A Normal Life | Mileven

Chapter 1: A New Papa

She gazed down at the thick piece of paper as she held it in her hands. She still couldn't believe what it said, or what it meant. Silent tears fell down her cheeks as she read the words to herself over and over again.

State of Indiana

Certificate of Birth

This certifies that according to the records of the State of Indiana

Name: JANE HOPPER

Was born in: HAWKINS, INDIANA on SEPTEMBER 19, 1971

Child of: TERESA IVES and JAMES HOPPER

Birthplace of Father:  INDIANA 

Birthplace of Mother: INDIANA

"Hey, kid," Hopper called, breaking her concentration. "Are you alright?"

She glanced up at him from across the dining table. Her beautiful brown doe eyes were red and watery. She smiled and nodded her head.

"Yes, I'm alright."

Hopper wasn't convinced. She was crying, after all. "Yeah? You sure? Do you want to talk about it?"

She looked down at the paper again for a moment, and then back at Hopper. She wrinkled her nose before asking, "Does this mean you're my new Papa?"

The words both stung Jim Hopper, and warmed his heart all at once. On the one hand, he didn't want to be associated with that guy; the one who formerly called himself El's "Papa". After all he put her through? Twelve years of poking and prodding and experiments. Twelve years without human compassion or love. No, Jim Hopper was not her "new Papa". Except he was, wasn't he? He loved her. He loved this kid with every fiber in his being. And there was nothing he wouldn't do to protect her, especially from people like "Papa." And with that little piece of paper that she held in her hands, it was official; she was his, and he was hers.

He was taking too long to respond. What does that mean, El wondered to herself. Does he not want to be my Papa? Did I do something bad? Her expectant eyes had been staring at him, waiting for answers, but now she dropped them to the floor and began to frown.

Hopper noticed. Shit.

"Yeah, I...I guess that's what it means."

El jumped up with a start and dropped her paper onto the table.

"REALLY?!?!" she squealed with heart eyes.

Before Hopper could respond, El's arms were wrapped around him in the tightest embrace she'd ever given him. Her pretty dimpled smile was from one ear to the other. He hugged her back just as snug.

"Yes, I'm your new, uh..."Papa"... But kid, we've got to work on that name."

El broke away from the hug and looked up at him with confusion.

"Name?"

"Well, yeah. A name. What you're going to call me. I mean, your Papa was your Papa... Lots of bad memories where that came from, yeah?"

"Yes," she understood.

"So how about we call me something else?"

"Like what?"

"Well, I don't know. Whatever you like. You can always just call me Hopper. That's what everyone else calls me."

Eleven thought it over for a minute.