Chapter Text
First Christmas
1986
Christmas Eve
Eddie turned down the lights a bit and fixed a couple ornaments on the tree. He had finished the decorating after Steve and the twins got home from the hospital. It was gorgeous, full and had tinsel adorning it along with the ornaments that were in the Christmas bins they got from the attic. The bubble lights were adding a small flicker to the tree that made it extra unique.
He went over and carefully sat next to Steve, who had Thea and Koda snuggled against his chest having been fed and burped. He gently pressed a soft kiss to both their heads before kissing Steve’s cheek softly. “How you feeling?” He asked softly as he carefully rested against him. They had been home only a couple weeks and Steve was still healing from the c-section and the issues with Tiamat.
Steve smiled softly and nuzzled him a little. “Exhausted but it’s a good exhausted..” he said quietly. He looked down at both twins and loved how the soft colored lights bounced off their shiny dark hair as they slept. “They’re pretty amazing aren’t they..?” He said looking at Eddie.
“Yeah..it’s unreal…” Eddie smiled, running his finger over Koda’s downy soft hair soothingly. “I’m sure I’m kinda still in shock that they’re here..they’ve been home for a couple weeks but it’s gone by so fast..” he said with a soft laugh.
“Yeah it’s weird not feeling them kicking me every five minutes..” Steve laughed a little. Thea squirmed a little as she stretched out her tiny legs, making small squeaky grunts as Steve rubbed her back to try and sooth her back to sleep. “Shh..you’re ok..” he whispered, kissing the top of her head.
Eddie watched her, enamored with how tiny she was. She was still fairly small, seeing as she wasn’t the dominant twin in the womb. Koda had gotten most of the nutrients. “Want me to try?” He offered.
“Sure..before she wakes Koda..” Steve said, letting Eddie get up.
Eddie carefully got up and picked Thea up from Steve. She made small whimpers and started crying lightly. He gently patted her back as he went to the record player. He got out the record he wanted and put it on the turntable, lifting the needle and setting it on the right groove section. He adjusted the volume so it was still heard good but not loud.
(Beth by KISS)
He gently rocked Thea next to the tree as he paced, trying to calm her down. He sang along with the song softly to her as he had her against his shoulder. Thea slowly started to settle back into sleep.
Steve smiled as he watched them. He absolutely loved Eddie in that moment. He looked perfect holding and fawning over their daughter and it warmed his heart knowing he was their dad and they were so lucky to have him with them. He couldn’t have asked for anything more perfect than that moment.
He got to his feet with Koda and went over to join him. “You’re a good dad you know?” He said as he rocked Koda with the music.
“Well..I had a good teacher..” Eddie smiled as he looked at Steve.
“I am sure I made you grow up a bit..” Steve chuckled softly.
Eddie laughed. “I’d argue fighting monsters from another dimension and being accused of murder helped that too.”
“I’ll give you that.” Steve nodded as he rocked Koda gently. “Not bad for their first Christmas Eve..” he said. “So far so good..”
“Now if we can get them to sleep through the night..” Eddie said, seeing Thea had already settled and fallen back asleep.
“We should get them to bed then..” Steve whispered. “They’ll be up and ready for their next feeding in a few hours..” he yawned.
Eddie nodded and started to quietly walk upstairs to take Thea to the nursery. He turned on the small light and walked over to the crib, located under the dragon painting Will did. He carefully pulled Thea away from himself and laid her down carefully. “There we go baby girl..” he whispered.
Steve brought Koda in and laid him carefully next to Thea. He pulled a light but warm baby blanket over them just enough. He cranked the ocean nightlight music box for them and leaned against Eddie, tiredly watching them sleep. “God..can you believe we made those..” he smiled, looking at Eddie.
Eddie smiled and nodded as he led Steve out of the room. “It’s pretty cool..” he said as he yawned. He helped Steve get into bed and made sure he was comfortable before going downstairs to turn off the music and lock up. They had the party and Wayne, Joyce, and Hopper coming the next day to help celebrate the twins’ first Christmas. Joyce had insisted that her and Hopper would be doing all the work.
Once his dad mind was satisfied with how secure the house was he walked back up to their bedroom and crawled into bed with Steve. “I love you..” he said softly even though Steve was fast asleep by that time. He lightly draped his arm around him and fell asleep.
_______
Christmas Day 1986
Joyce was hard at work in the kitchen making a Turkey early the next morning. Having a spare key she let herself in so she could get started. Hopper would be by a little later with Will and El. She looked up hearing the distinct sound of a newborn crying and smiled a bit. She missed that sound. She went ahead and prepared a bottle for Steve knowing that particular cry was hunger.
Steve got up and went to the nursery, still exhausted. He carefully picked Koda up and sighed softly as he laid him against his shoulder. “I know buddy..I know..I’m getting it..” he said as he carried him out so he didn’t wake up Thea. As soon as he stepped one foot on the stairs, however, that same cry started up from her too. He closed his eyes briefly and carefully back tracked to go back in the room to get her.
Joyce chuckled and shook her head as she made another bottle up for him. She couldn’t imagine having two at the same time it sounded quite strenuous.
Steve came down with both of them in his arms still crying. His hair was disheveled, definitely not up to the Harrington standard, and he had slight bags under his eyes. “Morning Joyce..”
“Morning yourself hon. You let me get Thea I got some bottles made for you..” Joyce chuckled a bit as she came over. “And before you freak my hands are free from Turkey juice and clean.” She smiled. “I sent Robin on a quick run to grab you guys some more milk hopefully she gets back in time.”
Steve nodded as he let her take a still crying Thea. “I was prepared for one screaming newborn not two I’m gonna lose it here, Joyce..” he said as he took one and helped Koda get latched to the nipple on the bottle while he screamed.
“Just be glad you were done with school before you got pregnant. Imagine doing homework with this?” Joyce said. She had had Jonathan when she was about 17 so she knew what it was like. Lonnie hadn’t been much help either. He got to graduate on time while she had to re-take a year.
“True..but no matter what I’m feeling like I’m not doing stuff right like the books are saying they should be on a schedule and I’m still up randomly throughout the night..” Steve groaned as he finally got Koda to settle so he could eat.
“There is something those books don’t realize.” Joyce said as she ran the nipple of the bottle over Thea’s lips so she would latch. “Babies are human and not robots.” She grinned as Thea immediately calmed and started eating.
Steve nodded slightly and stretched his leg a bit.
“How’s it doing?” Joyce asked as she watched him.
“Still gets stiff and sore at times..” Steve said wiggling his toes inside his slippers as he stretched it. “The marks haven’t gone away..”
“They probably won’t..like the ones on your neck from the bat..” Joyce said. “It’ll take time. Just contact Sam if it starts doing anything weird..”
Steve nodded as Eddie came sleepily down the stairs. “Oh..hey Mrs. Byers..” he yawned.
“Morning Eddie.” Joyce smiled, adjusting Thea a bit. “Hop will be here in a few with the kids.”
“Hopefully I’ll be functional.” Eddie smiled as he enjoyed the smell of the cooking Turkey. “Kids kept us up late last night..”
“Totally understandable. That’s why I’m here doing the grunt work. I even put out the gifts under the tree because I figured you forgot.” Joyce smiled. “And so I can get in some baby time.” She grinned down at Thea.
“Oh right..thanks.” Eddie smiled and kissed the top of Steve’s head. He looked up, hearing Hopper’s truck doors and other doors closing. He went to open the front door, seeing just how much it snowed that night. “Jesus Christ..talk about a white Christmas..” he said seeing Will, El, Mike, Dustin, Nancy, and Jonathan following Hopper. He stepped aside so they could get in. Lucas was going to come later as he was with Max, making sure she wasn’t alone. They had visited her just before coming and dropped off gifts. They were tasked with remembering everything so they could describe it to her.
“That snow was no joke last night. Watch the steps and don’t slip.” Hopper said, of course slipping slightly, catching the railing. “Like that.” He sighed in annoyance. He hated the snow with every fiber of his being.
“Come on in it’s toasty.” Eddie said helping him heard everyone in.
Hopper handed Eddie the large bags of gifts as the last of them got inside with theirs. “Put those by the tree and I hear anything louder than a few decibels I’ll kill you.” No baby was going to wake up by being disturbed by a teenager on his watch. He hung back outside to grab a quick cigarette.
Eddie took the bags in and saw that everyone was already around both Joyce and Steve, fawning over the twins.
“See so I get to be the favorite uncle because I got to help in the delivery room.” Dustin said proudly.
“Hey totally not fair! We had to go home..” Will said looking at him.
“Jesus guys you all are the same level..there. Fuck.” Steve rolled his eyes, burping Koda.
El watched him curiously. “Why do you have to do that..?” She asked as she watched Steve pat Koda gently on the back after he finished his bottle.
“You have to so they burp.” Joyce explained. “They get a gas buildup in their tummies that makes them uncomfortable.”
“Yeah and it’s sometimes super gross because they spit up.” Mike said making a face as Koda spit up a bit as he made a small hiccup. “See? Gross.”
“Ew..” El made a small face, but still watched curiously. She was fascinated by babies as she hadn’t been around any growing up.
Steve got Koda cleaned up and stood up, “Feel free to get situated so we can get presents opened. I have to get them into their outfits.” He said nodding for Eddie to get Thea from Joyce so she could wash up and help get everything ready.
“They have outfits?” Dustin smirked looking at Eddie and Steve.
“They do shut up..besides../your/ mom made them.” Eddie said sticking his tongue out at him playfully as he carefully got a freshly burped Thea from Joyce.
Dustin laughed. “Oh if it’s what I think it is then we’re in for a treat guys.” He said as if she didn’t have photos of him in her photo albums wearing a hand knitted peppermint candy cane onesie.
Steve and Eddie went upstairs to get dressed and get the twins ready.
Hopper came in and looked at everyone as they all started finding their spots around the tree. “No music? Let’s get that changed shall we?” He said going to Steve’s record player and stereo. He fiddled with it and got the Christmas music playing.
(White Christmas by Bing Crosby)
“There. Much better.” he said as he went to the kitchen. He offered Joyce his hand playfully to dance.
Joyce blushed and smiled as she took it and slowly danced to the song with him while the teens watched and laughed happily.
Wayne came a few minutes later stomping snow off his boots outside. “Anyone home?” He asked as he poked his head in.
“Wayne? We’re in the living room.” Hopper answered.
Wayne walked up the small set of steps and smiled softly at everyone as he set his gifts for the new family under the tree. He shook Hopper’s hand. “Never really got to thank you properly for helping get Eddie’s name cleared..that was very kind of you and I appreciate it more than you know, Jim.”
Hopper nodded. “It was no problem. He’s a good kid when he puts his mind to it.” He said giving him a small smile as Steve and Eddie came downstairs. “He’s shaping up to be a pretty good dad thanks to you I think.” He said nodding to them.
Eddie smiled proudly at his uncle and held up a sleeping Thea in her little knitted gingerbread lady outfit that matched Koda’s gingerbread man outfit. “Ok so welcome these little troublemakers to their first Christmas.” He announced proudly. He was wearing a festive ugly Christmas sweater that had Santa shredding on a guitar while Steve wore a simple one with reindeer motifs on it.
Jonathan snapped photos of them as he was told as the others clapped softly not wanting to scare the two newborns.
Eddie and Steve greeted Wayne and let him meet the twins.
“You did good kid..” Wayne said patting Eddie’s shoulder. “Proud of you two. Now you best let me babysit and all that if you need anyone.” He said trying not to get emotional at the site of the two babies.
“Of course! They have to learn all the cool stuff from you.” Eddie smiled before leading Steve and Wayne to the couch.
Dustin sat on Steve’s other side and looked at the onesies. “Maaan my mom did a number on you guys..” he laughed softly. “They do pull them off though..” he grinned.
“They’re so cute..” Nancy smiled, going over and letting Thea grip her finger. “I think Thea looks like Eddie and Koda looks like you, Steve.” She smiled. “Look he’s even got the little floof starting to his hair..awww..”
Steve laughed softly. “He does..I think they still favor Eds a bit more though.” He said as Robin came in.
“Joyce that was an absolute nightmare! Oh hey guys.” Robin said as she got her boots and coat off. She got the milk in the fridge and sighed softly. “Present time! I want you to open mine first so I can thaw a bit.” She said as she handed Steve and Eddie her gift, an envelope.
Steve carefully handed Koda off to Wayne who watched him and ran his finger over his chubby little cheeks.
Steve opened the envelope and it had a free babysitter for a short vacation coupon on it. “Oh you’re going to get over your fear of babysitting?” He smirked.
“I’ve been reading up so I don’t accidentally kill them.” Robin grinned. “In your face Munson!”
“Hey my money is still on you leaving one or both of them in a store by accident.” Eddie shrugged.
“Oh shut up it’s Christmas.” Robin said looking at him, arms crossed.
Steve smacked his arm. “Henderson yours next.” He said.
Dustin opened his gift. “No way! A new hat!” He grinned as he held up the hat that had Intellectual Badass embroidered on it. “Thanks guys.” He grinned.
“Your go Wheeler.” Eddie grinned.
Mike opened his and showed off a brand new black and gold dice set. “Oh sweet! How’d you know I wanted this?”
“You wouldn’t shut up about it.” Nancy laughed. “So naturally I told them.”
Steve got the others to open their gifts. El got a stuffed bear that smelled like waffles, Will got a brand new set of professional paints and brushes, Nancy got a fancy journal and fountain pen, Jonathan a new Polaroid camera, Joyce some new sweaters, Hopper a new mug that said ‘I Like Big Busts and I Cannot Lie’, Robin a new David Bowie cassette, and Wayne a ‘Best Grandpa’ shirt along with copies of the twins hospital snap shots for his wallet.
Joyce brought a bag over. “This one is for them from me and Hop.” She smiled as she held Thea for Eddie.
Steve and Eddie smiled and opened up the bag, taking out two matching hand made fleece blankets. “Oh Joyce these are perfect..” Steve said smiling.
“And this one is for you two. And it kind of goes with Robin’s gift.” Joyce said handing them a small box.
Eddie looked at her and then to Steve. They both opened it together and it was plane tickets. “What..?” Steve blinked.
“It‘s a vacation. Little well deserved R&R.” Hopper said. “In sunny California.”
“Holy shit guys..thank you..” Steve said, shocked to say the least.
“Yeah wow..thanks.” Eddie blinked.
“And here is ours.” Dustin said. “On behalf of Hellfire we induct them with their first dice sets and shirts.”
“Pink for Thea and blue for Koda.” El grinned.
“You guys rock!” Eddie smiled as they hugged both him and Steve.
“Just bring us back something cool from your vacation.” Mike grinned.
Steve laughed a bit as Joyce went to check the Turkey. “We’ll keep that in mind.”
Wayne came over, “Now this ain’t no fancy vacation but it is something to help get you all started.” He said, handing Eddie an envelope. “This is a head start on a college fund for these two. Just over two grand..”
Steve blinked and held Eddie’s hand. “Oh Wayne..this is..”
“..Absolutely fantastic..you didn’t have to do all this..” Eddie said.
“Now I ain’t one for sappy shit so you two make sure that goes into a safe place now.” Wayne smiled as he held Koda.
Steve smiled and rested his head against Eddie’s shoulder happily.
They played games and watched holiday movies together till the Turkey was finished. They enjoyed each other’s company as they sat around the table eating the delicious meal. Steve had brought the bassinet down so the twins could sleep while they ate. He made sure to check on them often as he was still quite skittish with them.
The time came for everyone to go home and say their goodbyes for the night as Hopper led the teens to the truck. Joyce and Wayne hung behind as they got to the door.
Wayne stood on the porch talking to Eddie and making sure he knew how to set up an account for the college fund.
Joyce looked at Steve and put her hand on his cheek. She always considered him one of her children after hearing from hopper how awful his parents were. She didn’t care if he wasn’t blood related. That was her boy just as much as Jonathan and Will were. “You know what?” She smiled.
“What..?” Steve asked looking at her.
“You’re doing a good job..” Joyce smiled softly.
Steve’s eyes watered. He needed to hear those words more than anything in that moment. He never heard them from his own parents ever in his life. “That means a lot..” he said softly, wiping his eyes.
“Just remember to be there. No matter what. No matter how hard they try and push you away. You stand firm and be there.” Joyce said. “Be that fierce mama bear.”
“Always.” Steve smiled, softly.
Joyce smiled and kissed his forehead before going to the truck to go home.
Steve stood in the doorway with Eddie and Robin as they watched everybody leave into the night.
(Happy Christmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon)
“I’m gonna go clean up..” Robin smiled as she went to the dining room and kitchen to pack up the extra food.
Eddie shut the door and sighed tiredly. “You ok?” He asked seeing Steve’s slightly teary expression.
Steve nodded and sat on the couch looking at the tree. “Yeah..I think I’m a lot better now..” he said trying to smile.
Eddie sat next to him and put his arm around him. “You don’t look like you are..”
Steve looked at him. “It’s been a while since I had anything like today..last three Christmases I spent here alone with the occasional visit from Dustin and his mom..no parents no call from parents nothing..” he said. “Growing up they threw parties yeah but I had to go to bed early and the next morning they would be too busy to sit and open gifts..I’d take my one thing and go to my room..” he said. Family time wasn’t something the Harringtons did unless it was forced.
“You’re not used to this kinda interaction on the holidays?” Eddie said.
Steve shook his head. “It was nice..I want that for them..I don’t want them to have that sense of dread I had growing up..” he said. “And I want them to have every bit of everything normal kids have and not turn into my parents..”
“You’re not going to turn out like your parents..” Eddie reassured as he kissed his cheek and held him.
“Joyce said something to me today that reassured me a bit..” Steve said, lacing their fingers together. “She said I was doing a good job..”
“You are..” Eddie said. “Best mama bear out there.” He said kissing his cheek lovingly and nuzzling close. “Merry Christmas, Stevie..”
Steve smiled and kissed Eddie’s forehead. “Merry Christmas, Eds..” he said softly. “Hopefully we’ll have many more like this one..”
“Quit being so mushy you two! You’re grossing out the twins!” Robin joked, poking her head out from the kitchen. “You’re definitely going to be the overly affectionate parents aren’t you?”
Eddie and Steve laughed and got up to help her. “Maybe we are..” Steve said looking affectionately at Eddie.
(End)