(Prepare the tissues. Also, disclaimer: Some of these dates may not be fully accurate since the exact date of certain events in the show are not known. ALSO, almost all of the dialogue is word-by-word from the show so a vote would be appreciated)

November 7th, 1983: That was the day Mike Wheeler's life had changed forever.

That had been the day El had come into his life. That night in November, Mike had gone looking for Will, but found the answer to Will's disappearance and eventually, a friend. He had welcomed El into his house, agreeing to keep her secret... but for what reason? That reason would be unknown until later.

Mike had quickly accepted her as a friend, teaching her what friendship was and what trust meant. Mike had found a new friend that would listen to his stories and rants with curious eyes, paying attention to every word he spoke. She understood him, though he assumed she wouldn't have. She'd watch him talk, letting him speak his words without interrupting at all. He had quickly built a relationship with her, almost instantly clicking with her.

And El, the girl who had escaped from a possessive and abusive place, had found a home and someone who truly cared about her. El had found someone who protected her and cared for her, making sure she was alright at every moment, though he knew how powerful and strong she was. She had learnt what it meant to have friends and what promise meant because of him. He looked out for her as much as he could. He didn't press to find out more about her strange life, but instead took things at El's pace, letting her slowly open up to him as she pleased.

They had both found each other; people who needed someone to lean on and make them feel like they weren't alone in the world. Someone who understood and accepted them without batting an eye. Someone who looked out for the other and would do anything for each other. And those two people had been Mike and El.

November 7th 1983 was the night both of their lives changed for good and their story began.

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November/December 1983: The night Mike kissed El.

They had been talking, and a sudden urge had come over Mike that he couldn't really describe with words. After El had used her powers in the gym, he had been more than worried about her, for a reason he wasn't sure of until after his lips had touched hers. He had a look of awe lingering in his eyes as he truly realized how brave and strong and unique and understanding she was. He had a new found interest and liking to the girl who sat before him, though he wouldn't admit it.

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"Are you feeling any better?" Mike asked, looking over at El who sat across from him. El simply shrugged, her eyes landing in her lap.

"What's 'pudding'?" El asked softly, overhearing Dustin's remarks about the pudding in the cafeteria.

"It's chocolate goo you eat with a spoon," Mike said simply, "don't worry, when all this is over, you won't have to eat junk food and leftovers like a dog. My mom... she's a pretty awesome cook. She can make you whatever you'd like."

"Eggos?"

"Well yeah, eggos, but real food too." Mike sighed, "See, I was thinking, when all this is over and Will is back and you're not a secret anymore, we can get you an actual bed in the basement," he smiled, "or you can take my room if you want since I'm down there all the time anyways." He paused for a moment, "My point is, they'll take care of you. They'll be like your new parents and Nancy, she'll be like your new sister."

"Will you be like my brother?" El asked slowly, keeping her eyes on Mike.

"What? No... no."

"Why no?"

"Because," Mike sighed, "because it's different."

"Why?"

"I mean... I don't know, I guess its not." He shrugged, "Its stupid."

"Mike?" El asked after a moment.

"Yeah?" He looked at her again.

"Friends don't lie," She stated.

Mike sighed, "I was thinking... I don't know... maybe we can go to The Snowball together."

"The Snowball?"

"It's this cheesy school dance where you go in the gym and dance to music and stuff. I've never been but I know you're not supposed to go with your sister."

"No?"

Mike sighed, "I mean, you can, but it'd be really weird. You go to school dances with y'know... someone that you like."

"A friend?'

"Not a friend," he thought for a moment, "like uh... someone like... uh..." Mike looked at her for a moment, leaning forward and gently kissing her. His heart skipped a beat as their lips touched, pulling away to see El with slightly wide eyes and a smile forming on her lips. Mike smile back at her, the warmth of her lips making his lips feel tingly and warm.

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To this day, Mike would never know what came over him at that moment. It had just felt right for him to do and he had no regrets. All the details of this night remained in Mike's head, remembering the happiness and pain he felt that night in the school; he remembered that kiss long after El had disappeared that night.

November/December 1983 was the night Mike had his first kiss, asked El to The Snowball and lost her in the span of 30 minutes.

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November 1984: The day El had returned after 353 days.

Mike still remembered the way his heart began to race and how a knot formed in his throat as El had stepped through the door. His eyes had instantly locked with hers, scanning over her features. He remembered looking at how long her hair had grown and the black eyeshadow around her eyes that made her coffee coloured eyes look brighter. He remembered the dark clothing and her slicked back hair. He remembered the confidence that was in her and the pain that lingered in her eyes. She was all that mattered to him.

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Their eyes had locked in amazement as Mike had stepped forward, pulling her into his arms. "Eleven."

"Mike."

He hugged her close, having a hard time believing she was really here in his arms. He pulled away slightly to see her face, making sure this was reality. "I never gave up on you. I called you every night," Mike said with a smile, keeping El close, "Every night for-"

"353 days," El finished, clear pain in her voice as she looked at him, "I heard."

Mike's smile slowly faltered, unable to take his eyes off of the girl before him, "Why didn't you tell me you were there, that you were okay?"

"Because I wouldn't let her." Hopper spoke up, looking at El.

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Mike still remember the hurt and pain that ran through him at Hopper's words. The girl he had called and waited for was hidden nearly in plain sight. Relief settled into him but also a strong, burning pain and anger. His jaw had clenched in anger; anger at Hopper for keeping El hidden, anger at Brenner for keeping El captive like a science experiment all her life, anger at himself for his mixed up feelings as a teen. But she had come home to him and was safe; he knew that the 353 days had been worth it.

November 1984 was the day the two soon-to-be lovers had found each other once again.

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December 21st 1984: The night of The Snowball.

Mike remembered how hopeful he had been that a certain girl would walk through those doors, but his hope had begun to fade as the night went on. He remembered how he had finally given up until the one person he wanted to see stepped into the gym and how his heart began to race so quickly he was sure everyone could hear it.

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Mike sat at a table while his friends were on the dance floor. He looked up as he noticed a familiar girl walk in through the doors. The girl's hair was curled and light makeup enhanced her features, a dress on her figure; she looked absolutely stunning in his eyes. He stood up and made his over to her, trying to figure out if this was a figment of his imagination or reality.

"You... you look beautiful," He smiled, making El smile at his words. Mike looked around briefly before asking, "Do you want to dance?"

"I don't know how." El admitted, looking around at the kids on the dance floor.

"I don't either," he shrugged, "do you want to figure it out?" El nodded slightly and intertwined her fingers with his, letting him lead her onto the dance floor. Mike took her hands and placed them on his shoulders, "Like this, yeah." His arms wrapped around her waist as her hands slid up his shoulders to wrap her arms around his neck.

The gap between them slowly began to close, Mike's eyes locking with hers for a moment before glancing down at her lips. El had a soft smile on her face as they swayed to the music, her eyes locking with his again. Mike's arms were wrapped comfortably around her waist, holding her close as they danced. Mike glanced at her lips once more before leaning in to gently kiss her. El returned the kiss, giving Mike a smile before letting her forehead gently touch his. Mike held a grin on his face for the rest of the night, finally able to keep his promise to El. She locked eyes with him again as they swayed to the music, a soft smile on her lips.

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To this day, Mike could remember the happiness that had run through him and look of awe when she walked through the doors. He would never forget the smile that had crossed El's face when their eyes had locked and how delicate and soft her voice was. He finally had fulfilled his promise to El and that had made him happier than ever before.

December 21 1984 was the night Mike had finally fulfilled his promise and got his second kiss.

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July 1985: The day the "L" word had been said/returned.

That day made Mike equally happy and sad. It had been the day El had moved away, but the "L" word had been spoken. El had returned Mike's feelings and clearly meant it; the memory making Mike grin to this day. He remember how quickly his heart had begun to beat in his chest and the millions of thoughts that had run through his head at her words and the feeling of her lips touching his again.

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El stood at the closet, removing the last of her belongings. She looked up at her stuffed animal, attempting to reach it but failing. She sighed and attempted to use her powers, concentrating hard before lowering her hand in defeat.

"They'll come back," Mike said, walking into the room, "I know they will." He grabbed the stuffed animal from the shelf and handed it her.

"Thanks," El smiled, holding it to her chest.

"You packed your walkie, right?"

"Yes."

"Because you know I'm going to steal Cerebro from Dustin and call you so much you're going to have to turn it off, right?" They both smiled at his words, El's eyes landing at her feet out of pure habit.

"Did you talk to your mom, about Thanksgiving?" She asked slowly, looking up at Mike.

"Yeah," he nodded, "I got the 'okay'. I'll be there." Mike smiled, "And I was thinking you could come up here for Christmas, and Will too. You could come before or after Christmas or whatever Ms. Byers wants, but I was thinking Christmas day could be super fun because we'd all have fun new presents to play with and uh..." He shook his head, "Sorry, that uh, made me sound like a seven year old."

El said softly after a moment, "I like presents too."

"Yeah, cool, yeah," Mike said awkwardly, "I like, I like presents too."

"Cool." El smiled softly and walked past Mike, her smile slowly starting to fall. She stopped and hesitated for a moment, not knowing how badly Mike wanted to say something too. "Mike?"

He turned and looked at her, "Yeah?"

She sighed, hesitating a moment, "Remember that day... at the cabin, you were talking to Max?"

"Um, I don't think I follow."

"You were talking about your feelings, your heart."

"Oh," Mike nodded slightly, "Oh yeah that, man that was so long ago, um," he rubbed the back of his neck, "it was just heat of the moment stuff and we were arguing and... I don't really remember," he paused, "what did I say exactly?"

She locked eyes with him, "Mike." Every damn time El spoke his name with that soft voice, he could feel his heart skipping a beat.

El walked back over to him, placing her hand to his cheek, "I love you too." She leant forward and kissed him a few times while Mike stood there in shock.

She broke the kiss and smile at him, turning away and walking out the door with a grin on her face, leaving Mike in the bedroom, still trying to comprehend what had just occurred.

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After Mike realized what had happened, he had the biggest smile on his face, even though the girl he loved had left moments after. To this day, that memory always made Mike's heart skip a beat out of happiness. As for El, she had said the best words ever. The shocked look that lingered on Mike's face was forever imprinted into her mind, long after she had left with Joyce, Will and Jonathan and for years to come.

July 1985 was the day El had said the golden words: "I love you".

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November 7th 1991: The day Mike Wheeler proposed to the love of his life.

Mike had always known he had wanted to marry El. And El had already decided at age eighteen that Mike would be the guy she married. So one day, Mike led El down to the woods, the place they had first met, a small white box in his jacket pocket and millions of thoughts running through his head.

Mike stopped suddenly, looking around at the trees surrounding the area. El stopped at Mike's side, "Mike? What's wrong?"

Even to this day, the way El said his name made his heart skip a beat. "Nothing El," he sighed. "Now or never," he muttered, reaching into his pocket for the box.

El watched him curiously, looking down at Mike's hand. "Mike?"

Mike took a deep breath, "El, I knew that one day I was going to do this, and that time is now. I knew from that night in the cafeteria when we were kids, I knew that I wanted to be with you forever. I lost you twice El, and I can never lose you again. I need you by my side forever and thank you for the best eight years of my life. You've been there and understood me since the day I met you when you were eating eggos in my basement. You're my everything El, and holy shit I love you so much. We wrote this story that started back in 1983, and I want it to be neverending. And of course you don't have to say yes and we can wait. But El," he pulled out the box and went down on one knee, "will you marry me one day? I don't need a signed piece of paper El, but with this, I promise I'll always love you and one day when we're ready, instead of being my girlfriend and fiancée, you'll be my wife."

El nodded eagerly, "Yes." She grinned, pulling Mike to his feet, "I'll marry you one day."

Mike grinned and slid the engagement ring onto her finger, pulling her into a kiss. Mike asked her to marry him one day because he didn't want to pressure her and that he wasn't in any rush; he had waited 353 days to see her, he could wait to marry his new fiancée. All Mike needed was to know that one day, El would be his wife after being his girlfriend for so many years.

Neither of them needed their wedding to happen tomorrow, but that silver ring on El's finger meant that one day it would be them, husband and wife, continuing their neverending story.

2800 words. All dialogue except for the proposal is the original dialogue from the show. I thought it would be a good idea to look through Mileven's highlights and their relationship. I hope you enjoyed this, please leave a vote.