*I do not own the rights to Stranger Things

*I do not own the rights to any characters from Stranger Things

*I am not the creator of the character Autumn

*I do not own the rights to ANY music used or mentioned in this fan fiction

*This story is an extended ending to California Dreaming by brittyaustin89, please read her fanfiction first. Otherwise this might not make sense.

*Sorry this took so long to get back to. I've been taking care of my mental and physical health. But I hope to continue writing on a regular basis again.

*WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT AND TRAUMA. IT MAY BE TRIGGERING TO SOME READERS

Monarch: Autumn's Butterfly Effect

Chapter 7: Sweet Child O' Mine

Billy and Autumn's relationship wasn't perfect, but for the time being it was business as usual for them. They still got into small disagreements here and there, but they were rolling around in the sheets like when they first met. By the end of March, Autumn had gotten herself a job at a cute boutique close to the beach. Autumn was a hard worker, and quickly moved up the corporate ladder. She earned herself a spot as assistant manager, and even though she only intended to work part-time, Stephy was the one that got her the job. So she enjoyed spending full time days with her best friend.

Billy on the other hand spent his time day drinking with his old buddies. Usually at the beach by day, and Antman's bachelor pad by night. He was smoking his weed, puffing his cigarettes, and just living his life to the fullest. But, in true Billy and Autumn fashion, things wouldn't be perfect forever. There was alway something to come along and shake things up for them.

Autumn's alarm went off at 9am every weekday morning as usual. She hopped out of bed and got ready for work. The best part about working at the boutique is that Autumn got to dress up everyday. She loved more than anything getting dolled up. Not to mention, most of her new outfits came from the store. Employees got everything at a discounted rate, but because she was an assistant manager she got the biggest discount! 50% off everything in the store! She went to her closet and picked out a cute dress. It was a spaghetti strap, yellow dress with white polka dots, that came right above her knees. She grabbed some white wedges to go with it. After she finished her usual morning routine, she was off to work. Autumn and Stephy almost always carpooled, because they had the same work schedule. Lucky for Stephy, knowing the assistant manager had its advantages.

The two ladies drifted through their work day seamlessly, until…

The bell to the boutique rang as a customer stepped through the doors. Autumn was working the floor and went to greet whoever came in. "Hello! Welcome to Maria's…" Autumn was completely floored when she saw the person standing in front of her. "Mom!" "Autumn? Sweety I haven't seen you in forever!"

Autumn took an early break that day, and reluctantly followed her mother to a small coffee shop. Beach Side Bistro smelled wonderful. The freshly brewing coffee, and baking pastries made Autumn's mouth watering. She got herself an iced coffee and a danish. Autumn sat across from her mom at a small table, and took a big bite of her delicate pastry. "A danish, that's an interesting choice. I thought you weren't a big fan of cream cheese?" Autumn rolled her eyes at her mom's comment. "Well mom it's been a long time since we've been together. Things change." There was an awkward silence between the two of them. Autumn took a few sips of her drink before speaking again. "So what do you want mom?" Autumn's mom drummed her fingers nervously. "You're my daughter, and it's just nice to see you. I just want to catch up a little. I didn't expect to run into you today, so why not try to reconnect a little?" Autumn let out a loud huff. "RECONNECT? Mom, are you kidding me? The last time I saw you, you were only thinking about your boyfriend. You didn't want anything to do with me. That's why dad helped me get on my feet. You abandoned me for what's his name...Quinn. You still with that idiot?" Autumn's mom sat silent and ashamed. "No, I'm not still with Quinn. He...he beat me, and I had to get away from him. I had to get help. I'm not the same person I used to be, sweetie. I'm glad I ran into you. Well...I actually have to confess something." "Confess what, mom?" Autumn shifted in her chair. "Susan told me where you worked. Max loves your phone conversations, and she tells Susan how much she misses you. So, Susan let it slip as to where you work. She told me as much as she could…" Before Autumn's mom could finish talking, Autumn jumped up from her chair. "SO YOU'VE BEEN KEEPING TABS ON ME? Then why am I sitting here? You know everything there is to know about me. You didn't miss me. You just wanted to weasel your way back into my life!" "Honey, wait please understand…" "NO, mom! I love you because you're my mother, but this is the last I want to see of you! I'm happy that you got help, but that can't make up for the years of alcohol abuse and emotional neglect. You're toxic, mom."

That was the last time that Autumn saw her mom for a while. She went back to work, finished her shift and was ready to unload her emotions on Billy. "Beer me babe" Autumn said, as she walked through the livingroom to Billy standing in the kitchen. He opened the fridge and tossed her a Miller Lite. "Long day at work?" he asked, popping the top off his own bottle. Autumn opened her beer and took a long swig before answering. "My mom came into the shop today. I went and had coffee with her on my break." Billy was stunned. To be honest he almost completely forgot that Autumn even had a mom. She was so out of sight and out of mind that he never thought about her. "So what did she want?" He asked. "Well according to her, Max has been telling Susan about our phone conversations, and Susan has been telling my mom. I guess she wanted to reconnect. But it felt gross. Like she knew everything about what had happened to us in the past year." "Damn…" was all Billy could muster. Autumn took a long chug from her beer, and suddenly felt her stomach lurch. "Ughhh...I think I'm gonna be sick." Autumn abruptly put her bottle on the kitchen counter and ran to the bathroom. She nearly tripped in her wedges trying to make it to the toilet in time. Billy was close behind her, rubbing her back and holding her hair back out of her face. "Just relax babe. Seeing your mom has got your nerves all rattled ok. Billy went to grab a washcloth for Autumn. He dampened it under the bathroom faucet then rang it out. He sat on the floor next to Autumn and patted the cloth on her face. Autumn was so overcome with emotions and her unyielding stomach ache that she began to cry. Billy held her close, wrapping his strong arms around her, and slowly rocking her back and forth. "Babe, what is wrong? Where is all this coming from? I thought you hated your mom?" Autumn's voice was shaky, as she tried to form coherent sentences. "I..I don't know. I just...I told her she was toxic. I know she is...but I just…I miss her so much. She...she looked good, and she..she said she changed, but...I don't recognize her at all. Sin...since she started drink...drinking so long ago...I haven't known her. I just want my childhood back...I...I don't want to feel this way...I don't...don't want to feel..stupid." Autumn felt her stomach turn again. Once more she leaned over the toilet bowl, but this time it was only dry heaves. Billy got up off the floor and started to run Autumn a warm bubble bath. He more than anyone else knew what it was like to have a mom that wasn't there, and a parent you couldn't stand all at the same time. He slowly helped Autumn up from the cold tile floor. He cared for her as she brushed her teeth and rinsed her mouth with Listerine. Then he helped her get undressed and stepped into the tub. Billy sat next to the tub, and helped bathe her. "You know I can help relax you." He whispered into her ear. Autumn turned her head towards Billy and softly kissed his perfect pink lips. Billy placed his right hand on the back of Autumn's neck, massaging her. Then ever so slowly slid his left hand down her stomach, past her belly button, feeling his was to her delicate folds. His fingers were just out of sight underneath the bubbles. He felt her luscious sweet spot and began circling it in his fingers, applying more and more pressure. Autumn closed her eyes, and let out soft moans as Billy continued to rub her neck and warm her insides. "Oh...Billy...yes baby…" Billy enjoyed pleasing Autumn. He loved watching her body go through the stages to climax. First she was quiet and controlled, then she began to really enjoy herself. Her moans got louder, and her body squirmed with excitement. Finally she started panting and digging her nails into his arm. Her nipples could cut glass as her face and chest turned bright red. "YES, YES, YES!" she screamed. Autumn was in ecstasy. Billy finished helping her get cleaned up and ended the night snuggling in bed.

Days turned into weeks, and pretty soon it was almost Easter. Autumn tried to forget about her mom, but she just became more and more emotional. Every few days she was crying, and getting sick to her stomach. Billy tried to help her, but he wasn't quite sure what more he could do. "Look, tomorrow is Saturday. Why not just take the day off and spend time with me at the beach? You haven't been feeling good, and you work all the time now. You know we have more than enough money to go around. Take a step back now, or work part time." Autumn hated the idea of taking time away from her job, but she knew he was right. She hadn't felt herself in a while, so maybe some relaxation is all she needed. "Ok, fine. I'll take some time off. But I'm not gonna have any fun at the beach. I think my period is starting. Can you toss me the Tylenol?" Billy walked to the bathroom and rummaged through the medicine cabinet to get Autumn her meds. He tossed her the bottle and insisted she take a nap before her break was over and she had to go back to work.

It had only been 30 minutes since Autumn had fallen asleep, but she was awakened by a sudden excruciating pain in her stomach, that radiated into her lower back and both thighs. Autumn felt a slickness between her legs. She clutched her abdomen and pulled the covers off of her. Her period had started, and she had bled through her underwear. "Billy! Billy help me!" Autumn called out.

Billy jumped up from the couch where he was watching tv, and came running into the bedroom. He stopped short in the doorway and took in the sight of Autumn trying to get off the mattress with blood slowly running down her legs. Autumn was in tears. She could hardly stand as she hugged herself so tightly. "Billy...something's wrong. I need to go to the hospital!" Billy was still in a little bit of shock, he wasn't sure where to begin. "Uh...what..what do you want me to do?" he asked. "PLEASE...hand me a robe or something!" Autumn screamed. Billy finally got the lead out of his feet and began rushing around. He wrapped Autumn in her black satin robe and cradle carried her to the car. He was running stop signs and speeding through yellow lights to get her to the nearest hospital. As they arrived at the emergency side of the hospital, Autumn was starting to put the pieces together. She thought she knew what was happening, but prayed it wasn't true. Billy left her in the car and ran inside. Sweat poured from his face as he raced around. "Fucking help! I need a doctor. My wife! Damn it, help me!" Two nurses saw the commotion and came to assist Billy. One nurse followed him to the car, and the other went to grab a wheelchair. "Ma'am...ma'am, I'm nurse Renee. What's going on today?" Autumn was crying so hard. She didn't want to say it. "I...I thought it was my period...but I think I might be having a miscarriage." The nurse patted Autumn's shoulder. "OK sweetheart we are gonna take care of you alright. Don't you worry about a thing." Billy was once again floored. He knew what that word meant, but his body couldn't process it. The next few hours went by in a blur for him. He felt like he was having an out of body experience. His memory is a haze of doctors, nurses, the squeaking wheels of gurneys, words like blood clot and baby...8 weeks. "Sir, sir? Mr. Hargrove. You can go in and see her now." It took Billy a few moments to process what the doctor said. "Oh thanks..thank you." Billy stood up from his chair and steadied himself. "Doc wait, so explain it to me again. I'm not fucking understanding." 'Well Mr. Hargrove, your wife did in fact have a miscarriage. She was 8 weeks along, so the fetus wasn't quite formed yet. It was just getting there. No one knows for sure why exactly these things happen. It could have been a genetic abnormality, or her body could have simply not been able to continue the pregnancy. It's no one's fault. These things happen. Your wife is going to be fine. She'll need lots of rest, and my nurses are going to refer her to a counselor. It'll help her and yourself as well to deal with the trauma of it all." Billy nodded to the doctor, and shook his hand. Billy wasn't a crier. He did his damndest to keep his emotions in check, but as the doctor walked away, he felt a lump in his throat. Then hot tears began pouring down his cheeks. Billy turned and slammed his fist into the wall behind him. He could feel the eyes of nurses and patients walking by, but he didn't care. "How could I fucking let this happen? Fucking damn it!" Billy screamed to himself. He started pacing up and down the hallway before regaining his composure, and going to see Autumn.