It was another afternoon when Joyce invited Steve for dinner. She couldn't bear the thought of him being alone in that big, empty house. He said he'd come, of course, and thanked her for the invitation. She gestured with her hands like saying 'don't thank me. you're always welcome here'. She then said he can bring friends too.
Steve smiled at the approval, and appeared at the Byers' doorstep a couple hours later with Eddie on one side and Robin on the other. Nancy arrived a few minutes earlier, she was at the Byers' every other day of the week, and when she heard her friends were coming she came a bit too early, on purpose.
Will got permission to bring friends as well, so he invited Mike, who brought El, who convinced Max, who dragged Lucas who didn't even need to tell Dustin to come, because if Steve and Eddie are there, he's always there too.
Jonathan helped Joyce bring some more chairs and another old table into the house.
"do you think I made enough food..?" she whispered under her breath.
"Mom, it's fine," Jonathan smiled, "I do think you made enough food, and if anyone's still hungry, we'll send Steve to get some pizza."
Joyce rolled her eyes, but smiled back at him. "he's our guest, Jonathan, be nice."
Jonathan picked up a pile of chairs. "guest? mom, he's here more than Will sometimes." he looked over to the living room to see everyone giggling at Eddie, who was doing something that looked like a reenactment of a movie scene.
"you know his parents aren't around much... I want him to feel comfortable here, that he has a place to be and someone to talk to..."
Jonathan put down the chairs and sighed. "mom, sometimes you're too good."
somehow everyone succeeded to find a place around the table. most of their arms were touching and rubbing against each other, but no one complained. food was being passed and joyful grunts were heard.
"This is so good, Mrs Byers," Eddie said with his mouth full. Robin nodded in agreement, "yeah, so so good!"
"I'm glad, sweethearts. please, call me Joyce." she smiled in front of an empty plate. Steve noticed.
"aren't you eating, Mrs Byers?" he asked carefully.
"call her Joyce," Robin said quietly and kicked him under the table.
Joyce heard her, and laughed. "it's okay, Steve. I want you guys to eat first. besides, you know how it is, you cook and taste and then taste again and before you notice - you're full."
"Surprisingly, I do know how it is," he smiled and looked at all the 6 kids who were sitting around the table, talking too loudly with food in their mouths, laughing at unfunny jokes, and looking so... calm.
"I don't know how it is," Robin said, cutting Steve's train of thought. "now that I think about it, Steve is the only one who cooks."
Eddie joined, "right! wherever we are, even at my beat-up trailer, Steve always takes over the kitchen."
"Even at our house, Mike, right?" Nancy joined in laughing, "he'd come over just to cook because our kitchen is big and the kids are always there anyway,"
Mike nodded and the rest of the kids joined in, "yeah!" Will said, "Steve makes the best pancakes," "and mashed potatoes!" Dustin added, "and chicken too," Max got into the conversation, "it's funny, I think I first tried it when he was over at Eddie's and came to my place to let me taste it."
Steve shook his head while his cheeks turned red. "guys, come on..."
"Steve, should I be concerned?" Joyce said jokingly, "are you trying to replace me?"
"Well, he kinda did, didn't he?" Lucas said, "not in a bad way, of course, it's just that... Steve is always with us, you know? yes, he cooks for us, but he also drives us around, teaches us basketball, patches us up when we get hurt, listens to us when we're upset... he's patient with us and cares for us and loves us. I don't think we ever even talked about it, it just happened... Steve just happened to become our mom." he ended with a chuckle.
Steve had tears in his eyes now. everything he does comes so naturally to him, he never stopped to think about it. hearing Lucas say all that, with everyone else smiling and nodding, made him realize how much he means to them. how much they love him. he was just giving them what they needed. what he was never given by any adult. he saw Joyce smiling at him, Eddie had his hand on his thigh, and Robin had her hand on his shoulder. Nancy looked at him proudly, and Jonathan couldn't stop himself from joining in the warm feeling that was around the table now. it suddenly became more than a casual midweek dinner. it now was the evening Steve realized he matters, that he's important and valued and worthy. that he's loved and welcome and wanted. he had his kids and his friends and Joyce, and he belonged in the little family he created for himself, and he was happy.
"so, Steve," Joyce suddenly said, "if you're the mom, am I a grandma now?" and everyone burst into laughter.
