i never promised you a rose garden » fillie

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*can be read without reading the sweet epilogue*

m i l l i e ☀︎

I slowly walked down the staircase, holding on to the railing. I trailed my fingers down my red dress. It was floor-length and shimmery under light.

I wasn't young anymore. Somewhere along the mess of Stranger Things and other projects, I grew up. The year I turned 24, the Duffer Brothers decided to hold an 11 year anniversary party for the show.

Finn was waiting for me at the bottom of the staircase. Smiling, I grasped Finn's arm and leaned my head on his. Despite Stranger Things ending, we were still together and had been dating since Season 3. Promise rings adorned our right ring fingers. It was a promise that we would be married.

It was a wonderful thing to be in love. If Finn and I hadn't ended up together, I was simply glad to just know Finn. We entered the car, and the driver brought us to the hotel. We were forced to leave the safety of the car and were immediately swarmed by paparazzi. Bright flashing lights assaulted our eyes. I blinked and covered my eyes. Finn shielded me with his jacket.

"Thank you," I whispered, tugging on my dress. It felt like it didn't cover enough despite being floor-length.

"You're breathtaking; don't worry," Finn whispered, pecking my cheek. I blushed as we entered the building.

We greeted everyone and sat down. At our table was Gaten, Sadie, Noah, and Caleb. A waiter came by with shiny glasses of bubbly champagne. The light glinted off of the glass and reflected broken pieces of light.

When the waiter placed a delicate flute in front of me, I shook my head.

"Not for you, Miss?"

"No, I'm not drinking," I graciously said, passing the glass to Finn.

"When did you stop?" Gaten questioned.

"I'm trying to go low alcohol," I fibbed, smiling to hide the lie. Finn leaned over to me, grabbing my hand.

"Are you okay?" Finn whispered.

"Don't worry. I'm fine."

"Promise?" he smiled.

"Promise." We ate dinner amicably, conversation bouncing between tables. A lull began to appear, and that was when the Duffer Brothers walked onto the stage. We applauded, making them smile shyly.

"Thank you for coming out tonight," Matt Duffer started to speak. "We all appreciate it. This show took us two years to plan, and it was worth every sleepless night. I'm so proud of everyone for making this happen. We made it. So a big thank you to everyone who made Stranger Things possible. Today is a reflection of all the work we've done. Here's to bigger and even better things for everyone here."

At our table, they toasted with their champagne while I lifted my water glass. A couple minutes later, I stood and made my way to the Duffer Brothers. Finn and the rest of the group looked questioningly after me. The Duffer Brothers gave me the microphone, and I adjusted my dress on the small stage, letting it gracefully billow behind me.

"I actually have an announcement," I excitedly smiled. "I've known about this little thing for a couple months now, and this was the perfect time to let the cat out of the bag, if you will since we're all gathered here."

"Millie, spill you dramatic drama queen!" Noah teased.

I tittered, clasping my hands together around the water glass. "There's really no way to say this," I sighed, not losing my smile. "I guess you could say we have a little 011 joining us in February of next year."

"You're pregnant!" Gaten screamed. The boys and Sadie rushed on stage toward me.

"Surprise," I bashfully smiled, wrapping my arms around my stomach.

"Mills?" Finn questioningly asked. I bit my lip, awkwardly shrugging.

"Surprise, Finnie."

"We're- are we?"

"Yeah, we're pregnant," I smiled. Finn touched my shoulder, and I saw lucidity in his eyes. I grabbed him into a hug, nearly spilling my water.

There was so much hope, wonder, and amazement in the atmosphere that it caused my heart to clench. We had survived. We had made it. He had overcome his depression, and I had learned so much from him.

We were ready for this. We were beyond ready even. We needed this. We needed the baby to remind us of hope. We needed a signal that could allow us to move on from everything.

So while Finn was crying into my shoulder, Noah was running around, screaming into everyone's ears. Gaten and Caleb were patting me on the shoulder. Sadie was tearing up across from me. It was complete chaos. Winona and Natalia were teary-eyed. David slapped Finn on the shoulder. Despite it all, I was more than glad to share everything with my family.

Elation filled me as I realised how lovingly our child would grow up. He or she, preferably she, would grow up surrounded in so much love and positivity.

I squeezed Finn's hand and bowed my head on his.

"That's why you stopped drinking, isn't it?" Caleb knowingly said. "You knew you were pregnant."

"Yeah," I softly chuckled.

"So we're going to have a little Eleven?" Noah asked as he halted in front of us breathlessly.

"That's the plan."

"I'm proud of you, Mills," Gaten smiled.

"Congrats," Sadie finally spoke up. She attempted a smile through her tears.

"Aww, Sads, don't cry," I comfortingly said and reached out to her. She accepted my hand and squeezed it. We walked off stage where I was immediately congratulated by friends.

"Thank you everyone," I smiled and hugged yet another person. It wasn't registering in my mind. I had just announced that I was pregnant. It had finally happened.

My life was moving in directions I couldn't possibly fathom or understand. All I knew was that I was ready for the future, and I had my fiancé to brave it with me.

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fin; end

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