Finally, the last chapter!


The party was starting to die down, and it probably had something to do with the fact that it was pushing eleven o'clock. El and Hopper had opened their gifts, which had been one of the most enjoyable events of the day. Hopper had gotten a card from Mike, saying he appreciated everything he was doing for El and a Jim Croce album from Jonathan and Will. From Joyce he'd received a small pendant that contained a photograph of the three Byers. He'd teared up for what must've been the thousandth time that day, but he managed to not cry in front of the group of kids and his dear friend.

El had gotten a bundle of gifts from that the Party had purchased together, including some Star Wars action figures, a VHS tape of Star Wars, and a Rubik's cube, all of which she fell in love with instantly. Joyce had remembered Hopper mentioning once that she loved to draw, so, with the help of Will, they had picked out a special brand of drawing paper and a set of charcoal drawing pencils. The moment she opened the package, she gasped and began drawing with them immediately. When Hopper gently reminded her to say thank you, she got up and hugged Joyce, causing everyone to chuckle and "aw."

Hopper was kicking himself for not thinking to bring Joyce's gift with him, though Joyce reminded him that he had no idea he would see her that night. Still, Hopper felt bad, and, remembering his determination from the day before to find the perfect gift for her, he decided to go back to the cabin—a twenty-minute drive in good, visible weather—to retrieve her gift.

Joyce being Joyce, she immediately refused. "It has to be single digits out there. Besides." She lowered her voice. "It'd be much sweeter if we weren't babysitting an entire herd of kids."

"You've got a point." Hopper thought for a moment, then nodded towards Jonathan. "Think you and your girlfriend can handle a few kids for an hour?"

"It's not like that," Nancy protested. "I'm only here because my mom thought we were actually going caroling, and she made me chaperone Mike."

Mike jumped to his feet. "Liar! You asked me if I thought Jonathan would come with us, and you got that big, dreamy smile on your face when I told you he was."

"I-I never asked you anything—"

"Sure, Jonathan interrupted, bringing a halt to the argument. "No problem."

"Thanks, kid. I owe you one." Hopper removed his hat from the wall-mounted coat rack and swung the door open. "After you," he said to Joyce with a smile.

Obviously hesitant to leave six kids up to the hands of her eldest son and Nancy, she reluctantly stepped through the doorway. "Will, do what your brother tells you. That goes for all of you kids, hear? We'll be back soon."

Just before he followed Joyce out he poked his head back inside and said, "None of you're going to run off with my daughter, are you?"

Confused and uncertain of whether or not he was being serious, the Party shook their heads, one after another. Mike was the first to do so, most likely due to Hopper's steely gaze landing on him first.

"Good." He looked over at El. "Promise me you'll stay put, no matter what they say?"

"Yes." There was only a slight hesitation, which Hopper took to be a good sign.

"Best news I've heard all day. We'll be back soon. TV remote's in the coffee table drawer, eggnog's in the fridge. Knock yourselves out." And with that, he shut the door and trudged over to the truck.


It was a rather quiet drive over to the cabin, either because it was freezing, despite the truck's heater running at full blast, or because it felt rather awkward driving out to Hopper's cabin, through a suspiciously-romantic, snow-filled forest, in the middle of Christmas night. Hopper couldn't help but feel apprehensive about his decision, specifically because it almost felt like a date. Of course, that wouldn't really become an issue once she opened his gift, but it was still utterly nerve-wracking. It was pleasant, though. The scenery felt mystical, and the winter wildlife was everywhere. They saw elk, rabbits, squirrels, wolves, even an owl and possible a bear, though they couldn't be sure, it was so far off.

It seemed to take forever, but they finally arrived at the cabin, which looked even more rundown in the snow and darkness. Apparently a light had been left on inside, and it made one of the windows shine a bright yellow, oddly picturesque. "This is where you keep Jane?" Joyce's tone was unreadable.

"Yeah." He drew out the word, nervous over what her next words might be and assuming the worst. But he certainly hadn't expected a short laugh.

"It's gorgeous! It looks just like the one my great-grandmother used to live in while she was in Oregon. It almost doesn't look real. In a good way," she quickly clarified.

Hopper snorted. "Gorgeous. Probably not the word I'd use for the outside of this place. I'll admit the interior looks much better than this, though."

Mock-impatiently, Joyce heaved the front passenger door open, pretended to whine, "Let's go already, then!," and staggered through the snow to the front porch, leaving deep footprints. Hopper held back a laugh and followed suit.

When he finally found the right key and swung the door open, Joyce was entranced by the little home. "It's so cozy," she kept repeating. "And that's her bedroom? Oh, those lights are perfect up there. Jane's such a lucky girl, to have a father like you."

"Not exactly the way she would word it," he said with smirk. "I like the way you say it more. And I don't mind if you tell her I said that."

"Stop that. That little girl thinks the world of you. Now I hate to put a damper on our little escape, but we have been gone for almost a half-hour. Not because someone took his sweet time driving or anything."

Hopper blushed, and he turned even redder when he realized he was doing so. Fortunately, Joyce didn't notice his cherry-red face; she was too busy admiring the kitchen curtains. "Gotta be careful in the snow. Even with the chains you can still lose control if you go too fast—" Suddenly Hopper realized he had no idea where Joyce's gift actually was. The last time he'd seen it was the night he'd brought it back from the trailer, and he'd fallen asleep with it in his arms. As he thought about it, he didn't recall awakening with it in the same place. Had it fallen between the couch cushions? Had he been sleepwalking, and he'd moved the box then? Heck, had he dreamed the entire process of finding it at the trailer and—

"Is this it, here?"

Hopper rotated sharply, and there it was, resting on the table. It lay just underneath the overhead lamp, which made the box take on a slight heavenly aura. "Surprise!" he said weakly, tossing a false grin on his face. "Open it up." That would've been fatally shameful if he'd had to tell her he hadn't the slightest clue where he'd left it. Actually, how had it gotten there? It hadn't been there during breakfast, he knew that for a fact. And he'd used that very table to stock the dishes of food he had brought to the trailer only hours ago. Hopper didn't believe in miracles, but in this instance . . .

"Oh, Jim Hopper!" Inside the box was a thin, silver-chain necklace, extraordinarily light and clearly expensive. Now Joyce's eyes grew watery, and she fanned her face with her hand. "There's no way . . . no way I could accept this. It's so beautiful . . . How dare you spend so much on something for me!" Her sentence was broken up by sniffles, for her nose was running as fast as her emotions were.

"Well, I, uh . . . didn't pay for it. I got it from someone." Wow, that was romantic.

"Oh. Uh—I-I see." Joyce frowned, the sentimental value of the necklace decreasing significantly.

Hopper hurried to amend the situation, for there was much more to the gift than initially implied. "There's a story behind that, you know. If you'd, uh, care to hear it." Joyce nodded, blowing her nose. With that, Hopper took a deep breath and began, hesitant at first, but quickly gaining confidence. "Back in my New York days, maybe two weeks after my divorce, I told my boss, Chief Gary Duggan, who was a close friend of mine, that I was putting in my two weeks' notice. He asked me if it was because I'd lost my little girl and my wife. I told him they were all I'd had, and I couldn't function in the city that had once belonged to them. I knew I was going to move, so I quit. He seemed pretty upset by it, but I just couldn't continue my normal life when it was far from being normal.

"On my last day, he called me up to his office, and he gave me that necklace. He told me he knew I'd find someone else again someday, and when I did, when I met the right woman . . . I was supposed to give her the necklace. It was supposed to remind me that there was still hope for me. And now, four years later . . . it only feels right to give it to you, Joyce."

Brief, yes, and lacking many details, but the basics were out on the table, and they seemed to have made a favorable impression. Joyce was opening and closing her mouth and gasping like a fish out of water. "Hopper—" was all she finally managed to speak before falling into a deep embrace, and that was how they remained for a long, blissful moment.


The two finally arrived back at Hopper's trailer, and they were surprised by how quiet it seemed. The radio wasn't loud enough to be heard from outside anymore, and only light visible was from the dim kitchen light. Hopper unlocked the door and eased it open, where he found just a picture-perfect moment. The television was quietly playing A Christmas Carol, but it was being widely ignored by the trailer's occupants. Dustin sat in the red armchair next to the fireplace, half asleep and awakening every time his head dropped. The couch housed Lucas and Max, who noticed the subtle creak of the door and waved at the new arrivals. And just to their right, on the opposite side of the couch, sat Mike, and a sleeping El, all wrapped up in her newly-favorite wool blanket. She had her head resting on Mike's shoulder, and the boy, while not asleep, stared unfocused at the TV with glassy eyes.

Will was asleep on the bed in the spare bedroom, and Jonathan and Nancy were sitting on the bench just beside the door and chatting quietly. They quickly stood and greeted the two adults when they made themselves known. "Have a good time?" Jonathan sleepily asked, trying and failing to keep a casual tone.

Joyce could only nod. It was beyond good. It had been a life-changing experience for both of them, and neither wanted to part from the other.

"They could stay overnight. Then you wouldn't have to walk home in the dark," Hopper had offered during the drive back. "It wouldn't be any trouble." Aside from feeding them all breakfast with a single box of Eggs and the remaining eggnog, but that wasn't important.

"I wish we could, I'm not looking forward to the walk back. But I told those kids' parents I'd have them back at 12:30, and that's in almost thirty minutes."

"Feel free to use my phone to call 'em up and let 'em know about any changing plans." Hopper hoped to death he wasn't sounding too desperate.

Joyce laughed, a good sign. "I wish we could, Hop! I've got work in the morning, though, and I'll need my car and uniform. I have to go home. I'm sorry, really."

So they'd decided to have their first date on New Year's Eve, and it would end after the New Year countdown. So they could start the year off right, Hopper had joked.

While Joyce roused Will, Hopper asked Lucas to get up his other two friends. Dustin immediately leaned forward in the chair, peering blearily across the arm. "No, no, I'm awake," he mumbled loudly, and he fell to the floor and snored. It took every inch of Hopper to not vocalize the bark of laughter welling up in his throat, but he somehow succeeded.

The stifled commotion had fully aroused Mike, and it was then he noticed El, who was still fast asleep against his shoulder, and smiled. Hopper knew it had been some of the best few hours the boy had had in over a year, for that day had been the first time he and El were together and not having to worry about being seen or killed. Kind of like how he'd felt earlier with Joyce, he realized. Mike was good for El, and she was good for Mike, and he knew that they had to keep in some kind of contact. Maybe he could teach Mike Morse Code, or get El a walkie-talkie, but considering how moody both of the kids became when deprived of each other, it would be essential for them to talk—sometimes.

Knowing how light of a sleeper El was, he was quite surprised that she hadn't awoken yet on her own. Maybe she just felt safe enough with her friends around that she didn't have to snap back from dreamland at every little noise. She didn't even stir when Hopper gently raised her head, allowing Mike to reluctantly get up, and laid her down across the sofa. It was like a movie scene, really. El asleep on the couch, curled up and cozy, and Mike was just . . . taking it all in. He gazed at her like he wanted to memorize every bit of the moment.

Hopper set his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Don't kiss her. Please."

Mike went completely still and shook his head quickly, his face burning.

"Appreciate it." He gave the boy a pat on the shoulder and went to gather the remaining snacks from the counter, leaving Mike in an extraordinarily uncomfortable situation.

Soon everyone was all bundled up and ready to head out. Hopper had offered to drive them part of the way, but Joyce had reminded him that they wouldn't all fit, even if the backseat was free of fast food bags, empty beverage cans, and other garbage. No one seemed to be in a rush to leave, even Joyce, who had to be up in six hours. But when all of the final conversations trailed off, they knew it was time. Almost remorsefully, they began their trek home in the snow, wishing they'd heeded their mothers' advice and worn extra material underneath their jackets and sweaters. Joyce went first, followed by Will, who was supporting Dustin as well as he could, Lucas, Max, Jonathan and Nancy, and lastly, Mike. The boy cast a final look in El's direction and turned to Hopper. "Tell her I said Merry Christmas," Hopper said he would, and he made to exit the trailer, but was stopped by a familiar voice.

"Mike?" By some cliché Christmas miracle, El's eyes fluttered open and she sat up, surprised to see the empty trailer. "You're going?"

Mike nodded, a massive smile spreading across his face. "Home. Yeah. But I'll call you—uh, m-maybe, if the Chief says it's okay . . .?" He glanced up at Hopper, who, after a moment of thought, nodded slowly.

"I'll work something out."

Both kids cheered, causing Hopper to chortle. El stood up and approached the two males, a tired gleam in her eye. "Merry Christmas, Mike," she said softly, and she wrapped her arms around his torso, snuggling up close enough to hear his pounding heartbeat. He was startled at first, but he followed suit, creating an incredibly heartwarming scene.

Hopper rolled his eyes, but he knew what had to be done. He waited until Mike opened his eyes again, and after catching his gaze he mouthed, "Kiss her."

Without skipping a beat, Mike pulled back from El, looked deep into her loving eyes, and kissed her.

Hopper couldn't decide if he felt more uncomfortable watching them or looking up at the ceiling until they broke apart, and he was just stepping out onto the porch when he ran into Joyce, who was hurrying up the steps and wearing a look of impatience. "Where's Mike?" she asked, kicking the snow off of her boots. The moment her heart melted at the sight of the young couple's special moment was quite clear, judging by her puppy eyes and clasped hands, not to mention her quiet squeal that made her sound like a schoolgirl. "Oh, Hop!" she whispered, and she leaned into his side while she took in the full moment. When El and Mike finally took a breath and said their goodbyes, Joyce turned to give Hopper a contemplative once-over.

"Yeah?" he asked, slightly confused. Hopefully it wouldn't be parenting advice on how to accommodate a daughter's love for a boy, or something of the like.

Joyce smiled up at him. "Nothing, it's just . . . I forgot to give you something." And before Hopper could ask what, she got up on her tiptoes, pulled his head down, and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

He knew his expression was probably ridiculous, but he didn't know what to do with himself right in that moment. It was magical, as cliché as it sounded, and he finally understood what it was like for Mike and his daughter.

Mike finally stepped through the door, completely unaware of the replicated event that had just occurred, and followed Joyce out into the perfect layer of snow surrounding the trailer. Hopper started when something tickled his hand, but he relaxed when he found it was El, slipping her hand into his own.

"Merry Christmas!" came a chorus of voices from the edge of the forest.

"Merry Christmas!" he and El called back. And there they stood, wondering how they'd come across such a delightful Christmas.


Author's Note

AAWWWWWW! That ending just gave me chills, lemme tell you. I could see it all in my head, and I hope that I described it well enough for you all to see it, too. Also, my kind of style for lovey-dovey moments is basically go minimalist, and allow the readers (you!) to read the characters' emotions and let the magic happen in your own minds. Several years back I found a FanFiction author who used the same method, and I found it fit very well, especially since he'd done a very good job at developing his characters. So yeah, that's that story. Also, that little El-asleep-with-her-head-on-Mike's-shoulder thing? The Office reference! (You know, during that one conference meeting when *SPOILER* Jim and Pam are just friends, and Pam falls asleep with her head resting on Jim's shoulder? I thought it fit in here.) Few other things I want to say, but don't want to waste your time with the details:

* Larry Eyler was a real serial killer in the early 1980's who did commit some of his murders in Indiana. I do my research.

* That story about the necklace Hopper gives to Joyce? Based off a true story. My Criminal Justice professor told me about it, and it immediately made me think of Hopper and Joyce. Sorry if it wasn't implemented very well, I struggled a bit there.

* I love Dustin.

* I love Mike/El

* I love Hopper/El [PLATONIC SHIP]

This story had been such an exciting adventure, I'm not going to lie. I hadn't expected these beautiful characters, this strange and unique setting to grow on me as much as it did, and it was such a special treat to write this Christmas special! It's hard to believe it's all finally coming to a close, but you needn't worry. This is only a temporary ending, and I plan to write more Stranger Things goodness later on! It was especially interesting writing about Hopper's background, and that may be something I'll explore in a future story. I have a few ideas, and I'd love to hear any you all may have! PM me, leave them in the reviews section, I'll find 'em. Thank you so much for following this story, it means a whole lot to me! This is by far the most popular story I've written, with 17 follows, 10 favorites, 6 reviews, and 1,000 views! I'm so thankful for each and every one of you, you really made my year! I look forward to further engaging in this fanbase, and I can't wait to see what stories 2018 holds! I'll see you all soon, and have a great New Year's!