Enjoy!

HAWKINS, INDIANA, 2019

Mike's office was becoming more and more of a mess. He promised himself, after he wrote the last chapter, he would start to clean up. His wife knew it was a long shot that he would actually do so, but she went about her day as per usual. She called to her kids to let them know that breakfast was ready. They didn't hear her as she called twice, so she closed her eyes and let the lights flicker. When she opened her eyes, all four of the Wheeler children filed in. Satisfied, Eleven wiped her bloody nose and served breakfast. The oldest, Michael, was anxiously looking for something.

"Can't find your keys, Mike?" Eleven asked as she tossed him his car keys.

"Thanks, mom," Mike said as he sat at the table.

"So let's go over the schedule," their mom said," Mike, you have band practice right after school. Jane, you have tryouts for the school musical-I know you're gonna do great! James, you've got AV club and Teri, you've got a playdate with Amanda today. Mike will take Jane with him and pick up James at the middle school. Teri, your dad is gonna pick you up while I make dinner. Does everyone know the plan?"

The choir of children understood their mother's words. Once they were done with breakfast, the kids grabbed their belongings and ran to the door. Eleven kissed all of her children and waved to them as Michael pulled out of the driveway and the kids were off to school. Eleven closed the door and went to washing the dishes. As she was finishing, she heard her husband come out of his office.

"Well, I did it," he yawned," the book is finally finished. I felt like I was gonna be in there for forever. Say, do you want to hear what this book's about?"

"After you get done cleaning your office."

"Okay, okay. I suppose I should do that."

Mike went back to his office and looked all around. It would take a little while, but he figured he had enough time. He walked over to the pile of fanmail that had been opened and read, and loved. He shuffled through the letters, knowing that, if they had an extra room, it would be dedicated to the fanmail people had sent over the years. His book series 'Upside Down' sparked a lot of admiration, despite only having one book so far. The fame Upside Down had received in the span of a year and a half was unbelievable to the family and their friends. Mike was grateful, but he was still trying to figure out how such a weird story could be so popular. Nonetheless, he was happy to be organizing fanmail and fanart along his walls. He spent two hours doing his best to make the office look nice before he took a deep breath and stepped back. Finally, it looked like the type of place he could peacefully work. His wife leaned in the doorway and flickered the lights. To this, Mike turned around and gave a smile.

"What do you think?" he asked.

"Nicely done," she said," now, I would love to hear about the sequel."

"...So, after Carrie ends up leaving Kopfüber," Mike said as he and his wife sat at the kitchen table," she ends up in a town in Pennsylvania, meaning that there are other portals. Meanwhile, Ted meets Mary Lee Walsh, a member of The Fall Society. She convinces Ted that she can help him and the others get to safety. When she does, she reveals that there is another group working on the portals, but they have to act fast, and, at the end, Carrie meets Arens, a son of the former president of The Fall Society. The family has been hiding since the society got a new president, and they know exactly what is going to happen to Carrie, Ted and their hometown."

Eleven was nodding and listening to what her husband had to say. She stirred her coffee, taking in his thoughts and ideas as he rambled like an excited kid. He was passionate about his work. He couldn't wait to get the second book published and it was understandable.

"I'm gonna go down tomorrow and talk to Mr. Denton about getting the book published. Do you want to come down with me?"

"Sure," she sighed, resting her chin on the palm of her hand," You know, I still think about how we've made it this far."

"What do you mean?" Mike asked.

"Well, we went from being kids who found out their town is insane to...adults. How did it change so quickly? How did we ever make it?"

"I made it because I had you," Mike saw the look in his wife's eyes," No, I do mean that. I think about it a lot. If I hadn't met you, I don't think I would've found true love. Then I think I wouldn't have found my place in the world and I wouldn't have my family and the inspiration for my story. El, I have a lot to thank you for, and, while I'm here, I have to thank you as much as I can."

Eleven stared at her husband, not knowing whether she should kiss him or thank him. Or start crying. But she knew that their love was growing stronger each and every day. She knew what it was like to be alone and trapped. How Mike made her feel like she was free and that she had nothing to worry about. She smiled and kissed his lips, to which all he could do was blush.

"You've done a lot for me," she got up,"and I want to do so much for you."

"You have," Mike paused," oh wait! I forgot to tell you the name of my book!"

"Oh? And what would that be?"

"Upside Down: Stranger Things."

"...A nice ring to it. I think the audience is going to love it."