Chapter One; I Don't Look Back In Anger - Steve Harrington
Author: @harringtonstilinski Characters: Steve Harrington x SingleMom!Henderson!Reader Word Count: 8,295 Warnings: slow burn, angst, fluff, upside down doesn't exist, Requested: no | yes; Smut: no | yes; A/N: Hi, friends! This is my first single parent fic, so go easy on me, lol. Let me know what you thought! If you like this, please do not hesitate to reblog and give some feedback, whether it be in the reblogs, comments, or my inbox. As always, read at your own risk and enjoy 😊
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Being a single mother wasn’t on your list of things to do for your life. Yet, here you are. A single mother. Doing your best to raise your kid the way you wished you were raised; with a loving mother who did what she could for you and your brother.
Your ex-boyfriend got you pregnant while you were together in high school, and for the entirety of your pregnancy, the two of you really tried to make it work, but once the baby came and your ex spent more time outside of the home than inside, you knew it was a lost cause.
Between sleepless nights with the baby and fights with your ex, you had decided at one point when the baby was two months old that you were gonna pack yours and the baby things and move back to your moms. You had also disappeared from school, your own choice to not walk down the halls of Hawkins High with a watermelon in your stomach.
In the summer of 1984 at the age of seventeen, you brought your baby girl, Julie into this world with your ex and your mom by your side. Your little brother, Dustin, was ecstatic to gain another family member. You asked him to say anything to his friends just yet; you wanted to be the one to tell them since you basically babysat them for years.
There were only a select few people that you invited to Julie’s first birthday. It was just you, your mom, Dustin and the Party. Jonathan and Nancy were there, only because Will, Eleven and Mike were there. They swore to you that they wouldn't tell a soul about Julie.
When Julie was about two years old during the summer of 1986, you had decided it was time to get out of the house. The time you were outside was to get some fresh air on the harder days; when Julie started teething, when she had tantrums and wouldn’t stop crying, or even when your ex called demanding that he see her. Whenever you had to take Julie with you when your mom and Dustin were out, you told everyone she was a little girl that you were babysitting. You knew people didn’t buy it; Julie’s eyes and hair matched yours to a tee.
You had run into Eddie Munson at the local grocery store. When he looked into your buggy and saw a bunch of snacks for babies, he looked up into your eyes, confusion written all over them, to which you quietly explained Julie to him. You didn’t even have to ask him not to say anything, knowing that he wouldn’t anyway.
The next three years had passed by in a blur. It was now 1989, about a week before Julie started kindergarten, and you could honestly cry from the realization. Registration was a breeze, and meeting her teachers and getting her school supplies list were equally as fun.
The looks that everyone gave over to the last three years didn’t phase you at all. Quickly coming to realize that you just didn’t care what everyone thought of you. Thinking back, you would’ve stayed at school and not decided to disappear and do your schoolwork at home.
“Mommy?” Julie asked from the backseat.
Sneaking a peak at her in the rearview mirror, you replied, “Yeah, baby?”
“Can we rent a movie?”
“We sure can, baby doll. We can go to Video Palace and-”
“No, Mama. I wanna go to Family Video.”
Well, that had your mouth closing quickly. You weren’t even aware she knew about Family Video. “Did Uncle Dusty tell you about that place?”
Julie just giggled in the backseat. “Yeah, Mama. He did. He said to tell you to take me there so I can meet someone new.”
“Well, you’ve already met Robin,” you reminded her. “Who else do you nee–” Then it hit you. “Uncle Dusty told you about Steve, did he?”
With a big smile on her face, Julie nodded, her curls bouncing with every movement.
Steve Harrington was your very best friend, and had been since your earliest memory. Your dad was friends with his dad before he took off after Dustin was born. During your childhood, you and Steve were pretty much inseparable, until the two of you started high school and you started dating the captain of the football team.
Needless to say, Steve was furious, but didn’t say anything about it. He didn’t want to upset you in any way, shape or form. You grew distant from Steve after about a few months of dating the footballer.
What didn’t Steve know was that your boyfriend had given you an ultimatum; him or Steve. And since your relationship was new, you chose the former. The result of that relationship currently sitting in your backseat.
You wouldn’t change the outcome for anything because that outcome was Julie. Even though the relationship with her father didn’t work out, you still loved her more than anything in this world. She’s never asked about her father because she never felt the need to.
As you pulled into a parking spot in front of Family Video, you took a breath before putting the car into park, looking at the door, thinking of how your life would’ve been different if Steve were to have been the one you chose instead of Julie’s father.
“Mama?” Julie asked, bringing you out of your thoughts. “Are we going inside now? I wanna see if they have The Chipmunk movie!”
Chuckling, you bowed your head a little. “Okay, baby girl. Let’s go.”
After you turned off the car and got out, you opened the back door, getting Julie out of her carseat, carrying inside the store on your hip. Just as soon as the door closed and a familiar head of dirty blonde hair stood up from behind the counter, Julie squealed.
“Auntie Robin!!” Julie yelled.
You were thankful that there was no else in the store or else their eardrums would be nonexistent. Letting Julie down from your hip, you watched and laughed as Robin rounded the counter, saying your daughter’s name as the two ran to each other.
“What are you doing here, squirt?” Robin asked. “Mom finally bring you to see me?”
Julie laughed and hugged Robin around her neck, saying, “Uncle Dusty told me to tell Mama to bring me here.”
“Hey, Robin, how long has this–”
You froze in your spot watching your daughter and friend hug. The two looked between you and Steve as he said your name in surprise. His eyes looked back and forth between you and Julie, his brows furrowing as he started putting everything together.
“Is she–”
“Come on, squirt. Let’s go find you a movie,” Robin said. “What, uhh, what movie is her favorite?” She walked over to you, Julie on her hip before she whispered, “Does she still like that Chipmunk movie?”
You nodded your head, taking Julie from her as she reached for you. “Yeah. Yeah, she does. Uhm, I’ll bring her right back.” Walking over to Steve, your nerves ramped up a little. “Hey, Steve.”
“It’s, uhh, it’s been a while,” he said, shifting on his feet.
“Yeah, I know,” you said, quietly. “I’m sorry.”
“Mama?” Julie asked.
“For what?” Steve asked.
“For everything, Steve,” you said. “For ditching you, choosing him over you.”
“Mama,” Julie said, gaining your attention. When your eyes met hers, she shifted hers to Steve. “Who’s that?”
Looking between the two, you knew this had to be the moment. You opened your mouth to introduce them, but quickly closed it at Julie’s next words.
“Is that my daddy?”
If she wasn’t on your hip, you would’ve dropped straight to the floor. She’s never asked her father, you thought to yourself. Why is she asking now?
“What makes you ask that, baby?” you asked.
Pointing to Steve’s hair, she said, “Because he has my hair color.” She looked back at you, her eyes shooting up to your hair. “So do you.”
“That’s because I’m your mommy. Steve, here, is just coincidence.”
She looked back at Steve, almost in astonishment. “That’s Steve? The one Uncle Dusty talks about?”
Confused, Steve said, “Uhh–” before your words cut him off.
“Yes, baby. This is the Steve that Uncle Dusty talks about.” Turning to Steve, you said, “Steve. This is my daughter.” Looking at her with a smile on your face, something you always do when you look at her. “Julie.”
“My full name is Julie Christina Henderson,” she said.
“Henderson?” Steve asked, shock laced in his tone.
“I don’t have a dad–”
“Okay, baby girl. Go find The Chipmunk movie with Auntie Robin, okay?” you said, putting her down, her little legs darting off to find Robin.
“She Mike’s?” Steve asked, voice hushed.
“Yes, she’s Mike’s. Yes, her last name is Henderson. I didn’t want her having his last name.” You crossed your arms.
“Why not?”
“Because he was an asshole. If I could have my mom’s last name, I would.”
Steve sighed, rubbing his chin.
“Plus, why wouldn’t she be Mike’s? I was with him when I got pregnant. He was there at her birth.”
He crossed his arms on a sigh. “Has he been involved?”
Looking back at your daughter laughing with Robin, you sighed. “No. Not really.” Turning back to face Steve, you said, “I was basically on my own from the moment she was born. He didn’t really stay at the hospital, he was always out on Saturday nights, always out super late after the football games. He only came home to sleep, eat and shower. Mike never helped me with her. I was up all night with her; feeding her, changing her, I took care of her when she was sick.”
“He’s a deadbeat,” Steve muttered.
“The biggest.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Shrugging, you said, “It’s not your fault.”
“If you could go back, would you?” Looking at you, he could see the questions in your eyes. “If you could go back and change everything, would you?”
“I don’t regret her, if that’s what you’re asking.” Another shrug. “If I could go back, I’d change who I’d pick as her father.”
“Who–”
“Mama! Auntie Robin found it!”
You turned around, watching your little girl bound to you with her favorite movie clutched in her hand, a smile on her face.
“She also found Sleeping Beauty! I know that one’s your favorite!”
Squatting down to be eye level with Julie, Steve said, “Can I tell you something about your mom?”
Hesitantly, she walked closer to you and Steve, nodding her head.
“She used to make me watch it on the tv when it came on, and when we played outside, she made me be the prince.”
“Was she the princess?”
Looking up at you from his squat, he said, “Always.”
“Can we play?” she asked, her voice quiet.
Steve looked back down at your daughter, a small smile on his lips. “Sure. But you-” He gently tapped her stomach, making her giggle. “-can be the princess. We’ll make your mom be the evil one.”
“Uhm, her name is Maleficent, and do I look green to you?” you asked.
Steve stood and chuckled. “Just think of her as a queen, but… more evil.” “She is an evil queen, Steve,” you deadpanned.
“Squirt!” Robin said. “Come here, and I’ll let you help me put your movies into the computer.”
Without a word, Julie ran over to Robin, who helped the little one into her lap with an effort grunt. “You’ve gotten so big,” she said. “You been drinking all the milk again?”
Julie laughed, getting comfortable on Robin’s lap, yours and Steve’s own laughs joining Julie’s.
Looking back at Steve, your smile never faltered as you said, “I’m really glad you two got to meet.”
“She’s terrified of me,” he mumbled.
Stepping closer to him, you said quietly, “She’ll come around. At least she asked you if you wanted to play with her. Eddie didn’t have a choice.” Chuckled at the end, you lowered your head to conceal your laughter.
When you looked back up, you laughed harder. “Okay, let me explain.”
“Oh, please do,” he said, chuckling.
“Okay, so, it was her second birthday, and he had made a surprise visit because he had missed her party because he had to work. So, he walked in and she’s sitting on the floor with Dustin, watching some My Little Pony thing, and she turned to face him. He sat down next to her and started watching with her.
“She turned to him and said Un Ed, play. He told her not right now, Princess Julie. Un Ed had a hard day at work. She literally stood up and tapped his shoulder before pointing to our room and said Un Ed. Play! You do not say no to this kid, by the way.
“So, he gets up and follows her down the hallway, where I hear not five minutes later, Julie babbling to him about something before they stroll into the living room with her in her little dress and Eddie in some knight's costume.”
You doubled over laughing, hand on your stomach. As you were telling your story, Steve’s brows slowly furrowed, not in anger or annoyance, but in hurt because you never told him about your daughter.
At the sound of your daughter’s voice, your laughter slowly died. “Uhm, Mr. Steve?”
To Steve, that was a punch to the gut. When you looked at him, you could see that look on his face. Turning back to Julie, you knelt to get eye level with her, putting your hand on her arm. “Sweetheart, why don’t you just call him Steve?” Looking back at him, you said, “Is that okay? For her to call you Steve?”
I would like for her to call me something else. Like Un Stebe or something, he thought to himself.
“Just until she gets to know you better,” you whispered. “It shouldn't take her long.”
Sighing, Steve caved. “Yeah, little one. You can call me just Steve.”
“Well, Just Steve,” Julie said, making you snort. “You’re gonna come watch these movies with me and my Mommy.” Turning to face you, she whispered, “So I can get comfy around him.”
“You really gotta learn that she can hear you even if you whisper,” Robin said, bending at her waist to whisper to you.
Standing up, you ran a hand over your hair. “Uhm, when do you get off?”
“In like an hour,” Steve said.
“Well, uhm… you heard Julie. You’re gonna come watch these movies with us. We’ll, uhm, run by the store and get some popcorn and snacks. We should be at the house around the same time?”
“Your moms house?”
Nodding, you said, “Yeah. Mom’s house.”
“Cici’s not home,” Julie said. “She’s out with some friends. I think she’s getting a new cat.”
Covering her mouth with your hand, you chuckled. “She’s kidding about the cat. Mews and Tews are both still kicking. But she isn’t kidding about Mom being out. More than likely, she’ll be back late.”
“Okay, it’s settled,” Robin said. “Steve, you’re going to the Henderson’s right after work, and I am going to see my amazing gi–” Your throat clearing had her words stopping. “M-my friend.”
“Mommy, it’s okay. I know Auntie Robin and Aunt Vickie are dating,” Julie said.
“Baby, how do you know that?” you asked.
Looking up at you so innocently, she said, “I saw their lips touching. That’s a kiss, right?”
“She’s a smart kid,” Robin said.
Looking at Robin, you agreed before looking down at your daughter. “Yes, baby. That’s called a kiss, but we’re gonna put a pin in this conversation for when you’re older, okay?”
“Okay, Mommy,” Julie said, reaching up to grab your hand. “See you at my house, Just Steve?”
Chuckling, he nodded his head. “Yeah, kid. I’ll see you at your house.”
~~~
“Uncle Dusty!” Julie screamed. “Dusty, stop tickling me!”
“Who’s the better uncle?” he asked.
She quit laughing long enough to answer him, “Uncle Eddie is.” You could hear the smile on her face before she squealed again.
“Wrong answer, Jule,” Dustin said, cackling.
You loved hearing them together. Dustin was easily her favorite uncle, but Eddie was a close second.
“Where’s my little love at?” your mom called.
“I’m right here, Cici,” Julie said, a scream coming from her as Dustin tickled her again. “Dusty, I said quit it!”
Looking up from the counter you were standing at, you raised your voice and said, “Dustin Wade, knock it off! Mom wants to give her some love before she leaves.”
Giggle, Julie got up from the floor, standing to walk over to you, hugging your legs. “It’s okay, Mommy.” She motioned for you to bend down, her hand cupping your ear where she loudly whispered, “I’ll just get him back later.”
Looking back at your brother, you had a smile on your face, not even hearing knocking on the door or your mom answering it as you said, “Ooohhhhh, Uncle Dusty, you’re in trouble.”
Sitting back on his knees, Dustin looked dumbfounded, raising his hands, palms up. “What did I do?”
You watched as Julie walked up to him, poking his shoulder with every word as she said, “Watch. Your. Back. Uncle Dusty,” before she turned, a huge smile on her face as she looked up. “Just Steve! You came!”
She ran up to him with her arms up. He quickly bent down to pick her up, not wanting to disappoint her. “Yup. I’m here. I told you I would be.”
“Okay, so, me and my Mommy picked up some frozen pizza, some chips, some cookies, oohhhh and we got some Brown Sugar PopTarts for breakfast because I like those and they’re my favorites.” She went quiet for a moment before making everyone jump out of their skin as she said, “OH! And we got some of that popcorn you put in the food maker.”
“The food maker?” Steve asked.
“Uh-huh.”
Steve looked at you in question, to which you mouthed Microwave. A look of understanding crossing his features as he looked back at the five year old on his hip. With a simple nod of his head, Steve said, “The food maker it is.”
“So, Just Steve–” she said, but was cut off by Steve.
“Alright, kid, I’m gonna stop you right there,” he said. “When I said just Steve, I didn’t mean it literally. I meant just my name. Steve.”
Dustin walked up to his friend, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Now, Steve. When the child gives a nickname, there isn’t any coming back from that. Just Steve is your name now. Might as well get used to it.”
Steve stuttered over his words, not wanting to believe that he will be forever known as Just Steve to a five year old girl.
At his horrified look, you laughed. “He’s kidding, Steve. Eddie was Un Eds until she was about three, then she said it clearly one day and it stuck. Don’t worry. Just Steve won’t last forever.”
Steve just sighed, turning his eyes back to Julie. “Okay, kid. What were you saying?”
“I was saying what movie did you wanna watch first?”
~~~
“Make it blue,” Merryweather said on the screen, Julie’s voice quoting the lines.
You sat on the couch with a book in your hand, Julie and Steve on the floor. Dustin went into his room during the beginning of the movie, claiming that he had something to do. You didn’t believe him, and neither did Steve, but Julie didn’t think anything of it, her eyes glued to the television screen.
Every once in a while, you’d look up from the pages of your books to check on Julie, your eyes going from the back left of her head to Steve’s profile. He’s currently laying back with his legs stretched, resting back on his left forearm, his right arm resting on his stomach.
“Okay, so, remind me again who the fairies are,” Steve said.
“The pink one is Flora, the green one is Fauna, and the blue one is Merryweather,” Julie replied. “She’s my favorite.” Turning her head to look at him, she had to do a double take, not realizing that he had moved from sitting to laying back. “Who is your favorite?”
“Oh, uhm…” Steve said, looking back at you when Julie turned back to look at the TV. He shrugged, a quiet chuckle leaving you. “Wh-which character is my favorite? Let’s see. Are we talking about the fairies or the other characters?”
“The fairies, Just Steve,” she said, saying his name with the utmost sass that had you hiding behind your book with laughter. “And you can’t choose Merryweather because she’s my favorite.”
“But she is my favorite,” he said, his tone sad.
Julie sighed and leaned back on a sigh, looking at Steve and carefully matching his position with her opposite arms; leaning on her right with her left over her own stomach. She looked back at the screen, saying, “Well, I guess we can share,” before looking back at him. “But only because we have the same hair color.”
Steve nodded, not sure of her answer but going with it anyway. “O-okay.”
Dustin coming down the hallway grabbed your attention as he called your name. “When are we eating? I’m starving.”
Closing your book, you stood up, placing it on the table in front of the couch before walking into the kitchen. You heard a grunt before footsteps followed as you opened the freezer door, reaching inside to grab a box of the pizza and looking at the instructions. “Preheat oven to 400℉,” you said to yourself, closing the freezer door to turn to the oven, not realizing a body was standing behind you.
“Whoa,” Steve said, grabbing your arms to keep you from falling. “Sorry. I should’ve made myself known.”
Waving him off, you said, “It’s fine, Steve. No worries.”
“Mommy, can I have a snack?” Julie yelled.
“This area isn’t that big, baby, and yes, you can have a snack,” you said.
“Can I have one of those roll up things?” she asked, walking into the kitchen, standing next to Steve.
You looked down at her and bent over to get eye level with her. “No, you may not. You can have some fruit, though.” Turning back to the fridge, you opened the door and grabbed a container of cut up strawberries and bananas. Holding it out to her, you gave her a stern look. “Do not eat it all, and don’t make a mess. Dinner will be ready in a little bit, and I don’t need Cici having my head again for fruit stains on the floor.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she said, taking the container of fruit from your hand and going back to her spot on the floor.
“When did Ms. Claudia have your head?” Steve asked, intrigued.
Sighing, you turned the oven to the temperature you need before answering Steve. “When Julie was about 3, I had Dustin watching her so that I could take a shower. Well, I came back out and there was fruit everywhere in there.” You pointed to the living room. “I’m talking strawberries smushed into the carpet.” Sighing once more, you turned back to the fridge to retrieve drinks before closing the appliance. “Let’s just say that I spent the following three hours scrubbing the carpet to get the stains and seeds out.”
Steve chuckled, nodding his head. “Yeah, that’s something I can definitely see happening with Dustin around.”
“He claimed that he had somewhere else to be after Mom hounded us for letting Julie do that. I didn’t talk to him for a month afterward.”
At the first mention of his name, Dustin came into the kitchen, watching and hearing the exchange, a small smile on his face. Deciding to help you out, he grabbed four glasses and set them on the counter, reaching for the bottle of soda in your hand to pour himself some.
When your eyes met his, you opened your mouth to tell him about Julie’s drink, but he raised his hand and said, “She gets milk with her meal. I know.”
“I don’t want milk!” Julie whined.
“Julie Christina!” you warned.
“Okay,” she relented, going back to her movie and snack.
“That kid, I swear,” you whispered.
“Does she not like milk?” Steve asked.
Pouring your soda after Dustin poured his, you said, “Oh, no, she loves it. It’s just that whenever we have pizza, I have a soda to drink with it, and she’s always wanting it. The first and only time I let her have some, she kept me up all night bouncing around.”
You went to pour some for Steve, but he stopped you, placing a hand on your wrist. As you both looked into each other’s eyes, you could see his features go soft. “I’ll have what the kid is having,” he whispered, taking the bottle from your hands to put the cap back on and put it back in the fridge.
Standing there, you were more shocked than anything, a clicking noise bringing you out of your trance. After opening the box of pizza and removing the food from the plastic wrap, you placed the pizza on the rack as directed, setting your timer to the correct amount of time for baking.
Not knowing what else to do, you started gathering everything needed for the meal; plates and their holders, the pizza cutter and napkins.
“We’ll put them all to sleep until Rose awakens,” Julie quoted.
“Alright, my little rose bud,” you said, a smile on your face. “The pizza’s ready.”
“Can we eat in here?” she asked, getting up from her spot on the floor. Bringing the container back into the kitchen, she set it on the counter and walked over to the sink, opening the lower cabinet door to stand on it. Reaching her hands out, she struggled. “I can’t reach the– whoa!” she said, feeling someone pick her up.
“There you go, kid,” Dustin said. “Now you can reach. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help, okay?”
“Thank you, Uncle Dusty. I won’t.” As Julie proceeded to wash her hands, you looked between the kitchen table and the living room, trying to make your decision.
“What’s going through your head, Henderson?” Steve asked.
“Just trying to figure out which room she would make the less mess in,” you said. “The kitchen is the safest bet because she won’t risk spilling her drink, but she’ll fight and complain if she can’t see her movie.”
“Well, where do you normally eat on movie nights?”
Sighing, you said, “The living room.” Pouring Julie’s milk into her cup, you couldn’t help but let your mind wander a little bit; if you had chosen Steve, would she be just as happy as she is now or would she be just another rich kid in town who had everything due to her last name? And if Steve was her father, would the three of you be living at his parents house, your own apartment or here at your mother’s house?
You were so lost in your thoughts as you moved between the living room and kitchen, that you didn’t notice Dustin and Steve watching you. You weren’t even aware of your brows being furrowed, but they noticed.
“Uncle Dusty, Steve? What’s wrong with my Mommy?” Julie asked. “I’ve never seen her like this before.”
Dustin reached down and picked his niece up, putting her on his hip. “Don’t worry, kid. She’s just lost in thought.”
“Go eat,” you muttered. “I’m gonna step outside for a moment.”
“Mommy?” Julie asked.
“I’m okay, baby girl. Just need some air, okay?” You walked over to Dustin, doing your best to smooth her curls down, a soft smile on your face. “Don’t spill your milk, please.”
“I won’t, Mommy.”
“We’ll make sure she doesn’t,” Steve said.
You looked at Steve, giving him a curt nod before walking to the door and stepping outside after opening and closing it. Taking a much needed breath, you couldn’t help but feel the tears start to form on your waterline, blurring everything in front of you. Sitting in a chair on the small porch next to the door, you brought your hands up to your face and let the tears flow.
Steve and Dustin could hear your quiet cries while Julie sat on the floor with her pizza and stared at the screen, too entranced in the movie to notice anything. When the film was over, Julie asked Steve to rewind the tape before putting the next one in.
“Hey, man, I’m starting to get worried about my sister,” Dustin said, looking at the door. Standing, he said, “I’m gonna go check on her.”
Standing from the chair he sat in, Steve said, “No, I’ll do it.”
“Why?”
“Because,” he said, walking to the door. Whispering, he said, “Your niece doesn’t like me,” before opening the door, hearing Julie say ever so softly, “I’m starting to.” Closing the door, he softly chuckled to himself before looking to his left at you. Once he descended the steps, he stood at the edge of the brick, looking at you. “Are you okay?”
“No,” you said, tearfully. Sitting up, you sniffled and looked at everything but Steve. “I’m in my head way too deep. Mad at myself for the choices I’ve made that I can’t take back.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, resting his hands on the ledge in front of him.
Slowly shaking your head with tears in your eyes, you said, “I do not regret my daughter. I love her more than anything in this world, but I regret the person I made her with.”
“What did he do?” Steve always wondered why you disappeared from school. “Why did you disappear?”
“When I got pregnant, I was both ashamed and happy. Happy because I thought I loved him, and making a baby with him made me happy at the time. Ashamed because he told me that me being pregnant would ruin his reputation.” Tears streamed down your cheeks.
“Once I started showing, I couldn’t face anyone at school because the rumors were already starting that I was pregnant, knowing that they were true. My clothes didn’t fit, so I had to wear what I could of Dustin’s until I couldn’t fit into those anymore. I was small enough that I was able to wear some of his shirts. So, I left because of that.
“I also didn’t want to embarrass my mom and brother like that, so I thought that disappearing and doing my schoolwork at home would be beneficial for the three of us. He never said anything about me being pregnant or having the baby; I told everyone on my own terms.
“I told the Party first because they had all come over to hang out with Dustin, but their loudness woke Julie up from a much needed nap and I kind of lost it on them.”
“Was that before or after you moved back here?” he asked, hanging on to every word.
“After. I moved into Mike’s house when I was eight months pregnant. I moved Julie and myself back here when she was two months old,” you explained. “He’s such a fucking deadbeat.”
Steve decided to ask one of the main questions that’s been on his mind all afternoon. “Why did you let everyone else meet her and know her but me?”
Sighing, you leaned forward, hiding your face in your hands again as you groaned his name, the noise muffled from your hands. “I didn’t because–”
“Please, don’t lie to me,” he said, quietly. “Why did everyone else get to meet her and know her but me?”
“Because I didn’t want you to feel obligated.”
“Obligated for what? Because I’m really fucking confused here.”
Picking your head up, you finally looked into his eyes. “Obligated to try and be her father, Steve!”
“I wouldn’t–”
“Yes, you would’ve. I know you, Steve; you would’ve felt obligated to try and be her father, and as much as it kills me to say it, you’re not.”
“You don’t think I know that?!” He was utterly frustrated, the emotion letting his voice rise a little. “I know I’m not her father. You made your choice, Henderson, and it wasn’t me.”
“Yeah, and I fucking regret it. Big time. If I had chosen you and not Mike, she would have a father - no, she’d have a dad. It’s easy to be a father; Mike is proof of that. But to be a dad? It’s a different ball game. Dads don’t ditch their kids because they don’t want their freedom stripped or their reputation to be tarnished. Dads stick around to help raise the human they had a hand in creating.”
“I’m sorry she doesn’t have that.”
“Yeah, well, me too. I have to play both mom and dad. She’s never asked about her father until today. All because of your hair color. She never asked about Eddie’s hair because his hair is almost black. Ours is pure brown.”
“What about Mike’s?”
“Last I remember, he had blonde hair. Like, that dark blonde color.” Waving your hands in front of you, you said, “I don’t want to talk about him anymore. My focus is on Julie; making sure she’s taken care of, fed, and bathed. Happy.”
“With or without a father?” Steve asked.
Pointing at him, you said, “Bingo. Plus, she’s got plenty of father figures around here, it’s not like she needs one.” Instant regret as the words escaped your mouth.
Steve closed his eyes, a little hurt by that statement.
“That wasn’t meant towards you, Steve. I’m sorry.”
Opening his eyes, he looked at you, seeing the regret in your eyes at your choice of words. “It’s okay. But, Henderson, let me help. I’m here now. I’ll help in any way that I can.”
“We have everyone on rotation to watch her, what’s one more,” you said, trying to hold back a smile.
Truth is, you’re happy that Steve has offered his help. He always crossed your mind when you picked up the phone to call someone to come help watch Julie, but instead of his number, you would dial someone else's, like Eddie’s or Nancy’s or Robin’s.
Steve chuckled, mouth opening to give his retort but was cut off by the door opening and Julie’s little voice saying, “Steve, come back! My favorite song is on!” He looked at you, confused as you stood up.
“That song the girls and boys sing about rock ‘n roll. It’s her favorite song from the movie.”
“What’s her favorite song in general?”
“Karma Chameleon.”
Steve stopped on the step above the door, looking at you with a horrified look, to which you laughed at.
“I’m kidding,” you chuckled. “She likes Material Girl and Everybody Wants To Rule The World.”
“That’s, uhh…” He chuckled to himself, walking into the house. “That’s worse.”
“WE ARE THE GIRLS OF ROCK ‘N ROLL,” Julie loudly sang.
All Steve could do was just look at the five year old jumping… or dancing, and singing. He looked at you, your hand covering your mouth as you tried not to laugh. “She always like this?”
“You have no idea,” you chuckled. “She’s like this when she’s got her favorite movie, tape or record on. The radio, too.”
“Mama, come dance with me!” Julie said. “You, too, Steve!”
Walking over to Julie with a smile on your face, you took her hands in yours, dancing with your daughter. All Steve could do was just stand there, watching you be the amazing mom that you are.
Steve decided right then and there that he was going to whatever it took to be a part of your life again, as well as Julie’s.
“Steve, get over here,” Julie whined.
Chuckling, Steve shook his head and walked over to you and Julie, dancing along to Julie’s moves. For the next couple of minutes, it was nothing but bliss.
Your cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing so much; something you hadn’t done in what seemed like a long time. As you looked at Steve and Julie interacting with one another, you couldn’t help but fall just a little in love with him.
Steve was stepping up as the father figure for Julie; something you told him she didn’t need anymore of, but you knew he wouldn’t listen to you. He does what he wants, and you knew that this was something he wanted.
When the song on the movie ended, Steve released a deep breath and sat down in the recliner. You watched as Julie turned to look at him before walking over to him.
“Steve, can I sit in your lap?” she asked, shocking the both of you.
Dustin seemed to pop up out of nowhere, saying, “Yeah, Steve. Can Jules sit in your lap?”
Steve looked at Julie with soft eyes and a soft smile. “Yeah, kid. Come here.” He held his arms out to her, helping her up onto his lap. She sat on one of his legs, almost putting herself in between the armrest and his limb.
“Julie, after the movie, you need to take a bath,” you said, looking at the time.
Julie groaned before she whined out, “But Mommyyyyyyy.”
“No buts. You can come back out here and cuddle with Steve some more after.”
Sighing, the child relented, staring at the television screen. You sat back down just as Dustin sat down the couch with you, holding a pillow to his chest. Looking over at him, you snickered. “That pillow Suzie with a Z?”
Sighing, he hung his head, forehead touching the pillow. “Why do you always say that when you say her name?”
Shrugging, you responded, “I don’t know. Because it’s fun.”
“It’s not, and no. I’m not.”
Picking up your book, you opened it to your page, eyes on the words as you said, “Whatever you say, bro.”
You weren’t sure how much time had passed, so when Julie stood in front of you, you almost jumped out of your skin. “What’s wrong?” you asked, closing the book and putting your hands on her arms. “The movie is over,” she said. “My bath?”
Releasing a breath, you said, “That’s right. Yes. Go get your pajamas while I go run your bath water, okay?”
She nodded her head before heading off to your bedroom to retrieve her clothes while you stood up and went into the bathroom to prepare her bath for her.
When the water was the right temperature and she got in, you started to wash her hair after wetting it. As you lathered the shampoo into her hair, she asked, “Mommy, where’s my daddy?”
You stopped for a moment before rinsing your hands and filling the cup up with water to rinse her hair. “He’s not around, baby. Mommy left him not long after you were born.”
Time to rip off the bandaid.
“Why?”
“Because he didn’t help me take care of you, and that’s what Mommy needed at the time.”
“Was I a lot?”
Smiling a little, you said, “Yes, but that just came with being a baby. Babies are a lot, and it’s not a bad thing.”
“Do I look like him?”
Where is this coming from? you asked yourself. “No, baby. You look more like me.”
“Whew. Thank goodness.”
You chuckled, lathering a little bit of conditioner onto your hands to put to the ends of her hair. “Where is this coming from?” you voiced.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I had a lot of fun with Steve.”
“With the dancing?”
Nodding, she dunked one of her dolls into the water, pretending it’s diving into the water. “He’s fun. And nice.”
“That he is.”
“And he’s cute.”
Laughing, you threw your head back. “Yeah, I guess he is.”
“Mommy?”
“Yes, baby?”
“I want him to be my daddy.”
You stopped all movements, watching her as she continued to swim her doll around the water. Rinsing your hands, you scrunched your brows before standing to dry them off. “Well, we’ll have to see, okay? Now, we gotta let that conditioner sit in your hair for a second. I forgot your comb in the bedroom. I’ll be right back.”
Taking a deep breath, you exited the bathroom, releasing it once the door was cracked shut. Looking to your left, you almost jumped out of your skin when you saw Steve standing there. “Warn a girl next time, Harrington, holy shit.”
“Swear jar!” Julie yelled.
“You owe like 75 cents,” Dustin said, walking by you to go into his room.
“Can it, Dusty,” you mumbled. Looking at Steve, you sighed. “How much did you hear?”
Shrugging, he said, “Enough.”
“Can you, uhm, just stay right here at the door, make sure she’s okay while I step into the bedroom?” you asked.
“Of course,” he said, walking towards you to lean against the doorframe. With how little you cracked the door, he couldn’t see into the bathroom.
You nodded, going across the hall into your bedroom. Going straight for your vanity, you felt tears welling up along your waterline, your vision going just a little bit blurry.
Julie’s never asked about her father, nor has she voiced her opinion on who she wanted as her father. There was something about Steve that she must’ve liked enough to voice those opinions, and seeing him interact with her the way that has made you realize that you want him as her father, too.
Grabbing the comb you use for yours and Julie’s hair, you heard Steve laughing.
“Yeah, for real, your mom really listened to all that stuff. She was into all that pop music when we were kids. Dancing Queen and Bohemian Rhapsody being her favorite songs,” he said.
You faintly heard Julie’s little voice as she said, “She still listens to those songs. Mommy tries to be sneaky about it, but she can’t fool me!”
He chuckled, leaning his head down a little. Steve was quiet for a moment before he asked, “You doing okay in there?”
“Yeah, I’m okay,” Julie said, splashing her doll around.
“Try not to splash, okay?”
“I’m not!”
Wiping the tears that you didn’t realize had fallen, you walked out of your bedroom and into the bathroom, saying your thanks to Steve as you pushed your way into the bathroom. “Ready, kiddo?”
“No. I hate this part,” Julie said.
“I know, baby. But with our hair texture, it has to be done.” You got work carefully getting the knots out of her beautiful curls before rinsing the conditioner out, only to run the comb through one more time.
When her bath was fully done, you got her out before pulling the plug, turning to her to help dry her off. Once she was dressed for bed, you wrapped her hair in the towel before opening the door.
“Nah, man. You gotta try super hard. Julie is her world. She’s all of our worlds, but my sister’s especially. She doesn’t really let anyone in. Not after what her ex said about her.”
“Uhm, baby girl, why don’t you go into the bedroom and play with your dolls? I’ll be there in a minute, okay?” you said, looking down at your daughter.
“Okay, Mommy,” she said, skipping into the room you shared with her.
Sighing, you walked into the living room, going straight for your brother, who held his hands up after seeing the look on your face. “You gotta learn to keep your mouth shut,” you said, grabbing him by the back of the neck. “Why did you have to say that?”
“What did Mike say about who?” Steve asked.
Looking at your brother, you gritted out between clenched teeth, “You. Julie. Now.” Looking at Steve, you pointed at him and said, “You. Outside. Now.” Anger rolled off of you as you stepped outside, taking a deep breath to calm the anger rising in you.
Steve stepped outside, walking up behind you. “What did he say?” he asked softly. “Who was he talking about?”
“Two nights after I packed up and left his house, Mike came by to try and see Julie, but I refused to let him. He said that I was nothing but a slut who opened her legs for anyone. Told me that I should’ve…” You couldn’t finish the words, tears threatening to escape.
“You should’ve what?” Steve asked.
Quietly and tearfully, you whispered, “That I should’ve gotten rid of her once I found out I was pregnant. That all I wanted was to try and tie him down to make him be with me. Turns out him being with me was nothing but a joke. To make the basketball team jealous. To show them that the football team could get more girls than them.”
“Well, that didn’t work.”
“Yeah, no shit. The football team sucked and they knew it. They just wanted to feel like they were winning at something.”
“Well, there’s one thing he didn’t win at,” Steve said, turning you around to face him.
“What’s that?”
“Seeing his amazing daughter grow up. Seeing her mom being the best mom there is in Hawkins, besides her own.”
You chuckled, looking down at the ground, a tear falling from your waterline and onto the concrete. “I didn’t wanna tell you because I didn’t want you to try and find him. He’s not worth anything. Not fights, not arguments… not being a dad.”
Looking up at Steve, you wanted to voice your thoughts from earlier, but decided not to. Instead, you reached up and wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him in for a much needed hug, sighing when he wrapped his own arms around your middle.
“I have to put Julie to bed,” you whispered.
“I’ll help you.”
Nodding, you closed your eyes, savoring this moment with him. When you pulled away, you looked down, scared of what you would do if you looked at him. Walking back into the house, you looked behind you, seeing Steve still standing in the same spot. “Steve. Come on. It’s not worth it.”
He looked up at you, nodding a little before walking back up the steps and going inside the house. Following you into your room, he couldn’t help but think about if had chosen him again. How different your lives would be.
Watching you and Julie interact brought a smile to his face, wanting this moment to last forever. He walked over to the two of you as you took her towel to her hair again, scrunching it before holding Julie’s hair in the towel to help try it a little faster. “Can I help?”
Looking up at him, you smiled a little. “Yeah. Just be careful, though. She’s a little tenderheaded.”
Puffing out his chest a little, he said, “I got this,” making both you and your daughter laugh. He took your place behind Julie, taking the towel and doing what he saw you doing, being extra careful with her hair. “Like that?” he quietly asked.
“Perfect,” you smiled. “I’m gonna go get her a glass of water. I’ll be right back.”
It was quiet for a moment before Steve asked, “So, I hear you’re starting school soon?”
Julie nodded, eyes full of excitement. “Yeah. I’m really excited! I’m starting kindergarten!”
Smiling, he said, “You’re going to have so much fun,” as he moved to a different section of her hair. “Do you know who your teacher is?”
“Mrs. Coffey. I heard she’s really nice from some of the 1st graders.”
“She is nice. I had her in kindergarten.”
With eyes shining as bright as the sun, Julie asked, “Can you walk with me into class? Mommy is! I want you there, too. Maybe she’ll remember you!”
Chuckling as he dried the last section of her hair, he nodded, “Sure, kid. I’ll walk with you and your mom.”
Turning around, she wrapped her arms around his neck, catching him off guard. “Thank you, Steve!”
Returning the hug, he smiled softly. “Anything for you, kiddo.” He was starting to become attached to Julie, something that he never expected himself to do. Some of the other girls he dated had kids, but he never felt fatherly towards them like he does Julie.
“Come on, kiddo,” he said. “Let’s get you to bed.” He helped Julie into bed, crawling in behind her at her request, saying it’s something you do at night. Steve didn’t realize how tired he was as he fell asleep almost instantly with Julie cuddled up next to him.
When you walked back into your room, you scrunched your brows in confusion, not seeing them at the vanity. Looking at your bed, your features softened, seeing them sleeping on your bed together. Setting the glass of water down on the nightstand, you smoothed your hand over her forehead before leaning down to give her cheek a kiss.
Looking at Steve, you couldn’t help but place one at the corner of his mouth, neither one of them stirring. Sighing as you walked out of the bedroom, you cracked the door a little, deciding that you were going to sleep on the couch, but before you could sit and read some more of your book, the phone rang.
Quickly picking it up, you took a deep breath, listening for the pitter patter of little feet. Sighing, you placed the phone to your ear. “Hello?”
“Hi, pretty thing.”
Your eyes grew as wide as saucers. It had been five years since you heard that voice. “What do you want?”
“I want to see my daughter.”
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A/N 2: hi, friends! please do not hesitate to reblog and give some feedback, whether it be in the reblogs, comments, or my inbox.
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Posted on November 21, 2025