Jopper : You make my heart skip a beat

Chapter 26

Hopper turned and saw her for the first time this morning. She is so f*ing beautiful. Even when she has just woken up. I just want to kiss her. And I can now. I kissed her last night and she kissed me back. He smiled happily, slowly putting down the glasses in his hand and placing them on the wooden table.

"Joyce, you know I love it when you scrunch up your nose like that. It's irresistible." Hopper teased while slowly making his way over to her. Joyce looks mildly confused by his statement but in a sort of happy way, maybe? Is she ok? Did I do something wrong? Oh no...I can't screw this up now that I've got it.

Hopper approached her and wrapped his arms around her waist, a look of concern on his face. "Is everything ok, Joyce?" She placed her small hands on his chest. Hopper rested his hands at the small of her back. 

"Everything is absolutely perfect, Hop." She slide a hand to the back of his neck and pulled him into a kiss. It wasn't a deep kiss. But it was a loving kiss. It was warm. It was welcoming. It was caring. And it showed each other just how much they loved each other. It showed them, that a life together...a family...wasn't impossible. It was probably just what they both needed. And deeply wanted.

When their lips finally pulled apart, all he could do was smile. Smile like an idiot in love. God that was the perfect kiss. She's perfect. Perfect for me and El. A perfect mother to Will and Jonathan. She's just perfect. Joyce looked up at him. She looked genuinely happy and loved. I made her happy. She feels happy and loved because of me. I want to make her feel like that everyday for the rest of our lives. I love her so damn much I would die for her.

"I see you've made breakfast. I have to admit, this was not what I was expecting to see when I walked into the kitchen." Joyce said as she brought both her arms up and rested them around his neck. "Oh really! And why is me making breakfast for the woman I love so unthinkable?" He teased her, but she didn't care, she loved it. 

Hopper tightened his grip around her waist ever so slightly, bringing Joyce flush up against his body. "I just never thought you a morning person, that's all." Joyce smiles as he smirked down at her. "Joyce...All those mornings...after Sarah... I never had a reason to get up. My life felt meaningless. My job didn't mean anything to me at that point. Just another responsibility I thought was weighing me down. But when you burst into my office and demanded I find your son...you changed my life for the better. From that moment on, I had a reason. You, Joyce. You became the reason. Ever since that morning you were the reason. You've always been the reason, I just didn't realise it. When I slept last night, you were in my dreams. I woke up this morning and you were my first thought. I was making breakfast for our family and all I could think about was you. You walked into the kitchen still sleepy and I fell in love with you all over again. You. Your my every thought. Every breath. Every action. Every word. Every...kiss." He tilted his head down and caught her lips in a passionate kiss. 

They both smiled through the kiss. Hopper started to slowly lead her towards the counter, trapping her between the cold surface and his warm body. Joyce placed her hands either side of her on the counter, to steady herself, all the while never breaking the passionate kiss. Hopper brought a hand to her cheek, caressing it as he deepened the kiss, with one hand on her waist and another on her cheek.

They were both suddenly pulled out of their own world when they heard the creak of Wills door. They didn't move in time though as El and Will, both still half asleep, walked into the kitchen and saw Hopper with his arms around Joyce as she was pressed up against him. The kiss wasn't broken in time for El's and Will's prying eyes. Hopper groaned loudly at another interruption and bowed his head while Joyce smiles at his grumpiness.

El squealed happily and clapped her hands together excitedly. "You did it! You finally did it! You're in love!" Will joined in on her excited clapping as they both ran over to their parents, wrapping them in the most loving hugs. The four of them, wrapped up in a hug. Hopper looked up from El's wild brown hair and saw Joyce staring back at him with a warm smile on her lips.

He leaned towards her, his lips inches from her ear as he whispered. "I love you, Joyce. We're a family now." Joyce's smile widened as he pulled away and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. 

"Awwwww!" El and Will said simultaneously, big wide smiles planted across their happy faces. The two kids pulled away from the hug as Hopper wrapped his arms back around Joyce and she leaned into him. "Oh shut up, you two." Hopper teased sticking his tongue out at them playfully which just made Joyce burst out laughing at his childish act.

"Our plan worked!" El said to Will forgetting that Hopper and Joyce were right in front of them. The smile faded as she saw their confused stares. "Oh no." She whispered to Will as his smile faded as well. Hopper turned to face the kids now, but his arms stayed firmly around Joyce. "What do you mean, 'our plan worked'? What plan?" He asked. He wasn't angry or upset, he was confused and to be honest, unsurprised. A 'plan' seems like them. Not really surprising.

"Oh um... em..." El stuttered, she couldn't find the words to explain or create a lie or excuse. Will stepped in, deciding it was best to tell the truth because no doubt, Joyce would sniff out the lie immediately. She knew them too well.

"We made a plan. At the start of last night. El used her powers to make the snowstorm and we both talked to you by yourselves about your...feelings toward each other. We only wanted you two to get together. You are clearly in love. Everybody has known it for months. We only wanted to help." He looked down, his face stuck in a sad frown as he added, "We're sorry."

Hopper and Joyce smiled at each other before Hopper asked while he wiped his face with his hand. "Was it that obvious?" El smiled again. "Yes! Everyone knows you're obsessed with each other. Me, Will, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Max, Jonathan, Nancy, Steve, Mr and Mrs Wheeler—" 

She was cut off by Hopper who chuckled. "We get it kid, everyone knows. Next time you want two people to get together, maybe just stick with talking and not create a giant snowstorm using your powers. People could've been hurt. And Jonathan—" he was cut off by keys fiddling in the lock of the front door.

Jonathan appeared in the doorway a few seconds later, covered head to toe in snow. "Hey sorry, My car broke down outside the police station so I camped there for the night, but their phones were out so I couldn't call. Apparently their was a huge power cut all across the other side of town. It's still bad and still snowing heavily."

Hopper turned back to El while Joyce and Will gave Jonathan a warm hug. "El! Stop the snowstorm now!" He said firmly. She pouted before her face turned from sad to slightly annoyed. "Ok! You don't need to be a mouth breather!" She exclaimed, facing the white window pane. "What do you mean 'stop the snowstorm'?" Jonathan asked stepping further into their home. 

Joyce walked over to Hopper and wrapped her arms around his neck as he gripped her waist with both hands. She smiled up at Hopper before saying, "Its a long story, but we're a family now."

OMG It's finally finished! 🥺😢. I hope you enjoyed the ending and the story overall. I will be writing other Stranger Things stories but mainly Jopper stories and oneshots. I already have a few ideas for new books. I really appreciate all the support and I hope you enjoyed my story. ❤️