Chapter 10

August 1997

"Will, wake up!" said Julie as she roughly shook his shoulder. Will's eyes shot open. He sat up and looked around the room as he took some calming breaths. The Upside Down and the Mind Flayer were gone. He was in his own bedroom and there was a nice summer morning breeze drifting in through the open window.

"I'm sorry," said Will as he rubbed his eyes. He had been apologizing to her for his nightmares since they were fourteen years old. She did what she always had done and wrapped her arms around him.

"It's alright. I just wish I could magically make everyone's nightmares go away," said Julie and she caressed the back of Will's head. She was aware of the nightmares that Mike and Eleven had as well. While she couldn't fully understand what Will went through in the Upside Down or what Eleven went through in the lab, she could certainly relate to Mike's fear of something happening to Will or Eleven.

Will hugged Julie back. The child in him was crying out for his mother. "That's just silly," Will muttered.

"Huh?" asked Julie.

"Nothing," said Will. "I just keep hearing the voice of my twelve year old self crying out for my mother."

"We could go over and see her and Hopper," said Julie.

"I don't want to bother her."

"Like she'd ever consider that bothering."

"They won't even be up for a couple hours," said Will as he glanced at the alarm clock and noticed it was just a little after 7 am.

"So we'll keep ourselves busy for a couple hours," said Julie. She hopped out of bed and walked over to the closet where she grabbed a bag of art supplies they'd purchased the day before. They had to put it in the closet to keep their cats from jumping into it. "We may as well get started on these."

"Good idea," said Will. "We can finish them and get them mailed out before certain people can object."

"My thoughts exactly," said Julie, who was annoyed with her mother and aunts trying to micromanage every detail of her wedding. She and Will had been annoyed with the snooty attitudes of most of the wedding vendors. Mike and Eleven felt the same way when planning their own wedding.

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Mike and Eleven walked out into the living room about 90 minutes later. The sofa had a tarp draped over it and Will and Julie had paint all over their faces, arms and legs. Mike smiled and shook his head.

"You two still can't help yourselves, can you?" asked Mike.

"I don't know what you're talking about," said Will.

"Are these wedding invitations?" asked Eleven as she noticed a few dozen cards with paint drying on the coffee table. She recognized her brother's artwork. She and Mike had gone on a day trip to meet his parents in West LaFayette the day before and hadn't gotten back until late the night before.

"Yeah, well, we didn't like any of those uppity vendors, so..." said as he indicated the cards.

"We don't like them either," said Eleven. "They think they're royalty or something."

"Do you two think you could make our invitations?" asked Mike. "We could pay you."

"You wouldn't have to pay us," said Will. He quickly glanced at Julie.

"Yeah, we like doing this. It relieves the stress of wedding planning," said Julie.

"Mike and I could stuff the envelopes and clean up," said Eleven. Will glanced at his watch.

"Speaking of cleaning up, Julie and I were about to go visit Mom and Hopper."

"Is everything alright?" asked Mike.

"It's fine, I just had another nightmare last night and it gave me the overwhelming urge to see my mother," said Will.

"Is that all?" asked Eleven. Will nodded.

"That's all." Mike, Will, and Eleven had all just started being completely honest with each other about how their nightmares were affecting them. It helped with Eleven's research and there was no point to hiding things.

"Before you go," said Mike. "There's something I wanted to show you." Mike went to the kitchen and grabbed a brochure out of a drawer. He handed it to Will, who still had some dry paint caked on his hands.

"I've seen the site where they're breaking ground, it's not far from here," said Will as he looked over the information about a new subdivision.

"They won't be finished until 2000, but the floor plans look great," said Mike. "If we decide to go there, we can always stay here until the houses are finished and set aside money for everything in the mean time." Mike tried not to push too hard. He wanted to keep his best friend nearby, but didn't want to push Will too hard. Mike knew how annoyed his was with his own mother for trying to push him to move back to Hawkins.

Will glanced at Julie. "It seems like a good option if the builders have everything up to code, and we would have to worry about the problems of older houses."

"We'd have three years to make up out minds. We can think about it," said Will.

Mike and Eleven cleaned with the art supplies as Will and Julie showered and got ready to walk (as they usually did when the weather was nice) to visit Joyce and Hopper. On their way out, they grabbed the wedding invitation they'd personally made for Will's parents.

Will and Julie had written the names of the guest on the invitations before painting them, so Mike and Eleven were able to start addressing the envelopes and stuffing them as the paint dried. Mike smiled fondly as he noticed that Will had drawn for D&D related pictures on the invitations for Dustin, Lucas, and their other nerdy friends.

"Did you get a chance to read over that research I did with Stephen yet?" Eleven asked Mike.

"I did," said Mike. "I don't completely understand all of it and I have some questions, but it looks possible that we'll be just fine."

"So you still want to have kids?" asked Eleven.

"Well, yeah," said Mike. "You, Will, and Sarah have turned out pretty awesome. Jane and Kali are doing well. So far, Barbara and Edmund are fine. We'd have to make sure that psychos don't get anywhere near them, but your cousin is helping with that."

"I know, but it won't be easy. We'll be scared for them all time like my Mom was with me and Will."

"Your Mom is still glad that you exist, even after everything that happened to your family-non of which was your fault, by the way. And your Mom didn't know what had happened to her and had no idea that evil scientist would be after her super-powered kids. We have knowledge that she didn't. I know it won't be easy, El, but it'll be worth it."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Eleven seemed satisfied with that. She and Mike had discussed what their lives could be and the trials they could face a million times. She just needed to know that he understood everything. As much as she trusted that Mike loved her and would stick with her, she still feared losing him.

"Your Mom is on her way up."

"What? We were just there yesterday. Why is she coming up?"

"I know you're still angry with her, but she's your mother. You have to work things out or you'll regret it, Mike."

Mike focused on checking the names on the envelopes with the names on the guest list. "We should probably get these to the post office."

"Mike-"

"Look, we'll talk about this and I'll try to talk to my Mom when she gets here, I just can't talk about it right now."

"Okay," said Eleven as she neatly stacked the envelopes and put them into a shoe box.

"She got angry and said I love you and Will more than I love my own flesh and blood."

"She's just dealing with empty nest fears," said Eleven.

"The thing is, it's true," said Mike. "It's always been true. Considering the fact that we're getting married, I'm supposed to love you more than anyone else so I'm doing that part right. I was just never that close to my parents. I'm close to my sisters; but Will, Dustin, and Lucas were always more like family to me than my parents."

"I know," said Eleven. "Your dad was sleeping all the time when I was there... unless he was watching TV and your Mom was usually talking on the phone or cooking or reading. They need to make some effort too."

A few weeks earlier, everyone (including Jonathan, Nancy and their children) was visiting Hawkins. Karen had gotten frustrated when they were talking about Barbara starting to exhibit telekinetic abilities and yelled at the entire Byers family. She accused them of dragging her children and new her grand children into their mess. She had particularly directed her anger at Will and Joyce saying that she should have never let Mike be friends with Will after all the trouble Joyce had caused in school.

Mike became even more angry than ever at his mother for that incident, even though she immediately apologized. Will and Eleven always blamed themselves for any time Mike was in danger. Mike certainly didn't blame them. He was angry at his mother for bringing those fears to the surface again.

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Eleven had talked her parents into getting a dog that summer. They had been dogless for a few years since Chester and later buttons had died. Will and Eleven had taken back their cats, Luke and Leia.

"Shut up you dumb dog, it's just Will and Julie," said Hopper to the mutt as he came to the door and held it's collar so Will and Julie could enter. "You don't have to knock, you know."

"It's a habit," said Will as he hugged Hopper.

"Hey, sweetheart," said Joyce happily as she came out of her room to see why the dog (Spud) was barking. She hugged Will. "To what do we owe the pleasure this morning?"

"I-uh-well..." Will stammered.

"Spud looks like he could use a walk," said Julie. "And it's a really nice morning. What do you say, Hopper?"

Hopper glanced at Will. "Sure, why not." He grabbed Spud's leash and gestured for Julie to follow.

"What is it, Baby?" asked Joyce as they walked to the living room and sat on the sofa. She have never quite lost the habit of calling her youngest child "Baby" even as he became a fully grown adult.

"There's nothing to worry about," said Will. "I just had another nightmare last night and woke up with the urge to see you, that's all."

"Oh. Well you know I'm always glad to see you," said Joyce as she hugged him. "What was it about?"

"The usual: the Upside Down, Demogorgan and the Mind Flayer. I know they're all gone, but the dreams still feel real while they're happening."

"I know they do," said Joyce as she held her son tighter. "Hey, your aunt Phyllis visited Jonathan and Nancy last week. She mailed some pictures. Edmund is growing so fast. Would you like to see them?" Joyce asked after a couple minutes. Joyce's sister Phyllis had been living in Long Island with her husband for years. She had started visiting Jonathan and Nancy on a regular basis since Joyce had reached out to her.

"Yeah, that'd be great," said Will. Joyce got up and grabbed an envelope from the cabinet. "I'm glad you're reconnecting with Aunt Phyllis and Aunt Pam."

"I didn't realize how much I missed them," said Joyce as she took some pictures from the envelope and handed them to Will. "We were close as kids, just like you were with Jonathan and El. It feels good to reconnect with them." Joyce stared at her hands as Will began looking through the pictures. He noticed her posture out of the corner of his eye.

"What is it, Mom? Is something wrong?" asked Will. Joyce shook her head and took one of his hands into hers.

"When we visited her in New York last May, Phyllis said that if she didn't know any better, she'd think that El was my biological daughter."

"Well, she is," said Will. "And she does look like us."

"I told Phyllis and Pam than El is my daughter in every way that matters, but..."

"You want to tell them the whole truth," said Will. Joyce nodded.

"It's risky, but I trust my sisters and El has always wanted to know more about her extended family. Phyllis and Pam could help with that."

"If you think you can trust them, I say tell them," said Will. "Talk to El about it first, but it could be good for them to know."

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"He had another nightmare last night, didn't he?" asked Hopper after glancing around to make sure no one was listening.

"It's that obvious?" asked Julie.

"I saw it enough times when he was growing up," said Hopper. "With Will and his sisters. I'm just glad he's gotten into the habit of talking to his mother when something's bothering him."

"You're the one who got him into that habit," said Julie. "I'm glad you did. He thinks the world of you, you know."

"Feeling's mutual," said Hopper with a smile. "He's a damn good kid, always has been. Your parents know that, whether they admit it or not. Is everything going alright with them?"

"My Dad has accepted that I'm not going back to Hawkins and I think my Mom will eventually. She still thinks I'm rushing into things because I'm marrying my high school sweetheart. I'm not sure she sees the irony in that statement yet."

Hopper laughed. "I remember your parents getting married a year out of high school."

"Exactly," said Julie.

"I'm sure a couple of grand children will make them come around," said Hopper with a wink.

"Well, that'll happen when it happens," said Julie.

"I can't wait," said Hopper. "I'll be the cool grandpa... or the crazy grandpa... one of the two. Good God, Spud, what did you eat!" Hopper pulled out a plastic bag as his dog squatted.

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Karen knocked on the door as Joyce, Will, Hopper, and Julie were finishing their lunch. She and Holly were in town for the dress fittings that afternoon.

"Hey, Mrs. Wheeler," said Will as he opened the door. He smiled warmly at Holly. "Hey, Holly. Come on in." Will stepped aside as they entered. Karen noticed that Will seemed uneasy with her. It was painful for her to see as she'd known Will pretty much his entire life and he'd spent a lot of time at her house when he was growing up.

"Listen Will, I just want to apologize again for what I said last week," said Karen. Joyce quickly went to Will's side and held his arm.

"Don't worry about it. A lot happened earlier this year. A lot happened years ago. It's had us all on edge for a long time."

The was an awkward silence. Karen opened a box of home made peanut butter cookies. "I baked these yesterday. They were always your favorite, Will."

Will felt a surge of anger. Since he was a small child, he had always hated it when people made gestures like cookies after saying something cruel to him. It went back to the days when his parents were still married and Lonnie insulted Will and the things he like, then tried to make some sort of gesture to save face in front of Joyce and everyone else. Those gestures always felt empty to Will. While he believed that Karen was genuinely sorry for blaming Will for everything that had happened to Mike and Nancy, he felt that she had meant what she said. "Thanks, Mrs. Wheeler, but I'm still full from lunch." Joyce nudged him with her elbow. "On second thought." Will grabbed a cookie.

"We've gotta pick up everyone from the train station in an hour," said Julie.

"That's right, we'd better get going," said Will.

"Mind if I tag along?" asked Holly.

"Of course not," said Will. "I'll see you in a bit, Mom. You too, Hopper. I know it'll be rough, but you'll have to put on a tux this afternoon."

"I'll do it for your sake, kid, and your sister's as well," said Hopper.

"How about one for the road, Julie?" said Karen as she held up the cookie box. Julie glanced as Will and Joyce and took a cookie.

"Thanks," she muttered. Joyce nudged Will again and he took a bite of the cookie.

"Just a good as I remember," said Will. He, Julie, and Holly went outside. Will spit the bit of cookie in to the dumpster and tossed the cookie in. Julie followed. "Sorry, Holly, I know your mom's trying."

"It's alright, I get it," said Holly. "She's been getting on my nerves a lot lately. She's trying to guilt me into going to college closer to home, but that only makes me want to go far away from Hawkins even more."

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"Can I get you something to drink, Karen?" asked Joyce. Hopper busied himself with Spud.

"No, I'm fine," said Karen as she sat on the sofa. Joyce sat down as well. "Look, I just, I just want to make things right. I wish I hadn't said what I said last week. I've just been going through a lot with all of my children leaving and my grand daughter nearly getting murdered six months ago."

"Karen, I haven't forgotten all those times you helped me out when the kids were growing up. I'll always be grateful for that. For the sake of our children and mutual grand children, we can move on from last week, but don't ever talk to Will like that again."

"Again, Joyce, I've just been worrying about my children being in danger."

"Tell you what, Karen, if you want to take your frustration on someone, take it out on me. I'm the one who was in the wrong place in the wrong time when I was fourteen years old."

"That isn't what I meant," said Karen hastily.

"Oh, I think it is," said Joyce. "You know what? That's fine. I might feel the same way if I was in your shoes, but I'm the freak with the freak children."

"You and your children aren't freaks," said Karen.

"Oh, but we are," said Joyce. "We are and we're fine with that. Nancy and Mike have always been fine with that. I've been grateful that Will had a friend who cared about him as much as Mike always as and that El has someone who loves her as much as Mike does; and that Jonathan has Nancy in his life. Mike and Nancy have risked a lot by being in our lives and I know it's difficult for you, so take it out on me, not my children."

"You're right, Joyce. The MKUltra stuff that has happened to your family isn't your fault. I'm scared for Mike and Nancy, but I'm also proud of them for being good friends. We can't do anything about the abilities that our grand children will likely inherit, but what about that video game nonsense?"

"It isn't nonsense to Mike and Will," said Joyce.

"It's a silly childhood fantasy," said Karen. "As bright as Will is, surely you want him to do something more meaningful than the same juvenile stuff they did when they were ten. I know I want something better for Michael."

"I want them to be happy. What they do is meaningful to them. They had a dream and made it happen. Do you have any idea how rare that is? And they happen to be really good at what they do. It takes a lot of hard work to design those games."

"So I take it you won't help me try to talk some sense into them?"

"They have plenty of sense already," said Joyce. "I you want to fix your relationship with Mike, try accepting that he's an adult making his own choices. I know it's hard, but it's worth it."

"That's easy for you to say, Joyce, your children have never resented you. And they live just down the street while my children moved out of state."

"First of all, Karen, there have been plenty of times my children resented me. I had to work long hours just to make ends meet when Will and Jonathan were little. They didn't always understand. Jonathan got a job of his own when he was old enough and had to help out more than he ever should have. After Will went missing, I practically smothered him and he thought I was treating him like a baby. And my children all went to school out of state as well. I only live near Will and El now because I got sick and they moved me up here for some experimental treatment."

"Sorry, Joyce, I.."

"Don't worry about it, Karen."

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"I can't believe you guys let your girlfriends pick out the tuxes," said Dustin as he looked in the mirror.

"We aren't supposed to see the dresses before the weddings," said Will. "Besides, we have terrible taste in formal wear."

"Yeah, do you guys really want to wear clothes that we picked out," asked Mike.

"That's a solid argument," said Lucas.

"Steve has designed some great hair products. He ended up being good at chemistry," said Dustin. "You guys should use it on your wedding days. You need all the help you can get."

"Could it hold my hair in a messy position?" asked Will. "Julie likes it that way."

"It totally can," said Dustin.

"Sold!" said Will. He attempted to knot his tie. "I wonder if this comes in clip on."

"You're hopeless, kid," said Hopper as he helped Will with the tie. "I taught you all kinds of car maintenance, but failed to teach you a simple knot."

"It runs in the family," said Jonathan as he rocked Edmund's car seat.

"We just haven't gone to many events that required formal wear," said Mike.

"We've gotten away with not wearing ties most of the time," said Will.

"Any plans for your bachelor parties?" asked Dustin.

"We're thinking New York for both of them," said Will. "Randy here has the hook up in some of the best clubs."

"You know it," said Randy. "I know some great arcades as well."

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"Oh, Sweetheart, you look so beautiful," said Joyce with tears in her eyes as Eleven stepped out in her satin dress.

"Do you think Mike will like it?" asked Eleven.

"You could wear a garbage bag and Mike would love it," said Holly. "But that's a gorgeous dress."

"It really is," said Nancy. "You have great taste, El. I love the dress you picked out for Barbara as well. We'll probably have to get this altered before the wedding the way she's growing."

"We'll have to alter a few of the dresses," said Max as she indicated her growing baby bump as she wore one of the bridesmaid dresses

Julie stepped out wearing her own dress. She had gone the simple, yet elegant look, just like Eleven had.

"OOOOhhhh!" said Jennifer in delight. "I love it."

"It's a very pretty dress, honey," said Mrs. Mason. "But we can get a dress with a train if you like."

"Thanks, Mom, but I'm going to be in the dress for several hours and I want to be comfortable. Besides, as clumsy as I am, I'd probably trip and fall on a train."

"I think it's the perfect dress for you," said Tina. "And these bridesmaid dresses are both elegant and comfortable.

"Would you like to see how the veils look with the dress?" asked Mrs. Mason.

"I actually decided not to wear a veil," said Julie. "There are a lot of nice silk flowers I can put in my hair."

"What? The veil is one of the most important things for a bride," said Mrs. Mason.

"They all squeeze my head too much and I just don't like veils," said Julie.

"I don't think I want a veil either," said Eleven. "The whole thing with the groom lifting the bride's veil is archaic."

"Archaic," Barbara repeated.

"What do you think, Karen?" asked Mrs. Mason. "I haven't heard you say anything since we got here. Surely you think they should wear veils."

"I do," said Karen. "But it's their weddings and we should respect their choices."

Everyone seemed stunned at Karen's words. She had been trying to push for certain decisions in Mike and Eleven's wedding since they had announced their engagement. She had done the same when Jonathan and Nancy got married, pushing them into having their wedding in Hawkins when they wanted to have it in New York.

Eleven finally broke the silence. "Thank you." Joyce had her hands on Eleven's shoulders and gave Karen an encouraging nod. Respecting a decision she didn't agree with was a good first step toward reconciliation.