Morning came and Joyce, Jonathan, Will and El sat in silence whilst eating breakfast. This was highly unusual, normally they'd be chatting about what's going on at school and and at work. Not this morning though, this morning Joyce was taking the kids to see Hopper for the first time since his accident and bring him home.
The car journey was also pretty quiet. Will and El sat in the back and Jonathan was with Joyce up front. Occasionally he'd give her a reassuring smile but that may have been for his benefit more than hers.
At the hospital she was greeted by the nurse she had come to know quite well. "Morning Joyce" said the nurse "he's all ready for his visit...oh my...this must be Jonathan, Will and Jane". The kids smiled as Joyce chatted with the nurse but then excitement got the better of El. "Mom please! Can we go see him now?". Joyce apologised to El and they made their way to Hoppers room.
Hopper was dressed and sat in a chair looking at the photos as they knocked and walked in.
El and Will rushed over and hugged him "Dad I've missed you so much" said El "do you remember us yet?".
"El, calm down, give Dad some space" said Joyce.
"Its ok" said Hopper "I've been looking at pictures I think I'm starting to remember stuff...though the stuff I'm remembering is kinda crazy".
They sat and talked. Hopper was surprised to hear that the memories he had about labs, monsters, rescuing Will and adopting El were all true. Joyce was happy to see him comfortable and at ease with all three kids. Her only problem was that he seemed to have no recollection of their relationship, aside from them being together at high-school.
"So" Joyce began "are you ready to come home?".
"I think so" he replied. "The doctors seem to think my memory will improve once I'm home".
His bag was packed, follow up Doctor appointments booked, he was ready to go. Hopper thanked the nurses for everything they had done and then they left.
Once home, Joyce told Hopper to sit but he wanted to look around the house, he was desperate to remember more and tie up loose ends in his mind. He looked at the photos around the house. Joyce helped by explaining what was happening and where they were taken.
Dinner went well, almost back to normal. They talked and laughed and after sat together watching TV.
When the kids went to bed Joyce sat next to Hopper. "You've done well today" she smiled. "Thanks" he replied then out of his pocket pulled the photograph of him proposing to her. "I just wish I could remember this, I'm sorry Joyce, I just don't remember". She tried her best to reassure him but it was hard. He remembered the kids, the upside down, Russia but not her, not "them".
Bedtime came and Hopper insisted on sleeping on the couch. Reluctantly Joyce agreed. She got him pillows and blankets and said goodnight. As she went kiss him goodnight he flinched. He then immediately apologised but he could tell he had upset her.
In bed Joyce felt more alone than she had in a long time. She cried before sleep took over.
