Mileven Stories

Pick Me Up (1993)

This one-shot is dedicated to a dear friend of mine that deserves the best. Life can be stressful, but we all are worthy of receiving bright breaks. Hopefully this one-shot can serve as an escape away from whatever stressors may be in your lives right now. (Especially you, breathless_writer )
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There were very few nights that the couple found a chance to relax. After spending many grueling years raising children and safeguarding the world from immediate destruction, finding a settling moment for themselves felt abnormal. On top of that, their work schedules conflicted unkindly. However, their miracle occurred on a Wednesday afternoon when they both were granted permission to take personal occurrences.

The candles in the home had been burning long enough for a comforting aroma of twilight wood to encase their living area as a peaceful tune played quietly from the old record player. The simple ambiance and the calmness of the day was all it took for the two to reignite their dwindled passion.

They were just finding a groove that felt divine when an unplanned disturbance came crashing in on them. It almost seemed like the world outside their four walls could not bare to let them have a moment of peace.

The telephone in the kitchen rang insistently, almost as if it were demanding their immediate attention.

Joyce patted Hopper's back and muttered against his bearded chin, "you should go get that. It might be the station for an emergency."

"There is an emergency and it's between my wife and I," Hop heavily sighed, connecting their lips once again.

Jim was determined to ignore it at all costs, focusing solely on attending to the love of his life's desires. However, that damn phone just could not allow that affectionate gesture to play out.

Hop groaned as Joyce pushed herself forward, looking up at him with determination as she said, "go see who it is. We'll have more time to make out on the couch like teenagers."

The burly man begrudgingly dragged his feet over to the phone, nearly ripping it off the wall as he answered with hostile intent, "hello? What do you want?"

A woman's tone came through hesitantly, "my apologies, sir. I'm looking for a Hopper, do you know of him by any chance?"

"Yeah, this is chief Jim Hopper speaking," his eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "why is it that you're calling? I was in the middle of something important—"

The woman calmly interrupted his rant, "your son is in recovery and is asking for you to come get him."

It was with that statement that all of Hopper's annoyances faded away. He pondered over Will and Jonathan for a brief moment, quickly concluding that this couldn't be them seeing as they lived further outside of the state.

It was with that realization that he felt his gut drop and worry consumed his now spinning head.

"My son, Michael, is he okay?" Hopper asked as he looked around for his keys, preparing himself to jump in his car and drive to the boy's side.

"He's perfectly fine. The results all came back clear from the endoscopy. Mr. Wheeler just needs a ride home because he's still under the effects of the sedation," the nurse clarified sweetly.

Hopper was in the midst of forcing his feet into his boots when he suddenly heard a familiar voice slur sleepily, "is that my dad?"

The phone line was then interjected with harsh ruffles, followed by a content sigh, "Hop, are you there? Over."

"Yeah kid, it's me. You okay?" his question laced with fatherly concern.

Mike chuckled, "you're supposed to say 'over' when you're done talking, but I'm fine. Can you come get me? I don't want to bother El, especially because she doesn't know I'm here."