When The Heart Knows
Eleven wanted to take a shower to freshen up after the emotional upheaval she'd gone through. Mike had taken the opportunity to talk to Hopper.
"Mike?" Her voice sounded worried.
Mike went back to her room.
"I can feel that you are nervous Mike. Really nervous. Is everything ok?"
Mike looked down and nodded, "um, Eleven?"
"What is it MIke?"
"Will you marry me?"
Eleven's eyes turned to saucers, and then she gave Mike the kindest, gentlest smile he would ever see on her face, she said softly, "Mike, we're too young. There's isn't any way they are going to let us get married."
Mike was still looking at the floor, "I know we have wait until we're at least seventeen… I know that… but…"
She rushed into his arms her heart fresh full of tears. "Yes, Mike, I will marry you." Mike hugged her tightly. He had no intention of letting go.
"Eleven, " he breathed, "I will love you forever."
They walked out to where Hopper was sitting at the table reading a paper. He looked up over the paper at his daughter.
"Did you say yes?
She looked wide eyed at Mike. Mike looked back sheepishly, "I asked your dad for your hand in marriage. Too corny?"
"I said yes dad." She turned and threw her arms around Mike kissing his face repeatedly.
"I figured." Hopper rolled his eyes. I will sign the consent paperwork in two years, Wheeler you have that long to convince at least your mother to sign. You need to show her what I already know. I can talk to her too, if you don't think she gets it."
"Thank you Sir."
"That's another thing, can we stop with the Sir? Just call me chief or something, will you."
"Sorry, S- uh, Chief."
"So you can stay the weekend, but you sleep on the couch, you're not married yet."
Mike nodded red faced.
"I have to go back to the station, Eleven doesn't have to go back to school today. Parent's prerogative. You two will be ok here?"
They both nodded.
They walked hand in hand around the woods close to the cabin. By mid afternoon Eleven could feel the fear rippling from Mike.
"What are you afraid of Mike? We're safe out here. Nobody but dad even knows where 'out here' is."
"Two things." Mike said slowly, "I know you said you'd marry me… that's at least two years away minimum. You may feel entirely differently then, that's two years of new students in Hawkins. You could meet someone else you'd fall in love with... the other thing," Mike's voice got really quiet.
"I'm not sure you love me, as much as I love you, I mean I felt what you sent, but-"
Mike was knocked backwards off his feet. He couldn't breath. He couldn't even gasp for a breath. . The wind had been knocked out of him entirely. He couldn't hear. He could barely move, he was almost paralyzed. He felt light headed, ready to faint any second. His mouth was dry like it had been filled with cotton. His heart was pounding out of his chest he was sure the beating could be seen through his sweater.
He was scared. Mike thought he his life was ending. He was going to die without having any more precious time with Eleven. The thought brought on an infinite sadness…. losing Eleven.
Eleven, was by his side in seconds. Her voice sounded distant, he had difficulty hearing her through the ringing in his ears. Her voice hitched through her sobbing, , "I'm sorry, Mike. That's what I feel for you. I had to… keep it lighter… this morning. I was afraid you'd find it too much. I didn't hold back this time."
Mike gave her a crushing hug. Eleven squeezed back, afraid to lose her grip on him.
She helped him stand, he was a little unsteady on his feet. She put his arm around her neck, and held on to his waist, walking him back to the cabin.
When she had him settled on the sofa back in the cabin, she sat close beside him, her head hung low. Her voice mostly a whisper, "I didn't mean to hurt you Mike. I wanted you to know how I really felt. It's been like that from the first day I saw you. I'm very sorry."
"I will never doubt you again, Eleven. My insecurities got the better of me."
MIke put his hand on her cheek, and gently turned her face to his, he looked into her eyes, getting lost in them. "Eleven"
"I will love you forever." He pulled her into a full, soft kiss. Listening to her contented sigh against his mouth.
Mike Wheeler was in love with the most gentle, beautiful girl in the world. And if that wasn't enough, what was even more unbelievable, impossible to fathom…
Eleven was in love with him.
