Now or Never (a Jopper fanfic)

Sleepover (part 2)

Bliss was the only phrase Hopper could use to describe the rest of that day. After his time outside to cool-off, Joyce started lunch for the three of them while Hopper and Jane got a new jigsaw puzzle out. The puzzle was originally bought for game night at the Byers, but Hopper kept forgetting to bring it. This seemed as good of time as any to open it since the majority of the game night attendees were present.

As much as Hopper loved spending time with his adopted daughter, he couldn't help but look up at Joyce every couple of seconds. She was here. In his house. Making lunch. For him, his daughter, and her. And she was happy, free of worry. So free that she was humming. Was she humming?

"Lunch is ready!" Joyce said, in a sing songy voice from the kitchen, bringing Hopper out of his train of thought. "Why don't we eat it around the coffee table?" Hopper suggested, after looking at all the puzzle pieces scattered around. "Sounds perfect," Jane chimed, and rushed to set pillows around the table. "What can I do to help?" Hopper asked, in a dangerously low and husky voice as he stood just a couple feet behind Joyce. It took all the strength in the world not to touch her. A chill ran up and down Joyce's back at Hopper's words making her feel nervous, but a good kind of nervous. "Ummm...y...you CAN Get the bowls and spoons." "Alright," Hopper said, with a smirk. Loving that he could have this much effect over her. God, did he ever want to touch another person in his life?

After dishing up the contents of the pot, both adults made their way to the coffee table. "Dad you sit here! Joyce you sit there!" Jane ordered. She had Hopper and Joyce sitting side by side while she sat across from them. "Homemade macaroni and cheese! It's a little runny but..." Joyce announced, but was interrupted by Hopper. "You hush! It looks perfect! You're per...it's better than I could of done or cared to do," Joyce gasped, as Hopper grasped her hand lovingly and looked into her eyes. He was so sincere she could of cried. She didn’t miss his slip up either. Hopper honestly believe that she was perfect? Both of them were about to lean for a kiss when Jane piped up. "Yeah! Your mac and cheese is one of my favorites!" "Oh um, I..I'm glad you like it sweetie," Joyce replied. After that not a word was spoken while they ate, just loving glances to each other.

Once lunch was cleaned up, the three sat down and tried to finish the puzzle. They got down to the last five when Hopper spoke. "I'm tired of trying to fit the same piece in the same spot 50 million times and it not fitting. Let's watch a movie or something." "But we only have a few left?" Jane said, questionly looking at her father. He always got like this at the end of games, if he felt like he wasn't going to win or be the best, he didn't want to finish. "We can watch a movie after we finish, now come on Hop, focus," Joyce said, determined to find the three missing pieces. Defeated, Hopper agreed.

Another half-hour passed and they couldn't find the last piece. In searching, Jane and Joyce asked Hopper several times if he had it. "Even if I was hiding it don't you think I would've placed it by now? Ending this misery!" he said, the third time Jane asked. Joyce nodded her head. "Okay, okay Hop, let's calm down and go watch a movie." "Finally," Hopper said. "Oh wait I think I have to plug the VCR back in. Why don't you girls pick out a movie and get the popcorn ready, while I set it up." Once Jane picked out the movie she went to go help Joyce with the popcorn. "What were you and Mike doing this time?" Joyce asked while motioning towards Hopper setting up the tv. Unplugging the cable and VCR were both part of Jane's punishments when she was grounded. Usually from doing something with Mike. "Oh kissing outside at night," Jane said, rolling her eyes.

It was a stupid rule really and both Jane and Hopper knew it. No kissing in the dark, which basically translated to no kissing when an adult, Hopper, can't see you. Jane thought the rule was never going to stick since Hopper even admitted to her that it was a stupid rule, but their they were two weeks prior. Mike was kissing Jane goodnight in front of the cabin, just a couple inches away from the glow of the porch light. When Hopper opened the door all hell broke loose. That's when Jane decided things needed to change.