Girl dad!Eddie Munson x preschool teacherfem!Reader part 1
Warnings/tags: slow burn, mentions of child neglect, CPS, struggling dad Eddie, sick child, use of Y/N. let me know if I missed any.
Summary: eddies one night stand a year after his class of 86 graduation turned into a walking, semi talking, 2 year old he was raising on his own. Working at the auto shop and then double shifts at Hide Out while Wayne watches her was fine until Wayne started working day shifts at the plant again. His uncle suggested daycare…
A/N: this doesn’t follow the original plot of stranger things. Slightly proofread. Likes, comments and reposts welcomed💜
Masterlist
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“Clover come on baby work with me here” i plead, struggling to get the small jacket on her as she tries to run off. I managed to finally wrestle her into it. Sighing heavily as I zip it up and she sits on the floor, little arms crossed as much as they can be and a scowl on her little face.
“Oh don’t give me that look! It’s cold outside sweetheart and I don’t want my little good luck charm to freeze before we make it to your first day” I explain crouching down to her level.
“Want pawpaw” she mutters, turning her head away from me. I sit on the ground fully and pull her into my lap. “I know baby.. I know but listen. You are going to make so many friends at this school! And you’re going to play and color and learn all sorts of fun two year old shit” I say and she turns her head angling to look up at me.
She points her chubby little figure at me “you say shit, pawpaw says no no” my eyes go wide for a moment before I collect myself and stand up with her in my arms “you are correct little one, that word is a no no so.. please don’t repeat that.. Ok?” I ask reaching over to the hook on the wall and grabbing her small backpack and my keys.
She nods and leans her head on my shoulder as I open the front door of the trailer, locking it behind me I get to the car and strap her into her car seat before hopping into the drivers seat. Buckling up myself I turn the car on and we take off for Hawkins daycare.
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To say drop off was going smoothly would be the ultimate understatement of the year. Clover was having none of it. She was fine while i filled out paperwork and as we took a tour of the school but once she heard “and this is her class” she lost it.
The front desk lady, who’s name has already slipped my mind. Just stood there with us in the hall as clover wailed in my arms. Gripping onto my hair and shoulder.
“Um excuse me?” I turn at the sound of a soft voice coming from the now open door to clovers classroom. A woman, definitely around the same age as me. Now stands in the crack of the door offering me a small smile before she looks towards the front desk lady.
“Ah! Thank goodness Ms.Y/n, this is Mr. Munson and-“ “clover, right?” She says lightly cutting off the older lady and looking towards me. I nod and she smiles at me again before stepping out of the classroom fully and shutting the door behind her.
She takes the two steps it takes until she’s by my side, tilting her head to where clovers is resting on my shoulder. “Hello there, was that you make all that noise?” You ask. Clover sniffs and her little chest rattles as she takes a deep breath and nods slowly.
You nod and click your tongue “well, me and my assistant in there have been looking for someone with a loud voice to help us sing our good morning song.. do you think you could come show us how it’s done?” You ask softly and clover lifts her head off of my shoulder.
“I’s don’t knows da swong” she says sadly. But you just smile at her “that’s ok! You’ll sit with me on the carpet and we’ll all do it together! But you’ll have to let go of daddy first.” You say, voice light. I feel clover twirling a piece of my hair in between her fingers before she leans over with her arms outstretched towards you.
My eyes go wide for a moment as you glance towards me for approval. I nod and hand clover over to you. You adjust clover on your hip and smile at her “good job! See that wasn’t so bad! Can you wave bye to dad?” You say sweetly and clover looks at me and waves.
You smile and turn walking back into your classroom. The door shuts and I stand there watching through the little window on the door. The front desk lady is talking about end of day reports and how if anything happens they’ll call but I’m too busy watching as my little girl sits in front of a classroom of booger eaters with you like she wasn’t just losing her marbles 5 minutes ago.
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5:45pm
“Thanks man seriously! I’ll make it up to you I swear!” I shout running out of the auto shop and into my car. 15 minutes late. 15 minutes late and two phone calls from the daycare. Great first impression dude.
10 ish more minutes go by and I finally pull into the parking lot of the school and rush in. Most of the lights are off and I get a nasty look from the lady at the desk as she points with her pen behind her towards clovers classroom. With a rushed nod I hurry back swinging the door open.
“DADDY!” Clover yells running up to me, I bend down and pick her up hugging her tightly. “I’m so sorry baby, daddy got stuck at work” I rush, looking around I notice you. Cleaning up some blocks I’m assuming were used to keep her distracted while I was running late.
You stand up and walk over with a smile “I’m so sorry I promise this won’t happen again” I say hurriedly. “It’s alright, everyone’s gotta work” you shrug “besides we had a great time just the two of us huh? How about you tell dad what you did today?” You say tickling her side a little.
Clover giggles and starts her rant about all the things they did while you go and grab the end of day report, Walking back over right as clover finishes talking about the play ground.
“Here’s this, you just read it over and sign it. Nothing to crazy today since it was her first day but she did get a pretty cool sticker for sitting on the potty” you say, your voice getting more excited towards the end. Clover beams at you at the mention of the sticker and potty.
“What? She went on the toilet?” I ask taking the paper and pen from you. Clover chimes in “yeah ands I didn’t cry!” She says proudly. “That is true! She didn’t actually go but she sat which is a good start!” You say looking from clover to me.
“Wow, that’s.. that’s awesome I could never get her to even look at the toilet at home” I admit, you nod “yeah it can be tricky, but usually when they are in a environment where they see other kids doing it they tend to start following along. Makes it less scary” you explain and clover nods “yeah less scary” she says.
“Ok well, here’s that back. Is there anything else? I’m sorry you had to be stuck here” I say sheepishly. You shake your head “nope that’s all! And don’t worry about it, just try not to make it too much of a habit or Virginia might have something to say” you add with a laugh. “Front desk lady?” I ask and you nod.
“Gotcha well let’s get going squirt, say goodbye to Ms.Y/N” “goodbye!” Clover half yells waving at you. You wave back and say goodbye before we are out the door.
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1 month later.
“Alrighty kiddos let’s get the play-Doh all cleaned up so we can go outside!” I say grabbing the clear bin that holds all my play-Doh toys and smaller containers. I set it on the table and they all (well some) start to help put them away. “Johnny we don’t eat it sweetie, that’s yucky” I correct glancing at the little blond boy as he quickly takes it out of his mouth.
“Ms. Y/N?” I feel a small tug on my jeans and look down. It’s clover, and she doesn’t look too good. “Yes sweetie?” I ask crouching down to her level and taking ahold of her hand. “I don’t feel’s good..” she says, voice muddled and sad. I click my tongue and feel her head. ‘Gosh she’s warm..’
“Ok sweetie, how about we take your temperature and then give your daddy a call? Hmm?” I suggest and she nod slowly. I ask my assistant in the room to please take the others outside as I pick up clover and walk her over to the changing table.
I set her down gently and reach up into the cabinet behind her and pull out the thermometer. “Alright honey have you used one of these before?” I ask holding it out infront of me. She nods and I smile, gently I pull her arm out of her sleeve and stick the thermometer under her armpit. Once placed I bring her arm back to her side and hold it there while we wait for the beep.
I rest my hand on her flushed cheek and she leans into it her eyes closing slightly. Gosh she must really not be feeling well.. she’s usually all energy. A few minutes go by and it finally beeps. 101.5, my goodness. “Well sweetie I think I know why you done feel very good” I say softly as I put her arm back into her shirt and pick her up.
“It seems you have a fever, how about I set out your cot and you can lay down for a little while I call daddy huh?” I ask and she nods leaning her head on my shoulder. Without setting her down and a surprising amount of effort I mange to get a cot laid out for her in our quiet corner of the room next to my small desk. I grab her blanket and lay her down then go over to my desk.
I take a seat reaching for a drawer that holds the parent’s contact information and children’s care information files. I grab the one labeled ’Munson’ and pull it out setting it on my desk. I flip to the page with her dad’s home number and work number on it and grab the phone, I dial and bring the receiver to my ear. It rings and while I wait I glance at clover as she lays next to me. ‘She’s shaking poor girl..’
After a dozen rings it goes to the voicemail box. I sigh and leave a message anyways and then put the phone back before trying his work number. Nothing. I look for another alternative number to call and see ‘Wayne Munson: Grandfather’ and next to it is his home and work number. I try them and the same thing happens. No one answers. I let out a heavy breath and reach back into the drawer for clovers care file and flip through it.
I find what I’m looking for on the second page ‘if child has fever and cannot get in contact may we administer proper care and medication?: yes.’. Good at least I can give her something to hopefully bring the fever down.
I stand and walk over to the locked medicine cabinet. unlocking it I grab the children’s liquid Tylenol and a syringe. Closing it back up I walk over to my desk and measure out the right amount into the syringe before I walk over to clover and kneel down next to her.
“Clover, sweetie can you sit up for me for a second?” I ask softly rubbing her side that’s exposed to me. She slowly sits up and looks up at me “is daddy here?” She asks and I shake my head. “No.. not yet sweetie. But I’m going to give you this medicine and it should help you feel a little better until he does get here” I say showing her the syringe. She looks at the medicine for a moment before opening her mouth slightly. I take the opportunity and carefully administer the medicine.
She downs it and then I stand up going back to my desk and setting down the syringe before reaching into the water bottle basket and grabbing hers with her name on it. I go back over to her and sit next to her as I offer her the bottle. She takes it softly and takes two big gulps before handing it back to me and laying back down.
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Three and a half hours later.
“Have you tried calling again?” My assistant asks as I sit next to clover, once again taking her temperature. The Tylenol doesn’t seem to be working, and neither have any of my other methods.
“Yes. I’ve called both numbers, work and home about a dozen times each-“ I get cut off by the beeping of the thermometer. 103.0. Shit. Anxiously I fix clovers shirt before I pick her up with her blanket wrapped around her.
She shivers against me and wheezes. I stand and look at my assistant. “I’m going to go upfront and call an ambulance. Can you please try her dad again? If he doesn’t answer leave a message again and let him know she’s being taken to the hospital” I say rushed. Grabbing clovers file and my purse I head out of the classroom.
“Oh dear what’s happened?” Virginia asks standing up from her spot at the front desk as I round the corner. “I need you to call for an ambulance. She’s got a very high fever and she’s wheezing. Medication didn’t work and I can’t get in contact with her dad or grandpa.” I rush out, Virginia nod and rushes to the phone dialing the number.
I take a deep breath, holding clover tightly as she wheezes into my neck.
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“Sir! You can’t just run back there!” I hear a nurse yell. I stand up from my seat next to clovers bed and clovers grandpa, Wayne goes and peeks his head out from her hospital room. “Eddie!” He hollers and I hear rushed foot steps bound towards the room.
Once inside, He rushes towards the bed and kisses his sleeping daughter’s head grabbing her hand softly as he looks her over. “Christ, baby I’m so sorry” he mumbles, voice shaking as he places another kiss to her head.
I take two steps back, now standing near the end of the bed. He looks up towards me and Wayne then “what’s the doctor say? Is she ok?” He asks standing up straighter but still keeping his hand on her small one. “She will be, they tested her for a few things but they said it’s the flu. They are giving her fluids and medicine but Mr. Munson-“ “Ed’s CPS came” clovers grandpa says cutting me off. His voice low and strained.
Eddie huffs out a breath and lets go of clovers hand. Pacing slightly as he runs his hands through his hair and down his face. “Shit…why? what- what did they say? What did you say?” He asks frantically looking towards me. I open my mouth but before I can speak a small voice stops me “Ms. Y/N..” I turn and see clover, her eyes slightly open as she turns her head to look at me. Eddie rushes back to the side of the bed. “Hey sweetheart” he says softly but his voice is laced with worry.
She smiles softly at him “daddy” she whispers slowly but happily. “Hey squirt” Wayne says moving to stand next to Eddie. “Hi pawpaw” she says offering him a wave. She then turns her little head back to me. “Ms. Y/N?” She asks “yes honey?” I say softly shifting my purse in my hand. “Monday, can we sing the itsy bitsy spider instead of wheels on the bus?” She asks and I look at her dumbfounded before I let out a small laugh.
“Yes.. clover I think we can do that, but let’s get you feeling better first, ok?” I say lightly she nods and turns her head back towards her family. I take that as my queue and gather the rest of my things before I walk out quietly. I make it half way down the hall before I hear my name being called. I stop and turn, Eddie is fast walking up to me.
“Hey umm.. thanks for taking care of her. I don’t know what happened. The shop was packed today and my boss never said anyone called until way later- I know that’s not an excuse but I would never-“ I put my hand up to stop his rambling. “You don’t have to explain anything to me. Things happen, and I wouldn’t say anything to anyone that would put you or clover in jeopardy. I think you are a great dad, but maybe there’s someone else who we could add to her call list? Incase we can’t get ahold of you or Wayne?” I ask, voice low to try and keep some privacy in the conversation as nurses pass by.
Eddies face contorts into a grimace, ‘someone else?’ He thinks. ‘We’ve been fine until she started stupid daycare’. “No” he says, voice slightly clipped. “It’s just me and Wayne. We’ve been doing pretty good on our own, she doesn’t need anyone else. I appreciate you putting in a good word but-“ eddies tight lipped response is cut off by a lady in a three piece suit tapping his arm. He turns and immediately takes note of the badge around her neck. “Mr. Munson?” She asks shifting the clipboard in her hand.
“Yes?” He asks voice tight. “I’m agent Hummel, could we talk for a moment?” She says, voice neutral as she shows him her badge before taking a step to the side and gesturing towards a room. Eddie rubs the back of his neck and nods following the lady as she leads them to a room. He takes one last glance at me before he dips through the door and agent Hummel follows behind him.
The door shuts and I feel a heavy weight on my chest. With a heavy sigh I readjusted my purse before walking out of the hospital.
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“Mr. Munson we are speaking with you regarding your daughter clover. We were informed after failing to respond to the daycares calls regarding your daughter’s health concerns she was taken by ambulance to Hawkins Hospital for treatment once her symptoms were deemed severe enough for medical intervention by daycare staff and the medical professionals who arrived on scene. Based off our records we are also aware of two other cases. One involving her biological mother and another where clover sustained a hip dislocation when she was 11 months old-“
“Th-that was a ancient the doctor’s said-“
“I know what the doctors said at the time. My team and I have reviewed both of the case documents. We are involved now due to the ongoing consistency of supposed negligence-“
“Negligence?..”
“We understand you are a young parent but your child’s health and safety come first. We have spoken with her daycare providers and they have informed us of multiple instances where you have failed to collect clover on time and/or her grandfather has been the one to collect after they had failed to get into contact with you. A staff member has also informed us of clover coming in with repetitive diaper rashes and sometimes coming in dirty-“
“Sh-shes two.. she gets messy- we-we are trying to potty train-“
“We will be conducting further interviews with all personnel involved along with a in-home inspection. You’ll also be given a schedule for parenting classes you will need to attend-“
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2 weeks later.
“House looks good, now have you talked with your job at the uhh.. auto shop right?” Agent Hummel asks, taking a seat at the small circular dining table. I stand with my hands in my pockets shifting on my feet. “Yes, I switched to an earlier shift.” I say nodding. “Wonderful, and what about the shifts at the.. Hide Out?” She asks looking at the paperwork in front of her. “I switched to just Saturdays. Her grandpa will be watching her on those days” I state as she scribbles down information.
“Amazing. You’ve really shown improvements Mr. Munson, and I’ve talked with her daycare teachers and the parenting class instructors too, They agree. Her teacher actually spoke quite highly of you in our last meeting” she says collecting her papers into her briefcase as she stands. I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly, feeling my shoulders relax slightly at her words. “We will be in touch within a month or so just for another check in and then if improvements continue we’ll be out of your hair” she explains closing her briefcase and moving towards the trailer door.
“Yeah, ok thanks..” I say walking with her towards the door and opening it for her. She turns to me and offers a smile “you’re doing everything right Mr. Munson. Raising a kid is hard but even harder without a mother involved. Fathers just… aren’t meant to do it alone.” She says, then offers me a handshake I hesitantly take before she smiles one last time and takes off down the steps to her car.
I sigh and shut the door. Leaning my head against it. ‘Fathers can’t do it alone? The hell does that even mean?’ I think. pushing off of the door I head for the couch. Flopping down I lean back resting my head on the back of it. My leg bouncing as my mind races.
I’ve spent days deep cleaning, organizing, throwing away and learning every child proofing technique and care tips those damn parenting classes could drum up. I spent hours arguing with Phil at the auto shop begging him for an earlier shift until he finally caved. Dawn at the Hide Out was more understanding, thank god.
Wayne’s been coming over more to help too, which has been nice with all the running around I’ve been doing since the whole incident.
MONDAY- FRIDAY
7:00am Drop clover off at daycare then immediately head to the auto shop.
5:30pm Pick up clover then drop her off a Wayne’s trailer four down unless he comes to ours.
6:00pm Head straight to parenting classes.
8:30pm Come home and or pick clover up from Wayne’s.
8:50pm bathe clover because Wayne has already given her dinner and she’s always covered in it afterwards.
9:15pm Put her to sleep.
WEEKENDS
Saturday 12:45pm take clover to Wayne’s.
1:15pm Head to my double shift at the Hide Out.
2:00am Come home.
Sleep.
Sunday 8:00 am Pick up clover from Wayne’s.
repeat.
I feel like a chicken with my head cut off and a fire up my ass. I thought being the “freak” of Hawkins high was hard… being deemed a failure of a parent is much harder. You have to work twice as hard to prove to everyone you deserve to have your child. But I wouldn’t change it. I can’t. Because I need her. Because seeing her at the end of the day makes everything feel better. Because I want to be the parent she deserves.












