My Loves (Stranger Things)

09

Christmas

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A month has passed. The boys are over at Mike's playing D&D. Ben knocks on the door. 

"Come in," Nancy's voice calls from inside. Ben walks in. "Hey," Nancy says. She's sitting on the couch with Steve. 

"Hi," Steve says. 

"Hi, just here to collect the little dude," Ben says. 

"Basement," Nancy tells him. 

"Figured," Ben walks downstairs. "Your favorite sibling has arrived," Ben announces. 

"Ben!" The boys yell. They all hug Ben. They let go. 

"You need a ride, Lucas?" Ben asks. 

"Yeah," Lucas says. 

"All right, let's go." 

"Bye, guys," Mike says. 

"Bye," Lucas says. 

"Bye, Mike," Dustin says. Ben, Dustin, and Lucas walk upstairs. They walk through the kitchen where Mrs. Wheeler is.

"Ben, tell your mom I said Merry Christmas," Mrs. Wheeler says as they walk past. 

"I will. Merry Christmas to you too," Ben says with a smile. Lucas and Dustin say "Merry Christmas" and then follow Ben toward the door.

"Merry Christmas, you guys," Nancy says. Everyone else says "Merry Christmas" back to her. Ben, Lucas, and Dustin walk out and get into Ben's car. Ben starts driving to the Sinclair house.

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Ben pulls into the driveway. Ben gets out with Lucas. "I'm gonna go say hi. You coming, Dustin?" Ben asks. 

"Nah, I'll stay in here." 

"Okay." Ben and Lucas walk up to the door. Lucas walks in and Ben follows him.

"Lucas, is that you?" Mrs. Sinclair asks. 

"Yeah, it's me, mom," Lucas says. Ben and Lucas walk into the kitchen. 

"Hello, Ben. I wasn't expecting to see you," Mrs. Sinclair says. 

"Figured I'd stop by. Say Merry Christmas," Ben says. 

"Thank you. Merry Christmas to you and your family." 

"Thank you." 

Erica walks in. "Hey, Ben." 

"Hello, Erica. Haven't seen you in a while. Have you been good?" Ben asks. 

"Of course I have. I'm Erica." 

Ben chuckles. "Of course. Can I get a hug goodbye?" 

"I suppose." Erica walks over and hugs Ben. 

"Merry Christmas," Ben says. 

"Merry Christmas," Erica responds. Erica walks away. 

"I should be going. You all have a Merry Christmas," Ben says. 

"We will," Lucas says. Ben leaves. He starts driving home.

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Dustin and Ben walk in. "Hey, welcome home," their mom says. 

"Hey, mom," Ben says, "Mrs. Wheeler and Mrs. Sinclair said 'Merry Christmas' by the way." 

"That was nice of them," she says. "Dinner's almost done." 

"Do you need help?" 

"Um, no, I think I'm okay." She finishes up dinner and they all sit down. They talk as they eat.

Ben and Dustin are happy to have a sense of normalcy again. They hope it will last a while, but they know this is not the end of the troubles in Hawkins. There will be more. More creatures. More dangers. More of the Upside Down. They'll be ready when that day comes. For now, they'll enjoy the moment.

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