The Stancy Files

Chapter 32: The Decision

After Mike reunited with everyone outside, Joyce and Hopper went back into the Wheeler's house to assess what was happening with Karen and Ted. They both still lay unconscious. Joyce shook her head, mortified. "Oh god-- they're not going to make it." Hopper swallowed. "No, they will. We just have to get them help. I'll call 9-1-1." While he made the call, his girlfriend forced Karen's and Ted's bodies to sit upright. 

Nancy had tried to follow the two adults in, but they'd ensured Steve would hold her back. "Nance, you can't go back in. They're going to be okay. Hopper and Joyce will make sure of it. Don't worry." His girlfriend looked at the ground, shaking her head in denial. "No! They aren't! And it's all my fault! If I hadn't just left, then they wouldn't have died!" Steve pulled her close to his chest. "They aren't gone, Nance. They're still here. They're still here. And it's not your fault. You know it's not your fault. You were gonna move out eventually anyways- and yeah, I get that it didn't happen on great terms- but it was inevitable. It isn't your fault, Nance." A sudden chill came across the girl. "But at least I could've been here! I don't even know what happened!" Mike's eyes flickered to his older sister. "You couldn't have done anything, Nancy. We can't stop him." She bit her lower lip, anxious. "No. We're going to find a way. We have to find a way." Holly walked up to the trio, eyes wide at her sister. "Are mommy and daddy okay?" 

Nancy forced a smile for her little sister. "Not right now, but they will be. I'm sure everything will... work out." Steve reassuringly squeezed his girlfriend's shoulder, backing her up. "Nancy's right. Everything will work out the way it's supposed to be." Holly tilted her head up at the towering boy. "I believe you because you look pretty." A little laugh escaped her sister's lips. "Pretty?" Holly nodded passionately with a bright smile. "Really pretty! I like pretty boys." Steve winced. "Uhh... thanks, Holly. Means a lot." The little girl smiled again. "Thank you, Steve Harrington! I like pretty boys like you!" Mike let out a humorless laugh. "How do you know Steve's last name?" Holly shrugged. "Mom says it all the time. She says that 'Steve Harrington is a maniac' and 'Steve Harrington is going to marry Nancy' and that doesn't make her happy because she wants Nancy to marry Jonathan. I dunno who Jonathan is." Nancy squatted down to her sister's level. "Mom is a little crazy sometimes, Holly. And Jonathan is the Jonathan right over there," she said pointing towards him. Holly raised her eyebrows and wrinkled her nose. "He isn't as pretty as Steve," she whisper-shouted. Nancy smiled at the girl. "You're right, girl. He isn't. But Steve is a nicer person too. That's why I'm glad you like him." Holly tilted her head again. "Because you love him? Mommy says she doesn't get it and is jealous that you get that." Nancy's left eye twitched. "Yeah? I guess something I said finally went to her head." 

Then Steve squatted down to Nancy and Holly's level. He looked his girlfriend's little sister directly in the eyes. "Hey, Holly, do you like ice cream? There's a really good place we can go to now to get away from the chaos." The youngest Wheeler's eyes lit up with excitement. "YES!" Nancy let out a cute giggle. Steve picked up her sister and the three went to the car together. Nancy turned around just for a moment. "Hey, Mike! You should come if you want!" Her brother gave a small, sad smile in return. "I'm okay. I'm gonna stay here until they get mom and dad out." Nancy nodded and got into her boyfriend's car in the shotgun seat. Holly rode in the back. 

The EMS and cops showed up at the Wheeler's house a little less than twenty minutes later. Ted was taken to the hospital first, in an almost fatal condition. Karen was driven second, still unconscious but not in much pain. Mike called Nancy at Hawkins Ice Cream Pop from the house. She was glad to hear that her parents were okay but lingered on a little with Steve and Holly before heading to the hospital. 

Holly had a sugar crash as soon as the three got into the car and was immediately out. Steve kept glancing over at his girlfriend, worried for her. "Nance... I don't mean to hold you back from your family. I know you guys have had your differences and stuff, but they are your family. Maybe we rushed into it too fast." Nancy's facial expression became more serious. "But we didn't, Steve. Look, I don't want to hold anything back with you. From you. I was held back by my parents for so long. And yeah... I get that they care about me. I care about them too, but it's not love. You know? I'm not willing to give up my personal freedom just to live in the same house as them. My dad's hardly ever even spoken to me. I'm not giving you up. Ever again." Steve let out a sad sigh. "I don't want to give up on you either, Nance. That's why I think we should give it time. I can grow on them. When we- ya know, settle down when we're older and stuff- it should be on good terms with your parents. I want to get your dad's blessing and all that. I want to have it all with you. I mean-- maybe moving back in with them wouldn't be such a horrible thing. You'd be able to spend more time with Mike. And Holly too. You'd be able to save a lot of money for when we're older. That kinda stuff." Nancy whined dramatically like her boyfriend usually did. "I hate it that you're right." She turned to Steve, inching close to his face as he was driving. "And I'm not going to stop dating you if I do move in with them. It's non-negotiable." 

Steve flashed her a flirtatious, charming smile. "Well, yeah. I'm not just gonna let you go, Nance. We're staying together." She raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah? You better keep your word, Steve Harrington." He glanced at her dreamily. "Don't worry, Nancy Wheeler. I'm not going to become that kind of idiot ever again."