Eddie had spent the better part of two months getting the party ready. It turned out that getting everyone in one place at one time was more difficult than he thought, especially now Nancy, Jonathan, and Robin had left for college and the kids were busy with high school and their clubs. The adults were the easiest, and Joyce was happy to help after Eddie explained why he wanted everyone together.

The simple answer was Steve. And everyone had said yes when he mentioned it. Because everyone loved Steve, and it was time he saw it for himself.

Steve had an unfortunate habit of looking down on himself, something Eddie had been fighting for years now. It had gotten better. Love and time healing old wounds left by neglectful parents and empty relationships. Even Eddie had learned to love unconditionally, thanks to Wayne and Steve.

Eddie kissed Steve goodbye on his way to work in the morning, already securing Robin's help to keep him distracted for an hour after their shift finished to give everyone time to arrive. Joyce was there within half an hour to help him with the cooking since Eddie was likely to set fire to the kitchen if left unsupervised, and Nancy and Jonathan were with her to help decorate.

By midday, everything was ready.

Dustin was just putting the finishing touches on the streamers when the front door opened, and Steve's voice could be heard, "Seriously, Robin, did you really need me to buy butter?"

"Uh, yes. If I'm making a cake, you'll complain if it's the wrong type."

"You're not supposed to be able to taste it. Hey- Rob?!"

Robin forced Steve into the room, hands over his eyes. "Shh. We have a surprise for you."

"It's not my birthday?"

"Doesn't mean we can't celebrate how much we love you," Eddie told him, coming over to replace Robin's hands with his own.

Steve huffed, but he was smiling. "What's going on?"

"A surprise. Come on, it's outside." Eddie led him to the back garden, carefully down the back steps onto the grass where everyone awaited. "Ready?"

"I guess so."

Steve squinted in the bright sunlight, but his eyes soon widened when he saw everyone gathered together, breaking into a wide smile. "Hey! What're you all doing here?"

"We're here for you, of course," Max rolled her eyes, the first to come over and hug him.

"Yeah, we missed you," Lucas added.

Soon, all the kids - who weren't really kids anymore - were hugging Steve, and he looked close to tears, trying to get to them all. "W-who?"

"Eddie. He's been calling us for weeks to get us all here."

Steve looked at Eddie and gave him a warm smile. "Of course he has."

Joyce was on him as soon as the others let him go, fussing over everything from his hair to his frayed shoes. Steve laughed but was pleased and was quickly swept up in a whirlwind of greetings and embraces.

Eddie took the opportunity to grab some food and join Robin at the table. "Thanks."

"Anything to make Steve happy. He deserves it."

"We all do."

Robin toasted his beer to that. "I want a million dollars. Think you can handle that?"

"Outside my skillset."

"Damn. If only you loved me."

Eddie laughed. "I do love you. Maybe not as much as Steve, though."

"I love you too."

When Steve rejoined them, the first thing he did was bend down to kiss Eddie. "Thank you."

"Anything," Eddie replied, echoing Robin's sentiment.

Because it was true, he would do anything for Steve, just as he knew Steve would do the same for him. They were family, and right now, they were surrounded by their friends and loved ones. It was everything.