2008, SAN FRANCISCO

The house was old and nearly broken, but it would have to do. Lucas promised he'd help Max fix it up, but she still didn't have a reason to believe him. Though they'd been a wonderful couple, Lucas made a ton of little promises that he didn't keep. He'd take the trash out. He'd mow the lawn. He'd wash the dishes. The one promise he kept, however, was starting a life with Max.

They'd flown out just yesterday, but her husband wanted to make it a surprise. He claimed the house he bought was happy, full of life, and in a good neighborhood. One out of three wasn't too bad, Max supposed, as they walked up the stairs of their new home. Max glared at her husband, looking at their new home. He noticed her death glare, and gave a nervous smile.

"Well," Lucas looked around the inside of his new home," It's ours."

"Do you think we'll be able to fix it up?" Mrs Sinclair asked, holding their two year old on her hip and watching the paint chip off of the walls.

"Of course!" he said," We just need a little paint, a little wood fixtures and-" they heard a long bang, and they both jumped back, before they realized it was the pipes.

Max walked around their house. She looked at the old paint chipping on the walls. The odd smells and creaking noises made her panic. How could they live in a place like this? After she saw the dirty windows, she glanced at Lucas.

"Look, I know I promised a good house-"

"You promised a safe house for our future family," Max glared, too afraid to put her son down," Lucas, I was alright with moving back to California. I know it'll be great for our budget and all, but I can't keep our son in a place like this. Especially when I wasn't the one who picked the house. I mean, you know I like a good project, but why here?"

Lucas knew his wife was getting upset. He felt guilty even before he walked through the front door of their home in Hawkins. He felt awful about going back to a place Max couldn't forget. Though the promotion was incredible, Lucas knew how big a move this would be for the family, and he had to make it up to her. There was only reason he'd truly bought this house. He set down one of the bags and stuck his hand out to her.

"Let me show you."

Max, hesitant, took her husband and walked outside. She wasn't sure where they were going. They walked silently, Max still holding their son as they walked off. Lucas hoped that their little trip would make this whole move worthwhile. They approached the edge of the beach, and Max looked to her husband with tears in her eyes. He tried to hide his smile, but it shone through.

"I'm surprised I kept this a secret for so long," he admitted," I know coming here wasn't easy for you. And I want to make it up to you- because you followed me here and let me go on to my dream job. I'm gonna spend time with our family and raise our kids in a beautiful house."

"That you promise to help with?"

Lucas couldn't help but smile as they kissed. Their son looked out to the ocean, then turned his head to his mother. He grabbed her sleeve gently, and Max asked if he was okay, concerned for his son.

"Mama," he said strongly," I wanna go to the water."

"That's the ocean," Max said enthusiastically, setting him down on his feet and taking his shoes off, along with her own," This is the beach. Can you say beach, baby?"

"Bitch," their son said proudly.

Lucas tried not to laugh, as did his wife. They choked back their laughter as they took each one of their son's hands, walking barefoot in the sand. He obviously enjoyed the feeling, laughing and trying to run. He was already in love with the beach at two years old. Max felt herself tear up, but she held them back as their son felt the water on his feet. He looked up to his father and laughed. Lucas smiled and watched their new world. He saw the ocean stretched out and his wife and son playing together and the edge of the tide. He could get used to life like this.

2019

The summer day was coming to an end. The beach had been almost bare by now, except for Max and Lucas, who laid on the beach towels. Max was watching their son surfing along the waves, moving quickly and with ease. He'd been surfing ever since he could climb on a board, and now, he was in love with the water. Lucas was busy helping their young daughter pick through the seashells. She'd placed the bucket in between his legs and grabbed her other basket, running back to the shoreline. The couple couldn't help but chuckle as they watched their children. Max held her husband close as they watched their babies do what they loved best. At their beautiful home. Max had been quiet that day, and Lucas knew why.

"I know tomorrow's not gonna be easy for you," Lucas whispered.

"Thirty four years," Max sighed," I still think about him. I wonder if he's up there, or down there, trying to see what's going on here. I feel like, if he were here today, things might be different. I never had a good relationship with Billy, but the day he died..."

Her tears drowned her blue eyes, her thoughts of Billy overflowing in her mind. She didn't want to think about him during such a time, but it was hard not to. Lucas knew how hard it had been for Max to truly get back into the swing of things after her stepbrother died. Billy was never close, but he still took a part of his little stepsister with him. Lucas tried to comfort his wife as their daughter ran up to them, holding a piece of blue sea glass.

"Mom," she said," this piece of sea glass is as pretty as your eyes."

"Oh," Max wiped her tears as her daughter placed the glass in the palm of her hand," Jamie, that's beautiful, thank you, dear."

The two shared a hugged as Max tightly wrapped her arms around her daughter. Lucas sat back and watched. He was grateful for his family and his life in California. He looked out into the ocean, his son riding safely on the waves. Seeing his boy surf, Lucas stood up and cheered. His mother started clapping, watching her son become one with the waves. When he and his surfboard came in, the family walked over and gave praise to their son.

"Way to go, Billy!" they said as their son grabbed his board and ran to him.

"I knew you could do it, son," Lucas said.

"We're so proud of you, Billy," Max smiled.

"Thanks mom," he said with a smile," I knew I could do it!"

"Why don't we go celebrate with some pizza?"

The family packed up and walked to their wonderful home, knowing the beach would be there in the morning.