Chapter Text
Mike stood in front of the large and grand door to the Hopper Estate, his parents on either side of him. His stomach was twisting into knots as his mother fixed his hair and his father muttered something along the lines of ‘You better not screw this up.’ That just made Mike let out a soft sigh; looking away to roll his eyes.
Not screwing this up was easier said than done. After all he was the one being pushed into an arranged marriage with the daughter of an aristocratic family. It was for money and a chance for his parents to rise up in status. He didn’t get it, but had to accept what was happening no matter what.
It wasn’t up to him what he did. In truth it was a little frustrating yet he pushed that down, not wanting to disappoint his parents. That was something he never wanted to do, Mike couldn’t stand that. Especially when they would have that tone and the way they spoke with him. It was truly something he wanted to avoid at all costs; getting lectured was an inconvenience.
He never really had control over his life. What his father wanted, he had to obey. If he didn’t it would be a whole big headache that Mike would rather avoid.
So here he was, getting ready for his parents to meet Jane Hopper’s parents. It was a meeting to discuss the arrangements while also doing a small rehearsal wedding. Which Mike had been dreading. As his father rang the bell to signal their arrival, he could feel his nerves only heightening more. Good lord he needed to calm down, he couldn’t face his potential wife's family like this.
The door opened a few moments later with a loud creak. A butler stood at the door, his expression clearly showing distaste for Mike and his family’s presence there. Okay, this was already starting off great. He thought sarcastically in his head.
His mom went in first, his father following behind. Mike lagged behind them but followed suit. The house was utterly beautiful. The entrance was rather large, and right in front of them was a long and grand staircase. The floor was a grey stone of sorts. Up the stairs it broke off in both directions, leading to two different hallways. This place was rather large; a physical show of the Hopper family ‘old money’ wealth. To their right was a large black piano, a vase sitting on top of it with a slightly wilted blue flower in it.
Standing at the bottom of the staircase was a man and a woman. The man was tall with dark hair and a mustache to match. He wore a gruff look on his face. He was dressed up in a nice dark suit.
The woman was at least a foot or more shorter than the man, also with dark hair that was neatly down her shoulders. She had a much softer expression than the man, a soft smile playing on her lips. She had such a motherly presence about her that it made Mike a little less anxious. However he was still a little hesitant about the man. ‘This must be Jane’s parents.’ Mike thought to himself, at the same time he was also focusing on keeping his posture right and trying to seem like he wasn’t actually freaking out internally about all of this.
The butler moved swiftly, standing between both families. “Lord and Lady Hopper. Mr and Mrs Wheeler.” The butler introduced them.
Lord Hopper seemed less than impressed with the situation. He was eyeing Mike up and down, like he was trying to dissect him bit by bit; almost as if he was trying to see into his soul. It was… uncomfortable for Mike, who was forcing himself not to squirm under the watchful gaze. He tore his eyes away from him, instead he was now looking down to the floor.
“Welcome to our home, it’s great to have you here.” Lord Hopper finally spoke with a very strained voice clearly forcing himself to be civil and fine with this situation.
“Well thank you for having us, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Mike’s mother Karen spoke, her tone was sincere yet controlled.
Lady Hopper smiled at Karen. “We’ll be taking tea in the west drawing room” She started, and began to lead them to a corridor a few inches away. “Oh, do come this way. It’s just through here.” With that her husband went through the hallway, with her and Mike’s parents following behind.
Mike lagged behind once more, rolling his eyes as his mother over complimented the house to Lady Hopper. Of course she was overdoing it and sucking up. They wanted this to go well. Mike wasn’t at all interested in going into the room with them, not wanting to be stuck listening to his parents try to charm the Hopper’s.
Instead he lingered near the piano; his thoughts were all over the place. His hand accidentally rested on one key, playing the note by accident. The door down the hall slammed shut, making him jolt on the spot. He was now left alone in the large house, just considering his choices or well the lack thereof.
He turned back toward the piano, his fingers moving across the keys as he played soft notes. The sound was soft and elegant. He couldn’t help himself as he focused more and began to play a mysterious and poignant melody. Mike sat on the piano bench, losing himself in the rhythm in which his fingers moved. He could easily get lost in the music he was playing, it wasn’t hard to do.
Mike was pretty fond of the piano, as much as he didn’t want to admit it.
Unbeknownst to him his melody had echoed through the house, getting the attention of a beautiful young woman. Jane Hopper. As Mike continued to play, Jane slowly came down the stairs; she didn’t make a sound as she did this. She thought the music was beautiful. It had drawn her in quite easily.
Jane was now standing beside Mike, and so when he looked over he totally freaked out, not expecting anyone to be standing there. “Oh! Oh!” He stammered as he stood up, jolting and accidentally knocking over the bench he was sitting on. It hit the floor with a slight thud sound.
His knee had also knocked into the piano which shook a bit, causing the vase almost to tip over; but he caught it thankfully, steadying it on the flattened surface. Mike looked over bashfully. “Do forgive me” He apologized almost immediately.
He finally got a look at the woman. Oh, so this had to be Jane then. She had brunette hair that was down and brushed neatly, sitting just a bit lower than her shoulders. She had a soft and gentle expression as well as an air of elegance within her. Jane’s eyes were large, brown and very expressive. She seemed thrilled to have heard his piano playing.
Not only did she seem elegant, she simply was elegant with the purple dress she wore. It was more fitted on the top half, a corset tightly laced and held around her stomach. The skirt was long and a bit poofy, but not over dramatically so. It was a simple but radiant look for her. And Mike noted how purple seemed to be her color because it looked very nice on her.
“You play beautifully.” Jane stated simply, her voice soft.
“I– I do apologize, Miss Hopper. How rude of me to– Well..” He trailed off for a moment. “Excuse me.” He murmured as he bent down to pick the knocked over bench up. Oh lord. He was feeling so embarrassed. Leave it to him to be so improper in someone else’s home. Mike knew he was going to mess this up.
He really hoped he wasn’t making a fool of himself like always as his parents said many times before.
“Mother won’t let me near the piano. Music is improper for a young lady. Too passionate, she says.” Jane stated a bit sorrowfully.
Mike straightened himself up, adjusting his suit jacket. “If I may ask, M-Miss Hopper, where is your chaperon?” He asked curiously.
Jane seemed to think for a moment. “Perhaphs, in– In view of the circumstances, you could call me Jane.” She announced as she slowly moved a bit closer to the piano where Mike was.
Mike let out a soft chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck almost instinctively. He supposed he was going to have to get used to that. After all they were going to be wed if all of this went according to plan like both of their families wanted.
“Heh. Yes, of course… Well Victoria..” He started softly.
“Yes.. Mike?” Jane murmured, her tone made him know it was questioning. She seemed to be eagerly awaiting for what he had to say next.
“Tomorrow we are to be.. M–” He started to stammer a little. His hands were messing with this tie, practically wringing the soft material under his fingers. God his nerves were getting the better of him. Why couldn’t he just be a man and say it?
“M– Mmm–” He hummed a little.
“Married.” Jane finally finished for him, her face still holding a gentle and caring expression on it. She seemed so effortlessly kind.
“Yes. Ha. M-m-married.” He hated the way he sounded so.. shaky and nervous. This should be easy, but he didn’t have any experience with this. Mike didn’t talk to many girls, he was awkward. Yet here he was, standing in front of a beautiful woman who he was supposed to be getting married to tomorrow. Which was still mindblowing in all seriousness.
Jane looked down fondly at the piano, a different sort of softness filling them. The look in her eyes was slightly bittersweet; a mix of sadness and longing. “Since I was a child, I’ve– I’ve dreamt of my wedding day.” She took a seat on the bench. “I always hoped to find someone I was deeply in love with. Someone to spend the rest of my life with.” Jane spoke honestly and from the heart as her fingers hovered over the keys of the piano, as if she wanted to play yet didn’t dare take that leap yet.
This had been something she had thought so much about. A day of pure bliss, becoming the wife of someone who truly loved her and cherished a relationship.
“Silly, isn’t it?” She mused as she turned her head to look at Mike once more.
“Yes. Silly, Ha–” He started, however his eyes widened as he spoke. He hadn’t meant to say that. “No! No, not at all, no.” He quickly retracted his other words, taking a seat beside Jane.
Her dream wasn’t silly at all. It was something probably everyone wanted, a life partner who would make you happy. Someone to spend everyday with till your last breath. Something real and unapologetic.
As he leaned his elbow on the piano, he accidentally knocked over the vase. Which startled them both, Jane letting out a soft gasp as it make a soft clinck against the wood. The water slipped out easily, pooling there in one spot.
“Oh! Oh, dear. I’m sorry.” Mike immediately apologized. He didn’t mean to do that. “I’m hopelessly clumsy, I’m a hazard I swear.” He said, rolling his eyes at himself. God he really needed to get himself together. Mike was constantly tripping over his own feet, or slamming his knees into table corners. He had no sense of self awareness when it came to himself and the space around him, especially when it came down to his stupid lanky limbs.
As he faced her again, she was looking at him with a softer smile. The corners of her lips upturned a little. Jane had found that whole display rather.. Amusing. Mike was proving to be very funny and someone she could get along with quite well, even though they had just met.
Jane was holding the flower from the vase in her hand, and she held it out for him. It was a simple yet tender movement that showed she wasn’t annoyed or upset at all. Rather she seemed charmed by him.
However the moment was ruined by the loud voice of Lord Hopper. “What impropriety is this? You shouldn’t be alone together.” He demanded. Both Jane and Mike were looking at her father, donning a bit of a surprised expression.
“Here it is, one minute before 5 and you’re not at the rehearsal. Pastor Galswells is waiting.” Hopper stated, his facial expression showing that he was clearly not pleased with either of them. “Come at once.” He said firmly, whirling around to walk out of the room with expectation that Jane and him follow behind.