Sorry it's been so long! I have not abandoned this story, I've just been working on another story too. If you read 'Solemn Vow' you'll see some familiar parts, some of this chapter is lifted from there just with some extra background/different contexts. Sorry for the short chapter, but hope you enjoy :)

March 1978.

The cool breeze rushed at her bare legs, Hopper's hand in hers as they walked solemnly over the hill. The boys running slightly ahead, flying tin planes around their heads. Hopper pulled Joyce closer, knowing she'd be unsteady on her feet. The flowers she carried hung down from her tiny hand, sagging limply as if they knew their fate. As they approached the gravestone Joyce's breaths deepened, and Hopper's grip on her tightened. Both needing support to get through. She knelt at the side of the stone and began to clear last weeks dead flowers. Hopper motioned the boys to help their mother and the small family drew in.

Joyce sat alone at her father's side, the boys and Hopper across the path playing in the long grass. She'd asked to be alone, and he'd respected her wishes. She watched them momentarily, thinking about how lucky she had gotten; how lucky she was to be saved. She leaned against the headstone. "Hi Daddy," she sighed "It's me, Joyce. Been a while since we've been here, and you've not been around as much anymore. I can't feel you with me everyday. I miss you. The boys miss you." Her hand reached for the handkerchief in her pocket, "It's been so hard without you." Joyce raised herself to a standing position, steadying herself on the headstone.

The music began, and her father smiled across at her. He squeezed her hand, she never could hide her nerves from him. They made their way to the middle of the dance floor hand in hand. She knew the only way she'd get through a first dance was if he was there holding her up - the only non-compromise of the whole day. She could hear the whispers, feel the eyes. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Joyce breathed in the smell of her childhood from her father's jacket lapel.

Andrew gently kissed the top of her head, pulling back to look into her eyes, he whispered "I was never as happy as the day I married your mother. All your life I've wished the same for you, sweetheart" His voice drifting, changing, morphing into another, older voice.
"Lonnie isn't the one, run Princess, run away". Joyce's eyes filled with tears, she turned but her father's hands gripped at her arms, clawing her skin. She looked up at him and Lonnie looked back.
"I'm so happy you're finally mine" Lonnie's smile stretching into a grimace. Those same words he'd said lovingly 13 years ago, now sounding menacing. She struggled against his embrace. She felt hands pulling at her clothes as she tried to get away. As Joyce spun away from Lonnie, she fell into another set of arms.

She felt Hopper's strong arms wrap around her, shielding her from the wind. Her hair blew around their faces, his resting on her shoulder as he leaned down to hug her. She could feel him silently reminding her to breathe. Joyce hadn't realised that she'd been holding a breath until she released it, long and steady. She felt his relief from behind her and she twisted in his arms. Their eyes locked, Hopper leaned into her.
"We go when you're ready" his reassurance comforting her as she nodded into his chest. Hopper's eyes fell to the engraving on the stone, he closed them against the day.

"You want to marry her, right? That's why you've come alone"
Andrew interrupted, absentmindedly staring through the kitchen window, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
"More than anything, Mr. Tomas" Hopper wrung his hands, shifting from one foot to the other.

Andrew busied himself at the sink, emitting small noises, feigning decision making. He'd known from the minute that he'd met Hopper that Joyce had made a good choice. She'd found the man who would do nothing but make the best life he could for her. Andrew made Hopper sweat a little longer. The younger man, still shifting his weight on the spot, rolled a coin between his hands nervously. Silent prayers and whispered promises between them. Andrew turned, unsmiling and Hopper's face dropped. His eyes running along the lines of his bootlaces, he opened his mouth to speak, but was silenced.
"James" Andrew reached out a shaking hand, "There's nothing I could want more for my baby girl." Relief washed over Hopper and he stepped closer to Andrew, arms wide. Releasing themselves from their mutual embrace, Andrew pointed a finger at Hopper, his eyes glinting.

When he returned Andrew was holding a small, black box. He ushered Hopper to the table and the pair sat on opposite chairs. Andrew slid the box towards Hopper, but didn't release his hand from atop it.
"This, this ring. It belonged to Joyce's mother." Hopper nodded in understanding as Andrew lifted the top of the box. A sparkling Opal glittered against the dark velvet. "She's loved this ring her whole life, she doesn't know I still have it" He closed Hopper's hand around the box. The pair made eye contact. "She's never been as happy as when she's with you, James. I hope she makes you as happy as her mother made me." Andrew wiped a tear from his eye, Hopper's hand clasping over his and squeezing.
Hopper smiled, "She does."