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six little nuggets - s. h.

(Dad!Steve Harrington x F!Reader)

Summary: Every time Steve and you found out you were pregnant.

Word count: 15.5k

Warnings. FLUFF, FLUFF, AND FLUFF! mild smut and a tiny bit of angst, but this is basically different moments of steve and you happily together with children.

FIRST TIME (Nov. 1987)

The world had been saved. You were supposed to go back to normal, as if the past horrific events hadn’t traumatized you two forever. Hawkins was resuming its small town’s rhythm, so it was time for Steve and you to wrap up the tears and move forward.

Quarantine was over, meaning that Steve’s parents were coming back to their house. In a phone call, they hadn’t specified if they wanted you two gone, but Steve didn’t want to be there once they arrived.

You had moved in with Steve almost two years ago, when his parents got stuck out of town. Your parents still lived around a ten-minute car drive away, and even though they would welcome you with open arms, it felt wrong to move back and bring Steve with you.

You were back at your art teacher’s job at the town’s kindergarten, while Steve was back at the radio station with Robin, which meant there wasn’t a lot of money to get an apartment of your own and survive. Still, Hopper had called some contacts and helped you find a cheap and small one right outside of town.

The Harrington’s mansion had boxes scattered around the living room, ready for the upcoming moving truck. Three days… only three more days in the big mansion you had naively gotten used to. Your new apartment was the size of Steve’s room, so you were saying goodbye to possible karaoke rooms, pingpong tables, giant pools, and hot tubs.

Packing everything and dividing it into ‘keep’ and ‘donate’ boxes had taken almost a week. An entire seven days where you had felt like absolute shit, attacked constantly with headaches and nausea. Steve had gotten all the pills and medicine available, but you weren’t getting better. He was sure you had food poisoning from the new sushi place Robin had taken you to.

“She has the worst taste in everything. I don’t know why we listened to her.”

Robin had been sick too, but only for two days. You were starting to get worried, your mind already creating hundreds of dark scenarios. But with the moving and the double shifts at his work, the last thing you wanted was to worry your boyfriend too.

One day, after Steve dropped you at the school, you talked with the principal and sneaked out to the hospital. It couldn’t be anything fatal—maybe an ulcer, maybe a really bad worm—but you doubt you would die.

Though, the moment the doctor said the results…you wanted to actually die.

“Congrats, ma’am. You’re pregnant.”

“That’s not possible,” you whispered. “I… We use protection.”

“Which pills?”

You gulped. “...Condoms, actually”

The doctor sighed and smiled weakly. “They aren’t the best method of birth control.”

You had felt so awful, now emotionally too, that you hadn’t called anyone to pick you up; you had walked home, almost as a self-punishment for being so stupid.

The enormous Harrington mansion felt like a mocking image as you entered. The expensive furniture, the tall windows, the wide rooms… An ideal place to form a family, for a kid to grow. Something you couldn’t give to yours.

It was one o’clock; Steve wouldn’t be home until six, so you’d have a long time to cry. You were sobbing as you entered his room and slumped down on the bathroom floor. You hugged yourselfand cried your eyes out, the blood test results balled up in your fist.

Steve was the most wonderful boyfriend you could’ve asked for. He adored you and had always made it clear that he wanted a long life with you. But a kid so soon was never part of the plan. Especially not when you’d had to take double shifts to pay the rent.

You knew Steve was sweet and thoughtful with you, but your pregnant hormones were making your mind spiral. What if he gets angry and breaks up with you? What if he wants you to get rid of it? What if he disappears forever?

One of your cousins got pregnant young too, you remembered. Her boyfriend had promised to be by her side, then left with no trace by her sixth month. Her parents had kicked her to the street and she had lived at your parents’ house until she gave birth and found a job overseas.

Steve was young, handsome, and full of potential. You were ruining his life by being with him. He was leaving his luxurious mansion to leave with you; now he would be a father and probably never go to college.

You were the worst thing to happen to him.

A wave of nausea overcame you. Almost stumbling to the ground, you jumped out of bed and hurried to empty your breakfast in the toilet.

As you held your panting self, more anxious, exaggerated thoughts appeared.

What if you leave… now?

No, you needed Steve. But… he didn’t really need you, right?

You fell back and rested on the wall as more sobs came. Running away wasn’t an option; you would tell Steve the truth and let fate choose what would happen next.

Among the wails and tears, you fell asleep on the bathroom floor.

— — —

As he parked in his driveway, Steve scowled at the sight of his family mansion. God, he hated it with passion. All of it was a big collection of the worst memories of his awful childhood. The only good thing about it was that you were inside.

The simple thought of you made him hurry out of his car and to the house. He was hungry, but his stomach could wait; he needed you.

The house was quiet. Odd… You always had a record playing while you were doing anything. Reading, cleaning, sleeping, grading papers, every activity had to be accompanied by music.

“Baby?” he asked.

Quiet.

Steve took two steps at a time in the direction of your shared bedroom. The light was off. He opened the door and frowned, “Honey?”

There was a beacon of light coming from the closed bathroom. You were probably taking a bubble bath. He smirked, already taking off his jacket and patting his pant pockets for a condom.

All his lusty thoughts vanished as he opened the door and saw you lying on the floor. His heart dropped just as his knees sank next to you. “Baby? Y/N, wake up, wake up. God, no…”

His hands were shaking when you woke with a gasp. “What—?” you mumbled, surprised and disoriented.

Steve sighed deeply. “Fuck, you’re alive…” He brought you to his chest and embraced you tightly. “I thought… Why the hell are you on the bathroom floor, baby?”

You pulled back and looked at your lap, avoiding his eyes. He noticed your puffy eyes, red nose, and disheveled hair. The anxiety came back. “Shit, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

He raised your arms and inspected you completely. You weakly pushed his hands off. “I’m fine.”

Steve frowned. “You clearly aren’t, honey. What’s going on?”

You stood up with his help and headed to the sink. Avoiding looking at your reflection, you washed your hands and teeth. Steve watched you dumbfounded. He wasn’t used to this quietness, this distance… Something was seriously wrong.

“Y/N, talk to me.”

Your eyes were glued to the ground as you dried your hands and walked back to the bedroom. God, you were brave; you could do this… “I’m fine. How was work?”

Steve’s frown deepened. “Don’t change the topic.” He followed you and grabbed your arm to stop you. “Y/N, I just found you passed out on the bathroom floor. Don’t tell me you…” He gulped and whispered, “Don’t tell me you relapsed.”

You froze at his words, finally looking at him with wide eyes. He really thought you would get high again? After three years of being clean? After stopping for him?

Even though you couldn’t blame your boyfriend for thinking the worst, it broke your heart a bit.

“No,” you mumbled. “You really think… How could you think that?”

Steve dropped your arm and passed a hand through his hair. “I’m—I don’t know, okay? I’m sorry. This is just… I’m confused. Just talk to me. You’re acting weird.”

You licked your lips nervously and sat on the edge of the bed. He knelt between your legs and caressed your cheeks. Your eyes were bloodshot… “Did something happen at school? Or is it your parents? Mine? Did they—”

“I’m pregnant.”

The silence was loud.

You patted around the bed until you found the balled-up results, giving it to him. “I found out today. Seven weeks.”

Steve stared at the paper in shock, reading and rereading the ‘POSITIVE’ on the end. You gulped, waiting for him to talk, but he remained quiet.

Your eyes filled with tears. “I’m keeping it. I don’t care what anyone says. Don’t care if I’m too young. I’ll have my baby, and I’ll raise it alone if you don’t—”

He cut you off with a deep kiss, his hands holding your cheeks delicately. When he pulled back, he couldn’t stop smiling.

“We’re having a baby... We’re gonna be parents. I’m going to be a dad! Oh, God, baby.” His eyes glistened as he looked down at your flat tummy. He kissed it. “Our child…” He got up and pushed you both to the bed, kissing all over your face. “This isn’t a prank, right?”

You shook your head as he brushed away your tears. “No. I’d never lie about something like that.”

Steve sat down next to you, his eyes on your stomach. He sniffled and looked away, not wanting you to see him crying.

Your heart melted. “Oh, baby… Come here.”

You hugged him, his head on your lap as his arms held you tightly. “I’m sorry. I’m just… This is the best day of my life, honey,” he whispered.

You were taken aback by his reaction, but once you processed it, you started crying again. Not with nerves and sadness anymore, but full of relief and love for the man on his knees in front of you.

Steve chuckled tearfully, sitting up to kiss your lips. “Look at us. Crying together like two idiots.”

You snorted and threaded your fingers through his hair… a curly, soft hair you’d probably see in your child. “And then there were three.”

He was beaming. “Can’t believe you thought I’d leave.”

“Well, I can’t believe you thought I was high.”

His smile wavered. “Sorry ‘bout that. I don’t… I know you wouldn’t…”

But your mind started reeling again. You grasped his biceps and whispered, “What if I do? What if… Steve, what if I’m a bad mom?”

Steve almost flinched, looking at you in shock. “Are you kidding? Baby, you will be the best mom ever. I don’t have the slightest doubt. Dustin and the others love you. Hell, your students already see you as a mom.” He soothed your back and kissed your nose. “And you won’t relapse. I’ll always be here, I got you.”

“I don’t even know how to cook,” you whined.

He scoffed. “And it’ll stay like that. I’ve been in charge of that area for a long time. I won’t stop now.”

You released a shaky sigh, processing everything he had said, and nodded. “Okay… I believe you.”

His hand wandered back to your tummy, his smile widening. “Our baby. We made a baby.”

Suddenly, he stood up and paced around the room. “I’ll start taking double shifts. Shit, I need a better job. I’ll get one; it’s fine. I’ll work on weekends too.”

“I should take a second job too,” you mumbled.

Steve stopped and stared at you as if you had grown a second head. “Absolutely not. In fact, you should quit.”

“What? Of course I won’t!”

“Baby, you need to rest. You’re creating a baby inside you. I’ll handle everything.”

You raised your hands, overwhelmed. “Stop, stop. No. Sit down. You’re stressing me out.” He obediently sat back next to you. “My job isn’t so hard, and they’ll give me maternity leave eventually. It’s fine. But… it won’t be enough. We’ll need a lot of money.”

Steve nodded, watching the window while deep in thought. “I can… ask my parents for money.”

You grimaced. “Are you sure? I can talk with my dad—”

“No, no. Don’t bother them. Your parents would probably help us take care of the baby anyway. But mine…”

“How ‘bout we leave your parents’ money as the last option?” you suggested, knowing nothing was ever easy with them.

Steve sighed and found your hand to gently stroke it. “You’re right. Let’s just… take a step at a time.” He bit his lip hesitantly before saying, “But I already know which crib we’ll get. There’s this cute wooden one on—”

“Wow, wow,” you stopped him. “Why have you been looking at cribs?”

His cheeks turned pink. “There’s a baby store on the way to work, so I sometimes stop to stare at the shop windows and daydream.”

Your jaw dropped before you laughed. “Steve, you manifested this.”

Your boyfriend scoffed. “Yes, since our second month dating. I told you I wanted six—”

“Little nuggets,” you completed for him, rolling your eyes. “I remember. I thought that was just… I don’t know, sex talk. You were literally inside me.”

Steve smirked and kissed your jaw. “Talking about that… I guess this means we can do it raw now, huh?”

You glared at him. “Babe, we just found out we’re having a kid while we’re almost broke… and you’re thinking about sex.”

His hand fidgeted with your shirt before sneaking in. “You know me, honey.”

“Yeah, I’m pregnant ‘cause you can’t control yourself.” You rolled your eyes but didn’t stop him, desiring him just as much.

Steve kissed you hard, hovering over you softly, as if you were made of porcelain.

He whispered against your lips. “I love you. You’re making my dream come true.”

“Of birthing six kids?” you teased.

He shook his head and pecked your nose. “Of starting a family by your side. Of having the blessing of being the father of your child.”

Your eyes watered again, this time with joyful tears. “I wouldn’t want anyone else but you, baby. I love you too.” You raised your pinky and pouted teasingly, “Forever, remember?”

Steve interlocked your fingers and nodded. “Forever. I’ll love you forever.” He stroke your tummy with his thumb. “Both of you.”

How could you ever think wrong of this man? As if he wouldn’t give you the world if he could.

You kissed him again, letting your bodies find each other like a perfect puzzle.

Even though you both knew there were many challenges coming your way, you let yourselves enjoy the start of your new life for one night. The road would be a difficult one, but for tonight, you would pour your hearts into showing how much love you had for each other.

— — —

SECOND TIME (Dec. 1988)

‘Chaotic’ would be a good way to describe your year. Between the baby and the new apartment, there had been almost no rest for Steve and you.

Still, neither of you would change a single thing.

After telling your friends and family the news, there had been a mix of emotions. The younger ones were excited for the new addition, but the adults could only think of your small-wage jobs and one-bedroom apartment.

Hopper helped again by giving Steve a receptionist job at the station after their usual secretary retired. It wasn’t the most exhilarating job, but it paid enough to cover rent without double shifts.

You worked until the start of your third trimester, when your boss lent you your maternity leave, and returned when the baby was four months old.

Oh, your baby…

The day your little Emma arrived, your hearts were overflowing with love. Steve had been by your side all through your birth and had set her in your arms. The first time you held her, he had cried at the sight of the love of his life carrying his first child.

Six months later, Emma still had you both wrapped around her little chubby finger. Steve had been the best father ever, always taking care of Emma whenever you were tired, buying her every cute dress he saw, and getting all the toys she pointed at.

He was obsessed with teaching her new words she never learned.

“Pretty. Pree-tee,” Steve overmodulated at the baby while he fed her. “Repeat, Em. Pree-tee.”

You entered the kitchen hurriedly, gathering your hair in a ponytail as you checked the floor. “Have you seen my black heels?”

“The pointy ones?” Steve’s eyes were shamelessly giving you a once-over. “Those pants look great on your ass, babe.”

You turned back at him, smirking. “You always say that.”

“And I’m always saying the truth.” He pouted when you passed near him, silently asking for a kiss.

You kissed his eager lips, then pecked Emma’s hair. “I’ll meet you at the Byers’.”

Steve frowned, the tiny spoon freezing midair. “What? Why? They’re making you work a complete shift on Christmas?”

Emma seemed to feel her dad’s attention drifting away from her and whined. Steve fed her the spoon, mumbling an apology. “Here you go, bug.”

“Yes, and I have to buy some last-minute gifts.”

“For who?”

You sighed at the sight of your heels beneath the couch. Kneeling on the fluffy carpet, you answered, “It’s a surprise.”

Steve’s mouth gaped at your bending form. “Your ass is the only gift I need.”

A gasp escaped your lips as you turned to look at him with a surprised smirk. “Steve, what did we talk about? Not in front of Em.”

“She doesn’t understand,” he complained.

As you put on the heels, Steve took Emma from her baby chair, placing her on his hip, and approached you. “C’mon, bug, say the word. How does mommy look today?”

You smiled up at your daughter, caressing her socked feet expectantly.

Emma hesitated, thinking deeply, then yelled with a wide smile, “Pee-pee!”

Steve’s face fell while you chuckled. He shook Emma gently. “It was ‘pretty’. We’ve been working on it for weeks. It was supposed to be a Christmas surprise for you.”

Trying to stifle your laugh, you said, “I heard you every night, Steve. Give her some time, she’s just six months old.” Emma pursed her lips and rested her head on Steve’s chest. “See? You’ve burdened her enough.”

You gently took her off his arms and kissed her head. She turned cheerful again and giggled, “Mama!”

The only word that stuck enough in her mind to always babble. Steve sighed and whispered, “What about ‘da-da’, Em? You gonna spend all day with daddy.”

Emma grasped her tiny hands on your sweater and whimpered, “Mama… mama.”

Without skipping a day, Emma cried every time you left, so you always tried to distract her enough for you to sneak out quietly.

Steve tried to take her from you, but she tightened her hold on you. “Mama… mmm…”

After waving all her toys around, looking almost like a clown, he convinced Emma to let you go and focus on him. Steve mouthed an “I love you, be careful!” as you waved at him and ran out of the apartment.

Steve felt just as upset as Emma whenever you left, but he was twenty-one years older than his child, so whining for you to stay wasn’t an option.

Tonight’s Christmas dinner would be at the new Byers-Hopper house. After Joyce and the chief of police finally married, they moved to a big cabin with Will and Eleven. They had invited everyone, including, of course, your new family.

He had the day free, so he was in charge of dressing Emma up, taking all the gifts to the car, and picking up Robin.

Jonathan, Nancy, and Robin had all been accepted to their dream colleges. The latter was close to town but still had to take a two-hour-long bus to Hawkins.

Steve wanted Emma’s outfit to be a surprise for you. He put her in a puffy, golden dress that made her look like a star and was trying to get her curly hair in two tiny ponytails when the door was knocked.

He smiled. “I think mommy forgot something.”

Vibrating with excitement, Steve hurried to open it but was faced with Dustin’s bright smile.

“What—?”

“Move.” Dustin pushed his way inside the apartment. “Where’s my goddaughter?”

The mentioned one responded with an excited yell from her crib in your bedroom. Dustin followed her voice and gasped, “There’s the most beautiful baby in the world!”

Emma squealed and stretched her arms to him. Dustin picked her up and bounced her. “Who’s thrilled for her first Christmas?”

Steve melted a bit at the sight but pretended to be annoyed. “What are you doing here, Henderson?”

Dustin frowned at him. “Dude, I got the thing.”

Color drained from his face. Right. It would happen tonight. “Uhm, okay. Where is it?”

Emma whimpered and pulled Dustin’s hair. He grimaced but forced a smile. “She hates not having attention on her, right?” He raised her up and down, making her giggle. “She’s just like her dad!”

Steve rolled his eyes. “You mean perfect and charming?”

“She got that from her mother,” Dustin teased before giving Emma to her dad. “Her car’s not here. Where is she?”

Steve adjusted his daughter on his left arm and walked back to the living room. “Work.”

Dustin stopped walking. “Doesn’t she work at a school?”

“Mhm.”

The boy waited for Steve to understand his silent point: School ended almost a week ago. But Steve seemed too distracted trying to pick up some gifts while carrying Emma.

“Help me take all these to the car. I gotta pick up Robin from the bus stop. You coming?”

Dustin kissed Emma’s head. “I’ll never refuse spending time with my favorite niece.”

“You don’t have another.”

The boy covered the baby’s ear. “What a way to make her feel less special, father of the year.”

Steve rolled his eyes again. “Let’s go. And pass me the—”

Before he could finish the sentence, Dustin pulled the small box from his pocket and shoved it in Steve’s. “I brought the camera too, so you have to give me the signal before you do it, and, bam, I start recording.”

Dustin gathered most of the gifts while Steve opened the door widely for him.

“Signal? What signal?” your boyfriend asked.

The other kid sighed deeply. “Do I have to tell you everything you have to do? Am I doing your taxes next?”

Emma chuckled, causing Steve to stare at her in offense. “How ‘bout a cough?”

Dustin called for the elevator. “Fine, but discreet, okay?”

Steve fidgeted with the small box in his pocket with his free hand. Tonight had to be perfect. He had to make your first Christmas as a family a memorable one.

“Yeah, yeah. I got this… I got this, right?”

“Jesus Christ…”

— — —

You hated lying to Steve, but it was a need for tonight’s gift.

It started as a suspicion almost four days ago when the smell of eggs made you nauseous. The same exact symptom from the first time. You had done three tests and they all turned positive, but you wanted a doctor’s confirmation.

This time, hearing the ‘Congrats, you’re pregnant’ hadn’t been earth-shattering. You were still anxiously shaking and on the verge of tears, but after having Emma, you knew Steve and you could do anything together. You were a great team.

After getting the results on paper, you went to the mall for a cute box for it. Then you got the idea of getting a box in the shape of a bicycle to confuse Steve and spent two hours looking for it.

When you didn’t find it, you thought of hiding a pregnancy test on a cake and surprising everyone, but it would be kinda disgusting taking into consideration how the test had to get positive.

You had been wandering around shops, overwhelmed and indecisive, until you noticed the sun had already vanished.

As you drove to the Byers-Hopper’s cabin, you practiced out loud, “‘I’m eating for two!’ Okay, no, that’s too corny. ‘There’s a bun in the—’ Fuck, that’s worse. ‘Em will be an older sister!’ Alright, that’s better…”

The beautifully adorned house came into view along with the various cars parked on the driveway. You had gathered almost a month ago for Thanksgiving, but now Jonathan, Nancy, and Robin were coming back from college.

Hearing them talk about their college lives felt like a pang on the chest. They were living the life you had planned for yourself, the one where you didn’t get pregnant at twenty. You’d never regret having Emma, but it still hurt imagining the kind of life you would’ve had.

Will opened the door. He smiled kindly and gave you a side hug. “Hey, we’ve been waiting for you.”

“Am I the last one here?”

“Y/N!”

Robin’s scream startled you. She ran to embrace you, lightly raising you from the floor. “Twin! You look sexier than ever. Almost like me.”

You smiled at her tease and hugged her back. “Have you gotten taller?”

“Have you gotten shorter?”

Every time you saw each other, you’d pretend you hadn’t seen each other in years, as if Robin didn’t visit you three every weekend.

“Honey.” Steve called behind your best friend. He pulled you into a warm hug the moment you were free and kissed your cheek. “I was worried. What took you so long?”

“I went to get some… groceries,” you lied. He glanced confused at your empty hands. “It was closed.”

“Oh, okay.” Steve smiled again, completely clueless, and kissed you. “I missed you.”

You snorted. “I saw you this morning.”

“Too long ago,” he whispered against your lips. His hands wandered from your hips to your ass, squeezing it gently. “Everyone’s distracted making dinner.”

The multiple voices coming from the living room and kitchen brought you back to reality. You pushed his hands off. “I should say hi to everyone. Especially Joyce and Hop. Did you bring all the gifts?”

Steve nodded and followed you, his hands back to your hips.

Joyce was running the kitchen like the navy. Will, Hopper, and Jonathan were her helpers for the night. While one mashed potatoes, another one took the turkey out of the oven.

The older one was looking through the cabinets. “I don’t think we have enough plates, Joyce. Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve bought—”

“Look at the bottom one,” Joyce ordered. She was finishing a giant salad when she noticed you two, awkwardly waiting at the kitchen’s door. “Oh, sweetheart, you’re here!”

You hugged her briefly, not wanting to take much of her time. “Thanks for the invite. If you need any help, ask my amazing private chef.” You pointed at your boyfriend, who smiled politely at Joyce.

“Oh, there’s no need. We are almost— Jonathan, what are you doing?! That will get burned, it’s common sense.” She rushed to her son.

Steve kissed your temple before joining the kitchen’s battlefield. “Em’s with the kids.”

You found endearing how he would always refer to the teens as ‘kids,’ even if they were graduating next year.

Mike was holding Emma high in the air, moving her like… an airplane? “It’s Superbaby! Coming to fight evil forces.” He pointed your daughter to Max. “Gonna destroy the ginger witch with her laser rays.”

Max chuckled sarcastically, but the others did laugh and eagerly tried to have their turns holding Emma.

But the moment your baby saw you, she went crazy. “Mama! Mama!” Her legs kicked the air as her arms reached for you.

“No! Hide her,” Dustin whined and covered you from Emma’s sight. “We need her for the Godzilla vs. Superbaby scene. My camera is almost ready.”

Emma’s eyes filled with tears and her face scrunched. At the first sob, the teenagers turned to full panic mode and hurriedly handed her to you.

“It’s okay, sweetie, I’m here.” You sat on the couch and bounced her in your lap. “Why did daddy dress you like a tree ornament?”

Robin sat next to you and stroked Emma’s tiny arm. “I asked Steve the same. Says she’s a star.”

“Oh!” you whispered and forced a smile. “From which planet?”

The teens and Rob were called by Nancy to help set the table, so Emma and you stayed alone next to the Christmas tree. It was insane thinking that next year, you’d have a second baby, probably dressed horribly by Steve too.

Your eyes got tearful, just as Emma’s did some minutes ago.

“Dinner’s served, baby. Come—” Steve stopped at the sight of your tears, immediately worrying. His voice turned soft as he sat down at your side. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

When his hands soothed your arms with such care and love, a tear rolled down your cheek. You smiled weakly at him. “I’m just… so grateful for you two.”

He visibly relaxed and kissed your temple. “Believe me, we’re grateful for you. Couldn’t have done this without you, honey.”

You pouted and laid your head on his shoulder. “I love you.” Emma tugged your shirt. “I love you too, sweetie.”

Steve kissed her head before pulling you to a soft kiss. “I love you, my girls. This is the best Christmas already.”

You bit his bottom lip playfully. “And you haven’t even seen your gifts.”

He smirked as his fingers discreetly went under your shirt. “Hope one includes you in our bed with nothing but—”

“Guys, c’mon. We’re waiting for you.” Jonathan interrupted the moment.

Steve sighed as you two got up. “I’ll never like him completely.”

The dining table looked like a war zone with more than ten guests ready to devour everything their hands could reach. You sat between Steve and Robin, who joyfully set Emma on her lap.

Joyce was at the head of the table, opposite Hopper. “Alright. Before we start, does someone want to make a toast?”

Everyone looked at each other quietly, waiting for a brave one. You sighed and stood up, raising your champagne glass. “I’ll do it.”

The teens jokingly clapped, receiving scolding glares from the adults.

“First of all, I want to thank Joyce and Hopper for hosting this. It’s not easy having this many people at your house.”

“Definitely isn’t,” Hopper mumbled.

“And making all this food? You deserve the world,” you continued with a genuine smile. “I hope you enjoy all our gifts, and don’t worry, the kids are washing the dishes.”

“We what?” you heard Lucas mumbling to Will.

“This has been our first year without fighting monsters and supernatural beings. Let’s hope it stays like that forever.” You faintly heard Steve coughing, but you paid it no mind as you smiled at the rest of the table. “To a very normal Christmas!”

They replied with the same word and sipped their champagne. It was time.

“I’m pregnant!”

“Will you marry— what?!” Steve said at the same time.

Your smile disappeared as you turned around and found Steve kneeling behind you, a box with a ring in his hand. You both gasped.

“Are you really?”

“Are you really…? What the hell is going on?”

At least four people had spat out their drinks, while the others stared at you with wide eyes and opened jaws.

“Oh my God…”

“Did she say—?”

“Again? We should’ve gifted them condoms,” you heard Mike.

But your entire focus was on your beautiful boyfriend kneeling next to you with a confused face. Your eyes welled up as you nodded. “Yes!”

Steve blinked, suddenly remembering what he was doing, and stood up. “Y/N, are you pregnant?”

“Oh, shit, he didn’t know.”

“Dustin, keep recording.”

You also seemed to have forgotten your own news, too excited about the ring, and frowned. Then you gasped. “Oh, yeah, I am!”

But your smile wavered at Steve’s silence. You looked from his eyes to the ring and back to him. Suddenly, Steve sniffled and pulled you into a tight hug, cradling your head on his chest. “You always have the better gifts.”

Oh, Steve had probably planned his proposal for months… You pulled back and stroked his cheek. “Steve, I’m the happiest woman right now. I love this… t-this ring. Put it on. I said yes.”

“You did? I think I lost my hearing for, like, two minutes.” He took out the ring and nervously slid it where it belonged. “I had a whole speech planned.”

You looked at your hand with delight before placing your arms around Steve’s neck and pulling him into a deep kiss.

Joyce clapped and cleared her throat, signalling everyone to do the same. Everyone applauded with a mix of confusion and excitement.

“I wanna hear it… but maybe when we’re alone?” you whispered.

Steve nodded and caressed your hips. “The main message was that I love you and that I want to marry you now... But maybe the wedding will have to wait until this one arrives.”

His eyes dropped to your flat tummy, where your second nugget would start to grow soon. Your child together. Again. He felt a lump in his throat and quickly closed his eyes so no one could notice the tears.

Robin, though, was right next to you. “Aw, Steve is crying! So cute.”

The girls on the table pouted with affection and clapped again. You hugged your fiancé and hid his face on your chest. “Leave him alone, he’s shy about it.”

“Nothing wrong with loving being a dad,” Hopper said with a sincere smile down his moustache.

“Dada!”

Steve stopped breathing for a second. He pulled back to look at Emma in utter disbelief. “Oh, my— Did you just—?”

“Dada!” the baby repeated cheerfully, waving her arms for you to take her.

Everyone melted as Steve picked her up and scattered kisses on her face. “You’re going to be a big sister, bug!”

You stared at them—your family—with fondness. You would ruin a thousand speeches and proposals to watch them hold each other like this, with unconditional affection.

Later, while everyone was opening their presents, Nancy asked you, “Aren’t you scared of having another one?”

One look at Steve and Emma was enough to reply, “Not at all.”

— — —

THIRD TIME (Dec. 1989)

“Steve, I’m fine. You can go—”

“I’m not leaving your side on New Year’s Eve, honey,” Steve cut you off. He laid next to you, put an arm over your middle, and kissed your shoulder. “I’m on nurse duty tonight.”

You smiled and passed your fingers through his hair. “Would I have to pay you double?”

“Oh, absolutely.” Steve bit your arm playfully. “Double kisses, double hugs—”

“Double fucks?”

Steve smirked and squeezed your hip. “You said it, not me.”

Your husband and you have had many jobs during the past few years, but being parents of two toddlers was definitely the hardest one.

Your second daughter, Beth, was only four months old when your parents surprised you two with a gifted trip to New York. Your father’s work always gave him a paid week there for him and your mom, but this year they offered to take care of their grandchildren so Steve and you could enjoy some time alone.

Both of you refused for a long time, not wanting to leave the babies for so long, but your parents convinced you to leave after Christmas, celebrate the New Year there, and travel back to Hawkins on the second of January.

But the second day in New York, you suddenly got ill, and it seemed you wouldn’t get better this year. You insisted Steve still attend all your planned trips, but he refused each time. Instead, he stayed taking care of you in the hotel.

Now, New Year’s Eve had arrived, and your nausea turned worse.

Steve was soothing your tummy while he kissed your arm when you felt a new nauseous wave coming. You pushed him off and ran to throw up in the toilet.

Your husband sighed as he leaned against the doorframe. “I’m telling you… Pills aren’t effective most times—”

“I’m not pregnant,” you muttered before shakily standing up. Steve rushed to help you wash your mouth. “I would know it.”

“Well, I’d know it too, and I assure you… You’re pregnant.”

A sudden strong urge to push him invaded you... so you did. “Stop it!” you groaned as you shoved his hands away from you.

Steve took a step back and raised his hands, not looking offended at all. “Alright. Don’t believe me… But how about we bet?”

You slumped face forward to the bed. “A week in New York and you already wanna fall on the betting life?”

He sat next to you. “Isn’t that in Las Vegas?”

You groaned, burying your face on the mattress. “You’re so annoying sometimes.”

Steve smirked and slapped your ass. “You’ve known that since the day you met and still decided to marry me.”

He grabbed your ass and started to wiggle it, just to piss you off more.

You turned around and weakly tried to push him away. “Stop—”

Steve held your hips in place and leaned down to kiss your tummy. “Hello, baby number three.”

“Don’t!” you whined and bit your bottom lip to stop the giggle threatening to leave your mouth. “Steve—”

He tickled you and placed kisses all around your tummy. “I bet you’re a boy this time. A little me.”

You grabbed his hair and pulled him away from you. “Stop manifesting that, or I’m kicking your ass.”

“Is that a threat or a reward?” Steve joked, his fingers drumming against your tummy. “Don’t talk dirty to me in front of the kid, honey, you made that rule yourself.”

You sighed deeply and sat up. “You know what? Let’s go to the hospital in front of the hotel and find out.”

Steve followed your actions with his eyes as you put on a big coat, winter boots, and a knitted beanie.

“Why not buy a pregnancy test?”

“Because when it comes out negative—”

“If it comes out negative,” Steve quickly corrected with a small teasing smile.

You glared at him. “When it comes like that, you’ll insist that it’s wrong. So let’s get this over and get a damned blood test and ultrasound.”

Steve gasped excitedly. “Oh, yes! I want a picture for my wallet.”

“Ha ha…” you muttered and harshly picked up your bag. “Let’s go, Mr. Harrington.”

He jumped off the bed and followed you like a giddy puppy. “Ugh, it turns me on when you call me that.”

Steve kept an arm around your waist all the way out of the hotel, tickling you and kissing your temple every couple of minutes.

New York City was chaotic, but it turned even worse on holidays. You crossed the street to the closest hospital, holding hands and trying to avoid the desperate pedestrians.

But the place was closed due to the date, and instead of giving up like normal people, Steve and you spent the next three hours walking around New York City in search of any open clinic.

It took longer than necessary since Steve was stopping at every remotely beautiful place and making you pose for a picture. He was determined to use the camera Jonathan had gifted you two last Christmas.

And talking about him…

“Maybe we should call Jon and ask him if he knows a 24/7 hospital,” you suggested, already regretting your dumb idea.

Steve blinded you with a flash. “Oh, sorry. Call Byers? Hell no, he just landed in Boston. We shouldn’t interrupt his ‘Nancy-time.’”

You sat down at a random bench and whined. “Let’s just buy a stupid pregnancy test and go back to the hotel. I feel like shit.”

He soothed your head, dropping a quick kiss on your hair, and whispered, “And that’s why we need a hospital, pregnancy or not. It isn’t normal how sick you are.”

“Can’t we bother the doctor tomorrow?”

“No, tomorrow everything will be closed,” he mumbled, looking around the street for a miracle. “And starting the year sick is a bad omen.”

You glared at him. “Thanks for the supportive words.”

Steve sighed and helped you up. “Okay, here’s what we’ll do. I’ll carry you on my back.”

He had to be joking. You groaned and threw your head back. “I want a bed.”

“My back is the second most comfortable place to lie down, confirmed by our girls,” Steve teased, already getting in position. “C’mon, honey. I won’t have my pregnant wife walking around anymore.”

It seemed he wanted to irritate you until you exploded, but you exhaled deeply and followed his order.

Sadly for you, Steve was right, and in a matter of minutes you were feeling slightly less miserable. Yet it wasn’t because of a miracle cure or the beautiful sky; it was Steve’s constant jokes and sweet words.

If you were on the verge of death, you were glad your last moments alive were with your husband.

“Oh my God, that rat looks like Robin when she doesn’t shower for three days,” Steve joked while pointing at a little grey rat eating a rotten pizza.

You took a picture of it and chuckled weakly, leaning your head on his shoulder. “That was one time, and she had all the rights to do so.”

“Why was that?”

“You don’t remember T.V.N.T.W.?

He sighed, already sensing a stupid answer. “And what was that, honey?”

“The Vickie Nightmarish & Traumatic Week!”

Steve rolled his eyes. “You mean when Vickie had to work at a hospital in India and didn’t call Robin for a week because there wasn’t any fucking signal?”

You smacked his head playfully. “Hey, Robin got really scared.”

“Yeah, ‘cause she thought Vickie left her for another girl,” Steve recalled.

“Indian women are beautiful; you can’t blame Robin for her jealousy.” You drummed your fingers on your husband’s head and chuckled. “Now I get why the girls love when you carry them like this. It’s easier to annoy you.”

Steve tried to feign disapproval, but a smile inevitably appeared.

After an hour of walking around the Big Apple, ignoring crazy people and the insane amount of rats, Steve got a man to help them find an open hospital.

It took five minutes to convince the man that you weren’t homeless, and Steve had to lie that you were Canadian until the man finally gave you directions.

The sun had already vanished and welcomed the starry night when they arrived.

Except it was not a hospital.

Steve dropped you down carefully and smiled. “Thank goodness! It’s actually open!”

“Honey…” you whispered, staring up at the green neon sign. “Look.”

The excitement disappeared from Steve when he read the very bright words: ‘Animal Palace—24/7 Vet Clinic.’

You stared at each other, your lips pressed in a fine line, until your laughter broke the silence. Steve covered his face as he chuckled.

“Too late to pretend one of us is a dog?”

The secretary had already seen you and was waving enthusiastically for you two to enter.

You left the talking to Steve as he explained your current need. You thought the night had turned out hopeless, but the secretary gasped and said, “We make ultrasounds for animals; I’m sure it won’t be as different with your wife.”

Then she sent you to the only pregnancy technician in the vet, Mrs. Steluluskoo.

“It has to be made up,” Steve whispered as you walked to her office.

But you were too focused on admiring the surrealist animal decorations. There were fake hippopotamuses hanging on every corner, while every light had the form of a giraffe. “What animal do you think is so me?”

Steve smirked tiredly. “A lazy cat.”

“You just needed to add that adjective, didn’t you?”

“Mommy and Daddy?”

Both of you flinched at the voice behind you. Coming out of a lion-shaped door stood a tiny woman with a wide smile and abundant red hair.

Steve cleared his throat and offered a hand. “You must be Mrs…” He was too sleep deprived to even try. “...you.”

Mrs. Steluluskoo beamed. “Yes, I’m me!” She shook his hand firmly before hugging you. “Congrats!”

You flinched and pulled back, not bothering to hide your discomfort. “I’m not pregnant.”

“Oh, sure,” she winked over-exaggeratedly and pressed a hand on your stomach. “Mmm, yeah. Definitely a boy.”

Steve gave you a teasing grin, which you responded to with a soft smack on his shoulder.

Mrs. Steluluskoo motioned you to lie down on a dog’s bed on top of a metal table. “I’m sorry. Our clients are usually… smaller.”

Your husband helped you out of your coat and jeans before you slumped down on the small yet comfortable bed. Steve was wrong; you had probably been a dog in another life.

The veterinarian hummed a song as she turned on a transvaginal ultrasound. You felt sick imagining that inside an animal’s intimate parts. She seemed to read your mind and chuckled, “Don’t worry, it’s very clean. I’ve never used it!”

"What a relief," you wanted to sarcastically mutter, but thought twice before snapping at the person on the verge of inserting a probe in your vagina.

“Let’s see, let’s see,” Mrs. Steluluskoo singsonged. She gasped. “Oh! Wonderful!”

Steve and you couldn’t see much on the screen but the heartbeat was loudly obvious. Your own hearts stopped for a second at the realization. Your husband kissed your knuckles, your hand, your cheek, and finally your mouth. “Our third…”

Any angry thought against Steve went away from your mind when the room’s light reflected on his tearful eyes.

“Oh, honey, don’t cry,” you chuckled and held him close. “It’s alright. We’ll figure it out.”

Steve sniffled and engulfed you in a hug. “It’s just… I’m so happy. Finally, we’re having our third.”

“Yeah, three,” Mrs. Steluluskoo said casually. “Three little but powerful heartbeats.”

The air left the room for an entire minute as you and Steve stayed still in each other’s arms.

You blinked and snorted, “Oh, wait. You meant, like, the baby’s, my husband’s, and my heartbeat… right?”

Mrs. Steluluskoo tilted her head. “No? I mean the triplet’s heartbeats. Don’t you see the three little yolk sacs? From my knowledge, I think you may be almost six weeks—”

But her explanation was cut off by Steve passing out, falling to the floor. Your eyes were glued on the wall, ears receiving no sound, as Mrs. Steluluskoo gently took off the device from you and called the nurses.

People entered, took Steve, and threw him to a chair before rushing to your side. A cold hand pressed on your forehead.

“I think she’ll pass out too! Contact the closest hospital!”

“Everything is closed!”

“There must be one!”

“Well, there isn’t. Do you think they’re here for funsies?!”

No sentence made sense in your head. The only sound invading you were heartbeats, turning louder and louder and overwhelmingly louder and…

An air mask was pressed on your face, making you breathe evenly again. Suddenly, you were on a real, human-sized bed now with a nurse checking your vitals and Mrs. Steluluskoo hovering over you.

“Oh, great! She’s awake,” she giggled and squished your cheeks. “Welcome back, mommy.”

“Please don’t call me that again,” you mumbled before sitting up weakly. “Where the hell is my husband?”

The doctor looked around, as if she hadn’t even noticed his vanishment. “Husband? Who…? Oh! The man with big hair.”

The nurse cleaned your wrist with a wipe before inserting an IV. You whined and tried to pull away. “Steve! I want my husband! Where—? STEVE!”

Mrs. Steluluskoo shushed you. “It’s alright, dearie. Husbands tend to leave when they can’t handle the pressure of a triple pregnancy.”

You almost passed out again. After weakly pushing the nurse, you delicately took off the IV and tried to stand up.

Your knees trembled, and the two women pushed you back to the bed.

Everything inside you was crumbling too. There was no possibility of your husband abandoning you; he loved you and your daughters in a way you had never seen another father do. If any of you wanted the moon, Steve would move oceans and lands to get it.

Your man was devoted to his family… right? But your pregnant brain and hormones started to overthink everything. You covered your face with trembling hands as you started to sob. Feeling in the depth of sadness, Steve’s presence would be the only solution.

The nurse connected the IV again and hesitantly patted your back. “Everything will be okay, Mrs… well, now it’s Miss.”

A hard sob shook your entire body. The usual vomit traveled up your throat, making you double onto the closest thing you found: Mrs. Steluluskoo purse.

The doctor gasped then sighed and let you be. “And there goes my dinner… And yours, probably.”

You grasped the purse hard and kept puking, all while sobbing, whining, and hiccuping. A gun to your head would've hurt less than your current pain.

What would you tell your daughters? Your friends? Your parents? How would you support five kids?!

Two big hands you knew very well soothed your back before those lips you loved pressed a kiss on your temple.

“I got you, honey. Puke it all.”

You ceased your movements and looked back. Steve smiled softly. “Was that all?”

“Where the fuck were you?!” you snapped. “Why would you leave me like that? What’s wrong with you?”

He took a step back, surprised, and frowned. “What do you mean? The doctor told me to get you some juice and sandwiches so you could feel better.”

Both of your glares switched to Mrs. Steluluskoo, who chuckled. “Oh, right! Yeah, I did that. Oopsie!”

Steve held your arms before you could strangle the woman. “Lie down, baby. You need food in your system.”

Mrs. Steluluskoo noticed your fiery mood and cleared her throat. “We’ll be right outside.”

The nurse followed her out, finally giving you two some space.

Steve sighed deeply and sat on the edge of the bed. He gave you a big bottle of orange juice and a plastic box with three tuna sandwiches.

“That was all they had. They were already closing. It’s almost eleven—”

A new wave of sobs from you cut him off. He frowned and jumped to your side. You pulled him into a tight hug. “I thought… I thought y-you had left me f-for good.”

Steve looked at you flabbergasted. “What—? Why would I ever do that?”

You shook your head and pressed him closer to your body. “The doctor said… I just—I was so afraid, Steve.”

He deflated and soothed your back. “I’m sorry, honey. I shouldn’t have left without telling you. But I woke up and you had also passed out, and—and, shit, Y/N… I got so scared. Mrs. Whatever told me that food would help, and, well, I didn’t think twice.”

Deep down, you knew Steve would never abandon you, but in the heat of the moment, your nerves took the worse option and made you believe it.

“I can’t believe we’re having triplets,” you whispered, still lying with your head on his chest.

Steve snorted half-heartedly. “Maybe it’s my fault for wishing so badly for an army of children.”

“Yeah, you should buy a lottery ticket tomorrow.”

His chest vibrated from his chuckle. You turned your head and kissed right over his heart. Steve gently grabbed your chin and pulled you up for a soft kiss.

You moved your head to the side before he could reach your lips. “No. I puked.”

“I don’t care,” he mumbled, searching for you again.

“No!” you giggled and tried to free yourself from him. “I’m disgusting right now.”

“You could never be disgusting to me, sweetheart,” Steve insisted. “C’mon. Just a peck.”

You gave up and pouted, letting him drop a short kiss on your lips.

“I love you,” he whispered while stroking your cheek. “I have to confess something…”

You sighed and dramatically said, “What did you do this time?”

Steve helped you lie down at his side. “So… I knew you were pregnant because on Christmas you asked me to pass you the bottle with your birth control pills, and there were ten.”

You gasped, doing the mental math. By that date, only seven pills were supposed to remain, one for each day of the remaining month.

“Fuck, I must’ve forgotten… Fuck, fuck, fuck!” you whined. “I hate when I’m wrong.”

“Oh, I know,” Steve snickered. “That’s why I didn’t tell you. I knew your stubborn ass wouldn’t have believed me.”

You stared at the ceiling while eating a sandwich. “Wait, no. It’s your fault. Because I started taking those pills so we could do it raw.”

“I told you I was okay with using condoms—”

You interrupted him. “We both knew you were lying.”

“I was not!”

“Yes, you were!”

Steve opened his mouth to protest but quickly closed it. He had been married to you enough time to know when to shut up and give in. That was the key to every successful marriage: letting your wife win.

“You’re right, honey,” he mumbled. “It’s my fault.”

You nodded, smirking, and kissed his shoulder. “I forgive you ‘cause you’re hot.”

Steve took a quick glance at the closed door before swiftly hovering over you. He whispered, “Want to have sex at Animal Palace, princess?”

You grimaced at his joke and covered his mouth. “Get off.” He licked your hand, causing you to shriek. “Ew!”

Steve leaned down to kiss your neck playfully. “Why not? This is the most romantic place to do it.”

“Nothing will beat the church’s bathroom at your uncle’s funeral.” You sat up, successfully pushing him back to your side.”

“That motherfucker’s ghost was proudly looking up at us from hell,” Steve joked.

As he gave you a second sandwich, his eyes met an elephant-shaped clock. “Shit. Half an hour till midnight.”

“What?!” you whined.

There was no way you would spend your New Year's in a veterinary. You pulled off the IV and stood up.

Steve’s eyes went wide. “What—? No, don’t—”

But you ignored him and put on your pants, shoes, and coat. You quirked an eyebrow at him. “You coming?”

“No, we aren’t going any—” He stopped when you rushed to the door. “Honey, wait!”

You looked around the empty hallway for a sign of the odd women. Steve crashed into you before grabbing your arms firmly.

“Are you insane?”

You covered his mouth, giggling. “I have a plan.”

Steve gasped as you seized his wrist and dragged him across the hallways.

The secretary was eating popcorn while watching the Ball Drop on a small television.

You took a fifty from Steve’s wallet and left it on the counter. “Thank you for everything! Bye!”

She smiled, then frowned. “Wait, there’s a procedure before—!”

The automatic doors closed behind you, shutting her up.

Suddenly feeling powerful and full of life—lifesaver tuna sandwich—you stopped a taxi and dragged Steve inside.

He was staring at you with a mix of fear and confusion. “Honey—”

“Hi. Take us to wherever that giant ball falls at midnight.”

The taxi driver glared at you through the rearview mirror. “It’ll cost double tonight.”

You opened Steve’s wallet again and smirked. Since you had stayed all your trip in the hotel, you hadn’t spent absolutely any money.

“Is a hundred dollar bill enough?”

The man’s eyes shone at the sight of it. His entire mood changed to a happy, polite one. “Of course, ma’am. We’ll be there in a second!”

Steve swiftly put on your seatbelts and kept an arm in front of you as the taxi all but flew to Times Square.

“Slow down! You wanna start the New Year dead?!” he shrieked, but the driver and you chuckled.

You lowered your window and let the air blow your hair. “This is fun! Relax a bit!”

Steve closed it before a mosquito could crash in your face.

The driver put on loud Christmas music, and in less than twenty minutes, you were on the verge of Broadway. The sea of people waiting for the Ball Drop was miles and miles long, not letting the taxi in.

“I think this is it!” the driver exclaimed and extended his hand.

Steve scoffed. “For a hundred dollars, you should run over them and drop us at the top of—”

“Here you go!” you cut him off by paying the driver. “Have a nice new year!”

The taxi driver smiled at the bill and waved goodbye. “You too, lady!” He remarked his good wish was only for you with a brief glare to Steve.

You pulled Steve out of the car and forced a smile, pretending the enormous crowd wasn’t stressing you. No, you were determined to have a good end of the year.

Steve kept an arm around your waist as you walked through the crowd. “This is horrible. I think I’ve had nightmares like this.”

You rolled your eyes and kept gently pushing people aside. “It’s not that bad!”

A few meters to your left, some drunk guy punched a homeless man. Steve gripped your waist and walked away faster.

“We won’t reach the Ball Drop on time. People won’t let us through eventually.”

“Yes, they will. Look.” You tapped a man’s shoulder and smiled charmingly. “Excuse me, please.”

The man looked you up and down before smirking. “Go ahead!”

Steve refrained from rolling his eyes and let you use the flirty technique until the Ball was in sight.

You found a mildly deserted space and squeezed Steve’s arms excitedly. “It looks great from here. I’m so amazing.”

A small part in him wanted to complain about your recent seduction use, but seeing you so happy made him forget everything.

He kissed your forehead and embraced you. “The absolute best. Always.”

Suddenly, a short man tapped Steve’s shoulders. “Hey, you’re famous, right?”

Your husband had his guard up. He tightened his arms around you and muttered, “No?”

The man had glasses and was dressed like a librarian. “Are you sure? You look like a model.”

You snorted and patted Steve’s chest. “Oh, he so does. I always tell him to get into that business.”

The man smiled and took a card from his pocket. “I’m Mark. I work for a men’s models agency. Give us a call if you want to follow your girl’s great advice.” He looked you up and down and tilted his head. “You’re gorgeous too. I could get you a contact.”

Before Steve could yell at Mark to fuck off, you accepted the card and forced a smile. “Thank you, we’ll think about it next year.”

Mark chuckled. “And funny? Oh, they’ll love you. Bye-bye!”

Steve’s angry eyes followed the man as he calmly walked away. “What the hell just happened?”

“I don’t know. New York shit?” you joked.

“Three minutes till the 80s are over! Get your headbands, glasses, and glowsticks!”

Right next to you, a deambulant man was carrying several 90s-themed souvenirs on his arms and body.

You stopped him and spent Steve’s last twenty dollars on two glowing ‘H-9-LL-0’ headbands, a bottle of water, and a pack of gum.

Steve frowned as you forced him to put on the headband. “What’s it even supposed to mean? Why couldn’t it be just ‘Hello 90s’? Why do people complicate—?”

You shoved a gum in his mouth to shut him up, then one in yours. “Here. Let’s have a good breath for our first kiss.”

At the mention of a kiss, Steve chewed the gum eagerly. You pressed a button on your headbands to make them blink colorfully.

“59, 58, 57…”

You gasped and looked up as the ball started to lower. “Oh my God, Steve… Steve, Steve, Steve!”

His eyes went wide at your urgent tone. He glanced back at you worriedly. “What?!”

Your glance shifted from the ball to your husband. “Uhm… I—we have to say our last 80s words! Think!”

“37, 36, 35…”

Steve bit his lip nervously. “Eh… Goodbye, 1989?”

“Too boring!” you whined and fidgeted with his shirt. “Red looks great on you. Have I told you that before?”

He smirked. “The last thing you’ll do this decade is compliment me?”

“15, 14, 13…”

“Oh God, no!” You bit your thumb and looked at the ball. “What if it falls and crushes everyone!”

“Great way to start the year,” Steve muttered.

“9, 8, 7…”

“I know what I’ll say.” Your husband tenderly placed a rebellious hair strand behind your ear. “I love you, honey.”

Normally, you would’ve laughed at his corny words. But right now, in the beautiful streets of New York, surrounded by excitement and joy, you felt tears fill your eyes.

“I love you too.” you whispered just before the ball hit the base and everyone shouted with delight.

“Happy New Year!”

A new year with your partner in crime, the love of your life, still by your side, still in your arms.

Steve grabbed your cheeks and kissed you passionately. You held onto his shoulders to maintain balance and got on your tiptoes to deepen the kiss.

When you pulled away, Steve murmured against your lips. “For a decade full of diapers, stress, and love.”

You giggled and nodded. “Especially love.”

— — —

FOURTH TIME (July 1998)

You had been wrong; the decade had been filled with the beautiful blessing of money.

An absurd amount of money thanks to the newest, most famous American model: Steve Harrington.

It had started as a joke, a way to get back at Dustin and Robin when they laughed at the story of Mark thinking he was a model. Steve called the man and got booked for a short ice cream ad.

Overnight, people got obsessed with him, and every respected brand wanted Steve modeling for them. He got overwhelmed at the beginning, but your constant support helped him continue.

And the big paychecks definitely motivated him too.

The entire family moved to New York before the triplets were born. It broke your hearts leaving your parents and friends that still lived at Hawkins, but with three newborns on the way, your family needed Steve to continue his well-rewarded job.

Some people tried to scare you by telling you Steve would get fame hungry and abandon you, but it had been the opposite. He loathed parties; you loved attending them. He hated meetings; you helped him network. He cringed at his pictures; you collected all his magazines and framed his best ones.

Mark and Steve had tried for years to have you model too, but you chose the college degree path. Once the triplets—Ben, Fred, and Steve Jr.—turned five, you enrolled at Harvard to study law.

Being parents of three newborns, a one-year-old baby, and a two-year-old toddler had been the hardest trauma Steve and you had endured… somehow even harder than defeating Vecna.

So to avoid more accidental “blessings,” you were on the pill and using condoms. You loved your husband, but he would have to tolerate never feeling you bare again.

The sex hadn’t stopped—thank goodness—and even though you had to schedule it most times, you maintained a rule of being intimate at least twice a week. Maybe it wasn’t as much as before, but considering you had five kids, you were grateful for the pleasurable routine.

Being a millionaire model and a lawyer allowed you to now go on expensive vacations with your entire family. It had become a tradition for Steve to invite any of your Hawkins friends available and cover all expenses.

This summer trip to the beach would be with Robin and Dustin… which meant you were taking care of seven children now. Although it was probable Emma—ten—, Beth—eight—, and the triplets—seven—were more responsible and mature than twenty-seven-year-old uncle Dustin and thirty-year-old aunt Robin.

“The pancake monster will attack in three, two… one!”

You could hear Robin shouting downstairs, followed by the children’s laughter. Since the seven of them took breakfast at around ten o’clock, Steve and you woke up at six, fucked quietly, and drank your usual coffees while watching the sunrise.

But everyone was awake now, meaning loud screams, laughter, and rushed steps were filling the big beach house again.

You stared at your reflection in the bathroom mirror quietly, just analyzing your thirty-year-old naked body with curiosity. Pregnancy had changed you in more ways than just physical, so with time, you stopped being self-conscious about your body.

You had carried triplets there, for fuck’s sake; you deserved a break.

Steve entered the bathroom to get his towel and noticed your lost stare. He squeezed your ass. “What’s wrong?”

You bit your lip and shrugged. “I think one of my boobs is bigger than the others.” You grabbed your breasts to measure them before nodding. “Yeah, this one is a bit heavier.”

Steve smirked. “Let me see.”

You turned around and let him touch you. He pretended to be studying them, grabbing and moving them in circles. “Mmm… I don’t see a problem.”

But when his thumbs stroked your nipples, you rolled your eyes and stopped him. “Steve, I’m serious—”

“Me too!” he chuckled. “They seem perfect to me, honey.”

He leaned down to kiss around your chest, making your pussy clench around nothing. You tried to stop him as he started to kneel, his kisses traveling down your body.

“Baby, we can’t. We promised the kids we’d go to the beach in, like, fifteen minutes.”

But the way your legs were slightly trembling while soft moans escaped your lips only motivated him to keep going.

He put one of your legs over his shoulder, and just when he was about to dive where you needed him most, you heard the bedroom door opening.

“Mommy, where are my—?”

In a flash, Steve shut the bathroom door closed. You gasped, covering your mouth, then chuckled.

Ben knocked hard on the locked door. “I saw you closing the door, dad. Open! I need mommy!”

“What’s wrong, sweetie?” You asked while putting on a golden bikini.

“That one’s my favorite,” Steve whispered.

“I know.”

“Is Mom there?” came Fred’s voice before another knock. “Mommy? Have you seen my blue water goggles?”

“Those are Steve’s.”

“No, his are purple. Mine are the—”

“Then the blue ones are mine. Mommy, Fred is stealing my goggles!”

“You’re lying!” More urgent knocks. “Mommy, Ben is lying about me again!”

You finished dressing up with a Valentino beach dress, causing Steve to groan and slap your ass playfully.

“Mom—”

You opened the door and held up your hands. “Calm down. Speak one at a time.”

Steve Jr had just arrived carrying a… You shrieked. “Is that a crab?!”

He beamed. “Yeah! I named it Patricia.”

Ben and Fred whined. “I want a crab too!”

Your husband reacted fast by taking the animal from your son and dropping it in the sink. “Shit, shit…”

The three children gasped. “He said the s-word!”

“That’s a dollar to the swear jar,” Fred chuckled.

You pulled the triplets away from the bathroom. “I told you not to play with dangerous—”

Junior stopped you with a dramatic, long gasp. “Patricia isn’t dangerous!”

Fred looked at you in shock. “How dare you lie, mommy?”

“Dad’s a bad influence,” Ben mumbled.

You refrained from exploding and rushed to help your husband. But Steve closed the bathroom door behind him and mouthed, “It’s gone.”

“What do you mean?”

Steve gulped, his eyes wide like plates, and shook his head. “It d-disappeared; I don’t know.”

You felt a shudder run down your body at the image of a crab hiding on your clothes.

The triplets approached you with suspicious glares.

“Where’s Patricia?” your little one whined.

“I bet Dad ate her with lemon and salt!” Ben joked, worrying Junior.

You raised your hands again, the signal to quiet them down. “Kids, Patricia is taking a shower since she has to go back with her family.”

“What?!”

“But we are her family,” Junior exclaimed.

Steve sighed. “I’ll buy each of you a fish when we go home.”

That seemed to work, as the triplets gasped excitedly and forgot completely about the crab. They started to brainstorm names for their fishes while Steve and you looked for their water goggles around the room.

Your husband found them on the balcony’s floor. He hadn’t even picked them up before the triplets pushed him aside to grab the goggles themselves.

“Don’t run!” you ordered as they left the room. “Be careful on the stairs!”

Steve sat on the bed while giving you a once-over. Seeing you in an expensive dress he gifted you filled his heart with joy. “You look so beautiful. Come here.”

You narrowed your eyes at him. “Not happening. Put your swimsuit on. We gotta get—”

He cut you off by grabbing your hips and pulling you to straddle his lap. “Are you excited for tonight?”

Oh, right. Steve told you a couple of days ago that he had a surprise for you on the trip’s last day.

You sighed. “Babe, we have to pack everything tonight or we’ll be rushing it tomorrow and—”

“The maids will do it. I already paid them extra,” he assured, his hands wandering around your bottom and thighs. “We need a night for ourselves. Steve and Y/N, not mom and dad.”

You rolled your eyes but smirked. “Alright, I get it. Stop the theatrics.”

He held the nape of your neck and pulled you to a deep kiss. You caressed his shirtless, firm chest and opened your mouth to let his tongue in.

Steve gripped your ass and mumbled, “Can’t wait to take this dress off…”

You didn’t hear the firm footsteps approaching the bedroom.

“Mom— Ew!” Emma covered her eyes. “Control your hormones!”

Since Robin had said it a week ago, Emma hadn’t let go of that phrase. She probably didn’t even understand what it meant, but she enjoyed flustering her parents.

You stood up from Steve’s lap and rearranged your beach dress. “What is it, baby?”

Emma checked between her fingers that you had stopped and dropped her hand. “Can you help me with the sunscreen, mom?”

“I thought Aunt Robin was doing that.”

“Yeah, about that…” Emma licked her bottom lip nervously. “You should see what she and Beth are doing.”

Steve stood up swiftly, already sensing her friend’s plans. “The guns?”

Emma hesitated. “I’m not a snitch, but—”

He rushed out of the room in a flash, skipped two stairs at a time, and ran to the backyard. As he expected, Robin and Beth had filled almost ten water guns and were giving them to the triplets.

Steve felt a goosebump at their mischievous smile, holding two guns each.

“For fuck’s sake, Robin—” he started.

But the four kids’ gasps interrupted him. “He said the forbidden word!”

“Shoot him!” Ben yelled.

The other four, including Robin, pointed their guns at him, and before he could run or protest, Steve got attacked by his own children.

He was still only wearing his pajama boxers, so the cold water froze his bones like in a wild, impetuous rain. “Stop! Ah! Y/N, help!”

Dustin walked by, saw the scene, and chuckled. “I’ll give ten dollars to the first one that shoots him on the d—”

“What is going on here?!”

Everyone lowered their hands immediately at your angry voice. The triplets hid their guns behind them while Beth sought cover behind Robin.

Emma and you appeared next to Dustin before you assessed the scene. You gasped at the sight of your drenched husband.

“Who is responsible for this?”

They all pointed at each other nervously. Robin stammered, “It… rained. We tried to stop it.”

Steve glared at her and, like a little kid, complained, “I hid the guns on the basement and she took them out and—and filled them with water for the kids and—”

You took a towel from your beach bag and wrapped him with it. “That was not nice, kids. I’m very disappointed in you. Your dad could get sick.”

“Sorry, mom,” they said in unison… including Robin.

Steve wanted to choke her, but your warm hands over the towel were calming enough.

“No. Say sorry to your dad,” you ordered.

They all sighed and muttered, “Sorry, dad.”

Ben narrowed his eyes on Emma. “You told them, didn’t you?”

Junior gasped. “Snitch!”

And the war started again. Emma shrieked as the water hit her. “Mom!”

Steve instinctively jumped into the house, away from the chaos, while Dustin kept chuckling at him. “I love your kids; they’re cooler than you.”

You moved to cover Emma, making them lower their guns rapidly, afraid to hit you. But the damage had been done. “Empty your guns and put them back in their bags.”

“But mom—”

“Now.”

They wouldn’t dare defy you, so one by one emptied everything and passed them back to Robin.

You gave another towel to Emma and whispered, “Go to one of the golf carts. We’ll be there in a moment.”

She nodded and stuck out her tongue to her siblings before exiting the house.

You glared at the rest of the kids, but seeing their sad faces made you fold. “Okay, here’s the deal. You can take one gun each and only splash each other on the beach.” The second their mischievous smiles came back, you realized your mistake. “Uhm, don’t shoot at anyone’s face… or at me.”

They nodded and picked up their guns and various beach toys. How could you say no to them? They were little devils, but they had good hearts. And having them look so much like Steve didn’t help either.

The family’s personal chef finished packing luxury lunches for everyone, and Steve ordered Robin, Dustin, Beth, and the triplets to carry them on their laps during the car ride.

Well, more like golf cart ride.

The beach village was so honored to have you there every summer that they always lent you a three-row-seat golf cart.

The triplets sat on the middle row, right behind Steve and you, to avoid any of their mischief going unnoticed, while at the back Dustin, Robin, and Emma sang loudly to a song you didn’t bother to recognize.

Beth was sitting on your lap, chuckling at Dustin’s intentional voice breaks. You, on the passenger seat, had your arms around her to keep her from falling. Ever since she was born, Beh had clearly picked you as her designated parent. She was a complete momma’s girl whose need to sleep next to you for the first five years of her life left Steve with several lonely nights.

And speaking of him, Steve was driving the golf cart carefully slow. You understood that he was being cautious, especially since there weren’t any seatbelts on the cart, but he was turning a five-minute ride into a thirty-minute one.

“Honey, we could go a bit faster.”

He tilted his head, his eyes still on the road. “Mmm… I think we’re fine. Aren’t we, Bets?”

Beth yawned and placed her head on your chest. “I think mommy’s always right, so you should do what she says.”

Steve smiled and gave you a quick look. “That’s true.”

He sped up for exactly two minutes before going back to his slow pace. Robin groaned all the way from the back.

“Since we’re going to arrive tomorrow…” she said, already making the children laugh. “Who wants a storytime?”

The five kids exclaimed eagerly, “Me!”

“Tell us again about the time you all defeated that monster!” Fred begged.

Junior interrupted. “No, tell us of the time dad beat the monsters with a nail bat.”

Emma scoffed. “Man, that was obviously fake.”

Steve gasped, offended, but Dustin talked first. “No, kids, that was absolutely true.”

Your children stared at him in shock as he told them about the time Steve protected him, Lucas, and Max against the Demodogs.

He pretended to be cool about their excited reactions, but you could tell Steve beamed at his kids seeing him as a hero.

As you finally arrived at the beach, you waited until the seven children were already rushing to the rented bungalow and turned to Steve.

“I’m excited about tonight,” you whispered, hugging from behind.

Steve stopped picking up the beach bags to lovingly caress your arms. He brought your right hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss beside your ring. “Me too, honey. You’ll be very surprised.”

You stepped aside and tried to help him with the bags, but he quickly dismissed you and took them all in his strong arms. Ugh, how was he hot doing absolutely anything?

Both of you started walking side by side to the bungalow.

“Let me guess. It’ll end up with you fucking me against a surface and grunting in my ear…” You leaned close and with a deep voice imitated him, “‘Fuck, you’re only mine, baby. Your pussy feels great’.”

His cheeks turned pink. Thankfully, the kids were too far away to hear you.

“I do not talk like that,” Steve said. “I think I use the ‘Who do you belong to?’ more.”

Even though he had said it in a casual tone, your core clenched. His biceps looked amazingly firm while holding those bags…

You were so ready for the night.

— — —

It had been a pretty fun last beach day for all.

Everyone swam and played until lunch, then went back to continue the fun at the house’s pool.

By six o’clock, the kids had already bathed, put on their pajamas, and were getting ready for a movie marathon with Robin and Dustin, the nannies for the night.

Just as Steve said goodnight to the kids and went to start the car, Robin dragged you to her bedroom. She pulled a small pink bag from under her bed.

“I got it!”

A few days before, you two had talked about getting some lingerie for Steve’s ‘special’ night. You wanted to surprise him too, so Robin escaped one morning with your credit card to buy it.

You gasped at the sight of the black, strappy, and barely existent black bra and panty lingerie set.

“He’s gonna come in his pants,” Robin chuckled.

After hiding it in your purse and thanking your friend, you bid farewell to Dustin and the kids before joining Steve in his car.

“Ready?” he said eagerly, one hand on the wheel while the other quickly found its place on your left thigh.

You put on your seatbelt and kissed his cheek. “Absolutely.”

The ride was long, and the destination seemed to be far away from the private beaches. By chatting all the way, you barely noticed when you arrived to—

“A fair?” you gasped.

Steve smirked as he parked the car. “I reserved it for us. No one will bother us tonight.”

You stared at the fair astonished, not even paying attention to Steve jumping out of the car and opening your door.

“Well, I gotta admit… you really surprised me.”

His chest grew with pride. “Knew it.” He placed an arm around your shoulders. “Where do you wanna go first?”

Even though it was closed to the public, there were some fair workers present to assist.

Steve and you had a great time playing ring toss, throwing darts at balloons, eating cotton candy, spinning on giant teacups, taking pictures, and, lastly, riding the merry-go-round.

You walked slowly between the various horses. “I’ve always loved carousels. When I was a kid, I wanted one in my backyard.”

Steve followed you closely, his eyes never leaving you. “I’m sure we can arrange that.”

You stopped at a pony and turned around to him. “No. Here’s the thing… I feel like, deep down, I love them because they are so unique. You don’t ride them every day. More, like, once a year. And that’s the beauty of it, isn’t it? It’s not recurrent, so you miss it, and—”

“You keep wanting to ride it more,” Steve completed. “Yeah, I get it… Are you comparing a carousel to our sex life?”

“What—?” You frowned but chuckled. “No! I’m not trying to be deep; I’m just expressing my feelings about carousels.”

He sighed relieved and nodded. “I was getting scared that you’d suggest decreasing the schedule to once a week.”

Steve and you sat on a chariot and lazily spun yourselves.

“Guess what?” he said. “Mark called me to tell me that some TV show wants me to do a cameo for a few episodes.”

Your eyes went wide. “Oh, that’s so cool. Which one?”

Steve sighed and whispered, “It’s new; the first season aired last month. It’s called ‘Sex and the City.’”

Of course they wanted your sexy model husband in a show with the word SEX in the title.

You chuckled. “I think I’ve heard of it. So what? Is it porn?”

Steve grimaced. “Oh, no, no. Mark says the show is about women’s dating life, or something like that.”

“So… you’re gonna have sex scenes with some pretty actress?”

He flinched at the idea. “No, no. Mark knows I don’t do that. Just said the character dates the main character for a few episodes, then she goes back to her ex. Nothing more than a few kisses.”

You pretended to be unbothered. “Alright. You should do it if you want to.”

Steve looked at you quietly, then shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not really an actor.”

Relief flooded your body. “Yeah, bad acting could taint your name.”

He nodded. “I know, but the show is a hit, and it could bring me more visibility.”

Your fingers clenched around the chariot’s wheel. “More? You want more fame?”

Steve looked up and into your eyes. He frowned and, after almost a minute of silence, mumbled, “I didn’t say that.”

Great, the night was getting ruined by your unnecessary jealousy. You sighed and forced a smile. “I know, I’m sorry.”

He stopped spinning the chariot too and delicately reached for your hands. “Honey… The only thing I’ve ever wanted was this.”

You tried to joke. “Being rich and famous?”

“No,” Steve said without hesitation. “Spending all my days with the love of my life.” He kissed your hands. “Thank you.”

You felt your heart speeding up. “For what?”

“For staying at my side through it all. For giving me a family.” Steve scooted around the chariot’s seat until he was pressed to you. He stroked your cheek. “You’re everything for me, Y/N. I don’t want anything else ever. You make me the happiest man ever every day. And…”

Suddenly, he pulled a box from his pocket. You frowned, deeply confused.

“I know we’re married already,” Steve teased after noticing your shocked stare. “But I was thinking… our tenth-year anniversary is a few months away, and, well, I’d like to renew our vows.”

He opened the box to reveal an enormous oval diamond ring.

Tears pricked your eyes. “It’s beautiful.”

Steve chuckled softly. “Oh, baby, don’t cry.” He pulled you into his arms and kissed your temple. “I just want you to have the wedding you deserved. We didn’t have almost any money back then and—”

“And it still was perfect,” you cut him off. “I loved our wedding, Steve.”

Back in February 1989, you two lived with Emma in a tiny apartment and sacrificed most of your time for money to pay the bills, so the wedding ceremony had been pretty simple, with just your family and friends in Hopper’s backyard.

It had been small and cheap, but you still considered it one of the best days of your life.

Steve nodded. “I know, I’m not saying we have to do a big wedding, but maybe a bigger celebration where you don’t have to be stressed about the budget?”

It didn’t have to replace the memory; it could be a sequel, a symbolic way to celebrate your forever-lasting love.

You bit your bottom lip, deep in thought, then finally giggled. “Okay, fine. Let’s do it again.”

Steve smiled widely and leaned in for a kiss. You held his cheeks as you deepened it immediately.

He pulled back to whisper in a husky voice. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

The fair workers joyfully waved goodbye as you two ran off the fair and to the beach.

Steve had rented a room at a small, cute hotel, which was only a fifteen-minute walk away. Since you insisted on walking through the beach and leaving the car for the night, he forced you to be carried on his back.

“You’re on heels. They’ll get dirty with the sand!” he insisted until you folded.

The moonlight was illuminating the pathway. You had your arms wrapped around his shoulders while he held your legs to keep you from falling.

“D’you think we’re in love in every universe?” you wondered.

“I don’t think it. I know it,” Steve snorted. “We’re soulmates, remember?”

Your cheeks hurt from how hard you were smiling.

“But in every universe?” you teased. “What about in the medieval times? What if I were a princess and you were a knight?”

He hummed. “Then… I’d probably charm my way to your heart until you abandoned the royal title and escaped with me to a beautiful cottage away from the palace.”

You chuckled. “Okay… What if you were a famous singer and I was just a fan?”

Steve shrugged. “I’d probably see you in the audience and yell, ‘Wow, bring that crazily beautiful woman backstage.’”

“A college teacher and a student?”

“I’d make you fail my class so I could see you every day.”

“A god and a mortal woman?”

“I’d give up my immortality since there would be no point living without you.”

Steve was always saying romantic stuff, but it still took you aback how fast he answered, almost as if he had already lived all those lives with you.

“How about a boss and her secretary?”

He smirked, “I’d answer every call, write the best letters, and eat you out under the desk at meetings.”

You kissed his neck, feeling wet at the memory of his beautiful head between your legs.

“What if I were your married neighbor?”

He tensed at the unreal image of another man’s ring on your finger. “I wouldn’t give a fuck about him. I’d make you mine.”

“How about a stepdad and his stepdaughter?” you joked.

Steve grimaced. “Okay, you ruined it.”

You chuckled loudly and kissed his cheek. “I love the life we have in this universe, though.”

“Me too, honey.” Steve squeezed your legs and turned his face to the side, asking for a peck, which you were delighted to give. “Wouldn’t change it for anything.”

The hotel was decently empty, especially since it was almost ten o’clock. The manager recognized Steve and upgraded you to the penthouse suite.

You were holding your purse eagerly as the elevator took off. Steve’s eyes were on you the entire ride; you could feel them.

He unlocked the hotel suite and whispered, “This is the real surprise.”

The dimmed lights were enough to let you see the path of rose petals across the floor towards a king-sized bed, where a thousand of petals formed a heart.

You gasped and covered your mouth. “Oh my god… Steve…”

It was all very book-classic romantic, something you’d see in love movies but never expected to actually happen to you.

Steve closed the door and embraced you from behind. At the left nightstand was a bucket with a wine bottle and two glasses. And on the right one, a sealed package of condoms.

You snorted as you peeled away from Steve and read the pack. “Fifty?! Wow. It’ll be a long night.”

Steve frowned and walked to your side. “I didn’t buy that.”

There was a card next to it with the hotel’s logo, ‘Have fun!’

“So the manager recognizing you was an act?”

His hands found your hips. “Sort of. But it did happen a couple of days ago.”

You wanted to know more about his secret mission to book the fair and the room without you noticing, but he started bunching up your dress and kissing your neck.

“Happy almost anniversary, honey,” Steve whispered before biting your earlobe.

His hard-on pressed behind you, his hips instinctively rooting against your ass. It always pleased you how he could get hard just by kissing you, like when you were still sixteen making out in the school’s bathrooms.

“I’ve wanted to do this all day.” Steve moved your panties to the side, smirking at your wetness, and rubbed your clit. “All for me?”

You threw your head back and rested it on his shoulder. “Y-yes.”

“Say my name, baby,” he murmured before pushing two fingers inside you.

“Fuck!” you moaned at the sudden overwhelming feeling. “Ah, Steve! Baby…”

His free hand moved your face towards him to bring you into a hungry kiss. You arched into his touch as his fingers sped up skillfully.

His hold lowered from your cheeks to your neck, and you couldn’t handle it anymore. “W-wait.”

Steve ceased immediately and let you take his fingers off. You pushed him to the bed and tried to recover your breath. He licked his fingers as he looked you up and down eagerly.

“Time for my surprise,” you teased. “Close your eyes.”

He hesitantly obeyed and supported himself on his elbows. You grabbed the lingerie from your purse and rushed to the ensuite bathroom.

“Don’t take too long! Miss you already,” he called.

But putting on tight, rope-like underwear was more difficult than you remembered. After five minutes of struggling, you were ready and hot to go.

“Eyes still closed?” you yelled behind the door.

“Yep.”

Steve was lying on top of the rose petals with his eyes shut and his hands on his chest, fidgeting with his fingers and swaying his feet as he hummed a song.

You smiled at the tender, innocent sight… even though he had stripped down to only his boxers.

But you were dressed too sexy to shift the mood, so you posed against the bathroom’s doorframe, trying to be serious.

“Alright, open them.”

Steve almost passed out. Like a cartoon, his jaw dropped and his eyes nearly fell out of their sockets as they gave you a once-over.

“I— Uh—” he tried to verbalize. “Wow…”

You couldn’t contain your giggles anymore. Your cheeks turned pink at his darkened, lustful eyes, and his very obvious erection strained in his briefs.

“Wow,” he breathed. “I— Wow. I don’t know what to say.”

You walked slowly towards him until you straddled him. His deep gulp filled the sexually tense silence.

Steve’s hands fell to your waist, then your hips, ass, and thighs; he wasn’t sure where to touch. “How did I get so lucky?”

You smirked and pressed down on his hard-on, provoking moans from both of you. Steve couldn’t handle it anymore and spun you till he was on top. His hips grinded against yours desperately.

“I’m not letting you go. Not tonight, not ever,” he mumbled against your cleavage, dropping kisses and love bites. “I’m chaining you to this bed.”

Your fingers passed through his locks. “What about our lives?”

“I’ll fake our deaths so no one bothers looking for us.”

Steve pressed you onto the bed as his mouth traveled south, reaching your pretty panties.

“Fuck, I wanna do everything to you, honey,” he grunted.

Just as his fingers carefully hooked on the sides of the thong, your wristwatch buzzed in your purse. You both sighed as you sat up.

“Time for my pills,” you reminded him.

You crawled to your purse, and Steve didn’t hesitate on playfully spanking your ass. Since the triple pregnancy, you have taken your birth control pills every damn day without exception.

You came back to lie down under Steve with the bottle of pills in your hands, but as you went to open it, he nervously stopped you.

Momentarily confused, you frowned and looked up into his eyes. An understatement only possible between people in a ten-year relationship traveled through your minds.

Steve stroked his thumb on your wrist and smiled softly. You bit your lip and nodded.

After eight years of promising to never do it again, Steve and you felt ready to start the cycle one last time.

“Are you sure?” he whispered. “I don’t wanna pressure—”

You threw the bottle to the trash can, failing miserably as it fell to the floor. “Oh, well… close.”

Steve chuckled and excitedly grabbed the package of condoms. With a better aim, he threw it across the room to the trash… it didn’t enter.

“Maybe it's a sign that we shouldn’t do this?” you joked.

Steve shrugged and kissed your nose. “Fuck it. Let’s do this.”

You squeezed his shoulders nervously. “Alright. But this is the last time, okay?”

He nodded. “The sixth one, the last one. Got it… I’ll get a vasectomy after it.”

That provoked a chuckle from you. It was a cute sound he loved so much and would do anything to hear it.

Steve kissed you slowly, savoring the moment.

“Let’s have our sixth baby.”

And between rose petals, over the sound of the creaking bed, and a silent promise in the air to always love each other, Steve and you sealed your family with the last member.

The last little nugget.

a/n: omg this was long af im sorry, but i love dad!steve fluff. i need to give him a thousand nuggets.

(MORE STEVE)

taglist:

@itmekelpy @sheatemyshoe @noirettestar @fawnharrt @silentnights28 @gigglingnonstop

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