Four year old Ruth was about to start kindergarten. Steve was a nervous wreck and he didn't want her to go. His nervousness was making Ruth more nervous than she already was and Nancy was just trying to keep everyone calm. They were currently outside the school trying to get Ruth to go inside.

"School is fun. You're gonna love it. You'll make friends and learn new things everyday." Nancy tried to get Ruth excited.

"Why can't I just stay at home with Daddy? He teaches me stuff." She said pouting at Nancy.

"Yes he does but it'll be more fun to learn with other kids around. This way you can make new friends."

Ruth's eyes watered and she turned to her father knowing he could be easily persuaded. She gave him her best pout. "I want to stay with you Daddy."

Steve crouched down in front of her.

"Peanut we will have plenty of time together when you get home from school. You're gonna like school so much and you're gonna love making friends with kids your own age instead of always hanging out with your old dad." Steve tried to sound encouraging but he was also feeling the same separation anxiety as Ruth.

Ruth's tears spilled over and she latched her arms around Steve's neck sobbing into his chest.

"But I don't wanna hang out with kids my age! I wanna stay with you! Please let me stay with you!" Ruth cried.

Steve felt his throat tighten up. He hugged Ruth tightly and rubbed her back soothingly. He looked at Nancy for help with tears of his own in his eyes.

Nancy crouched down next to them and began rubbing Ruth's back to try to coax her out of her Fathers arms. She rubbed Steve's back with her other hand trying to comfort him too.

"Baby you know how you always say you want to get a job like Mommy? Well school is like your job now except instead of coming home for dinner like I do you'll be home with Daddy for lunch. It's not a long time at all. It'll go really fast baby. I promise." Nancy said kissing Ruth's head.

Ruth wiped her tears on her Fathers shirt and turned slightly in his embrace to peak out at Nancy. "But now I'm gonna miss you and Daddy everyday instead of just you." Ruth said through her tears then she planted her face back in Steve's chest.

Nancy looked at Steve but knew she wasn't going to get any help from him. He still looked any second away from crying himself so Nancy continued.

"The day is going to be so fun and exciting you won't even have time to miss us."

Steve took a deep breath and cleared his throat. "How about after school we go to Chuck E Cheese?" Steve suggested trying to sound happy.

"Really?!" Ruth said finally pulling her face away from her fathers chest.

"Yeah and we can get pizza and play all the arcade games but you have to go to school first." Steve told her sternly.

Ruth thought for a second. "Okay." She shrugged still unhappy about school.

"You promise you will be back here at 12 o'clock right?" Ruth asked her father.

"Yes, I promise."

"Pinky promise?"

"Yes." Steve said as he wrapped his pinky around hers and shook it.

"How many hours is that?" She asked Nancy.

"Only 3 hours." Nancy said brushing her daughters hair out of her face and wiping her tears away.

"Okay school is starting so you better get in the classroom." Steve said with his voice cracking a little bit. He covered it up with a cough. He gave Ruth a kiss on the head and stepped away from her.

"Have a great day baby." Nancy said as she hugged and kissed Ruth.

Ruth's teacher who was waiting patiently at the door took Ruth's hand as she approached her. Ruth turned and gave them one final wave before disappearing through the doors.

Steve let out a huge breath and his shoulders slumped.

"That was harder than fighting a Demogorgon." Steve said rubbing his hands over his face.

"It'll get easier Steve." Nancy said as she rubbed his back soothingly.

"I don't think I can handle that again tomorrow. We're gonna have to get her home schooled or something." Steve suggested and Nancy smiled at him.

They walked out to their car in the parking lot. Steve still looked upset so Nancy walked to the drivers side and wrapped her arms around him. He melted into her embrace needing the comfort.

"I know it's sad she's not a baby anymore and it's scary to watch her grow up and become more independent but she is a great kid. Now we get to watch her grow into an amazing person but she will always be our daughter no matter how old she gets and we will always be there for her." Nancy said playing with the hairs at the base of Steve's neck trying to sooth him.

"I know I'm being ridiculous. Its empty nest syndrome or whatever…" Steve shrugged in the embrace embarrassed.

"You're not being ridiculous. You're very sweet but I'm pretty sure empty nester syndrome is when she moves out." Nancy got on her tiptoes and kissed Steve's cheek.

"Oh God don't say that." Steve whined. "She is an amazing kid though right?" Steve smiled.

"She is. I don't know how it happened with all the bribing you do with her." Nancy smirked.

Steve stepped out of the embrace.

"Hey, she never would have went into the building if I didn't bring up Chuck E Cheese." Steve defended himself.

"Just please don't let her eat too much of that gross pizza and try not to win the biggest stuffed animal in the building this time." Nancy said narrowing her eyes at her husband.

"Hey, It's not my fault I'm an amazing ski-ball player." Steve said cockily and Nancy looked at him unimpressed.

"I promise." Steve resigned.

"So now that the first day of school is over we just have dances, recitals, and graduations to look forward to." Nancy said as they began driving back home.

"Don't forget talent shows and birthday parties." Steve added.

"And slumber parties." Nancy pointed out.

Steve shuddered. "I'm not ready for that.