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keeryhours · 11 days ago

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teen pregnancy series - eddie munson part 2

Eddie Munson x female! reader

Main Masterlist

Teen Pregnancy Series Masterlist

Summary:

A broken condom leads to the end of your life as you knew it.

Part 1

Warnings:

Smut (18+), unprotected p in v, oral (f receiving), fingering, creampie, pregnancy, pregnancy sex, pregnancy complications, drug use, comments about weight, shitty parents, financial stress

Word Count: 20k

A/N:

This was a longer wait than I anticipated, I’m sooo sorry! I really hope you guys love this part though! There will be a part 3. Thank you a million times @glassbxttless for my banner, helping me with accurate information, and reading, and thank you @feral4youu for being amazing, a total genius, and always willing to bounce ideas!

It was Saturday, and Eddie was at work - as he was most days. You were bored out of your mind - Robin had a band thing, so you were left alone. You were going through your closet, making yourself sad as you found that half of your wardrobe didn’t fit anymore.

You settled on a sweatshirt with jeans using the hair tie on the button trick to give you more room for your growing belly. You smoothed a hand over it, looking in the mirror - it could still be camouflaged by the sweatshirt, looking like it was just oversized and maybe you had gained a little weight. No big deal. Nothing suspicious.

You called Steve.

“Hello?” he answered, and you were grateful he was at home for once.

“Hey,” you said. “Can you give me a ride?”

Steve sighed. “Where to?”

“I want to go to Benny’s and surprise Eddie at work,” you said. “I haven’t gotten to spend time with him for a couple days.”

“You’re lucky I don’t have anything else to do besides drive you guys around,” Steve grumbled. “Wait- I mean, I do, it’s just-“

“See you in a few, Stevie!”

You didn’t live far from Steve. You knew he’d be there soon, so you grabbed your bag and walked down the stairs. Unfortunately, your parents were in the living room, and they weren’t in the mood to let you leave without explanation.

“Where are you going?” your dad asked, looking up from the television. He lifted the remote control and muted it. “Not to hang out with that loser boyfriend, I hope?”

You opened your mouth to respond, but your mom looked up from her book at that moment. She eyed your outfit up and down. “Did you gain weight?”

You froze. Goosebumps covered your skin, and you felt your breakfast rising in your throat. “I- I don’t think so?”

Your mother’s brows drew together. “Are you sure? You’re looking a little...”

Your cheeks heated, and suddenly it was a lot hotter in the house. “No, mom.”

You were saved by the car horn honking twice outside. Jolting, you adjusted your bag on your shoulder and looked from the front door back to your parents. “Steve is here. I’ve got to go.”

“Now, there’s a nice young man,” your father said. “A Harrington. That’s who you should be with. Someone put together, who’s name commands respect.”

You ignored him. You turned and walked down the hall, slipping your shoes on and opening the front door. Steve’s BMW idled in your driveway behind your parents’ cars. You could see him in the front seat, fiddling with the radio, his left arm resting on the open window.

He gave you a kind smile when he saw you approaching, his eyes dropping down to your stomach. That was something you’d started to get used to. Everyone looked at your belly first - usually judgmentally.

You slid into the passenger seat just as Steve decided on a radio station playing Blondie. “Hey,” he said. He poked at your belly playfully. “They’re growing.”

You smiled sheepishly. “Yeah. They are.”

He put the car in reverse and backed out of your driveway, putting his hand on the back of your seat to look out the back window. He began the drive to Benny’s, the music playing low over the car speakers.

Neither of you said anything. Your hand absentmindedly rubbed your stomach, your head in the clouds. You watched the scenery pass by through the car window.

“So,” Steve said after about 5 minutes of silence. “Uh…is Eddie excited?”

“About the babies?” you asked. “I mean, I think so. We haven’t had the chance to talk about it much recently.”

Steve nodded. “Is he doing okay?”

You were unsure how to answer that question. It seemed like he was, but at the same time it was obvious that things were weighing on him. Dropping out, the job, the money. “I think so.”

Steve could tell you didn’t want to talk about it, so he didn’t push it. You rode quietly until he pulled into the parking lot of Benny’s.

The first thing you noticed was that Eddie’s van wasn’t there. But you knew his schedule, you were sure he was working today. You felt a sinking feeling in your stomach as you climbed out of Steve’s car and walked into the front.

You approached the counter, where Benny himself was sitting.

“Hey,” you said, catching his attention. “Uh, is Eddie here?”

Benny sighed. “No. He called out. Again.”

You froze. He what? Had he not been going to work? “Okay, thanks,” you said, turning and walking out of the restaurant on autopilot.

“If you see him, tell him he’s getting fired if he does this one more time!” Benny called after you, which made you immediately feel like you were going to be sick.

You got back into Steve’s car, slamming the door unintentionally.

“Woah,” Steve said, dropping his hand from where he had been fixing his hair in the mirror. “What happened?”

“He wasn’t there,” you said shortly. You were fuming - you couldn’t even look at Steve.

“He- what do you mean?”

“He wasn’t there,” you repeated. “So who knows what the fuck he’s doing.”

Steve looked ahead. He tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, thinking of a logical and reasonable reason Eddie would have skipped out on work. “Do you want to go to his place?”

You thought for a second. Did you want to go to Eddie’s? Did you want to see him right now? Did you want to know what he was hiding from you?

“Okay,” you said. “Let’s go.”

The ride to Forest Hills was tense. Steve didn’t know what to say - but he hoped for Eddie’s sake that he wasn’t up to anything nefarious.

The van was parked out front. You were seething, furious yet also terrified. What if he was in there with another girl? You weren’t sure if you could survive that.

You climbed out the second Steve stopped the car, walking up to the front door. Steve followed behind you, a hand on your back in case you were to lose your balance. You didn’t even notice him. You banged on the door three times.

You waited. When no one came, you banged on the door another three times. You were about to do it a third time when the door opened and you saw Eddie, dressed in his sweatpants and no shirt. He smiled at you like there wasn’t a single thing wrong in the world, and the smell of weed wafted out of the trailer behind him.

“Hey, baby,” he said. His eyes moved to Steve standing behind you, but he didn’t seem confused whatsoever. “Steve.”

“Eddie,” you said calmly, despite you feeling anything but. “What are you doing at home?”

He shrugged. “Just hangin’ out.”

You blinked. “And what about work?”

“Oh, I didn’t really feel good this morning,” Eddie said. He still didn’t look phased at all. He looked happy, like he didn’t even realize he was in trouble.

You felt a sinking feeling in your stomach. “Eddie…what are you on?”

Steve looked at you. “What do you mean? He’s stoned off his ass.”

“Yeah, and something else,” you said. Eddie had the decency to look ashamed by this point, avoiding your eyes. “Did you take the Special K?”

Eddie rubbed the back of his neck, still avoiding your gaze. “Just a little.”

“Eddie…” you scoffed. “Are you fucking serious? And Benny said if you did this one more time you’re fired. How many times have you called out to get high?”

Eddie was looking anywhere but at you, as if he was pretending you couldn’t see him. He shrugged. “A few times.”

“Eds…” you were hurting now, the anger being replaced by betrayal. “How could you do this? How much money do you have saved up? Or did you blow it all on drugs?”

His lack of an answer was an answer itself. He had nothing. Dropping out and all his hard work had been for nothing. Your face fell, your stomach dropping. “You really have nothing for us? You’ve just been getting high and leaving me to just be…fucked once the babies are here and we have nothing?”

Eddie looked properly scolded, but he was still too high to take in the severity of what you were saying. “I’m sorry.”

You shook your head. “Sure you are, Eddie.”

You turned and stomped away from the house and back to Steve’s car. You were wiping tears away, too angry to let Eddie see how hurt you were. Steve chased after you, trying to stay near you as you stomped through the yard. You huffed but allowed him to open the car door for you and hold your hand as you got in.

“Shit,” Steve said as he drove away and back towards your house. “I’m sorry. That did not go well.”

“Not your fault,” you shrugged, looking out the window. You didn’t want anyone to see how badly you were hurting. This was embarrassing.

Steve stopped trying to talk to you, sensing you weren’t in the mood. That’s the thing about Steve, he was always good company - even when you didn’t want company.

He pulled up outside of your house. “Do you want me to come in, or…”

“You don’t have to do that,” you said. “Thank you, though.”

“Yeah, of course.”

You were relieved your parents weren’t home. You were really starting to show, it’s no wonder your mom made the comment about your weight. 12 weeks with twins was serious, apparently. It had started to make you a little happy, but now you were miserable.

You rubbed your hand over your growing belly, now firm beneath your palm. Your little babies. Safe in there, for now. You loved them already.

You went upstairs and drew yourself a bath. You undressed, climbing into the tub and then easing yourself beneath the water. The warmth relaxed your aching body instantly. You cradled your belly, smiling to yourself despite how fucking sad you felt.

When you got out, you wrapped yourself in your favorite fuzzy towel. You dried yourself and your hair, then changed into a silk pajama shirt and shorts set. It wasn’t long after you climbed into bed that you drifted off into a deep sleep.

You were woken up hours later by a noise. You were confused at first- what the fuck? Then you heard it again. Clink. Clink. Clink.

You walked over to your window, your feet shuffling over the soft carpet. You crossed your arms in front of yourself, wishing you had your robe. You peeked out the window - and saw Eddie standing there on the ground below, smiling sheepishly.

You opened the window. “Eddie, what are you doing?”

“Can I come up?” he asked.

Your eyes widened. “How?”

Eddie held his arms out to the trellis and ivy on the side of the house. “I can climb it.”

“Eddie, I think that’s a bad idea-“

But he was already climbing, faster than you’d expected, too. Eddie was skilled in a lot of things, but it still always impressed you. He climbed up the side of the house without incident, and you stepped back to let him climb in the window.

When he climbed in and stood to his full height with that grin on his face, it occurred to you how handsome your boyfriend was. You never knew that being pregnant could make you so horny all the time - you were mad at him, but you wanted him in your bed even more. His expression turned serious as he approached you.

“Baby,” he started. “I’m so sorry. I was a fucking idiot.” He looked so genuinely apologetic, so distraught, you had to believe him. “I swear, I…I’m done. With all of it. That was so fuckin’ stupid of me. I’m not gonna miss another day of my shitty job, I’m not gonna buy or sell or partake, I’m so fucking sorry about the Special K oh my god-“

“Eddie,” you said, putting a stop to his rambling. “I get it.”

Eddie took a deep breath. “I just want you to know I’m serious. That I really know I fucked up. That I love you and the babies and I want what’s best for you. They need me. You need me. I should have been saving that money like I promised.”

It was hard to stay mad at him when he was being so genuine. He held out a hand, tentatively, like he was worried he’d scare you away. You took his hand and he pulled you into him.

“I love you,” he said. “So much.”

“I love you too,” you said, and you meant it completely.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to yours. The back of his hand brushed over your stomach, feeling how the babies had grown since he’d last properly seen you.

“They’re so healthy,” he smiled. “Strong little beans.”

You smiled back up at him. “They’ve grown a lot. I feel like I was half this size yesterday.”

“Well, you look beautiful,” Eddie said. “You look so good carrying my babies.”

You giggled but then Eddie was kissing you again, walking you back towards your bed. “Eds, my parents are home…” you said quietly, and Eddie groaned.

“We’ll be quiet. They’re asleep, they’ll never know.”

It was hard to protest when he was kissing down your neck now, making you go weak in his arms. He held you up (with a little more effort than before), then gently laid you down on your bed.

“I love these,” he said, rubbing his hand over the pink silk of your pajamas. He felt the lace of your shorts, moving up until his hand was resting over your belly. He left his hand there, and when you looked up at his face, he was looking down at you with so much affection in his expression it nearly took your breath away.

He caught you looking and met your eyes before looking away shyly. “Sorry. Sometimes it just hits me, y’know?”

You placed your hand over his. “I get what you mean.”

He slowly stretched out over your body, his hand staying where it was. Then he kissed you, all of his love and emotion in that single kiss. “I love you,” he said when he pulled away to hover over your lips. “I love all three of you so fucking much.”

“We love you too,” you giggled, then he was kissing you again.

You helped push his jacket off his shoulders and then pull his shirt over his head. Your hands danced over his bare chest - you loved seeing him like this, his tattoos, his dark hair splayed out over his pale skin. He slid his hand beneath your top, still resting on your stomach.

“You’re so beautiful like this,” he said, shaking his head in wonder. “I can’t fucking believe it. I didn’t think you could get any hotter.”

You laughed. “I didn’t think you’d find me attractive like this at all. And I’m only gonna get bigger.”

“Are you kidding?” Eddie looked at you like you were crazy. “I’ve never seen anybody so hot in my life. Kinda wanna keep you like this,” he teased.

You laughed, but it turned into a gasp of a moan when Eddie bit down on your neck. He unbuttoned the front of your shirt, letting the material sit open on your front. He pulled back and took in the whole view, eyes going from your face, to your tits, to your belly, to your panties, back up and down again with a wolfish grin.

“Fuckin’ incredible,” he said.

He undid his own jeans, pushing them off and onto the floor. He got between your legs and kissed all over your thighs, worshipping your body as he lowered your silk shorts down your legs. Once they were off, he spread your thighs and dove in.

“Oh!” You covered your mouth with one hand, the other going down to pull at Eddie’s hair. “Ohmygod, Eds-“

He groaned as he ate you, wasting no time taking you right to your peak. There was no teasing, only Eddie worshipping his favorite part of your body. He rutted his hips against the bed, hard cock rubbing against your comforter and giving him some sort of friction. He wanted to be inside of you - but needed to taste you first.

He slipped two fingers into your pussy and you arched your back, gasping. “Eddie!”

“That’s it baby,” he mumbled against you. “Let me make you feel good. Need you to cum on my face.”

He was getting you there fast. It was almost overwhelming, your head spinning from the intensity of the building orgasm. He sucked hard on your clit and pressed against your g-spot with his fingers and then you were nearly screaming his name, covering your face with your pillow to keep yourself quiet.

Eddie moaned as he lapped up everything you were giving him. He loved working you through your orgasms, making them last as long as possible. Eddie was not a selfish lover. He loved to give.

When you were pushing him away, he finally lifted from between your legs, looking up at you with a devious expression, his lips and chin covered with your slick. “I need you so bad.”

“Yeah?” you squeaked, your voice still shaking from how hard he’d made you cum.

Eddie laughed, climbing back up your body. He placed a kiss on your stomach before reaching your lips again. “Yeah, baby.” He pushed his boxers down, then he was lining himself up with your entrance.

“Please,” you begged him, wanting his cock, still delirious from cumming on his tongue. “I want you.”

Eddie groaned as he pushed inside, sinking deeper, deeper, deeper. You whined, fingernails digging into his biceps, as a choked moan clawed its way from Eddie’s throat. He bottomed out inside of you and immediately started rocking his hips into you.

“Yeah,” he moaned. “Fuck, feels so good, doesn’t it baby?”

“So good, Eds,” you whined. “So so good. Love your cock.”

“I know you do, baby,” he said. “You’re being so good for me. Saying the right things, taking my cock so well.”

“Wanna be good for you,” you nodded, already drunk on him. “I’ll be so good.”

Eddie groaned at that, his hips speeding up. “I know you will, baby. You’ll be so good. You’re gonna let me cum inside you, yeah?”

You nodded again. “Mmhmm.”

“Fuck yeah,” Eddie hissed. “I love that. Love filling you up.” His lips were right against your ear now, brushing the shell of it. “You already let me knock you up, right baby? Already let me fill you up so good you’re carrying my babies now. Always were such a little slut.”

You whimpered, the dirty talk doing something to you. Eddie grunted with every deep thrust, you knew he’d be going harder if it wasn’t for the babies. He was still careful.

“God, I fuckin’ love you,” he grunted, fucking you so hard your legs were shaking around his waist. “Can’t believe you’re mine. Too fuckin’ good for me, baby.”

You would have disagreed, but you couldn’t even get a coherent thought out. Eddie fucked into you a good couple more times and then you were crying out his name, Eddie quickly covering your mouth with his hand as he laughed breathily in your ear.

“Can’t let your parents hear you screamin’ my name, baby.”

Your eyes rolled back as Eddie lost himself in the pleasure of your body, only a few more thrusts before he was gasping and stilling, groaning your name quietly over and over as he came inside of you like he’d promised.

When he’d come down, he pulled out and climbed off of you. He grabbed a towel from your attached bathroom and carried it over to you, content smile on his face.

It always stood out to you how out of place Eddie looked in your bedroom. It was still decorated from when you were younger, mostly pink and cute. Then Eddie would come in, big, dangerous-looking metalhead with his long hair and tattoos and scary facade. The big scary guy who was now cleaning you up and then climbing into bed to cuddle with you, his hand resting over your unborn babies.

He held you all night.

—

You woke the next morning in high spirits.

Eddie was still in bed with you, holding you close. You’d had amazing sex the night before. And your parents weren’t home this morning. You felt content.

Eddie woke up as you were attempting to slide out of his arms. “Where y’going?” he mumbled sleepily.

“Bathroom,” you giggled at his pouting. “I’ll be right back.”

“I’m hungry,” he grumbled.

You frowned. “Did you even eat yesterday, or did you just get high then come straight over here?”

Eddie was quiet for a minute. “The second one.”

“Eds.” You sighed. “Well let me go to the bathroom then we’ll go downstairs and cook some breakfast.”

Eddie mumbled something happily as you stood from the bed and headed into your attached bathroom. When you were done, you came back to find Eddie sitting up on your bed, still naked, rubbing his eyes.

“You okay?” you asked. Eddie looked up at you, eyes lingering on your naked body before he could come up with a response.

“Yeah, just tired,” he said. “I’d sleep some more, but I think I might be even more hungry.”

“We can come back to bed after we eat some breakfast,” you offered. You pulled on a pair of shorts and a random t-shirt. You caught sight of yourself in the mirror - you looked very pregnant in this. The thin t-shirt hid nothing. “What do you want?”

Eddie’s eyes were locked on your form. “Uh…I guess some…pancakes, bacon, uh…damn, you really are pregnant, aren’t you?”

You blushed as you looked down at your body. It was constantly changing, and you were starting to get somewhat used to it. “Yeah. Do I look…bad?”

Eddie shook his head. “No! No. I’m sorry. That was kinda rude. I just…that thing you said, about how things can change overnight? I didn’t believe you, but damn.”

You looked at yourself in the mirror again. You did look a little bigger, maybe. Or maybe Eddie just hadn’t gotten a good look at you last night. Either was possible. You placed your hands on the bump, wondering if you should cover up more, if you looked gross-

“Sweetheart,” Eddie said, standing and walking over to you. He put his hands there, too. “I see you thinking too hard. Don’t. You look beautiful. It just…surprised me, is all.”

You wanted to believe that Eddie didn’t find you unattractive now, but your self doubt kept creeping back in. “Let’s go get some breakfast.”

Eddie pulled on his boxers and shirt then followed you out of the bedroom. He kept pulling you into him and kissing you, which would make you giggle and slap at his chest playfully. “Eddie, we’re never gonna get down the stairs at this rate.”

“What if I don’t want to?” he teased as you grabbed his hand and walked down the stairs. “What if I wanna get back in bed and make out with you all day?”

“Tempting,” you hummed. Eddie pulled you into him one more time as you got to the kitchen, kissing you hard against the wall. You tangled your hands in his hair, both of you smiling into the kiss. You couldn’t get enough of each other.

When you finally broke apart for air, you turned the corner, still giggling with Eddie’s hand in yours.

Eddie nearly walked right into you as you stopped.

Your parents were sitting in the kitchen, as if they’d been waiting for you. They did not look happy.

“You two weren’t as quiet as you thought you were last night,” your dad said, sitting his coffee down on the table.

You wanted to die on the spot.

Your mom said your name, and you knew you were in for it now. You clung to Eddie’s hand, who stood protectively next you with his other arm around your back.

They were about to start talking when your mom looked down over the counter. Her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped. “Oh, Jesus,” she said, bringing her hand up to her chest. “You didn’t.”

“What?” your dad asked. He followed your mom’s line of vision, and then he saw it, too. “Oh, Jesus Christ,” he muttered.

“How…how far?” she asked you, tears welling in her eyes. You felt like the worst person on the planet.

“I…” You looked up at Eddie, who squeezed your hand for support. “I’m 12 weeks,” you answered, turning back to face your parents.

“12 weeks?” your mom repeated. Her eyes dropped down to your bump. “…Are you sure?”

“It’s…it’s twins.”

Your mom’s eyes widened, her hand coming to cover her mouth in shock. Tears slipped down her cheeks, and you wanted nothing more than to get out of this conversation.

“Jesus,” your dad said. “Could you two have fucked up any worse?”

The silence settled over you. You felt like you couldn’t breathe, your chest too tight and not enough air being pulled into your lungs. You felt dizzy, your head spinning. You held onto Eddie tighter.

“How the hell did you get yourself into this, with him?” your dad continued, only getting more angry by the second.

You looked at Eddie, terrified. “We were careful, I swear. But the condom broke-“

“You expect us to believe that?” your dad barked. “You expect me to believe this guy has ever done anything responsible in his life?”

Eddie didn’t bother defending himself. He knew how your parents felt about him, and he knew there was no changing it. He’d tried enough.

“I’m telling you the truth,” you said. “It was a broken condom. Just one time.”

“Of course you get pregnant after just one time,” your mom said. “I seriously cannot believe you. After all we’ve done for you, all we’ve taught you, the amount of times we warned you away from him for this exact reason-“

“This is not Eddie’s fault!” you yelled, but that just earned you an incredulous look from your mother and father.

“Baby,” Eddie muttered, but it was too late.

“Do not yell at your mother,” your dad yelled. His face was turning red, you had never seen him look so angry in your life.

“How is this not his fault?” your mom asked. “He’s older than you. He’s a druggie loser who is never going to finish school, and now you’ve let him knock you up. With two kids.” She scoffed. “I’m sure it wasn’t at all because he wants to chain you to him.”

“What the fuck?” Eddie spoke up then, his brows furrowed in true amazement at what your mother had just said. “You’re saying I got her pregnant on purpose to trap her?”

Your mom didn’t even acknowledge Eddie. “Don’t you see what he’s doing?” she pleaded with you, and her teary eyes would have really gotten to you if what she was saying wasn’t so batshit crazy. “He knows he doesn’t deserve you, so he’s tied you down with kids before you can even finish high school.”

“Hold on a fucking second-“

“No, you don’t speak,” your dad said. “I ought to kick your ass. My daughter was a good girl. This is your fault. You’ve ruined her life.”

“I just can’t believe you’d do this,” your mom said, wiping tears from her face. “You had a bright future. We tried so hard to get you away from him before this happened.”

“He’s going to end up just like ol’ Al Munson,” your dad said cruelly, narrowing his eyes at Eddie. “Unemployed, on drugs, deadbeat. Then the rest of his life in prison.”

Eddie could feel the anger coursing through his body like a tangible energy. His body went cold with it, his hands shaking, the urge to pull back and punch your dad in his smug fucking face almost overwhelming.

“You don’t know shit about me or my family,” Eddie hissed, his teeth clenched. He had let go of you, one hand pointing a finger at your parents while the other was balled into a fist. “You have no fucking right to talk about me like that.”

“Oh, I know all about Al Munson,” your dad said, completely unbothered. “You think the whole town isn’t familiar with the Munson name? You have a reputation, son, your whole white trash family does.”

Silence.

You grabbed Eddie’s arm, feeling him tense, shaking with anger. Before he could go off, your mom spoke again.

“You’re no longer welcome in this house,” she said, sniffling as if she was a victim here. “You can pack your things and be gone by this weekend.”

You stared at her like you couldn’t believe what she was saying - although it really shouldn’t have come as a surprise to you. “I…where am I supposed to go, mom?” you asked, your voice breaking. Your hand rested over your stomach, tears filling your eyes now. All of a sudden, you were actually terrified.

It hit you, at that moment, that you had two babies on the way and now you would be homeless.

“I don’t care where you go,” she said. She dabbed at her eyes with a napkin. “Just not here.”

You looked at your dad, although you knew you’d get nothing better from him.

He shrugged at you, like he didn’t have a care in the world. “I guess it’s time to see if this loser can really own up to his mistakes and take care of you. You’re about to learn a big lesson the hard way. He’s already a person of interest to the Hawkins police.”

You were crying hard now, tears falling down your face as you struggled to take in air. You felt like you didn’t even recognize your parents - these people who must have loved you, at some point. Now acting like they didn’t care if you and your babies lived or died.

“Come on, baby,” Eddie muttered, a hand on your lower back leading you out of the kitchen. He led you upstairs and back to your bedroom, breakfast forgotten.

“Sweetheart…” Eddie said, once you were alone in your room again. “Are you okay?”

“No,” you answered honestly as your cries turned to sobs. Your heart felt like it had been stomped on, trampled over. “I don’t know what to do.”

Eddie wiped your tears away with his thumb. “Please calm down, baby. You know I’m not gonna let anything bad happen to you or my babies, right?”

You managed a sad smile at Eddie. “I know you’d do everything you could-“

“No, I will make anything happen for my family. Do you hear me?”

You nodded, sniffling. “What do you think, then?”

“I think we need to go catch Wayne before he goes to work.”

—

You didn’t have to dress to hide the bump anymore. Everyone knew.

It was a relief to not have to cover up so much, but having the belly be so obvious was new. It definitely attracted a lot of attention, even from strangers. Eddie kept his hand on it most of the time, like he was determined to protect it from any possible threat.

He pulled up outside the trailer, Wayne’s car still parked out front. When he killed the engine, the both of you just sat there. Silent.

“…What if he doesn’t let me move in?” you asked quietly. “What will we do?”

“Wayne is not gonna let you and his grandchildren live on the street, I promise you that,” Eddie said.

“I just feel bad,” you mumbled. “This is…a lot of burden on him. It’s a one bedroom trailer, Eddie.”

“And I’ll save up enough for us to get our own trailer by the time the babies are here,” he said. “It’s going to work out.”

You weren’t so sure how well you believed in his plan, but you stepped out of the van with his help anyway. He helped you walk up the porch to the front door, opening it for you and helping you inside.

Wayne sat in his recliner with a beer in hand, the usual scene. He looked up as you walked in, eyes darting down to your stomach and widening slightly before moving back to your face. You’d have to get used to it.

“Hey, kiddos,” he greeted you both. He took a sip and looked back at the old western playing on TV.

“Wayne,” Eddie said awkwardly. “We need to talk to to you.”

Wayne turned the volume down on the TV and looked over at his nephew, who was currently helping his pregnant girlfriend take a seat on the ratty couch. Eddie took a seat next to you once you were comfortable. When he looked at Wayne, the older man could tell Eddie had been going through it. He looked like stress personified.

Eddie held his hands out like he was going to speak seconds before he actually did. “So, how do you feel about a new roommate? Or three?”

Wayne looked between the two of you. You just watched him, feeling as awkward as you looked. “What happened?” he asked.

“My…my parents kicked me out,” you admitted. “They just found out today. And they said I can’t live there anymore.”

Eddie looked at his uncle like, can you believe this shit?

“They kicked you out pregnant?” Wayne asked, like he was still wrapping his mind around it.

“Yeah,” you said, looking down at your hands clasped together.

“Honey,” Wayne said, pity evident in his voice. You steeled yourself. “I’m so sorry. You always have a place here.”

You looked up. “You don’t mind me staying here?”

“‘Course not.” Wayne took another sip of his beer. “You’re no trouble. The only thing is…”

“The space,” Eddie finished for him.

Wayne nodded. “Yeah. I’m not sure how you’re gonna fit two babies in here.”

“I’ll have enough saved up for us to move out by the time the babies get here,” Eddie said. “I swear.”

Wayne wasn’t sure he believed him either. “Like I said, you’re welcome to stay here. I won’t make you leave. I jus’ think you’ll need to figure somethin’ out by the time those babies are here. For everyone’s sake.”

“We will,” Eddie said. “Thank you.”

“Thank you so much,” you said, and you meant it. Your eyes brimmed with tears that Eddie quickly wiped away.

“Y’know I’d do anything for the two of you,” Wayne said. “Well, four of ya now.” His eyes widened when he said it, like he still hadn’t wrapped his mind around the fact the two of you were about to double.

Eddie helped you up and you went straight over to Wayne, throwing your arms around his neck in a hug. He was surprised, but a smile spread across his face as he wrapped his arms around you.

“Thank you,” you said through tears, quiet enough for just Wayne.

“You’re part of the family, darlin’,” he said, rubbing your back. “Always have been, and you definitely are now.”

Eddie was giving you a warm smile when you stood and turned back around. The scene had touched him - he loved that you could have a good relationship with Wayne. He meant a lot to him, he was the only real family he had.

You followed Eddie to his bedroom. You always felt more at home here, anyway.

“I’ll help you pack tomorrow,” Eddie said softly, brushing his fingers through your hair. “I’ll get some of the guys to come help us. Henderson and Wheeler could use some physical labor.”

You laughed. “I don’t want to pull the guys into my mess-“

“Well your mess is my mess, and I do want to pull them into it.” He smirked down at you, the sweet smile on your face making his heart soar. “I enjoy inconveniencing them any chance I get.” He paused. “And we’re gonna need all the help. You’ve got a lotta shit.”

“I do not have that much stuff!”

Eddie scoffed. “Yeah, okay. I don’t even know how we’re gonna fit all your stuff in here.”

He was honestly right about that one. As you looked around the room, stuffed full with all of Eddie’s stuff, you wondered yourself where you would put your belongings.

Eddie could sense the worry on you. “We can get a storage building, or something.”

You nodded. You knew with Eddie you’d figure anything out - he wasn’t going to let anything bad happen to you. He wasn’t about to see you sad for a single day if he could help it.

The next day, you and Eddie went back to your house when you knew your parents wouldn’t be there.

They had ransacked your bedroom.

You nearly cried when you saw it. All of your stuff, your photos, your books, dumped out messily on the floor and rifled through. Eddie clenched his jaw in anger but put a comforting arm around you. “Come on. Let’s just pack your stuff.”

Eddie helped you put everything into boxes. You were crying the entire time you packed, feeling like you were leaving a piece of you behind. You loved this room. You’d spent 18 years in it.

Gareth, Jeff, Grant, Dustin, Mike, and Lucas were showing up right on time just as you finished packing. They all greeted you, with the now typical wide eyed look at your middle. You let your hand rest on the bump now - no reason to hide it anymore. The tank top you were in did little to cover it, anyway. But it’s like the guys hadn’t fully wrapped their minds around you being actually pregnant until this moment.

No one let you lift a finger after that. You were instructed to sit on the couch downstairs while Eddie and the boys carried box after box down to his van. You rubbed your stomach, your back and ankles aching already.

When they were done, Eddie helped you up. “Ready to go home, princess?” he asked you quietly.

Home. With Eddie.

You smiled softly at him, squeezing his hand. “I’m ready.”

You took a final look at the large house as you left - your childhood home, a place that was special to you. It wasn’t yours anymore.

Back at Eddie’s - your house - he carried the boxes inside. You sat on the bed, unpacking your clothes and folding them.

“I like seeing you be all domestic,” Eddie said, raising an eyebrow at you. “It’s pretty hot.”

You laughed. “Well I guess you better get used to seeing me do housework.”

Eddie groaned as he kneeled on the bed in front of you. “Is that a promise?”

You laughed again but then he was kissing you, pushing you back down onto the bed and messing up the piles of clothes you’d already folded. You didn’t care.

You were in love.

—

“I got you something,” Eddie said as he walked in the house after work. You were in the kitchen, cooking spaghetti for dinner. Wayne had already left for work.

“You got me something?” you asked, scrunching up your face. “What?”

“Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for,” Eddie laughed.

“Sorry.” You turned around, wiping your hands on the apron you’d tied on as well as you could. “What is it?”

Eddie lifted a bag from his side. It was from the local bookstore.

“Books?”

“Yeah,” he said. “Just - here.” He handed the bag over to you and you took it, smiling curiously at him. You watched him as you opened the bag, then peeked inside, pulling out three thick books.

“What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” you read out loud. “Guide to Twin Pregnancy. And…” you flipped over the last book. “A journal?”

“Yeah,” he said excitedly. “The journal goes with this book,” he pointed to the first one. “It tells you all about the pregnancy, like by week, and then you can journal about how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking and stuff.”

You smiled up at your boyfriend. “Eddie…”

“I thought you deserved it,” he smiled playfully. “I just thought…maybe you’d wanna write some thoughts down, look back on it in the future, or whatever.”

“Eddie,” you said again. “I love it.”

“Yeah?” he smiled bigger.

“It was sweet of you to think of me.” You were tearing up again - god, were you always crying? “I love you.”

“I love you more,” he said, wrapping an arm around your waist and pulling you as close to his body as the bump would allow, leaning down to kiss you.

Eddie backed you into the counter, kissing you deeply. You blindly sat the books down on the table and tangled your hands in his hair instead. He was kissing you hard, taking your breath away.

“Eds-“ you said, pushing back on his chest.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, the immediate picture of concern.

“The spaghetti,” you blushed. “Almost forgot all about it.”

—

Your next doctor’s appointment, Eddie was there.

He took a few hours off work to come pick you up from school and drive you there. At 15 weeks, you had a cute (and noticeable) bump. Still pretty small, but definitely growing and evident no matter what you wore.

You hadn’t heard from your parents since you moved out a couple weeks before. Not once. You tried not to think of them, but the unfortunate truth was that you still loved them. And multiple times during your pregnancy so far, you’d had that little girl feeling, that I want my mom longing.

You brushed your hand over your bump as Eddie drove. You would never make your babies question how much you loved them.

Eddie caught the movement from the corner of his eye, shooting you a smile. He drove one handed, his other leather jacket clad arm hanging out the open window. “You excited?”

“Yeah,” you said, and you were. You didn’t need to get into the other thoughts swirling in your head. “I hope we get to see them again.”

“Me too.” Eddie’s long curls blew in the breeze through the window. He looked so handsome, sometimes it just struck you. How lucky you were. You didn’t know he thought the same exact things about you on a daily basis.

He pulled into the parking lot of your doctor’s office. He was shutting the van off and hopping out before you could even get your seatbelt off, opening your door and helping you down with a hand on your lower back.

“I’m okay,” you said with a giggle. “I’m not that huge yet.”

“Carrying precious cargo,” he smiled.

Inside, you signed in while Eddie took a seat. You sat next to him, filling out your questionnaire. It was a lot less in depth than the first one, just updates for the past couple of weeks. You were considered high risk because of the twin pregnancy, so you were seen more than most young pregnant women.

“Maybe they can tell me why my ankles and feet have been double their normal size,” you grumbled, rubbing at your aching ankle.

Eddie frowned. “Do you want me to rub them?”

“Here?” you laughed. “That’s okay, baby. Might take you up on it at home, though.”

“You got it,” he winked.

The nurse called your name and you handed off your form. She took the two of you back and had you stand on the scale then check your blood pressure.

“A bit high,” she frowned. “Is your blood pressure normally high?”

You furrowed your eyebrows, looking at Eddie then back at the nurse. “No? I mean, no one’s ever said that.”

“Is that bad?” Eddie asked.

“The doctor will talk to you about it,” she smiled politely, but there was concern behind it neither of you missed. Eddie held your hand as you walked to the exam room.

Both of you were too nervous to chat as you waited for the doctor. When she walked in, holding your clipboard and tucking her hair behind her ear, you let out a sigh of relief.

She greeted you, asked how you were feeling. Then, straight into business - “Your blood pressure is concerning. And I’m noticing some swelling in your hands and feet.”

You held out your hands, examining them. Your ring Eddie gifted you for your anniversary was tighter than usual. “Yeah. I’ve noticed that too.”

“I’m going to send you home with a blood pressure monitor. I want you to keep an eye on it.”

She had both your and Eddie’s full attention now. “Is- is it bad?”

“It could be a sign of some things,” she said. “I don’t want to worry you yet, it’s still early. But I want you to monitor your blood pressure at home, and we’d like to see you here every week. If things remain concerning, it’s possible we may admit you until delivery.”

Your eyes went wide, looking between the doctor and Eddie. “Until delivery? But- I’m only 15 weeks.”

“And we need to keep those babies safe and inside for as long as possible,” she smiled at you sadly. “But I’m going to suggest bed rest every second you aren’t at school, and make sure you record your blood pressure readings.”

You felt deflated. You had been excited for this appointment, only to get more bad news. Frankly, you were tired of bad news.

You didn’t get an ultrasound that appointment either, so you left the office feeling low. Eddie was even more attentive, walking alongside you with his hand on your back and basically lifting you into the van.

“That’s fuckin’ scary,” he said as he sat in his seat.

You nodded. “Yeah.”

Eddie watched you, then reached over and took your hand in his. “Are you okay?”

You shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m scared.”

Eddie realized he shouldn’t have said anything. He was supposed to be the strong one, for you. “It’s going to be okay,” he said, rubbing the back of your hand with his thumb. “We’re going to listen to the doctor, you’re going to go on bed rest and get your checkups, and the babies are going to stay cookin’ until they’re good and ready. Okay?”

You smiled softly at him - Eddie was always so good at making you feel better. “Okay.”

He drove back to the trailer, music playing low over the speakers. “You’re not taking me back to school?”

Eddie smirked. “Nah, figured I’d let you skip.”

You giggled. “Exciting.”

Exciting indeed - you got back to the house and after practically being carried inside, Eddie picked out some of your comfiest clothes and got you set up in bed with your feet up.

“I wanted to make tacos for dinner,” you pouted.

“I can make them,” Eddie said, kissing the back of your knuckles. “Doesn’t seem too hard.”

“Don’t burn the house down,” you teased.

“No promises.” Eddie kissed your lips one more time before he was leaving the room and heading down the hall towards the kitchen. He pulled out the ingredients you’d bought for dinner and read whatever had instructions. Seemed easy enough.

With the meat simmering and taco shells in the oven, Eddie felt like he had done a pretty damn good job. It wasn’t often that he got to feel good about himself anymore. When the timer was up he made you both a plate and brought them into the bedroom.

“We shouldn’t be eating in here,” you scolded him as he came in, but you sat yourself up against the headboard in preparation for your plate anyway.

“We’ll live.” He smirked as he handed you your plate and sat at the foot of the bed with his own.

“I can make it to the living room, Eds, I’m not made of glass.”

“I know,” he said. “Just thought we’d eat in here today while you’re all comfy.”

You didn’t really mind it. You did your best not to make a mess on the blankets, but Eddie kept making you laugh, and he’d wipe the sauce off your face whenever you made a mess. It was impossible to stop smiling.

“I just want my girl to be happy and healthy,” Eddie murmured, brushing your hair behind your ear. “I just want what’s best for you. You’re my world.”

And he was yours.

—

It was week after week of checkups after that. Your blood pressure remained high and proved to be a much bigger concern than you’d originally realized. You were diagnosed with gestational hypertension and now officially on bed rest, and Robin was tasked with carrying your books around to your classes. All it did was bring more attention to you.

The bigger you got, the worse things got at school.

You probably could have predicted that. Of course everyone would want to fuck with you now, no one gave a shit what you were going through or how hard it was. They just thought it was hilarious that you’d gotten knocked up by the freak. Eddie didn’t mind the label much but god, it made you so mad every time you heard it.

Eddie wasn’t even here anymore, he was at work, busting his ass for you and the babies. Yet he was still talked about like garbage, like he was worthless. How dare they? He was everything.

You had had a particularly shitty day. You were 17 weeks now, so close to the end of the school year. So close to graduation. You had worked hard and you were going to walk that stage with your classmates, belly or not.

Robin was carrying your books for you, chattering on about this girl from band she was into - Vickie. You were pretty sure Vickie liked girls, but Robin was still too nervous to shoot her shot.

“Anyway, she said-“ Robin stopped short as you reached your locker. You had been looking down at your chipping fingernail polish, but when you went to look at what stopped Robin, she spun you around and started pulling you in the other direction. “Uh, actually I think I forgot something in Ms. Click’s.”

“Robs, what-“ you pulled away from her and turned back around - immediately realizing what Robin hadn’t wanted you to see.

Someone had completely vandalized your locker. There were demon faces taped all over, pentagrams drawn in red paint, and in that same red spray paint, FREAK SPAWN and SPAWN OF SATAN scrawled across the front of your locker.

Everyone was looking on, giggling as they watched your reaction. Unfortunately, you were giving them exactly what they were hoping for. Your jaw dropped, your bottom lip wobbling as the tears brimmed in your eyes. They fell while you were still too numb to even notice they were there.

“C’mon, let’s get out of here,” Robin muttered, pulling on your arm. “They’ll come clean it up.”

“Hey, whore,” a random guy called from the crowd. You weren’t even sure who. “When’s the virgin sacrifice?” He was laughing so hard at his own joke, he could barely finish. “But you don’t have to worry about that anymore, huh?”

Robin rolled her eyes, pulling you away from the spectacle. She was angry as she stomped down the hall with you in tow. “Fucking school security. What do they even do? Evidently nothing.”

You felt like you were in a trance. You kept seeing the words on your locker as well as if they’d been spray painted right on your brain. You were suddenly filled with dread - what if these babies were ridiculed just like you and Eddie were, simply for being yours?

You loved these babies too much. This hurt so much more than anyone realized, probably more than those dumbasses had thought it would when they did it. These were your children. Eddie was your family.

“Hey,” Robin said, stopping abruptly. “I don’t want you to let any of that bother you, you hear me? Those people are idiots. You are kind and beautiful and smart. They don’t matter. You matter.”

You nodded along, but you still felt lost in your own brain. You stood silently by as Robin spoke to the principal, telling him what had happened. You didn’t pay any attention to the conversation at all, just nodding along whenever Robin would look at you.

After school, Robin escorted you to Eddie’s van. “Seriously,” she said for the millionth time. “I don’t want those assholes bothering you. Go home with Eddie, watch one of those nasty gory movies, and be happy.”

You nodded - you still felt terrible, admittedly. Eddie clocked it on your face the second you got in the van. “What happened?”

You sighed, lip wobbling again.

“Are you about to cry?” he asked, his eyes widening. “Shit. Baby, what happened?”

Through teary eyes, you recounted the day to Eddie. His fists clenched on the steering wheel, a white knuckled grip. “Fucking assholes,” he spat, like just the thought of them made him sick. Eddie reached for the door handle. “I’m going to talk to these motherfuckers.”

You grabbed his arm. “Eddie, stop. I don’t even know who did it,” you sniffled. “I don’t know. Probably Jason or one of his friends.”

“Not Jason himself,” Eddie said. “Doesn’t have the balls.”

You laughed, for the first time since the incident. Eddie could always make you feel better. “Yeah.”

Eddie turned to you, a little calmer. “Seriously, don’t let those assholes bother you. They terrorized me for years, you just…you have to realize that they don’t mean anything. What they think has nothing to do with you. They’re just too stupid to understand anything different from them.”

You nodded. You knew Eddie was right, but it still hurt. You couldn’t shake it - you felt like you were powerless to protect your babies from the cruelty of the world. You had never really been bullied, but Eddie? He got shit for years. He swore he never cared, always let it roll right off him, but it had to hit him somewhere underneath all that.

You knew that beneath his humor and don’t give a fuck attitude, he heard what people said.

You grabbed his hand, and he held yours back happily. It was so hard to get Eddie down. He was your rock, truly.

“Wanna watch The Exorcist tonight?” he asked with a smile. Eddie had made it his personal mission to keep you entertained while you’re on bed rest, and he knew a horror movie was just the thing to cheer you up after a shitty day. “I know how much you love it.”

“Absolutely,” you agreed. “Can we make popcorn?”

“Of course.” He kissed your knuckles. “Anything for my girl.”

—

It was your last school day, and you were relieved to be done. You never wanted to see most of those people again, and you wouldn’t miss it. You knew the few people you cared about would be in your life after school.

You and Robin emptied your lockers after school, throwing away all your notes and test papers, dumping them ceremoniously into the trash can. It was all giggles as you realized - we’re really done. It’s over. We did it.

You were 5 months pregnant, but you were going to walk that stage.

The only thing bringing you down was the reminder of college. Robin, Nancy, and Jonathan were all going. Robin wasn’t going far, thankfully, so you’d still get to see her, but you felt like you were being left behind.

You were going to be at home in Forest Hills raising two babies while your friends lived their dreams. While they lived your dreams.

You pushed thoughts of college and the future from your head, refusing to let them ruin yet another day.

Eddie picked you up after school with balloons and a little cake. You had been craving sweets like crazy, and when you walked up to the van with Robin to see him smiling and holding the gifts, you burst into tears.

Eddie scrambled to put the cake and balloons back in the van, before running over to you. “Baby,” he said, looking you over like he would find you hurt. “What’s wrong?”

“I love cake,” you sobbed.

Eddie laughed, relieved. He pulled you into a hug, rubbing your back. “I know, baby. You don’t have to cry. We’re gonna go home and eat some together and watch movies all night.”

“That sounds really good,” you sniffled.

“It’s not every day you finish high school,” he smiled. He was all smiles and support, but you could see the hurt behind his eyes. This was supposed to be his celebration, too. He was supposed to be walking that stage with you tomorrow.

You said goodbye to Robin and Eddie led you over to the van, opening the door and helping you climb in. Things were starting to get harder. The belly added a lot of extra weight, and it threw off your balance. Not to mention the pain in your back and feet.

You held the cake as Eddie drove you home, admiring the design. It was a white cake with a Hawkins High green border, ‘Congratulations, you did it!’ written in script with your name. Yellow cake with buttercream icing. Classic, and exactly what you’d been craving.

Wayne was gone for the night when you got to the trailer. Eddie got you set up on the couch with your feet propped up and hurried to the kitchen to cut you each a slice of cake. He brought it back, putting on the copy of The Exorcist you’d rented from Family Video.

You watched the movie together as you ate your slices of cake, Eddie pulling your legs into his lap when he finished his so he could rub your feet and ankles. You laid your head against the couch, nearly falling asleep.

Eddie was getting pretty good at cooking since it had mostly fallen on his shoulders. Before you moved in, Eddie would usually heat up something in the microwave for dinner and call it a night. But he wanted to make sure you and the babies got everything you needed, so each night he would cook a little something for the two of you.

You ate chicken fried rice together on the couch, giggling at the sitcom rerun playing on the TV. When you were done, you headed back to the bedroom.

Eddie fluffed your pillows while you searched through the drawers for some pajamas. You settled on a pair of shorts and one of Eddie’s shirts, which was tight on you now. You really needed to shop for some more maternity clothes, because your options were becoming limited.

“I’m gonna take a shower,” you told Eddie, gathering your clothes.

“Can I come with you?” he asked, grin on his face.

You rolled your eyes, but you were smiling just as hard. “Yeah. Come on.”

Eddie liked being near you all the time. He had become so protective - overprotective, maybe - he never liked you alone. He wanted to help you with everything to make sure you didn’t need help or, god forbid, get hurt. You allowed him to, because it made him feel better and your pregnancy was high risk.

You let Eddie undress you. He took his time, hands roaming your skin as he removed your clothes. It wasn’t necessarily sexual - but definitely affectionate. He removed his own clothes and started the shower, adjusting the temperature to just where you liked it.

He held your hand as you stepped into the tub then climbed in behind you. You stood under the stream of water together, Eddie wrapping his arms around you from behind. His hands rested on your belly while he laid his head on your shoulder. Just holding you.

“I love you,” he muttered into your ear. “So goddamn much.”

You smiled - his words warming your heart while the hot water cascading down your bodies relaxed you physically. “I love you too, Eds.”

Eddie washed your hair for you, massaging your scalp while you closed your eyes and relaxed into it. He scrubbed your body for you, treating you like a queen. You were, to him.

You helped Eddie wash himself after you, your hands massaging the soap into his back. His muscles were so tense. He worked hard, standing all day while washing dishes at Benny’s. He moaned as you rubbed his aching shoulders, letting his head fall forward as he enjoyed the feeling of your hands on him.

When you were done in the shower, Eddie got out first, carefully helping you climb out. He dried you with a towel, then gently brushed through your hair. You put the curl conditioner in your hands, running it through Eddie’s wet hair. He closed his eyes, humming contentedly.

You pulled on your panties and the shorts, then pulled Eddie’s old Dio shirt over your head. It stretched tightly across your stomach now. Eddie smiled, rubbing his hand over the bump. “Cute.”

Back in the bedroom, Eddie got you comfortable in bed before climbing in next to you, dressed in nothing but his dark blue boxers. You cuddled up next to him, head laying on his chest.

Eddie slipped his hand beneath your shirt, resting on your bump. He rubbed circles over your belly, nearly soothing you to sleep - when you felt a flutter of movement. Your eyes snapped open, looking up at Eddie. “Did you feel that??”

“What?” he asked, brows furrowing in confusion as his hand stilled.

You grabbed his hand, moving it to where you felt the strange flutter. You both waited a minute, Eddie with baited breath, and then - there it was. The feeling of something moving beneath your skin, basically body horror, but it made your face break out in a huge grin, your heart speeding up in your chest.

“Holy shit!” Eddie exclaimed, laughing. “Was that-?”

“That was them,” you laughed. “Oh my god. So weird.”

Eddie propped a pillow in his place for you to lay on then quickly slid down the bed until he was level with your belly. He put his hand on it next to his face, waiting.

“Come on, babies,” he said quietly, rubbing circles on the skin as his head lay against you. “I know you’re awake in there. This is your father speaking. You have to listen to me.”

You giggled, looking down at Eddie. The sight of him cuddled up with your belly, talking to the babies like this made your heart swell. You knew these babies were so, so loved already.

You started to fall asleep, Eddie’s gentle caresses soothing you into a totally relaxed state. As you slept, Eddie stayed awake.

“I love you so much,” he muttered to your belly, placing a kiss on it. “You have no idea how excited I am to meet you both. We’re going to have so much fun. Just wait until you learn what Metallica is.”

Eddie felt another little thud beneath his hand. He broke out in a huge grin. “You guys like the sound of that?” He rubbed your belly, laying his head on it. “You’re going to be the coolest babies. My little metalheads.”

He fell asleep there, cuddled up to your middle. In your sleep, you wrapped your arms around him, holding him close just as he had his wrapped around you.

—

You thought it would never truly be here, but here it was - graduation day.

At 18 weeks pregnant, your belly was now perfectly round, and, to you, huge. You knew you would be bigger with twins, but you were almost the size of the end of a normal pregnancy by this point, and you weren’t even halfway there. It was hard for you to imagine getting bigger. It scared you, to be honest.

Eddie helped you zip up the back of your white dress as you looked at yourself in the mirror. It looked beautiful on you, falling just to your knees. You had done your hair and makeup already, and taking in your full appearance - you didn’t feel so bad.

“You look stunning,” Eddie said quietly, his hands on your shoulders. He looked over your shoulder into the mirror, looking so proud of you it almost made you cry. He was dressed in his nicest jeans and a button up shirt - with his leather jacket on top. “I’m so unbelievably proud of you, baby. You did it.”

You could tell it was a difficult day for Eddie. He was supposed to be walking that stage with you. He should have been. You smoothed your dress down over your stomach, holding the underside of your belly. These babies were a total blessing, but you still felt guilty.

Eddie drove you to the school. Wayne was going to come later, closer to the ceremony. You felt sure you wouldn’t see your parents there today.

At school, after you left Eddie to go join the other graduates, you caught up with Robin and Nancy. They both pulled you into a big hug.

“I can’t believe it’s finally here!” Nancy exclaimed, tears in her eyes. Her hair had been done in a perm, and it looked cute on her. “All our hard work has paid off. It’s really happening.”

“Finally,” Robin smirked at you. “I didn’t think this year was ever gonna end.”

“I feel like they took it easy on us,” Nancy said. “You know, being seniors and all. My classes were harder last year.”

Robin looked at you like Nancy was crazy.

You got your green caps and robes and put them on. It finally felt real - this was happening. You felt conflicted. On one hand, you’d been working for this moment for your entire life. You were immeasurably proud of yourself - you had done it, and you had finished it pregnant.

But - Eddie should’ve been here. You couldn’t shake the thought of him sitting alone in the gym, surrounded by families celebrating the graduating class he was supposed to be a part of. Waiting to see you walk the stage while pretending he’s not hurting about it. Being strong for you, as usual.

You felt powerless. You wanted to fix things, but the babies had taken over your lives. You loved them and didn’t regret them, but…if only it could have happened a few years later.

Principal Higgins called for all the students to take their place, lined up in alphabetical order. You took your spot, the nerves building in your stomach. Finally you were given the direction and you all filed into the gym, taking your seats.

You looked around at the crowd, seeing all the families of your classmates. You spotted Eddie immediately, waving at you. You beamed at him, waving back. Wayne sat next to him, dressed in a nice shirt and jeans. Eddie nudged him and pointed at you, and Wayne smiled.

You didn’t see your mom and dad in the crowd - but that, right there, was your family. It didn’t matter if your parents were there or not. Eddie and Wayne were.

The ceremony was long and boring. Nancy took the stage and gave her valedictorian speech, and by the time she was done you were teary eyed, proudly clapping for your friend. Then it was time to sit and watch every single student walk the stage and get their diploma.

You waited, and waited…then, finally, the student in front of you was called. You were brought to the side of the stage to wait, and a moment later - your name was called over the microphone.

One of the teachers helped you up the stairs and then you were walking across the stage under the bright lights. You tried your best to look straight ahead and not think about all the people watching you, seeing you accept your diploma while heavily pregnant.

The cheers were loud as you were handed your diploma and took a photo with Principal Higgins. You could distinctly hear Eddie yelling above everyone else, which made you laugh as you exited the stage. It wasn’t your real diploma in your hand - that would come in the mail later - but what the rolled up piece of paper represented meant everything to you.

After the ceremony, every student threw their hat into the air. It was magical, the hats falling down all around you as everyone smiled and laughed. Finally done.

Eddie met you back out front, holding a bouquet of tulips, your favorite. Tears brimmed your eyes when you saw him, smiling so big your face hurt. You went right into his embrace, letting him wrap his arms around you and bury his face in the top of your head, breathing in the smell of your shampoo.

“I am so proud of you,” he said for probably the fiftieth time of the day - but you weren’t complaining. The emotion was clear in his choked words, like he was fighting back the tears himself.

“Are you okay?” you asked him, so quietly only he could hear you.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” he asked, laughing, although you could see more behind his big brown eyes.

“Eds…”

“This is your day,” he said, hands on your shoulders and looking you in the eyes so you’d know he was serious. “Your day. You did this, you worked for this. I don’t want you spending any more time today thinking about how you think I feel.”

“I care about how you feel-“

“I know you do.” He kissed your forehead, his lips lingering. “I know you do.”

Wayne came up, pulling you into a tight hug, yet careful of the bump. “‘m so proud of you, sweetheart,” he said, more emotion in his voice than you’d expected. It made you tear up all over again.

“Thank you, Wayne,” you said, hugging him back.

Your family.

All of your friends were having graduation parties. It wasn’t something you could afford without your parents’ help, so you decided to celebrate quietly at home with just you and Eddie. You had been invited to the parties, but your doctor had you on strict bed rest - you’d already had to beg for permission to walk at graduation.

At the house, Eddie helped you inside, carrying your flowers for you. You had stopped to pick up pizzas on the way home, which were in Eddie’s other hand. He sat them on the kitchen counter before hurrying back to your side and walking you into the bedroom.

“I’m not made of glass, you know,” you reminded him again with a smile. Eddie could drive you a little crazy with how protective he’d become, but you knew it was all out of love.

“You are to me,” he said, his hands sitting on your hips where he stood behind you. He rubbed your sides, then reached for the zipper, slowly lowering it and helping you out of your dress.

The material fell from your body, leaving you in your bra and panties. You could see yourself in his mirror - you barely recognized yourself. So much had changed.

Eddie smoothed his hands over your body, as if in reverence, like he had never seen anything more beautiful. It made your whole body heat, the way he touched you. He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on your cheek, then your neck, you tilting your head to give him the access he wanted.

“Want me to do the lotion?” he asked, reaching for the bottle of cocoa butter on the dresser that was supposed to prevent stretch marks. You already had a few lining your belly, but you kept using it just in case.

“Sure,” you said. You unhooked your bra, letting it drop to the ground - Eddie’s eyes lingering shamelessly - then pulled one of your new maternity sleep shirts over your head. The shirt was huge, hanging on your frame like a dress. Nice and comfy.

“Come lay down, baby,” Eddie said gently, ushering you towards the bed.

You laid down on your side of the bed. Eddie now took the side closer to the wall so you could get up easier during the night. He propped your pillows up so you could lean against the wall.

This bed would be your home for the next 4 months. The thought depressed you - you wanted to be out living life, not cooped up in the trailer all day without even Eddie to keep you company.

Eddie climbed on the bed next to you. He pumped some of the lotion into his hand as you pulled your shirt up, then he reached forward and spread it across your belly. His hands rubbed your stomach all over, coating it in the lotion and rubbing it into your skin. You closed your eyes, relaxing into the feeling.

“Feel okay?” Eddie asked you gently.

“Mhm,” you hummed. “Feels nice.”

“Good.” Once he’d rubbed the lotion in, he placed a kiss on your belly and pulled your shirt down. “You look so cute,” he grinned. “I love seeing you like this.”

“Shut up,” you grumbled, although you were smiling. “I feel like a beached whale.”

“First of all,” he said, sitting the lotion back on the dresser then turning the light off. “Don’t talk about my girlfriend like that.” He crawled into bed, pulling the blankets over you both before wrapping an arm around your waist and spooning against your back. His hand rested on your belly. “And second, you look beautiful. I’m not just saying that.”

You settled back into Eddie’s embrace, the feeling of him rubbing your bump soothing both you and the babies. You drifted off, peaceful in his arms. As you were right on the precipice of sleep, you heard him murmur behind you.

“I love you.”

—

You pulled the shirt down over your body, fitting it over your growing belly. You examined yourself in the mirror, picking yourself apart. You didn’t feel good about yourself. It didn’t help that you needed a whole new wardrobe you couldn’t afford, but you were growing out of the limits of all your formerly oversized clothes. You already had a hair tie on the button of your early maternity jeans. The bump was round and cute, but it was starting to take over.

You were excited today, though. You were 20 weeks pregnant, officially halfway through the pregnancy (more than halfway, since the twins likely wouldn’t make it to 40 weeks), and today was the anatomy scan. You’d be finding out what you were having.

With a hand on the bottom of your belly, you waddled out to the living room and out the front door. On the porch, you could see Eddie working on the van. He was wearing a white tank top and jeans, black grease smeared on his skin as he hunched over the engine.

“Eddie?” you called.

Eddie jumped, nicking his finger on something. He hissed a quiet “Shit,” wiping the blood off his finger with his rag before turning to look at you. “Yeah, babe?”

“Are you about ready to go? We have to get a move on soon.”

Eddie checked his watch. “Shit. Yeah. Let me get a shower real quick.”

He closed the hood, wiping his hands on the rag and then tossing it off to the side with his tools. He walked to the porch with his long legs, climbing halfway up and placing a kiss on your lips.

You went back inside, sitting on the couch while Eddie headed back to the bathroom. Typically you would have joined him, but you’d already done your hair and makeup and gotten dressed for the appointment.

“You excited?” Wayne asked from where he sat in his chair, beer in hand. “You’re findin’ out today, right?”

“Yeah, we are,” you beamed, cradling the bump in your arms. The babies were active today, you could feel the small kicks every now and then. You had to admit you were beyond excited to find out the genders. You had waited until this appointment to start shopping - this made it real.

You weren’t going to find out at the appointment itself. You were going to have the office put the results in an envelope and give it to Jeff - who was going to surprise you with a new dice set in the colors of the results at the next Hellfire meeting. You had both wanted the reveal to be personal and special, so when Jeff offered to help, you went for it.

After Eddie’s shower, he came out to the living room dressed in another pair of jeans and one of his many Metallica tees. His hair was still damp, hanging down his shoulders in tight curls. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

You were bouncing your leg with nerves in the waiting room. Eddie put his hand on your knee, laughter in his voice. “Relax, sweetheart.”

“I can’t,” you whined. “This is too big. I’m nervous.”

“There’s nothing to be nervous about.” He rubbed your leg. “No matter the results, we’re gonna be happy with two healthy babies.”

Eddie was right. You weren’t sure why you were so nervous, but your stomach was in knots. It didn’t help that the babies were sitting in a very uncomfortable position, making your back ache.

When the nurse called your name, Eddie helped you stand. She gave you a polite smile as you stepped up on the scale. You didn’t want to look at your weight - that was none of your business, you felt.

“How have you been feeling?” she asked as you sat down and she began taking your blood pressure. “Have you been resting?”

“All day,” you sighed. She looked at you sympathetically.

“I know it’s boring,” she said. “But not too much longer. Soon you’ll have two little ones to keep you plenty busy.”

Your blood pressure was still concerningly high. The nurse wrote it down in your chart before giving you a cup to collect a sample. When you were done, she lead you and Eddie to an exam room.

You sat on the table, feet swinging as you waited. Eddie was slouched in the chair, looking sorely out of place among the light yellow wallpaper and photographs of sleeping babies. It was hard to imagine soon the metalhead would be a father with his own sleeping babies in his arms.

“Hi!” your OBGYN greeted cheerfully as she wheeled the ultrasound machine into the room. “Are we excited?”

“So excited,” you smiled. You were going to see your babies again.

As she got you and the machine set up, she talked to you about your blood pressure and test results. You were diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. She instructed you to stay on strict bed rest, which made you groan internally, and you were instructed to come weekly for non-stress tests to monitor the babies. You had been hoping they might lessen the sentence, but it didn’t seem like that was going to happen.

You lifted your shirt and she put the gel on your stomach. She placed the wand on your belly, pressing down hard as the image appeared on the screen. Two tiny little babies, cuddled together.

You couldn’t help it. Your eyes welled with tears, your lower lip wobbling as you looked at them - your babies. It made your heart pound quickly in your chest. Seeing them on the screen, wiggling around and moving their little arms and legs - it made it seem real. You looked over at Eddie, who was leaning forward with his arms on his knees to get a better look at the screen.

“Do you want to know the genders?” the doctor asked as she took various measurements of the babies.

“We were hoping you could put it in an envelope for us?” you said like a question. “We wanted to do a reveal.”

“We can absolutely do that,” she said with a smile.

You left the appointment with more photos, a few of which Eddie stuffed into his wallet, and an envelope with the information you were dying to know.

“How am I supposed to not open it?” you asked as you walked out of the office. “The answers are right there.”

Eddie chuckled. “I know, baby. But think about how fun it’ll be to find out with the guys.”

Eddie was right. It was worth the wait - even though you might lose your mind in the meantime.

—

That Friday night, it was Hellfire time. It was Eddie’s big campaign, you were just going for the reveal and to spend the rest of the campaign having a girl’s night with Nancy. Eddie’s van rumbled up to the Wheeler’s, parking in their driveway behind Nancy’s car.

Eddie helped you out and walked you inside, where the guys were all gathered around the kitchen, eating the snacks Mrs. Wheeler had sat out. Karen gave you a kind smile, her eyes dropping down to the bump before meeting your eyes again. You were used to it.

“Go ahead, take us for all we’re worth,” Ted was grumbling, reading the newspaper as the kids surrounding him helped themselves to the food.

In the Wheeler’s basement, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas had set up the game. Eddie took his seat at the head of the table, everyone else sitting in their usual spots. You stood next to Eddie, Nancy downstairs too for the reveal.

“Are we ready?” Jeff asked. He was holding a small wooden box.

You and Eddie exchanged a look. Were you ready? You felt like you had been waiting for this moment forever, and it was finally here. This was going to make it all the more real to you - you were going to learn something about your babies, something about who they are.

“We’re ready,” you said finally. Eddie squeezed your hand, smiling up at you.

Everyone watched closely as Jeff handed Eddie the wooden box. Eddie pushed his chair back, patting his lap. You raised an eyebrow at him.

“You sure?” you asked.

“Oh, just sit down,” he said. He grabbed your hand and guided you down onto his lap. You sat down carefully, worried you were too heavy, but Eddie didn’t care one bit. He wrapped his arm around you. “Let’s open it together.”

You put your hand on the box next to Eddie’s. The guys counted down, then you opened the lid of the box together - revealing two D20s sitting on a bed of velvet.

One pink and one blue.

Your hand flew up to cover your mouth as tears brimmed in your eyes. Eddie laughed, pulling you even closer and kissing all over your face.

“What is it???” Gareth asked, the rest of the table unable to see inside the box.

Eddie turned it around and everyone leaned in to get a good look. The basement erupted into cheers and congratulations, Eddie blushing as his friends patted him on the back and ruffled his hair.

“Congrats, man,” Jeff said.

“Yeah, man. We’re happy for you,” Grant said.

“Good luck,” Mike contributed.

Nancy pulled you into a hug while the guys surrounded Eddie, who couldn’t stop smiling. “One of each,” she said. “How exciting!”

You spent the rest of the evening in Nancy’s room. She had bought you some baby and parenting magazines, and you flipped through them together, reading the articles and looking at all the highest recommended baby gear.

“There’s so much to buy…” you noticed, flipping through an article on choosing the best stroller. There were so many things to consider, especially needing a double stroller, and the price tags next to the products made you feel sick.

“Babies need a lot,” Nancy said gently. “Has Eddie been saving up?”

“Yeah.” You bit your lip nervously. “But he doesn’t get paid a lot. He picks up as many hours as he can, but Benny’s pays minimum wage and it’s…not the greatest.”

Nancy looked at you sympathetically. She knew Eddie was working his ass off, and you couldn’t work on bed rest, but babies were expensive.

“I know you guys will be okay,” she said. Her hand rested on your knee. “Maybe the baby shower will be helpful?”

Maybe. But you didn’t want to rely on your friends for things. You knew your family would be no help - you hadn’t heard from them once since you’d moved out 2 months ago. Wayne did everything he could but he struggled, too, and didn’t ask you and Eddie for any rent or help with bills. You knew you were on your own.

“We’ll figure it out,” you said, more confidently than you felt. You just hoped you were right.

—

The next week, you and Eddie started shopping.

After he got off work he came home to pick you up. “We’ll take it easy today,” he said. “Stick to the small stores.” He grinned - “Or I can push you in a wheelchair.” You knew it may come to that in the big stores.

You went to the department store first - specializing in baby stuff, the place was huge and had cribs and strollers and car seats and high chairs as far as the eye could see. Eddie helped you to the door, then he really did grab one of the store’s wheelchairs and brought it over to you.

“Eddie,” you said. “I don’t need that-“

“You’re on bed rest,” he reminded you. “You’re not even supposed to be out. The least I can do is push you around to keep you and the babies safe.”

Reluctantly, you took the seat. You felt embarrassed, like people were going to look at you and think ‘she doesn’t need that, she’s just being lazy’. You knew you did need it, but that didn’t help your nerves.

Eddie didn’t care. He pushed you into the store, both of your eyes going wide at the selection that greeted you when you walked in. The place was huge. You didn’t even realize there was so much stuff for babies.

“What do you wanna look at first?” he asked you, brushing his hand through your hair from behind you. You nearly closed your eyes and leaned into his touch, but you caught yourself.

“Cribs, maybe?” you suggested. “That’s probably the most important.”

You didn’t even know where you were going to fit two cribs in the trailer, but you’d deal with that later. Maybe the twins could share for a little while.

Eddie pushed you to the large section of the store dedicated to cribs. There were so many different styles and colors, you weren’t sure where to begin.

“That one’s pretty,” you said, pointing towards a chestnut colored Jenny Lind crib. It had ornate designs carved into the sides, and a side that dropped open.

“Yeah, that one’s cool,” Eddie said, wheeling you over. He didn’t exactly know what he was looking for, so he was letting you take the lead.

You reached out and touched the side of it, feeling the strong wood. You could see your babies sleeping in a crib like this so vividly. You reached for the price tag, flipping it over in your hand - and it took your breath away.

“Jesus,” you whispered, dropping the tag.

“What?” Eddie asked. He picked up the tag himself, looking at the price. “300 bucks??”

You felt close to tears. Shame coursed through your body, you felt embarrassed - especially when a pregnant woman across the aisle turned to look at the two of you, giving you a judgmental look. “Let’s just look at a different one,” you mumbled.

Eddie pushed you around and you looked at every crib in the store - seeing much of the same. They all cost hundreds of dollars - and how were you supposed to afford that? How were you supposed to afford two? And that was just the cribs.

You were on the verge of a panic attack by the time you had looked at every crib. You couldn’t believe how expensive baby stuff was - you’d had no idea, and neither had Eddie, based on the sick look on his face.

“What the fuck are we gonna do?” he asked quietly, sitting on a bench outside the store with his head in his hands. “I…I had no idea it was this expensive-“

“I don’t know what we can do,” you said weakly. What would happen if you couldn’t afford the things your babies needed? You imagined yourself back at your parents’ house, groveling and begging for help.

“I…” Eddie began, looking like he was trying to come up with the words that would make things better but might just burst into tears instead. “I’m working so hard. I pick up every shift I can. I’m working 12 hour days most of the time. I’m busting my ass.” He runs a hand through his curls. “But it’s not enough. I’ve been saving, but- $200 just for one crib? Then we need to get our own place, too? How are we supposed to do this?”

You sniffled, wiping at your eyes. “I-I don’t know,” you said again.

Eddie looked up at you, quickly grabbing your hands in his. “Don’t cry. Please, baby. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said all that in front of you.”

He looked so stressed. You hadn’t noticed the bags under his eyes. “You just worry about all this by yourself?”

The look on Eddie’s face told you yeah, he did. He’d been stressing about the financial aspect of taking care of a baby - two babies - since the day he found out. Beating himself up about it, hating himself, feeling like a loser and a failure. Wondering how he would provide for the three of you. “It’s my job to worry about this shit.”

“Not without me, though,” you said weakly. “We’re supposed to be partners in this.”

“We are,” Eddie said, squeezing your hands for emphasis. “We are. I’m sorry. But with you being high risk, I didn’t…I can’t put extra stress on you. I would hate myself if something happened to you or the babies because I couldn’t take care of my shit and you stressed yourself sick over it.”

You understood his point, but it still bothered you. You didn’t like the idea of Eddie holding all this by himself. You hated how useless you felt, stuck in bed all day. “I’m scared, Eddie.”

His heart broke. He pulled you into him, holding you tight. “We’re gonna be okay. Me and Wayne always figure shit out. There’ve been plenty of tough times we pulled through. Us Munsons are resilient. We’re gonna be the same.”

You just nodded against his chest. You hoped he was right.

Eddie pulled away from you, looking you in the eyes. “Hey. How about we go check out the thrift store? We’ve always found good stuff there. You never know.”

You nodded, sniffling. “Okay. We can try.”

Eddie helped you back into the van before he took off to the other side of town, closer to Forest Hills. He pulled up to the thrift store - you had never been here, but Eddie had many times. He got most of his clothes here, customized them himself. Household supplies, dishes, linens - a good portion of the Munson household had come from this thrift store, or one like it. You were used to fancy things - your mom was a bit of a snob.

There was no wheelchair to use here, but the place was pretty small. Eddie stayed close, hand on your back as you walked around. You were relieved to find there was a whole baby section - but no cribs.

“Oh, look how cute,” you cooed, picking up a little frilly dress from the rack.

Eddie scrunched his nose up. “Really? That monstrosity?”

“It’s cute!” You tucked the dress into the cart. You knew your baby girl would look adorable in it.

Eddie was flipping through the racks, silver rings glinting in the harsh overhead lighting. He pulled two plain white onesies off, examining them for holes or stains. He smiled as he tossed them into the cart. “For Hellfire shirts.”

“You’re making them their own Hellfire Club shirts?” you asked with a giggle.

“Uh, hell yeah?” he said, like it was obvious. “They’re our newest members. Every member gets a shirt.”

The atmosphere in the thrift store was much more relaxed. You could tell Eddie felt comfortable here - he knew what to do, where to look, and he knew the prices wouldn’t make him pass out on the spot.

You ended up with a cart full of baby clothes, the beginnings of the twins’ wardrobe. You picked out a lot of clothes that had the red dot on the tag, indicating they were on sale today. The cart was full and neither of you were stressed about how you were going to afford it.

After looking through every single piece of clothing on the rack, you looked at the baby supplies. You were able to find a baby swing for a good price, as well as a bassinet. You wanted to use bassinets in the bedroom when the babies were first born so you could be near them and save on space until you got your own place.

You were nervous as Eddie was checking out. After seeing the prices at the department store, you were terrified of having to put everything back. But with everything on sale and the prices cheaper as they were - you and Eddie left with a good start and not much damage done to his wallet. He even left the phone number with the cashier, asking for them to give you a call if they got another bassinet or any cribs or strollers.

He loaded the swing and bassinet into the back of the van while you climbed into your seat with the huge bag of baby clothes. You were excited to go through them, wash and fold them and put them away until they’re needed.

“Do you feel better?” Eddie asked as he got into the driver’s seat.

“Yeah,” you said honestly. “A little less hopeless,” you smiled.

“Good.” Eddie patted your thigh, then grabbed your hand, bringing it up to his mouth to kiss your knuckles. He turned the key and the van rumbled to life, sounding better than it had last week. Whatever Eddie had done to it helped. “I told you. We make do.”

—

You were sitting on the couch the next week, yet another boring day of bed rest passing you by. You were going stir crazy, desperate to do something. Robin and Nancy came by to visit as often as they could when Eddie was at work, but they were both getting ready to start college, things in their lives getting busier. You felt like you were being left behind.

You were starting to doze off, the sitcom on the TV losing your attention, when the front door opened so abruptly it startled you. You jumped, turning to look with your hand over your heart. “Jesus, Eddie!”

“Baby,” he said, a huge grin on his face, his hair mussed like he’d ran here.

“What?” you asked, looking at him curiously. Whatever it was, it seemed to be good news - something you could really use.

“Y’know the auto shop I take the van to? The one run by Brian?”

You weren’t exactly on a first name basis with Brian - in fact, you’d seen the guy plenty of times and were just learning that was his name. “Yeah, what about it?”

“Well, y’know, they know me pretty well. And they heard, uh, rumors around town about the babies.” You weren’t sure where he was going with this, but he was practically bouncing off the walls. “I told them yeah it was true, and they offered me a job!”

Your eyes widened. “What?”

“Yeah!” He practically vaulted over the couch to sit next to you. “Offered me a job on the spot. As a mechanic. I have to do training and shit, of course, but I already know a ton, so pretty soon I’ll be working on my own and making a decent bit of cash.”

You were borderline speechless, gaping at Eddie like an idiot. “Eds, that’s- that’s incredible!”

“I know!” He took your hands in his, kissing them. “This is amazing for us, baby. We’re gonna be okay. I can take care of us. I mean, y’know, we won’t be the Harringtons, but we can get our own trailer and afford to feed ourselves-“

Tears were running down your cheeks, and Eddie stopped abruptly, wiping them away. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” you said with a laugh. “I just- I didn’t expect this. This is amazing.”

Eddie smiled warmly at you. “I told you we’d be okay. You know you should always trust me - I promised I’d take care of you, that I’d figure this out for us. And I did, right?”

You kissed him, hands on either side of his face as you pressed your lips together. When you pulled back, he was looking at you with stars in his eyes. “Yeah, you did.”

Quitting his dishwashing job was life changing for Eddie. You could see the change in his demeanor immediately. He didn’t drag himself out of bed in the morning, slow and miserable. He didn’t come home so worn out all he could do was make it to the couch and fall asleep. He didn’t have to work his ass off for 3 bucks an hour.

Eddie always liked working on cars, so next to being a musician, this was perfect for him. He was excited to go to work, and he looked hot coming home in his coveralls, arms smudged black. Some evenings you followed him into the shower, helping him relax.

Your savings were growing. You still thrifted, still clipped coupons, but things weren’t quite so dire. You felt like you could breathe. And you were so proud of the man Eddie was becoming - he was going to be the best dad, you could feel it.

“You okay, honey?” Wayne asked as he picked up his metal lunchbox, car keys in his hand. He was on the way out the door, but every day he checked on you before he left.

“I’m good, Uncle Wayne, thank you.” You smiled at him from the couch where you were sitting sideways, feet propped up on some pillows. “Just gonna watch The Golden Girls until Eddie gets home.”

“Alright,” he said. “You give the plant a call if somethin’ happens or you need me.”

“Will do,” you said, knowing it would have to be a true emergency for you to bother Wayne at work. “Have a good night at work.”

“Goodnight, sweetheart,” he said, then he was out, closing and locking the trailer door behind him.

It usually wasn’t long after Wayne left that Eddie got home from work, but that short time that you were alone always left you nervous. You could be a worrier, especially now that you were pregnant and high risk, and you were terrified of the possibility of something happening while you were home alone. You felt much safer with Eddie around.

At 22 weeks now, you were exhausted, sore, and hungry. Always hungry - you were eating for three, after all. You lifted yourself off the couch and waddled into the kitchen, opening the fridge and searching it for something that looked good.

A touch on your back just about made you jump out of your skin.

You spun around, one hand over your heart and the other protectively over your belly. “Jesus Christ, Ed!”

He laughed, pulling the hair tie from his bun and letting his curls fall down around his shoulders. He had the top half of his coveralls unzipped, wearing a white tank top beneath, dirty with grease and oil. He looked sexy.

“Sorry,” he laughed. “I thought you would have heard me come in.”

“I was too focused on finding a snack,” you admitted. Eddie’s grin only grew wider.

He reached out and placed a hand on the belly. “How are my little gremlins?”

“Hungry,” you said, turning back to the fridge. “I just don’t know what I want.”

“Did you have dinner?” he asked, reaching around you and grabbing a beer, popping the can open and taking a big sip.

“Yeah. Me and Wayne had macaroni casserole. There’s a plate for you in the microwave.” Dissatisfied with the options in the fridge, you closed it and turned around to face him again.

“Perfect.” Eddie kissed you on the cheek before downing the rest of his beer in nearly one go. “I’m gonna go take a shower.” His eyes roamed your body, shamelessly up and down. “Care to join me, my lady?”

“But…hungry,” you whined.

“I’ll make you something after?” He sat his hands on your hips, pulling you as close as he could. “I missed you all day.”

It was hard to say no to him like this, especially when he looked so good. “Just a quick one?”

“No promises.” He smirked, pulling you down the hall by your hand. He unzipped his coveralls, dropping them to the ground and pulling his tank top over his head. He turned the water on, adjusting it until it was the temperature you preferred.

Eddie wrapped his arms around you, kissing you deeply. He smelled like a day at work, sweat and oil. It didn’t bother you - it kind of turned you on, your hard working man.

His hands slowly rose up the back of your shirt, pulling it up and over your head. He was careful not to touch your skin too much with his dirty hands, even though he wanted nothing more than to feel every inch of your body beneath his palms.

Your hands worked his buckle open while he pushed your shorts and panties down your legs, leaving you bare. He moaned against your lips as you pushed his jeans and boxers to the floor.

He was half hard when he stepped away from you, looking at you with a devilish grin. He took your hand and helped you into the shower, then climbed in after you, closing the curtain.

Eddie immediately began scrubbing his skin, washing away the sweat and dirt of the day. He tilted his head back under the stream of water, letting it wash everything away, including his stress. He was here with you right now, and he didn’t want anything to ruin it.

Once he was clean, he spun the two of you so you were under the water. He wrapped his arms around your waist, kissing and nipping at your neck while you tilted your head to the side and let your eyelids flutter closed.

“Eddie…” you moaned, fingernails digging into the backs of his shoulders, little half moon divots carved into his pale skin.

He grunted in response, sucking on the most sensitive spot on your neck. He knew your body as if it were a map he’d drawn himself, every little spot that drove you crazy, the places that made your knees weak every time. He held you up now, your legs wobbly and your head going fuzzy.

“My pretty girl…” he mumbled against your neck. “I think about you all day.”

You whimpered as his hand slid between your thighs, calloused fingertips pressing against your throbbing clit. He rubbed slow circles against it, teasing you, just barely tightening that coil deep inside.

“You want me to make you cum, sweetheart?” he whispered. “It’s been a while. Too long since I felt that sweet pussy clench around me, soaking me, making a mess for me.”

You couldn’t form words with the way he was working you - he knew you too well, and everything was so sensitive. Eddie knew what he was doing, his ego deservedly raised.

He rubbed your clit with his thumb as his fingers moved back to your hole, two fingers slipping inside you. You whimpered, holding onto Eddie for dear life.

“That’s my girl,” he purred right in your ear, his voice low and smooth. “Squeezin’ me so good. D’you like that, sweetheart? Feel good?”

“Uh huh,” you whined. He pushed you back against the wall, leaning you against it for support while his fingers pumped in and out of your warm, wet cunt. His cock was rock hard just at the feeling of you, the thought of burying himself inside of you. He rutted his hips against your thigh, desperate for some friction on his aching cock.

“So pretty like this, baby.” The praises dripped from his lips like honey, and you ate up every word. “Love when you fall apart for me. Fuck, baby, you’ve got me so hard.”

All you could do was whimper, your head lolled back against the shower wall as he pulled you apart piece by piece. He pumped his fingers faster, curling them deep inside, pressing right against the spongy bundle of nerves.

“Eddie, Eddie,” you cried, face twisted in pleasure as your orgasm crept up your spine. “Eddie, please don’t stop, don’t stop-“

“Wouldn’t dream of it, sweetheart,” he cooed. “Come on and cum for me. I know you’re close, I can feel you. Go on and make a mess for me.”

His encouraging words combined with the pressure he was applying against your g-spot, fucking your pussy with his long fingers while his thumb rubbed your clit faster and faster, shoved you over the edge, pushing you into the abyss. Your grip tightened on his shoulders and you let out a loud cry of his name, chanting it like a prayer while he worked you through it.

“Good, good fuckin’ girl,” he growled. He was thrusting his hips against you faster now, so desperate although he’d never admit it. When you were nothing but shaking limbs leaning against the shower wall, he removed his fingers, bringing them to his lips for a taste. “So sweet, baby. Later I’m gonna make you cum on my tongue, too.”

Eddie washed your body, his sweet gentleness a stark contrast from the filth he was whispering in your ear minutes ago. Your legs were still wobbly as he washed your body.

He climbed out of the tub first, helping you out so you wouldn’t slip. You dried yourselves off, wrapping a towel around your body as you and a naked Eddie made the trek to the bedroom.

You were reaching for the dresser to get some pajamas when Eddie’s arms wrapped around you from behind, hands resting on your belly while he kissed your shoulder, then your neck. “I was thinking…we could maybe continue what we started.”

He was hardening again, you could feel him pressing up behind you. You turned around in his arms and he kissed you deeply, tongue sliding against your own. He kept kissing you as he guided you back to the bed.

He broke from the kiss, laying down on the bed on his back. He held your hand as you climbed on top of him. His hands rubbed across your belly then back to grab your ass, lifting you up on your knees. He gripped his cock in his fist, lining it up with your entrance above him.

“This okay?” he asked breathlessly, looking at you like he needed you to say yes.

You nodded, a sweet “Yeah, Eddie,” coming from your kiss-bitten lips. He could have bust on the spot - it had been a while - but he gripped your hip with his free hand, slowly guiding you down onto him.

You whined at the pressure of him, the stretch as his fat tip breached your entrance. Eddie groaned, long and low as he sunk into you inch by thick inch. His hands were gripping onto your thighs, digging into the plush skin.

When you were fully seated on him, brow furrowed and lips parted as you drew in shaky breaths, Eddie slowly, carefully rocked his hips up into you.

“Oh!” you whimpered, hands resting on Eddie’s chest for balance - and leverage. He guided your hips against him, rocking and grinding down against him.

“Ohhhh yeah,” Eddie groaned. “That’s it, baby. Ride me just like that. Takin’ me so deep.”

You were a whining mess on top of him, bouncing on his cock as much as you could, but mostly just grinding down against him. Your clit was rubbing against the course curls at his base, building that wave inside you once again.

“So pretty,” he said, his breaths getting more shallow, his cheeks flushing red. “That’s it, that’s it. So good for me. So good, so fuckin’ beautiful. Keep riding my cock just like that.”

His hands slid up your sides, over your belly again and then to your tits, grabbing them in his large hands, massaging them, rubbing your nipples with his thumbs. You whimpered again, moving your hips faster.

“Gonna cum again,” you said, barely able to get the words out. “Eddie, I- gonna cum, oh fuck-“

You pitched forward, hands pressing into his chest as you cried out, your orgasm wracking through your body like a lightning strike - only it lasted forever, hitting you again and again. Eddie guided your hips on him, faster and faster, his moans turning high and desperate.

“Fuck, I’m close,” he said through gritted teeth. “Keep going, baby, gonna fill you up. Gonna cum in you so deep.”

“Please, please,” you begged, still riding out the aftershocks of your orgasm. “Please, need it Eddie.”

“Yeah? You need it?” His eyes were shining as he looked up at you, big brown eyes wide and hips snapping up into your tight cunt. “Gonna give it to you. Fuck, gonna give it to you- shit! Here it is baby, take it, fuck!”

You gasped as you felt Eddie’s hot spend filling you, wave after wave hitting him as his hips bucked up into you. Cockiness out the window, he was moaning like he’d never felt anything quite as incredible in his life.

You sat there, hands slowly rubbing his chest as he came down beneath you. His hands were still gripping you so tightly, trembling, until finally he loosened his grip and let go.

“I need some help,” you said with an awkward giggle, feeling Eddie slowly softening inside of you.

“Shit, sorry,” he said. You intertwined your hands with his for balance as he helped you lift yourself off, laying down on the bed next to him. He immediately turned to his side, his palm rubbing across your belly. “I love you.”

“I love you too, baby,” you smiled sleepily. “You need to eat though.”

“Oh, fuck,” he said, as if he’d just remembered how hungry he was. “Do you want to come with me, or are you gonna sleep?”

“I’ll come with you,” you said.

Eddie pulled on a pair of boxers and plaid pajama pants. He grabbed a pair of panties, shorts, and a huge shirt for you, helping you stand and basically dressing you himself. It was getting harder to bend over, so you held onto his shoulders while he helped you step into your clothes.

You put a hand on your lower back as you stood in the kitchen, watching Eddie heat up his leftovers and pull another can of beer out of the fridge. You twisted your upper body to each side, trying to take some of the pressure off your spine.

“You okay?” Eddie asked, scooping a forkful of macaroni casserole into his mouth.

“Just hurting,” you admitted. “They’re getting really heavy.”

Eddie hated when there were things he couldn’t help you with. He wanted to take all your pain away, take it himself if he could. Things were getting harder for you every day as the babies grew, and you were now going to the doctor twice weekly for non-stress tests to measure the babies’ heart rates and movements. It was getting very real, and very scary as more and more complications kept arising.

With the official pre-eclampsia diagnosis, Eddie was nervous all the time. He was terrified of something happening to you and the babies. You were very high risk and he knew it was a real possibility something could go wrong - the thought of something horrible happening made him sick to his stomach.

“You want me to rub your back after I eat?” he asked. He was leaning back against the counter, plate in his hands as he shoveled food into his mouth like he hadn’t eaten for days.

“Would you?” You sat down in one of the kitchen chairs. “That would be amazing.”

“‘Course I will,” he said. “You know I’m gonna take care of you.”

When Eddie was done with his dinner, he washed his dishes and put them away. He helped lift your exhausted form out of the chair and led you back to the bedroom. You laid down on your side while he laid behind you, his large hand sliding up your shirt and rubbing your back.

You closed your eyes, content.

—

A Nightmare on Elm Street played on the old TV. You had seen it so many times that you weren’t paying the most attention. You were sitting sideways on the couch, your feet in Eddie’s lap as he massaged them.

“Baby,” you called, poking Eddie’s side with your sock feet.

“What?” he asked you, looking like he knew he was about to be given a task but was completely willing to do anything on earth for you.

“You know what sounds soooo good right now?”

A raised eyebrow. “What?”

“A grilled cheese.” Your mouth practically watered at the thought, imagining the toasted bread, the perfectly melted cheese, how it would feel and taste on your tongue.

“You want me to make you a grilled cheese, baby?” Eddie asked, amused.

“Two grilled cheese?”

“Two grilled cheese.” He gently removed your feet from his lap, standing and stretching. He shuffled off to the kitchen as you kept watching the movie. The babies were being active today, it felt like they were having a party in there. One of them kept kicking you in the bladder while the other was pressed uncomfortably against your spine.

You heard the sizzling of the frying pan. Then, a quiet hissed “Shit!”

“What?” you called, turning to look into the kitchen.

“Fuckin’ burned myself.” He put his fingertip in his mouth, trying to soothe the burn. “I’m okay.”

A few minutes later and you were beaming as Eddie walked into the living room with a plate of two steaming grilled cheese sandwiches. Your mouth really was watering now, reaching for the plate like you’d never seen such a delicacy in your life.

Eddie laughed as you took the first bite, closing your eyes and letting out a moan. “Oh my god. So good.”

“I make a mean grilled cheese,” he said. Especially now since they were your main craving, he made you one just about every day.

“You do,” you agreed. “You’re too good to me, baby.”

Eddie rubbed his hand over your belly, happy that you and the little ones were happy. “Nah,” he said. “I just love you.”

—

Eddie liked his job.

You were 24 weeks now, adorably huge (at least that’s how he saw it - you would probably disagree), waddled everywhere you walked and needed help getting up. Eddie hated being away from you, feeling like he belonged by your side, making sure you were okay.

But really, he loved his job. It was the best job he’d ever had - not that he’d had many - but it was something he loved doing, something he was good at. Something that made him proud, that made you proud. A career.

He was bent over the hood of an old truck, up to his elbows in oil and grease, when he heard an old familiar voice behind him.

“Munson.”

Eddie froze. It was never good news when he heard that voice. Slowly he stood, turning around to face Chief Jim Hopper. All of a sudden, the memory of your father’s words ran through his head, the promise of Eddie getting jail time for his dealing. He hadn’t touched drugs in months, but - did that matter? His heart raced in his chest.

“Hey, Hop,” Eddie greeted awkwardly, wiping his hands on his dirty rag. “Uh, what’s up?”

“Can I talk t’you?” he asked, his hands on his belt.

Eddie’s stomach sunk to his toes. “Yeah, uh, just give me a minute.”

He felt like he was going to throw up as he threw his tools back in the box, wiping his hands and arms as much as he could. He tucked the rag into his coverall pocket and turned back to Hopper, nodding towards the deserted office. “We can talk in there.”

Hopper followed Eddie into the office. Eddie was panicking, pacing as Hopper leaned against the desk.

“Eddie-“

“I swear to god I’ve been straight, man,” Eddie said quickly. “I haven’t- I haven’t sold, I haven’t partaken, I haven’t touched a drug-“

“Eddie.”

“My girlfriend’s pregnant, she’s high risk, I have to take care of her. She needs me. I have two babies on the way, man, please-“

“Eddie.”

Eddie stopped his nervous rambling and pacing, finally meeting Hopper’s eyes. The older man looked amused. Eddie didn’t know if that was good or bad.

“I’m not here to arrest you,” Hopper said. “I just wanted to talk.”

Eddie let out a long breath, practically collapsing into the cheap metal chair against the wall. He buried his face in his hands, stressed. “It’s just- her dad said he talked to Officer Callahan, about- well, you know what about- and I thought-“

“Word gets around Hawkins fast,” Hopper said. “I heard about the twins. Congratulations.”

Eddie looked up at him. “Thanks.”

“I just thought we should have a talk, y’know, before you become a father.” Hopper sat on the edge of the desk, his arms crossed over his chest. “You haven’t been messing around with drugs anymore? Not even pot?”

“No,” Eddie said quickly, honestly. “Not at all.”

Hopper nodded. “Never thought I’d see the day, Munson.”

Eddie laughed lightly at that. “Yeah, well. News like that’ll do it.”

“Sure will.”

An awkward silence descended over the room. Neither man really knew what to say. Finally, Hopper took a deep breath.

“How long have we known each other, Munson?”

Eddie laughed. “Forever. You were chasing me off for trespassing at the old factory when I was 10.”

Hopper laughed lightly. “You’ve kept me plenty busy over the years.”

He knew it. Eddie had been a troublemaker since day 1, wanted to live his life and didn’t give a fuck about authority. Hopper had caught him doing shit he shouldn’t many times.

“Look, Ed…” Hopper said. “I’m real proud of you for cleaning up your act. I just wanted to say that. You…you’ve grown a lot. You’re going to be a great father.”

Eddie couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself,” Hopper said gruffly, hiding his smile. “You heard me.”

“That…that means a lot, Hop. Thank you.”

Hopper nodded. “Well. That’s all I really wanted to do - just come check up on you. Make sure you’re on the right path.”

He was heading for the office door, a shocked Eddie still sitting in the chair. He snapped out of it just as Hopper reached the door.

“Wait. What about the warrant?”

“There is no warrant,” Hopper said. “Look, don’t…don’t pay that guy any mind. You’re a better man than he is. He abandoned his daughter, and you’re here making sure your kids don’t have to want for a damn thing before they’re even born.” Hopper clapped Eddie on the shoulder. “Just…keep it up.”

With that, the man left, leaving Eddie reeling. He couldn’t believe what had just happened - Hopper wasn’t a sentimental guy. The millions of interactions Eddie’d had with the man were all various forms of causing and getting into trouble. Now he was here, at Eddie’s work, telling him he’s proud of him?

Things really were changing.

as always, comments and reblogs are so appreciated!

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