A few weeks after Mike got his license El got hers and her parents took her to an opera for her birthday. Mike bought her a pair of opera glasses, a formal dress for the opera, and a book of vocal exercises. Eleven just wanted a small get together on her birthday, so Mike, Nancy, the Wheelers, and her family came. They ate a nice meal that Terry made and played games. Eleven's cake had purple frosting with El written on it. She blew out the candles and made her wish (to marry Mike).
Christmas was nearing and El had went to her and Mike bake cookies for the holidays. Holly and Mr. Wheeler were at Holly's play were making a total of 400 cookies to give out. Some included chocolate chip, sugar, and peanut butter. While waiting for the sugar cookies to bake went downstairs to do some laundry leaving El and Mike alone. Mike walked over to the mistletoe.
"El, I'm under the mistletoe I get a kiss." Mike said.
"Mike I'm happy to oblige." El said walking over to Mike and she picked him on the cheek.
Mike replied, "All I get is that pity peck."
"Fine." El said.
She pushed hard against his lips and slipped her tongue in his mouth. He followed her lead and placed his tongue in her mouth. He kissed down her neck and back up to her lips. Although, he might of left evidence that he sucked a little to hard. They continued kissing until El looked down and saw her neck. She pulled away with a frightened look.
"Mike, what's this?" El asked pointing to the bruise on her neck.
"Sorry El." Mike said.
El replied, "I'm not upset Mike. It looks like a bruise. Is that what it is?"
"Kind of. It's a specific type bruise. It's called a hickey." Mike stated.
El asked, "Hickey? How did I get this?"
"It's from me...sucking on your neck." Mike answered.
"Oh no. So people can tell that I've kissed someone?" El asked.
"Umm..Yeah..I'm so sorry El." Mike said.
El replied, "Hop."
"Oh no." Mike replied."
"He's gonna obliterate you." El said.
"I'm dead." Mike agreed.
El replied, "Mike, we are both in big trouble. We have to hide this."
Mike ran up to Nancy's old room and grabbed some concealer. He applied it to El's neck.
"Here. Keep this concealer and cover it up when it starts to show. Use your hair to cover it too. I promise I'll never do it again." Mike said.
"Mike chill. It's fine I don't mind." El replied.
A few hours later, Mike walked home and quickly ran away from the house in case Hop noticed what he had done. Hopper was sitting in his recliner as El attempted to pass by him.
"Missy. Back it up now." Hop yelled.
"What's wrong Hop?" El asked.
Hop replied, "That better not be what I think it is or that Wheeler kid is dead." He rubbed her neck to reveal the bruise.
"I'm so sorry. I promise Hop it will never happen again." El said tears coming to her eyes.
Hop replied, "That's a hickey. I can't believe this. I'm going to have a little chat with Mike. I'm gonna be his worst enemy and he ever does this to you again he better hide."
"I took part in it too. Punish me. How did you even see it anyway?" El asked.
"I'm a cop, so I notice everything. I've already had a talk with him before when I first met you about boundaries. I want him to keep his hands off my daughter. He can have nothing more than a pity peck." Hopper stated.
El replied, "Dad, I'm sixteen and Mike and I have been dating for 3 ½ years now. I don't understand the problem with this tiny bruise."
"I don't wanna see any evidence of what you too have done. I want to believe your still innocent. I'm a horrible father." Hop said tearing up.
El replied, "No Hop. I'm so sorry. I'll make sure to. I love you Pops."
"I love you too sweetheart. I see Rory I'm so strict. I just feel bad that I wasn't there to protect you for the first part of your life. I'm gonna try to do better." Both of them leaned in for a hug that lasted a few minutes both of them having tears going down their face.