Disclaimer: I don't own Stranger Things or any of the characters in this story.
Epilogue: Everything I Do
Summer, 1987.
Welcome to California!
A large sign greeted the weary but excited travelers from its spot on the side of the road. The Wheeler station wagon and its passengers had been traveling for approximately three days and they were very ready to jump out and stick their toes in the sand.
It had taken some convincing Hopper to let El go on a road trip with her four friends and boyfriend. But ultimately, he relented, begrudgingly agreeing that the events of last summer proved that El could take care of herself. Not to mention, he agreed to let her go on the trip so long as she called him from a payphone every night. Old habits die hard. Hopper made no apologies for wanting his daughter to be safe.
For El's part, she was ridiculously excited. Max had described California to her early on in their friendship. It all sounded very picturesque – the blue skies, the wind and the water, the rocky coastline, and the palm trees. She had never been to that part of the country. Hell, she'd never been out of Hawkins. Considering her time at the lab, El wanted to see as much of the world as possible. And she wanted nothing more than to see it with one Mike Wheeler.
Mike smiled tiredly at El from the driver's seat, giving her hand a little squeeze where they were joined on the center console. He had gotten his license earlier in the spring and the station wagon was a gift to him – well, a hand-me-down, really. It had belonged to his mother, but since she was planning on upgrading, it was decided that the station wagon should go to him. And he gladly took it. After all, a set of wheels meant the freedom to go and do what he wanted when he wanted. Of course, that meant he was at the Hopper cabin most days. But having a car also meant that his friends – who were without cars of their own – were usually asking him for a ride. Mike didn't mind, though…most of the time anyway.
Dustin was doing well for himself. In addition to the band and being in the AV club at school, he had started a tutoring business on the side. His loud and boisterous personality seemed to fit well with running a business and talking to people – students and parents alike. The younger students greatly admired him and he had the parents eating out of the palm of his hand. And of course, Mike, Lucas, and Will were happy to step up and do some tutoring, especially since it meant they'd make a little money.
Will was also doing well. It had been a transformative year for him, as he'd come out as gay in the fall. He'd told Mike first – them being friends the longest – and followed with the others. It was terrifying for Will to reveal this about himself. He was worried his friends might not be so accepting, but he had nothing to worry about – his friends loved him before and they loved him now. After that day, Will just blossomed. The once-quiet boy was now even more talkative and his confidence grew. It was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Now, he could live his truth.
Just as Mike was completely besotted with El, Lucas was completely besotted with Max. They spent as much free time as they could together, savoring the good and persevering through the bad. And there definitely were some challenges early on. For starters, there was the obvious – Max found herself in a bit of a funk sometimes in the months following Billy's death. Lucas would take the opportunity to remind her that he was always there for her, offering a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen. Max was greatly appreciative of that.
Another challenge for the couple, unfortunately, was Max's stepfather Neil. The first time she brought Lucas to her house, Neil completely ignored him. At some level, Max expected this – among Neil's many reprehensible attributes, he was a racist asshole. But Max was not going to back down. She wanted to present herself and Lucas as a united front, and Lucas couldn't love her more for it.
In any case, the two teens needed a break from the weirdness after that initial first meeting. Peace and comfort could always be found at the Sinclair home. Once Mrs. Sinclair had heard about what happened – and heard about the frosty climate of the Hargrove residence in general – she wrapped each of them in a tight hug and offered snacks and a cozy spot on the sofa to watch TV. She also offered Max a place to stay any time it got bad over at her house, an offer that Max definitely took advantage of over the last year. In fact, Max became such a regular at the Sinclair home that Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair began to refer to her as their second daughter.
"Maybe even a daughter-in-law sometime in the future," Mrs. Sinclair would add as a gentle tease towards Lucas.
His response was always the same. Either a heated "mom, stop" or a huff and a slam of his bedroom door. Though Lucas had to admit…the idea of being married to Max wasn't as scary as he thought it might be.
It was during one of these many visits that Max and Lucas began planning their special trip to California. After Max first laid out the ideas that had been spinning in her head, Lucas was immediately supportive. This was an opportunity to honor Billy – to bring him home, for all intents and purposes. He had always wanted to come back to California, after all.
If Lucas was being honest with himself, too, he also wanted to go on the trip because he'd never been to California. As Max had done with El, she had told him plenty of stories about her time there: sitting on a beach at sunset and listening to the waves, playing games on the Santa Monica Pier, and learning how to skateboard in Venice while street performers tried to drum up business nearby.
It sounded relaxing and magical.
Max had also been the one to float the idea of inviting the rest of the group. They had all been through so much together and she couldn't imagine leaving them out.
As she thought about these friendships, a smile lit up her face. This did not go unnoticed by Lucas.
"You're beautiful," he said simply.
Max had no witty response like usual. She blushed a dark pink and looked down shyly.
"Awww, you guys!"
For as much as Dustin had grown up in the last year, some things didn't change.
"Aren't you guys just the cutest wittle couple," he gushed. "I Just want to eat you with a spoony spoon."
Lucas scowled and tapped Mike on the shoulder. "How the hell did you get this asshole off your back about your and El's relationship?"
Mike snorted. "I didn't. I just stopped paying attention. It might do you well to do the same."
"Psh, you guys can't ignore me," Dustin replied. "And anyway, why would you want to?"
"Because you're full of hot air, that's why," Lucas snapped.
Dustin appeared wounded. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he said after a brief pause.
Lucas hadn't meant to be quite so harsh, and he instantly felt bad. All he wanted was to get Dustin off his case.
"I am?"
"Well yeah, I mean…"
Suddenly, the sound of a loud fart ripped through the car, followed by a chorus of groans.
"…I AM full of hot air," Dustin finished with a shit-eating grin on his face.
"Oh my god, open the windows," Will choked, frantically scrambling for the window crank.
"It smells like cabbage," Lucas yelled. "I've never seen you eat cabbage."
Dustin put his hands behind his head, the picture of relaxation. "I don't. I'm just that good."
The kids continued to yell at each other…and then Mike began yelling that they were distracting him and needed to shut up. It was all just too much for El. She didn't want anything to happen to her friends. But mostly, she didn't want anything to happen to Mike.
Without warning, the car skidded to a halt, tires squealing loudly. It was lucky that there weren't any cars around them.
El discretely wiped the trail of blood away from her nose, though it did not go unnoticed by Mike who gaped openly at her.
"You did that," he asked. He wasn't sure why he would still get so surprised sometimes. I mean, this was the girl who saved the world.
Dustin, who was a row behind Mike and El, had not seen her wipe her nose. His eyes widened.
"Mike…you didn't?"
He shook his head. "No. That was all El." Suddenly remembering that they were still stopped in their lane, Mike turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life. He pulled over on the side of the road where it was a little safer. "Are you okay," he asked El.
"Too loud," she replied simply. "It wasn't safe."
Mike gently reached over and cupped her face with one hand. "You're right. I'm sorry," he whispered.
El nodded and leaned into his hand, closing her eyes. But they snapped open quickly as she remembered they weren't alone. It was always so easy to forget her and Mike weren't the only two people in the world.
They turned around to see their friends watching them tenderly. Max even had her hand on her heart.
"I know I poke fun about how you two are practically joined at the hip," she began, "But you guys are like the greatest couple I know. You could even teach some adults a thing or two."
Mike and El didn't know what to say. They didn't really have a secret to their relationship. They just loved each other so much and always wanted to be together. They really did bring out the best in each other.
"Thanks, Max," Mike replied sincerely.
Dustin cleared his throat after a moment. "Listen, guys, I'm really sorry…for you know, farting and causing general mayhem. It did get way too loud and I agree, El – it was dangerous."
"I appreciate that, Dustin," she said in return. However, her smile quickly turned mischievous. "The fart WAS kind of funny, though. 'Hot air.' That's a good one."
Dustin's response consisted merely of emitting something between a squeal and a gasp. He brought his hands excitedly to his cheeks.
"…But don't let it go to your head," El finished, wagging a finger at him.
Will groaned. "Ugh, too late. You see that look on his face? We're never going to be safe in a car with him again."
"Yes indeed, William," Dustin said jovially, seeming to have found his voice again. "And you'll never know when I'll strike. Oooh, this is going to be great!"
"Mike, can we PLEASE get going again," Lucas interjected, eager to reach their final destination. "No need to keep giving fart-face here the time of day."
The others laughed as Dustin gasped in mock indignation.
"Absolutely," Mike replied, continuing to chuckle. After checking his mirrors and putting his left blinker on, he eased back on to the road.
All previous animosity was forgotten as they neared the end of their journey.
Approximately four hours later, the car rolled to a stop. The excitement was palpable as the chattering teens got out – the smell of long ago eaten In-N-Out burgers wafting out with them. Max had been adamant that they stop there for dinner. After all, there was no In-N-Out in Indiana.
In preparation for their sandy walk across the beach, the group took off their shoes and socks at the car. Dustin could hardly wait to step into the ocean – after he got his shoes off, he took off in a sprint, kicking up sand behind him. Will was going at a slightly more leisure pace. Every so often, he would stop and take a photo with the camera his older brother gave him. Lucas and Max also walked very leisurely, their joined hands swinging between them. Mike excitedly looked out across the sand and went to start walking. However, he noticed El hanging back with an apprehensive expression on her face.
"Hey, what's wrong," he asked.
El shrugged. "Nothing's wrong, really. I've just never walked in sand before. A crab's not going to, like, bite my foot will it?"
Mike smiled gently. This was another first for El, and he was happy to be experiencing it with her. "No, of course not. Sand is actually pretty cool. There are all different kinds of it. But sand on beaches is actually formed over thousands of years from water hitting rocks."
"So…sand is rock?"
"Exactly. But it doesn't hurt at all. C'mon," he encouraged, extending both hands.
El gratefully held on, letting out a small squeal as she stepped gently in the sand. "It's kind of cold," she said in surprise. "But it's also soft."
"Like I said, sand is pretty awesome," Mike replied. "And it might be cold now because it's evening, but once the sun really beats on it during the day, sand gets so warm."
"Well…we can come back during the day, right?" Visions of sparkling waves and beautiful sunlight were dancing in El's head.
"Of course we can," reassured Mike. "In fact, I'm pretty sure the others will insist on it."
El beamed and wrapped both arms around Mike as they continued to walk, a suddenly playful mood coming over her. "I love you," she said warmly.
That never got old. "I love you back," Mike replied. "Are you just telling me this because I said we were going to come back to the beach?"
"No, of course not." El stopped walking, her arms still around Mike. "I'm telling you just because."
She reached up on her tip toes, angling her face as if to kiss him. When their lips were just a breath away from touching, she whispered, "Last one to the water's a rotten egg." And then she was off running.
Mike was in a daze for a moment, but his brain quickly caught up. "Hey," he shouted, beginning to clumsily run after her. "That's not fair!"
Clumsy or not, Mike had a definite height advantage. In just a few strides of his long legs, he wrapped his arms around a squealing El and tickled her sides.
"Who's the rotten egg now," he retorted back playfully, blowing a raspberry on her neck for good measure.
This made El laugh even harder. "Alright, alright," she choked out. "I give up. But you have to admit that was pretty good what I did."
"Yes, it's true – very clever," Mike conceded. "I didn't know what to think when you started running away. It's like my brain went to bed early and I just froze."
"I know! I AM sorry, though," El said after a pause.
"For what?"
"For not kissing you. I love kissing you. Please believe me," she added quietly.
El wasn't used to being a prankster, and the guilt had set in almost immediately. The last thing she wanted was for Mike to actually think she was going to make a habit of faking him out before a kiss.
"Hey…don't worry about it, really," Mike reassured her. "I absolutely believe you. We'll just…have to make up for it later," he suggested slyly.
El caught on immediately. "Oh yeah? What did you have in mind?"
Mike began to lean in. "I can think of a few things," he whispered into the skin of her neck, pressing soft kisses there.
Suddenly, the ear-piercing wail of an air horn sounded right next to them. Mike and El leapt apart in surprise, only to have that surprise turn to annoyance when they saw who the culprit was.
"What the fuck, Dustin," Mike growled. "You could have given us a heart attack. And why the hell do you even have an air horn?"
"I'll tell you who has an air horn," Dustin began, pointing at them accusatorily, "Someone like me who has a couple of friends that can't seem to keep their hands off each other!" He looked down at the air horn, pride on his face. "Impressive, ain't it?"
"No, not really," El replied stonily. Mike snorted with laughter at her response.
"HEY!"
The shout came from the water's edge where Lucas and Max were getting everything prepared. Will was waving his arms at them.
"You guys coming or what? Get a move on!"
"Yeah. Sorry, Will," El called back, her face dropping. She was beginning to feel a little guilty about lagging behind. For as much as she loved being cute with Mike, she was also there to support her best friend.
Mike seemed to understand El's train of thought. He grasped her hand and they began walking briskly towards the water. Dustin, too, stuffed the air horn in his pocket and scrambled after the couple.
By the time they reached the shoreline, everything was all set up. Max had scattered wildflowers in the sand and was also in the process of lighting six taper candles. Lucas assisted her by passing each lit candle to a Party member.
They stared at the ocean, taking in how the setting sun was casting a reddish orange sparkle on the waves. The salty air was calm and gentle. It was only after a few moments of peaceful silence that Max spoke.
"We're here to give thanks for the life of Billy Hargrove. Billy was…interesting, to say the least. I know I complained about him a lot, but he did have some good qualities. He had great taste in music and cars. He was athletic – basketball, baseball, surfing…you name it and he was good at it. It was actually kind of annoying, really," she said with a small chuckle.
"He was so charismatic – everyone he met liked him. And he had a hidden talent. He was actually a pretty decent writer and had a notebook filled with poetry and stories. I'd like to read one of those pieces now."
Max reached into the pocket of her hoodie and pulled out a piece of paper.
Home
My head aches as I wake up on the side of the dusty road. A passing car, my alarm clock.
The dirt is not a good mattress, and my bag is not a good pillow.
I stick my thumb in the air as I rub the sleep out of my eyes with my other hand.
Surely someone will stop.
A beat-up old Cadillac rumbles up next to me.
"Where are you headed," he asks.
"California."
"Hop in."
We drive in silence for a while. The only sound is the wind coming through the open windows.
I can smell the salt already, and that makes me smile.
The only thing that makes me smile bigger is later that day when we pass a sign.
"Welcome to California," it says.
Welcome home.
The teens sat with that for a few moments. After all, it was only several hours ago that the same sign greeted them and the relief that came with it.
"All Billy wanted was to come back home to California," Max continued. "I wanted to make sure he got his wish."
She handed her candle to Lucas and knelt down in the sand next to a small, yet deep hole. Slowly, she removed the Saint Christopher medallion from around her neck and placed it in the hole.
"Welcome home, Billy," she whispered. "We miss you."
After a bit, Max piled the sand back into the hole to cover the medallion and patted it down firmly. No sooner had she finished this when a sudden gust of wind kicked up and blew out the candles. The group looked at each other – some in shock, some in awe.
"Was that…a sign," El asked.
A watery smile crossed Max's face. "Yeah," she said, her voice full of emotion. "Yeah, I think it was."
The teens waited another minute in reflection then began to pack up, stopping to note that the sun had almost totally set on the horizon.
"Let's go, guys. We'd better get to the hotel before the light's completely gone," Mike suggested.
They walked slowly back across the sand, the tribute to Billy weighing on their minds. The whole situation was so tragic - Billy had his whole life ahead of him when he died. But if the situation taught them anything, it was that life was meant to be lived. Life was meant to be fun. And they were going to have as much of it as possible.
With one last look at the beach and towards where the medallion was buried, the group got in the car and drove away.
"I don't fear death because I know the man and he's got nothing against me. But I am afraid of not living enough to have a good tale to tell him, on the long walk back home…"
And that is all she wrote! As of this chapter, I am marking the story complete. At some point down the road, I may write outtakes either in one-shot form or added to the end of this story. Let me know what you'd like to see more of!
Thank you so much to all the readers for your continued support. I appreciate every single one of you. Please leave me a review – especially those who may not have reviewed before. I'd love to hear from you. Be safe and here's to hoping we get Season 4 soon!
