Work Text:
04.13.1991
Manhattan, New York
It had been 19 weeks since Sadie Elianna Byers was born, and her parents were at a loss for how fast time seemed to be moving.
Mike had been steadily recovering ever since that horrifying February day, and even though he still mourned the loss of his fertility, every time he looked at his 4 month old daughter, he knew it was worth it to still be alive for her.
His Mom came over most days to help while Will was at school, especially since Mike couldn't do much while he recovered from major abdominal surgery, and it was nice to have her there to answer any questions Mike had about raising Sadie.
Her pediatrician was very happy with her progress, and Sadie was hitting all of her milestones just as she should.
She was growing steadily, now weighing just under 13 pounds, and Will in particular couldn't get over how cute how chubby cheeks and limbs were.
Mike had just waved goodbye to his Mom, and was waiting for Will to return from class.
“What do you want to do now that Grandma’s gone?” Mike asked Sadie who was sat on his hip.
Sadie was awake more during the day now and she happily screeched, a new development as she found her voice.
“Mmmh, yes that sounds great.” Mike responded to her.
He loved talking to his daughter, especially when they were alone. She never had anything judgmental to say and was the perfect venting partner in Mike's opinion.
Mike sat her down on her play mat, keeping one hand on her back to support her. His daughter was starting to build more core strength, but she was still only 4 months old.
Sadie grabbed her stuffed bunny and tried to put it in her mouth. Mike gently pulled the toy away from her and Sadie grunted in displeasure at him.
“It's not nice to put Mr. Rabbit in your mouth.” Mike said, gently loosening his daughter's grip on the toy.
Sadie whimpered and whined as the bunny was removed from her grasp, and Mike quickly reacted by shaking the toy in front of her, letting the sound of the ears crinkling distract the baby.
It did the trick and Sadie instead started smiling as she intently watched the toy in Mike's hand.
Mike started rubbing the toy against Sadie's face before pulling back playfully. The little girl was thoroughly entertained by the act and continued to squeal as Mike played with her.
Mike started moving to other parts of her body, tickling her with rabbit, and when he went to her stomach, Sadie let out a laugh. A real laugh.
Mike paused.
“Are you laughing?” Mike asked in awe as he set the bunny toy down and gathered Sadie up into his arms.
She giggled again, and Mike's heart melted at the sound.
Sadie’s laugh was sweet and melodious. It reminded Mike of her father.
“Daddy’s gonna be so excited to hear about this when he gets home!” Mike said as he carefully stood, using the couch as leverage.
Sadie giggled again before she started pounding on Mike's chest.
“Oh? Is someone hungry now?” He asked as Sadie smacked her lips and rubbing her face against Mike’s clothed chest.
“Okay, okay, hang on.” Mike chuckled as Sadie's brows furrowed at the lack of milk.
Mike grabbed a burp rag before settling down on the couch. He pulled his shirt up, and once she could actually see his exposed nipples, Sadie quickly dove in and latched.
She had become very efficient at nursing and was ready to be burped and switched after only 10 minutes of nursing.
Once she had had her fill and Mike had sufficiently burped her, Sadie’s eyes grew heavy and she drifted off to sleep.
Mike went into the bedroom to dispose of the dirty burp rag and to lay Sadie down in her crib.
He was getting better about leaving his daughter when she was clearly safe and content in order to take care of things for himself. His mother had drilled that into him the past several weeks, and in hindsight he was grateful for it.
He moved to the kitchen to make himself some lunch and tidy up while Sadie slept with the bedroom door still open so he could hear her if anything was wrong.
Will came home while Sadie was still sleeping, and Mike motioned for him to be quiet when he entered.
Will nodded in understanding, glancing at the open bedroom door, before going to greet Mike with a hug and chaste kiss.
“How was your day?” Will asked softly.
Mike smiled wide, vibrating with the excitement to tell Will that Sadie had laughed for the first time.
“Are you okay? You look like you're about to burst.” Will said in a playful manner.
“Sadie laughed for the first time today.” Mike blurted.
Will’s eyes lit up. “What? Oh my god! How did it happen?”
“I was playing with her on the floor and tickling her with one of her stuffed toys and then she just started laughing.” Mike said, reminiscing on the moment that had only happened about an hour ago.
“It was the sweetest thing Will, I hope you have a chance to hear it soon.” Mike said.
“I can't wait.” Will smiled brightly.
The young parents startled when they heard a cry from their bedroom.
Looks like naptime is over.
Will bounded into the room, with Mike trailing behind him to attend to their daughter.
“Hi princess, it's okay, Daddy’s here.” Will said as he gently picked Sadie up and settled her over his shoulder near his scent gland.
Will patted her bottom before turning to Mike and giving him a knowing look.
Mike nodded in understanding and went to grab the diaper bag while Will situated Sadie on the bed and started undressing her so that he could change her diaper.
Sadie was still whimpering and crying as Will peeled the soiled diaper off.
“I know, I’m sure that's uncomfortable. But it's gone now and I’m gonna get you all cleaned up.” Will said as he wiped down Sadie's little butt and put on a new diaper.
“Mike, can you grab me a change of clothes for her?” Will asked as he double checked that the dry diaper was on sung.
Mike nodded and quickly handed a clean onesie to Will.
Once Sadie was changed and dressed, Will picked her up and lovingly nuzzled his face into her stomach.
Normally this would simply make Sadie squeal and coo in excitement, but today she gave a different reaction.
Will turned to look at Mike with wide eyes when he registered that his daughter was laughing.
Mike laughed alongside his daughter as Will gave her a blinding smile.
“Are you laughing? Did you like that, so now you're laughing?” Will said sweetly, gently bouncing the little girl, making her laugh harder.
“It's so beautiful.” Will said to Mike.
“I told you.” Mike shrugged as he walked over and leaned over Will’s shoulder to see his daughter.
Sadie smiled and laughed as she interacted with her parents and Mike's heart swelled with unconditional love for his daughter.
He never wanted this to end.
☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼
05.12.1991
Manhattan, New York
Will carefully slipped out of bed and snuck out of the bedroom, trying not to wake Mike and Sadie.
Today was Mother's Day, and while Mike had brushed it off whenever someone brought up the fact that his first Mother’s Day as a Mom was coming up, Will cared about it.
Mike had gone through so much in the past year, and Will wanted to spend the day celebrating and thanking him for everything he’s done for their daughter.
He quietly moved around the kitchen as early morning sunlight streamed in and got to work making breakfast.
Will held his breath as he turned the stove on, but fortunately no sound that alerted him to someone waking could be heard from the bedroom.
Will crept back into the bedroom with two plates on a tray; one with a stack of pancakes with plenty of syrup, and another with bacon and eggs.
He set the tray down on the nightstand, and sat down on the bed beside his sleeping boyfriend.
He took in Mike's appearance, admiring his messy curls that he still hadn't cut (much to Will’s delight) and the cute way his mouth hung open as he steadily breathed.
Will hated to wake him up, but he also knew that Mike wouldn't appreciate a cold breakfast, so he bit the bullet and gently rubbed Mike's shoulder.
“Mike, it's time to wake up.” He whispered gently.
Mike groaned and turned away from Will, tugging the blanket tighter around his body.
“I made you pancakes.” Will said, moving to rub Mike’s back.
Mike paused before turning back to Will, slowly blinking his eyes open.
He looked like a puppy, and Will found it ridiculously adorable. Sadie did the same thing when she woke up. She may have Will’s eye color, but she still inherited the iconic Wheeler puppy dog eyes.
It made it really hard to say no to her.
“Pancakes?” Mike mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
“Yea, but you need to sit up if you want to eat them.” Will said.
Mike scented the air, and whipped his head to the nightstand when he realized the food was already in the room with him.
He pushed up onto his elbows and rested his back against the headboard before leaning over to grab the food.
Will beat him to it, and placed the tray of food over Mike's lap.
“Happy Mother's Day Mike.” Will said as Mike began to dig into his breakfast.
Mike paused with a mouthful of eggs, making him look like a chipmunk.
“That's today?” Mike said in disbelief.
“Yes, Mike.” Will chuckled.
“Shit, thanks for reminding me. I’ll make sure to at least call my Mom today.” Mike said as he took another bite of eggs.
“Mike, did you hear what I said before?” Will asked.
“You said ‘Happy Mother's Day’.” Mike said slowly, clearly confused as to why Will was asking him to repeat it.
Will gave his boyfriend a look that said, ‘Come on, you're smarter than this.’
“Oh!” Mike gasped. He looked over to the crib in their room was Sadie was still sleeping. “It's my first Mother’s Day.” He said in disbelief.
“Yes, it is.” Will smiled and shook his head, he never had a dull day with Mike Wheeler.
“Let's try this again.” Will said, moving so that he could look Mike in the eyes. “Mike, Happy Mother's Day. Thank you for everything you’ve done for our family this past year. I know things haven't always been easy, and we’ve definitely had our share of good and bad days, but you really are a great Mom. You amaze me everyday, and I’m so glad that Sadie has you and that I get to be a parent with you.”
Will took Mike's hand into his and squeezed firmly.
Mike smiled as tears built up in his eyes.
“Fuck! I thought this over-emotional bullshit was supposed to be done after I had the baby.” He exclaimed as he wiped at his eyes.
Will laughed lightly as he brought a hand up to cup Mike’s face and wipe his tears away.
“I love you Mike.” Will said as their lips met in the middle.
The tender moment was interrupted by the sound of Sadie rolling around in her crib and grunting as she woke up.
The 5 month old was starting to play with her voice more, and Mike and Will were awoken by different noises almost everyday.
Today the little girl had decided grunting like an animal was the way to go, and both men had to stifle a laugh as they listened to their daughter.
Will stood up and went over to Sadie’s crib to greet her.
She smiled when Will’s face came into view, and happily kicked and flailed her arms until her father picked her up.
“Good morning sunshine.” Will said as he brushed Sadie's messy curls off of her face. She really was a mini-Mike.
(He still stands by that opinion, even if Karen is the only one who agrees with him.)
“Today’s a very special day.” Will said as he started walking around the bed to sit by Mike again. “Today we're celebrating your Mommy for taking such good care of you. So I don't want any funny business from you today little missy.” Will playfully scolded.
Sadie squealed when she saw her mother and immediately tried to throw her body into Mike's arms.
Will reflexively caught her. “I think someone else wants to wish you a happy mother’s day.” Will said as he tried to contain the squirming baby.
“I think someone is just hungry.” Mike said as he set his food down and pulled his shirt up, holding his arms out to Will for him to hand their daughter over so she could eat as well.
Mike checked that Sadie was latched properly, before returning to his own breakfast. As both mother and daughter grew more comfortable with nursing, Mike was able to do other tasks while Sadie nursed.
Mike was truly incredible.
“Thank you for this Will, but you really didn't have to go to all this trouble.” Mike said as Sadie finished nursing on his left side.
Will took Sadie to burp her while Mike continued eating.
“It's no trouble at all. I want to celebrate you today Mike, you deserve it.” Will said as he firmly thumped Sadie's back and waited for her to burp.
“My birthday was literally a month ago, I think we’ve celebrated me enough for the next year. Besides, it's not like I’m the first person to ever be a Mom.” Mike said.
Will frowned. “Mike, don't start downplaying your actions again.”
Mike blushed. “Sorry.” He said in a small voice as he took
another bite of his pancakes.
Sadie let out a burp during the silence and Will cooed at her before helping Mike situate her on the other side of his chest.
“That may be true, but this is our home and our family. So in this place, today is about you, and I won't let you forget it.” Will said seriously.
Mike hummed “I still need to call my Mom though."
☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼
05.23.1991
Montauk, New York
Mike desperately paced back and forth in Will’s bedroom in Montauk as Sadie wailed her little heart out.
His daughter had started teething and the pain was making her lash out at all hours of the day.
Mike and Will were doing their best to soothe the little girl: giving her teething toys, putting ointment on her gums from the pediatrician, giving her frozen and freeze-dried fruit slices to chew on, but nothing seemed to give their daughter any relief.
Mike felt completely helpless. He hated seeing his baby in so much pain and not being able to do anything about it.
On one particular rough night, Mike had lashed out at Will. Both of them were exhausted, having been up all night with Sadie crying, and it blew up into a stupid fight.
They worked things out in the morning, but tensions were still running high as both parents desperately tried to help their daughter.
“I know, I’m so sorry.” Mike whispered as Sadie continued to whimper and cry.
“I hate this so much.” Mike turned to Will.
“Me too.” Will said as he came up beside Mike and rubbed a comforting hand on their daughter’s back.
“I don't like seeing her in pain.” Mike said, dropping a kiss to Sadie’s head.
Sadie suddenly yelped and started rubbing her cheek harder against Mike's chest, trying to seek relief from the pain in her gums.
Mike cried with her.
“Let me take her for a bit.” Will said, holding his arms out to receive his daughter.
Mike hesitated for a second, before passing Sadie to Will.
Sadie’s face was red and her cheek was swollen from rubbing it against her mother’s chest so much.
It made Mike's heart break.
“Go get yourself some food Mike, I know you need it, since we’ve been up all night with Sadie.” Will said as he gently held Sadie up to his neck.
Mike nodded, and gave one final look at his boyfriend and baby before heading downstairs to the kitchen.
It was still hard for him to leave Sadie, but he had been slowly getting better at trusting others to take care of his daughter.
“Good morning Mike.” Joyce greeted from where she was brewing a cup of coffee in the kitchen, still in her pajamas and wrapped in a robe.
“Morning.” Mike mumbled out, exhaustion seeping in now that he wasn't on high alert watching Sadie.
“Rough night?” She asked as she poured her coffee into a mug and sat down at the kitchen table.
Mike sighed as he put a bagel into the toaster and grabbed cream cheese from the fridge.
“Sadie's teeth are starting to come in, and nothing we do seems to be giving her relief.” Mike said, trying not to cry as he thought of his daughter's cries.
“I remember those days.” Joyce said. “I wish I had a good piece of advice to give you, but you kind of have to accept that there isn't much you can do. Just continue to support her and provide her with comfort where you can.”
“How am I supposed to do that?” Mike asked desperately. “How am I supposed to sit there and watch her cry in pain knowing I can't do anything to stop it?”
“I never said it was easy.” Joyce said. “Come here.” She patted the seat next to her.
Mike brought his toasted bagel and cream cheese over and sat down next to the woman who was basically a second mother to him.
Joyce sighed. “As a parent, you never stop worrying for your children. Even as they grow, there’ll be a part of you that will always see them as your baby that you have to protect.”
She looked off into the distance. “It's hard when you have to realize there's not much you can do to help. When…when Will was rescued from the Upside Down, those first few weeks with him home were awful. He couldn't sleep, he barely ate, he didn't really talk, and he always had this fearful look in his eyes as if in a split second he would be back in that cold, dark place. I hated the fact that I couldn't do anything other than hold him and reassure him that he was safe and home finally.”
Joyce looked back at Mike. “And I felt so helpless for so long, and I let it eat away at me. Because how could I have let this happen? My little boy…he went through things that none of us could ever imagine, and I don't think any of us will ever truly understand it. But I’ve made peace with the fact that I’ve done the best I can. I’ve made sure he's always known how much I love him, and that whatever happens I’ll always be there for him.”
Joyce wiped at her eyes where tears had started to appear. “All that to say, don't get too discouraged. Sadie knows you love her, and you're doing the best you can, but you can't protect your children from everything. They need to grow and experience life, which does mean sometimes they’ll feel pain and sorrow. But you can reassure them that you’ll always be there to pick up the pieces when something goes wrong.”
Joyce laid a comforting hand on Mike’s and squeezed.
“Thank you Joyce.” Mike said, taking everything she had said to heart.
The two mothers turned their heads when they heard movement from the stairs.
Will entered the kitchen with Sadie in his arms. The little girl was still crying and whimpering slightly, but she looked a lot more comfortable than she had been before.
“I massaged her gums for a bit and that seemed to calm her down for now.” Will explained.
Mike rose from the table and held his arms out for Will to give him his daughter.
Will handed him over and Mike tenderly kissed her swollen cheek.
“I’ll always be here for you.” He whispered into her ear.
And that was a promise Mike was determined to never break.
☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼
06.16.1991
Montauk, New York
Will opened his eyes and turned to find the other side of the bed empty and his daughter not in his crib.
He sat up and looked around for Mike and Sadie in the room, but neither were there. He felt Mike's side of the bed, and it was still warm.
Will stretched and yawned, simply assuming that Mike had stepped out of the room with their daughter. He planted his feet on the ground and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.
Will left the room and slowly made his way downstairs, looking around to find Mike and Sadie.
He found them in the kitchen, Mike standing at the stove cooking while Sadie happily kicked around in her high chair playing with one of her teething rings.
Will snuck up behind Mike and wrapped his arms around his waist.
“Shit, you were supposed to still be asleep.” Mike jumped.
Will laughed before pressing a kiss to Mike's fresh mating bite. “It's a little hard to surprise me with this now.” Will smiled as Mike shivered, their new bond vibrating between them.
“I guess that's true.” Mike mumbled.
“What's the occasion though?” Will asked, unsure why Mike felt the need to surprise Will in the first place.
“You're kidding, right?” Mike glanced back at Will while he plated the omelette he’d just cooked.
“No? I really don't know why today is so special.” Will shrugged.
Mike rolled his eyes as he escaped Will’s grasp and went to grab a card from the kitchen table and handed it to Will.
The card was plain, but the inside contained a long message in Mike's distinct handwriting.
Happy Father’s Day Will!
I know I’m not always the best at using my words verbally, so I wanted to try and put everything down on paper.
You truly have been amazing to me ever since I told you I was pregnant, and I feel so lucky to have had you by my side throughout all of this. You’ve stood by me even when I felt like I couldn't stand for myself, and for that I am eternally grateful.
I have loved watching you learn and grow as a father. You’ve taken to the role so naturally, and I know that our family will always be safe with your quiet strength and kindness at the helm.
I may not understand why, but I’m grateful for the way you wake up and choose to love me everyday. I already love being your mate, and I’m so happy to call you mine and be called yours.
You deserve all the love and appreciation today (and every other day). You're so good at taking care of everyone else, so all I ask is that you let me take care of you today.
Love, Mike (and Sadie too)
Will looked up from the card with tears in his eyes. He glanced at the calendar to check that it was in fact Father’s Day. He gently set the card down and pulled Mike in for a hug.
“Thank you.” Will whispered into Mike's neck, his breath ghosting over his mating bite. The bite that Will had given him. The bite that showed the entire world that Mike was his and he was Mike's.
“Of course. You don't get to get all up in arms about me ignoring Mother’s Day and then turn around and dismiss your special day as well.” Mike said.
“Come on, I made breakfast. It was supposed to be in bed, but someone just couldn't stay away from me.” Mike teased.
“Can you blame me?” Will said, bringing his hands down to squeeze Mike's waist.
Mike slapped his hands away with a laugh.
“Sit down.” He insisted as he went to grab the food he had prepared.
Will sat at the table next to Sadie's high chair. His daughter giggled excitedly when she saw her Dad and Will immediately started playing with the little girl until Mike sat down.
“Breakfast is served.” Mike announced as he set down the two omelettes he had cooked as well as a cup of puréed sweet potatoes for Sadie.
At 6 months old, they were starting to introduce solid foods into her diet. So far she hasn't been a super picky eater, which Will knew Mike was grateful for. Mike himself was still a picky eater and Karen had told them horror stories of trying to get Mike to eat anything as a child. So Sadie happily trying everything they've given her so far was a relief.
Mike and Will entertained their daughter as more of Will’s family entered the kitchen.
El took over playing with Sadie. She was loving having her niece around all the time and was already telling Mike and Will about how often she was going to visit them in Manhattan now that she would be starting school in Brooklyn in the Fall.
Will’s Mom came and hugged him tightly and rambled about how fast 20 years had gone by and how crazy it was that her little boy was all grown up and celebrating Father’s Day as a Dad himself now.
Hopper was the last to lumber into the kitchen, and El briefly turned her attention away from Sadie to greet her father.
Will watched the interaction between father and daughter, and he hoped that someday he and Sadie would look like that.
Hopper held his daughter tight before settling in at the kitchen table next to Will.
“Happy Father’s Day.” Will said to the man that had stepped up as a role model for Will in innumerable ways over the years.
“You too, kid.” Hopper thumped his back.
Will shrugged but thanked the man anyway.
“Hey.” Hopper said sternly, making Will sit up just a little bit straighter. “You're doing a good job, certainly better than I would've at your age.”
“You're just saying that.” Will dismissed him.
“I’m serious. Most kids your age wouldn't have stepped up the way you did and are.” Hopper said. “Mike and Sadie are lucky to have you, so take the compliment and let us celebrate your hard work today.” He finished by clapping Will on the shoulder.
Will responded by surging forward to hug Hopper.
“Oh!” Hopper said in shock before relaxing and returning the hug.
“Thank you.” Will said into the man’s shoulder. “Thank you for showing me what it means to be a good father.”
Hopper patted Will’s head.
“Of course kid, it's been my pleasure.”
☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼
08.07.1991
Montauk, New York
Mike was laying on his stomach, face to face with Sadie who was doing the same on her playmat.
Now 6 months post-op and 8 months postpartum, Mike’s incision had fully healed and faded into a scar. He still struggled to look at it in the mirror, but Will’s support and encouragement was helping.
Sadie laughed as Mike made silly faces at her. She flailed her arms a little bit as she did her best to pick her head up to make eye contact with her Mom.
“She's getting a lot stronger.”
Mike looked up to see Will enter the living room and sit down next to him and Sadie. Mike propped himself up on his elbows so that he could better see his mate.
“Yea, her core strength and limb coordination have been skyrocketing lately.” Mike said as he handed a teething ring to Sadie, noticing her trying to rub her cheek.
Will smiled down at Sadie as she started rocking back and forth while chewing on her teething ring.
Mike winced as he felt pressure in his chest. His body had yet to catch up with the fact that Sadie was nursing less, so he had been having to pump more in order to prevent engorgement or clogged milk ducts.
“Hey Will, I need to go pump real quick.” Mike explained as he pushed himself up to his knees and stood up.
“Okay, I’ve got things here, so go ahead.” Will said reassuringly.
Mike headed into the kitchen and found his breast pump before settling in at the kitchen table and tucking the device under his shirt.
He sighed in relief as the pressure released from his chest and he leaned back in the chair, letting his limbs fall loose and closing his eyes.
“Sadie, wait!”
Mike jerked awake when he heard Will call after their daughter.
Mike hastily removed his pump before darting back into the living room.
“What is it? What's wrong?” He asked, looking around the room and panicking when he didn't see Sadie on her playmat.
“Mike! Watch out!” Will had scrambled to his feet and ducked down to pick something up from in front of Mike's feet.
Mike looked down and his eyes widened when he saw his daughter smiling up at him before Will scooped her into his arms.
“What happened?” Mike asked in a slight daze.
“Sadie chased after you once she realized you were gone.” Will said.
Sadie giggled and reached her hands out for Mike.
“Chased after me?” Mike asked in confusion.
Will smirked. “We’ve got a mover now.”
“She started crawling?” Mike asked in disbelief and shock.
“Yep, scared the shit out of me when I looked away for a second and then saw her on the move.”
“Do you think she’ll do it again if you put her down?” Mike asked, excitement at his daughter reaching a new milestone in his eyes.
“Maybe.” Will shrugged. “Go over by her playmat and see if she crawls towards you.”
Mike moved across the room and tried not to laugh at his daughter swiveling her head around to follow him.
Once Mike had sat himself down by Sadie’s playmat, making sure the path was clear of any objects that could hurt the baby, Will sat her down on the floor.
At first she just looked up at her father in confusion. Mike and Will made eye contact and had a silent conversation. (Something they’d been doing for years, but had only gotten stronger since they mated.)
“Sadie! Come here! Come to Mama.” Mike called out, grabbing his daughter's attention.
Sadie smiled wide at him, her two little bottom teeth poking out making Mike’s heart clench from how adorable it was. She rocked back and forth on her hands and knees as if she was revving up before she started slowly crawling across the room.
Mike smiled in delight as he encouraged his daughter to keep going, receiving her in his arms once she made it the short distance.
“Good job princess! I’m so proud of you.” Mike said as he lifted Sadie in the air and kissed her sweet little face.
“We're gonna have to baby proof the house now that she's moving on her own.” Will thought aloud as he came to sit with Mike and Sadie.
“Absolutely.” Mike nodded. “Who knows what kind of trouble she'll get into now.”
“Please don't speak that into existence.” Will groaned.
“I don't think I have to, Will. She's our kid, she's genetically predisposed to be an explorer at heart.” Mike said with a raised eyebrow.
“I guess you're right. Maybe this is payback for how much we stressed our Moms out as kids.” Will reasoned.
“We weren't that bad.” Mike said.
Will raised a single eyebrow at his mate. “Mike, you were running off and fighting monsters from another dimension without Karen's knowledge for years.”
Mike flushed. “That's different.” He insisted.
“If you say so.” Will said dismissively.
Mike rolled his eyes before his attention was brought back to Sadie who was patting at Mike’s chest, whining and smacking her lips.
Mike and Will looked at each other before dissolving into laughter.
“Looks like I don't need to pump after all.”
☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼
10.31.1991
Manhattan, New York
Mike snapped a couple more photos of Sadie in her little pumpkin onesie with a proud smile on his face.
It was Halloween, and Mike was enjoying this year significantly more than last year. (It helps that he's not 8 months pregnant this time around.)
Later this weekend, everyone would be gathering at Mike and Will’s for a party, but tonight was just about their little family.
Sadie giggled and grabbed onto her legs and rocked back and forth as Mike took more pictures.
He smiled as he clicked through the photos he had taken, before a sobering thought ran through his mind.
“Oh God, I’m turning into my mother.” Mike said with disgust.
A knock rang out at the door, and Mike called out to his mate in the kitchen to answer it.
They had moved to a slightly bigger apartment for the new school year, and this one had more rooms in it, including a separate kitchen and living room.
“Got it!” Will answered as Mike set the digital camera down and picked Sadie up to join Will at the door.
There weren't a ton of families with young children around their building, but Mike and Will had still stocked up on candy in case any trick-or-treaters showed up.
“Trick or treat!” The group of 3 grade school aged kids cheered as they expectantly held up their candy bags, all decked out in typical Halloween costumes like a mummy, a witch, and a vampire.
The kids appeared to be all different ages, but shared similar features, so Mike assumed they were siblings.
Will passed out a generous amount of candy to each kid which made them squeal in excitement.
“What do we say?” The woman who was most likely the kids’ mother and looked about 10 years older than Mike and Will said.
“Thank you!” The children chorused.
Sadie babbled in response to the children, and the woman looked up at the little girl before her face immediately melted into a sweet smile.
“Oh my goodness, aren't you a little cutie?” She said in the typical baby voice that people use. “Is she yours?” She asked Mike and Will.
Mike and Will hesitantly looked at each other. The woman hadn’t had a volatile reaction to them yet, but they were unsure if that would change once they gave confirmation that they were a couple who had a kid together.
“Um, yeah. She's our daughter.” Mike finally stuttered out.
“Well she is just absolutely adorable in her little pumpkin outfit!” The woman didn't even flinch at the implications, and both men sighed in their heads.
“You look just like your Mama! Yes you do!” She cooed at Sadie.
Will turned to smirk at Mike who simply rolled his eyes at his mate.
Will and Mike’s Mom were still standing firm on their opinion that Sadie looked like Mike, and Mike hated to admit that he was starting to think they were right as his daughter grew older.
Sadie giggled and babbled at the woman, kicking her legs and clapping her hands in Mike’s arms. He had to adjust his hold so that he wouldn't drop her.
“How old is she?” The woman asked, her eyes still fixated on Sadie.
“11 months.” Will answered, but Mike could tell that he was starting to get a little uncomfortable with how long this conversation with a stranger was going on.
Will wasn't an aggressive Alpha, but he was still protective.
“Mommy!” One of the kids (the littlest one, a boy dressed as a mummy) shouted.
The woman jumped back to attention. “You two have a wonderful rest of your night with your beautiful baby.” She smiled before turning on her heel and meeting back up with her kids.
Will released a breath as he closed the door.
“Maybe don't bring her to the door next time.” He said.
“Okay.” Mike agreed, because he knew that it wasn't really a suggestion.
Only a handful more trick or treaters showed up as the night stretched on, and the young Byers family spent most of their night together.
Will had recently bought a pumpkin and had gotten way too into intricately carving it. Mike had tried to help at the start, but the artist in Will had quickly taken over so Mike let him do his own thing.
Instead, he focused on Sadie who was fascinated with the pumpkin seeds and was making a bit of a mess with the guts that had been scooped out as well. Mike had long given up on making sure his daughter stayed clean at all hours of the day, and instead focused on making sure she didn't try to eat any of her new ‘toys’.
Once the pumpkin had been cleaned up, they settled at the kitchen table to eat a quick dinner before bringing Sadie to the living room to play.
At 11 months, she was much more playful and her personality was really starting to shine. She was sassy and sweet, and never shied away from a chance to make her voice heard. She really was the best of both of her parents.
Will and Mike played with the little girl until she tired herself out.
Mike nursed her one more time before settling her down for bed. They had been slowly working on weaning Sadie by taking away her night feedings and spacing out her feedings in the day as well.
It had been hard, but honestly Sadie was handling it better than Mike.
While nursing had been something that freaked Mike out before, it had become a constant in his life and a unique way for him to bond with his daughter and it was difficult to imagine his life without it anymore.
He knew it was for the best though. He and Will had been talking about Mike potentially going back to school next year, and they needed Sadie to be completely weaned before that was possible.
Mike set Sadie down in her crib once the little girl was fed and burped.
He watched his little girl sleep and gently ran a finger up and down her cheek.
Will came to stand beside him and leaned his head on Mike's shoulder as he softly ran his fingers through Sadie’s growing chocolate brown curls.
“How are we supposed to let her go someday?” Mike absentmindedly said.
“I don't know.” Will said after a beat. “But it won't do us any good to think of that today. Right now, let's just live in the moment.”
“Why do you always have to be so right?” Mike groaned.
Will chuckled, keeping his voice down so as to not wake Sadie.
“Come on, I rented a new horror movie for us to watch.” Will said as he gently tugged on Mike's wrist.
“If I have nightmares because of this, just know I’m blaming you.” Mike said as he followed Will into the living room, leaving the bedroom door cracked open so the young parents could hear their daughter but not have the TV wake her up.
“The Silence of the Lambs? What kind of a title is that?” Mike wrinkled his nose as he picked up the rented VHS case that Will had already emptied as he queued up the film.
“Jonathan and Robin both recommended it.” Will threw over his shoulder.
“Oh, so it's gonna be some artsy bullshit?” Mike furrowed his brows as he examined the cover that had a white face with red eyes and some kind of bug over the mouth.
“It's considered to be one of the best films of the year Mike, just give it a chance.” Will pleaded.
“Fine.” Mike said, sitting down as the opening credits began to play.
ㅡ
Mike hadn't said a word since the movie started, completely engrossed in the stories and characters.
There were definitely moments that made his skin crawl and his stomach churn, but overall it was a very compelling story with complex and interesting characters performed by talented actors.
He definitely wouldn't say no to a rewatch.
“What’d you think?” Will asked as he stretched his arms from over his head.
“Wow.” Was all Mike could say at first. “Damn, I’m gonna have to thank Jonathan and Robin for the recommendation.”
Will laughed at Mike's response.
The parents whipped their heads to their bedroom door when they heard their daughter whimpering in her crib.
Will reached her first and was able to pick her up and start rocking her before she could start fully crying.
“Shh, it's okay, I’ve got you.” He whispered gently. “Did you hear the movie? Did it scare you?” He asked the whimpering baby.
Sadie responded by burying her face deeper into Will’s chest and gripping his shirt tight.
“I’m so sorry, we’ll keep it down more next time.” Will peppered her face with light kisses to distract her enough to keep her from crying.
Mike watched the scene with a full heart.
Obviously he loved a lot of people in his life, but Will and Sadie were his whole world and he loved watching them together.
Will hummed quietly while he rocked Sadie back to sleep, and after just a few minutes wrapped in her father's warmth and comforting scent of rosewood, oak, and vanilla she drifted back to sleep.
Will carefully laid her back in her crib, pulling her blanket over her to keep her little body warm.
“I think that was our sign to call it a night.” Mike whispered.
“I agree.” Will smiled while looking down at their sleeping princess.
☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼
11.30.1991
Montauk, New York
“Happy birthday to you!”
“Happy birthday to you!”
“Happy birthday dear Sadie…”
“Happy birthday to you!”
The room erupted into cheers as Mike and Will helped their daughter blow out her birthday candles. (Really it was just Mike and Will doing all the work, but who really cared about the semantics?)
Mike and Will had decided to go back to Montauk briefly to celebrate Sadie’s birthday, since Will’s parents’ home was much larger and could house all of the people who had been invited.
Friends and family from all over the country had come to celebrate Sadie's birthday, and Will was overwhelmed by just how loved his little girl was.
The room was bustling with people and noise as Hopper cut the cake and passed slices around, the first obviously going to Sadie, the guest of honor.
Will cut the small slice of chocolate cake into tiny bites that his daughter could eat.
“Say ‘ah’.” Will said as he picked up a piece of cake on the fork to feed Sadie with.
She happily opened her mouth, and Will slowly put the fork in her mouth, careful to not force the food down her throat.
“Good job sunshine.” Will smiled as Sadie chewed and swallowed, wiping some frosting from the corner of her mouth.
“My turn now!” Mike said as he took the fork from Will.
Will laughed as his mate excitedly fed Sadie another bite of her first birthday cake.
“Do you like it? This is Mama’s favorite cake too.” Mike explained as Sadie smiled after swallowing another bite.
Sadie babbled back to Mike, and he nodded along in understanding, taking everything she was saying seriously.
Will and Mike took turns feeding Sadie until she had decided she was done with cake, instead deciding that playing with it was the better option.
Will couldn't even bring himself to be too upset about it, she just looked so adorable. It didn't help that his daughter seemed to instinctually do the ‘Wheeler puppy dog eyes’, something Will had always been weak to.
“Sadie, you're making a mess!” Mike lightly scolded, but he still couldn't hold back his laughter as Sadie continued to smack her frosting covered hands on the high chair’s tray.
Sadie happily babbled, before looking directly at Mike and clearly saying…
“Mama!”
Mike and Will stared at their daughter with wide eyes.
“Jonathan, please tell me you got that on camera.” Will asked his brother.
“I’ve been rolling since we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to her.” His brother said, also in awe of witnessing Sadie’s first word.
“Mama!” Sadie said again.
Mike unclipped her from her high chair and picked his daughter up.
“That's right, I’m your Mama.” He said, choking on tears of pure joy and happiness.
“Mamamamamama” Sadie continued to babble, her attention still fixed on Mike, clearly showing that she was recognizing him as her mother and calling him as such.
“Guys! Sadie just said her first word!” Will called out to the party members, and the kitchen immediately filled with people excitedly asking questions.
“What was it?” Lucas broke through the crowd to reach the couple.
“Take a guess.” Will said cheekily.
“Based on the way Wheeler is crying, I’m gonna go with ‘Mama’.” Robin said from where she was leaning against the kitchen counter.
“Hey!” Mike said offended, but his defenses fell apart when Sadie said “Mama!” again.
“Are you not disappointed Will?” Dustin asked.
“Why would I be disappointed?” Will asked in confusion.
“Hasn't Sadie been like a huge Daddy’s girl her entire life so far? Wouldn't you have expected her first word to be ‘Dada’?” Steve piped up from beside Dustin.
“She loves both of us.” Will said plainly. “She’ll say ‘Dada’ when she's ready, for now though I think Mike deserves this moment.” Will smiled at his mate who was reveling in the bliss of hearing his daughter's first word.
“You are such a sap Will.” Max said fondly.
“Who's ready for presents?” El announced to the large group of people in the kitchen.
Everyone slowly made their way into the living room, and Mike and Will sat in the middle, Sadie perched on her mother's lap.
They took their time opening each gift, letting Sadie examine it, and thanking whoever had gotten it.
By the time they were done, the little family was surrounded by gifts on all sides like a blockade.
There were new stuffed animals, a walker, books, soft blocks, and of course, more clothes than Sadie could probably wear.
(Will distantly thought about the fact that Christmas was less than a month away, meaning they were about to do this all over again.)
Even with all of her new toys, Sadie was more interested in playing with the wrapping paper and empty cardboard boxes.
“So guys, you’ve been doing this for a year now, what's your review?” Steve leaned against the back of the couch.
“What kind of a question is that?” Nancy responded crudely.
“What? They're the only people I know with a baby, got to know what I’ll be getting myself into someday.” The older Omega shrugged.
“You have to find a partner first before you think about having kids, Harrington.” Robin shot back at him.
“Okay, that's a little rude.” Steve said in mock offense.
The two women shrugged with innocent looks on their faces.
“It's alright, I kind of wish we had someone to ask about parenting who was closer to our age as well.” Will said.
“We figured it out.” Mike said.
“We’re figuring it out.” Will corrected.
Mike rolled his eyes as he turned his attention back to Sadie who was waving around wrapping paper.
“No, don't eat that.” Mike said gently as he pulled the paper away from the one year old.
Sadie’s face screwed up and Will simply braced himself for the inevitable meltdown.
Sadie cried and tried to grab the wrapping paper back from her Mom.
“Mama, Mama, Mama.” Sadie whimpered.
“Dammit. How am I supposed to say no to her now?” Mike turned to Will as Sadie continued to babble and cry.
“I’ve got it.” Will said, gently taking Sadie into his arms.
Will gently bounced Sadie in his arms. “It's okay. Mama’s just trying to keep you safe. I promise you won't like the taste of wrapping paper.” Will comforted the little girl.
Her cries calmed into whimpers, and Will was able to direct her attention to one of her new toys, a set of blocks from Dustin.
“Wow, you make it look so easy.” Lucas said in awe as Will set Sadie on the floor and let her amuse herself with the colorful blocks.
“Thanks, but I can promise you that it's not always that easy.” He explained.
“Well I hope I figure things out as quickly as you two have when I have kids.” Lucas finished.
Mike snorted. “You have to get Max to agree to have one first.”
Lucas looked at his mate with hopeful eyes.
“Don't get your hopes up, we’re still in school.” Max said bluntly.
“But Mike and Will are doing it.” He protested.
“Yea, and Mike took a year off from school to make it happen. I want a degree first.” She insisted.
“Fine.” He mumbled.
“Hey, I’m sure you two will be great parents whenever you decide to start a family, and Mike and I will be here to offer any help or advice you need.” Will said sincerely.
“Just don't drag us into the newborn trenches with you. One time was enough for me.” Mike added.
Lucas chuckled. “Thanks guys.”
Sadie picked up one of the blocks and held it up to her parents as she babbled.
“You like that one?” Will asked and Sadie babbled back.
“It is a really pretty color.” Mike added as he scooted closer to sit with Will and their daughter.
Will picked up the yellow block and clinked it against the green one in Sadie’s hand. His daughter giggled, thoroughly entertained, so Will did it again.
Will picked up a blue block then and held them up together in front of Sadie’s face.
“Did you know that blue and yellow when mixed together make green?” He explained to his daughter, making sure to reference each block with its corresponding color. “Isn't that cool?”
Will stacked the blocks on top of each other, and Sadie tried to put hers on top, but she instead just knocked them down.
“It's okay, we can try again.” Will reassured her as she frowned at the scattered blocks.
As things had finally started to settle into a quiet rhythm, Will whispered to Mike that he needed to grab something from their room.
Mike frowned in confusion, but let Will go anyway.
Will slipped out of the living room and up the stairs and quickly located what he was looking for. He was honestly proud of himself for being able to keep it a secret for so long.
He delicately placed the frame under his arm and made his way back downstairs.
“Hey guys!” He called to get everyone's attention. “There's one more present left.”
Mike furrowed his brow when he took in the object that Will had brought down, holding Sadie in his lap so that she didn't scurry across the floor to her father.
Will sat back down next to his family and flipped over the frame to reveal a painting.
“This is from me, to Sadie.” Will said, staring directly into Mike's eyes.
The painting was of Sadie when she was first born. Will had used photos that Jonathan had taken when he first met her as reference, and he had stylized the painting to include fantasy and princess related elements, as well as warm sunlight shining on her face, referring to the two main nicknames Mike and Will had been using for her since before she was born.
“It's beautiful Will.” Mike whispered in awe, ghosting his hand over Sadie’s sleeping face in the painting.
“When did you do this?” He asked.
Will shrugged. “I started working on it over the Summer, and just got really good at keeping it a secret and hiding it.”
Sadie didn't seem that interested in the painting, but Will wasn't offended. Yes, it was a gift for her, and Will hoped she would come to appreciate it when she was older, but right now it was really more a gift for Mike.
Mike looked back and forth between the painting and the one year old in his arms, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“I can't believe how big she's gotten.” He nuzzled his cheek into Sadie's hair, and she squealed and babbled happily.
“Mama!” She said again, as she reached to tug on Mike's curls.
The parents laughed, completely enamored with their little girl, just as much, if not more than when she was first born a year ago today.
“Me too.” Will said as he pulled Mike and Sadie closer to him, setting the painting to the side to make more room.
Will was so grateful to have this. To have Mike. To have Sadie. To have this little life they had built together.
When Will had come to terms with his sexuality, he never thought this would be possible in his future, especially with Mike.
And yet here he was, making all of his 14 year old self’s dreams come true.
Will leaned up to kiss Mike's lips, and pull him tighter to his body.
Sadie cooed from where she was seated between her parents, and Mike and Will simply smiled down at the little girl who was living proof of how much they each cared about each other.
So much had changed over the past year, and yet so much was still the same.
And Will wouldn't have it any other way.
☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼
“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.”
- Laura Ingalls Wilder
☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼
Three Hundred Sixty Five Sunrises
Fin.