AN: Blake finally has a new outfit... HEHEHE

♚

Three months later, Blake Anne Hopper was sitting on the the broken floor of her old cabin, packing up what little belongings she had left here on that fateful night.

She and Steve hadn't gone to their dream college when the semester started- their hearts still grieving over the loss of Jim Hopper and taking care of a now fatherless El. But, they had made a few calls and explained everything to the school and would be allowed to attend next quarter.

Which was in a week.

Blake's feet were crossed under her, the girl's hair up in a messy bun and frizzy from the humidity when she grabbed a photo album, causing multiple pictures and a paper to fall out. She huffed, leaning over and grabbed everything before ran her fingers over the many different photographs, a small smile on her face.

Her heart was heavy as she smoothed the now crumpled piece of paper and her eye's widened, seeing it was addressed to her... in her father's handwriting.

"Dear Blake,

I know. It's as weird for me as it is for you to write something for the future. But the minute that... moron with the crazy hair asked me that question no father is ready for, I knew I had to do this. Mostly for my sake."

Blake's brows furrowed and she adjusted her seating, now laying on her stomach as she continued reading.

"The minute I held you in my arms, I knew you were special. You stole my heart with those big green eyes, kid, and now, you've stolen someone else's.

A part of me doesn't want to believe it. You're still my beautiful little girl- the girl who always stayed inside and read instead of playing with other kids because they were "whiny little brats". The girl who never liked pink or played with dolls because she claimed she was too tough for them like her daddy. The girl who held me when I was drunk out of my mind after her sister died when I should have been the one holding you.

But now you're also his- a strong, independent woman who could do/does anything she puts her mind to. A woman who is not afraid to speak her truths and will fight for what she believes in. A woman who I'm so proud to call my daughter.

I'm telling you, kid, it took all I had in me not to say no, but that would have been selfish. The way he talked about you, Blake.... that boy is in love. I mean, he asked me permission to marry you. He had a ring and everything. You don't do that with people you don't love."

Blake gaped, her heart stopping in her chest as she put the letter down.

After a minute, she came back to her senses and picked the letter back up, continuing to read the other half of page she had left.

"I know you love him, too. Over these past six, excruciating long months, I have seen you smile and laugh more than you ever had before and you two are sickening. I guess that's why I threw the "three inch rule" away with you two. You deserve to be in love, no matter how much I wanna smack his smug face.

It's gonna be weird kid, not having you under my roof; not to play board games with you every night or watch westerns while you eat all your stupid KitKat's. Out of everyone, you've always been the one that didn't leave me and put up with my s̶h̶i̶t̶  problems. I always knew with whatever happened, I had you.

But now he has you too and I'm okay with that... or at least I'm trying to be.

When you were little, not playing with dolls, I called you princess which you hated. You told me you were a queen- one that strikes fear into the men who wronged you and made them treat you know you should be. With respect (what five year old talks like that?) and you know what? You are.

You are his queen and he does treats you like how you are supposed to be treated.

So, you two may be young and he may only be your first boyfriend, but he's it. Marry the boy with awful hair that is corrupting you. But, please, if you don't mind, for the sake of your poor old dad, don't make me a grandpa yet.

I love you, kid,

Dad."

By the time Blake was done, she was crying. She clutched the letter to her chest, her whole body shaking as she let out a loud sob, just wanting to hold her dad again.

The girl only looked up when she heard a car pull up and she sniffed, wiping her nose with her sleeve as she stood up.

Blake walked out of Hopper's room as the door opened, revealing Steve who had a smile on his face, "KitKat, you'll never believe it. Keith wouldn't even give me an imaginary job at-" He stopped himself, seeing Blake, "Baby, what's wrong?"

"Yes," She sadly smiled though her tears. Steve furrowed his brows, walking over to her and placed his hands on her hips, saying, "Blake, what are you talking about?"

She rose the letter her father had written to cope with Steve asking his permission to marry Blake and Steve rose a brow, taking it. Blake watched as the boy's eyes widened and he looked at her, awkwardly chuckling, "I-I don't know what he's talking about-"

"-Yes," Blake restated, track-marks down her cheeks from crying, "I'm saying yes."

"Really?" Steve's eyes brightened, his mouth going agape. Blake nodded, a smile on her lips and Steve proudly chuckled, lifting her into his arms and Blake wrapped her legs around his waist as he kissed her deeply.

Blake ran her fingers through his hair, a tear falling onto her cheek as she pulled back, setting her forehead on his. She smiled, her eyes closed as she relished the feeling of being in his arms, "I love you, Steve Harrington."

"I love you, Blake Hopper," Steve grinned, a smitten look on his face. Blake hugged the boy and they stayed in each other's embrace before she pulled back, saying, "Let's get married today."

"What?" Steve questioned, confused. The girl in his arms shrugged and said, "The court house could marry us. We could leave Hawkins tomorrow a married couple."

The boy's grin widened and he gave her a curt nod, saying, "You don't mind not having a big wedding?"

"No," She shook her head, cupping his jaw with one hand, "I'd rather save the money for our home and college if I'm being honest."

"But I can't get you a dress in a day time," Steve solemnly said. Blake bit her lip, thinking for a minute before she jumped out of his arms, going to one of the many boxes that were scattered on the floor.

She ripped open a box and smiled, taking out her white prom dress that was in a dress bag. She had only worn once when Steve forced her to go a few months ago.

Bake brought it up to her body, "I mean, typically they don't allow you real wedding attire at the courthouse, but I'm sure I can pull some strings."

"You really wanna do this today?" Steve questioned. Blake set the dress on the box, walking over to him and took his hands, saying, "Steve, I don't care about the details. I just want to be married to you. Don't we deserve a little happiness after these last few months?"

Steve pulled her in by her hands and kissed her again softly. He pulled back, a smile on his face as he said, "Then I think we have a few calls to make."

After a few hours of signing paperwork and a lot of cheating the system because the old woman at the reception desk felt bad about Hopper's passing, Blake was in the backroom of the courthouse with Joyce, Max, Nancy, Robin and El, getting ready.

"Holy shit," Blake paced back and forth, her dress dragging against the carpet, "I'm getting married at nineteen. How many marriages work out for people who get married this young? You know the divorce rate is increasing and-"

"-Blake!" Joyce stopped her, holding her shoulders, "You and Steve are going to be fine. You two are so in love. I don't think you'll ever fall out of love, okay?"

Blake only nodded and the older woman gave her a smile before she grabbed a box, bringing it out making Blake raise a brow. El and Max pushed themselves off the wall as Robin fixed Blake's train, the brunette saying, "What is that?"

"Well, you needed something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue," Joyce explained, opening the box to take out the veil she had used. Blake smiled and walked over to the woman, letting her pin it to her now curled hair and said, "Thank you, Mrs. Byers."

"Of course, now you only need something blue since I'm so old," The woman laughed, giving the girl a hug. El suddenly walked over and took off her bracelet, forcing it onto Blake's hand, "Blue."

"El," Blake shook her head, seeing Sarah's old hair band on her wrist, "Dad gave this to you to show you that we will always protect you."

El giggled, saying, "Then it's also something borrowed."

Blake pulled the girl in for a hug and the other girls joined before a knock rang out. Joyce went to the door and turned to Blake, saying, "It's the boys, minus the groom."

"They can come in," Blake smiled, her hair framing her face as her veil was draped over her shoulders. The boys filed in and all their jaw's dropped, Dustin saying, "Wow."

"You look pretty good," Mike grinned and Will nodded as he said, "You look beautiful, Blake."

"Yeah, Steve is one lucky guy," Lucas told making Blake smile. She looked over at Jonathan, who was standing there smiling making her say, "What's up with you, Byers?"

"I just can't believe that my best friend is getting married," He shook his head, his hands in his pockets as he walked over to her. Blake hugged the boy before she looked up,saying , "Me neither."

"I can't believe you are marrying that dingus," Robin laughed, nudging her with her shoulder, "Or the fact that he is finally settling down."

Blake smirked, "It's because he's whipped."

"That he is," Robin nodded. Blake chuckled and turned to the boys, saying, "I'm assuming you all came in here to tell me it's time?"

The boys nodded and Blake took the small bouquet of flowers Will had picked for her before they walked down the hall. Everyone besides El left and Blake linked their arms, saying, "You remember what to do?"

"I give you away, but not really away because you're my sister," El told and Blake nodded as she continued, "I place your hand in his and tell him to take care of you or I will kill him."

"How do you know so much about this, Ellie?" Blake chuckled before they turned a corner, the door to where Steve was only a few feet away from. El shrugged, saying, "I read it in Max's Cosmo."

Blake only nodded, looking down at her feet and they rounded the corner, stepping into the courtroom as everyone stood up. The girl gulped and slowly brought her head up, trailing up the hardwood until she landed on Steve in an all black suit with his hair it's usual style.

Blake did not want it slicked back.

The boy was smiling brightly, his hands crossed in front of him as his eyes grew watery, seeing Blake making her way towards him. He quickly wiped his eyes, gulping down his emotions as Jonathan patted him on the back from behind him, as he was his best man and was carrying Blake's ring for Steve.

When Blake and El got to Steve, the younger girl took Blake's hand and kissed it, placing it in Steve before saying, "Protect my sister."

"I promise," Steve smiled, leaning down and kissed the young girl's head before she skipped over to the pews where everyone was with Blake's bouquet.

The judge began performing the ceremony and the two repeated everything that they were supposed to until it was time for the vows.

Steve let out a long sigh, smiling at the girl admirably as he started, "Blake Hopper, I am proud and honored to be able to marry you today. I love the way only I get to see your quirky self and the way your lips move when you read. I love that you always push my hair back when it's in my face because you want to be able to look into my eyes as you tell me you love me. I love that I get a kiss at every red light or that you pull me out to dance in the rain. I love you."

Blake bit her lip and Steve mouthed those words again before he started back up, "I promise to join your laughter with my own and when you can't look on the bright side, I will sit with you in the dark. Blake Anne Hopper, I choose you because falling for you wasn't like falling at all- it was walking into a house and knowing it was home," He turned and took the ring from Jonathan, sliding it on her finger, "And with this ring, I thee wed."

Steve let a tear fall and Blake brought her hand up, wiping them away with the pad of her thumb. The judge looked to her and she smiled, squeezing Steve's hand before saying, "Steve Harrington, I am ready to begin the rest of my days with a cup of coffee in my hand and the sight of your eyes opening in the morning light. I'm ready for forever. Now, I can't promise you that life will be easy, because God do we know it's not," She choked out a cry, "But I can promise that everyday that goes by, I will fall in love with you more and more. I can promise that I will do my best to be the partner that you deserve and vow that I will never hurt you."

"I promise to be there during both the good and bad, to have my arms open; to be your home because I love you," Blake promised, crying alongside Steve as she took the ring from Robin, who was her maid of honor. She turned, a bright smile on her face as she slipped on the ring she had bought for him an hour ago onto his finger, "And with this ring, I thee wed."

"And now, by the power vested in me by the state of Indiana, I now pronounce you husband and wife," The couple grinned widely, "Mr. Harrington, you may kiss your bride."

Steve didn't hesitate, tilting her head up and kissed Blake deeply while everyone stood up and began clapping for the now married couple. Blake smiled into the kiss, pushing every ounce of love she had for the boy into it as she played with the hair that was at the nape of his neck.

After a few seconds they pulled back and Blake grinned bashfully, "I love you, Mr. Harrington."

"And I love you, Mrs. Harrington."

♚

The next day, the newly wed couple was in the Byers living room sitting with Max, Lucas and Robin, singing off-key to A Never Ending Story while staring Dustin down from across the room. Max laughed, "Wait, did we get that verse right? It's "unfold behind the clouds"?"

"Yeah, but all of you are butchering it, so could you please stop?" Dustin questioned. Steve rolled his eyes, wrapping his arms around Blake from behind, as she was laying in between his legs and said, "My wife is killing it, don't be so harsh."

"Join in, Dusty-bun," Lucas taunted, blowing an air kiss. Blake laughed as Max snorted, saying, "Yeah, come on, Dusty-bun, why don't you join us?"

Dustin rolled his eyes, looking up from the box he had just put something into, "You guys are so funny, you should be on Carson."

"Not a fan, Dusty-bun," Robin laughed, high-fiving Blake. Max nodded, " Can't we just hear your rendition?"

"Please?" Blake pouted, still leaning on Steve's chest, "It'll be like our wedding present, curly-fry."

"No," The boy answered. Steve scoffed and Max intertwined her fingers, pleading with the boy, "Please? Just one verse?"

Dustin immediately shook his head, "No. No way. It's reserved for Suzie's ears and Suzie's ears alone."

"Whipped," Blake spoke, faking a cough making Robin laugh, leaning on her. Everyone gave each other a look, nodding as they began to sing once more.

They all danced around in their spots and Dustin rolled his eyes, flipping them off. When they didn't stop, Dustin waved his finger around making Blake snort. The woman stood up, whispering that she was going to check on El and Steve smiled, patting her upper thigh.

Blake walked away, ruffling Will's hair as she walked towards the room she and El had been sharing- besides the previous night. El looked over when Blake knocked on the door frame, saying, "Can I come in?"

"Of course," El smiled, taking things off hangers and putting them in boxes. Blake walked over, taking the flannel from her hand and said, "I believe I have something that belongs to you."

She placed El's bracelet back on her wrist and El sadly smiled, saying, "Thank you."

"No, thank you, Ellie," Blake softened, taking her hands in hers, "I don't think you realize how much you mean to me. El, I love you. You're my sister and these last few months... I wouldn't have gotten through them without you."

"Thank you, 'Lake," El smiled, "For giving me a chance that night you all found me in the woods."

Blake winked at her and El giggled, the brunette looking at her before saying, "Are you sure you want to live with Steve and I, El? Trust me, I want you to, but if going with Joyce will make you feel better, then go for it. We'll only be fifteen minutes away since the campus isn't that far. I mean, you'll be staying there with Will after school."

"My home is with you," The younger girl commented. Blake wrapped her arms around the girl, rocking them back and forth as Steve walked in, wrapping his arms around them also as he said, "How are my girls?"

"We're fine," El giggled and Steve squeezed them before they dispersed. El looked up in the closet and saw that there was a stuffed koala bear.

She looked at Blake and the girl nodded, entwining her fingers with Steve's and rested her other hand on his arm, the cold of her ring causing goosebumps on the boy's body. They watched as she brought her hand out and tried to move it with her powers, but there was no avail.

El huffed and turned to the couple making them give her a small sympathetic smile before a voice rang out, saying, "They'll come back. I know they will."

The trio turned to see Mike through the door and Blake smirked, silently pushing Steve out of the door. Her husband looked at her, his eyes wide as she leaned them against the wall.

Blake was standing in between his legs as he was pressed up against the dull paint and Steve whispered, saying, "What are you doing?"

"I'm listening," Blake shushed him, resting her hands on his chest. The boy wrapped his arms around her waist and held her as she listened to her sister talk to Mike, saying that she loved him too.

Her eyes widened and she looked at Steve, whose eyes were also like saucers, "Oh, dear God! We have to deal with it now."

"I deal with the happy screams," El pointed out, walking out of the room while holding the stuffed animal. Blake's jaw dropped, saying, "How the hell do you know about that?"

"Cosmo," El said in a sing-song voice, walking into Joyce's room. Blake huffed, looking up at Steve, "First rule of the Harrington household, no Cosmo."

Steve smirked down at her, "Yes, Mrs. Harrington."

"Do you get off on that or something? That's all you've called me since the wedding."

"I just like calling you that," Steve said before kissed her. Blake smiled into it, kissing back before patting his cheek, "I love you too, Mr. Harrington."

Blake left the mans embrace and walked over to the room the girls were in to hear El say, "Can I read?"

"Read what?" Blake questioned, looking over El's shoulder to see Joyce had her father's uniform on her lap. Blake gaped, a breath of relief escaping her lips, "I was looking everywhere for that."

Joyce gave her a sad smile and gave the shirt to her, the girl immediately unclipping her father's badge and name tag off of it. She ran her fingers over them, a fond smile on her face as Joyce gave El the letter Hopper had written for her and Mike.

The two women let her leave the room and Joyce looked over at Blake, saying, "How are you?"

"I'm... I'm getting better," Blake told, truthfully, "You've really helped with that. I mean, really, thank you for helping Steve and I out by letting her stay with you after school until one of us can pick her up."

"You don't have to thank me, hun. It's the least I can do," Joyce smiled, standing up and kissing the girl's head. Blake hugged the girl, whispering, "Thank you, Mom."

Mrs. Byers squeezed the girl, "I always told you, you're like my other child. I'd do anything for you."

The two left it at that and Blake went out to the living room, finding Steve talking with Robin. Blake smiled at the girl, saying, "You getting ready to go?"

"Yeah, I gotta go to my new job," She nodded, stuffing her hands in her pockets. Blake gave the girl a small smile, "You can always call, write and even come up. We'll be back down here too, okay? This isn't goodbye, Robin."

Robin lunged for the couple and they hugged her back, Steve laughing as he said, "Wow, is the Robin Buckley going to miss me?"

"No, I'm just going to miss your hot-ass wife," Robin teased. Blake laughed, winking at her and said, "I'll miss you too."

Soon Robin left, promising to keep in contact and update, leaving everyone outside.

Everyone said their goodbyes and Blake cried, hugging the boys and Max as she said, "I have something for you four."

Their brows furrowed and Blake walked over to her and Steve's car, the boy's keys never having been returned, opened the trunk. Blake took out one of the four barbed wire bats and sighed, handing it to Mike.

"You're giving these to us?" Lucas questioned. Blake gave her boys and Max a small grin, "I love you, kids. You boys saved me after Sarah passed. I wanted to give you something to always have with you in case something happened. I figured... four for four."

"What if you need it?" Dustin questioned as she passes him his. Steve suddenly came up behind Blake, saying, "Then we have mine."

"This isn't goodbye, okay? It's going to be hard not having you around though," Blake let a tear fall. The kids put their new bats down and hugged the girl they considered to be their older sister.

With a lot of tears and promises, the Byers family, Steve, Blake and El were off, the young teenage girl in the moving truck with Joyce.

After driving for a bit, Steve looked Blake and grasped her hand, their wedding rings sparkling in the sunlight as he kissed hers and he said, "Are you okay, Mrs. Harrington?"

Blake looked over at the love of her life, smiling a bit while saying, "I will be."

And it's only when the couple drove past the "Leaving Hawkins" sign as the opening of "Don't Mess Around with Jim" played through the radio did Blake Harrington realize...

Everything would be okay.

♚

AN: OMG YOU GUYS
Important Authors Note after this. Please read