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Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand?
With every guitar string scar on my hand
I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover
My heart's been borrowed and yours has been blue
All's well that ends well to end up with you
Swear to be overdramatic and true to my lover
Lover - Taylor Swift
Just over two months have passed since he got down on one knee, finally asking her the question she’s been waiting for, hoping to hear from him for years now.
The summer is quickly nearing its end, whether Joyce is ready or not. In just a few weeks time, Jonathan will head back out east to New York, while Will is going to leave their nest and start college out west. So, these past two months have been spent planning their wedding, making sure they would be able to tie the knot with all three kids in attendance.
It felt natural for them to have the wedding take place outside the cabin—the place they spent their first while together as an official couple, their little family huddled in that tiny space to hide from something that could potentially be the end of the world.
And now, the day they’ve been waiting for, has finally arrived—they’re getting married within the next few hours.
The little clearing next to the wooden cabin has been decorated with the help of their friends, transforming the place into something beautiful and cozy. Strings of glinting lights hang between the trees, casting a warm, soft glow. The borrowed wooden, folding chairs from the Wheelers have been arranged in rows, with an empty space in the middle to create an aisle. Robin and Max have gathered flowers from the field, tying them into elegant bouquets to line the aisle. They’ve also put together a little, beautiful bouquet for Joyce, a mix of white, blue and light purple flowers.
Joyce and El are at their house, getting ready for the big day. Karen and Nancy had eagerly volunteered to assist them with their makeup and hair.
Joyce is currently sitting in front of her makeup table, Nancy styling her hair while Karen does her makeup. Joyce had requested a light and natural look—avoiding the heavy, over-the-top look that wedding makeup often tends to be.
Joyce can’t deny that she looks pretty. Karen has carefully lined her eyes with a brown liner and brushed on tear-proof mascara to her long lashes, making her doe-like eyes appear even bigger than usual. The apple of her cheeks are tinted red and a dab of concealer has been applied under her eyes, brightening the skin. Lipstick has been applied to her lips, coating them in a soft nude color with a subtle red glow.
Her hair is pinned up into a neat updo, with a few loose, curly strands falling free and her freshly-trimmed bangs to frame her delicate face. A couple of white Baby’s-breaths sprigs are tucked into her bun, their light color standing out against her dark, auburn hair.
She might even go as far to say that she looks beautiful .
“Jim is gonna go nuts when he sees you,” Karen says with a warm smile, admiring her work in the mirror. Joyce giggles softly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.
“Can’t say I blame him,” she adds under her breath, her gaze lingering on Joyce’s reflection in the mirror for a moment longer than necessary. There was something in her voice that Joyce can’t quite pinpoint.
A sudden nervousness flickers across Karen’s face before she quickly turns away, busying herself with looking through her makeup bag despite having already finished Joyce’s look.
Joyce studies her closest friend for a moment, suddenly curious why her demeanor suddenly changed. She wonders if Karen’s comment meant something more, something deeper, but before she can think about it too hard, the door to her bedroom creaks open, and in steps her daughter .
Joyce feels her heart swell as she watches El and realizes how grown she’s now looking. She hasn’t known El for a good amount of the girl’s life, but it’s still clear to her how much she’s grown over the past couple of years. There are still some moments where she sees the little girl who struggled to put a simple sentence together, and who had no clue about how the world worked, but now, El has grown into her own person—confident, beautiful, and much stronger than anyone else Joyce knows.
She feels a pang of pride spread through her chest at the thought of that—she’s more than grateful to be able to watch her grow, to be there to witness the young woman she’s slowly turning into, and to be a part of this sweet girl’s life.
“Hey, sweetie,” Joyce greets her softy, her voice filled with warmth as she rises to her feet.
El does a little spin to show off her dress, a wide grin curling her lips upwards. The dress is a soft, light blue, with small blue flowers dotting the fabric. It falls just below her knees, the skirt lifting slightly and swaying as she twirls. The short puffed sleeves stop right before her elbows. To complete the look, El borrowed a pair of white flats from Nancy, her excitement clear as she proudly shows off her look.
Her long, dark hair has been curled into soft ringlets, with the front pieces pulled back and secured in a pearly claw clip at the back of her head.
She has never dressed this fancy before, and it makes her all giddy with excitement; she loves it.
“You look so beautiful, sweetheart,” Joyce grins as she steps forward and cups both of El’s cheeks in her palm. She feels sentimental tears spring to her eyes. Her beautiful maid of honor .
“You do too,” El says with a happy grin. Joyce smiles softly, tucking some of El’s hair behind her ears, before pulling her into a secure hug. El wraps her arms around her tightly, resting her head on her shoulder.
The first time Joyce met El, she had been a few inches shorter than her, but now, they’re the exact same height. Something about that makes her sniffle, trying to hold back her tears. Her little girl is so grown up .
After a moment, Joyce pulls back, her hand softly stroking El’s cheeks. Karen and Nancy quietly slip out of the room, letting mother and daughter have a moment of privacy.
Joyce gently grabs her hand, guiding her to the edge of the bed with a soft smile. They sit down on the edge, Joyce placing their entwined hands in her lap, holding El’s hand in both of hers.
“I’m happy you’re marrying dad,” El says with a wide grin that warms Joyce’s heart. Back when they announced their relationship to their kids, El had been the most ecstatic, telling them that she always knew they secretly loved each other. Each time the two of them show just an ounce of physical affection, the boys made it pretty clear they did not like to see that, mouthing ‘ew’s or begging them to move it somewhere else. El, however, stayed silent, watching the adults with a little smile. She’s never quite understood why they were so against seeing them happy and in love.
“I am, too,” Joyce says with a soft chuckle, grinning from ear to ear as she looks at El.
“You’re like a mom to me, and now it’ll be official, y’know,” El murmurs softly. Having a real, proper family is something she had longed for, especially during the seemingly endless days stuck all alone in the cabin when Hopper was busy at work. Now she has that—a mom, a dad, and siblings—and she couldn’t be happier.
“Oh, sweetie,” Joyce replies softly, her eyes growing misty. “I am your mom, if you want me to,” she whispers, lifting a hand to cup El’s cheek with a smile. “Would you like that?” she questions softly.
El’s smile widens further as she nods repeatedly. Joyce tilts her head with a sweet, wet smile. “I want that,” El grins confidently, holding Joyce’s hand tighter.
A beat later, El surges forward and wraps her arms around Joyce’s neck, burying her face in her shoulder. Joyce’s arms come around her waist, holding her tight to her as she places a kiss on the side of her head. “I love you, sweetheart,” Joyce whispers into her hair, her voice weak from the emotion she feels surging through her veins—the overwhelming love she feels for this incredible, sweet girl.
“I love you too… mom,” El whispers.
More tears spring to Joyce’s eyes at her words. Mom . She’s called her that a few times already, mostly just a slip of the tongue, but every time it happens, her heart absolutely melts. It warms her from the inside and out to know El thinks of her as her mom. She’s so proud to be able to call El her daughter .
She loves her boys more than anything, and she would go to hell and back for them (she kind of already did), but a part of her has always wished for a daughter. And now, she finally has one.
“I gotta change into my dress,” Joyce says, reluctantly pulling away from the hug, looking at El with a beaming smile. El nods eagerly, standing up and holding out her hands to help Joyce up. Joyce grabs her hands with a chuckle, letting the girl help her to her feet.
Joyce grabs the dress hanging on the front of her closet, heading into the ensuite with a grin on her lips.
She’s quick to slip into the dress, careful not to get any of her makeup on it. When she finally sees herself in the mirror, she can’t help but gasp. The dress hasn’t even been zipped yet, but it looks amazing on her paired with the hair and makeup. She looks like a real bride and the thought makes her all giddy and causes her heart to race—she still can’t believe she’s Hopper’s bride.
The white dress, simple but elegant, reaches just above her ankles, the skirt falling gracefully. The bodice hugs her figure snugly, a smooth white satin covering it. The square neckline exposes the top of her cleavage, showing off some of her moles. The flowy, bishop sleeves, made of delicate lace, stop at the middle of her forearms. It fits her like a glove, showing off the curves she normally hides beneath her oversized-clothes.
She feels beautiful—something she’s not quite used to. Over the course of the last few years with Hopper, she has gotten more confident, though. He’s slowly erased Lonnie’s cold-hearted, merciless comments about her body that used to echo inside her overthinking mind.
She feels herself tearing up as she takes in her reflection. It hits her how truly happy she is. She doesn’t feel the sickening nerves that she felt at her first wedding; she only feels excitement and happiness, a giddy joy filling her. She’s more than excited. She can’t wait to walk down the aisle and say those two simple words “I do” .
Her life hasn’t been easy, to say the least. From growing up with an abusive father, losing her mom when she was just a little kid, to having an abusive husband, then struggling as a single mom to hold her household afloat, and saving her son from another dimension . That’s without even mentioning everything that has happened since Will’s disappearance. But at last, she can finally say she’s happy without lying even the tiniest bit.
She’d go through all of that again just to be where she is today, about to marry her childhood best friend and the love of her life with their kids by their side.
“El?” she calls out, the smile on her face is clear in her voice.
“Yeah?” El’s soft voice sounds from outside the door.
Joyce turns the doorknob, opening the door with a smile. The moment El sees her, she gasps, her eyes widening. “You look beautiful,” she says with a beaming and giddy smile.
Joyce tilts her head to the side, a huge smile stretching her lips. “Thank you, honey.”
“Could you get my zipper?” Joyce asks, turning around so her back is to El.
El carefully zips up the dress, making sure not to catch any stray hairs in it.
“Thank you,” she says softly, moving so she’s in front of the mirror.
Joyce puts a pair of delicate diamond stud earrings in her ears, securing them tightly in the back. They were her mother’s back in the day. She’s had them ever since she passed away, but hasn’t dared to wear them often, too scared to accidentally lose them, but today, it feels right to have them on—a piece of her mom with her on her special day.
Next, she drapes a necklace around her neck, fastening the clasp at the back and double-checking to ensure it’s really locked. Her fingers carefully trace the pendant dangling on her chest. There’s three stones placed next to each other—a birthstone representing each of their kids. The light blue aquamarine for Will, the white moonstone with a blue tint for El, and the warm orange citrine for Jonathan. Hopper gave it to her on her latest birthday, making her tear up when he told her what each stone was for. No one had ever done something so sweet for her before.
She smiles at herself in the mirror. She feels more than ready to marry the love of her life. Her veins hum with jittery excitement—she can’t wait to see him.
At the cabin, Hopper paces nervously, walking in circles over and over as he goes over his vows, murmuring quietly to himself. His hands are trembling with a mixture of excitement and nerves.
Outside, the kids are finishing setting everything up for the wedding. Their little gang of kids—now mostly young adults—had happily volunteered to do this for them. Hopper’s heart swells as he watches them through the window. Over the past years, as they spend their time trying to save the world together, they've begun to feel like family .
Murray’s voice booms from behind him, pulling Hopper out of his thoughts. “She already agreed to marry your sorry ass. Plus , you’ve been bickering like a married couple for years. Why are you so nervous?” Murray teases, taking a long swig of his hip flask, which Hopper assumes contains vodka—probably not Russian vodka after everything .
“Don’t you have a speech to practice or something?” Hopper raises his brows, leaning back against the counter and crossing his arms.
They had chosen Murray to officiate the wedding because, if it weren’t for him, they wouldn't even be here. The man had risked his own life to save Hopper, so it felt right to have him be the one to officiate their wedding. Despite the man’s annoying antics and occasionally far out conspiracy theories, he’s their closest friend.
Murray is about to give a smug reply when Jonathan steps out of El’s room where he was getting ready. He meets Hopper’s eyes with a shy smile, fidgeting with his hands. Murray gets the clue and excuses himself, walking out onto the porch.
“You okay, kid?” Hopper asks, his brows furrowed but his smile soft and small.
“Yeah, um…,” Jonathan starts, coming to stand next to Hopper. Hopper can’t help but notice how much he resembles his mother—anxiously fidgeting with his hands as he tries to find his words.
After a few beats of silence, Jonathan breaks it. “I’m glad you’re the one mom is marrying,” he says with a soft smile, looking up at Hopper.
Hopper chuckles, his lips curling up into a warm grin as he looks down at Jonathan. “Me too, son.”
Jonathan lowers his eyes, his gaze fixed on the fridge. “It’s pretty nice to know how it is to have a proper dad, y’know,” he says in a soft whisper.
Hopper feels his throat tighten and tears start to well up in his eyes. He gently places a hand on Jonathan’s shoulder. “And it’s nice to have, not one, but two sons,” Hopper says with a teary grin.
Jonathan looks up at Hopper, surprised to find the tears in his eyes. Jonathan smiles softly, but it fades after a moment, turning into a solemn expression. “Y’know, Lonnie never did dad-like stuff with us… like you do,” Jonathan says, his voice barely above a whisper as he avoids eye contact. “Well… he did, but it was always because he wanted money or somethin’,” he adds, shaking his head as he recalls the multiple times he’d pretended to care about them, trying to use them for money.
“I’m sorry, kid. None of you deserved that,” Hopper says, his voice soft and quiet. His heart breaks as he thinks about how much the three of them have been through because of that piece of shit. “I never liked Lonnie…,” he continues, his brows furrowing as he lightly shakes his head. “ Especially after your mom started dating him,” he adds with a sad smile.
After a few beats, Jonathan glances up at Hopper, a tiny smile forming on his lips as he raises his brows. “You liked her then, too?” Jonathan questions, his voice soft but a teasing edge to it.
Hopper can’t help the smile that tugs at his lips. He takes a deep breath before answering, his gaze softening. “I think I've always loved her, kid. From the very first day I met her,” he says quietly, giving Jonathan a small but genuine smile that he returns.
Hopper takes a deep breath before pulling the boy in for a tight hug. Jonathan melts into the embrace after a few beats, his arms wrapping around Hopper’s waist.
There’s a warm and fuzzy feeling in Hopper’s chest as he thinks about how trusting and comfortable the kid is around him. He had expected him to be more wary around him since they announced their relationship, like the way he was around Bob, but he never was. It means the world to him that the kid trusts him despite all his issues with his actual father—not that Lonnie deserves that title.
A few moments later, they let go of the embrace, their smiles and glassy eyes matching.
Jonathan clears his throat, breaking the quiet they had fallen into. “I think they’ll be here soon,” he says, his voice a bit more hoarse than normal. Hopper can feel the nervousness coil in his stomach at those words. When he hears Jonathan chuckle softly, he looks up with his brows raised.
“You got nothing to worry about,” Jonathan reassures him earnestly, placing a hand on Hopper’s shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’ve never seen mom this happy,” he adds, his grin so wide it shows off the top row of his teeth.
Hopper’s heart swells at those words, a sense of pride overcoming him, but also immense happiness that he makes her happy. He can’t help the smile that spreads across his face. He’s never been happier either.
Jonathan gives his shoulder one last squeeze before walking towards the door. He pauses in the doorway, turning back to face Hopper after a beat. “Good luck… Dad ,” he says with a teasing grin, a glint in his eyes.
Dad.
Before Hopper even has a chance to respond, Jonathan has disappeared through the door. He didn’t expect Jonathan to ever call him “Dad”. He still doesn’t expect it to be an often occurrence, but hearing it said out loud, knowing Jonathan sees him like that, fills him with warmth.
He feels a single tear roll down his cheek despite his lips being curled upwards. He’s quick to wipe it away with the back of his hand, taking a deep, steading breath.
He’s more than ready to marry the woman he’s been in love with since the goddamn ‘50s .
They’re in the car on their way to the wedding . Nancy and Karen are in the front seats, chatting quietly, while Joyce and El are in the back. The air in the car is jittery with excitement.
“Are you ready to get married?” Karen questions, the smile audible in her voice.
Joyce smiles softly, her gaze drifting out the window, admiring the familiar landscape that passes by in a blur. After a beat, she answers, her voice soft but a confident edge to it, “I couldn't be more ready.”
El reaches across the middle seat, entwining their fingers, holding on tight as she beams at her mom.
After a couple minutes of comfortable silence, they pull up in front of the cabin. A wave of nerves washes over Joyce. She takes a deep breath, steadying herself, before opening the door and stepping out into the warm, late-summer air.
Will and Jonathan are waiting for them by the porch stairs, their faces breaking out into matching beams. Jonathan kisses Nancy’s cheek when she walks up to him, and after exchanging a few quiet words, she and Karen walk away to find their seats, wishing Joyce good luck with soft smiles.
Joyce feels a lump form in her throat when she sees her two boys standing there, side by side in matching suits.
El grabs her hand, holding on tight, as they approach the boys. Joyce feels herself tear up at the sight of her three babies dressed up so nicely.
“Hey, guys,” she grins as they finally reach them, her steps are slower than usual as she’s donning a pair of low, white kitten-heels.
Jonathan hands her the bouquet with a grin, bending down to plant a kiss on her cheek. “You look beautiful, Mom,” he says softly. Will grins, nodding in agreement.
With a smile and tears coating her eyes, she cups Will’s cheek in her palm, her thumb gently caressing it. “You two look so handsome,” she murmurs, eyes flickering between her sons. She places a smooch on her youngest’s cheek, carefully wiping the smudge of lipstick with the soft pad of her thumb.
She moves to Jonathan next, pulling him down just slightly so she can place a quick kiss to his cheek as well.
“I love you guys more than anything , y’know that, right?” Her voice is thick with emotion that’s clogging her throat, but there’s a huge smile on her lips despite the tears that’s threatening to spill from her eyes.
“We know, Mom, and we love you too,” Jonathan answers, his smile just as teary as his mom’s.
She gently caresses Jonathan’s cheek, her heart swelling with love as she looks at him. She feels proud of the sweet, young man her oldest has turned into.
“Shall we?” Will grins with a playful, old-fashioned tone, holding out his arm for El to grab. She slips her arm through Will’s and interlocks them with a giggle.
Joyce watches them, with a fluttering warmth in her heart.
Her twins .
“You ready, Mom?” Jonathan asks as the two of them disappear around the corner of the cabin.
Joyce turns to look up at him, nodding with a radiant smile.
“I’m ready.”
He holds out his arm, her hand slips around his elbow, fingers curling around his arm. She beams up at him as they start to slowly walk towards the aisle. The moment they step around the corner, her eyes lock onto Hopper’s, all her nerves dissipating when his blue gaze meets hers. Her eyes are already getting misty again. She wants to run down the aisle, but she forces herself to keep her steps slow.
To Hopper, it’s as if time slows down when he sees her. His plans were to not cry before the vows, but now, seeing her in the white dress, he fails as his eyes begin to get glassy. It feels like a dream. She looks so beautiful. He doesn’t know what the hell he did to deserve her. He feels like the luckiest bastard alive.
When they finally reach the end of the aisle, after what felt like hours, Jonathan transfers her hand into Hopper’s. He leans down, kissing his mom on the cheek. He claps Hopper on the shoulder before moving to stand behind him.
She hands El the flowers, then turns to face Hopper with a tearful smile.
“Jesus Christ, Joyce,” Hopper murmurs, a mixture of awe and disbelief in his voice. His words earn a few laughs from the guests, Joyce shaking her head at him with a soft chuckle, her eyes sparkling as she gazes up at him with her huge, brown eyes.
“You look beautiful,” he whispers, his voice soft and sincere. His hand lifts to gently cup her cheek, caressing the soft skin on the apple of her cheeks for a moment as he stares down at her, his ocean-blue eyes that are oh, so full with love.
“So do you,” she answers softly, placing a hand on his chest. He blushes at her words, his gaze momentarily dropping to the ground before returning to hers.
In that moment, everything else seems to fade away, leaving only the two of them. The world around them quiets as they stand there in their little love-bubble, completely lost in the other’s eyes. The moment doesn’t last long as Murray clears his throat with a smug grin on his face.
Hopper’s eyes doesn’t stray from her even when Murray starts to talk. He takes her other hand in his, entwining their fingers and giving them a soft squeeze.
“Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family,” Murray begins, his voice booming as he gathers his hands together in front of him. “We’re gathered here today to celebrate a day I’ve seen coming for nearly half a decade. If they’d listened to me from the start, this might’ve happened a lot sooner, but hey … they’re both stubborn as hell.”
The crowd chuckles softly, Murray looking between the two of them with a teasing smile. Joyce turns her head to look at Murray, shaking her head slightly at him. Hopper, however, keeps his gaze on her, his eyes soft and full of adoration.
“Honestly, that might be why they’re so perfect for each other. But enough of what could’ve been, because at last, we’re here,” Murray continues, looking back and forth between Joyce and Hopper with a smile. Joyce glances up at Hopper, her cheeks flushing when she finds him already looking at her. His thumb softly strokes the side of her palm, and the goofy smile on his face makes her stomach do somersaults.
Murray clears his throat again, pulling their attention back to him. “I’ve known Jim for about ten years now, and the first five—well, let’s just say, he wasn’t exactly the nicest guy,” he says, earning a soft laugh from Joyce.
“He’s always been an idiot with a pretty big temper, but that’s hardly a secret,” Murray continues with a playful glint in his eyes. “He didn’t give a shit about anyone, so I was convinced that this man had absolutely no soft side,” Hopper shakes his head, silently chuckling. “That was until these two came barging into my house, dragging a foreign enemy they’d kidnapped along with them. They were one step from ripping each other’s head off— constantly bickering. But I saw right through them,” he says, smirking proudly at the couple.
“They way they argued over anything… it reeked of unresolved sexual tension.” Both of them blush at the remark. Their gazes lock, and they can’t help but chuckle—Murray wasn’t exactly wrong, but they’re never going to tell him that and boost his already excessive ego.
“It was obvious . They were head over heels for each other, but neither of them were brave enough to admit it,” Murray continues. Joyce can feel Hopper’s hands gently squeezing hers and she can’t help but smile as she looks up at him.
“ I suggested they pulled over and just got it over with, but, of course , they didn’t listen,” Murray says with a dramatic sigh. The crowd reacts with a mix of soft laughter and a few faces scrunching up in displeasure.
“Then, after that, well… shit happened. But , in the end, they found their way back to each other. She risked her life for the tiny chance that Jim was still kicking around—and he was , believe it or not.” Joyce looks up at Hopper, only to find him already gazing down at her, his eyes a tad misty. She squeezes his hands, giving him a soft, slightly teary smile.
“ And , if I remember correctly,” Murray continues with a smirk. “I saved both of your asses from getting eaten by a monster.” That pulls a laugh out of both of them, as well as their guests.
“Anyway, fast forward a couple of years and saving the entire world, Jim finally got down on one knee and asked her the question we’ve all been waiting for. And now, after all this time, these two stubborn idiots are finally getting the happy ending they deserve,” he says with an uncharacteristic soft smile directed at both of them.
The nearlyweds share a soft soft smile as they gaze at each other, their hands still tightly intertwined.
“Now, I know you both wrote your own vows,” Murray turns his attention to Hopper with raised brows. “Jim, care to start?”
Hopper squeezes one of her hands, letting go of it to reach into his pocket. He pulls out a crumpled piece of paper, letting go of her other hand to unfold it.
Joyce smiles encouragingly up at him as he takes a deep breath to steady himself. He reaches down to grab one of her hands, finding strength in her soft touch before speaking.
“Joyce… I’m not exactly great with ‘heart-to-hearts,’ as you call them, but no matter what, it would be impossible for me to ever put into words how much I love you,” he begins, his voice and gaze so soft that she feels like she might melt
“I’ve known you for almost my whole life. We spent decades apart, but no matter how long we spent apart, the image of tiny, fierce Joyce Maldonado always stuck with me.” She shakes her head with a soft chuckle. “You were a whole foot shorter than me—hell, you still are—but you never hesitated to put me in my place when I did something wrong,” he says with a bright grin. He faintly hears the audience chuckle, but he’s so focused on her, he barely registers it.
“You’ve never been scared to stand up to people, even when they’re twice your height, and that’s something I've always admired—along with your confidence and strength,” he continues, squeezing her hand in his. “You’ve walked through hell with your head held high, and never backed down when your gut told you something was off, even though no one else believed you. I’ve learned by now to always trust your gut, because, somehow, you’re always right.” He chuckles, his eyes on hers instead of on the paper in his hands.
“I already fell for you back then, but I was too damn scared to ever say anything. A part of me has loved you ever since we got paired for that science project in middle school. You were annoyed at me for not doing anything, but I was too busy staring at you to focus on anything else,” his voice is so sincere that she blushes under his gaze, biting her bottom lip as her eyes start to water.
“Then we went separate ways after high school, but not a single day has passed since then where I didn’t think of you,” his soft gaze flickers between her eyes as he talks. “The way your smile lights up any room, and the way your nose crinkle when you laugh… it’s something I spent a lot of time thinking of in ‘Nam.”
She does exactly that face—her smile widening, her nose wrinkling. He melts at the sight, butterflies erupting in his stomach despite how many times he’s seen that look on her face by now.
“I came back to Hawkins because I needed to get away from New York, but also because I wanted to be near you. Even if that meant just watching you from a distance,” he admits, his voice thick with emotion.
A shining tear escapes her eye, and he lets go of her hand to gently wipe it away with the soft pad of his thumb—she’s thankful Karen used water-proof mascara.
He takes a deep, shuddering breath before continuing, his eyes soft as he gazes down at her. “After what happened with Sara, I was sure I was cursed. Everyone I loved ended up getting hurt,” he continues, his voice growing more quiet. She reaches up, curling her fingers around his cheek, her thumb caressing the stubble covering his skin.
“I was so terrified of the same thing happening to you that I chose to not say anything. But when I found out that you were planning to move, I panicked. The thought of losing you was unbearable, and yet , it happened anyway.” His voice cracks in the last sentence, tears beginning to gather in his eyes.
“For those eight months in Russia, the only thing that kept me going was you and the kids. The thought of maybe, someday, making it back home to you was what got me through the endless, cold days.”
His hand comes up and his fingers curl loosely around her wrist, holding her hand to his cheek. His thumb gently caresses her soft skin as he speaks. “Dmitri said we’d need a miracle to survive, and then, in the blink of an eye, you showed up. You’re my miracle, Joyce. You saved me in every way.” His voice is barely above a whisper, his throat clogged from the enormous love he feels for her.
She wipes away a tear that slips down his cheek, and he mirrors the gesture, tenderly brushing the tears from her face.
“I thought I was doomed to be alone for the rest of my life, but you made me realize it didn’t have to be that way. You made me realize I could be happy again, that I could have a family,” he says as he briefly looks over at El behind Joyce, his daughter's eyes meeting his with a teary smile, before his eyes return to Joyce.
“I love you, Joyce. More than I've ever loved anyone else. More than I ever thought it was possible to love another person.”
She sniffs, tears clinging to her lashes as she smiles up at him. “You’re the best mom, the kindest person, and you inspire me every single day to be a better version of myself—for you and for our kids,” he continues with a soft smile, love swimming in his ocean blue eyes.
“There’s so many small things I love about you,” he tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear, a playful grin finding his lips. “Like when you’re yelling at me, and I gotta do my best to not smile because I know it’ll make you even more pissed, but you’re so cute when you’re mad, it’s hard to not smile at that.”
She blushes, her gaze dropping for a moment before returning to his, the corners of her mouth curling even further.
“Or when we’re sharing my cigarettes that you still can’t handle, despite us sharing them for decades, and you’ll try to hide your cough after taking a puff,” he says with a chuckle, and she can’t help but join him, her nose wrinkling in an adorable way as she grins up at him.
“The way you took El in with no hesitation. The way you’re willing to do anything, even walk through hell, to protect the people you love.” He grabs her hand on his cheek, pressing a quick kiss to the back before lowering it and entwining their fingers. “You’re the most selfless, caring, and loving person I've ever known, and I'm more than lucky to be on the receiving end of your love.”
With a shuddering sigh, he puts the paper back in his pocket, and uses his now-free hand to tenderly wipe her tears away. His smile is so pure, so bright, and so full of love.
“I promise to always be by your side no matter what, because there’s nowhere else I'd rather be,” he says softly with a teary smile as he squeezes her hand in his, his thumb tenderly stroking over her knuckles. “I promise to always protect you, even though we both know you don’t need it,” he grins, and she lets out a small, watery chuckle. “And I promise to love you until my last breath,” he adds, his voice having grown to a whisper.
His thumb catches another tear that falls from her eyes as he looks down at her with the most tender gaze she’s ever seen, her heart flutters at the thought.
“I love every part of you, Joyce, and I can't wait to grow old and gray with you by my side. You were my first love, and I promise you will be my last too,” he finishes with a teary smile, a single tear falling down his cheek, leaving a wet trail behind it.
Her eyes flicker between his, letting go of his hand to cup his cheek instead, her other hand grabbing the collar of his shirt. “I love you,” she whispers, her voice hoarse as she pulls him down to her height. Lifting herself onto her tiptoes, she presses her lips to his in a soft, sweet kiss. Next to them, their guests chuckle, the joyous sound filling the warm air.
When she pulls away, she rests her forehead against his for a moment, both of them taking a breath as their hearts pound like one. She opens her eyes, and finds his blue gaze filled with love and adoration, his eyes locked on hers with an intensity that makes her heart leap.
“Sorry, I just had to do that,” she chuckles softly, lowering herself back to her normal height. Behind Hopper, she catches Will and Jonathan trying to stifle their laughter, exchanging amused glances. A warmth spreads through her chest at the sight—their bond, how close they are, is something she holds very close to her heart.
“Woah…,” Murray murmurs before chuckling, wiping away a few tears from his eyes. “Who knew you had that in you, Jimbo,” he teases, smirking at Hopper before turning to Joyce. “Joyce, dare to follow that?”
Joyce takes a deep breath, her gaze softening as it meets Hopper’s. He tenderly squeezes her hands, thumbs gently brushing over the back of her hands as he smiles softly down at her.
“Hop… Back when we were just two careless kids, I never would’ve imagined that the boy who pulled my pigtails would, thirty years later, become my husband,” she chuckles, smiling softly up at him, her doe-like eyes gazing into his blues. “But now… I can’t imagine a life where I didn’t end up here with you,” her soft voice trembles slightly, tears welling in her eyes.
“Sure, we spent decades apart, but even after all that time, you still know me better than anyone else,” she gives his hands a gentle squeeze, her gaze flickering between his eyes, as if she can’t decide which one to lose herself in.
“You’ve always been there for me in a way no one else has. When I was an angsty teen who just needed someone to listen, you offered me a cigarette and let me talk your ear off for as long as I needed to,” the smile he gives her is so soft, it sends a flutter of butterflies through her stomach.
“You even offered to run away to Mexico with me when you knew I wanted nothing more than to leave this town. In that moment, I knew you were special, and a part of me has loved you ever since,” her voice softens at the last line, her voice barely above a whisper. A tear escapes her eye, running down her lower lashes and onto her cheek. He drops one of her hands, gently wiping it away with the soft pad of his forefinger.
“Then years and years passed, but when I needed you, you were there,” the smile on her lips is so soft that he can’t help but fall impossibly deeper in love with her. “When everyone else called me crazy, you were the only one who chose to believe me. And when Bob died, you were the one to pick up the pieces and hold me when I felt like I couldn’t take it anymore,” she continues, her voice trembling as she speaks.
She lifts a hand to cup his as he tenderly strokes the soft skin on her cheek. His eyes are starting to glisten with tears again .
She takes a deep breath, slowly in and out, before speaking again. “Hop… all of that means more than I could ever put into words. You’ve seen me at my lowest low, and you stayed by my side,” her voice cracks, her vision blurring as she looks up at him through her lashes.
“Even when the world wasn’t falling apart, you stayed by my side. You came up with the most ridiculous excuses just to come by and check in on us, making sure we were okay,” she says with a grin, tilting her head slightly to the side as she looks up at him. He chuckles at her words, her smile widening further at the sight. “You came with me to all of Will’s appointments and made sure that I knew you were always there if I needed someone.” She lifts her free hand, resting it on his chest, right over his steady-beating heart.
“You’ve always been there for my boys, even before we got together. You became the father figure they never had.” His eyes glisten with tears at her words as he holds her hand extra tight.
She shifts her hand from his chest to his cheek, gently wiping away the stray tear that had fallen. “ You let Will talk your ear off, even though you don’t know anything about that game, but you care enough to at least try and understand.”
The look on her ever-expressive face—her intense dark eyes and a smile so full of warmth—makes his heart flutter and cheeks flush; she’s glowing .
“I knew I was falling in love with you during those chaotic years, but I tried to push those feelings down because I was terrified of losing you,” she says, taking a deep, shaky breath before continuing. “But then I did . I lost you… and it was one of the worst, most painful things I've ever experienced. I felt like I had lost a part of myself,” her voice breaks, and he wipes away the tears that are flowing down her red cheeks.
“Then I got that letter and I felt hope again. I hadn’t felt that in eight months, Hop.”
“ Yes , I knew how dangerous the rescue mission was. I knew I was risking my life to save you. But I would do it all again in a heartbeat,” she whispers, eyes flickering between his with a sincerity in them, wanting him to know she means it. She squeezes his hand to emphasize her words. “I would go through everything I've been through, just to end up here with you .”
He draws in a shuddering breath. “Jesus,” he mutters, his voice weak with emotion, lowering his head as she wipes away more of his tears.
“You’re the first person who’s ever really shown me what true love is. No one has ever made me feel the way you do.”
She smiles tearfully up at him, her pearly-white teeth showing, contrasting against the salty water-droplets falling from her eyes.
“When I'm with you, I feel a kind of safety I've never felt anywhere else. I don’t think I've ever really been in love with anyone but you . For the first time in my life, I know what it feels like to be genuinely happy,” she beams up at him as she talks, her face glowing with happiness.
She gently wipes the tears on his cheeks away with her fingertips. She had expected him to shed a tear or two, but not this many. Her heart swells at the sight—she loves this man so much, it’s almost overwhelming.
“Y’know how in movies, after all the pain and suffering, there’s always a happy ending—the happy ever after? That’s how I feel when I'm with you. You’re my happy ending after all that’s happened. You’re my light at the end of the tunnel,” she says softly, her trembling voice close to a whisper.
He lifts their entwined hands to his mouth, kissing the back of her hand. His lips curl upwards against her soft skin, his blue eyes locked on hers.
There’s an echo of ‘aw’ from the crowd, but neither of them registers it. It’s like they’re in their own little bubble of happiness and love, only the two of them existing despite the many eyes on them.
“ You make me happier than anyone else ever has,” she says sincerely. He feels pride spreading through his chest at her words.
“ Yeah , sometimes we argue over silly stuff, but I know, at the end of the day, I can always fall into your arms and feel safe . And for that, I am more than grateful.” Her thumb lightly strokes his cheek, her tear-filled gaze locked on his; her warm chocolate brown meeting his ocean blue.
“I vow to always be there for you, no matter what, because I love you, Hopper, more than you’ll ever know,” she finishes, her voice soft. The look on her face is not far from the one she had in the church a few years ago; her large, expressive eyes are soft and warm as she gazes up at him through her long lashes, her smile is wide and her cheeks rosy.
Hopper leans down, placing a tender, lingering kiss to the space between her eyebrows. When he pulls away, he rests his forehead against hers. “I love you,” he whispers into the air between them, his smile evident in his voice. She opens her eyes to meet his as she caresses his cheek with a grin, the lump in her throat too enormous to get any word out.
“Jesus… You’re good with those speeches,” Murray says from beside them with a chuckle, wiping at his eyes again. He takes a deep breath, steadying himself before he grins at Hopper, gesturing towards Joyce.
“Now, James Hopper, do you take Joyce Byers to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love her, comfort her, and cherish her, in sickness and in health, through all the ups and downs, if the world should come crashing down around us again, for as long as you both shall live?” Murray grins with raised brows as he looks at Hopper.
Hopper’s gaze is still fixed on Joyce, both of her hands placed firmly in his. “I do,” he says, voice clear and full of certainty. He’s grinning from ear to ear as he finally says the two syllables he’s been waiting to say in front of her since they were teenagers.
Her smile widens, her nose scrunching up in that endearing way he loves.
Murray smiles at them, turning his attention to Joyce. “Do you, Joyce Byers, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love him, comfort him, cherish him and to break him out of whatever foreign prison he finds himself stuck in, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?” he says with a chuckle.
She caresses Hopper’s hands in hers, her gaze soft as she looks up at him through her long, dark lashes. “Of course, I do,” she grins, her voice soft and full of emotion. Hopper slips one of his hands from hers, lifting it to cup her cheek, thumb gently caressing her delicate cheekbone. She turns her head to the side, pressing a kiss to his palm with a smile.
“The rings?” Murray whispers to Will, his eyebrows raised in question.
Will is quick to step forward. In his hands, the rings are nestled on top of a small pillow. Joyce smiles softly at her son, grateful to be able to include all three kids in the wedding.
Hopper takes the smallest of the rings, holding her left hand with both of his. He slowly slides the delicate band down her slender finger, his hands trembling. The golden band is nestled just above her engagement ring, caging it in.
She’s grinning up at him through teary eyes. He lifts her hand, bringing it to his lips. He presses a lingering kiss to each of her knuckles, causing her to giggle softly.
When Hopper finally lets go of her hand, she carefully picks up his ring, smiling at her son before turning her attention back to her almost-husband.
She slides the ring down his finger, her vision blurry from the happy tears filling her eyes. Once the ring is settled on his finger, she lifts her gaze to meet his. He lifts a hand to her cheek, his grin almost giddy as he looks down at her.
“Will you hurry up so I can kiss my wife?” Hopper directs at Murray with a chuckle, placing his other hand on her waist.
Murray shakes his head with a laugh. “Then, with great joy and the power granted to me by the state, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss your bride, Jim!” he announces with a beaming smile.
Hopper doesn’t wait a second, immediately bending down to crash his lips to hers, sealing Murray’s words with a passionate kiss. One of her arms wraps around his neck, fingers tangling in his hair, while the other hand curls around his jaw. He dips her back slightly, drawing a giggle from her. Both of them smile into the kiss, holding onto one another tightly, as the guests cheer wildly for them.
He pulls back after a few beats, resting their foreheads against each other. “I love you,” he whispers, his lips brushing hers as he speaks. She pulls back just enough to look him in the eyes. “I love you too,” she murmurs, before diving in for another kiss, closing the small distance between them.
Once they part, their kids quickly rush in, enveloping them in tight hugs. El throws her arms around Hopper’s waist, burying her smile in his chest as she holds onto him tightly. Will and Jonathan move in to hug Joyce at the same time, each of them wrapping an arm around her. With a teary grin, she buries her face in Jonathan’s shoulder, holding her boys close as she breathes in the moment.
“We’re happy for you, Mom,” Jonathan murmurs softly into her hair.
Joyce holds them even tighter in response, her throat too clogged with emotion, leaving her unable to get even a single word out.
After a few moments, they all pull back, and El eagerly rushes into Joyce’s embrace, wrapping her arms around her neck. “Congrats, Mom,” she whispers into Joyce’s shoulder.
Joyce hugs her tightly, pressing a long kiss to the side of El’s head.
Jonathan places a hand on Hopper’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze as he smiles up at him. Will moves in for a hug, wrapping his arms around Hopper. He takes a second to realize what’s happening, before returning the hug, enveloping the boy in a tight embrace.
“I love you, sweetie,” Joyce murmurs, her smile full of warmth as she and El let go of each other. She tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear, looking at her with tears brimming in her eyes.
“I love you too,” El replies softly, a beaming smile on her lips.
Joyce turns to look at Hopper, her eyes meeting his soft gaze. He reaches for her hand and intertwines their fingers. She places her other hand on his cheek, pulling him down to her height. She presses her lips to his in a sweet, tender kiss.
As they begin to walk back down the aisle, hand in hand, Murray’s voice calls out from behind them.
“For the first time, Mrs. and Mr. Hopper!”
Their guests rise to their feet, erupting into loud cheers as the newly-weds make their way down the aisle. Joyce and Hopper exchange a glance, both pairs of eyes shining with love and joy.
With her hand in his, Hopper leads her towards the front of the cabin, stopping in front of the porch stairs. He lets go of her hand, placing one hand on her waist while the other tucks a loose curl behind her ear. Her nose scrunches up, making his smile grow even wider.
His hand curls around her chin, tilting it upwards. He bends down, and she rises on her tiptoes to meet him, their smiles blending together in a sweet kiss.
When they part, he presses a soft kiss to the space between her eyebrows, making her giggle.
He guides her up the stairs, his hand resting on her lower back. They settle on the top step, her head coming to rest on his shoulder as he pulls out a pack of his cigarettes from his pocket. With two fingers, he pulls one out and places it between his lips. She smiles softly up at him as he lights it, her hand snaking around his arm and resting on his bicep.
He takes the first drag, exhaling slowly, the smoke curling into the air. With a broad grin, he passes the cigarette to her. She smiles appreciative back as she takes the cigarette from his fingers and brings it to her lips. She takes a slow drag, barely coughing this time—she’s finally starting to get used to them after sharing them daily for four years now.
“This is surely a day to celebrate,” he grins, nudging her forehead with his nose. “You almost didn’t cough,” he chuckles, placing a kiss on the bridge of her nose. She playfully pokes his side with her sharp elbow, looking up at him with a look that’s meant to be stern, but the curl of her lips softens it.
She takes another drag before reaching up, dangling it in front of his lips. He chuckles, leaning forward, and wrapping his lips around the lit cigarette as she laughs softly. He gently pecks her fingers before pulling back with a grin.
Her hand slides down from his upper arm, fingers intertwining with his.
It makes a smile tug at her lips; their first shared cigarette as a married couple. The little thing that’s been theirs for decades now.
“I can’t believe we’re married,” she breathes out with a chuckle, turning her head to look up at him.
“Me neither,” he whispers, passing the cigarette back to her with a grin. She presses a quick kiss to his shoulder before accepting the smoke. He rests his head on top of hers, pressing his cheek to her hair.
A moment of comfortable silence passes before he chuckles.
“What?” she murmurs, raising her brows as she looks up at him.
“I just can’t believe that Joyce Maldonado likes me back,” he says with a grin, shaking his head in disbelief. She can’t help but melt at his words—her husband is proud to be with her. It’s not something she’s used to, not after years of Lonnie’s controlling comments of how she should act, and how she should look.
“If you told teenage me that, he would not believe you.” She blushes at his words, a soft giggle escaping her lips.
He lets go of her hand to wrap his arm around her, taking a drag of the cigarette before stubbing it out in the ashtray balanced on the railing.
“ Seriously, that was his dream,” he says it like he means it, his voice completely sincere.
She blows out a laugh in response, snuggling further into his side, and sighing softly at the comfort.
“You were way out of my league,” he continues with a chuckle, thinking for a moment before adding with a grin. “Hell… you still are,” he whispers into her hair, depositing a kiss there to punctuate his words.
She giggles, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous,” she murmurs, her laugh soft and infectious.
“Mm-hmm,” he agrees, swaying them slightly from side to side. “Ridiculously in love ,” he whispers into her hair, his voice light and teasing.
Her blush deepens at his silly words. A soft chuckle escapes her, lifting her head just enough to nudge his shoulder with her own, a playful grin finding her lips.
“Hey!” he laughs, gently bumping her shoulder with his.
She laughs for a moment until it softens into a silence. She looks up at him, her gaze full of love, those same eyes he’s spent more time dreaming about than he’d like to admit.
“I love you, Hop,” she whispers with a soft smile, suddenly close to tears again. Hopper places a lingering kiss to her forehead before saying those words back to her. “I love you more…,” he whispers, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze, a smirk forming on his lips. “...Mrs. Hopper,” he grins proudly, lifting his free hand to gently tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
His fingers trail down to her chin, tilting it upwards as a soft chuckle espaces her lips. He leans down, capturing her mouth with his. She hums into the kiss, one hand moving to the back of his neck, holding him to her, while the other cups his cheek, her thumb caressing his skin. He can taste the faint trace of tobacco on her lips, and it makes him crave for more. He wants to pull her closer, guide her to straddle his thighs. The thought of lifting her up, carrying her to their old bedroom, and giving their guests something uncomfortable to remember crosses his mind.
When his lungs begin to beg for air, he reluctantly pulls away. She smirks playfully up at him, cupping his jaw. She runs her thumb over his soft mustache, the stiff hairs tickling her sensitive skin. “Better save that for the wedding night,” she whispers, her voice raspy as she kisses him one more time.
She snuggles back into his side, her hand slipping over his on her arm. His thumb gently strokes over the back of her hand as his lips press to the crown of her head, lingering there for a moment. Their position sends her right back to the moment they shared in the school parking lot in late ‘84.
Back then, she had barely slept for a month, the dark circles under her eyes more pronounced than ever. But, despite that, he had looked at her with that tender look in his eyes. He’d pulled her into his warm embrace without hesitation, even as she was mourning the loss of another man. He’s always been there for her, always been her anchor. He’d even been willing to give his own life to save her and their kids.
That night in front of the school, he had told her that every day it does get a little easier—he was wrong, so wrong. In those eight months where she thought she had lost him forever, it didn’t slowly get easier. Not even the tiniest bit.
Words can’t even describe how joyous and grateful she is that she got him back, that they got a second chance. But the wound of losing him will never fully heal. No matter how many times she reaches for his hand, wraps her arms around him, or breathes in his distinct smell; the scar is never going to fully disappear. The memory of him standing there on the platform, looking at her with somber eyes, giving her a nod to tell her that it was okay—that it was okay she ended his life— still haunts her on sleepless nights, or finds her in her dreams, even though it’s been over four years.
She knows she’s more than lucky to have him here, to be able to reach for him whenever she wants to, wrap herself in his arms, or press her lips to his whenever she needs it. It’s enough, more than enough.
As she sits on the steps with him, she can’t help but feel this overwhelming happiness that he’s not only here—he’s her husband now.
A while later, Jonathan finds them, a beam on his face as he tells them everything is set up. Hand in hand, they walk back to their guests. As they approach the setup, Joyce gasps at the sight she’s met with.
Round, white-clothed tables are arranged in a square, with chairs pulled up to each one, creating a little dance floor in the middle. The tables are set with matching, old tableware that were his mother’s, colorful flowers in vases, and candles flickering softly, casting a soft, warm glow over everything. What really takes her breath away, though, are the small polaroids pictures scattered on each table—polaroids of them .
Jonathan and Nancy had spent a good amount of time finding the perfect pictures and getting them developed so they could surprise them.
Joyce feels herself tear up for what feels like the hundredth time this day as she studies each and every polaroid.
The one Jonathan had taken of them the night they got engaged is the first one to catch her eye. In the photo, she’s standing on her tiptoes, her left hand resting on Hopper’s cheek, showing off her ring, and her other arm is wrapped around his neck. She’s pressing a kiss to his cheek as Hopper grins at the camera, his arms wrapped around her lower back.
Another picture is more recent, one neither of them knew existed until now. She figures it must be a recent photo, taken just a few months ago. The two of them are sitting at their kitchen table, each holding a cigarette. Hopper’s in his uniform, the beige fabric sitting snug against his skin, while she’s still in her pajamas—one of his old t-shirts and a pair of shorts—with her hair put up in a messy bun and a smile on her face. She’s talking animatedly, her arms waving around as she’s likely telling a story, judging by the way he’s grinning at her. Even through the photo, his eyes are filled with love, and Joyce can feel her insides warm as she looks at the polaroid. Jonathan captured the perfect little moment, just the two of them, enjoying each other’s company on a quiet morning.
Then there’s another picture—one from high school. They’re sitting next to each other on the beach, a shared smoke hangs between her lips. He’s grinning down at her, his smile soft and affectionate. She’s smiling up at the camera, one of her hands shading her eyes from the sun. She can’t help but notice how happy they look, untouched by the horrors of this world. They’re not the same people as they were back then, both of them have become tougher and much more anxious from all the trauma, but somehow, their bond has only grown stronger. She can’t help but smile at how far they’ve come—now, they’re married and have a family.
“Look at this,” she says softly, holding up the picture, her bottom lip jutted out as she smiles up at him.
“Look at me ,” he says with a grin, pointing to his youthful face on the paper. “It’s pretty damn obvious I was completely smitten with you.”
A small laugh escapes her as she turns to look back down at the photo.
It is obvious. Huh, how hadn’t she noticed back then?
“You looked so pretty,” El pipes in with a broad smile, peering over Joyce’s shoulder. “You still do,” she’s quick to add.
Joyce can feel her cheeks warm slightly at the compliment, turning to look at El with a soft smile.
“Thank you, sweetie,” she whispers, pecking the girl on her cheek.
A beat later, Karen approaches, two long-stemmed champagne glasses in her hands, handing one to each of them. They both accept it with a smile before their eyes meet, the soft clink of their glasses filling the air. Their eyes remain locked as they each take a sip—brown meeting blue.
Joyce picks up a fork, tapping it gently against her glass, and the sound rings out, gathering everyone’s attention.
She looks up at Hopper, catching his gaze with a smile, and together, they welcome their guests.
A few drinks, courses, and speeches later, the atmosphere is warm and full of laughter, their guests happily satiated. The sun has begun its descent, casting an orange glow over the woods as the evening slowly darkens.
Tears had been shed during the speeches, mostly during Jonathan’s. His speech on behalf of him, El, and Will, had left everybody teary-eyed— especially Joyce. When he’d mentioned how Hopper had become the dad they never had, Joyce had glanced up at Hopper, her insides melting at the sight that met her. He was all teary-eyed, blinking rapidly, trying to stop the tears from falling as he’d grinned up at her son, his smile soft, and so full of love. She had reached for his hand, pulling it to rest in her lap as she held his hand tightly in both of hers.
Then, a tipsy Karen had held a speech, which had the whole gathering laughing. “I’ve known these two since we were kids, and even back then, I knew they were head over heels for each other. It’s always been obvious,” she’d said with a chuckle, her words a bit slurred from one too many glasses of wine.
But now, it’s finally time for the first dance. Hopper stands first, holding his hands out to help her up with a warm smile. With a beam, she slips her slender hands into his. He leads her towards the center of the makeshift dance floor with a grin, the guests cheering loudly. The opening chords of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” begin to play softly.
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
He slips one of his hands from hers, placing it on her lower back, and pulls her close. She places a hand on his shoulder, the other still placed firmly in his. Slowly, they begin swaying from side to side along to the rhythm of the song, their eyes staying locked on each other.
The world around them fades away, leaving only the two of them in this perfect little moment. It’s like time slows down, the soft melody of the song and the rest of the world quiets as they sway.
Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you
He stretches his arm, twirling her around with a chuckle. She laughs loudly in response, pulling him down for a kiss when she returns to his arms. He smiles against her soft lips, humming softly against them. When she pulls away, she steps even closer, letting go of his hand to wrap both of her arms around his waist. She rests her head against his chest, breathing him in, and feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat against her temple.
He bends down to place a kiss on the crown of her head, his lips lingering for a moment before he begins to sing the lyrics to her, his voice low so only she can hear it. She chuckles softly, her heart warming at his sweet, sappy display of affection.
When the song slows to an end, he pulls back and tilts her chin up so their eyes meet. They move in tandem—her rising up on her tiptoes, him bending down and craning his neck. They meet halfway, their lips melting together in a kiss that’s so familiar, yet still as exciting as it was the very first time.
When the next song starts, a newer and more upbeat tune, their friends and family begin to slowly join them. She catches sight of her eldest dancing with Nancy, a smile tugging on her lips. She’s so happy that her son found the sweet girl.
Hopper takes her hand in his, walking towards their youngests. The two of them are sitting with their friends in the middle of a lively conversation.
Hopper extends his hand to El, who grabs it immediately. With a wide grin, she pulls him to the center of the dance floor.
Will is a little more reluctant as she holds out her hand. He pretends to look annoyed, but he can’t help the smile that slips through and spreads across his face. He accepts her hand, and lets her lead him onto the floor.
Joyce watches with a fond smile as her husband dances with their daughter. He twirls her around with a smile, but to his surprise, she twirls him around too, a little clumsy with their height difference. Joyce can’t help but chuckle at the sweet scene.
She grins up at Will as they begin to dance, their laughter blending together.
A wave of emotion washes over her—thinking of everything he’s gone through, how much he’s been hurt, from his own father to the monsters from another world. But as she looks at him now, happy, healthy, and so full of life, she feels a sense of relief.
Their laughter mixes together as mother and son dance together.
When the song comes to a close, she lets Will return to his friends, smiling as she watches him go.
She walks towards where Jonathan is laughing with Nancy, both of them turning to face her as she stops in front of them. “Will you allow me to steal your date?” Joyce teases, directing her question at Nancy, who blushes in response. The girl nods with a smile, letting his hands go.
Jonathan grins when they begin to dance. She spins him around, laughing at how much he has to bend to go under her arm.
“You look really happy, Mom,” Jonathan comments when their laughter fades. Her bottom lip juts out as she smiles up at him, cupping his cheek in one hand. “I am,” she says softly. She wraps her arms around him, and pulls him into a tight hug.
As the song begins to fade, she feels two strong arms wrap around her waist, followed by a soft kiss pressed to the top of her head.
“Hey,” she smiles, craning her neck to look up at Hopper, who’s grinning goofily down at her. He bends down, planting a kiss on the tip of her nose, making it scrunch up as she smiles.
Jonathan watches them for a moment, his lips curling into a soft smile, before giving his mom’s hands a light squeeze. With a warm feeling from seeing his mom happy, he walks back to Nancy.
“Want another dance or should we rest our legs for a moment?” Hopper asks, spinning her around to face him.
“Rest our legs. I’m not as young as I used to be,” she chuckles, her hands finding the collar of his shirt. She hauls him down to her height, pressing her lips to his in a soft, lingering kiss.
“Your birth certificate might tell a different story, but you don’t look a day older than when we graduated high school,” he whispers with an infectious grin, his eyes sparkling as he gazes down at her.
She shakes her head in response, a smile tugging at her lips. “C’mon,” she says, patting his chest before slipping her hand into his.
She pulls him towards their seats, grabbing another bottle of champagne along the way.
She pours them both a generous amount of champagne before sitting down in the chair next to his, leaning back against his chest. The warm summer air is starting to cool, and she cuddles into his warmth to fight off the chill. He wraps an arm around her, his hand resting on her stomach as he holds her close.
He bends down to place a kiss to the top of her head, then picks up his glass. She turns her head to look at him, clinking her glass against his with a smile before leaning up to meet his lips in another kiss. When she pulls away, he presses his lips to her forehead, smiling against her bangs.
She leans back against his chest, both of them taking a sip of their drink as they gaze out at the mix-matched group of people—some of them they’ve fought otherworldly forces alongside. It’s their family . Through all the suffering, they formed this group of people who’d kill for each other.
“I can’t believe the little brunette who refused to put up with my bullshit, is now my wife,” he chuckles softly against her temple, pressing a kiss to her soft skin to punctuate his words.
She tilts her head back against his chest, gazing up at him with her dark, doe-eyes. Her smile widens as their eyes meet. He cranes his neck, leaning down to kiss the tip of her nose, causing her to giggle in response, the sound light and full of joy.
He wraps both his arms around her, holding her close, her smaller hands resting atop his. She lifts his left hand slightly, her fingers brushing over the ring she placed on his fingers a few hours ago. She lifts his hand to her lips, kissing the back of it as she smiles against his skin.
“I never thought I'd be able to be this happy again, Hop,” she whispers, her breath warm against his skin as she presses another tender kiss there before placing it back on waist.
Though she can’t see the tears gathering in his eyes, they’re clear in his voice when he responds, his tone rough with emotion. “Me neither,” he sighs quietly, burying his face in her hair.
A few hours later, when it’s just past midnight, the last of their guests drives away, leaving just the two of them at the cabin.
Their kids are the last to go, lingering for a little longer so the five of them could have a few moments to themselves. They danced to a few songs, shared the last of the cake, and laughed—a peace and joy none of them felt for years.
After a few lingering hugs, Will is behind the wheel, driving off with his siblings. The newlyweds stand side by side, waving them off. The night air is cool around them, and the crickets chirp softly in the woods around them.
With one arm around each other’s back, she leans against his side, her head resting against his side as they watch Jonathan’s car fade into the distance, disappearing behind the trees.
He gently turns her to face him, grinning giddily down at her. Without a word, she pulls him down by the collar of his shirt, their lips crashing together in a well-practised dance.
Slowly, he backs them towards the cabin, his hand on her waist guiding her until they reach the steps. He reluctantly pulls away, his forehead brushing hers for a moment before they walk up the stairs and onto the porch.
He slips his fingers through hers, leading her towards their old bedroom. He stops in front of the bed, turning to face her. His hand finds its way to her waist, while the other lifts to tuck a dark lock behind her ear, his fingers curling around her chin. With a gentle motion, he tilts her head upwards, his gaze flickering down to her lips before he bends down to her height. Their lips meet in a kiss—soft, tender, and slow, a contrast to the kisses they shared just a few moments ago.
She smiles against his lips, wrapping her arms around his neck to pull him closer to her. The rest of the world fades away as they lose themselves in each other, their hands gently exploring a body they know as well as their own, while their lips melt together.
She can’t believe this is her life now. She has a loving, gentle, and kind husband—someone who not only loves her, but also loves her boys like they were his own. That’s something she has never really had until he came back into her life—something she never even thought she would ever have. A partner who loves her and her boys as naturally as breathing.
She’s still not entirely used to how attentive he is to the smallest details—like how she likes her coffee in the mornings or when to hold her tight and when to give her space. It’s the way he pays attention to her smallest needs that catches her off guard sometimes. He knows her better than anyone else—sometimes even better than she knows herself.
He’s so caring, something she’s never experienced before him. He cares enough to whisper sweet, reassuring nothings into her ear when she’s stuck in a dark nightmare, pulling her out of the darkness with nothing but his love and comfort. He cares enough to show genuine interest in what her boys do, listening intently as they talk his ear off about things he doesn’t even know anything about, nodding along and asking questions to try and understand.
He drops by one every one of his lunch breaks just to see her and spend time with her. Even during his shifts, when he’s supposed to be working, he drops by—following her around the store for hours, just because he wants to be near her. He leans across the counter to kiss her, and carries the heavy boxes for her even though she insists she can do it herself.
It’ll always take her by surprise how unbelievably soft he is. To everyone else, he’s this big, grumpy cop, but when he’s with her or the kids, he goes soft around the edges. At night, when the sun has gone down and the house quiets, he snuggles into her chest, his arms wrapped protectively around her as his breathing slows when he drifts off into a slumber.
When they pass each other in the house, it’s the little things that make her melt—his hand on the small of her back, a soft kiss pressed to her head, the way he wraps his arms around her from behind, resting his head on top of hers.
His gentle touch always calms something in her. She’s always been anxious, especially during the chaos of the last few years. But when he’s around, the weight on her chest lightens. It’s like the worries that used to flood her mind, are softened by the knowledge that everything isn’t on her anymore—she’s not alone. His presence stills her trembling hands, and calms the jittery feeling she’s grown used to over the years.
And when the anxiety comes creeping back in from time to time, and it feels like all air has been sucked out of her longs, he knows what to say to make it better. He gently takes her hand and places it on his chest as he takes slow, deep breaths for her to follow. He’s always there when she needs him, and he’s always been. It calms her to know she has someone to lean on when the days are one of the harder ones.
She’s not sure she’ll ever grow completely accustomed to all of that.
She thinks back on all the pain, the heartache, and horrors she’s faced. But now, with him by her side, she knows it was all worth it. It was worth it just to share this profound, deep love with him. To have someone by her side as the years passes and their hair slowly turns gray.
She knows this love is rare, the real, pure kind, and she still doesn’t know what she did to deserve it. But it’s something she’ll always fight to keep, hold onto it with everything she has. Something she’ll always cherish, but never take for granted.
I've loved you three summers now, honey, but I want 'em all