Stranger Things belongs to The Duffer Brothers and Netflix. I own nothing.

oOoOoOoOoOo

.

TAKE MY HAND

.

xx

December 19th, 1997.

It was amazing how he can put a smile on her face even before she wakes up.

Eleven could feel Mike's lips placing small kisses on her nape, her shoulder and her neck while cuddling her. His arms firmly around her waist and she started moving against him, rubbing her legs with his left leg in the middle and caressing his arms as he smiled against her skin.

"Good morning, beautiful." Mike whispered, his voice deep because he was sleepy or, maybe, because he was very much awake already.

El sighed in delight as she felt their naked bodies so close under the blankets; she bit her lower lip as his kisses on her neck became more intense and desire started pooling down her lower stomach and rising up to every part of her body. Just like last night when they made love three times in a row; one in the shower, two right there on their bed.

"Good morning, cutie pie." she whispered so softly and turned to face him, wrapping one arm on his head so she could pull him down to her lips and kissed him, moaning in pleasure as their tongues found each other instantly. They readjusted their position in bed when they started making out.

She could also feel his desire pressing against her stomach while they kept deciding who would be on top as they kept on kissing, but then Mike simply placed himself on top of her, kneeling in front of his naked, panting wife as his equipment pointed towards the ceiling with pride and then he ran his hands onto her body, touching every curve as she moaned and moved against him. Eleven was lying on her back, her cheeks already pink as Mike started kissing his way to the south.

El chuckled. "Honey, where do you get your energy from?"

He looked up while kissing her belly button and smiled when she asked that.

"From my hot as fuck wife."

El bit her lip once more; he doesn't use 'dirty talk' often but when he does… Whoof, Eleven can literally hear her insides begging for him because she knows what's coming next when Mike says stuff like that and smiles at her the same way he is doing now before licking his lips slowly.

"Oh my God, I love so much, Mike" El panted when his fingers started moving closer and closer to her centre; her body was burning.

"I love you, El." he replied and placed himself in between her legs, holding her thighs on each side of his head. "Let me show you once again just how much."

And for a while, Mike didn't say much else.

x

If Eleven thought she woke up with a big smile then the smile she has now can easily reach both her ears.

After a double love making session that same morning and after Mike made her see the stars twice again, they decided to leave the bed because not only they would set a new record but also because they had a plane to catch; that was why he wasn't taking a shower with her at the moment given that they would get naughty in there too. So while Mike was in charge of breakfast and packing some eggos for their trip, Eleven enjoyed her morning bath, caressing with the soap and her hands the kisses and touches Mike put on her skin.

When she finished and while dressing up, El packed a couple more stuff and checked that they had everything ready for their flight in two hours. It was 8:30 am, they had time and even if she didn't like waking up so early if she was on vacation, she knew Mike wanted to be there before the bank closes, so he could finish everything and complete his transfer.

Mike's grandfather, the one he loved so much because he encouraged and nurtured the love for science on him since he was a baby, used to live a couple blocks away from their apartment in Cambridge, Massachusetts but he died a couple months after he graduated from college and then his grandmother died only a few days after he finished his master's degree in May; which broke Mike's heart. Eleven met them for the first time on Thanksgiving in 1990 when she went to visit him and spend the holiday with – back then – her boyfriend since she missed him so much because he could only visit her during Christmas and Summer break. So it was during one of her visits that Eleven had the chance to finally meet Karen's parents; both so welcoming, so smart, so charming and so proud of their male grandson for studying in the same college his grandpa went when he was his age. They did everything for Mike; they even bought him a car when he moved there, the car he drove for fifteen long hours for his Christmas brake in 1989 so he could be there on time for their fifth anniversary.

His grandparents left on their will that their wealth and properties had to be divided by their only daughter Karen, and their three grandchildren but it was Mike the one who also got the house along with his share and he could do with their house anything he wanted. They said on their will that whether if he chose to live in that house or sell it to buy a new one, they wanted to be there with him one last time and give him his own place so he could start a family next to Janey, as they used to call El.

It had been a beautiful gesture especially since they knew how much they would've love and spoil a great-grandson from Mike's side; of course they loved Nancy's daughter, Jill, but it was well-known and accepted that he was their favourite. So when Mike and Eleven went to visit their house once the furniture had been split with his family and it was empty, they realized that as much as they both liked the house, he could still feel and see his grandparents in there. He could see his grandma making some tea and his grandpa reading a book and falling asleep, which was nice but also unbelievable sad for him because they weren't there anymore; so when El suggested they should sell the house and buy another one he agreed. They finally found a house only two blocks away from their apartment and arranged with a real state agency to pay for the new house with his grandparent's, then the agency would send them a check with the rest of the money given that his grandparent's house was a lot more expensive than the new one.

That was why Mike wanted to be in Hawkins before the bank closes so Ted could finish all tax papers of his son's new house, he also worked with an Inheritance lawyer who made all the paper work for the purchase, given that Karen was the original heir of the house as she was the only child and had to step aside for her son to claim it. It was a bit of a mess but thank God Ted knew what he was doing and knew who he could trust with his son's future home. Mike and El were very thankful because even if Ted may seem dull and tired, when business and money are involved he became a tiger.

Eleven smiled; she really hopes that she and Mike can become pregnant and take a baby to the new house so Albert and Theresa can see from heaven the great-grandson they didn't get to spoil and love. She truly hopes that those passionate nights, days and showers would soon bring a new life but meanwhile, they'll keep trying.

But then, as she started to comb her hair, Eleven frowned when she heard Mike… arguing? He hardly ever argues with people and less of all during his Christmas vacations since he loves that time of the year and it was even weirder for him so fight with anyone so early. She got dressed with a pair of jeans and a sweater and walked towards their living room to see Mike arguing with a huge man about…

"What is this orange couch doing in our living room?" asked Eleven as soon as she saw a big, puffy and awfully orange couch wrapped in plastic foil.

Mike turned to look at her. "I'm sorry baby, that's exactly what I'm trying to figure."

"Is this Mrs. Wheezer?" asked the man who was almost as tall as Hopper and around fifty pounds overweight, pointing at her with a paper sheet. There was another guy behind him but he was just chewing gum.

"Wheeler." both Mike and El said in unison and also glared at the man.

"Right, well I need your signature here Mr. and Mrs. Wheeker."

Both of them frowned; Mike shook his head and politely but firmly pushed the notepad and refused to sign it. Eleven spoke again still confused.

"What is going on and why is an orange couch in our living room? We didn't order a couch of this colour."

Mike added his voice to his wife's. "That's what I've been trying to tell him, baby. I was finishing breakfast when these gentlemen rang our doorbell and the second I answer the door they get inside with the couch, no questions ask." he explained but then the employee from Sweet Environments interrupted.

"Well, I have the purchase of a couch that must be delivered in here to the Whoolers, an orange couch." the man said, pointing at the receipt. "And we have this address and this apartment."

Mike took the notepad the man had been trying to get him to sign and both he and El read it. Not only their last name was unreadable but they didn't respect a single thing of what they orderer. Mike and Eleven did go to the furniture's store and bought a couch for the new house; they put the address of the new house and the delivery day which would be three weeks later, after they get back from their vacations and in the available colours, they had a burgundy leather couch and an orange wool couch; El drew an X next to the burgundy one. At the bottom they add their credit card data, their phone number, current address and apartment, but after that everything was very clear.

"But my wife pointed out which couch do we want and it wasn't this one, see?" Mike showed to the man which option she chose. "And here we wrote the address and the date in which the couch should have been deliver, which isn't here or today."

The man took the notepad again and read it. "Oh yeah, guess you're right. But still the lady here pointed with an X this one and we take the unmarked option as the one customers want. Didn't anyone tell you that?"

The young couple was in shock; they couldn't believe just how stupid that man really was.

"Well, you have until Monday to ask for a refund of your money or the couch you ordered. After that, no one will help you."

Mike gasped. "We can't go today, we are about to take a plane and go on vacations in less than two hours! You were the one who made this mistake; you should take this one back!"

When Mike said that, neither him or El couldn't believe it but both delivery men started laughing as loud as they could.

"Oh no, sorry dude but this ain't my problem anymore. You can go to the store if you want but I get pay to bring a couch and I did. Have a nice day." he simply said as he kept laughing and left the apartment, leaving the young couple engrossed and angry.

They looked at each other in shock.

"Can you believe that moron?" asked Mike pointing at the closed door and taking the receipt attached to the couch.

El shook her head. "Damn it! We have an orange couch, Mike. I hate this colour!" El complained looking at the furniture and curling her nose in disgust.

He went to their phone and begun calling the number in the receipt. He was clearly angry.

"I know, baby, I know. I'll have a word with the manager and complain about these employees he has. They mocked us, can you believe it?"

El went next to her husband and hung up the phone before someone answers and then cupped his face in her hands, caressing his freckles with her thumbs. He had no problem with the orange colour, but he knew she hated it and was angry because of how disrespectful they were towards her and her wishes.

She wanted to smile. Mike is just so sweet, so considerate.

"Honey, relax. We have things to do right now; you still have to shower and we should have our breakfast already and go to the airport. If you call now they'll toy with you and have you waiting for God knows how long only to offer no real solution, only a headache." she reason, she was right. "When we get back we'll go to the store and see what we can do. If they don't take any responsibility, we'll simply have it refurnish and won't buy anything else in there."

Mike thought about what she just said and then nodded. El was right and it was just a couch, besides if she can stand it until they have it refurnish then it was fine. Still, the way that man kept saying their last name as if he didn't care, the way they laughed at them and the way those men looked at El (with lust, as if she was a piece of meat), didn't go unnoticed for Mike so, as soon as they get back from Hawkins, he was going to send a complaint to the central office.

He sighed. "You're right, baby. I won't let those two idiots spoil our Christmas break." he settled for a compromise and then smiled, leaned and kissed her softly on the lips. She kissed him back and helped him relax; always showing him his centre, always finding a solution to any problem. "I already packed some eggos for our trip, baby. Breakfast is ready; I'll go take a shower."

El smiled against his lips, happy that Mike calmed down. Their morning went back into being the perfect one it was a couple minutes ago.

"Awesome, but breakfast together first and shower later." ordered El and had him sit down where eggs, fruits, eggos, plates and cups and syrup were waiting for them and then took the coffeepot. "Would you like some coffee, Mr. Whimper?"

Mike chuckled at her antics and felt how the unpleasant moment they experienced minutes ago went flying away, defeated by the sweetness of the woman he married. He played along.

"Well thank you, Mrs. Wheezer."

They laughed outright this time as El poured coffee on both hers and Mike's mug and had a nice big breakfast together before Mike went to take a shower and then they left the apartment with their suitcases to the airport.

xx

"Hey, over here!"

It was 11 am and Mike and Eleven picked their luggage at the airport after their flight, Mike carrying them with a trolley when they noticed Hopper was waiting for them with his Police uniform and waving at them. He had a few more grey hairs on his moustache and his hair line since the last time they saw him and a big smile when they looked at him. Mike still felt a little scared that the man tells him something if he sees him and El kissing or snuggling but then he would remind himself that she was now his wife and, unlike their teenage years, Hopper shouldn't get mad at him if he kisses her.

"Dad!" yelled Eleven and ran towards her father, her hair waving behind her and then jumped in his arms; he lifted her in the air with ease and she laughed and squealed given that he was so much stronger than her.

Hopper had the biggest smile. "Hey kiddo! This dumb old man sure missed his little girl!"

El laughed in his arms; she may have 26 years old but she would always be his little girl.

"Hi Chief." said Mike with a smile when Hopper let El go and they shook hands, the older man patted him on the back playfully feeling so happy to see them again.

They called each other often, always keeping in touch. The young couple had been married for four years (they got married still very young if you ask him but it wasn't a mistake or anything), but still the Chief of Police felt like an eternity every single day without the kids, boy included. He still remembered how unimaginable happy his daughter looked when one morning she came back home from her date with Mike and, while having breakfast, her engagement ring caught both his and Joyce's attention leaving them in shock until his wife started squealing in excitement along with her, yelling and crying because Eleven was finally engaged to Mike. The engagement itself was really short and he barely had time to process that his little one was about to get marry when the big day came along and he found himself walking down the aisle with her, tears in his eyes and then El moved to Massachusetts with her brand new husband in what it felt like a blink of an eye for James Hopper.

Anyway, they were back in town and they were going to spend the holidays with their families for almost twenty days. Karen and Ted were hosting a dinner at night for both families since their children were staying ten days at the Wheeler's and ten days at the Hopper/Byers residence so no one gets jealous. He even played 'rock, paper, scissors' against Karen to decide who gets to pick them up; he won and cheered although he would never admit it.

"How was the flight, kids?" asked the older man as he drove from Indianapolis airport back to Hawkins; El was sitting next to him and Mike on the back seat with some of their luggage behind the fence between front and back seats.

"It was good, Chief, although we thought we'd lose our flight." said Mike while checking his watch. Luckily he had time.

El noticed how he was anxious and nervous and smiled at him. "Honey, relax. Your father probably has everything ready and we still have like four hours before the bank closes."

"I know baby, but I don't know how long my mother will want me to stay before she can release me, giving that we haven't seen each other since…"

Mike went silence and Eleven understood. He hadn't seen his mother since his grandmother's funeral and she knows, everybody knows just how much he loved his grandparents. Eleven wished there was no fence between them so she could hold his hand.

Hopper decided to speak. "Joyce and I are very sorry we couldn't be there, Mike." the man apologized, locking eyes with his son-in-law from the rear-view mirror. "I'm very sorry for your loss, kid. We all know how much you loved them and how much they loved you. I'm sure they are very proud of you. We all are."

His words took Mike by surprise; even if they got along and even when that tension they had with each other when he and El were teens was long gone, Hopper wasn't a warm man, it wasn't his nature and that was okay. He is not a very affectionate man and he definitely isn't a man that would hug him or anything; his demonstrations of love towards his son-in-law came as awkward jokes and sly comments, but that was it.

Still Mike appreciated the gesture.

"It's okay, Chief, really. Thank you."

Both men smiled at each other and Hopper only nodded, meanwhile Eleven had tears in her eyes. She couldn't understand why she had tears in the first place. Sure, she knew Mike missed Albert and Theresa and even when she felt touched by how honest and kind her father talked to her husband, she didn't know why was she so emotional. It felt like if the conversation had been twice as sad and beautiful; maybe she was just nostalgic and happy. Maybe the smell of the trees and the colours around her as they entered Hawkins again gave her butterflies.

Maybe she was happy to be back.

"So, El told me you already covered the initial payment of the new house." said Hopper since he felt a bit uncomfortable with the gloomy silence that fell upon them.

The young couple appreciated what he did: they were back in town to enjoy and spend a happy time with their families and their friends. It wasn't the time to be upset; it was time to laugh and celebrate.

"Yeah, it's only three blocks away from our apartment and two blocks away from Will and Florian's." Mike said, feeling much more comfortable than he felt seconds ago.

El nodded. "It's really pretty, dad. It has front and back yard and trees, flowers. It smells really good."

"Great! Next summer we can go visit and have a nice barbeque for the 4th of July." the Chief already had plans for his upcoming vacations. "What about work, Mike? Is it close or you guys will take shifts with the car?"

"Oh no, Chief. El will keep driving the Corsa to work and I have my bike if I don't feel like walking to the lab. Its only five blocks total but sometimes I wanna use it. You know, for old time's sake."

"Oh my God, Mike! I forgot to give our keys to the neighbours!" El practically shouted as she turned around to her husband, panic written all over her face.

Hopper jumped on his seat and almost run over the Wheeler's mailbox, then huffed. "Jesus, kid! You almost give me a heart attack."

El apologized and Mike appeased her.

"It's okay, El, I already gave the keys to the twins. They promised they won't use the car and even offered to clean it before we get home. Nice, right?"

"Oh, my… Thanks honey." El sighed in relief. Seriously, what was wrong with her? Why was she so jumpy and emotional all of the sudden?

"What twins?" asked Hopper as they parked and held their suitcases with the boy's help as they approached the Wheeler's front door.

"Oh, a lady and her fourteen year old twin boys moved to the apartment next door. She is recently divorced and these two kids always offer to carry people's bags, wash the rest of the neighbours cars, babysit if someone needs it so they can help their mom with the rent. They are so sweet, so polite." explained El. They've always been nice to her.

"Yeah, they are really cool. They insisted to keep an eye on our apartment and the car. They are new at their school and had troubles with math but since they couldn't afford a private tutor, I volunteered and helped them until they catch up, no charge. They wanted to repay us, but we are going to give them some money anyway, they don't need to pay me back, it was my pleasure."

El agreed. "They are sweet boys."

Hopper nodded. "That's very nice of you, kid."

It doesn't matter that Mike is an engineer and that he has a master degree in… In science stuff – he always forgets what he does –, to him he would always be 'kid'.

But unfortunately for Mike they were interrupted when the front door opened and Karen ran towards them, arms opened and sobbing in happiness to welcome the young couple.

Five minuets later, Karen still had Mike's face in her hands kissing his nose, his forehead, his cheeks in the most embarrassing way while crying and squealing every time she remembered how long it had been since they saw each other and how much she missed her baby boy.

Eleven and Hopper were doing their best at holding back their snickers and Mike kept trying to look at the hour in his watch but couldn't since his mother's head was on the way.

"Mom, please stop!" begged the young man, desperately wanting to wash his face and remove the lip-gloss she left with every kiss. "You act like if we haven't seen each other since last year!"

Karen stopped for a moment, cupping his face with both hands and caressing her son's cheekbones with her thumbs. She smiled at him, looking at the little boy he used to be when he came home with scraped knees, wanting mommy's care and kisses.

"I know, sweetie but last time…"

Last time they saw each other at Theresa's funeral. Mike sighed, gave his mother an understanding smile and kissed her cheek. She let him go and focused on Eleven next, filling her with the same amount of kisses.

"It's so good to have you back, kids. Thank God you came home safe."

The four of them went inside after El got her fair share of kisses and they left the luggage on the living room since Mike wanted to keep moving before unpacking or doing anything else. He just needed to complete all the paper work and that would be all.

"You guys may want to recover because when Joyce sees you, she's gonna give each other as many kisses as Karen did." joked Hopper, although it was no joke.

Mike and Eleven whined but Karen came back with lemonade and homemade cookies for all.

El heard her stomach growl. She had a big breakfast only a couple hours ago but still she was super hungry, yet Karen's cookies were delicious so she didn't worry.

"I'm sorry I can't sit now, mom. I need to get going and meet dad." he said as he washed his face on the sink. He didn't think it was appropriate to handle such important procedure with pink lipstick all over his face. "Do you have the papers ready?"

She nodded and smiled at him. "Don't worry, sweetie, your father took everything with him this morning. He must be waiting for you."

Ted is a certified public accountant and works at Hawkins Bank. He is also friend with this inheritance tax attorney and they worked together to have everything ready for Mike given that since Karen was the direct heir of her parents wealth, they had to perform a succession for her to pass the house to Mike, as it was her parents last wish. After that Mike would sign a check with the rest of the payment for the new house and have Ted put on a bank account the remaining amount of money from the sale of the house his grandparents left him, as it was arranged with the real state, given that the new house isn't as expensive as the one he received on their will.

"Thanks mom, really."

Karen made a gesture with her hands as if it wasn't a big deal and smiled. Truth was that she would have given Mike the house anyway. Nancy was an apartment person and happily living in Brooklyn with Jonathan and her daughter; Holly would probably receive their house and Mike is the only one living in Cambridge. Besides he deserved it, he had always been closer to her parents than herself or her daughters.

"Hey kid, if you want I can take you there. I'm heading up to the Station anyway."

The young man agreed, even if everything was almost ready he still felt a little nervous to drive her mother's car. He was very anxious and happy since he will finally complete the purchase of the house he'd share with the love of his life.

"Thanks Chief." said Mike and gave his mother a hug, and then he leaned to Eleven who was already eating cookies and drinking lemonade. He kissed her softly on the lips. "I'll be right back, baby. Do me a favour, would you? If my mother wants to see baby pictures or even plan my birthday, stop her. I beg you."

El smiled and kissed him, adoration shining in her eyes. "Take care, honey and about the other thing… Tsk, sorry, can't do. We already planned something over the phone."

Mike whined when he realized that his wife and his mother had already planned some big celebration for his 26th birthday in four days. When he walked out he heard their laughter behind him and Hopper's next to him, feeling sorry for the boy.

xx

When he got to the bank, his father was already waiting for him at the entrance and gave him a big hug. Mike was a little taken back by this gesture but he didn't complain. Ted had never been the affectionate kind, more like the sleepy kind of father but maybe it was that Mike lived in another state or he was getting old, who knows. He wasn't affectionate with his parents either; yes he loves them but Mike has never shown his feelings as open as he does with Eleven. Yet he was thankful his dad was waiting for him because it would have been a little hard to find his office within the new building.

This new building was once an old wood deposit which was modified in levels so the bureaus were upstairs and split in levels with this 'U' shape facing the entrance. The fortified glass roof allowed natural light to illuminate the bank and this huge crystal chandelier in the middle which fell from ceiling to a couple feet above a big, beautiful water fountain, giving an amazing view to the clients since the sunlight reflected from the glass ceiling went through the crystals from the gigantic lamp and a set of rainbows fell in the dancing water from the fountain. It looked like a fairytale.

On the ground floor Mike found on his right different bank employees behind their desks, bank tellers and automatic tellers on his left; on the opposite side of the entrance and behind the fountain he saw the vault, along with several securities members and clients walking around and sitting, waiting for their turn. In each side of the bank there were two wooden stairs leading to both levels above him. The first level lead up to different offices with public accountants (like his father), tax attorneys and different financial consultants; and in the second level were the management department, human resources and of course, the bank President's office, talking with someone and keeping an eye on the rest of the bank from his level.

Hawkins was changing he could tell; the bank itself was the proof of how this small town wanted to grow and expand and he thought it was a good idea, although he hoped it wouldn't lose its soul. But he'd think about it later, meanwhile he had other things to do and follow his father to his office were the attorney was waiting for them. Last thing he saw before going up the stairs was the armoured car and security splitting to guard the transported values as to guard the vault as well.

x

"It feels so weird coming back to the basement and see a regular basement." said El as she and Karen came back to the kitchen with the laundry basket. They had taken their suitcases to Mike's old room and then El helped her mother-in-law with some chores while they talked about Mike's birthday/Christmas party/congratulations for your master's degree celebration they have been planning for weeks.

She was really excited to see the party all back together again. Will was coming around 8 pm since Florian had things to do until the afternoon. They have been together for the last five years and were staying at his house for Christmas and then they'll visit Flo's parents in Indianapolis for the New Year week. Will went to Northwestern and graduated in Psychology. He met Florian when he and Mike travelled fifteen hours from Massachusetts to Hawkins on their first Christmas brake in 1989. Back then they became friends and wrote each other frequently until they realize they had fallen in love and when they graduated, Will moved to Cambridge with his boyfriend.

Dustin also lived in Cambridge and was flying to Indiana on the next day with his wife Jennifer and his baby girl for everyone to meet her. Will, Florian, Mike and El already met her since they all lived close. Dustin graduated in Harvard Medical School and he and Mike got a lot closer during the college years given than they saw each other often, since Mike went to MIT and got his master's degree in Biomedical Engineering; Jennifer Hayes – now Henderson – moved to Massachusetts as well when she finished college and she and Dustin got married and they recently welcomed a beautiful baby girl. But baby Henderson had an aunt and an uncle yet to meet.

Lucas and Max have been married for the last two years and they lived in Hawkins. They were the only ones who decided to stay there. Lucas was practically everyone's lawyer in Hawkins, a fact that made Mr. and Mrs Sinclair unimaginable proud. He went to Yale Law School and when he finished college, he and Max had a big crisis. Max, who went to the Police Academy and was currently working with Hopper, told her boyfriend that she wanted to spend the rest of her life in Hawkins. She had lived in California, she knew how a big city was and it wasn't until she spend those years in this small town that she realized she belonged to a quite place like this but she didn't want to hold him back. She knew how attractive big cities could be and since Lucas loved Connecticut he should get back there and to his own life. That crisis ended up after Lucas came to Hawkins a few moths later, knocked her door in the middle of the night and kneeled in front of her under the pouring rain with a ring in hand, saying that he could be a lawyer anywhere but the only way he could be himself was if she accepted marrying him.

That was the day when Max cried and she whispered a soft 'yes' and kissed her fiancée under the rain as if they were some cheesy characters from those romantic movies her mother loves and she hates. She didn't care, because it was Lucas, the one who had to put up with her temper since so long, the one who loved her enough to make a fool of himself and catch a cold after he stood under the rain during a cold November night.

x

"Are you kids excited to have all your friends together again?" asked Karen as she folded Holly's shirts.

El nodded. "Oh yes, even if we live really close with each other, we really miss Lucas and Max. They are going to meet Dusty's daughter for the first time, she is beautiful. She looks just like Jennifer but Dustin believes she's gonna have his curls."

"Yeah, Mrs. Henderson showed me a picture the other day. What did they name her?"

"Pamela Iris Henderson. I think is a gorgeous name."

"It is." agreed Karen and then looked at El, then back at the clothes, then back at her. "Jane darling, I know it's not any of my business but I was wondering if you and Mike… You know."

Eleven instantly knew what she was trying to ask and smiled at her, nodding. "We are trying, Karen. It was hard at first getting my period every month but doctor said it's normal since I've been taking the pill for a while, but yes, we are trying."

Even if she was the one who asked, Karen felt both shocked and overwhelmed and excited, all at once and hugged her daughter-in-law, almost weeping at thought of having a grandchild from Mike and Jane.

"Oh my God, Jane! I hope you two get pregnant soon. You know since Nancy gave us Jilly we've been dreaming on the day we may get a grandson from you two so, ugh! I'm so happy!" said the woman with tears in her eyes. "Can you imagine? Of course I would love another girl but I keep thinking how cute it would be if you kids have a baby boy with my son's freckles on a chubby, round face."

Eleven practically jumped and wept as well, covering her heart with both hands. "Oh no, now you made me so much more excited than I already am! If we have a baby with Mike's freckles I'm gonna lose my mind."

"This is getting so real now, oh wow!" said Karen while she daydreamed about her future grandkid. Would the baby come next year, the year after? Would he or she have curls, dark hair and beautiful freckles or honey eyes and brown hair? Would he or she be a mixture of both? "Jane, how about we get these clothes to Holly's room and then we have some tea while breaking my son's rules and see his baby pictures?"

El beamed at her and nodded, taking the laundry basket and heading upstairs. She just loved those pictures.

"Where's Holly?"

"Oh she had a sleep over last night; she'll be back by dinner probably."

x

"Thanks for all your help, dad." said Mike thanking his dad with a hug and the attorney with a hand shake and a big smile.

Finally everything was done, the check has been send and the papers signed. He could finally go back to Eleven – who, by the way, was probably watching his baby pictures with his mother – and tell her they officially owned the new house. He couldn't wait.

It was so much more than having a house because, even if they both loved their apartment and it would always be their first home as husband and wife, the fact that they now owned a house was knowing they will grow old in it, that they will make a life there. That house would be the home that'd watch the years go by and find them every day a little more in love. It'd be the house where they would celebrate birthdays, Christmas; where Eleven would wake him up with a big breakfast every anniversary and where Mike would come home with a box of chocolates and flowers every Valentine's Day. The house that'd witness their bickering just like any other couple, but that will also witness their hot and passionate reconciliations.

It would be the house were they'd conceive and, one day, walk in with a tiny newborn baby in Eleven's arms and tears in their eyes. The house where Mike and El would witness how their kids will learn how to walk, to speak, and where they'd mark on a wall next to fridge how much these kids grew from the previous year and where they'll leave money under their pillows every time they'd lose their baby teeth. The house where Mike would help their children with school stuff and where Eleven would take care of them every time they get sick.

The house that would witness their love for the rest of their lives; a love story which began many years ago and with many, many more years to come.

Mike waved his dad goodbye and walked down the stairs with a big smile, feeling confident that the best part of his life was coming; but he must have been distracted with his plans and his immeasurable happiness that he didn't noticed the look on some of the employees still working on the bank that pretended to be painting some walls or replacing a couple light bulbs. And Mike also didn't noticed how these employees exchanged a look with other guards near the volt and near the truck.

Not until it was too late.

It felt like a second and probably was only a moment what it took for a man to point a gun at the driver's head in the values truck outside and another man who pretended was a painter to shoot a real guard at the entrance while a couple fake guards pointed their guns at the cashiers of the bank and made everyone lie on the floor as they robbed Hawkins Bank.

But Mike, who believed in doing the right thing and who always wanted to help a person in need, saw as an innocent old, deaf man didn't pay attention to what was happening around him was about to be shot in the head by one of the criminals and he jumped to save that poor old grandpa at the same time three police men made their presence know, yelled at the robbers and then, all hell broke loose.

x

Little did Karen and Eleven know what happened in the bank as they kept going from album to album, both now seeing a picture of Mike when he was four and dressed as a frog one Halloween and Karen told El a lot of pretty stories that melted their heart and how she had to go with him holding his hand the entire day because he was scared of the people wearing scary masks.

"It must be a thing he has. When we walk together wherever we go he always holds my hand too. I mean is common for every couple but I think that's what he likes the most." El said. "Well, among other things."

They had close relationship so it was natural for Karen to hear those things from her daughter-in-law. It was so cute and so rare; his son hardly ever shared things from his personal life since he was ten years old and then he meets this wonderful girl who is as open as a book. She loves her, she is like another daughter for her.

"He always liked to hold hands until he got older; I never had to tell him twice. I remember when Nancy and Holly were little they used to get me on my nerves every time we had to cross the street and never wanted to hold my hand, but Mike was so different. Whenever I looked down, his tiny hand was up. Ever since the moment he tried to give his first step, looking up to me with that big smile as if saying 'look mommy'…" the woman felt a bit emotional remembering those beautiful days and knowing that in the future she might see that again in a grandson or another granddaughter from Mike and El, (or Jane), since she didn't know her real identity.

"See, this one is from the day after he was born. Talking about holding hands, did I ever mention…?"

But Karen stopped when she noticed a strange look on the girl next to her. Her gaze dark, her face pale, sweating and cold when she tried to call her but got no answer before she would ran to sink and start gagging.

As for Eleven, she didn't know what was happening.

Suddenly when they were talking about Mike wearing a frog costume when he was four, she felt a knot in her stomach pulling up and down as the air became heavy, as if a dark smoke entered the living room and Karen voice became distorted by the second and when she touched her face El ran to the sink, wanting to puke her guts out for no reason.

"Sweetie, oh my God, are you okay? I'll get you some cool water, hold on." said Karen who was now standing besides her in the sink, rubbing her back and El realized she felt dizzy, trying her best not to pass out.

What was happening? Why did she felt so weak, so angry all of the sudden and so, so sad?

She definitely didn't know what was happening and couldn't figure out why it felt like if a huge black hole opened beneath her feet, trying to suck her in or why her throat hurt as if she wanted to cry harder than she ever did as if her heart had just broken beyond repair.

Then as Karen gave her a nice cool glass of water with ice and told her to sit down, the phone rang in the Wheeler's house and not only could Eleven hear Ted's voice from the other side of the line and read the expressions on Karen's face, but she could also hear and practically see the ambulances coming and going, the police vehicles going fast to the centre and a couple seconds later, as the woman in front of her started crying while holding that phone as if her life depended on it; Eleven heard the siren and saw the red light from the Police cherry before it actually parked in the drive way of the Wheeler's house.

The sadness in Max's eyes as she rushed to her in a hug that should have been happy since they didn't see each other for months, was what made El blink twice and realization washed over her making her feel like she was drowning and dying all at once. She heard the glass slipped through her fingers and broke into a million pieces along with all of her dreams and every bit of her heart.

xx

At 7 pm 5WIYZ begun its broadcast with the special report of an attempter robbery that took five lives that same morning in the new building of Hawkins Bank and a reporter interviewed an old man who could only express his gratitude and respect to the family of a young man who saved his life but then fell wounded and cold next to the big fountain in the ground floor.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Hi everyone and welcome to my new story! I'm very excited with this one because I had it in mind since December 2017 but I've wanted to set their love story first so this one could surprise you.

I have no idea how many chapters will this be but I think six. What I do know is that this will have all the angst and all the romance. If you feel you want something or want to ask me something, or scold me if I'm taking too long, you can always dm me on my instagram celes_genesis.

I won't be able to post often but I will do my best giving that I started taking a course, (and I have other responsibilities as well as you guys). But I will try my best to post chapters here and in my one-shot series WEIRD STUFF. Keep in mind that I have to write it in Spanish and then do this translation so it takes double the effort so pleaseeeeeee leave a comment.

Given the time I dedicate to you guys I only expect a couple words. All authors do, so please if you read my stories or anyone's stories please leave a comment because it means the world to us.

Shout-out to the wonderful disneyprincess315 and phieillydinyia; both amazing authors, so talented and so, so nice. Go read their stories.

Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, hope you guys leave a comment, and I hope we can all get the freaking trailer this week.

See you next chapter!