Joyce had just gotten home from work. She'd finished a 12 hour shift and just wanted a bath. She found Jonathan cooking dinner and Will and El sitting at the table drawing. Joyce smiled, she loved how close they'd become and had begun calling them "the twins".
As she hung up her coat and kissed the kids Jonathan looked at her and said "Mom, Murray called again...you need to call him back, he says its urgent". Joyce sat with her head in her hands "ok Jonathan, thanks". They both knew she wouldn't call him back. It was too painful, she wasn't strong enough to listen to another conspiracy story.
Later, in the middle of the night the phone rang and without really thinking she answered...
"Hello?"
"Joyce...its Murray, why haven't you returned my calls?"
"I'm sorry Murray I've been busy, I'm tired".
"Well things have progressed since you ignored me last month, so now I'm coming to you...now...get dressed".
He hung up. Joyce just sat there confused and angry. The clock said 3am...what the hell was wrong with Murray?
She checked on the kids, they were sleeping. She went into the kitchen and made a coffee whilst waiting for Murray. About 20 minutes had passed when headlights shined through the window. Joyce got up and opened the door. "Look Murray, this is ridiculous, you can't just turn up at this time of night and.....". Joyce dropped her mug it smashed on the floor but she didn't look down. Her eyes were fixed on the man stood next to Murray.
"Hop?" she said quietly, "Hey Joyce" Murray moved past Hopper and sat down. Joyce couldn't speak, she just stared at Hop in disbelief. He had lost weight but looking in those deep blue eyes she could still see her Hopper. Murray explained that he had discovered Hops whereabouts and with help from Dr Owens and his contacts managed to bring him home. Hop had been staying with Murray until he had gained some strength "and Joyce you would have known all of this if you had bothered calling me back". After hours of talking, Murray said his goodbyes and left them to catch up. To begin with they just sat in each others arms in silence. It had been 6 months, 6 long months. Hop stood up and looked at the family pictures on the shelves. "The kids have grown". Holding a picture of El he asked "how has she been?". Joyce didn't lie "she still has nightmares, we both do. She often gets into bed with me in the middle of the night". Hop frowned "can i see her?". Joyce looked at the clock, it was 6am..."she'll be up soon...but...ok...hang on". Joyce tiptoed into the bedroom and quietly woke up El. "El, sweetie I need you to wake up". El stirred and rubbed her eyes..."Mom? what's the matter?". "Nothing sweetie, just get up". They walked from the bedroom, El was still yawning when she saw him. She stopped in her tracks and looked into Hops eyes. She couldn't move, she looked from Joyce to Hopper and back again. "Hey kid" he said. El ran to him, threw her arms around him and cried. Joyce sat there , tears in her eyes watching them. They hugged and cried for what seemed like an eternity. When they broke apart El kept hold of his hand and asked question after question. About an hour had passed, Joyce began making breakfast, she couldn't contain her happiness. Her enormous smile confused Will and Jonathan when they came through from their rooms. "Morning Mom" they said in unison. Hopper replied "Morning boys". They both stopped and starred. The exact same look on their faces that Joyce and El had when they had first seen him. "Hopper?" Will ran over and hugged him tight, Jonathan smiled but hung back as if waiting his turn. "Come here kid" he said to Jonathan. In-between the hows and the wheres Hopper sat, surrounded by his family, trying to answer all their questions. After breakfast, Joyce called school and explained that a family emergency meant that the kids would not be in school today. Joyce looked at all three children "tomorrow you are going to school...no question but today" she looked into Hops eyes "today is just for us".
El insisted on making Eggos for breakfast, it wasn't a weekend but it was certainly a special occasion, Joyce nodded and El skipped into the kitchen and began her masterpiece. After a couple of hours the constant questions stopped and Hopper finally looked relaxed. The evening was quiet, they all stayed up playing board games and watching movies. Eventually the kids got tired and went to bed, it took a long time for Hop to convince El he would still be there in the morning.
"You want anything before bed" Joyce asked "no, I'm good, thanks...umm...you got some blankets?". "Blankets? Hop, don't be daft, you don't need to stay on the couch". He looked concerned "are you sure?" he asked. "Hopper, we are grown ups, we've known each other what...30 years? Just get into bed". He smiled. After a few minutes in the bathroom Joyce came out with some of his old clothes. "El wanted to keep them " she explained. Hopper took the clothes and held Joyce's hands. "Thank you Joyce, for everything". Joyce smiled, went up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek, "You're very welcome, I'm just so so happy you're home" she said.
That night Joyce had one of her bad dreams but this time instead of waking up in a cold sweat she woke up to find Hop looking at her. "Hey, sshh...its ok...you're not on your own anymore I'm here". Joyce turned and put her arms around him. They led there together wrapped in each others arms comfortable and secure.
The following morning Joyce woke up to find Hop staring at her and stroking her hair. He had tears in his eyes. Joyce looked at him. "Whats wrong?" She asked. "Nothing, nothing at all, I'm just so happy to be back. Thanks for everything you've done ". "Everything I've done? Are we ignoring everything you have done? Hop, if it weren't for you I'd have lost it years ago". He just smiled. Joyce jumped out of bed " stay here, relax. Let me bring you your breakfast in bed". Joyce made her way to the kitchen. Whilst waiting for the food to cook, Joyce realised she was crying. "Mom?" Will asked "is everything ok?".
"Yes sweetie, yes everything is great, I'm just, a little overwhelmed is all. Look, go wake up your sister, breakfast is ready and you are going to school today" she winked.
Joyce took breakfast into Hopper, his eyes widened at the sight of all his favourite foods. Joyce took pleasure in watching him eat. Without realising it she was crying again. Hopper looked worried "Joyce? What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing I'm being stupid just ignore me". "Ignore you? Never...come on, talk to me". He set his tray aside and pulled her closer to him. "Its just that...you're here, right here...but the last time I saw you I...I...killed you". Tears overcame her, Hopper pulled her into his arms. "We did what we had to do that night Joyce. I knew you'd be worried, I wanted, more than anything , to let you know I was alive". A single tear ran down his cheek. "I love you Joyce Horowitz and I never want to be without you again". "I love you too Hop".
