Jopper : You make my heart skip a beat

Chapter 19

Joyce could see El smiling to herself, but before she could ask, Hopper spoke. "What's made you so happy, El" Hopper chuckled, his hand still firmly clasped in Joyce's. Did El see us holding hands? No. She couldn't have. Our hands are hidden under the blanket. But El looks happy about it. Maybe she does like the idea of me and Hopper. But I don't want them getting any ideas. He doesn't feel that way. It's just for comfort. Right...?

"Oh nothing... I just love this movie." She smiled at them, turning back to the movie, it never leaving her face. She is such a good kid. She deserves a whole family. I just wish I could give that to her.

Hoppers grip on Joyce's hand slightly tightened, before he went to lace their fingers together. Joyce did the same. Their fingers intertwined under the furry blanket. Why? Why did he do that? Why would he do that? No...he can't... can he?

Joyce couldn't stop the blush that dusted her cheeks. Oh god! What if he sees me blushing? What will he think of me?

Their fingers stayed intertwined throughout the rest of the movie, never moving, just firmly grasped onto each other. El and Will smiling and laughing madly, while watching the movie, eyes fixed onto the tv, except for when they reached for their snacks or drinks on the coffee table. Hopper and Joyce did anything but focus on the movie. Both of them were transfixed on their hands, never letting go. 

Joyce knew she would have to let go sooner or later, but she didn't want to believe it. I love the way his large, warm hand protects mine from the bitter cold. I love the way he smiles softly at me. He saves that smile just for me, never, not once, have I seen him smile at someone else like that. I love the way he chuckles at our kids who never move their eyes from the small tv. I love his laugh that fills up a room. I love his scruffy stubble on his chin. I love his mysterious deep, ocean blue eyes. I wish I could swim in them forever. With him. Why is Hopper so damn handsome? Why is he so attractive? Why do I love him more than I love myself? Why do I think he is f*ing perfect?!

Joyce thought and thought, but she only knew one thing for sure. Her family was happy. There were no anxious looks or fidgets. There were no worried glances between Hopper and Joyce. There was no fear in her kids eyes. There was only happiness.

When one of the kids absolute favourite scenes come up, and they get fully immersed in the movie, Joyce catches Hopper staring at her out of the corner of her eye. That look. What does it mean?  The only emotion he is showing is coming through his eyes. But I can't tell what he is feeling.

She spoke quietly, so as not to interrupt the movie. "What?" He just stared into her eyes. Never faltering. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She questioned, she scrunched up her nose in confusion as she stared him down. He looks like he's thinking about something. Deeply. But what?

 Before Joyce could fully prepare herself, for the mystery filled bombshell. Hopper whispered as quiet as a mouse. In a voice she hadn't ever heard from him. It was thick with lust and...desire?!

"You're so f*ing beautiful, Joyce." 

She stared at him. Shock. That's the only thing she could feel right now. What?! Why would he say that? Does he really think I'm beautiful? Or is he just messing with me? But...the way he spoke. His voice. He wanted something deep. He wanted...me?!

Hopper turned beet red, realising what he had just said.He seemed about to speak, but was interrupted by really load music. The movie is over. Now what?

"Can we play a board game now, mom?" Will asked, clearly unaware of their current situation. Joyce recovered herself, all traces of her earlier shocked expression, now gone. Our kids can't know. Who knows what they'll think. "Um... yeah sure, honey."

Joyce gently slid her hand out from Hoppers as she stood, lifting the blanket with her, so as not to raise suspicion amongst the two young teenagers. I don't want to let go of his warn hand. But I have to. The kids can't see us holding hands.

"What game to you wanna play?" Joyce asked, walking over to their stack of family board games on a side table beside the fireplace. "How about Pictionary?" El asked. That girl. She loves that game. And is too good at it.

Will was the first to speak, excitement building up on his face. "Yes! I'm El's partner!" That leaves me and Hopper as partners. She was faced away from everyone when she smiled to herself.  "Hey, now, that's hardly fair. We all know El's the master at this game and whoever her partner is, ends up on the winning side." Hopper said in a light-hearted manner, a smile on his face throughout his entire argument. 

El added with a giggle, "You snooze, you lose!" Before she and Will ran to the large table and started setting up the board game. Hopper stood slowly, avoiding eye contact with Joyce. I just want to kiss him. I want to be with him. Why is this so hard?

He broke the awkward silence with a half-hearted chuckle, saying, "I guess that makes us partners." She smiled up at him with a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Yes, I believe so... and we are going to win!" She giggled, her nose scrunching up making him blush. Why is he so cute? Why can't I resist him? But at least we're partners. We are going to win this.

"So here's the plan..." she continued laying out their best strategy to win the game. Joyce knew she should focus on the game. But all she could focus on was the smile on his lips.

They joined the kids at the table. "Right, we'll go first." El said turning to Will. "You ready?" Will questions the adults as El grabbed her marker. Joyce smiled brightly at Will before responding, "Yeah!" El added cockily, "Get ready to lose!"

Hopper smirked at her then looked to Joyce, raising an eyebrow. "You wish!" He said, reaching under the table and squeezing Joyce's hand lightly. Yes! I love him so goddamn much. We are definitely gonna win this. Joyce wanted to tell him it was ok to hold her hand, so she squeezed back.

Their hands didn't slip away, or move as El started drawing furiously as Will started to guess. "A fish!?" He guessed wildly as El never stopped her marker from flying across the page. The guess almost made Joyce laugh.

Hopper pulled on Joyce's hand gently, making her lean closer to him, her ear was inches from his lips. "I think we've got this." His voice was so quiet, she barely heard.

Joyce was never the girl for flirting, or seduction or anything like that. But when Jim Hopper put his lips inches from her ear and spoke in such a quiet, seducing voice. She couldn't help it. I want to f*ing kiss him right now. I want to feel him lips on mine. I just want him. But the kids are here! I can't kiss Hopper in front of them. They'd be traumatised. I'll just have to wait.