Enjoy!

BATONSVILLE, INDIANA, 2019

The breeze was a nice touch, according to Jim. He took in the beautiful day, soaking up the joy of his retirement. He'd been counting down how long it had been since he retired from Batonsville Police Department. Today, it was seven years, three months, twelve days, six hours, ten minutes and forty two seconds. It was one form of entertainment for him, being that he hadn't done much during his time at home. His new days were spent sitting on the porch watching the world, or in the living room sleeping or watching TV and movies, or snoring like a bear in his bedroom. He hated feeling like an old man, but his wife reassured him that he did a lot in his time. Even so, Hopper could admit that he missed the old days. After Murray gave a panicked call, he couldn't sleep. He figured it would be best to get some fresh air and relax. He watched the world and the trees, waiting for some kind of change.

"This is where you are."

Hopper looked to the door and smiled at his wife. Joyce was still so smart and so beautiful, despite her age catching up to her. He opened his arm and offered her a seat next to him, which she happily accepted. They sat close on the porch in silence. He would love to sit by her side, everyday, growing old and remembering their time together. Which reminded him…

"Murray called."

"Oh?"

"His recent investigation had him freaked out," Jim explained, "This lady's cat went missing and it had the same name as his granddaughter and-"

"He thought it was a Demagorgon?" Joyce asked," Yeah, I understand. I was thinking about our old, crazy adventures because I was just talking to Rudy, and before that, Debbie."

Jim nodded. Today was the third year since Kevin died. Joyce took on a mother figure for everyone who didn't have a mom. Even though some of her 'children' were older, she accepted her new role with pride. And, since Rudy and his sister were left without parents, Joyce would often call them up to make sure they were okay. Everything seemed fine between them and in their own hearts.

"Those calls got me thinking about the good times we've had," she smiled," Do you remember Christmas 86? When we had that big party at the Stanford's house?"

"The boys were just playing in the snow and getting each other soaked. Jonathan was trying to give Nancy that engagement ring, but he almost lost it in the snow."

"I swear," Hopper was laughing," We were looking for hours for that ring. And it was by his foot the entire time. Thank God she said yes-I don't think they'd return a ring that's been in the snow."

Joyce snorted and covered her mouth. Hopper smiled down at his wife, then he paused. He remembered his time in the Upside Down. How he pushed past the problems and faced harsh conditions just to come home. It all had to do with the purpose for coming back. He looked towards the nearby path and, seeing that it was a beautiful day, he rose from the porch and took her hand.

"Wanna go for a walk?"

The couple kept their eyes forward on the trail, with Joyce close to her husband. Her arms wrapped around his arm, with the gentle wind pushing against their faces. Hopper watched nature so carefully that his mind was all over the place. He knew he was feeling a little over emotional today because, well, he didn't know how much time they had left together. He tried to keep his feelings in, but the minute he watched her hands gently squeeze his arm, he had to tell her his thoughts.

"Do you know why I came back to the real world?" he asked.

"I would imagine that living in the Upside Down isn't pleasant, Hopper," she sighed.

"It's because I knew you were alive. And...over these years and all that time in Hawkins, I kept finding my way back to you. And I think it was meant to be that way and...I'm not sure how to express this."

"I get it, Hop. And I'm thankful that you found your way back to me."

Hopper and Joyce shared a kiss as they walked down the path. Once they made it to the nearby pond, they turned around, laughing at all of their old stories. They talked about their time in Hawkins and the stories they liked to share about moving in together. When they got home, Hopper started dinner to the joy of his wife. She was, at first, insistent that she make the dinner. But he could tell that she didn't have the strength to cook. He made her sit at the table and have a good drink.

"Hey," Hopper was reminded as he chopped some of the vegetables, "What time is your appointment?"

"9 AM," she said," Are you sure you don't mind driving me up there?"

"Of course I would."

"Thank you," Joyce sighed," Doctor Avalon said the results are good, but they want to keep giving me treatment in case it's going to spread."

"Good idea," he said as he mixed the spices," we want to make sure you're as healthy as you can be."

Joyce nodded, but she was still feeling tense. As she watched Hopper cursing about the heat, she got up and wrapped her arms around him. He paused for a second, unsure of what she was doing. She rested her chin against his back, with a final thought aloud before she went back to her drink.

"Even though I'm sick and I'm old," she said," I think being with you for the rest of my life has really helped me. Thank you, Jim, for everything you've done."

She sat back down and acted as if nothing had happened. But the retired officer was smiling like a fool. He was finally getting his happy ending.