Jim was late getting home. He'd been asked to appear in court in connection with a case he'd worked on months before. Back when things were normal. Before the christmas lights and monster. Afterwards he'd taken a two hour lunch break with Judge Jim Winchester in his office. It was nice to catch up with the old man, they'd worked together briefly in the city. Hopper thought pretty highly of the older man and his wife, whom he'd been acquainted with. She usually ran the holiday parties for the police department in the city, and she always had a kind word for him.

Winchester was overjoyed to hear of Hopper settling down again in the sleepy little town.

"I'm in town until tomorrow night, and I do owe you a favor Hopper." He winked at the younger man.

"I couldn't ask her to do that." Hopper laughed. "I had to beg her to say yes. Do you know how much I'd have to beg her for something like that?"

"You're a good man, Jim Hopper. If she knows what's good for her, she'll put the cuffs on Hawkins' most eligible police Chief." Hopper laughed and leaned back in his chair. "I know she must be something if she's got you ready to settle down after all this time."

"Oh she is. She's a pistol, that's for sure. And so beautiful."

"Try your luck and ask her, Hopper."

.

Back at home a few hours later, he turned over the prospect in his mind as he sat at the kitchen table. How would he even broach the subject? She probably wanted a big, elaborate wedding. One that she deserved. One that he'll gladly give her, if that's what she wants.

"Hey Joyce can I ask you something kind of personal?" She finally took a break from washing dishes and turned to meet his gaze.

"When you and Lonnie got married, did you have a big service?" She laughed, drying her hands in a towel.

"I was seven months pregnant and big as a house. We ran off to Indianapolis and eloped. My parents were pissed." She laughed at the memory.

"When we get married, do you want a big service?"

She looked thoughtful at his question. "I was hoping you wouldn't ask that question." She confessed. "I love you. And I want you. But I don't know if I want a traditional wedding. I'm not really religious, and I can't really wear a white dress with a straight face-"

He bit his lip, playing with the hem of the tablecloth. "Well, uh, there's a friend of mine -a judge, and he owes me a favor."

She caught his train of thought. "A courthouse wedding! Honey that would be great!"

"Well, he's only here till tomorrow night..."

Later at dinner the boys were asked their opinions and both boys agreed they'd be happy with a Hopper for a stepfather so long as Joyce was happy. Jonathan even offered his services as a photographer. Will had been so happy he threw his arms around Jim's middle.

.

The next morning the couple woke up with a mission.

"What do I need to do?" She asked, buzzing about their room in an anxious manner.

He grabbed her by the shoulders, stilling her. "Go find yourself the prettiest dress you can find and meet me at the courthouse at five, okay? I'll bring the boys." She bit her lip and he rubbed her shoulders comfortingly.

"Are you ready for this?" He asked, not entirely sure he was ready himself. She stood on her tiptoes and reached to kiss him. He still had to bend down to reach her and he smiled into their kiss.

"Of course I am." She spoke against his mouth.

She slipped into the shower first as he woke the boys. He manned the coffee pot as Jonathan cooked a quick breakfast. Jim smiled when he seen her walk into the kitchen in jeans and his department hoodie.

"Stop stealing my clothes, woman." She stuck her tongue out as she joined her boys for breakfast and Jim slipped off to the shower, too excited to stomach anything other than coffee.

.

After Joyce left the boys gathered up their Easter Sunday clothes and took inventory of what they had. Jonathan had just shined up his shoes and Will was fighting his tie when Jim emerged from the bathroom, his shirt unbuttoned, barefoot, with his tie hanging loosely around his neck.

Both boys stopped to stare at him momentarily. "What?" He asked, pausing to button his shirt in the hall.

"Your beards gone!" Will mused.

"I figured I'd clean up some-" Jim replied.

He crossed the room and took Will's tie in his hands, skillfully knotting it in a windsor knot. He knotted his own tie slowly, letting Will watch what steps he was taking. He wasn't surprised a bit that their father hadn't taken the time to show such a skill to his youngest boy. When Will's eyes widened with understanding he untied it and crouched to eye level with the younger boy.

"Here, you try it. It's easier to figure out if you're not wearing it." It took Will a few times, but he succeeded. His little victory made him grin and Jim mirrored the emotion. "Good job, kid."

Jonathan stood behind them, watching the whole interaction with rapt attention. His own tie was undone. "Mom usually does mine for me."

"I'll teach you!" Will volunteered cheerfully and Jim made a break for the bedroom door, suddenly overcome with a weird feeling he didn't know how to describe. He immediately dug around in his underwear drawer, his hiding spot for everything, and found the ring set he'd bought. A diamond for her, a simple golden band for him. He'd ordered them the night she said yes.

.

Across town Karen eyeballed Joyce, who stood in her doorway with a garment bag nearly as big as she is.

"You're what?"

"Getting married. In-" Joyce checked her watch "-three hours. Crazy, I know! I was hoping you and Nancy could work your magic on me?"

Karen smiled broadly and ushered her friend in the door, calling upstairs for Nancy. Joyce changed into the dress in front of the floor length mirror in the Wheeler's bathroom. It was a royal blue, floor length with a slit up to her thigh, and sleeveless. She wasn't so sure about the neckline that showed off her cleavage. She couldn't remember the last time she'd worn pantyhose, much less a dress like this.

"C'mon out Joyce. Let's see." Karen called from the other side of the door.

"Just a second!" She called as she fumbled for the small silver stud earrings the boys had given her for Christmas.

Nancy and Karen both looked her up and down when she exited the bathroom. She winced in pain over the pinching of the black heels she wore, but she wouldn't have to endure it long. The girls ushered her in front of Karen's vanity and fell into makeover mode. Nancy painted her nails a deep blue to match her dress. Karen rolled her hair until it fell in dark ringlets around her face.

They both agreed on minimal makeup. "Your eyes are so pretty already, you don't need heavy makeup." Karen complimented her. She used a little mascara on her, a little eyeliner. Nancy spritzed some amazing smelling perfume on her.

"One more thing!" Karen reached for her jewelry box and presented her with a pretty silver chain with a single diamond dangling from it's center.

"Karen! Is that real? I can't-"

Karen shushed her as she fastened it around her neck. "Something borrowed. You can give it back to me later."

She hugged Joyce from behind, looking at their reflections. "Really, it's about time you two got married. He's been making puppy dog eyes at you for years." She teased and a slight blush spread across Joyce's face. "Take millions of pictures. I want to see them all!" She added.

Joyce turned on the seat and took Karen and Nancy's hands in her own. "Thank you so much for all of this. Really."

.

At the courthouse Jim paced the floor, fidgeting with the bouquet of roses in his hands.

Jonathan stopped him and presented him with a piece of paper. A reservation for two for the fancy hotel uptown. "A wedding present from Will and I." Jonathan explained.

Jim clapped a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Thank you." He added, wishing he knew more to say to convey just how much the gesture meant to him.

"She's here!" Will called from the doorway and Jonathan began turning Jim to face him and away from the door.

"What are you doing kid?"

"Bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, remember?" Jonathan replied, taking the roses from him. His hands empty, he began fidgeting with his tie and his coat.

He watched Jonathan's face light up as she came inside. "Mom you look beautiful!" He passed the roses past Jim's shoulder and before the older man could turn around the door to the closest room clicked shut.

Jim handed the ring box to the smaller boy. "I'll let you handle this part, kiddo."

Jim knocked on the door between him and Joyce. "Sweetheart, are you ready for this?" He heard her nervous laugh from behind the door.

"As I'll ever be. I can't believe we're doing this, Jim."

.

Judge Winchester whistled as Jim and Jonathan walked into the courtroom. "You sure clean up nice, son."

Jim chuckled nervously as he stood in front of the judge. "Thanks. This is Jonathan, Joyce's oldest. Her youngest Will is walking her in."

"Nice to meet you, Jon." The older man nodded. Jonathan greeted him in return and took a seat, readying his camera.

Will held the door and when Joyce stepped through all the air left Jim's lungs. He felt tears well up and he took a moment to wipe them away with his sleeve. She looked so beautiful he could hardly believe she was crossing the courtroom to stand by him.

Will held her hand until she got to Jim, then he passed their rings to them before he went to sit by Jonathan. Joyce smiled and reached to rub Jim's smooth cheek.

"Joyce it's very nice to meet you." Judge Winchester commented and she smiled up at him. "Jim's a very lucky man. You look very beautiful." Her face flushed and Jim felt his heart do a somersault.

.

The entire service lasted fifteen minutes. Before he knew it, she was back in his arms and he was moving in for their kiss. He took her face in both hands and kissed her with everything he had. All the emotion of the day. The Judge and both boys clapped for the newly married couple. Jim pulled away and she mouthed the words 'I love you'. He smiled and echoed the sentiment before she moved in and kissed him again, wrapping her arms around his back.

When they parted Jim approached the bench and extended his hand to Judge Winchester. The old Judge smiled and shook Jim's hand heartily.

"It was my pleasure, Jim. You make a fine family. My wife Anita always thought you'd be quite the catch for some fine lady."