1988
It had become a ritual, El visiting Max at the hospital. The party all took turns visiting her, of course, though she and Lucas went the most frequently. It made El both sad and happy when she got to watch him interact with Max, the amount of love and care he had for her was so evident. She'd never forget what she saw in the void, of Lucas sobbing over Max's lifeless form.
El appreciated visiting Max on her own the most. She wanted to be able to talk to her friend, to tell her about her day, the things she did or saw or felt. She wasn't sure if Max could hear her, but either way she wanted Max to be a part of her life.
"And Joyce had this great idea to make chicken sandwiches, but with eggos! But they didn't quite turn out right. Jonathan and Nancy were there too, and guess what they told us: Nancy is having a baby! Isn't that exciting? An actual baby is growing inside of her! I guess I haven't been around very many pregnant women before. I got to feel the baby kick, too! It was so cool. I think Mike is a little freaked out about the idea of being an uncle. But I know he'll be the best uncle any kid could ask for. He's so good with children. It's made me think about one day having kids of our own. I know we're still practically kids ourselves, so no point in thinking about it yet, but I don't know, Max, it just feels right. Mike and I having kids together. Don't tell Hopper or he'll shoot Mike for even bringing it up!" She chuckles, knowing her overprotective father was never going to fully give them a break.
The fantasy of little versions of her and Mike running around doesn't disappear, and she gets lost in the thought of picturing her future family. Some might think she's crazy for having such vivid dreams of the future at only 17, but after everything she and Mike had been through, she didn't see anything wrong with being excited about the possibility. She knew Mike was the one for her, had known it since they were 12 years old. Her love for him had only grown over the years, and she couldn't imagine life without him.
"I love him, Max," she whispers softly. She thought about how back when she and Max first started hanging out, Max had convinced El to dump Mike. And now, here she was thinking of their future. Kids, marriage, it all just felt right to El. Max would probably gag at the thought if she were awake, roll her eyes that El was being melodramatic. "You really want to spend the rest of your life with Wheeler?" She'd say. "At least make me the godmother of your kids so they have a chance of turning out okay". The thought made El laugh and sob at the same time. She missed her friend so much. "Wake up Max, please wake up."
There's a knock at the door and El startles, looking up to find her boyfriend standing in the doorframe. "Hey El, figured I'd drop by to pick you up before dinner."
She doesn't answer, just smiles in acknowledgement, letting the tears run down her face. Mike doesn't say anything else, just crosses the room to sit by her, taking El into his arms.
"Do you think…" she starts to say then pauses, scared to actually ask the question. "Do you think she'll ever wake up?" She meets his eyes, wanting an honest answer, but afraid of what it might be.
"I don't know El," Mike says, and wipes a tear from her cheek. "Comas are scary as hell, and so unpredictable. But if I know anything, it's that Max is a fighter. She's strong and if there's a way she can come back to us, she'll find it." He kisses her forehead and the two sit in silence for a while.
"Come on, let's go eat." He takes her hand and the two leave the hospital room, El silently pleading with Max to wake up. Come on, Max, who else is gonna teach our kids to skateboard?