Jopper // Light at the End of the Tunnel - A Love Story (Completed)

The Halloween Party

It had been several months since Joyce and Murray rescued Alexei, and Jim had made a full recovery. His headaches had ceased completely, and he seemed to be a new man altogether. The Russians who had attacked Alexei hadn't returned, and everything seemed to be going back to normal - as normal as it got for the Byers family and their friends. 

Halloween was just around the corner, and Joyce was throwing a Halloween Party. Jonathan and Nancy were coming to Chicago to celebrate Halloween with Jonathan's family, and Murray and Alexei were coming, too. Jim and Joyce hadn't talked more about moving in together, although both of them had thought about it a lot. 

It was the day of Halloween, and Joyce was hanging up pumpkin lights around her living room when there suddenly came a knock on the door. 

"Will, honey, are you getting that?" 

Will hurried to the front door. 

"It's Jim!" he called from the hallway. 

Joyce's face lit up; her smile was brighter than the orange lights she was hanging around the bookshelf.

"Hi, babe." Jim said, engulfing her in a passionate embrace. 

He kissed her as if he hadn't seen her in weeks, when in had only been yesterday that they had last met. 

"Hi, handsome." she flirted back. 

Will still stood in the doorway to the living room, completely grossed out. 

"You guys are impossible." he said, frowning.

The two lovers ignored him. 

"Can you help me with these?" Joyce asked, nodding to the string og lights in her hand. 
"Sure, babe." Jim said and winked. 

Joyce slapped him playfully on his arm. 

"Stop it! I'm not going to get things done if you keep acting this way!" 

He chuckled and kissed her again. 

She blushed. Even after all this time, she still couldn't help it; she was utterly, madly in love with the man. 

The rest of the guests arrived a little later. At around 6 PM, they were all there: Jonathan, Nancy, Alexei, Murray, Jim, Will, El and of course, the lady herself. 

"That was one delicious pumpkin pie." Jim said, sitting back in his chair, patting his stomach. 

"I made that." El beamed proudly. She looked at Joyce. 

"With a little help from Joyce." she added, and they all laughed. 

It had been a wonderful evening, but anxiety was building up in Joyce's stomach. She was so nervous. She had no idea how her kids would take the news. But they had agreed to announce it tonight, when everyone were high on the festive spirit of the night. She took a deep breath and looked at Jim. He nodded. It was time. 

"Joyce and I have something we want to tell you all." he said. 

The entire table went silent. Everyone looked at them. 

Jim, at a loss of words, looked pleadingly at Joyce, who was sitting beside him. 

"Jim and I are expecting."
"What!?" a chorus of voices broke out.

"I'm having twins." Joyce said. 

Will and Jonathan sat with gaping mouths and looked shocked at each other. El had a big smile on her mouth, and so did Nancy. 

"Congratulations!" Alexei shouted and stood up, excitedly clapping his hands. 

"I hate children." Murray muttered as a reflex. 

"When?" Jonathan wanted to know. He still couldn't believe it. 

"In April, we think." Joyce replied proudly. 

"I'm having more brothers and sisters?" Will said. 

"I think it's a boy and a girl." El, who had left her seat and placed her hand on Joyce belly, said. 

"I think so too." Jim said, winking knowingly at Joyce. 

Jonathan cleared his throat. 

"I'm happy for you, mom." he said and left the table. 

Joyce was about to get up when Jim said: "No, honey. Give him some time." 

She nodded. He was right. She knew her son better than anyone. He would come around to the idea. She knew he would love his new brother and sister unconditionally - and so would she.