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afewproblems · 1 year

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Okay, so I couldn't leave this alone so here is a Stranger Things Pride and Prejudice Steddie AU One shot!

There are two truths universally acknowledged, one being that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a spouse, the second is that Stephen Harrington the third is a bastard.

However little known the feelings or views of such a man as Stephen Harrington may be on his first entering a neighborhood, this first truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property and target of some one or other of their daughter or sons, despite the nature of his rather frightful personality.

Now, he was not truly a bastard -not in the way that you may be thinking dear reader, no.

The Harringtons were wed in an opulent ceremony that had not left the lips of the citizens in the surrounding hamlets and towns for nearly a decade. The pair were not particularly well loved, nor were they even reasonably well liked, however, their fortune allowed them considerable influence over the land and much of the people around it. Perhaps, in part, because of the lavish balls and beautiful grounds they were held upon.

A child had been born to Phillip and Emma Harrington upon their third year of marriage, a healthy boy that grew up in wealth and comfort, becoming the very bastard that had plagued Edward's every waking moment with his arrogant manner and beautiful brown eyes.

It was an opinion not only cultivated by several interactions that left Edward puzzled and irritable, but by a troubling anecdote from the affable Lieutenant Hargrove.

To withhold a sizable income, hoarding so much wealth all to one's self for what, for seemingly no reason at all?

When the Munsons survived on a mere two thousand a year to sustain the 7 of them, and with his elderly uncles failing health, he was beginning to worry.

And perhaps worst of all, that he had been the direct cause of his dear sister's broken heart.

Nancy had been devastated when she received the letter from Caroline Buckley, telling her that both the Buckleys, Caroline and her lovely sister Robin, and Harrington were returning to London with no plans to return.

It didn't matter how many times Nancy assured Edward that she was fine, it did not cover up the soft weeping from behind the door of the room she and Ell shared.

William, Dustin, and Ell came to Edward the next day with concerns for their eldest sibling, strong, whip smart, even-tempered Nancy who kept her heart so often sequestered that to hear of her open sorrows left Edward gutted and the youngest siblings morose for days.

He knew this was Stephen's doing, since Colonel Byers had so graciously told him so.

It had been at a sermon, not Edwards idea of an exciting afternoon when there were books to be read, stories to tell, or songs to sing, but it certainly appeased his wonderful friend Chrissy to see her so happy and taken care of, despite her bore of a new husband, Jason.

Byers was an agreeable fellow, Edward was certain there was no reason that he and Harrington should be so close, but the universe was certainly owed at least one mystery, and Byers was good humored enough to find Edward charming - so Edward chose not to examine it too closely.

“So how long do you plan to stay in Kent Colonel?” Edward asks softly, happy for the opportunity to ignore the dry sermon taking place before them.

Jonathan smiles warmly though his gaze remains unbroken, eyes staring straight ahead of him, “As long as Harrington chooses, I’m at his disposal”.

Edward snorts and leans forward to tip his face into the hand balanced on his own knee at the elbow, “Everyone appears to be at his disposal,” he finds Stephen in the crowd easily, there is no mistaking him, “It’s no wonder he doesn’t marry and secure lasting convenience of that kind,” he murmurs, waggling his eyebrows at the Colonel.

Jonathan smiles though it's considerably smaller this time,“They would be lucky,” he says earnestly.

“Really?”

Jonathan nods, “Harrington is a most loyal companion, from what I heard on our journey here, he recently came to the rescue of one of his closest friends just in time.”

Edward sits up, dropping his hand away from his face and turning his body further to face both the Colonel and Stephen, “What happened?”

Jonathan whispers, leaning in conspiratorially, “He saved her from an imprudent marriage--”

Edwards' heart rate increases, his palms begin to sweat, “...Who?”

Across the pews he can see Stephen sitting there, dark eyes downcast, long brown hair sweeping over his forehead in gentle waves, but he seems tired, bored, Edward hates him just a little more.

“His closest friend, Robin Buckley”.

Time slows down, it feels as though the world has been plunged into the darkest depths of the ocean and Edward is swimming to the surface, his breathing stutters slightly as he exhales slowly through his nose, “Did Mr. Harrington give a reason for this interference?”

Jonathan nods again, “There were apparently strong objections to the lady,” he says softly, he glances at Edward once before turning forward once more, his expression betraying nothing.

“What kind of objections?” Edward stammers, “Her lack of fortune?”

“No, I think it was her family that was considered unsuitable,”

No…

“So…” Edward whispers, the words slice over his lips and teeth, “he separated them”.

“I believe so, but I know nothing else”.

It had been luck that Byers had no idea who Edward was, who he was to Nancy and who he was to Stephen.

It allowed him ammunition to arm himself with.

His fury knows no bounds, how dare he, how dare this scoundrel, this villain! Edward stalks through the hills outside of town, the distant sounds of thunder and the deep gray clouds painting the skies do not deter him from his path. He breathes deeply and sweeps the long curls away from his face where they’ve escaped from the leather cord tying the locks back. He should have allowed Chrissy to braid it for him like she offered to before they left.

No point now.

Rain begins pattering around him, starting small before suddenly beginning in earnest, he curses under his breath and takes off towards a short stone bridge with a strange monument on the other side, whatever it was, it was at least sheltered.

Edwards chest heaves by the time he reaches the end of the bridge, he brings his hair around to squeeze out the worst of the water, there is no hope for the rest of his clothes, they will need to be hung to dry when he arrives back at Rosings estate to tell Chrissy what he’s learned.

He raises his hands to his face to wipe away the moisture, the Munson family ring glints in the low light and his chest aches with the sight of it.

Oh Nancy.

He hardly notices a figure that walks up the steps, tall, dressed in blue wool that has deepened to a near black with the rain.

Edward gasps and coughs to cover up his short lived fright as he finally notices him, Harrington.

He stands there awkwardly, his normally perfect hair is drenched, flat against his forehead and ears. His nose and cheeks are pink with the cold and there is nothing endearing about this whatsoever.

“Mr. Munson,” Stephen says, the deep timbre of his voice loud over the gentle hum of the cascading rain, “I have struggled in vain, and I can bear it no longer.”

What?

“These last few months have been a torment,” he continues when Edward presents no argument, “I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you, I, I had to see you…” and here he appears to lose his nerve, his mouth opens and closes until he clears his throat and swallows roughly.

“I fought against my better judgment, my family's expectations, the inferiority of your birth and my rank, the circumstance of all of these things that I am willing to put aside to ask you to end my agony”.

“I don’t understand,” Edwards says, he’s speaking so quickly, it's ridiculous--

“I love you”.

Edward blinks.

“Most ardently,” Stephen says softly, it's nearly indistinguishable from the patter of the rain and the thundering of Edward's heart, “please do me the honor of accepting my hand”.

He was right, it was ridiculous, and rude, it does top Carver’s bumbling attempts at a proposal though which he thought would be near impossible.

“Sir I,” Edward says eventually, haltingly, “I appreciate the struggle you have been through and I am very sorry to have caused you pain,” Edward lies, “believe me, it was unconsciously done”

Stephen’s honey brown eyes close as his expression shutters, “Is this your reply?”

“Yes sir,” Edward bites out.

“Are you,” Stephen says in a near whisper, “are you laughing at me?”

If Edward didn’t hate him so much at this moment he would pity him, the heartfelt confession disappearing into smoke as Edward burns it down.

“No,” and he really isn’t.

“Are you rejecting me?” Stephen says, he finds his voice once more, the volume climbing back above a whisper as a thread of irritation pulls through the words.

You don’t get to be angry, Edward thinks viciously, you get nothing.

“I’m sure that the feelings, as which you have told me, have hindered your regard will help you in overcoming it”.

Stephen blinks and takes one step forward, they are of similar heights, Stephen just slightly taller than himself but he refuses to let the proximity intimidate him, “Might I ask why with so little endeavor to civility I must repulse--”

“And I might as well inquire why you chose to tell me you loved me against your better judgment--” Edward shouts,

“No, believe me--”

“If I was uncivil then that is no excuse,” he speaks over him, the words continue to fall out in bursting shouts that would echo over the hills were it for the thunder and rain around them, “but I have other reasons you know I have!”

“What reasons?” Stephen says as his brow furrows, and Edward wants to shake him.

“Do you think that anything would tempt me to accept the hand of the man that has ruined, perhaps forever, the happiness of a most beloved sister?”

Stephen’s shoulders drop ever so slightly, his expression resigned but still determined.

“Do you deny it Mr. Harrington?” Edward nearly snarls, moving in for the kill, “that you separated a young couple who loved each other, exposing your friend to a world of caprice, and my sister to its derision for disappointed hopes, and involving them both in misery of the acutest kind--”

“I do not deny it,” Stephen says softly, his eyes bore into Edwards own, they have not left his face once.

“How could you do it?” Edward whispers, the words are frayed though, jagged as they make their way out.

“Because,” Stephen says, “I believed your sister indifferent”.

He says it so matter-of-factly, as though speaking the truth.

“Indifferent?” Edward scoffs.

“I watched them most carefully and realized that Miss Buckley’s attachment was deeper than that of your sisters--”

“That's because she’s shy!” Edward blurts out, he won’t have this, this blatant attack on Nancy’s character, she means too much to him while Stephen means nothing, the bastard.

“Buckley too is modest and was persuaded that she didn’t feel strongly enough--”

“Because you suggested it!”

They’re shouting now, both of them inching ever closer, clouds of angry breath undulate together in the cool air as they share the space.

“I did it for her own good!”

“My sister hardly shows her true feelings to me, to any of us!” Edwards chest heaves as he realizes what he’s said, he shakes his head and looks away from the stricken expression on Stephens face.

Edward swallows sharply, the words come out smoother than he feels, “I suppose you suspected her, her fortune had some bearing on the matter--”

“No,” Stephen yells, speaking over Edward as he rears back in surprise, “I wouldn’t do your sister the dishonor, though it was suggested that…”

“What was?”

Stephen hesitates for a moment, his eyes flick between Edwards own before he breathes out, “It was made perfectly clear that an advantageous marriage--”

“Did my sister give you that impression?” Edward hisses, taking a step forward of his own.

“No! No, no, there was however, I have to admit, the matter of your family--”

“Our want of connection?”

At this Stephen looks away, his chest rises in barely restrained frustration if the clenching and unclenching fingers mean anything, but Edward presses on, “Miss Buckley didn't seem too concerned about any of that--”

“It was more than that”.

“How sir,” Edward growls, his jaw set and teeth nearly bared.

“It was the lack of propriety shown by your aunt, your younger siblings, and on occasion your uncle”.

“Forgive me,” he says eventually, the words nearly startle Edward after so long with only the quiet hum of the rain around them, “you and your sister I must exempt from these conclusions”.

Edward stops from rolling his eyes, though its a near thing, he takes a deep breath and speaks, “And what about Mr. Hargrove?”

This seems to catch Stephen off guard, he flinches and frowns,“Mr…Hargrove?”

“What excuse can you give for your behavior to him?” Edward continues, leaving his tone sharp and his words biting, he crosses his arms as Stephen strides towards him suddenly.

“You take an eager interest in that gentleman's concerns!” He grinds out, his brown eyes scanning Edwards own with a sneer.

“He told me of his misfortunes--”

“Oh yes,” Stephen mutters, “his misfortunes have been very great indeed”.

He shakes his head and steps back, rubbing his hand roughly through his wet hair, tossing it out of his eyes, his face drops to the ground as he refuses to look at Edward.

“You have ruined his chances and yet treat him with sarcasm?”

Stephen laughs bitterly and shakes his head, his hands come up to hold his hips with a white knuckle grip, “So this is your opinion of me,” he whispers darkly, he raises his head to meet Edwards gaze once more, “Thank you for explaining so fully, perhaps these offenses might have been overlooked if your pride had not been hurt--”

“My pride?” Edward shouts.

“--by my honesty in admitting reservations about our relationship”.

Stephen scoffs, whipping out a hand to gesture towards Edward, “Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your circumstances?”

“And those are the words of a gentleman?” Edward barks out, he steps forward, tilting his chin up just slightly, “from the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, made me realize that you were the last man in the world I would ever be prevailed upon to marry”.

Stephen recoils as though slapped, he takes a step back and then another, his face pales considerably as he raises his hand to pinch his nose briefly before lowering it slowly.

“Forgive me,” he says eventually, the words so soft Edward nearly misses them, “for taking up so much of your time,” he tilts his head slightly towards Edward before turning abruptly on his heel, stalking down the steps and back the way he had come.

Edward stands there, breathing heavily, ignoring the sharp sting and heat behind his eyes as he blinks back frustrated tears.

Damn him.

***

Hours later once Edward had made his way back to Rosings, walking through the mud and the rain, considering the shouting match that had taken place over and over, the words play on a terrible loop in his mind.

Chrissy helps him change out of the cold sopping wet clothes, and starts a fire in the guest room, he ignores the diatribe that Jason begins, gesturing with his bible and at the deluge that continues outside. Edward sits numbly at their kitchen table until Chrissy takes him by the arm back to his room.

He tells her everything, every terrible word, every excuse Stephen lobbed at him while he was gone. Chrissy listens patiently, holding his hand in her smaller ones as he speaks.

“Once I started I couldn’t stop, the words were coming out like bile,” he mutters listlessly. Chrissy wrinkles her nose and stands up from the end of the bed, she crosses over to the small desk against the wall. There atop the glossy brown surface, sitting in the soft glow of the brass candelabra is a letter.

She grabs it with soft hands and walks back towards the bed where Edward is perched curiously.

“He came by earlier,” Chrissy says simply, holding out the paper, “said this was for you, hoped it would clear the air a bit”.

Edward takes it, the letter feels heavy in his hands as he smooths shaking fingers over the seam of the paper and the small wax seal.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Chrissy whispers as she squeezes his shoulder briefly before making her way back to the door, letting it close softly behind her.

Edward takes a deep breath and cracks the seal, unfolding the papers as he begins to read.

‘I'm not going to renew the sentiments which were so disgusting to you, but to address the two offenses you have laid against me.

I had not long been in Hertfordshire before I saw that Miss Buckley preferred your eldest sister. I observed my friend's behavior attentively and I could perceive that her partiality for Miss Munson was beyond what I have ever witnessed in her.

Yet when I observed your sister, I detected no symptom of peculiar regard, and witnessed only the family's coarse appetite for having their children married favorably. And so in London, perhaps erroneously, I persuaded her of the unfitness of the match, citing your sister's coolness towards her. It would not have been the first time her heart had been trampled.

It was unknowingly done and though the motives which governed me, may to you appear naturally insufficient, they were done to protect my closest friend.

Edward rolls his eyes and scoffs but continues reading.

As to the other more serious matter.

As you may not know, my sister, Maxine was adopted as a babe. My parents had always wanted a girl and were not able to conceive a second time. They did, with their wealth and power, manage to find a baby to bring home with no questions asked.

I loved her from the moment she came home. She was my sister, she was ours.

What I’m sure Mr. Hargrove has neglected to tell you, is that he came to us out of the blue claiming a familial relationship to Maxine. Demanding money for his silence, to continue the narrative that the Harringtons had no skeletons in their closets, nothing to hide.

My parents would pay him to the tune of $3000 so he could do as he wished, fritter it away on drink and gambling, but silently.

At first.

Over the years he demanded more money, always more, he was a leach whose thirst was never quenched.

Eventually, at their wits end my parents told him it was over, Maxine was nearly fifteen and they were ready to tell her about her origins. Hargrove would have nothing to hold over their heads if the secret was out.

But perhaps the worst part was that this man, this stranger, had never really been related to Maxine at all. He had been a records clerk in London and stumbled onto the entire plot, sheer terrible circumstance brought this vile man into our midst.

No, and we had found out this appalling truth upon discovering that he had connived a relationship with my sister whom he had persuaded to be in love with and nearly made her consent to an elopement. All under our noses.

At this, Edward nearly drops the letter, he quickly scrambles to grab the paper, bringing it back up to the light. Oh Gods.

His prime objective all this time had been to obtain her inheritance of thirty thousand pounds.

Upon this discovery we nearly killed each other, the only thing stopping the whole mess was Maxine. I will forever regret that she had to see such violence.

I was lucky enough to persuade my sister of her folly. I hope that this goes some way to mitigate my behavior in your eyes. If you doubt my word please have it confirmed by my cousin Colonel Byers.’

The last page falls on the bed, away from Edwards shaking hands. He presses his fingers into his eyes until white sparks dance across his vision.

He doesn’t know what to make of this.

How could he?

Let me know what you think! (special shout out to @flowercrowngods for bouncing a few ideas around about this!)

#stranger things #steve harrington #eddie munson #pride and prejudice au #enemies to loves #eddie is elizabeth #steve is darcy #I could probably keep going with this au #this was terribily fun to write but really werid to keep putting edward over and over

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messedupfan · 2 months

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Chapter 14

Summary: It's the new year! There's a new development in Reader and Wanda's friendship. Jean and Anna have a very important question for reader. And Rachel witnesses something special.

A/n: Hellllloooooo!! I hope y'all are having a good day. Anyone watch Love is Blind? Every season upsets me more than the last. Anyway, comment, like, reblog, and enjoy!

Masterlist | All Stories Taglist | All Chapters

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By the time you stopped staying with Wanda, the pillow wall ceased to exist. The pair of you were comfortable enough to share the space together on the bed and not overthink it. At least that's what you told each other to be able to hold one another at night. On the Sunday that Vision was meant to come for the boys, he called Wanda early in the morning. You were confused and exhausted when you accidentally picked up the phone. Your eyes went wide when you realized that you answered the wrong phone. You quickly put it on mute and woke Wanda up. She had to put on a fake voice to try and match yours. It was a hilarious attempt and she had to hit you to get you to laugh quietly. You just climbed out of bed to use the restroom.

When you came back, Wanda had her face in her hands. You rejoined her on the bed and she leaned against you once you were settled in. “Vision extended his trip. He said he'll pick them up next Sunday. Which, I'm okay with having them longer. Of course. I love them and I mean, they love you and Rachel so I'm sure that a part of them will be okay with it. But,” she shut her eyes and shook her head as you put your arm around her. “They're going to be so disappointed. I don't even know what I can say? What do you say to a kid when their dad would rather spend the holidays with his new family?”

You frowned as you rubbed her arm. Even though you knew the question was rhetorical, you felt inclined to answer because you've been that kid before. “My mom wouldn't tell me. She wouldn't even make an excuse on his behalf. She would just distract me with so much fun that I wouldn't even know how long it was until I finally did see my dad.”

“Do you think that will work?” She rubbed her finger under her nose. You laughed lightly as you shook your head.

“No, definitely not. Those kids are too smart for that. But, I think I do know something that might work,” you began to remind her of the night before when the boys were bummed by the idea that they had to go with their father because they wanted to stay and have fun with Rachel. “Just say that you asked Vision to let you have the boys a little bit longer and he agreed to let them stay until school starts again.”

And she took your advice, while you were in the shower, she went to the boys room and told them exactly what you suggested. They were so happy and they hugged her so tight she almost felt guilty lying to them. One of the hardest lessons she learned about being a parent was accepting that she did in fact have to lie to her children on occasion. She already had to tell them that she asked to have Christmas with them and they accepted that because Rachel was still in the hospital at the time and they knew their dad wouldn't take them to visit her. They were confused when they spent time with their dad's side of the family and he wasn't there but they had so much fun with their uncle Tony that it didn't matter. He chased them around and wrestled with them when Vision would have yelled at them for running and he would have punished them for playing around so much.

The twins loved their dad but they didn't miss him.

Wanda hosted a New Year’s Eve party that included her mom, the Starks, her brother and his family, plus her friends. You got to invite your friends, Steve and his partner Peggy, the new guy on the job site Thor, and Darcy. A girl you met on a dating app one time and the two of you decided to be friends after. It was rare for her to be in town because she is a political science major who is interning for doctor Jane Foster while she worked on getting her own doctorate. The internship had her traveling a lot. She brought Jane with her because she claimed that the woman was a shut-in. But with the way she almost instantly gravitated to Thor, you couldn't tell.

You also invited Bucky, another work friend, and he brought a girl he'd started seeing a couple of months prior. A woman named Natasha. When she entered the house she appeared to be on edge. So did Wanda at first, you figured you'd have to ask her about it when you got the chance. After a bit, they both relaxed.

Of course, Anna and Jean were in attendance as well. They kept wanting to tease you about co-hosting but with so many of your co-workers and your boss being there, they let it slide. You acted as a guest and the kids knew not to mention the living arrangement.

“So, who are you kissing at midnight?” Darcy asks as she joins you outside on the patio. You needed a break from the party and it was a nice night despite the low temperature. “Me or the hostess?” She smirks then takes a sip from her blue disposable cup.

You shake your head as you drink from your cup. “I’m not kissing anyone at midnight.” The kids were all in the boys room and you’d hate for them to run down the stairs and confuse them because you and Wanda kissed. They were already confused because one of the nights, Billy came running in from having a nightmare and caught you in the bed. Up until then, you and Wanda were telling them that you were sleeping on the couch. You got away with telling Billy that you also had a nightmare and he seemed to have bought the excuse as he climbed in and created space between you and Wanda so that he could snuggle with his mom.

“Oh come on, that’s no fun,” Darcy nudges you. “Tell you what, I’ll kiss Agatha so you’ll have to kiss Wanda.”

You narrow your eyes, “You just want to kiss Agatha.”

She made a face as she laughed, “No, I just want you to kiss Wanda.”

“How much money is involved,” you ask, knowing the people that are inside. Darcy tries to deny that there’s a bet circulating around the party and eventually gives up. You look inside of the house through the windows on the doors and watch Wanda laugh as something her sister-in-law says. Things weren’t complicated with her but you were constantly afraid that they would become complicated. “I’m not kissing her so that you and whoever else is involved can win a bet.”

“Pietro was the one who started it so,” she takes another drink, “do you really want your boss to lose.” The look she gives you confirms your unspoken question of which side of the bet Pietro was on. You couldn’t believe that he bet that you would kiss his sister at midnight. You shake your head again and finish what’s left in your cup.

“I need another drink,” you say as you get up from your seat and walk inside. Instead of refilling your cup, you toss it into the trash. Your eyes keep finding Wanda in the small crowd as you move about the gathering talking with the different people there. You liked getting to know Tony Stark but her laugh kept grabbing your attention. One of the times she catches your gaze and mouths a hello with a cute smile. You smile back and mouth, “Hey.”

As it got closer to the countdown to midnight, you walked upstairs to check on the kids. All of them had made themselves comfortable either on a bed or on the floor. Luna and Rachel have taken the beds, the twins and Agatha’s son are on the floor. The tv was left playing a movie and you carefully turn it off since all of them are asleep. You put blankets over the three boys and tuck the girls into the beds a bit more. You don’t realize that Wanda is watching you until you look up to leave the room. You smile as you stand in the room of sleeping children and strategically step around them to avoid waking them up.

You leave the door open a crack once you step out into the hallway, “I can move the girls out of the room in a little bit.” You whisper as you step closer to her. “I’m buzzed right now and would hate to drop any of them,” the truth is, you’d hate to wake any of them right now.

Wanda looks at you with admiration as she continues to smile, “It’s okay. I think they’ll be fine for the night. I um, I actually wanted to warn you about something.”

“There’s a bet on whether or not we’ll kiss tonight?” Wanda nods to confirm that’s what she was going to talk to you about. “What do you think about it?”

She shrugs, “I think if we do, it wouldn’t be a big deal. It’s not like we haven’t before.” You nod.

“But?” You anticipate.

“But, I don’t want my brother to win,” she says mischievously. “Have you heard what side he’s on?” She asks and this might be the only time in your life that you don’t regret lying when you shake your head. The two of you walk down the stairs as you hear everyone counting down.

“How are the kiddos?” Pietro asks as the countdown continues.

“They’re all knocked out,” you inform him. He nods and is pulled in closer by his wife as they get to ten. You look around to find Jane and Thor gazing at one another, nine. Tony and his fiance, Pepper are holding each other close, eight. Agatha and Darcy each have an arm around each other's necks as they both face the television, seven. Mrs. Maximoff is sitting on the sofa with a big grin as she counts down, six. Howard is next to her with his head tilted back as he snores loudly and his wife Maria is next to him counting with a martini glass in her hand, five. Carol is kissing Val each second that is announced, four. Natasha is sitting on Bucky’s lap while he sits on the recliner with her arm around his neck and his around her waist, three. Jean and Anna pull each other closer as they prepare to end the count down, two. That leaves you standing close to Wanda, one.

“Happy New Year!” Everyone cheers as the countdown on the television concludes and they each exchange a kiss with their partners. You keep your hands yourself as you give Wanda an innocent chaste kiss on the lips. It’s quick, you’re not sure if anyone caught it. She smiles as she moves closer to her mom and kisses her on the cheek as she wishes her a happy new year.

“Awe boo!” Darcy says as she digs for cash out of her pockets. The others that bet on you and Wanda sharing a kiss toss their money in the decorative bowl at the center of the coffee table. You wink at Wanda as Pietro shakes his head and puts money in the bowl. Wanda’s eyes widen ever so slightly before she continues to play dumb about the bet. The both of you fake being upset and make it clear that whatever is between the two of you is purely platonic.

From the top of the stairs, Rachel hobbles back to Tommy and Billy’s room to hide the fact that she saw the whole thing.

When Sunday comes back around, you get up early to get packed. School starts again on Monday so that meant you and Rachel didn’t need to stay with Wanda anymore. It sucks because you wish that you could have an excuse to be here longer but seeing as none of the kids will be in the house in the upcoming week, there isn’t a reason for you to stay.

You hug the boys and thank them for being so helpful with Rachel as you say goodbye. They each give you a tight hug before running off to get ready for their dad to pick them up. Wanda called him early to confirm that he will be here for them in the afternoon. He sounded annoyed and convinced her to drop them off at his house since he was recovering from his trip.

Wanda pulls you into a warm embrace to say goodbye for the time being. You’ve had to resist kissing her the entire week. You wished that you hadn’t done it on New Year’s Eve. She didn’t make it easy either. Too many times the two of you ended up too close to each other. Wanda was getting frustrated that you weren’t getting the signals that she wanted something more from you.

When the pair of you pull back from this hug, you and Wanda hold eye contact for a moment. Both of you are considering leaning towards each other. That is, until Tommy and Billy start shouting at each other. Wanda sighs and steps out of your arms. “I’ll text you later,” you say as you grab your bag to take to the car. Rachel and her bags are already in your truck.

You help your daughter out of the truck when you arrive at her mom's house and you only take one of her bags inside since you need to keep the rest at your apartment. Jean and Anna give you weird looks when you're inside and you're curious as to why but you don't question it. “I'll see you guys next Sunday,” you say as you're about to leave.

“Hold on,” Anna says as she grabs your arm to stop you. “Can you um…” her words seem to fail her.

“Do you mind staying for tea,” Jean finishes for her. You look between the two of them and notice that something is up with them. You fear that they're about to tell you that their marriage is over so you nod and allow Jean to drag you over to the living room. “So, we wanted to thank you for giving us some extra time to ourselves.”

“Okay,” you drag out as you eye her carefully. “What's going on?”

Jean gives you a nervous smile, “Just wait for the tea. Okay?” You nod and sit quietly. There's an awkward tension looming in the atmosphere. You were worried about what they're going to tell you and they are nervous to ask you something very important to them.

Anna comes in with a tray of three steaming mugs a few minutes later. “You haven't asked them yet, right?” Jean shakes her head as she waits for her wife to get settled. You accept your cup of tea with a close mouth smile and nod.

“Okay,” Jean starts as she sets her mug down. “Anna and I were wondering if you'd consider making another baby,” you’re about to laugh considering you just went through a break up, “with me?” She concludes. You spit your tea out at the absurd question. “I should have waited for you to swallow,” Jean says as she gets up to grab a dish towel to clean up the mess but Anna pulls her back down.

“Are you crazy?” You ask as you set the tea back onto the tray. “You tell me that you can barely afford Rachel and you want to add a newborn to your expenses?” You shout in a whisper. You don't want Rachel to get curious and walk in and get excited about having another sibling.

“Listen, we talked about that. With the budgets the three of us have come up with-”

“And the GoFundMe!” Anna chimes in.

“Yes, and the GoFundMe that we set-up for the medical bills, I think we'll be able to get that covered. And it takes nine months to make the baby. Anna and I can get to a better place financially in nine months,” Jean explains.

“Can you?” You nearly shout out loud. “Look, it's not just nine months of you growing a person. It's doctors appointments, it's prenatal vitamins, it's baby clothes and toys and furniture. We got rid of all that stuff a long time ago. It's not like you have hand-me-downs.” With your pointer finger, you tap the fingers on your other hand as you list the reasons. “Not to mention how expensive IVF can be.”

Jean and Anna share a look, “We weren't thinking about doing this through IVF. It's safer and more cost efficient to go the more natural route.” Anna is the one to suggest this.

You stick your neck out and slowly blink as you widen your eyes. You cannot believe what you're hearing. “You really just suggested that I fuck your wife?”

“You don't have to be so crude about it,” Anna chides. “I plan on being present and it wouldn't be wrong for you to fornicate with my wife. It's purely for reproductive purposes.” You cringe at the medical terms she uses to describe the act she is asking of you. It makes you want to throw up. “I don't understand what is so difficult about it, you've done it with her before.”

You slowly close your hands into fists, not because you intend to use them but because air was the only thing you could grasp without hurting yourself. “I was in love, we were in love. Rachel was created from love.”

“And this baby would be too,” Jean argues. “We care deeply about each other, Y/n.” She tries to take one of your hands in hers but you recoil, disgusted by the touch you once found comforting.

You shake your head, “That's not the same and you know it.” You take a few breaths to calm down before you get too worked up and as your mind clears from the shock, you are able to come up with a reasonable argument. “You two might be ready to have another kid, but I'm not ready. I can't take that on financially or even emotionally right now. Besides, there is so much that happens during their first few developing years that I wouldn't want to miss when passing them back and forth.” They share another look and you already know they've thought about a crazy solution to that. You're starting to think you should just leave.

“Well, we were thinking that you don't have any parental rights to this one. So that we can have a kid that's ours full time. We really want a baby that we can raise together that's just ours and we chose you to help us with that.” You scowl at this, they're actually asking you to not be present in the life of a child that you're supposed to help bring into this world. You couldn't believe it. “If you think about it, we can't have kids on our own and I really want Rachel to have a sibling that comes from both of us. You've said it yourself, half siblings aren't the sa-”

“Don’t even. I was a kid when I said that! I would never say that now. I love Kate,” you interrupt. “She is my sister.”

“Okay, fine, whatever. You still felt that way at one point,” Jean snaps, annoyed by your lack of support. “You can go off and have as many kids as you want with whoever you want. We only have so much time to do this and we used to talk about having another kid.” Jean tries hard to convince you that this is a good idea but it only sounds more and more bizarre.

“When we were together,” you remind her as if she was an idiot. At this point, you're starting to wonder. “Those plans disappeared the second we signed the divorce papers.” You look between the women that you have tried again and again to support and defend. When Jean introduced Anna to her parents, they weren't accepting of the relationship at all. It took you the better part of a year to get her parents to tolerate the relationship. They still held out hope that you and their daughter would reunite at some point. They knew a few couples that split up only to marry each other again a few years later. Then came the wedding last February, Jean's family didn't want to attend because they didn't want to believe it was happening. You made sure they came.

Now here they are, asking more out of you. With what return? What do you get out of this other than a few traumatic nights and a child you won't be allowed to raise but know is part of you? Then you think about Rachel and how when she would play with her baby dolls, they weren't ever her children. They were her siblings. You've had many talks with her in the past about why she doesn't have any siblings and she has expressed how she doesn't want to be an only child. You put your face in your hands as you realize that she's already ten and she'll be eleven soon enough. You had thought your eight year age gap between you and Kate was pretty big, and when you thought about having kids you always saw yourself having kids with small age gaps. That was until you had Rachel at seventeen.

“We're not expecting an answer now,” Jean finally says. “Just please, consider it before you say no.”

You sigh as you can't believe that you're actually going to think this over. “Okay,” you rise and walk out of the house. You drive to the nearest liquor store, the one you met Wanda at and buy a couple of bottles of the vodka she had suggested. As soon as you got home, you drank until you passed out to forget about the asinine request.

You overworked yourself all week, being the first one on site and the last one to leave. Someone needs to be focused on paying off those medical bills and not trying to rack up more of them. The work keeps you from thinking about what Jean and Anna asked. You couldn't believe that is a real idea they discussed and thought was okay to run by you. When you got home, you had a bottle of vodka with a side of instant noodles.

On Friday, your coworkers, Bucky and Thor, ask that you join them on a night out and you accept. You invite Steve as well because Bucky took a liking to him but wasn't sure if he could invite the guy himself. You thought it was funny that he was being weird about it but you didn't catch how flustered he was when you informed him that Steve accepted the invite. Then Thor requested that you invite Darcy and her friend. He tried to play coy but you know that he really liked Jane. He was just the idiot that forgot to call her the next day. He claimed that he waited too long and now he needed your help. You didn't mind extending it, he was a decent guy from what you've gathered.

A couple of hours later and you're drunk enough to start spilling your guts. Starting with how much you miss Daisy before getting into the real problem. Jean and Anna's request. Shocking everyone at the booth. The guys all agree that you shouldn't do it but Darcy plays devil's advocate and says that she knows someone that could help at no cost at all because they owed her a favor. “It's not just the sex that's the problem, Darcy,” you try to explain. “I can't just pretend it's not my kid. If I were someone that didn't mind that kind of thing, sure, I'd do it. But I'm not that person, I would want involvement.”

She puts her hand on your back and rubs soothing circles. It would be comforting if it wasn't her touch. You begin to yearn for Wanda’s touch again. You didn't realize how much you missed it. There is a loud group of people that are being disruptive and it puts you in a bad mood as you start to miss the Hub being your go to. You doubt Phil would let you step into that building ever again.

“Anyone want more? I'll get the next round,” you stand up even though you barely can and Darcy takes notice as she quickly joins you. Buck and Steve have engrossed themselves in a separate conversation. Jane and Thor were practically eating each other's faces. She gave him the cold shoulder when she arrived but he was able to crash through her walls pretty quickly.

While you wait at the bar for the drinks, someone falls against Darcy and she complains about her arm hurting. That triggers something protective in you and you grab the person to try and get them to apologize. They spit in your face and you shove them. Your friends are quick to escort you out of the bar before you get into something you'll regret.

“Give me your phone,” Darcy says as she digs through your pockets.

“Hey, that's my phone,” you try to grab it but you're really out of it. Bucky and Steve are both holding you up, they didn't realize that you had drank so much. They exchanged worried glances as they held onto you. Thor and Jane were busy trying to calm the person you pushed.

Wanda’s week was quite uneventful. She worked quietly on the project she was assigned. With the spare time she has in her day, she worked on her passion project. The dream house she one day hoped to build on a land she's trying to buy now. She doesn't want to continue to be limited by this house. The house that's so full of nightmares. There were good memories here, like the boys learning how to crawl and eventually walk, but it wasn't enough to erase the negative energy that has embedded itself within the walls like black mold.

She was planning on inviting her girls over on Friday but she really only wanted to be hanging out with you. Because of that feeling, she invited someone to sleep with instead. She needed to get you out of her head. You were starting to consume her every thought. Even when she worked on the plans for her dream house. Would Y/n like this much natural light if I add this wall of windows? Wouldn't they like a woodworking space, like my father had? Maybe Rachel needs a room… she dropped her pencil and scrapped the paper. She didn't need to be thinking about that.

Wanda was kicking the girl, Jessica, that she had over when her phone started ringing. Her heart jumped at the goofy picture of you with the caller ID that you had set, covering her screen. “Hey you,” she greets as she shuts the door. “What's up?”

“Wanda, keep it in your pants.” Wanda moves the phone from her face as she doesn't recognize the voice. It was still your contact information. “This is Darcy. We met last week,” she says with an urgency. This gets Wanda’s heart to race with worry.

“What's wrong with Y/n? Why are you calling me from their phone?” She asks as she searches for her keys. Ready to be driving to the hospital.

“They're fine for the most part. I think.” She goes quiet for a second. “Look, they're really wasted and I was wondering if you could pick them up?” Darcy asks nervously. “No stop! Hey! Y/n, don't do that! Steve, Bucky, get them!” Darcy shouts away from the phone but Wanda can hear everything she says. Wanda shakes her head. So far she hadn't known you to be the drunk type. She'd seen you have a few drinks and get a buzz but she hasn't seen you in such a state that your friends have had to parent you.

Wanda sighs, “Text me the location. I'll be there as soon as I can.”

“Okay, thank you,” Darcy sounds distracted. “Damnit, Y/n, why do you have a flask! Stop drinking!” Is the last thing Wanda hears before the call drops. She sits in her car for a few minutes before she receives the text of the location. It was a bar close to her house and she was there in no time at all. She doesn't even have to get out of the car to help you inside because Steve and Bucky shove you into the front seat.

“Wanda!” You say happily as you realize whose car you've been dumped into. Your eyes are closed but you recognize the scent you had been wrapped up in for two weeks. “Where's Wanda? I want to say hi,” you mutter as you start to get sleepy.

“Here's their phone,” Darcy says as she stands at Wanda's side of the car. “Don't let them call or text anyone. They're going through something with the ex and you have to make sure that they don't say something they'll regret.”

Wanda is confused, “What happened between Y/n and Daisy?”

“Oh no, honey,” Darcy smiles, “Not that ex. This is baby momma drama. You'll have to ask Y/n about that one in the morning. It's not my place to go into the details.”

Wanda nods in acknowledgement. “Thank you for calling me. Does anyone else need a ride, I'd be happy to -”

“Nope, we're good. Just focus on Y/n. Maybe try to get some water in them.” Darcy taps the car. “Good luck,” she waves as she rejoins the group on the sidewalk. Wanda drives you back to her house and helps get you inside. She didn't realize how heavy you could be when you're not holding your weight yourself. But she manages.

“I’m sorry I drank too much, Wanda,” you mutter as you lean against her on the sofa. She was trying to get you to drink some water before she attempted to move you up the stairs.

“That's okay, just drink this now,” she says as she puts the plastic cup against your lips. You take a sip and nearly spit it out as you show your disgust.

“Poison,” you exclaim. “Gah, what is that? It's awful,” you say as you lean away from it.

“It's water,” she leans closer to you. “Drink it!” She demands.

You make a face and take the cup and chug the whole thing. “I think my body is rejecting it. I need to chase it down with something. Do you have any vodka?” You complain and Wanda shakes her head.

“What did Jean do to you?” Wanda asks herself and you laugh maniacally when you catch her name.

“She wants my baby,” you answer. And Wanda is concerned that there is going to be some sort of custody battle. She can't think of why there would be. Unless Jean has a better job opportunity somewhere else.

“She can't take Rachel from you,” Wanda says as she gets up to refill the cup.

“Not that baby!” You shout. “My other baby. Er. A new one. She wants a new one and she doesn't want me to have it.” Wanda relaxes a bit, still confused but at least it's not something that will necessarily disrupt Rachel’s life. She walks over and claims the cup of water is vodka. You drink it as if it was the first drink you’d ever had in your life. “That’s the good stuff right there, what’s that brand?”

She is standing in front of you as she waits for you to finish the beverage. “I’ll tell you in the morning so that you don’t forget.” When you’re don’t she reaches for the cup and instead of handing it over, you grab her by the wrist and pull her to land on top of you. She tries to push herself up but you catch her lips in a sloppy kiss. “What are you doing?” She whispers as she pulls away.

“Something I should have done a long time ago,” you reply.

She shakes her head, “You’re drunk.”

“So?” You ask as you try to kiss her again. This time she is able to slip out of your grasp.

“So, this isn’t happening,” Wanda doesn’t go into how she’d be taking advantage of you since you’re so wasted and she hasn’t had a drop of alcohol all week. She doesn’t remind you of why you rejected her before or mention that she refuses to be a rebound for you. “Let's get you to bed,” she says as she lifts you up by your arm. You shake your head, disappointed by the rejection but comply.

You're a little wobbly as you walk up the stairs. Wanda is closely behind you to ensure your safe ascent. You stop in front of her open bedroom door. Uncertain if she wants you to stay with her. But you decide that it's not her decision to make. So you move to the guest room. Wanda doesn't argue as she collects a bottle of painkillers and fills the cup again. She leaves the items on the nightstand beside you. You fell asleep the second your head hit the pillow. You snored softly and Wanda was surprised because you never snored during the time you stayed with her.

“I'll see you in the morning,” she says while she flips the light switch off and shuts the bedroom door. Wanda grabs the pillow that smells like you out of her closet and sets it on her bed before she gets in her pajamas. She crawls into bed and clutches the pillow to her chest as she inhales your scent in order to fall asleep.

Chapter 15

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