After dinner Jim stepped outside for some fresh air, fumbling in his shirt pocket for his smokes. He could hear sniffling from around the house and he stepped from the porch, his curiosity kicking in. Jonathan sat huddled against the side of the house with a cigarette dangling between his fingers, the cherry threatening to fall. He startled when Jim spoke to him.

"I really wish you wouldn't smoke."

"You're one to talk." He replied, glancing at the cigarette hanging from Jim's lips.

"What's troubling ya, kid?" He asked as he leaned against the side of the house, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I can't talk about it."

"You sure? It's got ya crying and smoking. Must be something serious."

Jonathan huffed and stomped out his cigarette. "I'm in trouble, Hop. And it's only gonna get worse."

"What is it kid? I can probably get you out of it."

"Not this time." He replied.

"Nancy's pregnant." Jim nearly dropped his cigarette.

"You sure it's not that Harrington kid's?" Jonathan shot him a dirty glance.

"No they broke up after Christmas. It's definitely mine."

"Jesus kid. She's only sixteen right?"

"Seventeen." Jonathan corrected him.

"That's awfully young. I imagine your Mom doesn't know yet?"

"No." Jonathan replied. "Will you tell her for me? She'll take it better if it comes from you!"

Jim chuckled and gritted his teeth on the filter of his cigarette. "Nah son, some things you just have to man up to. But if you want, I'll be there when you tell her. The sooner you tell her, the better."

Jonathan drew in a deep breath and puffed out his chest. "Think now's a good time?"

"Better than ever."

.

Jim coaxed Joyce into sitting at the table across from Jonathan and he sat next to her.

"What's going on?" Her eyes widened and Hopper reached for her hand, lacing his fingers between hers.

"Just let the kid talk."

"Uh Mom..." He stammered, playing with the him of his shirt.

"Out with it, kid." Jim encouraged gently.

"Nancy's pregnant."

"Oh Jonathan." She repeated his name over and over, squeezing Jim's hand tightly. Jonathan held his head in his hands.

"Come on. This isn't the worst thing. There will be a new baby in the family." Jim encouraged.

"But you're both so young, you've barely experienced life! What about college, Jonathan? What about all your plans?" Joyce fretted.

He shrugged in response. "I'll just have to wait a little while."

Jim thought briefly about the California trip Joyce had wanted to make after high school and how young she was when he got word she was pregnant. "They're both good kids, Joyce. They'll work things out. And we'll be there for them. And surely Karen and Ted will too."

Joyce's eyes widened. "Does Karen and Ted know?"

"Nancy said she'd tell them tonight."

Joyce stood and rounded the table and wrapped her arms around her eldest son. "Oh Jonathan. I'm so upset and so happy, I just don't know how to feel!"

"I'm scared." Jonathan admitted and Hopper reached across the table and grabbed his shoulder."We'll be here for ya, son."

"How far along is she, Jon?"

"Six weeks."

.

"Will ya come to bed already?" Jim asked as Joyce paced the bedroom floor in one of his t-shirts.

"I'm so not ready for this. I thought it'd be years and years before I had grandchildren."

Jim leaned from the bed and captured her by the waist, pulling her into bed with him. "It can't be changed, sweetheart. Were you ready when Jonathan came along? I know with Sarah...I was an unprepared mess the entire time."

"I was ready for Jonathan. It was Will that was a surprise, honestly."

"I know they're really young but...it could be worse." Jim bargained again. "After last year, this is a piece of cake." He wrapped her in his arm, the side of her face resting against his heart. "Piece of cake. We got this."

"Karen and Ted must be be so angry."

"There's no need for anyone to be angry. What's happened has happened. All that's left is to deal with it. May as well be happy."

Joyce sniffles against his chest, her tears wetting his shirt. "I'm going to be a grandmother! At thirty nine! I mean I'm young enough I could have another baby myself!"

Jim snorted, knowing all to well all the steps they'd taken to keep that exact thing from happening. "I mean if you want to..." He teased and she punched his gut lightly.

"You'll be a foxy grandma." He grinned, kissing the top of her head.

"You ready to be a grandpa?"

"Nah I'm too young for all that. I'm bailing before the baby comes." He teased and she knew it.

"You're a mean one, Jim Hopper. Love 'em and leave 'em." He pulled her closer and kissed her.

"I'm not going anywhere, baby."

.

Later Joyce shifted in her sleep turning her back to him and he rolled over too, wrapping his big arms around her and burying his face in her soft hair. When he closed his eyes he did something he hadn't done in years. Inwardly he said a few words of thanks to whatever deity that may be watching down on them. Thanks for his Joyce, his new family, and a chance to start over. To make things right. Even if it did mean fighting monsters and alternate dimensions. Everything fell in place and dropped Joyce right into his life again. That was all the proof of divine intervention that he needed.

"Love you." She mumbled in her sleep and he smiled before kissing her shoulder.

"Love you too, sweetheart."