Chapter Text
Paige walked though the graveyard, There had been a massive earthquake in Hawkins.
The whole town had been torn apart.
She had heard from her mum, dad and brother that they was ok.
They told her of all the lifes lost people she had been friends with when she was a kid, Jason Carver was one of her brothers jock friends but where Mark played Baseball, Jason played basketball.
Then, they had then dropped it on her that Eddie Munson was dead, not only dead but labelled a killer, murdering Chrissy Cunningham.
She didn't believe it, Eddie...Eddie would never hurt any one he would never kill anyone, he couldn't.
Some one watched her from from the trees.
They watched her walk up towards the grave then walk away then walk back, they watched her do this a few times.
She laid some daffodils down then sat on the grass.
"Hey Eddie..." Paige stopped looking at the tomb stone reaching out running her fingers over the name Eddie Munson.
"I guess I'm the last person you expected to see...I...I'm not gonna say I miss you saying that seems to be bad luck for us dosent it, it was the last thing I said to you at the airport before...I told you to...Yeah, well I'm sorry I was a total cow and never should..."
She looked at the grave.
"Please Eddie, please...don't be dead...please, let me know you never hated me or was angry for leaving you." She heard a twig snap behind her.
Turning to the sound of the snapping twig, Paige found herself face - to - face with Eddie, who stood before her with a disarming smile - a smile that was genuine and comforting.
Her eyes opened wide "Eddie?"
She ran to him putting her arms round him.
Eddie chuckled softly, returning Paige's embrace. "Well, well, well," he teased gently, his voice warm and familiar.
"I must say, I didn't expect this reunion either."
Tears fell down her cheeks has she buried her head I'm his chest.
She looked up tugging on his now short curls.
"You cut you luscious hair..."
Eddie grinned, his laughter light and airy.
"Well, you know how it is," he shrugged casually.
"A fella's gotta keep up with the times."
She looked at Eddie knowing full well that wasn't the reason.
He reached over tugging Paiges hair.
"You changed the colour"
She smiled though the tears "Well, you know how it is," she shrugged casually.
"A gals gotta keep up with the times."
"It suits you, though it does feel strange seeing you with such a striking new look."
Eddie chucked Paige softly under the chin, as if teasing her, while also expressing a genuine fondness for her new look.
They walked to a bench sitting down.
"But Eddie what happened? I heard about the earthquake my mum, dad and Mark wanted to move to California so I came to pick them up and I saw wanted posters for you and Mum said you had died a wanted killer...what..."
Eddie's eyes widened in surprise at her story.
"Oh, wow, they really went all out with those posters, huh?"
He chuckled softly, trying to downplay the severity of the situation. "
"Eddie please explain to me..."
Taking a deep breath, Eddie looked at Paige with an earnest expression "Alright, Paige. You're right, I should explain, The truth is..." hesitating for a moment, Eddie gathered his thoughts before continuing
Paige sat listening has he explained what happened with Vecna.
How Vecna had killed Chrissy and how he had gotten framed for it.
How the Demobats had attacked him in the upside down almost killing him but his friends had seen it as a way to get him out, to fake his death.
"So, you see, it was a mix of misfortune and desperation, The whole situation was twisted, and I'm still trying to figure out how to clear my name."
Paige looked at the ground her eyes wide.
"It sounds crazy Eddie.
Eddie looked at Paige.
"It is crazy, but it's the truth. I promise you I'm not a killer or a monster. I just want to live my life and make amends for the mistakes I've made."
She nodded not realising their fingers where touching.
Feeling their fingers touching, Eddie gently intertwined his own with Paige's, his eyes softening as he met her gaze.
"I understand if it's hard to believe, Paige. But I hope you can give me a chance to prove myself."
She shook her head "You have nothing to prove Eddie we, we was 18, we was kids, I've done a lot of growing since then, and...I am sorry for not returning your calls, I should have heard you out, I ran into Ronnie not so long ago while she was on holiday in LA, surprised with it being so big but we had a good chat, she explained about your dad after people fed me lies..."
"I see...I just wish things could have been different." Eddie sighed softly, a hint of sadness passing over his face.
Paige took his hand "me too, he really did seem nice just a shame he sold you out"
"Yeah...it really is a shame. But you know, life moves on. And I've moved on too. I'm not holding onto the past anymore, Paige. And that includes not holding onto anger or resentment towards my dad."
She nodded chewing her lip knowing that she hadn't told him everything about her life.
She saw the mood ring he was wearing she picked his hand up looking at the ring. "you still have it? You kept it?"
Eddie smiled softly at the question.
"Of course, I kept it. You gave it to me, Besides, it's kind of become a good luck charm for me."
Paige laughed "dosent seem to be working very well"
Laughing softly, Eddie gently pulled on Paige's fingers, drawing her closer "Maybe not for everything, but it's definitely brought me good luck with you, Paige."
Eddie looked at Paige smirking flirtatiously.
She felt herself blush her heart racing her own secrets rushing to escape.
Noticing Paige's reaction, Eddie couldn't help but feel a wave of excitement.
His eyes sparkled with curiosity and anticipation as he leaned closer, his voice lowering slightly.
"What's got you so flustered, sweetheart?"
"Eddie..." she groaned with a smile.
"Did you miss me that much, Paige?"
He asked with a grin, leaning closer to her.
"Or is there something else on your mind?"
His heart was racing too, eager to know what she might be thinking about at this moment.
She lowered her head, "yes, I missed you, but there's...there's something you need to know."
Eddie's heart skipped a beat at Paige's words.
He knew there was something different about her, something special.
His mind raced with possibilities as he leaned in closer still, his eyes locked onto hers.
"Tell me, what is it?"
"I'm to scared to...I don't want you to hate me for keeping it from you"
Eddie's heart sank slightly at her words.
He placed a reassuring hand on hers.
"Paige, you can tell me anything. I promise I won't hate you," he said softly, his gaze filled with understanding and concern."
"When...when I got back to Cali after I stopped talking to you, I locked myself away I wouldn't go to work. I wouldn't see friends...but after..."
Her breath itched and shook.
"After what, Paige? Sweetheart, whatever it is, you can tell me."
His voice was gentle and understanding, his eyes filled with genuine concern for her well-being.
"I promise I won't judge you, no matter what you have to say."
"After a while I started to...to um...feel sick...every morning..."
Eddie listened intently as Paige spoke, his heart going out to her.
"You were feeling sick? Is that why you locked yourself away?"
He asked, his voice full of empathy. He leaned in closer, his eyes filled with concern.
"Are you still sick sweetheart?"
"I locked myself away from guilt not because I was sick and no I'm not sick anymore the doctor give me some tablets to help but it er lasted for a few months..."
He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"I'm so sorry to hear that Paige."
"It lasted three months well the whole thing was actually nine but...'
"Nine months?" He asked, a look of surprise on his face. "That sounds like...morning sickness."
He paused for a moment, his mind racing with possibilities.
"Are you telling me...is it...?"
She looked at her hands.
"I found out I was pregnant, after I went back, I swear, I never slept with any one else, you have a daughter Eddie."
"Paige..." Eddie's voice was full of emotion as he looked at her, his eyes brimming with unshed tears.
"Your daughter...she's my daughter?"
He asked, his voice quavering slightly with disbelief.
"And now you see why I'm scared of you hating me"
"Hate you?"
Eddie laughed softly, shaking his head.
"How could I ever hate you, sweetheart? You gave me the greatest gift anyone could ever give me."
His heart swelled with love and pride at the thought of having a daughter.
Paige looked up at him "you don't hate me?"
"Never. You gave me the greatest gift anyone could ever give me. How could I hate you for that?" He reached out, gently brushing a few strands of hair away from her face. "I'm so glad we're finally talking again, Paige."
Paige leaned into his hand "I've a photo in my purse would you like to see her?"
"I'd love that, Paige."
He replied warmly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
As he took the photo from her purse, he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility and love for the little girl in the picture.
"I er called her Elizabeth after her grandmother..." She saw Eddie's head snap round at the name, "after your mom."
Eddie's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his mother's name.
"Elizabeth... that's beautiful, just like her grandma and mom."
He smiled warmly at Paige, his eyes welling up with unshed tears.
Paige smiled linking his arm resting her head on his shoulder.
Feeling the warmth of Paige's presence and the affectionate gesture, Eddie couldn't help but return her smile.
"Thank you, Paige. She's lucky to have such a loving mom like you."
"You know..." Paige said softly.
"I can't offer you a record deal any more, I quit to look after Elizabeth, but I can still offer you that place to stay with the orange tree in California, if you want it."
Eddie smiled softly, his eyes filled with gratitude.
"That's really kind of you, Paige. I appreciate the offer more than you'll ever know."
He pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"I can Still offer you away out of this town if that's what you want and I can give you time with your daughter if that's what you want every thing else is a plus."
Eddie looked at her with a smile.
"I'd like that very much, Paige. And as for time with my daughter, it's what I want more than anything."
He leaned in and kissed her cheek softly. "Thank you."
Paige Smiled hooking her hands on his arms.
"Two years late but...we're doing this..."
Eddie's heart swelled with happiness as he felt her touch and heard her words. "Two years late or not, Paige, it's never too late for the right moment."
He leaned in, their eyes locked, and their lips met in a tender, passionate kiss.
"Better late then never..." She took his hand has they walked together.
Eddie's heart raced as they walked hand in hand, his gaze never leaving hers. "That's a sentiment I can definitely agree on," he replied softly, his voice tinged with emotion.