowed, “If you say so. Let’s find out…”

Eddie opened the book and started reading with his little girl snuggled up beside him.

He discovered that reading children’s books wasn’t that different from DMing. It was all storytelling, and Eddie knew how to tell a damn good story.

Now he just needed to tell ones with less gore, fighting, and monsters.

Joyce smiled widely as she listened to the young man create a world for the little girl and snuggle with her. She was surprised at how good he was with her. She hadn’t expected him to be bad with her, but he was far surpassing her expectations of most parents she knew.

[ace-for-eddie]

Gonna need this for later.

"a plastic star wars mug from 1977 (+ matching bowl)"

"cleen ‘kiss that frog’ set (accordion gnome mug)"

"campbell’s soup mug, likely 70s"

"white mug with cable knit sweater sleeve/warmer (no brand)"

"“don’t bother me, I’m crabby” mug (potential maryland souvenir?)"

"mcdonald’s garfield mug (double sided)"

"canadian mcdonald’s travel cup (the lid is missing so they probably just use it as a normal cup now)"

"Garfield “It’s Not The Valleys” 1978 Enesco Beer Stein" (edit: originally identified by @bienmoreau - dumbprep on twitter, source)

"early 1980’s garfield head mug"

"1950’s “coffee and” mug"

"1970’s morton salt girl mug, featuring the 1921 morton salt girl"

"maxwell house mug" identified twitter user meilkii (source)

(edit: OP is twitter user BIDERVERSE, as shown in the title and source, not me, all words within the quotation marks are his)

[ace-for-eddie]

Part 2

July 5, 1986

Overall the week had been going well, Eddie was feeling a bit better, starting to feel more like himself each day. It took time to recover from the blood loss and multiple surgeries it had required to patch him back together from the attack in the UpsideDown. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on who you asked, Eddie had given up smoking after being in the hospital so long and literally needing surgery to repair his injured and collapsed lung. Demobats be damned.

But it was early on a July morning and Eddie was happy to have a new place, government issued for him and Wayne to live. It was certainly cleaner than the trailer had been. 

So when he received a knock on the front door early on a holiday weekend, he was a bit perplexed, but figured it was probably one of the kids coming to ask for a ride or something. 

He did not expect to see a young woman around his age on his porch. A burgundy 4 door vehicle sat still running in the driveway. He recognized her of course, but hadn’t seen her in a good 3 years. 

“Uh, hey.”

“Eddie.” The young woman scowled, smacking her chewing gum. She had lost weight. She looked unhealthy, her soft light brunette hair was frizzy, and unkempt. Her skin was an unnaturally tan color. While this was concerning enough, Eddie noticed that on her twig of a frame she held something, no someone on her hip. The girl who could be no more than 2 or 3 hung to her mother’s shoulder. 

The toddler sported a curly mop of dark auburn hair pulled back into two ponytails on either side of her head. Her huge brown eyes looked to Eddie then back into her mother’s shoulder. She looked shy and possibly frightened. 

“Uh, H…hey, what are you doing back here?” Eddie asked. 

“You grew it out more.” She said still staring at Eddie like he’d just thrown an insult rather than asking a simple enough question. “What?” Eddie’s faux smile faded. “Your hair.” She huffed. “Are you gonna let us in or not?” she sassed.

“Uh… okay, sure. Come on in.” Eddie shook himself again. “Wayne here?” she asked, dropping a duffle bag on the couch. The little girl started coughing, and whined softly.  She looked tired, they both did. “No… he’s at work.” Eddie closed the door. “Can I get you something to drink?” “Beer if you have it.” She stated like she’d been here a thousand times, and was just a typical part of the scenery. The girl sniffled then coughed again, tucking her head into her mother’s shoulder. 

That doesn’t sound good. Eddie thought. Poor kid.

“What’s her name?” he asked, turning to the fridge to grab two beers. 

“Evelyn Brooke.” “That’s pretty.” Eddie handed her the beer and sipped his own as he sat on the chair beside them.

“What are you doing in Hawkins? Thought you flew this coop right before Senior year.” 

“I didn’t have a choice. Got pregnant didn’t I?” She glared at him with intensity. “Oh yeah, I heard you’d gone to live with your Aunt.” “Yeah, ‘cause I was pregnant Eddie!” She snapped. “My parents kicked me out.” 

The little girl startled and huddled behind her mother. 

“Okay, wow, I’m sorry. That sucks.” Eddie was confused at this chick’s anger, he took another long swig of beer. “She’s your’s, dumbass.” Eddie choked on the beer, which he turned his head to avoid coughing it out onto the couch and guests. He coughed for a solid minute before he recovered still in shock.

“Excuse me?” “Evelyn Brookie, this is your Daddy.” Her voice was sugary sweet while simultaneously having a bitter tone to it. 

Evelyn peeked out from her mothers side, looking through a curtain of curly hair, still quite uncertain of the situation.

“How old is she? And what do you mean, mine?” He crossed his arms across his chest and examined her expression closely.

“She just turned 2 in February. February 14th actually. That party 4th of July weekend in ‘83. Remember that?” She sighed. “Oh my god, you don’t even remember.”  

“Uh…okay, when were you going to tell me? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” “Well, I was busy trying to figure out where I was going to live.” “I would have helped.” Eddie insisted. 

“Well, I didn’t really think you’d be up for it. I didn’t get a choice. It wasn’t like I could just call you up. Long distance calls are expensive?” 

“Okay, so why now?” Eddie really looked at the girl. He couldn’t deny that her hair and eyes matched his own much more than her mother’s. He swallowed hard.

“Well…” She took an exasperated breath, “Because I’ve got some other things to go take care of right now Eddie, and I just thought that you could maybe step up and learn about being a father.” “Step up? I literally found out 2 minutes ago. I would have helped if you’d told me.” “Sure whatever. But I didn’t. You weren’t. And here we are.” She said, smacking her hands on her knees, and moving to stand. “Well, Kyle’s waiting on me in the car. All her stuff is in the bag. Birth Certificate is in the pocket.  There’s some cough syrup in there that puts her right to sleep. Good luck.” She kissed Evelyn on the head. 

“Mommy’s going out for a little while. But you’re gonna stay with your Daddy.” “What?!? Where are you going?” Eddie couldn’t process all of this, his breathing picked up. Is she serious?!?

Evelyn looked confused from her mother to Eddie. She had tears running down her face, but she only whimpered quietly as the tone in the room had shifted and her mother took a step away. 

“It’s your turn. I’ve got a life to live, Eddie. New opportunities.” “Wait. I’ll be here for her, but you’re not just leaving. Are you? When are you coming back?” He stuttered out then followed her to the kitchen.

“I said it’s your turn. You’re her daddy and you get to take care of her now.” She made for the door. 

“Are you…are you high or something?” He stood and tried to block the doorway. “That’s none of your damn business.” She was fast and surprisingly strong, throwing an elbow to his ribs and into a tender spot where he’d been bitten, knocking the wind out of him. 

“Wait… we can…” he wheezed out, struggling to get air back into his lungs from the blow. 

She jumped into the car with who he guessed was Kyle and they drove off.  

Catching his breath, Eddie watched the car turn out onto the main road. What the hell just happened? 

He turned to see the small child sitting on the couch. He considered chasing after the car, but couldn’t just leave a baby in his living room. What if something happened? 

The girl sat quietly sniffling and hiccuping, as tears still dripped from her dark long eyelashes.

“Uh…hey… Evelyn…ummm… it’s okay.” Eddie took a step toward the couch and reached out for her. She didn’t flinch and let him pick her up but she held her tiny body stiffly in his arms and continued to pant through tears. He instinctively rocked them both gently. “It’s okay little one.” He swallowed hard. “You’re okay. We’re gonna figure this out.” 

As he ran a hand up and down her tiny back she began to melt into him, curling up still hiccuping and coughing occasionally. 

“Okay Munson, Get it together. What the hell do I do with a baby?” Then an idea popped in his head and he walked over to the phone, dialing the number listed on the sheet on the fridge. 

After two rings a cheerful voice answered.

[ace-for-eddie]

Part 1

July 5, 1986

Joyce Byers was quite concerned the second she picked up the phone. 

Somehow, Vecna was dead and everyone had made it out of the Upside Down alive in March. Max and Eddie almost didn’t. After a week in a medically induced coma, Eddie awoke to find he was stitched up but still in a tremendous amount of pain from the itching and burning bites. They’d had to perform surgery for a punctured lung and several blood transfusions.

Joyce wanted all of the kids to feel welcome calling her anything, or just dropping by the cabin where she and Hopper were now living with Will and El. Jonathan and Argyle found an apartment for rent in a part of town that wasn’t destroyed and were helping with the clean up/repair efforts. 

But Joyce just had a mother’s intuition about things and immediately recognizing the way Eddie Munson said her name, she just knew something big had happened. 

“Eddie, are you okay? You sound upset.” Her brow furrowed in concern. “Yes…no… I don’t know. But could you just…uh… come to my place… right now please?” He audibly gulped. 

“Okay honey, I’ll be right there…” Joyce wasn’t sure if he was having another flashback or if he was hurt, but she was on her way. She grabbed her keys.

“I’m coming to help.” El stated tying her shoe.

“Honey, I don’t know what he needs and I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.” “I have a good feeling.” El smiled. “I can help.” El insisted and Joyce couldn’t deny that El and Eddie were becoming good friends. They seemed to understand one another in a way the other kids didn’t always. 

The new home where Eddie and Wayne had been relocated, was only about a mile from the cabin, so it didn’t take long for them to drive. Not to mention that Joyce was driving like a… well, she was pushing the speed limit.

She hurried up the stairs with Eleven tailing close behind. 

She knocked on the door then tried the handle and cautiously opened the door.

“Eddie, hon? You okay sweetie?” She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but it wasn’t this. 

On the couch, Eddie sat with a very small child with dark curly hair and the most adorable huge brown eyes.

“Oh… who else is here?” Joyce asked, looking around.

Eddie gulped, “Just us two.” 

“Uh… I… “ Eddie smiled with tears in his eyes. “I’m gonna need help.” 

El stepped up to the couch and sat on the other side of the toddler smiling then looked at Eddie. 

“She has your eyes.” She grinned. “And your hair.” She nodded. 

The little one looked up and giggled at the girl. Eddie took a shuddered breath. “Yeah, uh… that’s what I need help with.” “Oh Eddie.” Joyce smiled and covered her mouth. “Sounds like you have a lot to fill us in on.” She came to stand beside him and he stood instantly knowing that Joyce would immediately wrap him in a tight hug. She’d been playing mom to more and more kids these days, what was one more?