Reading Time: 93 Minutes

Title: Love Changes Everything
Series: Second Chance Home
Series Order: 3
Author: Duochanfan
Fandom: 9-1-1
Genre: Angst, Drama, Established Relationship, Family, Hurt/Comfort, Romance
Relationship(s): Evan Buckley/Eddie Diaz, background pairings
Content Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Child Abuse, Bigotry, Violence-Graphic, Violence-Against Baby, Discussion-Child Abuse, Child Illness (Pneumonia), Major Child Injures, Canon Catfisher, Character Bashing.
Author Note: Zachary ‘Zac’ Greenaway and Nicholas ‘Nic’ Bryant are borrowed with permission from ScarsLikeVelvet. The Child that is injured is a Four Month Old Baby, that is pushed from their parents arms.
Beta: FaerlyGraceful – Thank you for the amazing help you have given me with this series!
Alpha: FaerlyGraceful
Word Count: 46,310
Summary: Second Chance Home is running smoothly and Evan and Eddie are getting closer. Evan is enjoying his time at the 118, learning all he can about being a firefighter as Eddie begins contemplating his own future career. Nothing is smooth sailing when someone starts to pretend that they are Evan, and a catfishers victims start appearing to confront Evan for ghosting them.
Artist: Nightsong21133

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Chapter One

Evan was on his phone in the middle of the loft, “Yeah, the full moon can sometimes be a little crazy,” he said as he talked to Eddie on the other end of the line.

“Really, you really believe that it’s because it’s the full moon?” Eddie snorted, “Come on, you can’t believe that.”

“No seriously, look it up. You’ll find that things happen more on a full moon, and most of the time it’s because a lot of people believe it, so it’s more like a self-fulfilling prophecy,” he told him.

Eddie laughed, “Okay, I can see that, but please, please, don’t believe in superstition.”

“Sometimes… I do. I can’t help it. I’ve had some seriously good luck and some bad of course. But the good has always outweighed everything in the end. I have the Home, I have family that loves me, and my friends that have stood beside me. Xiaoli and I have been friends for years, and he told me his dream and it became mine, just as much as his. Then there is Zac, he was my first serious relationship and he and Nic are now together and planning to try and move in together as well. And then, I have you, someone who stood beside me when I felt like giving up on having anything more. Who helped me, along with the others, come out of the dark pit I felt like I was in those first few days and weeks. Christopher is a wonderful kid and I adore and love him with everything I have,” Evan said, his words becoming soft, and reverent as he continued to speak, “I… can’t wait to see you again.”

“Neither can I, Carino, neither can I,” Eddie whispered, “You take care of yourself tonight, and we’ll have breakfast together before you go home if you want to?” he suggested, his tone hopeful.

“I’d like that,” Evan said as the alarm rang and he began to hurry to the trucks.

“Take care,” Eddie said as he hung up.

The next several hours were full of calls that he just knew were because there was a full moon. The Yoga bringing on Labour call and then the tapeworm. He had a story to tell Christopher when he saw him again. No doubt Eddie would be pulling faces, as much as Bobby had done. When they returned to the station, everyone was exhausted. Hen and her new partner had gone through the wringer when it came to a man who was eating the face of one of their victims.

“Hey, Bobby,” Evan said, bounding over with more energy than should be possible for how busy they had been.

“Evan?” he said, looking at him warily.

“I was wondering, the tapeworm, do you think Robbie would like that story?” he asked, thinking of the soon to be fourteen year old.

Bobby stopped what he was doing and turned to Evan, “If you tell him that, I will kill you,” he warned him.

Evan just grinned, “The answer is yes, but he will use it to tease you whenever he gets a chance. That’s what sons do to their dad after all.”

“Knew I shouldn’t have claimed you as my son,” Bobby snorted, but didn’t mean a single word he had said.

Evan grinned brightly as he hugged Bobby and said, “See ya later, Pops, I’m going to message Robbie so he’ll wake up to the info,” he then headed off.

“Don’t you dare, Evan Christopher Buckley!” he called out after his firefighter and adopted son.

All he could hear was Evan cackling as he walked away.

“I think you lost that one, Bobby,” Hen laughed from where she sat at the table.

Bobby shook his head, “I think I have,” he snorted, “Want to help with food?” he asked her, “Or are you planning on going to the bunks?”

“I’ll help, Cap,” she said as she got up and walked over.

“How are you doing? I know there has been some adjustment for you. I know that you and Chimney have been partners for a long time. That type of partnership is rare and treasured,” Bobby said softly as he looked at the woman.

Hen sighed, “I thought I could help him, that he would come out of the funk he always seemed to be in. He’s a good paramedic, a good firefighter,” she said.

“But that doesn’t stop him from making a few bad decisions,” Bobby murmured as he brought out the vegetables that he wanted to be washed and cut up. He had decided he was going to make a salad and a pasta dish. “Cut these, for a salad,” he said as he handed them over and then started to pull out some chicken and bacon.

“What we having Cap?” she asked.

“Pasta bake, it will be able to be reheated if we get a call out,” he answered.

Hen nodded. “As to your question,” she paused for a moment, “I’m doing the best that I can. I’ve visited him twice, and he’s doing okay. He is still angry about everything, but there’s nothing he can do about that. I don’t know if he is doing what was suggested,” she sighed again, “He’s my best friend Cap, and I tried my best to help him. He was just… always so stuck on everything. We went through a lot of crap under Gerrard, a lot of it,” she muttered, “But we came out stronger for it, we came out of it bonded and friends for life. We understood each other, and had each other’s backs. I wasn’t blind to his flaws, I knew he lied… like a lot to those he dated. Something that Karen and I had a few fights over. But he was always truthful to me,” she finished.

“Are you sure about that?” he asked her, wanting to know if she really believed that Chimney had never lied to her.

“I think I am,” she nodded, “He… he knows I can’t stand it when he lies.”

“Hen,” he said carefully, “He has lied to you, he’s lied to all of us at some point. Only little lies, but there have been some that I’ve caught him out on. When I first came here, he started to tell me that he was qualified to do a lot more than he actually was. If I hadn’t checked the roster and the background of everyone here, you would have been bottom of the rung when it came to being a Paramedic instead of the top. You’ve continued to get more certs that he had and worked hard to make sure that you always have what you needed and more. He’s never once got for anything that he doesn’t need to keep his paramedic cert going.”

Hen paused as she was partway through chopping the cucumber, “You… he really lied about that?” she asked.

Bobby looked at her as he began to fry up some of the bacon bits that he had prepared. “He has, when I came to the 118, I was told that it was a problem house. Something that I would have to clean up. I evaluated every single firefighter and paramedic on all three shifts. Out of all the people that work in the 118 over all three shifts, only seven did I find kept up on their certs, and added more. The others were coasting. I changed them up, I challenged B-Shift and C-Shift captains on that. One has gone to another house, the other stayed. Only one of them was pushing for more certs. It was five on his shift that was adding more to their roster. You were the only one on A-Shift apart from Kinard. No one on C-Shift was doing so.”

“You started transferring out people right after you started. The last one was Tommy, I know you said that he needed a change, but why so late in the game,” she frowned.

“Because he was waiting for me to bring in a heavy rescue that could replace him. Mitch is going to be out soon and I’ll need someone to replace him. He’s been training Evan up as much as I have been. It’s not going to be easy. But if we lose a Heavy Rescue, we’ll be downgraded,” he added, “Which is why I’ve gone nuclear on everyone. If they aren’t keeping up with adding more at least twice a year, I’m going to start transferring them out. I need this station in top shape.”

“What about Chimney, he wasn’t so why was he staying?” she asked.

“He was on his last warning. Another three months and he would have been out of the 118 and gone to the 76. They are a light brigade compared to us,” Bobby told her, “The partner you have is who I selected to take his place after the transfer.”

Hen was quiet as they carried on making a late supper. Bobby watched her, hoping that he hadn’t stepped too far out of line. But she did need to know the truth of everything to make the proper judgment when it came to her friend.

XxXxX

Hen walked over to Evan before they left the morning after the full moon, “Hey, Buck, can I talk to you for a moment?” she asked.

“Sure, everything okay?” he asked her, looking up from where he was packing away his duffle bag. He needed to launder a few things.

“Karen and I have been talking. My Ex recently tried to get in touch, wanting to try again. I didn’t want anything to do with her, and finally blocked her. She is Denny’s biological mother. But she also tried bringing in his biological father. We’ve been able to put an agreement in place so that Denny can get to know him, but that we retain all rights and custody of him,” she said, “But we’ve been talking more about having children. We were going to go through IVF and a sperm donor, but decided that there are kids out there that don’t have a home. We would love to give them one. But we don’t know the first thing about adopting and what it entails.”

“Well,” Evan said as he tried to remember everything that he had learned, “First thing, find social services, talk to them. They will have background checks going and a whole host of other things. Financials, past police reports, anything that might have been done, they will find it. Always be honest about everything. The process can take a while, sometimes up to a year. But when done, they may ask if you want to foster. Sometimes that is the better way of adopting, fostering a child first. My friends Nic and Zac are fostering at the moment, they are about to move in together. So Zac has all the qualifications to foster and adopt. Much like I do, since I’ve been thinking about adopting Leyna.”

“So, fostering first and then adopting?” she asked him.

“It might be how it will work first for you,” he told her.

Hen nodded, “Do you have anything that I could do to research?” she asked.

“Like I said, talk to the local CPS people, they often help with the start of things. Talk to a good family lawyer as well, and basic searches on the internet will do a few thing,” Evan told her as he grabbed an old notebook he kept in his bag and scribbled a few things on it, “Here are a few numbers of people that you can talk to, and a couple of sites that might be able to help,” he said as he ripped the page out and handed it over.

“Thanks, Buck,” she smiled, looking it over and tucking it away so she wouldn’t lose it. “I’ll see you next shift.”

“Yeah,” he nodded as he got up. She left first as he went over to Bobby and said, “I’ll see you at the Home later, I know that Robbie and Justin are working on a project together,” he said. One of the children living at the home was in the same class as Robbie, and they had been partnered up for a project in their science class.

“Yeah, I’ll pick him up later on after they’ve been able to work on things. Brook has a dance class that she needs to go to, Marline won’t be picking her up or taking her,” he said, mentioning the woman who looked after the children while he was working. She was someone that Bobby’s brother had put him in touch with, she worked well at looking after the two kids while Bobby was working a twenty-four hour shift.

“Sure, no problem, we’ll have dinner ready for you both when you arrive as well, no point in delaying dinner just to cook at home,” he smiled.

“Don’t you have a lunch date today?” he asked as they began to head out of the station.

“I do, and I will be heading to that after a nap,” Evan grinned, “He’s got some work for Isabel to do before he can meet me. She needs help in fixing a few things up in the house. He’s done a lot when Christopher was at the Home,” he added quietly.

Bobby nodded and then headed to his car, “I’ll see you later tonight,” he told him before driving away.

Evan smiled and whistled as he went to his jeep and got in. He drove home, ready for a nap but walked into chaos as Xiaoli was about to run out the door, Leyna in his arms. “Xiaoli?” he asked, confused as to what was going on.

“Her temperature went right up, advice is to take her to the hospital to make sure she’s okay,” he said, looking worried at the baby girl that was in his arms. She was only two months old, though it felt like she had been with them for a lot longer than that.

“Here, I’ll take her since I know more of her history,” he said, holding out his arms for the baby girl. She gave a little whimper as she was transferred over, “Hey, Leyley, It’s okay, I’ve got you,” he murmured to her. She had only been with them for four weeks so far, and she had already taken over his life in a way.

“She started getting grumpy and had a temperature three hours ago. She became rather listless, barely any movement from her,” Xiaoli explained what he could as they headed back to the car that they took for drives with the children. The jeep was unsuitable in Evan’s eyes.

“Okay,” Evan nodded as he settled her into the baby seat, tucking a blanket around her. He checked her over, no doubt Xiaoli had done the same before calling her pediatrician. “I’ll take her in, the appointment has been made?”

“Yes, you should be able to head straight in, keep me informed,” Xiaoli said as he stepped back and let Evan drive away with the little girl whimpering in her car seat.

Chapter Two

Evan rocked Leyna in his arms, murmuring quietly as he waited for the pediatrician to get to them. He had messaged Xiaoli to say that he had arrived safely at the hospital and was shown to a room where he would be able to wait to be seen. He pulled out his phone, biting his lip as he made a quick call.

“Hey, Eds,” he said softly, not really wanting to break their lunch date, but with Leyna ill, it was the better idea.

“Hey, Evan,” he greeted, and Evan could tell the man was smiling. “Wasn’t expecting to hear from you just yet, thought you would be sleeping.”

“I would be, but I’m at the hospital,” Evan began.

“Are you okay?” he was quick to ask, worry lacing his voice.

“I’m alright. I got home to find Leyna had a temperature and wasn’t feeling well. She hasn’t taken a bottle at all, all day. And while we are tube feeding her still, she isn’t just stuck with that,” he explained, “So I’m waiting to be seen at the moment. I don’t know how long this is going to take either. So I think we’re going to have to cancel the lunch date. I’m sorry,” he said, biting his lip.

“Hey, don’t you worry about that, Leyna comes first, she’s a baby and at the base of it, you’re her dad in a sense. You’re the one that knows the ins and outs of her condition so that you can make better choices for her. She’s top priority, and we can always reschedule for another day,” he said easily, “I’m a parent, remember, I know what it’s like.”

“I know, but you… I’m not really…” he hesitated, because sometimes he felt like that, that he was a dad to some of the children that came into the Home.

“At the moment, you are, you’re worried about Leyna, you’re holding her, rocking her no doubt. You’ll be by her bedside no matter what is going on,” he added.

“Yeah,” Evan agreed, “Yeah I would be, will be,” he stated.

“I’ll talk to you later,” Eddie told him, “Take care of yourself and Leyna.”

“I will, see you Eddie, and thank you for understanding.”

“Nothing to thank me for on that, I’m a parent, we all understand that kids come first,” he said, ending the call.

Evan smiled as he tucked his phone away and waited a few more minutes before Leyna’s pediatrician walked in, “Doctor Wellar,” he greeted him.

“Evan, good to see you, and little Leyna, what’s going on with you little one,” he stated as he walked over, his voice soft and kind as he got Evan to lay her down. He began to check her over, checking his temperature and breathing. “I’m going to take a small swab, but it sounds like her lungs had a bit of fluid on them. Her temperature is 101.3, which I’m a little worried about. it’s high,” he added, “We’re going to have to admit her at the very least. I’m going to see what her oxygen levels are like.”

Evan bit his lip, holding one tiny hand with his fingers, “Hey, baby girl,” he murmured, “I know you’re cold, but it’s all going to be okay.”

Doctor Wellar smiled at the two, as he put on the pulse oximeter. “Hmm,” he muttered, “Lower than I would like. I’m going to get a bed in the NICU, since she is already on a feeding tube, they will be better equipped to handle her care at the moment. We’ll get her started on some antibiotics, and get the test rushed through to make sure of what we are dealing with.”

“Thank you,” Evan nodded as he was able to wrap Leyna back up as she cried weakly against him. He held her in his arms, rocking her before she was taken down to NICU.

XxXxX

Evan didn’t know how long he had been sitting in the NICU room, his hand through the small opening in the incubator as Leyna struggled with her breathing. The results had come back, and it was pneumonia. Antibiotics were being given and she was also on oxygen to keep her levels up. She wasn’t doing as well as they hoped at the moment, and Evan was worried.

“Mr Buckley, someone is here to see you,” a nurse said as she walked in, “I’ll sit with her, she’s due her feed soon,” she added, smiling at him and reassuring him that the newborn would be in good hands.

“Thank you,” he said, getting up. He wasn’t sure who it was that was coming to see him. He walked out and came face to face with Eddie, “What are you doing here?” he asked, walking over to him.

“Well, I know that you’re here because of Leyna, and I talked to Clive, he said that he was going to stop by and drop off some food. But Abuela cooked extra and I thought I would bring the extras here so you could have something to eat. And we can share,” he told him.

“I… thank you, Leyna is due her feed and at the moment, they aren’t letting me do so. So we can eat while she does? There is a cafeteria on the fourth floor,” he said, “We can go there.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he agreed as they headed to the lift, with Evan quickly informing a nurse of where he would be and that he would be back as soon as he had eaten.

“Take the time you need, no parent is going to be able to be here all the time. You will have to go home in three more hours,” the nurse warned him.

“I know,” he sighed, not really wanting to leave the baby girl alone.

Eddie and Evan headed up to the cafeteria and sat down. Eddie shared everything out between them.

“Thank you, for doing this,” Evan told him as he took a bite and groaned at the tasty meal.

“Welcome, I know what it’s like to be there, waiting on news for your child. To hate seeing them in a hospital bed. I only went through it once, but Shannon was there for all three of his. All three, and I can’t even comprehend how she was able to do it without losing her mind,” Eddie said, shaking his head as he took a bit of the burrito that his abuela had made.

“Yeah, I’m grateful that I’ve only had to do this a couple of times, and most of them have been for Leyna over the last four weeks that she’s been with us,” he stated, “I can’t believe it’s not even been a full out month,” he murmured, shaking his head.

“It can sometimes feel like time flies if so many things are going on, like I thought it had only been a full year since Christopher had been taken to the moment he was able to come back home. Instead to realize and be told that it was less than that, shocked me,” he told him, “Just know that I’m here if you ever need me. I’m just a phone call away.”

“Thanks, I may take you up on that. The others all do the same thing, we are assigned as the main ‘parent’ of a child and we take on all responsibility for them. Learning everything we can about them and such, like this.” He gestured to what was around him, “We do everything a parent would do. The only one that doesn’t do this is Alicia, as she is the… den mother in a sense, she’s the one they all go to if there are problems, the one they talk to when nightmares or life gets too much. The one that everyone looks at half the time, and the other half hates her because she brings out everything that is going on and doesn’t let you hide from it.”

“I take it you’ve been on the other end of that?” Eddie guessed.

“Yeah, when what happened with Dr Wells happened, she was a rock, she helped me find someone else to help me as well. I’ve gone to over ten sessions with them, and a few with Alicia as well. She might be too close to the situation as she is my friend, but I value the things she says a lot. My grandmother did as well, since she was the one that pointed me in Alicia’s direction,” he smiled.

“Good to know you have someone at your back,” he told him, as they finished eating.

Evan got up to throw the wrappings away and grab them a couple of waters before heading back over, “Here,” he said as he sat back down. “I don’t-”

“Want to stay up here for too long,” Eddie finished for him when Evan cut himself off.

“Yeah. Sorry, I know you came out here to see me.”

“No, I came out here to make sure you had something to eat before you ended up even more dead on your feet than you already are,” he stated. “Which reminds me, I don’t think you should be driving home. You’ve not slept since your twenty four. So I am going to suggest that you tell me what time you’ll be kicked out of the NICU, so that I can come pick you up and take you home. I don’t want to risk you crashing at all.”

“I will,” he promised, “I don’t want to crash either, it won’t be a good idea,” he said, smiling a little.

They got up after drinking some of the water and heading back down to NICU. Eddie hugged and gave Evan a kiss, “Call me, don’t forget,” he reminded him one last time before leaving him alone.

Evan smiled softly as he touched his lips. He went and washed his hands, using some hand sanitizer as well before he went back in. He nodded to the nurse and asked, “How was she?”

“She had some, no problem there, her oxygen levels are a little low, but not alarmingly so,” she answered, “You have two hours before visiting time is over,” she reminded him one last time before leaving him alone with the two-month-old.

XxXxX

Evan called out of work for the next shift, since he was then free for another four days after that. It was the third day in NICU that Leyna began to improve. By the fifth day, she was well enough that she was being allowed back home. They had a few more follow-up appointments, but everything was looking good. She no longer needed the care she was getting there and could recover more at the Home.

“Hey,” Eddie said as he stood near the steps of the Home. He went over and got Leyna’s things from the car. Before Evan got out and picked up Leyna from her car seat, “How is she?” he asked, looking at the tiny baby.

“She’s doing well, still not fully recovered, but that is going to take a bit of time,” he stated.

“Pneumonia isn’t an easy thing to recover from,” Eddie nodded in agreement. The others were all inside, waiting for them to get home. Most of the children were at school, there was only one home, and that was Joshua, his chronic illness, Chronic fatigue syndrome often kept him home from school.

“No it isn’t, but we’re there for them all,” Evan stated as he walked inside. “Xiaoli at work?” he asked, wondering if the man had taken the day off like he had planned to, or rather wanted to, but wasn’t sure if he would be able to get the time off since two more of his house had called out the shift before.

“No, he wasn’t,” Clive said as he carried Joshua. The nine year old was still tired and sore, his body just not up for the play that he wanted to do most of the time.

“How are you Joshie?” Evan asked him.

“Tired,” he huffed, “But I really want to play, but Clive said I should rest.”

“Well, it’s a good idea to rest now, so you can play later on,” he reminded him.

“I know,” he muttered, resting his head against Clive’s shoulder, “Though I can walk,” he added with another little huff.

“I know you can, Joshua,” Clive said gently as he walked towards the main living room, where everyone else was waiting for them, “But that doesn’t stop me from wanting to hold you and keep you close when you have a flare-up. Today has been a hard day for you, and you’re doing your lessons at home instead of at school.”

Evan smiled as he watched the two brothers leave. “He cares a lot, but one day Joshua isn’t going to stand for it much longer.”

“He’s doing well at not helicoptering sometimes,” Eddie said, “We’ve talked a bit, from one that looks after someone else with special needs, to another,” he added, “Clive is scared, doesn’t know when things might change for Joshua. And for him, it’s only going to get progressively worse as time goes on. His joints are already starting to hurt him from what Clive has said.”

“Yeah, he does physio a lot to try and help with that, he has some pain management in place,” Evan added as they walked into the living room. He went over to the smaller couch and sat down, Leyna asleep in his arms.

Joshua was settled next to him and he leaned against Evan, “Mr Eddie, when will Christopher be able to come over again, we want to have a sleepover,” he said as he looked at Eddie.

Eddie walked over and sat down, “Well, I don’t mind when the sleepover happens, as long as you don’t stay up all night talking. You both have school and need your sleep.”

“I know, it’s because we’re different,” he said with a huff and a roll of his eyes.

“No, because you’re a kid that needs his sleep,” Eddie corrected, shaking his head, “I know it seems like the world is against you. But we’re giving you lessons and tips to get through each day as best as you can. It’s hard, you’re going to have to do things differently from others, but you will still be amazing children, and wonderful adults when you grow up.”

Joshua settled against Evan again and nodded, “Maybe,” he murmured, he hated it when he had a flare-up, his whole body felt so tired and heavy. His joints always ached as well and he could never get rid of the feeling for ages, when his body decided that he had done too much.

Evan wrapped an arm around him, “We’ll organize a night for him to stay over,” he promised, hugging him as best as he could while they were seated.

“Thank you, Mr Eddie, Mr Evan,” he said, smiling a little more as he watched Leyna sleep, slowly drifting off himself as the adults around him talked.

Chapter Three

Bobby walked into the living room of the Home, the children were sitting around, playing together or watching TV. Some were even doing their homework at the coffee table. He smiled as he saw Robbie. The young teenager was working with his partner on their joint project, this was the second such meeting after school the two had. Broke was also in the room, talking with Clara, a young girl that had arrived at the home a few days ago. She was new and shy, but Brooke had quickly taken her under her wing and was helping her.

“Sometimes,” he stated as he went over to Evan, who was holding Leyna in his arms, she was having a feed through the tube. “I feel like I may as well live here at times, with how often I’m over here,” he said sitting down beside him.

“I know,” Evan smiled at him, “The kids love having you around as well. You’re fun and you tell them all the fire safety things too. I think Justin and Robbie were tempted to go around their school and inspect it,” he snorted as he remembered hearing a few plans.

“Wouldn’t be the first time that Robbie has done that,” he said sadly, “He does it a lot. Even around the house. He’s worried there is going to be another fire. So he makes plans and makes sure we know them inside and out. His therapist said that he is coping well with his mother’s death and what happened. That he is moving on from it all, Brooke is much the same. She misses her mother a lot and has someone that she can talk to. I know Janaia has been helping her a lot with things. The two have gone shopping a couple of times.”

“I know, Syl was complaining that her wife was going shopping without her,” Evan laughed. he looked over at Bobby and could see that something else was weighing on his mind, “What’s going on Bobby?” he asked him, “I’ve known you for long enough that I can tell when something is up.”

Bobby snorted, “You have been a brilliant friend, and so has Xiaoli,” he said, shaking his head, “And yes, something has been on my mind lately. Therapy has been good for me as well. It took a while, but I’ve come to terms with what happened that night, the loss of Marcy, but now I’ve started to feel guilty for how lonely I’ve been feeling,” he stated as he glanced over at Evan.

“Ah, you’re thinking about letting yourself get out there again, maybe find someone?” he asked, getting a nod, “It’s always hard. Make sure you talk to the kids, that it doesn’t matter who you are dating, that you’re not replacing their mother.”

“Yeah, I need to do that, I love my kids and while I do want to see if I can find someone, I don’t know if they will accept it. If they can’t, then I’ll remain alone,” he nodded to himself.

“It’s a hard line to toe,” Evan said quietly.

“It is,” he agreed, “you have a boyfriend and he has a great kid, one that loves and adores you. I just hope I can find someone that my children will accept and that will care for them as much as I do.”

“I think you will,” he nodded, “It might take a while, but there is always someone out there,” he smiled at him, as the feed finished, “Well, there we go Leyna, all done,” he said, making sure that everything was still good with the tube, flushing it to keep it clean. “There,” he stated, as he settled her properly in his arms, she was awake and looking up at him, waving an arm a little before her eyes started to drift shut, ready for sleep once more.

“She’s a beautiful baby,” Bobby said, “Still no one?” he asked.

“No, there are too many things they would need to do. To be honest, I’ve been thinking about adopting her myself. But I do have Eddie and Christopher to consider as well. So… if I do I’ll need to talk to them first. And yes, Eddie and I are serious about things. We’re going a little slow at the moment, but we’re hoping that in the future we could get married and expand our family.”

Bobby nodded, “How is that going to work, I know that Josh, the dispatcher is thinking about things.”

“He’s going to be moving in, in three weeks. He’s got a few things he wants to do first. I know that the checks have gone through and he’s fine to be around the children long term. He’s also been talking to Clive a lot, and the two are conspiring and up to something,” Evan said, sending Clive a look as the man was talking with his brother and Christopher, who was spending a bit of time at the Home. Eddie was around somewhere, off with Sylvia and planning something to do with the garden.

“This place is amazing,” Bobby said softly, “And I’m glad that Josh and Xiaoli are happy and that they will be able to move in. What about the kids at the moment, any trips planned?” he asked.

“We have one on the next four days off,” Evan told him, “Janaia and Alicia have organized a day at the beach. They’ve been getting things in order so we can all go. Though I plan on staying behind for this one because it’s not a good idea for Leyna to go at the moment. I know that Christopher is going, but Eddie said that he’d remain behind, as he trusts those from the Home to look after him, and that Carla is going to be there as well. She knows Christopher’s medical issues and can help if need be with him,” he explained, smiling as Leyna made a little noise in her sleep, “She’s starting to make noises now. She’s been so silent, not even crying when she’s hungry. We can’t figure out why she isn’t.”

“I see,” he nodded as Justin and Robbie walked over to him. Stopping their conversation.

XxXxX

Zachary smiled as he saw Evan, “Hey, thought everyone was going to be at the beach?” he asked as he looked at the man as he walked in the park near the Home.

“They are, Leyna isn’t to go yet, we’re just talking a little stroll before heading back,” he stated, “I needed a change of scenery just as much I think,” he added looking down at Leyna, the baby was yawning and slowly falling to sleep again. She wasn’t due a feed for another two hours, so he had time to get back home and get her settled and ready.

“I don’t get to see you much,” Zachary said as they walked side by side.

“I know, different shifts,” Evan complained, “You’re on the same rotation as Xiaoli, and I know the two of you have been going on double dates with Nic and Josh.”

“We have. I’m glad that I got to see you,” he added as he turned to look at him, “I’m moving in with Nic, he’s between fosters at the moment, and since I got my own go-ahead to foster. We’re moving in together before anyone new shows up. We don’t want to disrupt anyone that’s living there with me just moving in randomly.”

“Congratulations, I know that the two of you have been getting closer, Xiaoli keeps me as informed as he can about everything that I’m missing. We’re going to have to go out one of the days. I want you to meet Eddie,” he smiled as he thought of the other man. He would be heading to the Home after helping his Tia Pepa with something.

“I’ve heard about Eddie, he’s the father of a placement you had in the Home?” he asked, wanting to make sure he got it right.

“Yeah, he was accused of abusing his son by his own parents and those who lived near them. No one that accused him actually lived in LA,” he snorted, shaking his head, “I can’t believe that someone would do that to their own son. They were trying to get custody of Christopher. When Eddie made it known to CPS of the threats and harassment that he was going through from them, instead of taking Christopher to them, he was placed with us. That’s how I met him, but it wasn’t until after Christopher returned home that we started really talking.”

“I had wondered how it had happened,” Zachary smiled at him, “So you think you’ve found your forever person?” he asked, thinking back to when they had been dating. He knew that he had found his forever in Nikolas.

“Yeah, I really do. Things with Eddie, we talk a lot. After something happened,” he paused, thinking about Dr Wells, and the fact that he still had her trial to face. He shook his head, “He’s helped a lot, taken things slow like I need at the moment. I know that he’s the one, Zac, that there is something more there that I just can’t explain. I knew the moment I met him that I wanted to know him, I just didn’t think at the time it would be… romantic,” his smile was soft as he thought about his boyfriend.

Zachary looked at him, smiling, “I’m happy for you.”

Evan nodded, “Yeah, I had just about given up on finding someone to spend my life with. Then with Second Chance Home, I wasn’t really thinking about finding someone, this took priority and so did the children who came in. I was running the Home and the businesses that I inherited from Grandma Lizzie. It’s hard work to keep everything, so I left it. Then I met Christopher and his father, Eddie. They came into my life at their lowest, and they became my friends. I adore Christopher. Eddie… I didn’t realize the connected feeling that I had, wasn’t the happiness that I thought it was. I wanted more and Eddie was right there, and we’re slowly building a relationship,” he told him, a happy smile on his face.

“As long as you are happy, then that is what matters. Though, I would like to meet Eddie at some point. I’ve heard a few things about him from Xiaoli,” he said as they reached the walkways for the parking lot.

“You will,” he promised with a nod, “I think we all have the same day off in around two weeks. We can plan for a BBQ on the day. I know Bobby would love to help me man the grill and Eddie is from Texas, he makes this amazing glaze for ribs. It’s to die for, I swear,” he snorted, “Xiaoli and Sylvia can help make some extra dishes we would need,” he paused as he went through the logistics of organizing such a day.

“Text me or even call me with what I need to bring or do to help out. You know I’ll be happy to do so,” Zachary said, smiling as Evan nodded.

“I will,” he smiled as they said their goodbyes and headed away from each other. Evan headed back to the Home so he could change and feed Leyna, who was awake and looking around with curiosity as she was buckled into her carseat.

XxXxX

Eddie smiled as Evan got into the passenger seat of his truck. Christopher had gotten out moments before and walked with Clive and Joshua into The Home. Christopher was having a sleep over with Joshua and the other children. All were going to be under Clive’s supervision. Evan and Eddie were going on a date, one that Eddie had organized.

“Thanks,” Evan said as he leaned over and the two shared a kiss.

“It’s fine. Just glad that we can go out and have a little fun,” Eddie told him. He put the truck into gear and headed down the drive.

“Christopher and Joshie are planning a couple of pranks. Don’t know if Clive is going to be able to survive the night,” Evan laughed as they passed the gate that closed behind him.

Eddie laughed as well, nodding, “Something to do with baby powder,” he told him, “Christopher asked my cousin for some, and she gave him a little tub of it. I think it was packed away in his bag.”

“Fun. I’m not going to be cleaning that up,” he said snorting at the thought of the mess that could be created by the use of baby powder in a prank.

“He better be telling the boys that they are the ones to do so,” Eddie stated, shaking his head a little.

“Have to admit that we don’t use baby powder, it can cause problems,” Evan said, he had read so much about it over the last few months.

“My cousin just uses it for herself. I did that research as well, not recommended anymore,” Eddie nodded in agreement.

Evan nodded, “So, where are we going?” he asked, glancing out the window.

Eddie smiled slightly. “When Christopher was taken, I felt lost. I would often go for walks. Long ones, just pick a direction head that way and see what I would find. I found this nice quiet place, just outside the city. It was a good place to go, to think, and just be myself. So, we’re going there. The view is amazing as well,” he added.

“You sure you want to share that with me?” he asked, glancing over at his boyfriend.

“I am,” Eddie told him, the two talking a little more about the course that Eddie was now on, he would hopefully be joining the fire academy soon, but while waiting for that, he was taking some certs that Evan had recommended for him. Ones that he had himself, or was also taking during his spare time. They arrived at the bottom of a trail and headed up.

Eddie walked out onto the small clearing near a cliff edge, the view was beautiful over the bay. “Here,” he said, putting down the basket of food that he had.

“Wow,” Evan said as he walked forward to see better. Eddie watched him and smiled as he set up the blanket and food. “Thank you, for bringing me here,” he said as he walked over, joining Eddie on the blanket.

Eddie nodded, “Welcome,” he stated, “Here,” he said as he held out a tall glass, “non alcoholic,” he added, knowing that Evan didn’t really drink at all. And since he was driving he didn’t want to take a chance.

“Thank you,” he said as they kissed and then settled against each other as they looked over the bay from up high. “It really is peaceful here, you wouldn’t think LA was just behind us,” he said softly.

“It is, I hope you would like to come here again at some point,” he told him.

Evan nodded, “That I would like, just some time away from everyone. Time away from everything, just us and the beauty of the world that we never get a chance to see.”

“Yeah, exactly that,” Eddie agreed with him, sharing another kiss and eating the food that Eddie had prepared with his abuela. They talked and just enjoyed their time together, away from the pressures of the world around them.

Chapter Four

Evan felt odd and off balance as he sat in the room. He could see several others that were going to be testifying against Doctor Brianna Wells. The investigation had been over for a while. Smaller trials of the others involved in the coverup had also been tried and found guilty, now it was Wells that was up. He could see three other men and one woman in the room. Others had already gone up, as they were keeping certain people back.

“Evan Buckley,” came the call for him.

Evan got up and followed the bailiff as he was led into the courtroom. They had hoped for a closed court, but instead, there were members of the public. Eddie had managed to get in so that he would be able to be there as someone for Evan to focus on while he was being questioned

“You do solemnly state that the testimony you may give in the case now pending before this court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” the man asked.

“I do,” he nodded as he was then seated.

He could see Dr Wells seated there, she looked smug, like she would get away with things again. Evan knew that they had to have shown some of the evidence that had been part of the other trials already. Xiaoli had been the one to go to those since Evan didn’t want to know how many people were involved and what they had done to protect Dr Wells. Evan ignored her for a moment and looked around, he saw Eddie seated behind the prosecution, a row away from the prosecutors that had taken on the case.

“Mr Buckley,” one of the prosecutors stood up, she was a sharp-looking woman, dressed in a dark suit, her hair short and clipped back with a single barrett to keep it out of her face. “You had an appointment with Dr Wells on January 14th?” she asked,

“Yes,” he nodded as he answered.

“Mr Buckley, in your own words, can you tell us what happened?” she asked him.

Evan nodded once more, as he took a steadying breath. He had been prepared to tell what had happened in court. He began quietly, his voice gaining strength as he went through how he had recognized her from a Facebook friend request. That it felt odd that he hadn’t done any paperwork at that point.

“No paperwork? Why do you say that was odd?” she asked, turning to face him.

“I’ve been to a few therapists, the first thing they like to do is to give you some form of paperwork to fill in. She didn’t. When I talked to her receptionist, he said that she would be doing that after the session and not before. I felt it odd, but it wasn’t a large red flag,” he answered her, “So I went into the session. After recognising her she moved from her chair and over to the coffee table. She was sitting on that and leaning towards me. I started to feel really uncomfortable, and moved away, by then she was so forward that she had her hands on my legs.”

“Why didn’t you move?” she asked.

“I tried, but she leaned on me and said that if I moved, I would lose my job. I have a lot more than my job at stake, as I run a Children’s Home. I was shocked, it took a moment before anything registered again and by then she had pulled down my zipper and put her hands inside and was fondling me,” he asked, getting the words out a little quicker, he wanted to shudder at the remembered touch.

“So when did you leave?” she then asked, frowning as she watched him.

“Then. When I realized what she was doing, I ran out of there,” he stated, “I didn’t care about the job, I just didn’t want to be touched like that by someone I wasn’t with,” he added, shaking his head.

“I see,” she nodded, “So the moment she began to touch you, you left?”

“Yes, I was shocked, in shock, and I… I just needed to get out of there. I could feel panic beginning to build. I reached my jeep and called my captain at the 118. He is also a friend that I’ve known for a good couple of years. I called him and he came to get me. I was in no fit state to drive at that moment in time,” he replied quietly, but loud enough that people could hear him.

“Thank you,” she said, “I’m done examining this witness,” she added as she went back to her side of the court and sat down.

“Mr Alex, your witness,” the judge said.

The man stood up from beside Dr Wells and walked towards him, “Mr Buckley, would you say that you are a man in good standing?” he asked.

“I would. I run a children’s home and have several background checks in place to make sure that I will always be safe around them. I work alongside CPS when cases come in occasionally and have taken extra courses in being able to help Children with Special Needs. I am also a probationary firefighter, but I have done SAR work in Montana for almost nine months. I have to be in good standing to keep the Home open and for the children to always feel safe with me and the others who work there. I work hard to provide that environment,” he stated.

“A Children’s Home, vulnerable children at your mercy,” he stated.

“Objection!” the prosecutor yelled out, “That is defamation.”

“Sustained, that last remark will be stricken from the recovery, Mr Alex, I would suggest that you are careful with your words. Mr Buckley is in very good standing, as you have said, that is because of the hard work and dedication of his team,” the judge stated.

“Your Honor,” Mr Alex said as he gave a nod, “My Apologies.”

Evan said nothing, not even acknowledging the remark as he knew what the defense lawyer was trying to do. He was trying to throw him off his game.

Mr Alex turned back to Evan and asked, “Mr Buckley, are you sure you are remembering things correctly?” he paused for a moment, “As you said a MAN in your GOOD standing, will need to keep your records clean,” he said, hinting at improper behavior on Evan’s part.

“I am,” he stated simply, “She sexually molested me, trying to get me to have intercourse with her. I didn’t. I got out of there, with her yelling things at me as I left,” he added.

Mr Alex nodded and paced, “So you’re saying that a small woman, such as Dr Wells, would have been able to overpower you?”

“Objection!” the prosecutor said as she stood up, “The defense is trying to discredit the witness with false statements and leading questions.”

“Overruled,” the judge said. “It is a question that can be answered. Mr Buckley.”

Evan nodded, “Yes a woman of that stature can overpower someone of even my size. It depends on several factors. At the time in question, I was in shock at what she was doing and suggesting. I don’t like to cause harm to anyone, no matter what is going on. So it was only when she touched me that I reacted and pushed her away, or rather moved her from trying to get onto my lap,” he stated, “I ran without even doing my fly up because I needed to get away from her.”

“So you are saying that you have never harmed a woman? Never gone after them sexually?” he asked, pressing him.

“I am,” he stated simply.

“I have found that you were accused of sexual assault and the charges were dropped in Montana,” he stated, looking smug.

Evan closed his eyes and sighed, “And if you had investigated that charge further you would find that the one that accused me had done so to several other men. She lied and had been charged and found guilty of it. She had jail time and a fine for doing so, and then had to face me and six other men that she had accused and found to be lying about in a civil suit that cost her and her family a lot more.”

The man was quiet.

“Your Honor, all the defense is trying to do is to discredit the witness and bring up painful parts of his past,” she stated, “This needs to stop.”

“Agreed, Mr Alex, if you have nothing of relevance to bring up, I suggest that you end your line of questioning,” he agreed as he looked at the defense lawyer.

“No more questions Your Honor,” he stated with reluctance.

“Any more questions?” the judge asked the prosecution.

“No your honor,” she said.

“Mr Buckley you are free to go,” he stated as he looked at Evan.

Evan nodded and got up, being led out of the courtroom. He could see that Eddie was quickly doing the same. Wanting to join him as he had finished. He would get a call later on when they were going to be a verdict.

“Hey,” Eddie said as they met outside the courtroom, “You doing okay?” he asked as he opened his arms for him.

Evan folded into his arms, closing his eyes and just soaking up the comfort that the other was giving him. “I will, I’m doing okay, just… I didn’t expect how much that would take from me, and then that… being brought up again.”

“Come on, let’s go back to mine. No doubt you need some peace from the kids for the moment. Christopher is at school for another two hours, and Carla has already agreed to pick him up in case this runs long. So we’ll just meet them at mine,” he stated softly as he slowly let Evan go.

Evan took a step back and nodded in agreement, “Yeah, sounds like a plan.”

Eddie led the way out of the courthouse and to where he parked the truck. He had been there all morning for Evan, waiting to make sure that he got in early enough to have a place so Evan could concentrate on him if he needed it.

XxXxX

Evan looked at the firehouse, grinning, he had organized a blood drive at the station. Eddie had wanted to donate, but because the two had been sleeping together, neither of them were eligible to donate, which annoyed them both. Those of the Home did the same, all who could, did. “We are doing great!” he called out to everyone, “I know that not everyone wants to donate,” he stated, knowing that Bobby didn’t like needles, “But if you can try, please do so, we’re two pints away from hitting the goal for this station!” he said, getting several cheers, “And no, you can’t donate a second time,” he added as he knew that some would push on that.

“I would be more worried about you doing such a thing,” Captain Cid Tela from B-Shift stated as he walked past, “From what I heard about you,” he began his voice gruff and graveled.

“Don’t believe everything you’ve heard,” Evan stated turning to him, “And you’ve donated, so why are you still here?” he asked.

“Just checking in with Bobby, C-Shift captain, has been letting a few things slide. We’re working out a plan to get him either out or transferred,” he added, carrying on towards Bobby, who was standing and watching from the other side of the floor.

“I’ll do it,” Bobby said, looking a little scared.

Evan looked at him, “Okay,” he noted.

“So will I!” came a voice as someone rushed into the fire station.

“Clive?” he frowned, “I thought you weren’t going to be able to make it. Joshua’s appointment,” he added.

“I was able to get in quicker. Joshua is doing fine, he’s talking to Eddie out the front,” he said, “So here I am.”

“I’ll take him,” Captain Tela said, “I’m free at the moment since you’re about to deal with Bobby,” he stated.

“Hi, I’m Clive,” the man said as he turned to the captain.

“Cid, welcome to the 118,” he said as he guided him over to one of the beds, “Hop up and we’ll get your notes sorted.”

“Come on Bobby,” Evan said as he guided Bobby over to another.

Bobby didn’t look happy but was determined to have his blood taken for the blood drive.

“Hey Bobby,” Evan said softly, so only the older man could hear him, “If you don’t want to do this I’m not going to make you at all.”

“I know, I want to do this,” he stated, “So, fill out the form, and let’s get this over with,” he added.

“Alright,” he said, as they two went through the form and Bobby had his blood taken.

“Why did you decide to do this, by the way?” Bobby asked, “It was a little out of the blue.”

“Well, Carla has a client that she works with who had an accident, and lost a lot of blood. They are always calling out for more blood at the hospital. Especially those with rarer types,” he added, “So organizing one sounded like a good thing to do. And you never know when it might be you that will need some extra blood they have,” he finished with a little shrug, “Just wish the law was different about me having to wait a year because I’m with a man, instead of a woman.”

“Makes sense, and I understand about the last bit,” Bobby said, not paying any attention to the needle that was in his arm.

“Yeah,” he grinned, “It’s also helping to take my mind off things, Wells was found guilty. Her sentencing is tomorrow, three hours after our shift ends. So Eddie is picking me up and taking me there.”

“Glad that it’s going to be over soon,” he murmured, “If you need time, don’t forget to tell me,” he reminded him again.

“I know, Bobby, but I’m okay. I’ve talked with Dr Marcus, and he’s been a great help, Alicia is also helping when she can as well. So I have people too, but I will call you if I need to take a shift off,” he promised him quietly, giving him a small tight smile.

“Good,” he nodded “We’re family, Evan,” he stated, “And we have been for a while.”

“I know,” he smiled and nodded himself, “Right, and you are done,” he said, taking out the needle and covering the small puncture wound.

“Thanks, kid,” he told him, getting up.

“Welcome Bobby,” he said, packing things away and tucking the paperwork away as well. Making sure everything was in order for collection.

Less than twenty-four hours later, he and Eddie were in a packed courtroom as Dr Brianna Wells was sentenced. Her license was revoked and she would never be able to get it again, no matter what, she would be put on a sexual predator list for the rest of her life and she would be spending the next fourteen years of it behind bars. Evan and the others who had been affected by what she had done were relieved. The fine settlement for damages that had been levied against her would be split between all her victims. Evan was just relieved that it was all over and he could now really put everything behind him and move forward.

Chapter Five

Evan walked into the 118, a smile on his face as he jogged up the stairs. “Hey Cap!” he greeted.

“Evan,” he said as he looked over at him, “Breakfast is a get-your-own, today, things are cooked and keeping warm,” he added as he gestured towards the counters.

“Thanks, Cap,” he nodded, heading over, “didn’t get a chance this morning, had a minor crisis, Dena couldn’t find her homework that we all know she had done, so we spent most of the morning searching for that. By the time we found it, I didn’t have time for breakfast.”

“That’s what happens when there are kids around,” Bobby smiled, “I was able to get Brooke and Robbie out before anything went wrong this morning. Which was a surprise, they are now happy at school,” he snorted, “So was able to get here with some time, but well…” he said, looking at the laptop that he had out.

Evan went over and had a look, “Oh, dating sites.”

“Yeah, I thought I would try, the talk with Brooke and Robbie went a lot better than I thought it would. Both of them have said that they would be fine with me dating again and that I should have to spend my life alone. I’m scared of doing it, so I thought about having just a few casual dates, and then maybe I would find something meaningful along the way,” he said with a soft smile on his face. He had been nervous about talking to the two of them, but they had been very accepting of him not wishing to be alone any longer.

“That’s good news,” he said with a nod.

Hen walked up with a slight skip. She was happy and it showed. “Thank you for all the help, Buck, we’re so close to being approved to foster and adopt,” she told him, going over and hugging him for a second before grabbing some food for herself. A few others join her in gathering things and setting themselves up at the table.

“So, Cap,” Evan asked, “Dating profile going well?”

Bobby snorted, “I don’t think so. I’m old, Evan, well past it to be dating and starting from the start again.”

“You’re only as old as you feel,” Hen told him, “You’re good-looking, have two fantastic kids, and a great career, you’re a damn catch,” she snorted.

“She’s right,” Evan agreed, “you are a catch, just give it time. It’ll come to you.”

Bobby was able to say something when he saw a young woman come up the stairs. “May I help you?” he asked.

“I’m looking for Evan Buckley,” she snapped, eyes darting around until they locked on to Evan, “You, you bastard!” she yelled as she stormed over to him, “You talk to me, have a relationship growing and then you fucking ghost me!” she carried don as she then slapped him where he was seated.

Bobby was quick to move, stopping her from hitting Evan a second time. “Hen, call dispatch to send an officer,” he stated simply. “Miss, I suggest that you sit down while we wait for the cops. You can’t come into a firehouse like that and assault one of my firefighters.”

“He fucking ghosted me. We were talking online I told him intimate details of my life and then he just left me fucking hanging, the bastard was-” she began.

“Ma’am,” Evan began, “I’m not the one you were talking to. I have a boyfriend, and I have children around. I’m not going to be dating a woman anytime soon, or even talk to them online,” he protested, shaking his head, as Hen finished contacting Dispatch and came over to check his face.

“You alright?” she asked as she looked at the bruise that was already forming on his face.

“He was being a player and no doubt he was cheating on me! Why are you defending him!” she shouted, not happy that she was being stopped from going at him again.

“Ma’am, I don’t know who it is you talked with, but that isn’t Buck. He’s not a player or a cheater. He is a dedicated young man to both his job as a firefighter and also a foster parent to vulnerable children. He also has a boyfriend, and is very close with his partner’s son. Who you are describing isn’t like Buck at all,” Hen defended her friend, “He’s a good man and not the kind that would mess around.”

“Fuck that, a boyfriend, you’re lying,” she snapped, huffing and crossing her arms in front of her chest.

She remained where she was as Hen took care of Buck’s face. Sargent Grant arrived on the scene. She walked up and came to see Evan sitting there with an ice pack on his face.

“What happened?” she asked as she looked at the woman and then at Evan.

“He is a cheating bastard that ghosted me. We were talking online and then after I shared some very intimate details and pictures with him, he ghosted me and ignored me when I messaged him. So I came here to confront him,” she stated, “You need to deal with him.”

“Buck?” she asked.

“I don’t have an online presence except for my insta, and that’s only for friends and family to follow, since I have vulnerable minors around me at times. It wouldn’t do for them to have a media presence at all. I only use Facebook to try and keep up with a few friends that I have made while I was traveling and with some family as well,” Evan stated, “I don’t know who she is talking to, but it isn’t me.”

“You are Evan Buckley, station 118, firefighter,” the woman snorted.

“Do you know anything else about me?” Evan asked, “Like what I do outside of that? Because anyone that I date, knows exactly that I have to have people get a background check before I can really let them into my life. Hell, most of those here have had to have that check to come to my Home. Since it’s a Children’s Home that I live in and help run,” he told her, “So if you don’t have that background check, then we aren’t friends at all.”

“What?” she said as she was finally listening to him. “That’s not possible, you’re young, you wouldn’t be doing shit like that. Not the guy that I got to know, you’re a flirt and full of yourself, but you’re also nice and kind.”

“Flirt and full of myself. Wonder what Eddie will think of that, he’s been doing the heavy lifting in our relationship so far,” he admitted, shaking his head and moving the ice pack off his face.

“What exactly happened?” Athena asked as she looked at them. Bobby returned with the station laptop and showed her the footage of the assault. “Right, ma’am, you’re going to have to come with me,” she said as she looked at her, “Assaulting a first responder is an offense and you’ll need to come in.”

Evan was about to say something when he felt Bobby put a hand on his shoulder and stop him. “Do what is needed,” Bobby said.

Athena nodded “I’ll require a copy of the CCTV and statements from those here, you can come down to the station a little later and do that,” she said as she then took the woman away before Evan could say anything more.

“Bobby,” he said as he looked up at the older man.

“Evan, Son,” he said, “She assaulted you, and I won’t stand for it, no one should. This type of thing is an offense, and no one has the right to harm anyone else.”

“I know but she-”

“”She,” nothing, Buck,” Hen said, “We know you, it doesn’t matter if she is angry. If that was a man and you were a woman, would it be alright for him to hit her in the same position?” she asked him.

“No,” he answered immediately.

“Exactly, so why is it fine for her to do the same?” Hen pointed out to him, getting his reluctant agreement.

“Fine,” he huffed as the alarm went and they headed out on a call.

XxXxX

Evan reached out for his phone as it was buzzing on the desk. He frowned as he saw a number that had called him a few times. He answered, “Hello.”

“Hello, Buck,” came the voice of the dispatcher who had been trying to get him to talk to her.

“Miss Clark,” he said, “I’ve asked that you not contact me,” he stated.

“I’m sure you don’t mean that,” she said, “I just thought it would be nice to chat with you a little. I’ve seen you did another rescue, a young man that was out on the ledge. I know that can be hard.”

Evan closed his eyes and sighed heavily. He could see Bobby looking at him. “I’m sorry but I need to go, my captain is looking for me.”

“How about I call you when you have finished your shift,” she suggested.

“No, I’ve got a lot of things to do,” he said as he hung up with a sigh. “She keeps calling,” he muttered.

“Who?” Bobby asked as he sat down across from him.

“Her name is Abby Clark and she is a dispatcher. She’s handled a few of our calls,” he told him, “She had to have me on a call when I was the man behind and helped Sargent Grant out with that home invasion?” he reminded him of the call that had happened in January.

“I remember, Athena had nothing but good to say about you after that call,” he smiled, “You saved the little girl and the mother as she had arrived home from what she had told me,” he said, proud of what the young man had been able to do.

“Well, she’s been calling me since then. That was the fifth time now. I don’t know how she got my number, and I don’t really want to make that many waves. She told me that her mother suffered from dementia and that she was struggling. I don’t know how she is dealing with it, and I think she might just want a friend. But I… I don’t think I can be that, I have a lot going on at the moment, Leyna, Eddie, and some of the other kids need help as well. I just…” he shook his head.

Bobby reached over, “Sometimes we have to handle what we have. You have no obligation to be this woman’s friend, and I’m not that happy that she is harassing you. I get that she is reaching out, but I do not doubt that there should be people around her who should be doing the same.”

Evan sighed and nodded, “Yeah,” he agreed, “She said something about those she worked for. Maybe we can reach out to someone in dispatch to let them know that she is struggling and that someone should be there to help her?” he suggested.

Bobby nodded, “I’ll reach out and see what I can do,” he agreed.

“Thanks, Bobby,” he nodded and jumped up as the alarm went off dispatch came over the speakers and told them that there was a multi-vehicle accident with at least three casualties.

XxXxX

Evan stretched as they finished at the hoarder’s house. The two brothers were on the way to the hospital and the truck had headed back to the station. “Damn, that was tight,” he said as he jumped out of the truck and stretched again a few steps later.

“You did good,” Bobby said, “Though Hen said she wanted to check you over when she returned, you did take a bowling ball to the face.”

“It got the helmet more than me,” Evan protested but then nodded when he saw the look that he was getting from Bobby. “Fine, I’ll let Hen check me over when she returns from her run.”

“Good,” he nodded, “Though come to the office for a moment,” he said as he began to head towards his office.

Evan followed him, frowning and wondering what this was going to be about. It wasn’t often that Bobby would take someone to his office to talk, since most of the time it wasn’t anything that anyone had anything to be ashamed of. “What’s up, Bobby?” he asked as soon as he walked in and closed the door.

“I talked with Sue over at Dispatch,” he said, sitting down and telling Evan to do the same.

“Ah,” he nodded, understanding the privacy that was needed. “What did she say?” he asked.

“She’s going to be looking into things, but she has been noticing that Miss Clark has been a little off with people and events going on around her. That something doesn’t sit right with Sue,” he explained, “There’s not much else that she can do, since you don’t want to give any warning and such for using your number. She has been told to not call you again, as she will be reprimanded for doing so.”

“Do you know how she got my number?” he asked, “I want to know to make sure that avenue is closed. I don’t want anyone to call me out of the blue like that. Since more often when I get calls like that, at odd times it’s because of an emergency placement.”

“I understand and she got it from the dispatch report when you helped out with that little girl. She took the number, and began to call you,” he said, “Now, as I said, she shouldn’t be calling you again. She has a warning on file at the moment.”

“That’s good,” Evan said, slumping in his seat slightly.

“That said, if she does call you again, you have to tell me. Dispatch is not going to be happy with her breaking the rules like she is. It doesn’t set a good example for others. I have also got word that Josh has found out and isn’t happy you didn’t tell him so that he could help you out,” he told him.

“Ah…” he trailed off, looking sheepish.

“I take it you forgot that you could go through him as well?” Bobby asked, a little smirk playing on his face.

“Come on, I was letting him and Xiaoli enjoy their time together since he moved in. I didn’t want to bring in the fact that I have someone that is… kind of being a stalker,” he said with a grimace, “Why do I attract the women that are crazy, Bobby?” he asked him, sighing heavily.

“I don’t know, but don’t worry, you’ve got Eddie to protect you now,” he added as he got up.

“Damn, reminds me that I’ll have to tell him about this as well. He knows that someone has been calling me, just not the finer details,” he sighed as he got up as well and the two headed out of the office.

“Nothing much you can do other than what we have. So keep me informed,” he said as he headed towards the stairs to the loft, “And don’t forget you have inventory!” he called out.

Evan huffed but headed to the supply cupboard and went inside to check over the inventory.

Chapter Six

Evan had heard from Josh that Abby Clark’s mother had passed away in the middle of March. Abby herself wasn’t doing well and was floundering, so much so that Sue had gotten in contact with Abby’s brother to bring him in to help her. Evan felt for her, having known the loss of someone so close. He still missed his Grandma Lizzie, and would rather she be alive than gone. He sighed as he walked out of the bunk room. There had been so many calls, one, in particular, had been harrowing and shocking to watch unfold. A biker being ripped clean in half, and still alive by the time they reached him.

Evan could tell that it had affected Bobby a lot, and even Evan himself had wanted nothing more than to walk away and take five. Which he had done as soon as he returned to the station.

“Hey,” Bobby said from the doorway of his office as he walked out, “Sleep okay?” he asked.

“I slept,” Evan said with a shrug, “Breakfast?” he asked as he looked out of the windows of the doors that were still shut.

“We’ll work together,” Bobby said as he walked over and the two headed up the stairs.

“You okay?” he asked, cautiously, he knew that sometimes the calls they had got to Bobby and caused him a few moments where he wavered in his recovery.

“I am, you know I go to church?” he asked, getting a nod, “Well I plan to go today since the kids are going to be in school. I asked Athena if she would go with me. She said yes,” he added.

“She’s a good woman, she’s been through it recently with the divorce and finding out her ex was gay,” he added, having heard it all from Athena and Hen.

“Yeah, she said,” Bobby nodded, “He’s a good man, and she misses him, which I can understand. She loved him.”

“She really did, and still does in a way. He is the father of her children,” Evan said as they reached

“Exactly that,” he agreed, “Well, we’re going to church together, she said she would pray with me.”

“I’m glad that you have someone going with you, is that after shift?” he asked as they began to get things out of the refrigerator and cupboards so they could prepare breakfast for everyone and for those of B-Shift that were coming in.

Bobby nodded, “Yeah.”

The two carried on making breakfast, greeting those of A-Shift who were slowly coming out of the bunks at the smells of bacon, sausages, and hashbrowns being cooked. B-Shift started to arrive as well. Some came up to help get breakfast and even broke out a couple of folding tables and chairs so everyone from both shifts would be able to sit down.

“Well, Bobby,” Cid said as he looked at the older man, “Breakfast smells great, I wish I could cook this well,” he added as he looked at the food.

“Practice, Cid,” Bobby snorted, shaking his head at his fellow captain.

“I don’t have the patience,” he grinned, “Though, thank you for thinking about us. We don’t always get a good breakfast before shift starts.”

“Not just me, Evan helped me cook this, he did most of the work,” Bobby said as he gestured to Evan.

“Well, two good cooks on one shift, don’t want to change shifts, do you Buck?” he asked the man.

“Not a chance Cid,” he grinned at him.

Cid laughed his booming laugh and nodded as both shifts carried on eating breakfast together.

XxXxX

Evan was getting ready for a lunch date with Eddie, Christopher was at school for a couple of hours and they would be picking him up together. There was a knock on his door. “Come in,” he called out as he put the shirt on and buttoned it up.

The door opened and a flushed Clive entered his room, “Ev,” he said, not sounding quite like himself.

“Clive, what’s wrong?” he asked, guiding the man into his room.

“So… remember the blood drive,” he said, biting his lip as he sat on Evan’s bed.

“Yeah, I do,” he nodded, waiting for Clive to carry on.

Clive hesitated for a few moments, “Well I got to talking to Cid…”

“The captain of B-Shift, yeah, he’s a good captain and man; he’s got a daughter from what I remember,” Evan said, nodding.

“Yeah, he adopted her after his friends and her birth parents were killed in an accident. She’s a little younger than Joshua,” he said, smiling a little, “Well, we’ve been talking since then, meeting up occasionally. Just for coffee and that, and well… he asked me out and I don’t… should I?” he asked in a panic as he looked to Evan for some guidance.

“Right, first, take a breath,” Evan said, as he sat beside him. “Now,” he began as soon as Clive had done so, “Tell me, what do you think about Cid?”

“He’s great, he’s kind and always willing to help, and we can talk for hours. I lost track of time twice already. He’s… he really is great, and I just… I feel at ease like I can have someone for myself. That… it’s not impossible for me to have a relationship. I’ve put everything on hold since my mother tried to kill me and Joshua. I fought to get him back,” he stated.

“And Cid helps?” he asked.

Clive nodded, “Yeah, he understands, he fought to keep his daughter, to keep her with him when her grandparents started to make noise. They had disowned their daughter, and were trying to get their granddaughter, he fought and won.”

Evan smiled, “Sounds like you’ve already made up your mind,” he told him, ginning as Clive slowly nodded.

“Yeah, I think I have. I should call him,” Clive said, getting up and hugging him, “Thank you, for calming me down enough to think.”

Evan laughed, “Go and have some fun,” he said, letting him back out of his room and finishing getting ready for his date.

Almost an hour later Eddie was pulling up outside the little coffee shop that the two of them liked to get a drink and snack from during their dates. Evan got out and headed inside as Eddie followed after locking up the truck. Evan made the order as Eddie got them a table.

Eva brought over their order and sat down, “There we go,” he said with a smile as he leaned over and kissed him, “glad we were able to get out for a bit. Leyna is doing well at the moment, and Sylvia is enjoying spending a little time with her.”

“She is a beautiful little girl. I have to admit that I enjoy holding her when I can. Though I’m half afraid that I’ll do something wrong and hurt her,” Eddie confessed.

“The nurses at the NICU were able to help teach me everything that I needed to know to keep her healthy,” Evan explained, “I have no doubt that they would be willing to teach you as well if you ask them.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, it might be nice to be able to be less scared,” Eddie told him, looking at the iced coffee he had gotten for Eddie and reaching out for it, “Thanks,” he said, sipping at it.

“Welcome,” Evan smiled at him, “Right, so… I have been thinking about Leyna a lot, she has a few problems, as you know,” he began, “And I don’t think she is going to be adopted. She is very young and that is what people prefer, but… she’s got health problems that not many are willing to take on.”

“You’re thinking about adopting her?” Eddie finished for him, seeing where he was going.

“I am, but I wanted to run it by you before I do anything. Since we’re in a relationship, and I’m serious about things,” Evan bit his lip as he wrapped his hands around the caramel latte that he had for himself.

“Evan, I’m behind you on that. That little girl may have issues in the future, she will need help. You already have so much in place just in case, and I would love nothing more than to be a part of that. I will go through all the checks as well, that’s needed, I don’t mind or even care about that. I didn’t want to say anything, but I was wondering about adopting her myself if you weren’t going to do so. I can see how attached you are becoming to her,” he said.

“It will change everything, she won’t be their responsibility, but mine. No more leaving her behind, she’ll be coming with us, working around her schedule all the time,” he reminded Eddie.

“I’m still there for it,” He said as he reached over and took a hand.

Evan smiled, “Thank you,” he nodded, squeezing it tightly. “I-” he began only to let out a pain yell as a hot drink was thrown in his face.

“Evan!” Eddie said, pushing aside the woman who had thrown her drink on him, “Hey, you!” he called out to one of the baristas, “Call the cops and get me your first aid kit and some lukewarm water!” he ordered. “Someone else, make sure she goes nowhere.”

“Sure,” one woman said as she stood up.

“None of you understand, he’s a cheating bastard. He started talking to me online and then when I shared pictures and things with him, he ghosted me!” she yelled out.

Eddie got the first aid kid and pulled out some gauze that he could use. “Evan, I’m going to use lukewarm water, alright,” he added as someone came with the water.

“Okay,” Evan said, his eyes still closed and his body beginning to shake.

Eddie began treating him as best as he could, the paramedics would be able to do so better. “Evan is dating me, and has been for a few months,” he said as he glanced at the woman. “He is no cheater, and doesn’t date women,” he added, going back to paying attention to Evan and what he was doing, “So no, I don’t believe you and you’re the second woman to assault my partner,” he added, “And you will be charged with assault,” he finished.

Evan was shaking badly, the burning feeling on his face was easing a little, but the shock of what happened was going over and over in his mind. “Ed… Eddie,” he called out, wanting to open his eyes, but being too scared to do so.

Eddie could hear the sirens as they approached. Paramedics rushed in and took over and Eddie stepped back, but only enough that he could still hold Evan’s hand. The cops arrived and he saw a woman walk over.

“Buck?” she asked.

“A… Athena,” he called out, trying to turn towards her voice.

“Stay still please,” the paramedic ordered.

“So… Sorry,” he stammered.

“It’s alright,” he said, “but you need to be still so we can treat you.”

Athena looked around, “What happened?” she asked. Eddie was quick to tell her and point her in the direction of the woman. Athena sighed and shook her head, “Thank you, Eddie, you take care of our boy,” she added as she went over to the woman. She was saying a lot of the same things as the last one. “Ma’am, you need to calm down, and at the moment you’re under arrest.” She read the woman her rights and cuffed her. The woman struggled a little. “I would stop, you’re already in enough trouble at the moment.”

“Why? Because I made sure a man got what he deserved,” she snapped.

“Evan Buckley has done nothing you are accusing him of. He is a good man, who had too much at stake to do to try and play with women’s hearts, including children he loves and adores, a partner that he loves deeply, and a career as a Foster Parent and firefighter,” she stated, “Not only that, but you aren’t the first and the first one that came through said something about a MySpace page.”

“Yeah, that’s where I found him,” she said, trying to turn and glare at Evan.

“Mr Buckley doesn’t have MySpace, only a Facebook for family and friends, which is locked to them. As well as an Instagram that is locked to private as well,” she informed her, “Now, let’s get you down the station. Eddie I will be by the hospital to get statements from you both. I have two uniformed cops here as well that are going to gather evidence and talk to witnesses,” she said as she glanced at the young man.

“We’ll be there,” he said as the gurney was brought out for Evan to get on. The man wasn’t happy, but with his shaking from the shock, they weren’t going to take any chances.

Eddie went with Evan, getting in the ambulance and talking softly to him, keeping him calm and aware. The hospital visit wasn’t a long one, but Eddie called his Tia Pepa to pick Christopher up since he didn’t have his truck as he had left it in the parking lot near the cafe. And his son would have needed to be picked up almost an hour ago.

Xiaoli walked into the hospital room, “Hey,” he said as he saw Eddie sitting beside Evan on the bed, the young leaning against him in a light doze, “How is he?” he asked quietly.

“He’s okay, mostly shock, the burn isn’t as bad as we feared it is, going to be red, sore, and tight for a few days no doubt. Going to have to keep it clean and such,” Eddie answered easily.

“Right, I’m your ride home,” he said, “When are they releasing him?”

“They already have, they said we could stay in here until you arrived. So let me wake him,” Eddie said, “Hey, Carino,” he called out gently, “Carino, time to wake up,” he murmured, being as gentle as he could.

Evan’s eyes fluttered open and he looked around, “Eds?” he said as that moment of confusion went over his face as to why he was there.

“It’s fine,” Eddie said, “You’re okay,” he murmured as he reassured Evan that all was okay, that he was safe.

Evan hissed as he remembered what happened, the hot drink in his face, the woman who was accusing him of something he didn’t do. For a second time. He remembered that Athena had come by and taken their statements before he had nodded off. “Sorry,” he yawned, wincing at the stretch of his face. The scalds would take a few days to heal up, and he was hoping that it wouldn’t blister, but he had a feeling that one or two spots would.

“I’m your ticket home,” Xiaoli told him, “I’ll be taking you both. Eddie, if you want, Clive and I can go and get your truck and bring it to the home. Josephina arrived with Christopher just before I left.”

“Great, and yes, please, I would rather stay with Evan at the moment,” he said as he got off the bed and helped Evan do the same.

Xiaoli nodded and Eddie made sure they were signed out before they headed back to Second Chance Home.

Chapter Seven

A week at home to recover was enough for Evan, he wanted to get back to work, and though he enjoyed spending some time with the kids, they were all scared and careful with him that first day that he had returned home. Some of the younger ones went to check on him often, while the older ones hovered, to make sure that he really was okay. Bobby had come by after shift one day before he had to go and get his children.

“Well,” Bobby said as he looked him over, “Healing just fine. Want me to put you back on rotation for next week?” he asked as he sat down.

“Yeah, I do, thanks for that Bobby,” he stated, feeling relieved that he would be heading back to work.

Bobby snorted, “No thanks needed, miss you at the station, not the same with a floater,” he pointed out, “They do the work, just… not the chores and the help that they should be around the station.”

Evan frowned, “Well, that’s odd, I know when I’ve helped out at another Station I’ve been happy to help around the place,” he said.

“Most are,” he agreed, “This one just wanted to sit around and do nothing unless there was an emergency that he could take part in. Already put my note in saying that I do not want him posted to the 118 again as a floater, he’s not a team player.”

“That…” Evan shook his head, “Doesn’t even need me to comment on that,” he snorted.

“Nope,” Bobby laughed, “Though… I was going to ask if you would be alright to have the kids here in two days?” he asked, looking hopeful.

“You know they are welcome to stay for the night. They have rooms set up for them, and other children that visit,” he said, “We have permission to have children over for such things,” he added.

“Thanks, I am never sure about all this,” he said with a wave of his hand.

“I know, we have rules and we have to make sure that any friends that each child has, have the permissions in place for a sleepover here. We can let a couple of them have sleepovers outside of the Home. It’s not often that they get invited out like that though. But, sure, we’re always set up to have Brooke and Robbie join us. I know that Justin will be happy to have Robbie, and Brooke is getting along with our new kid, Amanda,” he added, “So it should be a fun night, since it will also be a Friday.”

“Thanks,” he said, grateful that Evan could have the kids for the night.

“Though, why?” he asked, smirking slightly as he saw the blush appearing on Bobby’s face.

“I have a date, a proper date, with Athena,” he said quietly, “I’m looking forward to it. She’s newly divorced, and she has children as well. We have been talking outside of work for a bit. But, I actually asked her on a date.”

“I’m happy for you, I know Marcy weighs heavily on you, but she wouldn’t want you to be alone all the time, she knows you love and care for the kids. You’re in recovery and you haven’t fallen at all. You’re doing amazing, Bobby.”

“Never feel like it, but thank you,” he said, embarrassed. “How are you and Eddie doing?” he asked, changing the subject.

“We’re doing well, we’re spending a lot of time together when we can. I just… he’s everything I wanted in a partner. Someone who would be by my side, and I really do think he would be willing to help me here at home. Though I didn’t know if he would want to do that. Since we had taken Christopher in a sense,” Evan answered him, a soft smile playing on his lips and he thought about his boyfriend and how things had been going over the last couple of weeks.

“He sounds like he is more understanding of what you do than most parents who have their kids taken from them. At one point, I have to say that for Marcy and me and how I was acting and going about things. We thought that there was going to be someone coming from CPS to take us to task or rather to take me to tasks. I knew if that happened, I would lose Marcy and the kids, I would never be able to be around them again,” he said.

“It doesn’t work like that, if they can, they help the parents reunite with their family. We don’t like taking children from families, at all, but we do to keep them safe. If they are deemed safe to return they will be, and follow-ups will happen, of course, but that’s the same everywhere,” he told him.

Bobby nodded, “Right,” he said softly.

“But, yeah, things are really good, and he’s going to be starting at the Academy soon as well,” he smiled, “Don’t know what house he’ll be at, but I do hope that he’ll have someone good at his back.”

“No doubt he will,” Bobby said as they turned their talk to other things before Bobby had to leave to pick up Brooke and Robbie.

XxXxX

Athena showed up at the station the day that Evan went back to work. “Hey, ‘Thena!” he called out, smiling at the woman as she walked into the station and toward the stairs.

“Buck,” she greeted him with a smile, walking over to him. “Just the man I need to see,” she said.

“Oh?” he frowned, “Is everything okay?”

“I just wanted to update you on the two women, one is called Natalie Greyson, and she found a profile on MySpace, after seeing you doing an interview after a rescue. She reached out, after getting no answer to her PMs on Insta, she saw the profile on MySpace and reached out, and started talking to a guy she believed was you. We’ve been able to locate a few more women that this guy has been talking to,” she started to answer.

“What about the guy? Have you managed to get him to stop?” he asked, hoping that would be the case.

“We located him, he’s dead, we found him late last night. He must have been dead for at least three weeks from the state of the body,” she told him, “we have someone going through his electronics, trying to make sure all the victims of his little scam are informed and reassured that their private information has been taken care of.”

Evan sighed, “Damn,” he muttered. “I didn’t think of why he would have stopped talking to them. Well, I did, but I thought maybe boredom or he wasn’t getting what he wanted out of them,” he frowned.

“I know,” Athena said softly, “We’re doing our best to contain this, and I know you put out on your Insta about that being your only profile and a locked Facebook one.”

“And I only have Facebook for my sister. In case she wanted to reach out to me. She’s the only friend that I have on there, everything else is locked up tight,” Evan explained, “I also only follow people I know personally on Insta and only answer those DMs, the rest I don’t.”

“I see,” Athena nodded, “The two women, they have both taken a plea and have been found guilty of assault. They were only fined since it was their first offense,” she added, “I just thought I would stop by and tell you a little of what is going on.”

“Thanks,” he smiled, “it’s appreciated a lot.”

“Welcome,” she smiled back.

Evan looked around, making sure they were alone before he said, “And congratulations on your date with Bobby. I hope it all goes well,” he paused for a moment before continuing, “I only know because Bobby asked me to look after Brooke and Robbie for the night.”

“Ah,” Athena nodded, giving him a small smile, “Thank you.”

“You okay?” he asked her, frowning at the small smile, he had expected her to be showing a little more happiness.

“It’s just something I am trying to deal with,” she told him, “Don’t you worry. I’m going to speak with Bobby and then head back out on patrol. I’ll see you soon Buck,” she said, patting him on the arm as she then left him alone with his thoughts.

XxXxX

Eddie sat down across from his lawyer, “Hey,” he greeted, “So, my parents,” he paused, not really sure how to start this off.

“Mr and Mrs Diaz are… being difficult. They are to have a home study done, but they are resisting such a thing. So that is working against them, not only that but we also have the case from CPS that was done. The findings from that, and then the fact that they had tried, not once, but twice to take Christopher when he was in CPS’s custody. There are several documented things that they have done and not done during the meetings they were allowed when it came to Christopher,” he stated going over a list of things that they were going to be using against Helena and Ramon.

“I just wish they would get it in their heads that I will never let them have my son. I don’t want them to even have grandparents’ rights with Christopher. They’ve hurt him so much and they falsely accused me of abuse so they could try and get custody and it didn’t work. I’m waiting for them to show their faces, even though we’ve told them not to,” he said with a shake of his head.

“I know, so far we have a good case against them. This will see that any rights they think they have will not be upheld. Christopher is still young, so he may be interviewed by the judge and the judge only. This isn’t going to be a Jury trial, just the judge. I am not sure if that will work in our favor,” he said looking through the notes, “He will act in the best interest of the child. Of Christopher, but we have a lot going for us in that case as well,” he finished.

“Do we have a date yet?” he asked, it was the beginning of April and they still hadn’t had a date come through for the hearing.

“We’ve been put on the docket in two weeks. We have everything ready,” he told Eddie, “So you don’t have to worry too much. I’ve put in the time and effort to make sure that everything you have been sent from your parents to be put into evidence against them taking custody of Christopher,” he sighed, “There’s nothing more that we can do.”

“Thank you,” Eddie said, checking the time, he should be picking up Christopher soon from school.

“I’ll call you should something come up, but from what they have been submitting so far, there isn’t much going for them. Just the fact that they started a CPS investigation that in the end found nothing,” he told him.

“Thank you, but I do have to get going, keep me informed of anything,” Eddie got up, “You’ve been amazing through everything,” he said, offering a hand and shaking the man.

“Welcome Eddie, glad I can help,” he smiled nodding as Eddie left his office.

Eddie headed to his truck and went to go and pick Christopher up. They would be meeting with Evan and Leyna in the park. Evan liked to take Leyna out for an hour each day he wasn’t working. Often Eddie would meet with him. Today, there was a little picnic involved and Christopher had been invited along as well. Christopher knew that the two of them were dating, but they hadn’t had much time to have a family date, as Evan had called it. They were few and far between since Christopher enjoyed spending the night with Joshua and having some fun with his best friend.

Almost an hour and a half later the two Diaz’ arrived at the park. Evan was already there, setting himself up at one of the tables. Leyna happily napping in her stroller. Christopher was quick to head over, hugging Evan tightly.

“Hey, Superman,” Evan smiled down at him, giving him a one-armed hug as the other was holding a tub of food that he had been about to put down.

“Hey, Buck,” he grinned, “You brought Leyna?” he asked as he looked towards the stroller.

“I did, it’s her time for being outdoors. And where better than the park, so me and you can play and your dad can watch Leyna for me,” he grinned.

“Awesome!” he grinned, laughing as he added, “I need help getting to the same level as the bar on the swing, Dad’s too scared to help.”

“Well, we can’t get you too high, because falling wouldn’t be good,” he warned, it was something that most kids wanted to do, become level with the bar as they swung.

“Boo,” he muttered as he finally let Evan go and sat down, “What did you make, Bucky?” he asked as he looked at the food that was being laid out.

“Sandwiches, some nice turkey salad ones, and ham as well. Got a potato salad,” he said as he listed a few things that he had made. “We also have juice boxes as well,” he finished as he put them out as well.

“Wow,” Christopher smiled widely as he looked from Evan back to the food on the table, “This is so cool.”

Evan laughed and sat down, as Leyna began to stir, “Ah, time for wakey wakey,” he said as he waited a little longer before picking her up and settling her into his arms. Her eyes were now wide open and looked around her.

“How is she doing?” he asked, knowing about the illness she had a few weeks prior.

“She’s doing well, her breathing is still a little uneven at times, but she really is doing a lot better. Her last check-up went well, her lungs aren’t as strong as they should be, and she was born slightly premature from what we’ve been told. So there might be some more health problems,” he sighed, as he wiggled his fingers near hers and she latched on.

“She’s really pretty, Bucky,” Christopher said as he leaned against Evan to watch her.

“She is, and she is very happy too, except when she’s hungry,” he told him.

“And when her diaper smells like a dump,” Christopher giggled.

Eddie smiled as he watched them, they began to eat, Evan holding Leyna so she could see what was going on around her. She was a curious baby, and when it came time for Christopher to want to play, he took Leyna into his arms and sat so he could easily see the two. This is what he wanted in life, a partner who stood by him, and his son as happy as he could be. And just maybe, another child to love.

Chapter Eight

Eddie yawned as he headed to the front door, he had just got back from taking Christopher to school and was in the middle of reviewing what Evan had given him for the fire academy. He opened the door as someone knocked on it again. “Adriana, Sophia,” he frowned as he saw his older sisters standing there.

“Are you going to let us in?” Adriana said as she stood there, waiting.

“Don’t be a bitch, Adri,” Eddie warned her, “And for your information, coming at me without calling and telling me you are going to be here, isn’t good either,” he said as he stepped aside and let them both in.

“Don’t call me that, brat,” Adriana snapped at him, glaring.

“Not my fault you’re demanding entry into my home like an entitled child,” he stated, shrugging.

“You could be nicer,” Sophia said as she started to look around. “This place is smaller than your home in El Paso.”

Eddie stared at her, “Why are you both here?” he asked, heading back to the dining room table and putting away his study materials.

“What are you doing?” Adriana asked as she went over and began to look through the notes he was making, “The Fire Academy?” she asked him, looking up.

“Yeah, so?” he shrugged, “It’s what I want to do. My health is good, healed right up from the gunshot wounds, ribs and everything else,” he told her, “Why not?”

“Isn’t that a dangerous job? How can you think of doing something like that when you have Christopher?” Adriana frowned at him, shaking her head and looking much like their mother did when she was disappointed in one of their life choices.

“I’m safer being a firefighter than I am walking across the street,” he rolled his eyes, “Doesn’t matter, it’s not your choice on what I do. This is my life and I will like it the way I want, and Christopher is happy with what I am going to be doing as well.”

“How can you be happy? You’re a single father, and the ex has fucked off for parts unknown and Mom and Dad are doing their best to help you and you’ve been horrible to them,” Adriana told him, rolling her eyes as she followed him into the living room.

“I’ve been horrible?!” Eddie exclaimed, “I’m not the one that called CPS on their son and told everyone that I was abusing Christopher! I’m not the one who has tried to kidnap their grandson from the custody of CPS! I’ve done nothing to deserve what they are doing to me. I am fighting to keep Christopher because they would ruin him, they would make him so dependent on them that he would never be able to do anything without their say-so for the rest of their lives, and it would be their lives because guess what? They aren’t going to live until Christopher is old and gray, hell, they may not even live until he’s married and has kids. No one is guaranteed tomorrow, and they are behaving like they are the best parents in the world. For you two, that might be the case, you could do no wrong, for me, I was the disappointment. I was the one that got a girlfriend pregnant, I was the one that left to join the army as soon as I damn well could because I couldn’t take my mother walking into the bathroom when I was showering and then trying to bathe me when I was seventeen. She is fucked in the head and always has been, but you two and dad enable the shit out of her constantly.”

Adriana stood there looking at her baby brother, “You’re making shit up.”

Sophia nodded, agreeing with her sister, “Come on, Mom isn’t that bad at all.”

“Oh really?” He said as he went over to the cabinet that was to one side, displaying a few things, and went to one of the few drawers that were attached to it, opening it up he got out the folder he had and went over, slamming it on the coffee table as he sat down. “Please, have a read of all that,” he demanded as he waited for them to sit down and start.

“What is all this?” Sophia asked as she opened up the folder and took a piece of paper.

“That is all the emails, messages, and transcripts of voicemails that she has left me over the last two years since the moment that Shannon left. Most of them are from Helena, some are from Ramon, and I will tell you now. I will have no contact with them ever again. In my eyes they are dead to me, I have no parents considering what they put Christopher through,” he stated sitting back and letting them read through it all. “They threatened that they would call CPS and make their friends do the same. telling lies about me, saying that I was abusing Christopher to a point where he would be taken away from me while they investigated.”

“Yes, and he should have gone to our parents while that was going on. Instead, he was put in a damn children’s home.”

“Better than letting Helena and Ramon near him,” he snapped, “Why would I want them near him when they treat him like a baby that isn’t capable of thought?” he asked, looking at them like they should answer.

“He’s a child,” Adriana said, waving a hand dismissively.

“Don’t belittle him because he is a child, he understands exactly what my parents are trying to do. When he was in CPS care for all those months, they saw him only a few times and wailed about not being able to see him more. They were scheduled to see him once a week. Just like I was, and they often bailed at the last minute. What they did during their visits was try and distract the two people in there to make sure Christopher was safe so they could take him and leave. They even tried to talk them into letting them leave with him. Which is why their visits were stopped. They are also on record as having tried to enter the Home that Christopher was staying in to kidnap him,” he told them, “And that was all within the first month of Christopher being taken into care.”

“Well, you should have just agreed to let Mom and Dad take him,” Sophia said, shrugging as she put the paper down that she was reading.

“Not going to happen and I will fight with everything that I am,” Eddie told them both, “So if you are here to advocate for them, I want you both to leave and to consider me dead, I want nothing to do with Helena or Ramon. They stopped being my parents when they levied false accusations my way, and then had Helena’s family and friends all report the same thing over and over again. Each and every single one of them is no longer my family, I want nothing to do with any of them.”

“Eddie!” Adriana exclaimed, eyes going wide at the words, “They are just trying to help you.”

“No, they are not, helping means they help me, not and take my son away from me. They should be supporting me, instead, they are trying to paint me as a monster and I want it stopped. I am tired,” he said with a heavy sigh, “my parents have been working against me since I can remember. Never once have I ever got the, “Well done Eddie,” or, “I’m proud of you,” from either of them. Yet those words are showered on the two of you all the time. When you got pregnant before getting married, hell, before you were even dating the guy properly, you didn’t get anything like what I got when Shannon got pregnant. I was never good enough, no matter what I did. So I stopped trying a long time ago. Before I even left High School, I stopped. I was going to live my life how I want. I am going to raise my son in the best way I know how, and that is doing the opposite of what they did to me,” he stated, getting up, “Now, I want you both to leave. Like I said, if you’re just here to talk them up, I don’t want to know. They are dead to me,” he repeated once more as he gestured towards the front door.

Sophia looked at her little brother, he was the baby of the family. “Eddie,” she began softly as she got up and approached him, “We’re just trying to look out for you. Mom and Dad told us how much you are struggling with taking care of Christopher. We want to make sure that you are okay.”

“I’m not struggling though,” he vented, exasperated that once again, neither of his sisters was listening to what he was trying to tell them.

“But Mom and Dad said that you were, that they were trying to help and you were getting violent with them,” Adriana pushed, frowning.

Eddie closed his eyes and rubbed at them, “For the last time, I’m not. Helena and Ramon keep lying to you and you always believe it even with evidence given to you to show that they are lying,” he sighed heavily, “Just please leave me alone. I will be seeing them in court in just over a week, all evidence will be presented. No doubt you’ll both be there on their side since you’ve never once been on mine.”

“No doubt you’ll see the truth in court, you always did have to do things the hard way,” Adriana said, with a huff, she got up and looked at Sophia, “Come on, Sophia, we’re leaving. Let Eddie wallow as he usually does,” she added heading to the door.

“Please let the door hit you on the way out, Adriana,” Eddie stated, “And don’t come back,” he added, following them and closing the door behind the two before they could even turn and say anything more. He leaned against the door, he loved his sisters, sometimes, and other times he couldn’t stand them. They never once backed him up, even when they knew that their parents were in the wrong. Eddie shook his head and pulled out his phone, not wanting to be home in case they came back, he messaged Evan and asked if he was busy, since they were both off.

XxXxX

Eddie leaned against Evan as they sat under a tree in the park. April had been nice and warm so far, and that day was the same. “They just… they always take their side, never once helping me when they started in on me. Even when they could see that Helena and Ramon were in the wrong.”

“Maddie used to do the same, gaslighting. She would tell me all the time that Mom and Dad loved me, and that they cared about me. They never once did, she backed them up each time that something happened and I was involved. I was bullied at school, must have been something I did, Mom and Dad had a go at me, yelling at me. Maddie took up what they were doing saying that I needed to change and that I was the problem. No matter what, I was the problem,” Evan said softly, understanding where Eddie was coming from.

“Yeah, that, I was the problem, I’m the one standing in the way of them getting Christopher. I’ve no doubt that if I was dead they would be even happier,” he said bitterly, “I’ve never been able to rely on them, and I should have realized that as soon as I returned and they were making noises about taking Christopher from me and Shannon.”

“Well, you’ve got the court case in what, nine days?” he asked, looking down at him, the man was relaxed as much as he could in Evan’s arms.

“Yeah,” he answered, “Nine days and this will finally be over because I will be filing a restraining order to make sure that they will never be able to come near me again. I don’t want anything from them, no contact, no nothing. I’m thinking about adding some of those that harassed me as well. Since they are still doing so. Sophia and Adriana may even end up on that list as well,” he sighed, “I don’t know. We’ll see how it all goes.”

Evan hugged Eddie close as Eddie’s phone began to ring.

“Hello?” he said, listening, his eyes going wide as he sat up, breaking out of Evan’s arms, “I’ll be right there,” he stated, getting to his feet.

“Eddie?” Evan asked as Eddie was already running towards the parking lot.

“Helena and Ramon have crossed the last line. They tried to take Chrsitpher from school. Thankfully they aren’t on the list. They have been arrested at the moment, and will be facing charges, because I will be making sure to press any that I damn well can,” he called out to Evan.

“I’ll come as well,” Evan said as he ran fast to catch up with Eddie and keep up with him as they got to Eddie’s truck and got in.

Eddie ran into the school less than forty minutes later. He could see an officer waiting for him, thankfully, his parents weren’t there still. “What happened?” he asked as he looked between the officer that was standing there and the principal of Durand.

“Mr and Mrs Diaz came onto school grounds, demanding to see their grandson. One of the teachers here thought it would be fine to bring Christopher out. While the secretary decided that it wasn’t because they weren’t on the list for pick up. Christopher was brought out, but was quick to get out of their way and hide behind a security guard that had come in. He said that they were trying to take him away from his father. The teacher is in a separate room, for the moment,” the officer stated.

“Principal Summers, I hope that this teacher will be punished for putting my son in danger,” Eddie stated, trying to remain calm.

“She is to be suspended, pending a review of her time here,” she said, “Christopher is with a security guard in another room. You are free to take him home,” she added.

“Athena,” Evan greeted the officer.

“Buck,” she smiled, “This must be Eddie that I’m hearing about then,” she guessed, getting a nod. “Well, I’m sorry this has happened, Eddie. Will you be wanting to do anything with this?” she asked.

“Any charges that can be filed, try and I want a restraining order,” Eddie answered her, frowning as he turned to Principal Summers, “Please bring Christopher and his things. I am going to be taking him home.”

“Of course, he’s already ready for that,” she said, “He insisted on getting his school work as well, to take with him,” she added as she motioned for the secretary who was still in the reception area to go and fetch the six-year-old.

“I’m going to be doing as much as I can,” Athena promised, “This isn’t the first time they have tried and while they got away with it that time, I won’t be letting it happen again,” she said with a little growl. Someone has been able to sweet talk themselves out of trouble, but she will be sure anything and everything stuck this time.

“Thank you,” Eddie said as Christopher was brought to him.

With a few more words exchanged, Eddie left with Christopher and Evan. Athena promised to keep them updated as best as she could.

Chapter Nine

The day had started out… well, a word that shall not be used in a firehouse, until a fire started at one of the factories. It started out small but within two hours, three more stations were called to help with the blaze, including the 118. The fire was classed as a five alarm fire and moments later two more stations joined the four that were already there. It was the middle of the day, and workers were still inside.

“This is Buckley, checking Delta side, so far no survivors have been found,” he said through the radio, he had found two bodies, beyond help, he marked them to be retrieved, if they could and carried on.

“Okay Buckley, you and Sanchez start heading out,” The Captain in command called out, “We’ve retrieved the two bodies that you have found, they are on the way out.”

“Help!” came a yell, before it was drowned out in coughs.

Sanchez and Evan looked at each other, “Command, we’ve heard a voice. Someone calling for help,” Evan stated on the radio.

“Check it out and keep me informed, You are moving to the far side of Delta,” he warned, “The area around there is unstable, be careful and if you think it is too dangerous, get out of there. I will not lose a firefighter,” he finished firmly.

“Sir,” Sanchez said, nodding as he and Evan began to call out for the survivor to keep calling.

“Here!” came another coughing call.

The two men came across a door and slowly opened it to find three people inside. One was unconscious and the other barely holding on. The third was awake and staring at them. “Thank you, God,” he said, coughing, he had been the one calling for them. “I can’t… I can’t bring them out.”

“It’s okay, we’ll do that, you just hang tight and hold on to us,” Sanchez said as he went to one and Evan to the other.

Getting them both into firefighter carry, the third holding onto Evan as they began to head to the nearest exit.

“Command, we’ve found three survivors,” Evan said over the radio, “We’re coming out near Delta exit B,” he added.

“Be careful, there has been some collapse in that area,” Command told him, “I’ll have people standing by to help.”

“Sir,” Evan said as he headed to the exit.

They were almost there when the place gave a rumble. The radio crackled to life. “The building is shifting, All teams in Delta area, get out now, retreat, the area is too unstable!”

“Let’s get going,” Evan said as they hurried to the exit. They were almost there when part of the ceiling above them began to come down. Evan shifted the man he was carrying off him and pushed him towards the exit, doing the same with the one he had holding onto him.

“Buck!” came a yell, “Fuck, Command, Buckley is down, repeat, Buckley is down, going to need some help inside. We’re about 4 yards from the exit, I can fucking see it. Someone get in here and help me!” Sanchez demanded over the radio.

“We’re coming in,” came a voice from a firefighter from another station.

Sanchez looked up as three firefighters rushed over. Taking the victims, a fourth and fifth rushed in to help him get the debris that had fallen on Evan off him. “Come on Buck,” he said, “Answer me, damn it,” he added.

“I’m awake, and you’re too fucking loud,” Evan groaned as he started to come around.

“I’m Yunie, and this is Trevor,” the women of the two that rushed in to help.

“We’re gonna get you outta here,” Trevor said as he and the other two started to carefully and quickly get Evan from under the mess.

Evan was helped from the building just as the general evacuation order came in.

XxXxX

Xiaoli waited for the call to connect. “Eddie,” he said as soon as the man picked up.

“Xiaoli?” came Eddie’s concerned voice, “What’s happened?” he asked, “I know something is up, as you only call when something is going on.”

“You’re right on that,” Xiaoli sighed, “The fire at the factory,” he stated, “Evan was part of the team that went in. He was injured. Concussion, and bruised ribs, he’s fine, but he needs some rest. He’s not allowed any devices for at least two days, while the headache eases. So, it is my duty to inform you that your boyfriend has an owie but is gonna be just fine,” he said, keeping his tone light and bubbly.

“Fuck,” he muttered, “Which hospital and is he being kept in overnight?” he asked.

“He isn’t, but that’s more because of how many of us are going to be around to check on him. No doubt that you want to come and be there as well,” Xiaoli guessed.

“Yep,” he said, “No doubt Christopher will want to come as well. He and Joshua can have a mini mid-week sleepover,” he said, rubbing his face.

“Don’t worry, Clive has already volunteered to help out on that. So we can focus on Evan,” Xiaoli reassured him.

“Thanks, I’ll meet you at the Home? Or should I come and get him from the hospital?” he asked, wanting to be sure of what he should do.

“At the Home, he’s getting a last checkup going and then should be released. If that changes I’ll call you,” he answered as he looked towards the room where his best friend was talking with the doctor.

“Okay, I’ll meet you there, try and keep him out of trouble until I do,” Eddie said as he then hung up the call.

Xiaoli smiled as he tucked the phone away and headed back to the room as the door opened. “Hey,” he said, nodding at the doctor.

“Your friend is free to go,” he said, “You already have all the information that you need to watch over him. Being a first responder, you should.”

“His boyfriend is going to be stopping as well, and will be with him, he is a former combat medic and is also training as a firefighter,” Xiaoli said, “There are so many of us that had first aid training and more,” he added as he looked around and saw that the room was a little darker than when he had left it. “Evan?” he asked quietly as he walked into the room. Evan was lying on the bed, an arm over his face, covering his eyes.

“The light was hurting a little,” Evan said before the man could ask about the dimness of the room.

“Right, no screen time for you for a while then,” he said, snorting a little when the man groaned. “Normal books for you, or some of the kids reading you stories again,” he added, it wasn’t the first time the man had come back with a minor concussion and had to avoid any screen time for a day or two.

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up,” he muttered as he moved the arm from his eyes and glared at him.

“Don’t worry, Eddie is on the way to the home with Christopher, he’s going to be staying as well. I didn’t even ask,” he said, shaking his head, “He really loves you,” he added softly.

Evan smiled, “He really does. I… do love him,” he said, slowly sitting up with a little help. “He’s… everything I wanted in a partner. Someone that sees me and loves me for who I am. He doesn’t want to change anything about me, not even what I do with my life. He loves the fact that I run Second Chance, he loves that I am a firefighter.”

“He does, considering he is following you into being a firefighter,” he snorted as he made sure that Evan had everything, “Right, let’s get you home and into bed,” he said as the door opened and a nurse walked in with a wheelchair. “And your chariot awaits,” he grinned at him.

Evan groaned but didn’t protest as he went from the bed to the wheelchair to be wheeled out of the hospital. He was just glad that he wasn’t going to stay the night there. He hated overnight stays. Thankfully they had been few and far between for the most part, and he hoped he would keep it that way. The drive home from the hospital was quiet, Evan hating every bump that Xiaoli drove over as it hurt his head and ribs. He had at least two weeks off, and then another week, maybe even two of light duty, depending on when he was given the all-clear to return to work fully.

Eddie was waiting at the steps of the Home, he went down to the car and helped Evan from it, “Thanks Xiaoli,” he said, grateful for the other man’s help.

“Welcome,” Xiaoli smiled as he watched the two headed inside.

“Eddie, you really didn’t have to come out like this,” Evan said softly as he was helped towards his room.

“I know I didn’t, but I… I care a lot about you and hearing that you’ve been hurt…” he trailed off, shaking his head.

“I know, I know Eddie,” he smiled at him, as they reached his room, “Still, thank you.”

Eddie helped him onto the bed, “Now, take it easy, no screens, as you already know. If you want I can have a low light on and I can read to you. Christopher knows you’ve been hurt, and so do the kids. They are all a little worried, so expect a load of handmade cards to be given over the next few hours, or tomorrow, depending on if Clive, Janaia, and Sylvia can keep them away.”

Evan looked around his room, “Where’s Leyna?” he asked, frowning.

“Alicia is going to be looking after her. Clive helped move things into her room for the night, so you don’t have to worry at all,” he answered, sitting on the edge of the bed to face Evan, looking him over and making his own observations. Evan did look okay, slightly pale, and tired, but nothing that stood out for him to worry about.

“Okay,” he sighed, not very happy about it, but he knew that it would be pushing things to have her in the room with him.

“She’s going to be fine, Evan,” he told him.

“I know that,” he huffed, but pouted, “I just… I’m going to miss her, I do.”

“I know you do,” Eddie smiled, “You love her and in everyone’s eyes, she’s yours.”

“I’ve still not made that decision yet,” Evan said quietly, looking down, “I just… Do I want to do that, tie her to me, and stop her from having a chance to find a family out there?” he said, as he then looked up at Eddie, hoping that he might have an answer.

“There is no way to tell if there would be someone out there that would take her in and treat her like you do. For now, think about what you want concerning Leyna. Do you want to watch her grow up? Would you be there when things go wrong? Would you be doing everything you can to make sure she can have a happy and fun-filled life?” he asked, his voice more serious than Evan had ever heard it be before.

“I’ll think, properly,” he nodded, “She’s what, three months old, and she’s been in hospital twice for illnesses since we got her, and she’s been with us about five weeks now.”

“She’s going to have health problems, you were told that, but you’ve been doing everything you can to be there for her each time it happens,” he stated, reaching out and taking a hand.

“She’s precious,” Evan said, “How can I not do all I can for her?”

“That… is what being a parent means, Evan. Doing everything you can for your child, and making the hard decisions sometimes, like having them go for an operation, even though it will mean them being in pain for a few weeks,” he stated, thinking about the last operation that Christopher had to have. The little boy had been miserable, and had been stuck in a wheelchair for almost six weeks, he had hated it. He’s been a very temperamental little boy for those weeks.

“Yeah,” he nodded, squeezing Eddie’s hands, “We do our best.”

Eddie nodded and looked at Evan, he could now see a small bump under the curly hair that Evan had without it being gelled back. “I’m glad you’re okay,” he stated, “I…”

Evan pulled him closer, “I know, I’m really fine, in a couple of days I’ll be up and cause mayhem again,” he told him.

Eddie leaned closer, kissing him, “Just be more careful.”

“I’m doing the best I can, Sanchez was quick in getting help for us, which is why there wasn’t much of a problem in the end. The rest of the building came down not moments after we were out,” he explained what he could remember, which was more than he thought he would after the hit to the head.

“I… love you Evan, I really do and I don’t think I could handle anything happening to you,” he sighed, letting his forehead lean against Evan’s. “You mean so much to me, and Christopher. And then there are those that live here. Leyna included. And let’s not forget your family as well. Your aunts and uncles, cousins, and that,” he reminded him, “So being careful, you need to do it, you need to make sure.”

Evan closed his eyes and smiled at hearing those three little words that he never thought he would hear from a partner. “I love you too, Eddie, I can’t imagine my life without you. To think that if I didn’t work here, didn’t create this place, we wouldn’t have met.”

“I have to believe that we would have done, in the end,” Eddie said, “Because I don’t think I should be without you in my life,” he finished quietly, “Now, get some rest.”

Evan huffed but lay down, “No kiss goodnight?” he asked.

Eddie snorted but leaned down and kissed him, “Not the goodnight kiss most would have,” he murmured against his partner’s lips, “Now, rest up, and I’ll be in soon enough waking you up and asking you some inane questions.”

“Forgot about that part,” he muttered as he moved around to get comfortable and started to drift off to sleep.

Eddie stood up, coving him up, and headed towards the main living room. Clive was standing there, “Hey,” he greeted the younger man.

“Hey, the kids are all making cards, Joshua and Christopher are in a corner whispering together, so I’m expecting something,” he stated, shaking his head with an amused smile on his face.

“Let’s try and make sure they don’t create too much chaos,” Eddie said, smiling as the two headed into the living room and joined in the card-making session that all the children, teenagers included, were taking part in.

 

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