Enjoy!

MAY 1990, BATONSVILLE, INDIANA

The books were almost all off of the floor by three o'clock. Deborah had insisted that the shelves be reorganized again. It was the third time that month that she'd rearranged the shelves, but more orders meant less shelf space. Which also meant new titles and new orders to put books in. As she was putting away the last of the W's, Steve stood outside the door. He couldn't believe what he was about to do. He could already tell this was going to fall apart, but as he watched his girlfriend in her happy world, his fears were fading and his smile grew as he quickly opened the door. This was the right decision, he was sure of it! He quietly entered the shop and walked down the aisles, letting her put away a few more before he coughed. She looked up and smiled as she popped up.

"Excuse me, miss," he said," I'm looking for a good book about a beautiful girl. I believe it's called 'Deborah'."

"What are you doing here?" she asked, elated to see her boyfriend," You have a graduation to be at."

"We do," he smiled," And that's tomorrow. Besides, can't I see my Debs every once in a while?"

Deborah giggled as they kissed. Steve knew if he didn't speak up now, all hope would be lost. He pulled away from the girl, and took her face in his hands. They locked eyes for a minute, until the boy remembered why he was really there.

"Hey," he said as they walked to the front," I found a book when I was looking through all my old stuff, you know, from when I was a kid. And I wanted to know if you recognized it."

Before Steve could reach for the book, the front door opened. Steve's eyes went wide as Dustin, Robin, Lucas, Max, Will, Mike and Eleven entered the shop. Dustin held onto a book, and Steve felt a weight in his chest. It was more from nerves, but he was still scared. Deborah gave a confused look as the book was handed to the older kid.

"Here you go, Mama Harrington," Dustin winked," We figured you needed your book in order to, y'know. Hey Mama Willis! The shop looks great."

"Thank you Dustin," Deborah smiled," I actually just rearranged it. Now, Stevie, what did you want to show me?"

Getting rid of the others was not an option at this point. Steve could tell, just by looking at his friends, that he wouldn't be able to have some privacy. With a deep breath, the boy handed Deborah a book. 'The Perfect Surge by Ari Willson' rested in her hands. She had seen the book all over, but she hadn't had it in the shop. It had been a rare book, in her eyes, but now she held it. There was much more to it.

"What I wanted to show you," Steve stood close to her, going behind the lady," was Page 86. There's a line I can't get past and was wondering if you understood it."

"Okay," Deborah began to flip through the book," Now where's the-?"

The line popped right out at her. Everyone except the couple before them was smiling. Steve was biting his lower lip as Deborah skimmed through the page, and stared at the line. It was one of her favorite characters, Doterra, speaking to Jared, her lover.

"'Will you marry me?" Doterra spoke in such a low voice, that Jared didn't quite hear her, until the look in her eyes was clear,'" the line was written. Carefully taped on the red bookmark was a ring, with two purple stones and a diamond in the center. It looked so fragile as Deb went to examine it. She turned to ask Steve if this hadn't been a fantasy, but he was already on one knee, looking up to her with eyes of worry and love.

"Debs," he said softly, almost in a whisper," I...I realize everyday just how much I love you. You are the most wonderful nerd I could've ever met. Ever since you corrected me with ET, I've wanted to get closer to you. And that first date, when you and I were singing 'Who's Johnny?' throughout the diner I just...I adored you. I love you to death...so will you be my partner, for better or worse, fighting Demogorgons and demons, and marry me?"

"You really want to marry me?" she asked, then when given a nod and a smile, her eyes lit up," Of course, Steve, of course I'll be your wife!"

The kids cheered as Steve took the ring off of the bookmark and placed it on her finger. Deborah couldn't believe that she'd been proposed to. She was going to be Mrs. Harrington. As they shared a kiss, Kevin and Rudy came out from the back. Kevin, jokingly, looked angry, but it scared the hell out of his future son-in-law. Had Mr. Willis forgotten that he'd approved of the marriage? Before Steve practically began to cry, Kevin approached and pulled him into a hug. It shocked the daylights out of the Harrington boy, until he saw the smile on his face.

"Welcome to the family, Steve."

"Thank you, sir," Steve looked to Dustin," Son, will you be my-"

"Best man?" the boy smiled," I thought you'd never ask."

Talk of a wedding came to be in seconds, and the planning grew and grew, but the couple was more focused on each other.

2019, BATONSVILLE, INDIANA

Batonsville High School's Chemistry class patiently watched the small controlled fire. The burner hummed softly as the flame gently flickered. The students watched with anticipation as they waited for the ultimate change in the flame. It all depended on Benny, who held the copper in his tongs. He looked back at his teacher, who readjusted his goggles.

"Are you sure this is safe, Mr Harrington?" the boy asked nervously.

"The only time we've ever had a bad incident was three years ago," the teacher mentioned with a smile," which is why I wear a hair net."

Without any more hesitation, Benny let the copper go into the flame. The blue light flickered in front of the excited children, who earned a smile from Steve. Their happiness and enjoyment was key for the teacher, who had been bored with school for most of his life. Something about getting to educate his own students meant a lot to him. As he discussed the reaction, he heard the bell ring. The kids sounded disappointed about leaving, which was music to the aging teacher's ears.

"Don't worry guys," he insisted as they cleaned up," Tomorrow, we'll learn more about chemical reactions, take a few notes, then do an interesting little lab, so be well rested!"

The students bid their favorite teacher a good evening as they went off into the hallway. Steve felt proud to be considered a favorite amongst the students. He could see that they enjoyed his lectures and loved the hands on learning approach. It made Steve think of how much his kids loved science. His son grew up with a love for biology, while his first daughter had grown attached to chemistry. As for his youngest, he could tell science was not her gig. But she enjoyed it nonetheless. As Steve approached his car, his phone went off. It was his son, who'd been all the way in California.

"Hey Dustin," Steve answered," How are you, buddy?"

"Hey dad," he said," Jenna and I just wanted to thank you for the quilt for Carly's birthday. I think she's starting to love the periodic table."

"It's a Harrington family thing," Steve said," Hey, did you hear from Jane yet? Did she make it to New Jersey?"

"Yeah, she did and she loves it! I don't know if she called mom yet, but…"

Steve was listening, but his mind kept going all over the place. His kids were growing up. Two were gone and one was close to leaving. In a few months, she'd be on her way to Pennsylvania for bigger and better things. He knew his wife had been saddened by this, but she wouldn't admit it. And he didn't know why.

"-And here's your change, Mrs. Denver," Robyn smiled at the woman as she handed her the money," I hope Wilbur enjoys his copy of 'The Creature Trials'."

"Oh, I'm sure he will, dear," the woman smiled," After all, he's a big fan of Mike Wheeler!"

Robyn waved to the lady then went back to work. Deborah was happy that business was booming. The copy of Mike's book flew off of shelves, and into the arms of happy readers. She felt encouraged as she watched her inventory go out. Her father would have been proud. It had been about three years since Kevin died. Deb still felt that hole in her heart, but it had been filling up with the love of her family. Yet, as she looked to her youngest, whose life in Pennsylvania was about to start, she realized that hole would keep opening up.

"Hey mom," Robyn looked to her watch," I have to meet the student council to talk about our Awards Day."

"Okay dear," Deb said as her daughter packed up," Just make sure you stay safe!"

"Will do!" she called back, running out," Love you!"

Robyn left in such a hurry that her mother had to take a moment to watch her daughter run to her car. Deb felt her heart break slowly, but put her smile on as she looked to her next customer, and the smile became genuine when she noticed who it was.

"Hello Mr Harrington."

"The days just keep getting better and better."

Deborah had closed up shop and the couple sat together by the 'Classics' and enjoyed some dinner they'd ordered from their favorite pizza place. They talked about their day and the wonderful things they'd seen throughout their day. Music softly played in the background as they sat together, drinking and eating side by side.

"I couldn't agree more," she sighed," But, if I'm honest, Steve, I'm a little...upset."

"Why?" he asked, showing concern for his wife.

"Our kids are grown up," she said," Dustin has a family of his own, Jenna's moved way and Robyn's about to leave. We're getting old and Dad's been gone for a while now. I never thought change would get me so...down."

"Oh, Debs," Steve let his wife lean on him," It's alright. The change is good for all of us. And it's sad, but we've got the bookstore, our house, and each other."

Deborah was happy to have her husband in her life. As they shared a kiss, they heard El DeBarge come through the radio. Steve smiled to his wife, stood up, and extended his hand to her.

"May I have this dance?"

Deb giggled and stood up. They danced together as the music played, swaying and laughing and forgetting about the pain they'd gone through.