Help Me Understand [mileven]

Chapter 11: Promise

Last chapter of my first story 🥺 I'm kind of sad, thank you so much for reading!

The next few days in the hospital went slow for Mike, however the days were very busy for his friends and family who visited each day. Lucas, Will, Dustin and Max visited after school each day, Joyce visited in between shifts at work and El visited in blocks (her fear of hospitals took over). Ted had to look after Holly and go to work so he visited whenever he had a spare moment. Jonathan and Nancy stayed with Mike after work, Hopper rang up each day from the station and his mom stayed with him the whole time.

Karen went full on mom mode for the few days Mike was in hospital, she brought him clothes, books, school work and anything else he asked for. When he thought back on it he wishes he asked for a new bike because he probably would have gotten it.

Mike was glad that he was okay and he feels so grateful for all of his friends and family, he wouldn't have been able to do this without them. He knew this was a turning point and he knew he was going to get better, no matter how hard things got. Karen decided it was best to up Mike's appointments with Dr Owens to 3 days a week, Monday's, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Much to everyone's relief, Mike started to open up more, he didn't hold back about how he was feeling even if it made people cry, they had to know. Although, Nancy and Mike could do with a family dinner where their mom didn't break down at the dining table.

After a few long and boring days, Mike was finally discharged from the hospital. This whole process wasn't easy and he knew that the next few months would be tough but he knew he could do it with El and his family by his side. He even made a pact with El that any time he felt sad he had to call her and she would be right there. Hopper and Karen eased up on the rules about Mike and El being alone together during this time so El could fully be there for him.

El was the first to visit him at home. He was under strict orders from his mom to rest so he was laying on the sofa watching 'A New Hope' and eating his moms famous meat loaf when El joined him. She stayed there the whole day, just appreciating that he is alive and that he is okay.

They binged the entire Star Wars trilogy and cuddled, halfway through 'Return Of The Jedi' they fell asleep, snuggled up on the sofa. Mike was laying the entire length with El pressed up against his chest. Karen walked in to check on them and couldn't help but smile and tear up a little. This girl was the light of his life and she couldn't wish for a better girl to fit that role. Karen loved El like a daughter, she was there for her while she was breaking down in the ambulance, more than her husband was. Karen left the room, feeling overwhelmed with emotion, she was so glad that her son was okay and that he had someone like El by his side.

Karen organised a very small welcome home party for Mike, she invited all his friends, Hopper, Joyce, Steve and Jonathan. While El and Mike were asleep she got to work on the food, she didn't want it to be a big thing because she didn't want to overwhelm him, she just wanted him to know that they all support him. El helped her plan and they both kept it a secret from Mike.

Once the couple woke up, Karen explained the plan to Mike, giving him time to get showered and dressed. El ran home to get ready and returned an hour later to help Karen set up a few things.

A few days ago while Mike was still in hospital, El bought Mike a leather bracelet with a silver plate which she had engraved 'El' on one side of an infinity symbol and 'Mike' on the other. She knew they would be together forever, nothing could tear them apart. To El the infinity symbol represented their undying love for each other, she cried while asking the shopkeeper to engrave it.

El wanted to hand it to him alone so she was going to wait until all the other guests had left. It was the least she could do, she wanted to give him something which he would treasure forever and have something to remind him how strong he is to be conquering all of his demons. El knew that Mike was still delicate and that he is still fighting everyday and she will never stop being proud of him.

That gathering was short but sweet, exactly how Karen wanted it to be. It was just a way to get everyone together and to spent time with Mike. She treasured these moments even more now.

Once everybody left, Mike was helping his mom clear up and while he was distracted, El ran down to the basement to grab the tiny box she hid under a blanket in the fort. She ran back up and tapped Mike on the shoulder.

"Yes gorgeous?" Mike said, turning around to meet her gaze.

"Come with me." El smiled, reaching her hand out, waiting for him to take it. He instantly did.

She guided him out the front door and onto the porch, they sat down on the porch swing his dad recently installed.

El took a deep breath.

"Okay El you're freaking me out." Mike chuckled lightly.

El returned a smile and began, "When I thought I lost you, I felt like I was dying. Like a a part of me was dying with you." El paused, trying to steady her voice.

"And I'm so glad that you're here and you're okay. I don't ever want to be apart from you again, so I got you this." She pulled the box out from her coat pocket and handed it to him.

He stared at her, his eyebrows furrowing, he wondered what it could be. Mike opened up the box and his breath got caught in his throat. He picked up the bracelet and read the plate, his eyes began to water.

"The infinity symbol represents our love and how we can get through anything with each other by our side. I want it to be a constant reminder of how you- we can accomplish anything." El smiled through her tears. "I got a matching plate which I'm going to put on one of my bracelets." El got the matching plate out of her pocket to show him.

"I love you so much, thank you." Mike cried, pulling her into a tight hug. They stayed there until Karen told them to come inside incase they freeze to death.

Mike and El slept in the basement that night, both in the blanket fort. Karen knew better then to put up a fight with those two, it was always a losing battle. Hopper also tried to get El to come home but she clung to Mike like a koala so he gave up.

El woke up the next morning and turned to face her sleeping boyfriend, a few minutes past and she was in a trance, taking in all of his features. His gorgeous freckles which she thinks look like stars, his defined cheekbones, his deep brown eyes which she could picture even though they weren't open and the messy mop of black curls on his head which she loved to play with. She began to cry, she didn't know what she would have done if he didn't make it. She would be broken and she knows it.

She reached up and cupped his face gently and placed a small kiss on his nose, careful not to wake him. One of her tears fell onto his cheek as she did so. His eyes slowly fluttered open.

"El? Why are you crying?" Mike looked concerned and sat up slightly.

"I'm just so glad that you are okay, I was just enjoying looking at you. You are so beautiful. I really don't know what I'd do if you were gone." Her voice shook, she swallowed, attempting to control the lump in her throat.

"I love you so much, I'm so sorry I put you through all of that. But I'm here now, to stay." Mike smiled.

"Promise?" El asked.

"I promise." Mike smiled again, picking up her hand and kissing it before pulling her into him and pressing a passionate kiss to her lips.

Promise was their word. Promise had more of a meaning to them than to anyone else. Their bond was unbreakable, their shared trauma brought them even closer. They love each other, forever and always. That is a promise that they can most definitely keep.

Ahhh my first story is finished!! I'm going to miss this one but I've got loads of stuff coming so stay tuned! Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed, please let me know what you think :)