Nothing is ever lost

August slipped away

'I would have never imagined that I would have to go through this again. I had to say goodbye to my beautiful daughter Sara which was hard on me. Later I welcomed El into my life and then Sabrina came along. What a feisty girl, she takes after her mom.' 

I turn to look at Joyce. She's smiling through the tears.

'When her foster parents reported her as missing, I was immediately invested in finding her. Ofcourse because I wanted her to get home safe but there was something special about her. I just couldn't put my finger on it. So when I later found out she was Joyce's kid, I was surprised. And I was even more surprised when I found out she is my daughter. That special connection only grew since that day.'

A small group is gathered. Joyce, Hopper, Jonathan, Will and El are comforting each other. Dustin, Mike, Lucas, Max, Steve and Nancy are sitting in front of them.

'I breaks me that I only could spend this little time with her.'

I start crying

'Sabrina.. I hope you have found your peace. We will get you justice. You are and will always be daddy's little girl. Say hi to Sara for me. I love you.'

I step back from the microphone.

Joyce walks up to me and hugs me.

'That was wonderful honey, you did great.' She whispers in my ear.

POV Joyce

'When Will and Dustin came home with you, I immediately recognized something in you. I didn't want to believe it at first. After all I thought you were dead. But when all of the strings were connected I could finally hold you in my arms again. After 17 years, I could hold my baby girl.'

I tear up.

'There are not enough words to express how crushed I feel. My little Sabrina... I wish I- I-.'

I start crying uncontrollably. Hopper walks up to me and I bury my face in his chest, letting out unbearable screams. He is still crying as well. He holds me close and very tight. I am so glad I have him. I don't know if I could go through this alone again.

'Do you want to continue?' Hopper asks.

I nod.

He wraps his arm around me and stays by my side as I continue to talk.

'I wish I could've seen you grow into a beautiful woman. I would have loved to see what your future would've been like. We had so much more to talk about... I love you so so so so much sweetie. I hope you know that. Rest in peace. The peace you have longed for for so many years. Mommy loves you.'

I look at Will and Jonathan to see if they want to say anything. They're hesitant but decide to come forward.

'I just want to say that I am happy that I have gotten the chance to meet you. I am proud to call you my big sister. I love you Brina.' Will says quickly

'I hope life is good up there. I'll still be your big brother anytime you need me. Love you a lot.' Jonathan says

Just as we want to leave, Nancy raises her hand.

'Can I say something too?' She asks.

'Oh um, yes ofcourse.'

She steps forward.

'I haven't known Sabrina for a very long time but in the short amount of time that I got to know her, she meant so much to me. She was a very good friend to me, especially now with barb's passing..'

She looks up at the sky.

'Sabrina, thank you for being such a good friend. I hope you and Barb get along up there. I love you both.'

I nod at her

'Thank you' I mouth

Me and Hopper, followed by Will, Jonathan and El and the rest take the coffin to the cemetry where we say our last goodbye's. 

We are all holding a flower. We all picked our own one. Some have roses, some have sunflowers. We throw them onto the coffin.

Hopper pulls me in for a hug. I cry.

'It's not fair' I say

'I know..' Hopper says

6 months later

'Lonnie Byers, you will be sentenced to 15 years in prison'

The judge taps the hammer on the table.

Everyone start clapping. 

This was an emotional day for all of us.

Joyce and I are both crying. Finally he gets what he deserves. We are not getting Sabrina back with this but we are still proud of what we've achieved. 

'Chief, you and your fiance may go now.' The judge says.

'Thank you' I say as I nod.

Not too long after Sabrina's passing, I asked Joyce to marry me. Maybe it wasn't a good timing but I felt like this could maybe be a good thing in our grieving process. We aren't planning on getting married anytime soon but atleast she's my soon to be wife. I love her so much.

We walk out of court hand in hand. We visit the cemetry. In the meanwhile a headstone had been placed.

In loving memory of Sabrina Byers. Feb. 2 1968 - Aug. 1 1985. Taken way too soon                  

'We did it sweetie. He got what he deserved. We fought for you baby.' 

As Hopper and Joyce quietly sit by her grave, a little butterfly flies by and lands on their hands, wrapped together. Joyce looks at Hop. Without a word being said, they both understand.

A sign from above.

A sign from their little girl

Author's note: Hey! This was the last chapter. I will be starting new stories but not likely in the stranger things universe. I hope you enjoyed this story and I hope to see you at the next.

X M