Recovery - Steddie ♡

Chapter Twenty Nine

All eyes were on Max as she and Joyce rejoined everyone outside. Max started to feel a bit sick from nerves even though she knew she had nothing to worry about.

"Hey Max, can you tell us how you got your memories back? If thats okay." Mike piped up as she sat back down next to Lucas.

She nodded and took a deep breath before telling them all. "El figured out how to help me get them back. I didn't want to tell anyone until I was sure it would work." Max turned to her best friend and gestured for her to step in. All eyes turned to El and Max was grateful. She wanted to mentally prepare herself before she spoke to Eddie and Steve.

Eleven started with how she figured out a way to help Max remember. She told them all about the long, white hallway with all the different coloured doors that represented each of them. She told them how mentally draining and painful it had been for both of them and they had both needed a day after each session to recover. Everyone was so invested in what she was saying that they didn't notice Eddie and Steve sneak off into the woods. They knew Max would be safe with their friends. The two men just couldn't bare to think about the pain Max had gone through and how they'd had to watch it all without being able to do anything. They walked hand in hand in a comfortable silence, enjoying the chirping of birds.

Steve wrapped an arm around Eddies waist as they approached the lake. "Eddie, my love. Are you okay?" He asked as he saw his boyfriend frowning into the distance.

"Did you just quote that song by the Chordettes, pretty boy?" Eddie looked at his boyfriend, surprised.

Steve grinned and turned to face Eddie, leaving one hand on his waist while he held out his other hand. He hoped Eddie would realise where he was going with this and felt relieved when he did. He pulled his boyfriend closer as Eddie put one hand on Steves shoulder and grabbed his other hand. They started to sway together, slowly spinning in a circle as they did so.

"This would be better with music." Eddie said, gazing into Steves gorgeous, brown eyes. As soon those words left his mouth a cheeky grin appeared on Steves face.

"Eddie my love, I love you so." Steve started to sing, a little out of tune but Eddie didn't care. "How I've waited for you, you'll never know."

Eddie let out a little gasp as Steve spun him a little faster and suddenly dipped him.

"Please Eddie, don't make me wait too long."

"Well damn, Harrington. You really know how to make a man go weak at the knees."

Steve pulled his boyfriend even closer and rest his chin on Eddies shoulder while Eddie did the same to him. They continued to sway and spin, enjoying this moment and completely unaware their cute moment had a witness.

Max smiled to herself from behind a big tree as she watched the pair dance together.  She had excused herself when she had noticed the pair disappear into the woods. She figured they'd be heading to the lake and decided that would be the perfect place to ask them the big question. Max was also willing to risk finding them in a compromising position because the lake was just too perfect. She waited a few more moments before stepping out from her hiding place.

"Well that was the cutest thing I've ever seen!" Chuckling as they jumped apart, both looking like startled deer. "I threw up in my mouth a little."

"Jesus, Max! Don't scare us like that you little shit!" Steve exclaimed, hand over his heart as he tried to calm it down.

"Careful, Red. You'll give Mama Steve a heart attack one of these days." Eddie chuckled as he sat down near the edge of the lake, patting the ground next to him. Max immediately sat down on his right side while Steve sat on the other side of her.

"Did you need a breather?" Steve asked Max as he put his arm around her and pulled into a side hug. His heart swelled as she snuggled into his side.

"That may be a small reason why I'm out here. I actually wanted to be alone with the two of you though."

"You haven't had enough of us yet, Red?" Eddie questioned, tearing his eyes away from a little school of fish he had spotted to look at his two favourite people.

The two men watched in confusion as Max suddenly got up and stepped away from them. She stood at the edge of the water with her back to them. Max pulled the papers out of her pocket and looked down at them, her stomach feeling like it had butterflies in it.

"So you both know I've had a pretty shitty family. I've never known what it was like to be cared for or really be looked after," Max spoke, turning back to face them. "Living with you guys was so weird at first but I can honestly say that I now know how it feels to be in a proper family. Even when I didn't remember you, you still took me in and helped me. Eddie, we had only known each other for a few days and you still took me in. I can't thank you both enough."

Both men listened in silence, both starting to tear up. Steve noticed the papers in her hand and was immediately reminded of the letters Max had written to everyone before their last battle with Vecna. He had never opened the letter and he wasn't sure he ever wanted to. Not now Max was still with them.

"Anyway, I'm still in need of leagal guardians and I know that it can't be truly official because Eddie is supposed to be dead but Joyce knows someone who can help with that so I may have asked her to get me...."

"Are those adoption papers, Red?" Eddie asked, knowing he wouldn't be able to hold back the tears anymore if she confirmed they were. He looked over to see Steve already crying silently, a massive smile on his face.

Max returned the smile, tears also running down her face. "Will you be my Dads?"

Instead of replying Steve held out a hand for her to take and when she took it he pulled her down into the space between them and they both wrapped her up in their arms. Eddie could no longer contain his feelings and he started to sob with happiness. He wasn't afraid to show his emotions in front of people anymore.

"Of course we will, Max! Without a doubt!" Steve whispered as they started to let go of each other. They didn't fully pull away but they pulled away just enough for Max to be able to get the pen out of her pocket so they could sign the papers. Steve signed eagerly before passing the pen and papers to Eddie. Eddie looked down at the name he was supposed to sign over and raised an eyebrow.

"Nicholas Booker?"

"Joyce chose the name! You can't exactly sign your own name anymore." Max said as Steve chuckled.

"Better get signing, Booker!" Steve winked at his boyfriend who rolled his eyes in return.

Eddie scribbled something that looked like Nick Booker and handed the papers back to Max who was bubbling with excitement.

"I can't wait to tell everyone! Let's go!" Max got up and started to skip in the direction of the cabin. Steve and Eddie helped each other up, dusted each other off and went to follow her.

"You do know this means you call me Daddy now, pretty boy!" Eddie smirked, enjoying the way Steve blushed and started to get flustered.

"Ew, gross! At least wait til I'm out of earshot!" Max shouted over her shoulder as she started to jog ahead.

"Maybe later." Steve pulled Eddie closer and whispered in his ear, hearing his boyfriends breath hitch. He placed a kiss on Eddies neck before pulling away and running off after Max, leaving Eddie slightly turned on.

"Fucking dick!" Eddie mumbled as he rearranged himself and followed his family. He couldn't believe he had an actual family. He broke into a jog so he could catch up with them.

After a few minutes he found them at the edge of the forest waiting for him. Max took Steves hand in hers and then held out her other hand for Eddie, which he gladly took. Together they walked out from the shelter of the trees to share their good news with everyone.

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Sorry I didn't upload for a few days! Work tired me out and I just needed some me time. Sorry this chapter is a bit short but hope you enjoyed! Also could you please share this story with your friends if they like Steddie as well. That would be amazing!

- L