Reading Time: 125 Minutes

Title: New Beginnings
Author: Duochanfan
Fandom: 9-1-1
Genre: Crime Drama, Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort, Romance
Relationship(s): Evan ‘Buck’ Buckley/Eddie Diaz, Anthena Grant/Bobby Nash
Content Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Hate Crime, Homophobia, Violence – Graphic, Domestic Abuse – Adult, Domestic Abuse – Children, Bigotry, Character Bashing, Dark Themes, Kidnapping, Attempted Murder, Violence – Canon Level, Stalking, Death Threats
Author Note: Thanks to HarleyJQuin, ScarslikeVelvet, Bythia and the others that helped to shape this fic.
Beta: HarleyJQuin, ScarslikeVelvet
Alpha: HarleyJQuin, ScarslikeVelvet
Word Count: 145422
Summary: With Ana and Eddie breaking up and soon Taylor and Buck doing the same. Decisions need to be made on if the two men would try the relationship that they had been dancing around. Though they aren’t the only ones that are facing a hard decisions as a surprise stops Athena and Bobby in their tracks. New Beginnings are on the horizon, but will anyone be able to get their Happy Ever After?
Artist: AngelicInsanity

 

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Chapter Fifteen

Maddie stood near the car that would be taking her away from her family, though she knew she was close by should they really need her, or should she need them. She still felt like she was the worst sort of person to want to go.

“I’m going to miss you so much,” she said as she held Jee-Yun close. The five months, now almost six-month-old baby girl was happily babbling at her mother and holding onto her. She would be at the facility for a few months before being released as an outpatient, she would be going there for therapy at least three times a week at that point and slowly stepping back into her daughter’s life full time. It was a lot, and she knew it was going to be hard, but she wanted to do this for Jee-Yun.

“I’ll make sure to make a weekly email with so many pictures for you to still be able to see her, and you can call and skype after a month so don’t you worry,” Buck said, he had been home from the hospital for a day, having heard what happened with Chimney. He hoped that the man was now getting some help.

“I know,” she smiled at her brother and handed him her daughter. She would be living mainly with Buck, and when he was working she would be with the Lees a lot. If Chimney recovered before she did he would be able to have custody of her until Maddie recovered. “Keep me in the loop with Howard as well,” she added as she looked at the Lees and Albert.

“Don’t you worry about him, just worry about yourself,” Anne said with a soft smile as she stepped forward to hold her tightly, “I wish there was more we could have done to help you.”

“You did so much. I think I would have left a long time ago if it wasn’t for you coming over to help every now and then,” Maddie told her honestly, “Look after her well for me.”

“We will, and we’ll make sure that Buck and the others are fine and well looked after as well,” she chuckled lightly as she pulled away, tears in her eyes.

Maddie looked at Buck, holding out a hand, with her pinky finger stretched out, “Pinky Promise that I will be back.”

Buck smiled and hooked his finger with her, “Pinky promise accepted, you get better, we’ll still be here waiting for you. I love you a lot Maddie and I know me and Jee will miss you like crazy,” he told her.

“Yeah, just like I will,” she nodded as she looked at those that had gathered to say goodbye, “Thank you all, for helping me in this,” she told them.

“Of course,” Athena said from where she was standing in Bobby’s arms, “We’re here, and we’re not going anywhere, you take the time you need to recover and come back to us.”

Maddie smiled and nodded getting into the uber. She wiped away her tears as she waved out of the window until she couldn’t see them anymore.

Buck stood there until the car turned the corner and out of their sight. He slumped where he stood as held Jee-Yun close. “Mom’s gone to get better, but she’ll be back soon.”

Eddie turned him and guided him back into the house, “Now, what are you going to be doing?” he asked him, “Are you going to be staying here with me? Or are you going to be going back to the loft?”

Buck stopped just before entering Eddie’s home, he had been staying there since he and Eddie had rescued Maddie, not even thinking about heading back to his loft. “I…”

“Hey,” Eddie said, catching his attention, “It’s fine if you want to stay, we can carry on and the guest room can be Jee’s room,” he suggested.

“Well,” Buck began a little hesitant, “I wouldn’t mind staying, but you know that Taylor would want to come by again,” he warned him.

“Yeah I know,” Eddie rolled his eyes. He liked the woman but what had happened in the past had colored his vision of her for a while. “And you’re always welcome to stay,” he smiled at him as they carried on inside, everyone else following them as well. “How are you doing, Athena?” he asked.

Athena looked at him, sighing, “I’m fine.”

“You sure? I knocked into you pretty badly,” Eddie said. When Chimney had forced his way in, he had pushed Eddie out of the way and straight into Athena. They had almost fallen to the floor, Eddie had only just been able to save them, but Athena hadn’t reacted how he had thought she would.

“Really, I am, I was checked out just to make sure as well,” she said, squeezing Bobby’s arm when he went stiff and still beside her, “I’m okay, more than,” she added.

Bobby looked at her, “Really?”

“Really,” she smiled, reassuring him.

Bobby nodded as they saw the looks from the others around them. Mostly from Buck and Eddie, wondering what was going on. “So, Buck you have the next two weeks off at least,” he said, changing the subject quickly before anyone else could pry.

“Yeah, it’ll give me a chance to settle Jee in and get into a good routine with Mr and Mrs Lee as well,” Buck said as he smiled over at the older couple.

“We’re happy to help whenever you need us,” Anne said, “And please call me Anne,” she said.

“Anne,” Buck smiled.

“And I’m John,” her husband said.

“John,” he nodded a smile on his face as he held Jee-Yun, “Maddie said that you’re her grandparents, so Jee, time to go to Grandma,” he said as he handed her over to Anne.

Anne took her, holding her and smiling. “Thank you, for not cutting us out.”

“Of course not, Maddie doesn’t want it and neither do I. You’re Chim’s parents in a way, two people that have loved and cared for him. Jee is still and will always be his daughter, and that will never change. Jee-Yun should know about him, just like she’ll know about Maddie. I’ll be doing a second email, with notes and pictures that I will be sending to you, for Chimney, so he can see his daughter growing like Maddie,” Buck told them.

“Thank you,” John nodded, “That would be very helpful.”

Talk turned to other things since the next day A-Shift would be on their normal rotation, though Buck wouldn’t be joining them.

XxXxX

 

Taylor laughed as she nodded, “Yes, a trip to the zoo would be good. They’ve been able to recapture all the animals now and they have the place sorted. It’s been almost two weeks since the blackout.”

“Can we, Buck?” Christopher asked as he looked up from the drawing he and Taylor were doing at the coffee table in the living room

“Well, since it’s ready again to go there, then yes we can go. Eddie has a day off again in two days, and it will also be a weekend,” Buck said, “It should be okay then,” he looked at Taylor, “You’re joining us, aren’t you?” he asked.

Taylor nodded, “Yeah, not going to miss it,” she grinned, “Me and Christopher have plans.”

“Yes, we have plans,” Christopher nodded along with her, “Lots of plans,” he then giggled as he leaned against Taylor.

“Why do I have a bad feeling about this,” Buck sighed as he looked between the two. A cry came over the monitor. Buck looked at it and smiled, “Looks like Jee is done with her nap,” he said as he got up.

Taylor smiled over at him, “that gives us time to talk business,” she whispered to Christopher.

Christopher giggled as Buck left the room to get Jee-Yun. “Miss Taylor,” he began, “How are we going to do it?”

“I don’t know, but we are going to have to play the long game, it might take a while as they both think that the other doesn’t like them like that,” Taylor sighed, “But, with the zoo trip, I can take you and maybe even Jee-Yun to go and see something, leaving those two together,” she grinned.

Christopher nodded, “Yes, that could work,” he laughed brightly.

Buck walked back in, Jee-Yun in his arms, babbling away, now quite happy. “I know, we’re going to go to the zoo since it’s reopened,” he told her, tickling her tummy and making her squirm and giggle.

“Well, we should have fun,” Taylor said, “Make sure we can all go off together,” she added as Christopher laughed again leaning against Taylor.

“Some days I worry about those two,” Buck said to Jee-Yun as the front door opened, “Hey, Eddie,” he greeted the man. He was cooking dinner that night, and had changed his mind on what he was going to do since Taylor had been invited to stay.

“Everything okay?” he asked, seeing a laughing Christopher, a smirking Taylor, and a worried-looking Buck.

“They are up to something,” Buck whispered as he followed him to the kitchen, watching Eddie cook their dinner with Jee-Yun on his hip.

XxXxX

Christopher had insisted on Taylor tucking him into bed that night and reading him a story, though, from the laughter that came from the room, both men suspected something else was going on. “I don’t know if I like that friendship,” Eddie said as he let Buck curl up against him. Jee-Yun was already asleep in the guest room that Eddie had changed around for the now six-month-old to sleep in.

“Neither do I, but at least they are getting along, and even you were at dinner,” Buck smirked at him.

Eddie snorted, an arm going around Buck’s shoulders, “Yeah, she’s not that bad after all.”

“She’s great when she’s being friendly, but if she wants something, or trying to get something to work how she wants, well…” Buck shrugged.

“And I do it with all the love in the world, Evan Buckley,” Taylor said as she stood in the doorway to the living room.

Both men on the couch jumped as she began to laugh, “Really, Tay!” Buck pouted at her, giving her a glare as well.

“That was just perfect,” she told the two as she walked over to the chair and sat down, watching the two of them as they went back to how they had been sitting. Taylor couldn’t help the little shake of her head, Buck gave her a look, and she just smirked. He knew she was after him to say something to Eddie and to do it soon.

“Zoo in two days,” Eddie said, “I really don’t mind if you want to do it tomorrow,” he added, glancing at Buck.

“No, you have to come as well. Chris is really looking forward to all of us going,” Taylor said before Buck could scupper hers and Christopher’s plans. They had made so many of them, and even a few more as she read him a story before bed.

“Fine, we can all go,” Eddie rolled his eyes, shifting a little closer to Buck, “I don’t know why you need to, we can go any time, and I don’t know if I want to go back to the zoo after what I saw.”

“It’ll be fine, I did a news segment there yesterday. It’s all fine otherwise I wouldn’t have suggested it. I don’t want Buck to end up hurt, yet again,” Taylor said with a roll of her eyes.

Eddie tightened his hold on Buck slightly, “Yeah, let’s avoid anyone getting hurt on a day out.”

It was a couple of hours later, getting too late to let Taylor head home when Eddie told her to stay the night.

“I’ll have the bed in Jee’s room,” Taylor said before anyone else could.

“I’ll sleep on the couch then,” Buck smiled.

“No, you’re not sleeping out here, just join me in my room,” Eddie said as he tugged Buck to his feet.

“You know what you can use of mine to sleep in Tay,” Buck said as he yawned, wincing at the pull on his face.

“I do, sleep tight, boys,” she waved to the two and headed into Jee-Yun’s room, there was only a small bed there, and she wasn’t exactly thrilled to be in the same room as Jee-Yun, but the sacrifices she made to get those two together were worth it.

Chapter Sixteen

Buck stared as he watched Christopher head off with Taylor, who was pushing Jee-Yun in her stroller. “Am I dreaming, Eddie?” he asked the man beside him.

“If you are, I am,” he told him, watching the same thing.

“She… doesn’t like children,” he said slowly, shaking his head.

“I know,” Eddie nodded again, “But, Chris and Taylor were adamant about the three of them going off alone.”

“Weird,” Buck shrugged, “So…” he trailed off as he looked over at Eddie.

“So…” Eddie said the same thing and then laughed, “What should we do, we were told to stay here and wait for them to finish, whatever it is the three of them were to do.”

“Well, we could follow them?” Buck suggested.

“Nah,” Eddie shook his head, “Leave them to it, this time,” he muttered, a little smile playing on his face.

“Yeah,” Buck agreed, looking at where the three had disappeared once more before turning his full attention to Eddie. “So what do you want to do? We can’t just stay here, it’s too hot to just stand around.”

“Well, there are some seats over there in the shade, we can sit down, and I’ll get us a couple of drinks?” Eddie suggested, gesturing to a small seated area where a drinks kiosk was set up.

“Sure, sounds good, should we get something for them as well?” he asked.

“Nah, I’ll get something when they get back,” Eddie smiled, “Go and sit down, I’ll get them.”

“Lemonade for me,” Buck said.

Eddie snorted, “I know,” he grinned as he went to get the two of them something to drink.

Buck watched him go, a soft smile on his face. Grinning more when Eddie returned, handing him his lemonade. “Thanks,” he said as Eddie sat down.

“Welcome,” he smiled back.

The two sat there in silence for a few moments before Eddie spoke, “I’ve been… meaning to talk to you about something.”

“Same,” Buck replied, “I…”

“I…”

They laughed, “Why don’t you go first,” Buck told him.

Eddie gave a shaky nod and took a deep breath, “I just… When I broke up with Ana, it wasn’t just because of the way she was that put our relationship in the toilet. She just wasn’t right for me. In more ways than one. She was someone that I knew my parents would like. I caved to my parents again, and I do it a lot. I should have… I should have never even tried.”

“You asked her out after a jinxed shift, what did you expect,” Buck teased lightly.

Eddie laughed, feeling his nervousness fading a little. “You’re right, should have seen the writing on the wall. She made me do math on a date, Buck, who makes their date do math?” he asked, wrinkling his nose.

“Teachers?” he answered, laughing at the look on Eddie’s face. “Sorry, Eds, but it’s kind of funny. Should have done your own math then and realized that she wasn’t the one for you.”

“Ugh, math,” Eddie pulled a face. “I may not have done the math to figure things out. But I did realize who actually makes me happy.”

Buck looked over at him, “Oh?”

“Yeah,” Eddie said, looking at him with a fond smile on his face. “Christopher of course makes me happy. But so do you.”

“Me?” Buck squeaked, he glanced around, seeing that they were mostly alone since it was animal feeding time with the giraffes.

“Yeah,” he smiled, “You.”

“Re-really?” he asked again, getting a nod. “I… Eds, I-”

“Take a breath Buck and try again you… you don’t have to say anything if you don’t feel the same way,” Eddie said, giving Buck an out.

“I like you too, Eddie,” Buck smiled softly, “I have for a long damn time. I thought… I didn’t know you liked guys as well.”

“Not often that I date guys, I dated one before Shannon and none since then. And the only other person I dated was Ana after Shannon,” he murmured, leaning a little closer, “So you really like me too?”

“Yeah, like I said Eddie, I didn’t think I had a chance. So I never said anything, even… even when others said I should take a chance,” Buck said, eyes narrowing in thought.

“Well, want to take that chance?” Eddie asked, smiling at him, “Want to go out on a date?”

Buck smiled back and nodded, “Yeah, I’d like that.”

Eddie leaned a little closer asking, “Can I finally kiss you?”

Buck gave a nod and leaned in himself. Eyes closed as lips touched, and a hand made its way to the back of Buck’s neck, pulling him closer.

“YES!” came a shout, “Finally!”

The two men broke apart as they heard a female say, “Way to ruin the mood, Chris.”

“Sorry, I was too happy to stay quiet,” Christopher laughed, not sorry at all.

“I spy two spies,” Buck murmured against Eddie’s lips.

“Well, they can wait one last moment,” Eddie said as he kissed him again.

“Oh, they are going to be so gross now,” Christopher complained, though there was laughter in his voice.

When they broke apart, they saw Taylor heading back towards them, Jee-Yun clapping happily in her stroller. Christopher walked beside them, a large grin on his face. “Really you two?” Eddie asked as they reached them.

“Well, you both needed a push,” Christopher said, “You weren’t going to do anything, Dad, and I told you so many times. Even before Miss Flores,” he said, pulling a face at the woman.

“Awful woman,” Taylor nodded, having gotten even more gossip about her from Christopher.

“Yep,” Christopher nodded as he looked at her, “Oh, Tay, did you get it all?” he asked.

“Get what?” Buck asked the two, looking between the fully grown woman and the ten-year-old that was standing next to her.

“Of course I did,” Taylor snorted, “You really think I was going to pass up filming that?” she smirked as she brought out the camera that she had tucked into her back, “And I got audio.”

“How?!” Buck asked, shaking his head.

Taylor reached out and put a hand in his shirt pocket and pulled out a small mic. “I’m good at my job and getting information,” she winked.

“Betrayal,” Buck muttered, pouting at the two of them.

“No, pushing you to do something I know you’ve been wanting to do for a while. And now that I have it all recorded, I’m going to make sure there is an epic video for your wedding,” she told them.

“I’m helping,” Christopher added, “Tay’s going to be teaching me how to mix videos together. We have some good footage of the two of you as well.”

“And where is she getting all this?” Eddie asked his son, not sure if he was happy about this strange friendship.

“I know how to send videos to someone,” Christopher rolled his eyes. “You and Buck spend a lot of time together and have fun. I recorded you both at times, and I sent them, and Bisabuela did as well, she has a nice one from a few weeks ago at the family dinner,” he grinned.

“Everyone is conspiring against us,” Buck murmured, though he was beginning to laugh.

Eddie gave a sigh, “Abuela is in on this?”

“Yep,” Christopher grinned, “So is Uncle Bobby, but should that be Grandpa Bobby now since he and Buck are like father and son?” he asked, head tilted as he then made his way to sit down.

“Oh, and we won the bet, so we’ll be treating you to something nice later,” Taylor added, pushing Jee-Yun to the table and taking a seat.

“Bet?” Eddie asked, frowning.

“Hen,” Buck was the one to answer, sighing, “She’s the one that has the book for any bets in the firehouse.”

“Yep,” Taylor added, “Chris and I put in the pot and picked today as the date you two would get together,” She grinned, “And I have the proof, so they have to pay up. It’s a couple of hundred now, so we’ll be splitting it four ways. Some for Chris, to be put up,” she said, looking at the ten-year-old, who rolled his eyes but nodded.

“I’m saving up for something,” Christopher said as he got a look from his dad.

“What?” Eddie asked, curiously.

“Not telling, you’ll find out,” he grinned, “And the rest goes to you and Buck. Since it was about you. It didn’t seem fair otherwise.”

“To be honest with you, Eddie, for what he wants to save towards, I’m actually putting my own takings towards it,” Taylor smiled, “You’re kid has a great head on his shoulders, and knows what he wants out of life.”

“So you know?” he asked, looking sad.

“I do, and I only know because he explained why he wanted me to place the bet,” she smirked, “He’ll tell you soon, as it’ll be you that has to order it all.”

“Fine,” he huffed, getting up, “Drinks?” he asked, quickly getting their orders as Buck prepared something for Jee-Yun to drink and snack on.

“Told you,” Taylor smirked at Buck, “I said that you should make your move.”

“This is why you broke up with me,” Buck huffed, picking up his lemonade and taking a sip.

“Someone had to make the first move, and neither of you was going to. So, breaking up with you was it. And then pushing you to say something,” she told him, looking at Christopher, “I worked on you, and this bright spark worked on Eddie.”

“We make the best team,” Christopher grinned, as the two shared a high-five.

“That we do, going to have to team up again at some point,” she winked, already he had ideas that he wanted to carry out. He was an ambitious and resourceful kid, and Taylor could really admire that in him.

Christopher burst into laughter as he nodded, “Bisabuela may need to help too.”

“I’ve heard a lot about the wonderful Isabel Diaz, it will be a pleasure to finally meet her,” Taylor said confidently as Eddie walked over and handed the two drinks down.

Buck looked at what she was drinking. “I thought you didn’t like ginger tea?” he asked.

“I was feeling a little off this morning, but I wasn’t going to miss this for the world, we had plans to set in motion. But the ginger is helping, so may as well. Old wives tales after all,” she smiled, “And no I don’t, but I’d rather drink this than throw up.”

Buck nodded, “You’re okay though?” he asked.

“Yeah, I ate something that didn’t agree with me. Should know better than to trust some of the food trucks that come around the station,” she smiled, “So don’t worry.”

“Okay,” he smiled, as Eddie settled beside him again.

Christopher giggled at the two of them as they started to hold hands, “It’s good to see you happy, Dad,” he said as he looked at him.

Eddie smiled back, “Yeah, it’s nice to be happy.”

“Always,” Buck grinned, laughing as Taylor pulled a face.

“Jee, I’m telling you now, if you need to escape your parents and your uncles here, I am more than happy to take you away from them for a few hours of retail therapy,” Taylor said as she picked Jee-Yun from her stroller and settled her on her lap.

“Look who’s getting comfortable with a baby on their lap,” Buck teased.

Taylor glared, “I’m only comfortable because I know I can hand her back to her Uncle, who has to change a dirty diaper,” she then grinned as she handed Jee-Yun over, “Time to go and change her.”

Buck glared back and huffed, but took his niece and stood up, “Fine, I’ll change my little princess,” he said, grabbing her back and heading towards the changing room.

“Eddie,” Taylor said, “I know better than to give you the shovel talk. I know you really care about him, so treat him right, and I’ll be warning Buck to do the same. You two… You both inspire me to find someone that gets me, as the two of you get each other.”

“Buck’s it for me,” Eddie said softly.

“Good,” Christopher was the one to speak up, “Daddy, your taste is so bad, I did tell you I was going to make sure that the next one you dated was right for you.”

Eddie laughed and nodded, “That you did.” The three talked a little more until Buck came back, before heading off to go around the rest of the zoo.

Chapter Seventeen

Eddie and Buck left the restaurant, laughing lightly as the door was locked behind them. They had lost track of time as they talked through dinner and dessert, carrying on their chatter as the restaurant slowly emptied and they were interrupted by a waiter with the bill saying that they were about to close. The two had been the last customers and had left a good tip behind.

“I can’t believe they left us that long,” Buck said, shaking his head as he took Eddie’s hand.

“I know, I… don’t want to go home just yet, so what about a walk around before getting an Uber home?” Eddie suggested, turning to look at him, neither of them wanted the night to end. They had decided to take an Uber to the restaurant in case they wanted to have a glass of wine with dinner.

“Sure,” he smiled, agreeing as the two of them began to head to the nearby park. Buck looked up at the clear sky, only a few of the brightest of stars able to get through the light pollution, “Tonight has been great.”

“Yeah,” Eddie said, taking hold of Buck’s hand and pulling him closer so he could put an arm around Buck’s waist, resting a hand on his hip.

“So,” Buck began, laughing, “I don’t know what we should even talk about now.”

Eddie laughed as well as he turned to smile at him, “Anything and everything?”

Smiling back he nodded, “Yeah, well, we have the house to ourselves when we go back to yours,” he pointed out.

“I know,” Eddie smirked, bumping Buck’s hip, “Though, I still can’t believe that Taylor was the one to offer to babysit and take both the kids to hers for the night,” he said, shaking his head as he thought of the reporter.

“Well, she is the one that helped to get us together, she’s gotta put up and shut up with the fact that we might need a babysitter, considering the rest of the 118 doesn’t know we’re together now,” Buck pointed out to him, an arm going around Eddie’s waist as they walked side by side.

“She’s different from what I remember,” he remarked.

Buck smiled and nodded, “She has changed, she wants… she wants what we have, someone who will love her and care about her as much as she does.”

“Yeah, though no kids,” Eddie laughed lightly, shaking his head.

“I know, she likes when she can hand them back. She’s not used to them being around. I know she has a sister that she very rarely talks to, and most of her family no longer speak to her,” he sighed.

Eddie glanced at him and smiled, “Well, she now has us, and for some reason, Chris seems to be her new best friend.” Buck pouted at those words, causing Eddie to laugh again.

“Yeah, but she better not steal my best friend away, who else am I going to tease you with,” he continued to pout.

Eddie turned, facing Buck, “No one because you aren’t going to be doing the teasing,” he smirked as he leaned in and kissed Buck.

“Oh?” Buck said, eyebrows raised as he leered at Eddie. “And what type of teasing do you have in mind?” he asked.

“Well,” he began, leaning even closer as he whispered, “No kids, we have the house and a whole night. What do you think,” he said, kissing along Buck’s jawline.

Buck smirked and kissed Eddie, “I like the way you think, head home?” he asked.

Eddie moved back, grabbing a hand and nodding as Buck quickly ordered an Uber. Teasing touches as they waited, trying to keep it clean as they got in the Uber and headed home.

XxXxX

Buck sat on the couch, laptop on his lap, beside him was Christopher, grinning widely as he held a sleeping Jee-Yun. The six-month-old had fallen asleep on his lap and Christopher had pouted and protested them putting her in her Pack’n’Play to sleep, so they had left him, telling him that he could ask them to move her when he had enough.

“What are you doing, Buck?” Christopher asked as he glanced over.

“I’m writing up an email for Chimney and Maddie about Jee-Yun, to let them see how she is growing and what she has been doing. I’m adding pictures as well,” Buck said, moving the laptop around a little so Christopher could see the pictures he was sending.

“Is Auntie Maddie going to be okay?” he asked seriously, a little frown between his eyes.

Buck smiled and nodded, “She will, she’s doing well at the moment and is looking forward to another email from me about Jee,” he told him.

Christopher nodded and looked at Jee-Yun, “it’s not nice to not have a mom,” he murmured.

Buck’s shoulders slumped and his heart hurt at the words, “It is, but you know your mom loved you an awful lot. She really didn’t want to leave you.”

“I know, Buck,” he said, giving a sad smile, “I miss her a lot, but Dad says that she’s still with us, even if we can’t see her,” he added. “I know that Auntie Maddie will come back for Jee, she loves her as my mommy loved me.”

“She does, and she’s fighting to get better and come home,” he nodded, reaching over and ruffling Christopher’s hair.

Christopher nodded and looked back down at Jee-Yun, “Do you think Dad’s okay with the cooking?”

“He’s fine, Taylor’s in there as well, don’t forget,” Buck shook his head, laughing lightly.

“He’s not going to experiment with something again is he?” he asked, pulling a face.

“No, Taylor is making sure of that,” he smirked, “she wasn’t too keen on his latest experiment.”

“Yeah, Dad likes to add way too many things to food,” Christopher gave a put-upon sigh.

Buck finished the email, sending it to Maddie and to the Lees as well as to Chimney’s therapist. All communications with Chimney were going through his therapist, Dr. Misha Farron. He would be meeting with the Lees later that night to talk about how Chimney was doing since they were currently down as his medical proxy with Maddie also having inpatient treatment. “And done,” he smiled as he looked over at Christopher, who was gently holding one of Jee-Yun’s hands, “Right, we’re going to have to put her in her Pack’n’Play for a while,” he said as he put away his laptop and went to pick his niece up.

“Oh, but Buck, I want to hold her still,” Christopher pouted.

“I know, but you need to wash up for dinner, no doubt Taylor and Eddie will be almost done,” he said.

Christopher huffed but let Buck take Jee-Yun. Buck held her for a few minutes before putting her down to sleep, she would be waking soon for her own dinner.

Taylor smiled as she and Eddie began to bring everything out. “We made something for Jee to try as well when she wakes,” she told Buck.

“Brilliant,” he grinned as he sat down. Soon enough they were all seated, Jee-Yun still sleeping. By the time dinner was over, Jee-Yun had tried some of the plain sweet potato mash that Taylor had put aside for her, getting more over her face and head than in her mouth.

“Don’t think she likes the texture that much,” Eddie said, shaking his head, he had missed all of this with Christopher. More pictures had been taken by Taylor along with a video.

XxXxX

It was after Christopher had gone to bed when John and Anne arrived to talk with the two about Chimney. “Thank you for letting us come over,” Anne said as she held Jee-Yun, smiling down at the baby as she babbled at her.

“Of course, you’re her grandparents,” Buck said, shaking his head, “You’re always welcome to come by and see her,” he added.

“Thank you,” John smiled, sitting next to his wife. “We’ve gotten more information about Howard and what’s going on,” he said, his voice quiet.

“Oh?” Buck said, leaning against Eddie, “How is he doing?” he then asked.

“He’s taking his therapy seriously now. Knowing that we’re not going to let him get away with not putting his all in,” John answered, “He’s been fighting it for the last few weeks, but this week. I was able to see him and speak to him. Told him that Maddie was getting help as well and that he needs it as well from the way that he has been acting,” he sighed. The heartache that the two were going through over Chimney and what he was going through was painful to see.

“It’s no excuse for what he did to you and to Maddie,” Anne added, not looking at the two other men across from her, “He had a break from reality, he was seeing things and thinking things that just weren’t true. He believed that Doug Kendall was still alive and was going to come after Maddie again,” she bit her lip before finally looking up at Buck. “I’m so sorry.”

“He’s getting help, and there is nothing for you to be sorry about,” Buck reassured her, sitting up straight and leaning forwards, “Chim’s getting the help that he needs now, and while it might take a while for me to trust him, and for Maddie as well. We all just want him to get better, to come home and be able to be with his daughter.”

“He has medication to take and therapy, group, and solo,” John explained a little more of what Chimney was doing. “They are planning to keep him for at least two months and then assess how he is doing. If things are going well, then he’ll be able to come home, but will still be doing therapy twice a week and once a week for a group session.”

“That’s good,” Eddie said, rubbing a hand over Buck’s arm as the other nodded. “What about working?”

“At the moment, he is suspended,” John answered, “They are unsure if they will let him back after what happened. They’ll want their own people to assess Howard as well, so it’s more of a wait-and-see.”

“Okay,” Buck nodded, feeling the phantom pain from his face where Chimney had punched him.

“How is Maddie doing?” Anne asked, changing the subject as she saw how closed off Buck was becoming because of it, “I bet she is missing this little one,” she smiled as she waved Jee-Yun’s hand a little.

“She is, and she’s doing okay. They don’t think she is ready to see Jee-Yun in person yet, but the photos and videos that I’ve been sending her have been helping a little,” Buck told her, “I’ve sent it to Chim’s therapist as well, so he can see it when he’s ready.”

“Thank you, and I saw the email,” Anne smiled, “She is so adorable. I’ll have to send you the pictures that we’ve taken while looking after her.”

“She is,” Buck grinned, “And she had some solid food earlier for dinner, she was wearing most of it. Though I don’t think she liked the texture that much,” he said as he went over and began to share the pictures and videos that Taylor had taken and sent him before she went home.

“Oh,” Anne laughed, as John leaned over so he could see as well, “I remember those days with Kevin, and when Howard was a child,” she smiled, “his mother and I met when we were children, became best friends. I was so happy when she came over here when Howard and Kevin were four. I was never happy with Dae-Sung and how he had left Jee-Yun here, but she was happy and so was Howard,” she said as she launched into telling them some of the trouble the two boys had gotten into.

Buck smiled and listened to a few more stories before Anne and John left with Jee-Yun, as Buck and Eddie had a shift the next day.

Chapter Eighteen

Bobby looked over the railing, “Everyone, up here,” he called out from the loft of the station.

Buck and the others quickly headed up, their shift had just started and they were talking to some of C-Shift that had just finished. Buck was the one to reach the top of the stairs first, looking over to where Bobby was standing, a tall Asian man was standing next to him. “Xiaoli?” he grinned, seeing the friend he had made in the academy standing there.

“Hey, Buck,” Xiaoli turned, grinning back as he went over and hugged the man, “Good to see you again.”

“You know him, Buck?” Bobby asked, a slight frown on his face, but a smile still there on his lips.

“Yeah, we went through the academy together,” Buck grinned, “He was my main competition for some of the top spots,” he said as he turned towards his Captain.

“Well, good to know,” Bobby nodded, “And for everyone else, this is Xiaoli Huang, he’s going to be working here for the next six months. Chimney is on medical leave,” he began to explain, leaving out that he was actually serving a suspension as well as enforced medical leave after that, “For the minimum of six months, he will also have to go through requalification to come back as well,” he said getting nods from most of the A-Shift.

“It’s nice to meet you all,” Xiaoli nodded, still smiling at everyone as he moved back to where Bobby was standing.

“Welcome to the 118,” Hen said, as she went over to shake his hand, “I’ll be the one partnering you in the ambo,” she explained, “I’m Hen.”

“Nice to meet you, Hen,” Xiaoli nodded as he shook her hand. The others all started to introduce themselves, getting to know their new teammate.

“I’m Eddie,” Eddie said as he walked over, Buck now standing beside him.

“Oh,” Xiaoli grinned, “So you’re the famous Eddie,” he laughed as Buck spluttered.

“Shut up,” Buck muttered, glaring at his friend.

“No can do on that,” Xiaoli smirked as he turned to Eddie, “He talked about you non-stop after your first shift together.”

“Oh?” Eddie said, intrigued by what Buck had said about him.

“I’ll t-” he began only to find Buck’s hand over his mouth.

“EW!” Buck yelled, pulling away and glaring at him, “Seriously, you just licked my hand? What are you? A dog?”

Xiaoli laughed as he went, “Woof!”

“Animal!” Buck said as he stalked off to wash his hand, muttering threats of revenge.

“So, are you going to tell me now?” Eddie asked as the two went over to one of the smaller round tables and sat down.

“Sure,” he smirked, leaning closer, “Well, if I didn’t already know he was Bi, I would have that day. He was cursing up a storm about this perfect and awesome new firefighter. A literal sex god that had walked into his station and he had no idea what to do because he had been a dick to you when you first met. He was bemoaning the fact that you’ll be straight and that you were just too good for him to even think about asking you out.”

Eddie smiled, leaning back, “Well… I have to say, I… thought the same when I first met him. But, at the time I was still married,” he said, “And then all I knew was him dating women.”

“Ali and Taylor,” Xiaoli nodded, “There was also a bloke between them, Eric, he was… okay, decided to fuck off to who knows where. Buck was upset for a bit, but he bounced back being around you and Christopher.”

Eddie nodded, “Yeah. We love having him around.”

“So much so, that I know you’re now dating and that Taylor had something to do with it,” he smirked, getting a blush and a nod from the other man.

“And I’m back,” Buck said as he re-joined them, sending Xiaoli a glare.

Xiaoli just smirked, “Too late, I told him everything,” he laughed as Buck stared and continued to glare.

“Xi-” Buck was cut off as the alarm rang, “Saved by the bell for now, Xiaoli, but be warned I will get revenge!” he yelled out as they all headed towards the trucks as Bobby told them what to expect on this call.

XxXxX

Buck looked up at Bobby as he finished going through the stockroom, “Hey, Cap,” he greeted.

“Good,” Bobby said as he walked over to him, “I am asking if you can oversee some of Ravi’s training, he’s been shifted over to us. His probation period is… ridiculously long at the moment, and he’s not learning what he needs. The one that was training him on B-Shift has had to go on medical leave as well so that left no one.”

“I don’t mind taking over, do we have a list of things that he needs to learn?” Buck asked as he filled in the last of the form that he needed to and turned to give Bobby his full attention.

“I have a list of things that he’s already been taught, but there’s still a lot left for him to learn before he can gain his shield,” Bobby sighed as he led the way to his office. He picked something off his desk and turned around. “Here, this is what he has and hasn’t learned. You’ll be responsible for him, and I’m asking if you and Eddie can help him.”

“We will Cap, I’ll go and talk with Eddie and we’ll come up with a game plan,” Buck grinned as he looked through the papers that he had been given.

“Thank you,” Bobby smiled, “I knew I could count on you for this. Ravi should be able to learn a lot from the two of you,” he added as they walked back out of the office.

“That you can, Cap,” he grinned once more as he then headed off to find Eddie, who had been given the task of cleaning the loft with Hen.

“Hey,” Eddie said as he looked up from the last of the washing up he was doing.

“When you’re done, we have a task to take care of,” Buck said as he went over and leaned against the side as he began to explain what the captain wanted them to do.

Eddie nodded as he dried his hands, “Well, that sounds okay, I don’t mind helping as well,” he agreed. The two headed towards the table and sat down, “Right, so where should we begin?” he asked as Buck handed him the papers.

“I was thinking of tool deconstruction, mainly the chainsaw, we see them a lot, just like the one two days ago. Ravi was a bit ill after that,” Buck winced as he thought of their probie.

Eddie nodded in agreement, “Yeah, I think it would be a good idea, you go and get him, and I’ll get what we need,” he said, the two of them getting up.

“Now?” Buck asked as he got up.

“May as well,” he pointed out, “never know when we’ll be faced with something like that again.”

Buck nodded, “So damn true,” he snorted, “I think that’s the second one this month,” he murmured as he went to go and find Ravi.

“Exactly,” Eddie nodded, heading to the tool closet.

Buck headed down the stairs and separated from Eddie as he went in search of their probie. “Hey, Ravi!” he yelled out as soon as he saw him.

Ravi looked up, “Oh, hello, Buck,” he said, looking a little nervous.

“No nerves today,” he grinned, “Eddie and I are going to help you learn what you need, so we’re going to start with deconstructing a chainsaw. The one we were on two days ago, they happen often enough that you should know how to take them apart safely.”

“Right,” he nodded, smiling, “Thank you, I know you-” he cut himself off.

“I don’t have anything better to do, so get that out of your head, it would be a pleasure to teach you all you need to do this job well,” Buck told him, “Now, come on, Eddie’s waiting.”

Ravi followed Buck to where Eddie had set up the chainsaw that they used. Eddie and Buck went about explaining how it was taken apart and made Ravi do so a few times.

XxXxX

Buck looked at the nurse that was leading him to the meeting room. It had been three weeks since he had seen his sister, and while he had sent her three emails, he hadn’t received anything back, as it wasn’t allowed. “How is she?” he finally asked as he was led into the room, Maddie wasn’t there yet.

“She’s doing well, missing her family of course,” the young man smiled at him.

“That’s… that’s good, not the missing us, but she’s doing,” Buck said nervously as he looked around the room, it was warm yellow and green, and the couches and chairs looked comfortable and deep green, much like the carpet.

“Don’t worry,” he reassured him, “Now, Maddie should be here soon, her main therapist will be with her, to mediate should it be needed, otherwise she will remain at the back of the room.”

“Right, thank you,” Buck said as he went and sat down, the nurse now leaving him. He didn’t have long to wait until the door opened. A tall woman walked in first, a kind and friendly look on her face as she nodded and headed toward a chair at the back of the room. Behind her was Maddie, Buck got up as she rushed over. Buck couldn’t help but squeeze her tightly as she did the same. “Miss you, Sis,” he murmured into her hair.

“Missed you as well, Buck,” she said, a little teary as she pulled back, “You look good.”

“I am,” he smiled, “how are you?”

“I’m… okay for now. There are bad days and good days, more bad than good at the moment, but it’s to be expected,” she sighed as she pulled him to one of the couches and sat down, pulling her brother to sit beside her. “What’s been going on?”

“Well, Eddie and I are now together,” he said, as his sister squealed.

“I knew it!” she said as she hugged him again, “I can’t believe it happened while I was in here,” she pouted, “How did it happen?”

Buck grinned, “I have a video of it, courtesy of Taylor Kelly.”

“Oh, this I have to see,” Maddie said as Buck brought out his phone and started the video.

Maddie watched and was crying but laughing at the end of it, “I can’t believe that she tricked you, that they tricked you,” she told him, her eyes shining with happiness for her brother.

“Yeah, she also looked after both of the kids at her place, I’m not sure if I like the friendship that has sprung up between Tay and Chris, they keep giggling and smirking at us,” Buck pouted.

Maddie laughed and leaned against Buck, “I’m so happy for you, Buck,” she said, as he hugged her.

“I am really happy,” he told her.

“How… How’s Jee?” Maddie finally asked, eyes closed and lips pressed together tightly.

“She’s loving the attention she gets from Christopher, and he loves holding her. He pouts and gives me the puppy eyes when I take her from him,” he said, as he told her and showed her some more of the pictures that he had taken over the last few weeks.

“I miss her,” she murmured, “But I’m not ready yet.”

“I know, and she misses you as well,” Buck said, “Take the time you need to get better, she’ll be there waiting for you.”

Maddie nodded as she changed the subject, wanting to know more about Eddie and Buck and their very new relationship. Buck was happy to talk about it, and they spent the entire visit with Buck informing her of everything he could think of.

Chapter Nineteen

Buck walked over to Ravi, smiling proudly, “You were great at that retirement home,” he said, “You spotted something and spoke up. Eddie and I have been teaching you everything we could over the last two weeks.”

“You and Eddie have been great,” Ravi grinned at him, “You… you’ve both taught me so much, I’ve been going over the chainsaw as well, I can do it in under a minute now.”

“You are doing great, I think, well, Eddie and I think you might be ready to go from Probie to a full-fledged firefighter,” he said as he walked with him towards the loft where Bobby was cooking lunch.

“I… I don’t know about that, I think I’ve still got a lot to learn,” Ravi stammered as he walked beside his mentor.

“We learn something new each day,” Buck reminded him, “I’m always learning, still going through my books and more when I have the chance. Keep doing that, keep learning, even looking at courses that you think might help you.”

“It’s a good idea,” Bobby said from where he was standing at the top of the stairs, about to call them for lunch. He had overheard what Buck had said, “And Buck’s right, we’re always learning something new. He’s also right about the fact that you are ready. You did good today, really good.”

Ravi smiled brightly at them both, “I’ll work hard.”

“We know,” Eddie said as he came up behind Bobby, “You’ve been going through everything Buck and I have taught you, over and over again. You’re going to be a great firefighter.”

“Have a little confidence in yourself,” Buck added, “You’re smart, brave, and strong.”

“I threw up when we-”

“Everyone does at some point,” Bobby said, “I know I did.”

“Same,” Buck said.

“I did as well,” Eddie said, “Not as a firefighter, but at the… things I saw when I was in the Army,” he added.

“Right,” Ravi nodded, standing tall as they carried on up the stairs and joined the rest of the A-Shift for lunch.

XxXxX

May stormed into the 118 and headed up to the loft, “Hey,” she called out, seeing a few of the crew sitting around.

“May, to what do I owe the pleasure,” Bobby said as he smiled at the young woman.

“I think I need some advice,” she said as she looked at him.

“Why didn’t you go to your parents?” he asked as the others began to gather at the table.

May sighed, “They would be… overprotective and Mom would storm into the call center.”

“Okay, I can see your point if something is going on,” Bobby said, “Why don’t you sit down, and we’ll see what we can do.”

“Thanks,” May smiled as she looked at the others that had joined, “So, we have someone new in the call center, Claudette, she’s… a lot. Never wears the uniform, took my coffee from me, and drank it. One that I brought before I arrived at work. She’s taken over a few of my calls as well. Keeps… being really dismissive of me as well. Like I’m below her notice. Now she is a good dispatcher, I admit that. I could learn from her, but it’s not like I’ll ever be able to get a chance. She just… rubs a lot of us the wrong way, but she seems to have zeroed in on me and, ugh. I hate bullies.” Her words had been rushed as she leaned back in her chair, a hot chocolate put in front of her.

“Thanks,” she said to the new man that she hadn’t seen before, “You’re new.”

“Xiaoli, paramedic,” he introduced, “And from what I see, I think you need to call her out on her behavior or rather her bullshit, and if that doesn’t stop her, report her. Wearing a uniform is a must and if she’s not doing that she might be violating other codes as well. Who’s in charge at the moment? Is it Sue?”

May shook her head, “No, she’s on a retreat for a bit, learning a few more things for dispatch I think,” she sighed, “I tried to find out what is going on, but she just brushed me off, calls me a baby, and takes over my calls all the time,” she growled as she pulled the hot chocolate to her and sipped at it, “Ohh, this is good.”

“Real chocolate in that,” Xiaoli said proudly, “The best way to make hot chocolate.”

May nodded, “That it is,” she grinned.

“Xiaoli is right, don’t let her walk all over you. Stand your ground,” Buck added, “Don’t take shit from bullies. Call her out on her behavior, and definitely report her if she carries on with her attitude.”

“Josh and her are… tight friends, so I don’t know how much he is going to listen to me. He was just happy to see his good friend, Claudette, it didn’t matter that she took over my call at all right in front of him,” May muttered darkly, glaring at the table.

“Tell him, make him listen, and remind him that everyone else follows the rules, and if one doesn’t then no one else has to,” Xiaoli smirked.

May looked at him and then laughed, “Yeah, yeah I think I will.”

“Uniform,” Bobby said, “I know it might seem… odd coming from me. But if he doesn’t take you seriously, change out of your uniform top into something else. Point out that she doesn’t wear it, so obviously it’s not mandatory for the dispatchers.”

“Talk to some of the others as well,” Hen suggested, “See if they are having problems with her.”

“Linda, one of Maddie’s friends there, they started at the same time, she has a good grasp of the place as well,” Buck mentioned smiling at the young woman, “She can be someone that’s in your corner.”

“I know Linda doesn’t like her,” May told him, “I heard that Claudette was there when Linda and Maddie started, she made a bet that Linda wouldn’t last.”

“Right, talk with Josh and tell him,” Buck nodded, not happy with that. Bets happen all the time at the 118, but there were rules about things. That type of bet wouldn’t even be thought of.

“I will,” May smiled, feeling better after having talked to them all.

“Want to stay for dinner?” Bobby asked as he got up, “I’m about to put things in the oven.”

“Sure,” May smiled.

XxXxX

May walked into work her next shift, feeling a lot better about the day. She was done taking shit from Claudette and done with Josh gushing about his friend returning. “Morning, Linda,” she called to one of the two women in the break room, completely ignoring Claudette that was standing in the room.

“May,” Linda smiled, “Have a good day off?”

“Yeah, I spent a little time at the 118, seeing my step-dad and the rest,” she grinned, “Looks like their Probie, Ravi is going to be earning his shield soon,” she told her, “And they have a new paramedic with them, Xiaoli, he seems nice, though, Buck is obviously friends with him.”

“I heard a little birdy tell about Buck and Eddie, is it true?” Linda asked as May began to make herself a coffee.

“It is, Buck and Eddie are together, I couldn’t believe it when they first announced it, I had thought Buck was with Taylor, but Taylor and he had broken it off and it was her that pushed them to confess,” she laughed as she stirred her drink and picked it up, “Buck’s such a sap, Mom’s already going on about getting them all over for dinner next week. Taylor included. Mom wants to see the video that she has with their confession,” she smirked.

“I take it you’ve watched it?” Linda asked.

May nodded as Claudette began to head towards her and reached for her drink. “Don’t even think about taking my coffee, Claudette, if you want one, make yourself one,” she told the older woman.

“You’re just being a brat,” Claudette told her, “Y-” she began as she tried reaching for May’s coffee.

May moved out of the way, “No, I’m not, I’m not going to listen to someone who is a bully. I had enough of that when I was in school, I am not going to put up with it in a place where I work.”

“You are a child,” Claudette repeated.

“I’m not, and you’re out of uniform,” May stated as she turned and walked away.

May headed to her assigned desk and sat down, putting her mug to one side as she picked up her headset and got ready to start her day. She was in the middle of her fifth call when she sensed someone behind her, she sighed as she saw the reflection of Claudette in her monitor. As she ended the call, she turned to look at the woman, “What?”

“You make mistakes all the time, I’m trying to make sure you don’t cause anyone’s death,” Claudette snipped.

“No, you’re not, you don’t do this to anyone else, but me. You make a point to hover around instead of being at your own station. You don’t wear the uniform, there is a reason why we do,” May told her.

“Is everything alright here?” Josh asked as he saw the two women talking.

“No, this young girl thinks she has the right to tell me what to do or not do,” Claudette said, looking at her friend.

“No, I’m just pointing out the violations you are doing by not wearing the uniform, by hovering over my shoulder and not being at your station, how are you to answer calls when you’re over here?” May pointed out.

“I believe the uniform is lame,” Claudette rolled her eyes.

“Josh,” May said as she turned to her supervisor, “Are you going to point out at all that it is in fact a rule?” she asked him.

“She is a good worker, May,” Josh began slowly.

“So? That doesn’t mean she can get away with rule violations, if she isn’t required to wear the uniform, then none of us are as well,” she said, getting up from her chair. “So, if she isn’t, then I don’t have to wear this either,” she gestured to the uniform she was wearing, “I think I’ll go and change,” she began to walk away.

“May,” Josh said, his voice going serious.

“Yes?” she turned and waited for him to speak.

“You will remain at your desk,” he told her.

“Then I will change on my break in…” she trailed off as she checked the time, “twenty minutes.”

“You will remain in your uniform, May, or I will write you up,” he warned her, shaking his head.

“Then you should do the same with Claudette, the rules apply to everyone. Just because she is a hard worker and efficient at her job, doesn’t afford her the luxury of dressing how she wants. What goes for one, goes for all. If you don’t have her in uniform, then no one needs to be in uniform,” she stated, “So if you write me up for a rule violation, then where are the ones for her? Just because she is your friend, doesn’t give her special privileges, and Sue, if she was here, would be saying the same thing.”

“I can do as I please,” Claudette said.

“No, you can’t,” Josh finally said, “She’s right, if a rule goes for one it goes for all. Next shift you are to come in the uniform that was provided for you when you started back here. And please keep to your desk.”

“Josh, I’m just trying to help her.”

“She has the training, just like you have, let her handle her calls, May will let someone know if she can’t handle them,” Josh told her, “Now, head to your desk, you still have an hour before your break.”

May nodded and returned to her own desk, putting on her headphones and answering the next call. She could hear Claudette talking with Josh, trying to talk him around to let her do what she wanted. With everyone now watching and waiting, Josh had to stand his ground as Claudette stormed off. The man sighed but stood firm as he went about his job.

Chapter Twenty

May stood talking to Linda on her next shift at the Call Centre. “Maddie, we’re hoping will come back when she’s ready. She talks to Buck occasionally. He passes on little messages to everyone for her. She’s doing well, from what I hear, still hasn’t been able to see little Jee in person, but she’ll get there, she’s a strong and determined woman after all,” she smiled at Linda.

“I miss having her around, she’s a really good friend,” Linda said, sighing, “Well, think we should ge-” she began only to stop, “Well, looks like Claudette isn’t learning at all.”

May turned around and saw the older woman walk into the room, out of uniform again. “You know, Josh will have to write you up if you insist on not wearing your uniform,” she pointed out.

“You are just jealous that Josh and I are good friends,” Claudette said, “You’re trying to get me in trouble and Josh.”

“No, I’m just sick of someone trying to bully me because they think they are better than me,” May said, “I had enough of that when I was in High School, without having to deal with it in my workplace. You flaunt the rules because you think you are entitled to not follow them, just because you are a good dispatcher, doesn’t mean that you can get away with everything.”

Claudette glared as Linda and May walked out of the breakroom and headed to their desks to start their day.

“Claudette,” Josh’s voice rang out over the quiet floor as he headed towards the woman before she could reach her desk.

“Josh,” she smiled, “I’m just about to get to work.”

“And you’re out of uniform. You need to change to uniform,” Josh pointed out to her, shaking his head.

“I’m too old to wear a uniform these days,” she rolled her eyes as she put her coffee down at her desk and began to sit.

“I mean it, Claudette, you need to go home and change now. Not starting work until you are,” he warned her, “I don’t want to have to write you up. I will if you don’t get into uniform. I told you yesterday that you would need to,” he reminded her, standing closer, “Look, you need to go home and get into uniform. Do so now,” he advised.

“Josh, I’m not going to wear the damn uniform, I told you when I first arrived that I wouldn’t,” she told him, about to sit down.

Josh put a hand on her chair, “And I told you then that you should. I gave you some leeway, and I shouldn’t have done, I should have insisted right from the start that you wear it. I gave you too much freedom,” he shook his head and sighed, “Now, return home and change into your uniform, you will be marked as late and out of uniform.”

“You can’t do this to me, Josh,” Claudette protested, turning to face him.

“I am, you are to go home, change and return, if you do not, I will write you up, this will be the only warning I give you. Go home and change,” Josh told her as he began to turn away from her.

“Josh,” Claudette said as she followed him, “I’m not wearing the uniform, I’m too damn old to do so.”

Josh turned back to look at her, “And so are others, but that doesn’t stop them from following the rules and regs that we have here. Return home Claudette and change.” This time his tone was a lot firmer.

Claudette huffed as she stormed away.

Josh stood there slumped for a moment before straightening up and looking at everyone, “Please carry on.”

The dispatchers nodded and got back to their work. May felt a little bad as she went back to her work, but she knew she had made her point to Josh about how he had been favoring Claudette over the others, enough so that a number of the others weren’t comfortable around her. May wasn’t the only one that Claudette had taken the calls over from. May jumped from her seat as soon as it was her break time and she had finished her call. Glancing around she found Josh in the breakroom, alone.

“Josh,” May called out as she walked inside, “Hey, coffee?” she asked as she went over to the pot and began to make herself one.

“Please,” Josh smiled.

May nodded and smiled back as she made the two of them some coffee. “Here,” she said, setting his down and sitting across from him. “You know, I’m sorry if this is causing you problems. I just… I can’t put up with the way she acts like she is above us all. She is a damn good dispatcher, I can see that. She is also a bully.”

“She’s really nice,” Josh began.

May snorted, “To you, yeah. To others, not so much, she puts Linda down, takes over others’ calls a lot, and pushes people out of the way. And for some reason, she’s taken to trying to take any mug of coffee I make for myself, even after I offered to make her one. I got sick of it, she violates the rules and regs all the time and doesn’t care that she is putting people off her by doing so. She acts entitled to things that aren’t hers.”

Josh looked at her and then nodded, “I know she can be a little pushy.” He paused for a minute and then sighed, “I just didn’t realize what she was doing to the others as well. I know that you came to me when she took a coffee that you had brought.”

“Yeah, and since you did nothing, she kept doing so after and I know she did it once to Linda as well. I’m not the only one she targeted,” May said to him, “By doing what you did as well, it made a few of us not… trust you to do the right thing. Though yesterday and today has helped get them to think better of you. You were on a slippery slope.”

Josh nodded, “I gathered that after I confronted her the first time yesterday, several others came to me to complain about some of her behavior. At the moment I’m going to concentrate on her uniform before I do something about the other things she keeps doing.”

“Thank you, for doing something,” May said as she glanced at the clock in the room, “Well, I think I should head back out there,” she smiled as she got up, taking the rest of the coffee with her.

Josh smiled after her and got up to walk the floor and to make sure that there were no problems that he could help with.

XxXxX

Taylor finished her report to the camera and bolted towards the hospital. She was shaking as she went over, tears in her eyes as she hoped to see the two men that had been taken hostage by the escaped prisoners. She had heard the shots and thought the worst, even though she had just reported that they were fine. Taylor saw Bobby standing there, she went over to him, “Captain Nash, where are they?” she asked, her voice shaking now as she didn’t have to be composed in front of the camera.

“They are inside, getting a checkup, they are both fine,” Bobby answered her, “A couple of bruises and cuts, maybe a concussion on Buck’s part, but they are okay.”

Taylor nodded, “can I… can I see them, please, I need to,” she said.

Bobby nodded, “Come on,” he said, guiding her inside.

Taylor followed quietly, scanning for where Buck and Eddie were. She spotted them in one of the cubicles, the curtain open for all to see. Buck was sitting on the bed, and Eddie was standing beside it. Taylor rushed over and hit the two of them on the chest, “You two have got to stop doing that shit to me. I was so fucking scared that I would have to report your deaths!” she yelled at them, tears in her eyes.

Buck and Eddie shared a look, seeing Bobby looking on in confusion as well as at the crying woman. “We’re okay,” Buck said as he got off the bed and wrapped his arms around her.

Eddie placed a hand on her back, “We’re both okay, we’re sorry to have scared you.”

“You damn well better be!” she said, sniffling as she tried to wipe away her tears, “Did you even think what could happen to Christopher at all, he could have lost his dads and he… he would be devastated if anything happened to either of you!”

“We’re sorry,” Eddie said, “Didn’t know this would happen at all.”

“I… I know, but damn it, you two better stay safe as you can, because if I ever have to report you two dying because of some stupid stunt, then I’m going to bring you back and kill you myself!” she said as she broke away from the two and glared, “Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Eddie said, feeling like he should salute.

“We will,” Buck promised, a grin on his face.

“Good,” Taylor huffed, wiping away the last of her tears, “I have no idea why I’m so damn emotional at the moment.”

“Because you had a scare?” Buck suggested.

Taylor nodded, “Yeah, I have two dumb idiots as my best friends,” she muttered, causing the two to laugh.

“Are you two alright?” Bobby asked as he walked over.

“Yeah, concussion for Buck, but we’re fine to go home,” Eddie answered him.

“Right, you can go home if you want,” Bobby said, “This has been a night,” he sighed.

Eddie looked at him and then at Buck, “Cap, do you think it would be okay to stay for a little while to see how the op went?”

Taylor looked confused but said nothing.

Bobby nodded, “I think we all want to do so.”

Eddie nodded. Taylor remained quiet, even though her phone buzzed in her pocket. Quickly informing her cameraman and crew that she would find her own way back to the station later, she remained with them. It was sometime later when they were told that the operation had been a success. Back at the Diaz house later on Eddie and Buck explained what had happened.

“Oh God,” Taylor muttered, shaking her head, “Damn, that poor kid, he doesn’t know?”

Eddie shook his head, “No, he doesn’t know that the donor was his dad. He can’t know.”

Taylor shook her head, “No, he really can’t. To know that his father killed himself for him to live, even if he doesn’t even know his dad, damn, that would… that would devastate him. To know that he will now never have a chance to even know him.”

“Yeah,” Buck nodded.

“I can understand and agree with what he did, went about it in the only way he knew,” Eddie sighed, nursing the beer in his hands as he looked at the two, “I would give my life for Christopher any day.”

“Same,” Buck agreed.

“Let’s hope it never comes to that, no child should grow up without the love of their parents,” Taylor said softly, “My mother died when I was around nine. For a year, they said it was a suicide until they arrested my father and charged him with murder. I don’t know the truth, and I don’t take either side. Most of my family doesn’t even talk to me anymore. It’s why I use Kelly instead of my family name. I don’t think I’ve gone by that since I was a teen and able to change it. The only one that talks to me is my older sister, and even then not often. One of my uncles has reached out, just wanting to know if I’m okay. But… I feel odd talking to him, he never brings anything up though.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Buck said as he reached over and put a hand on her shoulder.

Taylor smiled at him, “Just, don’t leave Chris alone, no child should go through that.”

“We’ll be doing our best to make sure of that,” Eddie nodded, getting a nod from Buck and Taylor as well.

Chapter Twenty-One

Athena was nervous, she reached out and took hold of Bobby’s hand. They had reached 12 weeks, it was time to tell their family what was going on. Michael had been suspecting that something was going on with the way that Bobby had been acting. Bobby hadn’t told him anything, just that something was coming. So now it was a family meal, dinner together, including Michael and David.

“So, are you going to tell us what’s going on?” May asked her mother as she looked at her, “I know something is up. You and Bobby have thought you were sneaky. But I know you’ve been going to the doctor a lot.”

Athena shook her head, “You are too smart.”

“She takes after you,” Michael was the one to point out, “she has your nose for when something is going on.”

“She does,” Athena sighed, “And yes something is going on, and that’s why we asked you all to come here tonight, a family meal,” she smiled, looking at Bobby, “We got a little news, very very unexpected news at that.”

Bobby couldn’t help the snort at his wife’s words, “It is, but also… something good I think.”

“Yes,” Athena nodded, looking at her children, her ex-husband, and his partner. “I found out some weeks ago that I’m pregnant.”

“That’s… not possible is it?” May asked, eyes wide, there were some things that were discussed only between mother and daughter.

“I thought it wasn’t until I started throwing up,” she snorted and rolled her eyes. “Seems like there is still life there after all.”

“Eww!” Harry yelled, “There are some things a precious son doesn’t need to know about his mother!”

Athena rolled her eyes as she looked at them, “Well?” she asked.

“Congratulations,” David was the one to say, “I take it, while surprising, you’re happy about it?”

“We are, had to have a good think about things,” Bobby admitted with a slow nod, “We’re both getting on in age.”

“Speak for yourself,” Athena said as she smacked his chest with the back of her hand.

Bobby smiled, “Fine, I’m old and aged like a fine wine.”

“That I can agree with,” Athena said with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

“Children in the room!” May and Harry yelled as the adults laughed.

“Like you don’t know how things work,” Athena said with a roll of her eyes, “Yes, I’m pregnant, and we are happy about it. I’m now 12 weeks. So still some time to go.”

“At least I’m not going to be the baby now,” Harry rolled his eyes, “I’m happy for you, Mom, and you as well, Bobby,” he smiled at the two.

“Same here, Mom,” May said, “At least this might save me from having to have children for a while longer.

“Not until you’re thirty!” Athena said.

“Maybe,” May laughed, “Congrats, Mom, Bobby. I can’t wait to see if they are a girl or a boy, I need to prepare.”

“Michael?” Athena said as she looked at her Ex, he was smiling.

“I’m happy for you both, I know neither of you expected this to happen, but it’s a bit of a blessing I think,” he told her, “You’re both going to be fantastic. I can’t wait to play uncle. I’m so going to be handing them back when their diapers are full,” he smirked.

Athena glared, “You did that when the kids were born. Left it to me. I will be getting my own back, Michael,” she warned.

Michael grinned, “Maybe. I’m so happy for you, Athena, Bobby.”

“I’m pretty happy as well, I never thought…” Bobby trailed off, thinking about Marcy, Brooke, and Robert Jr.

“I know,” Athena spoke softly, as she took hold of his hand again, squeezing it tightly.

Bobby smiled back at her, it was a sad smile, as he wondered what they would think of how his life was now going.

XxXxX

“How are we going to tell the others?” Bobby asked as the two of them were outside of the 118. Bobby would be on shift soon, while Athena had another two hours before hers started. Athena had decided to join them for breakfast.

“Well, we have the ultrasound picture don’t we?” Athena asked him, a little smirk on his face.

“Of course, I keep one on me,” Bobby smiled, “What are you planning?” he asked.

“I want to see who would notice it first. Just place it on the table while I help you make breakfast,” she said, as they walked into the station, hand in hand.

Bobby nodded, “Okay,” he laughed, “Let’s see. I’m going with… Hen.”

Athena smirked, “She’s not at work today,” she reminded him, “So I’ll say Buck, he’s got a good nose for these things as well.”

“Alright, ‘Thena, let’s… do this,” Bobby said, taking a breath, the possibility of the baby was becoming more and more of a reality now that they were starting to tell the people they loved. Athena’s parents had been surprised at the news when they had called them, but happy for them. Bobby’s brother had been just as surprised, but happy for him, planning to come and see him sometime soon, with his own family.

The two headed up to the loft area, no one was there, though a few were milling around downstairs. Bobby took out the ultrasound picture and put it in the middle of the table. With a shared smile, the two started to cook breakfast together for the A-Shift that would soon be heading toward them.

Eddie and Buck were the first up the stairs, talking quietly to each other, large smiles on their faces. Hanging around the kitchen area.

Eddie was the one to spot the picture first, he looked at it and then up at Athena, “Really?” he asked, smiling.

Buck glanced at him and then at the picture, “Oh!” Buck gasped, grinning widely.

“Yes,” Athena nodded, as Bobby turned to face them all as well.

Everyone was gathering around Buck and Eddie, trying to see what the picture was.

“Congratulations!” Buck said as he rushed forwards and hugged the woman he thought of as a mother.

“Thank you,” Athena said, hugging him back.

“Congratulations to the two of you,” Eddie grinned, “Welcome to the 3 am diaper changes, 4 am feeds, and 5 am screams,” he laughed.

“I still don’t know if I’m ready to do all that again,” Athena said, “But well, it’s happening.”

“I still can’t believe it,” Bobby said as he suddenly had an armful of Buck congratulating him as well. Patting the young man’s back, “Thank you, Buck.”

“I’m so happy for you guys,” Buck said as he released Bobby, and then went over to Athena, “This is really exciting, another 118 kid!”

“Yep,” Eddie nodded, clapping Bobby on the back in congratulations as Buck finally let Athena go.

“Right, Buck, you can help me with this, Athena, you good with carrying on mixing the eggs for the omelets?” Bobby asked her.

“Of course,” she smiled as she went back to help. Buck rushed over to do the same.

“I’ll start getting the drinks ready,” Eddie volunteered.

XxXxX

Maddie walked into the meeting room, smiling as she saw Buck waiting for her. “Buck,” she laughed as she went over, only to be swept up into his arms. She hugged him just as tightly as he was hugging her. “Miss you.”

“I miss you as well, feels weird not to be able to call you when I want, or go on our silly little lunch dates out,” Buck murmured as he put her back on her feet and let her go, “You’re looking good,” he grinned as he glanced her over.

“I feel somewhat better, still have some bad days, but they aren’t as overwhelming as they used to be. I’ve been here over a month and I think when Pepa told me that I should do this, I made the right decision in going this way,” Maddie told her brother as she sat down on the couch, she no longer needed her therapist in the room with her as she met her brother. This was only the third time they had been able to meet since she had gone inside.

“I’m glad that things are working out great, Jee is doing well. She looks like she might be trying to crawl, so Carla, myself, and Eddie are getting ready to film it all,” Buck told her.

“Thank you. I hate that I’m missing so much,” Maddie said, sadness flashing over her face.

“And she would rather you miss a bit now, than the rest of her life,” Buck told her, “You’ll be with her soon enough, and you said you had something important to tell me?”

“I do,” she grinned again, “They said that starting next week when you next come to visit, you should bring Jee-Yun, and spend an hour with both of you. I’ve missed her so much, and I want to see her, I’m scared though,” she added, the grin slipping slightly, “What if she doesn’t remember me?”

“She will,” Buck reassured her, “Eddie and I show her pictures of you and… and of Chimney,” he said, unsure if he should mention the man at all.

“How… how’s he doing?” she stammered.

“The Lees are the ones that are mainly in contact with him at the moment, visitors are only just being approved for him. He’s still got some healing to do, but John said that he seems to be doing better than he had been when he first went there,” Buck asked, not giving her too many details of what was going on with Chimney.

“I’m glad he’s getting help, I don’t know what to do concerning him, I-” she sighed and shook her head.

“Look, that is a problem for another day. At the moment, you concentrate on what you need now and worry about that later on. Talk it over with your therapist and see what they say as well,” Buck told her, shaking his head and taking hold of her hand, “Look, Chimney needs his own time to recover when the time is right to talk, you’ll know it.”

“Yeah, I hope he really is doing well,” she smiled as she went over to one of the couches and sat down.

“Same here,” he smiled back and followed her to the couch and sat down as well, “Now, I have some news of my own to share, well, not really my news, but Athena and Bobby both said that I can share this with you,” he grinned.

“Oh?” she blinked, seeing how happy her brother was with whatever this news was.

“Athena’s pregnant,” he said quietly, as though he was telling her a secret.

“What? Really?” Maddie said leaning closer, “She’s really pregnant?”

“Yeah, found out a couple of days ago, she’s hit the twelve-week mark, they wanted to be sure first before telling people. Bobby looks happy with it all as well, Athena is happy,” Buck answered, smiling, “Don’t know what May and Harry think about having a little sibling. Chris is grumbling about it though, he wants a baby sibling as well now. So I think Harry told Chris during their get-together yesterday.”

“Please pass on my congratulations to them, hoping in another couple of weeks that others can come and visit, they want to limit the number of people that I interact with outside of you for now, letting myself concentrate on myself,” Maddie smiled.

“I will,” he smiled back, “I can’t wait to meet them as well. She said she’s 12 weeks now, so about what, 6 more months?” he guessed.

Maddie nodded, “Something like that,” she laughed.

Buck was smiling as he watched her, looking much like she had before, “Now, how have you been?”

“Doing well,” Maddie said as she began to talk to him about a friend she had made in the facility. Buck was happy to listen as their talk went over what they planned to do during their next visit when Jee-Yun would be with him.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Buck shifted Jee-Yun in his arms, he was meeting with Chimney for the first time since he had punched him. He had asked Buck to bring Jee-Yun and for them to talk before he saw her. Anne was with him, as she was going to visit after Buck and Jee-Yun went home.

“Are you okay?” Anne asked him gently.

Buck shifted around to look at her, “Yeah, just a little nervous.”

“He’s doing a lot better now, and thinks that he should talk with you before he comes home or sees Jee-Yun,” she said, putting a reassuring hand on his arm, “Now, let me have Jee-Yun and you go and see him. We’ll be right out here,” she added, patting his arm a few times.

Buck sighed and nodded, handing Jee-Yun over to her grandmother and then following the directions to the meeting room. He knocked on the door before he was let inside. Chimney was sitting down, though when he saw him he stood up. Buck almost took a step back.

“Good to see you, Buck,” Chimney said, he looked calmer than when they had last seen each other, he could see the flash on Buck’s face and knew what it was about. “Please, let’s sit down.”

Buck nodded, “It’s good to see you,” he smiled, feeling a little nervous.

“I’m sorry,” Chimney said as soon as they were seated. “I wasn’t in my right mind when that happened. I know it’s a lame excuse, but at the time all I could think of was that everyone was a danger to Maddie and Jee. Mainly towards Maddie. I was thinking Doug was alive again and after her. That he would hurt her and Jee. The me back then, it all made sense that everyone was working with him to get me to put my guard down,” he explained. “I know it was all in my head,” he sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair.

“It’s okay,” Buck said, giving him a hesitant smile.

Chimney shook his head, “No, it’s not. I’m getting better, but I’m sorry for hitting you, you’re the one that was really thinking about Maddie, and what she needed. I locked her and Jee in the house, Buck, I locked them away. I don’t even want to know what I was thinking then. They could have been hurt or worse, and I know, I know it played on a fear of Maddie’s, about Doug, and I still did it.”

“Chimney,” Buck said, trying to stop him from spiraling.

“Buck, I must have terrified her,” Chimney sighed, putting his head in his hands, “and I hurt you. You… you’re a brother to me, Buck,” he said quietly, “And I know it’s going to take a long damn time for that to ever be repaired, it may never be so, but I’m damn well going to try,” he added looking up at Buck.

“It might take some time to trust you again,” Buck admitted, “What you did hurt, not just physically but emotionally.”

“I don’t even know where this all came from. Just one moment everything was good and nice and then suddenly I became more and more paranoid about people learning about Maddie’s PPD. Next thing I know I’m here and I think it’s all just some terrible nightmare that I’ve woken from.”

“And it’s not,” Buck sighed, nodding.

“Exactly,” Chimney smiled slightly. “It has been like I was doing things through someone else’s body and it wasn’t mine. Now, I don’t know what to believe. I know Maddie is safe and she’s finally getting the help that she needs. I can admit now that I wasn’t it. That she did need someone outside of the two of us. I cut her off from those that would have helped her the most. I isolated the both of us to a point where I think I may have harmed her more than helped her. Though I need to thank you so much for stopping so much worse from happening. When you got them out, I remember being so angry and scared, but I really shouldn’t have been. I know you love Maddie so much. She’s not just your sister, she was someone you relied on as a child as well. You wanted to be there for her like she was for you.”

Buck looked at him, he was a little thinner than when he had last seen him, worn down. “Chim,” he began, “I wish there was a magic wand to wave to make all this better.”

“It’s not your job to fix things, Buck,” Chimney smiled at him, “But I appreciate the sentiment,” he chuckled dryly, “I’m going to get better, be a better dad to Jee, I don’t ever want her to feel like I don’t love her, and part of me thinks that’s what I’ve done.”

“You haven’t. You do love her, everyone knows that. Shitty dad aside, you have everyone else around you, and to be honest, I think John and Anne are better as parents to you and grandparents to Jee than that asshole you call dad.”

Chimney laughed, “Yeah, yeah you’re right. They are, they’ve been there for me since my mother passed away, always helping, guiding, and welcoming me into their home and family. I… I feel like it’s my fault that Kevin died, he was my brother in all but blood, we grew up together. I decided to become a firefighter and he followed me. Then he sacrificed himself to help a pregnant woman and I wish I had been the one to think and get there first.”

“You can’t predict what is going to happen, we might be the ones left behind, but all we can do is to keep going forward and do our best,” Buck said wisely.

“You sound like my therapist,” he rolled his eyes.

“That might be because that’s what mine said to me,” Buck laughed.

“Thank you, for all that you’re doing for Jee, and for Maddie. I owe you more than what I can ever repay in keeping them safe and happy. I know that Maddie and I may never get back together, and I accept that. I love her and I know I always will. For now, we need to be friends and work together for Jee, she is what’s important,” Chimney nodded, taking a breath, “Are you okay with looking after Jee like you are?”

“Yeah, I love having her, but I know she can’t wait to see you,” he smiled, “Let me go and get her.”

Buck got up and headed to go and get Jee-Yun. Anne wasn’t going to be joining them, she would be visiting on her own after they had finished their visit. “Thank you,” he said, smiling at Anne as he took Jee-Yun from her.

“It’s fine, glad I was able to help. Now go and let Howard see his little girl,” she smiled as she relaxed on the couch she was waiting on.

Buck nodded and headed into the meeting room again, “Hey, Jee, look who it is,” he said as he let Jee-Yun spot her dad. The six almost seven-month-old squealed excitedly as she saw him.

“Hey, my little JeeJee,” Chimney smiled as he got up and gently took her from Buck, “Have you been behaving for Uncle Buck?” he asked as he got a little babble from her as she curled against him. “I’ve missed you,” he murmured, hugging her as tightly as he could without hurting her.

“She’s missed you as well,” Buck said as he sat down, letting Chimney sit down himself with Jee-Yun on his lap.

“I’ve been getting the emails and pictures, thank you for doing all that, and she’s crawling, she’s growing so much and so fast and I’m missing it,” he said painfully as he stared at his daughter.

“Miss it now and not miss it later on. She won’t remember the time she spent with me, but later on, she’ll be remembering all the fun times you’ll be able to have with her when you’re better,” Buck pointed out to him, watching as Chimney played peek-a-boo with his daughter.

“Yeah,” Chimney said with a sad smile on his face, “But I’m missing a lot of firsts,” he sighed, “I promise Jee, I won’t be like my own dad, I’ll be like John and Bobby and Eddie, I’ll be there, support you with whatever you need. I’ll be a good dad, I hope.”

“You will, we’ll be around to help as well,” Buck added quietly.

Chimney looked at him, “Yeah, and I hope to be like you as well, Buck, you parent Chris as well, so a good dad like you too.”

“I don’t know about that, I just make sure to do everything differently from what my own parents did,” Buck gave a shrug.

“Yeah, that’s all we need to do,” he laughed and went back to playing with Jee-Yun.

Buck watched and smiled at the two. Next week he would be doing the same with Maddie, bringing Jee-Yun to go and see her. “She loves you so much.” he smiled.

“Yeah, I love her so much, I… I can’t wait until I can get out of here and spend more time with her. Buck,” he said as he looked over at him, “I know this is a lot to ask, but I know I’m not going to be in the right frame of mind to look after her when I get out. I don’t think I’ll be going back to work for a while either if I’m honest. I’m asking if you can continue to look after her until Maddie and I are ready to do so fully again. When you’re working, I might be able to take her for the night, as I’ll be living with John and Anne when I get out.”

“Chim,” Buck said slowly, before nodding, “you know I would. I’ll help in any way that I can,” he promised.

“Thanks,” he smiled back.

“You know I’ll always help where I can,” Buck said, frowning.

“I… I know that, but part of me still has that thought that no one is there,” he sighed.

“Well, I’ll just have to help remind you that you have a whole village wanting to see you recover and to be there to help whenever you need it,” he reassured him.

“Thanks,” he said again, nodding.

Buck shook his head, “No thanks needed, we’re… family,” he said, a little hesitant.

“It might take a long time for us to really feel that way again, and that I understand. I’m going to take this slow and steady, I’m going to learn from this, and I’m working on everything and anything that comes up. I want to be better than before, I want to be the man my mother always wanted me to be. I might be partially there, but not all the way there,” he snorted, as he turned to Jee-Yun who was babbling for his attention and waving her fist around at him. “Okay, I’m sorry JeeJee, I didn’t mean to ignore you,” he laughed as he carried on playing with her.

“I have some videos for you to watch of her. Chris is wanting us to have a baby sibling for him as well,” Buck added, “So you started something with that. You’ll have to let me and Eddie take Jee-Yun out with her cousin often.”

Chimney shook his head, smiling, “You can always adopt or surrogacy, there are many ways.”

“Do not encourage Chris,” Buck warned, though he was smiling, he wouldn’t mind another kid around the house after Jee-Yun went home to her parents.

“We’ll see,” he smirked.

Buck and Chimney talked and Buck showed him a few videos, even letting Jee-Yun on the floor so she could crawl around after she got sick of being held. Though she stayed near her dad, looking at him and babbling when she could. They stayed for another hour before Buck finally had to leave. Buck watched as Chimney said goodbye to his daughter, his heart breaking as he could see that Chimney didn’t want to let her go.

“We’ll come back soon,” Buck promised, “Try and do so at least once a week for you and Maddie,” he added.

Chimney nodded, “That… that would be great and thank you for doing this, Buck,” he smiled, waving as they left and Anne walked over to him, hugging him tightly as he cried, wanting nothing more than to be with his daughter.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Buck fell to the ground, tired and exhausted. It had been a long night. The fire had raged in the hospital for a long time, nothing seemed to stop it. While they were protecting David and his OR team, they were all praying that things would be fine. Hen and Ravi were a little subdued as they talked to a woman to one side. Xiaoli came up and sat beside him, Eddie soon doing the same. The building was gutted, and other crews were still training their hoses onto it, to make sure it was all out. The 118 were to rest for a bit before they would be back at it to make sure everything was out.

“I am so tired,” Xiaoli muttered as he leaned back on his hands.

“Yeah, same,” Buck agreed easily as he looked out, seeing David and Michael standing close to each other. “I’m happy for them,” he smiled softly as he watched them kiss.

“We saved a lot, but there were still some that didn’t make it,” Eddie said, shaking his head.

“Yeah,” the two men agreed as others from the 118 came over to them and sat down as well. They needed the rest, taking turns as they fought the last of the blaze that had taken hold of the hospital.

“We’ll be up in fifteen minutes,” Bobby warned as he and Hen walked over with sandwiches for everyone.

“Right,” Eddie said as he grabbed one of them and then a second and passed it to Buck. They were quiet again as they ate, watching what was going on, in case they were needed in a hurry. As soon as they had eaten and drank some water, they were back at it. Another crew now taking a break.

Five hours later the blaze was finally out, the smoldering remains of the hospital a looming sight in the early morning light as the sun began to rise. Hoses were rolled and equipment that was used was put away, slowly the crews began to leave the site with only one remaining behind to make sure that it was all out. The death toll hadn’t been as large as many had feared, but all were quiet as they headed back to the station to shower, change and go home.

They arrived back at the station to C-Shift already there, waiting for them. Breakfast was already cooked and just staying warm.

“Al,” Bobby greeted the C-Shift Captain.

“Bobby, I have breakfast all waiting for your shift, go and shower and change, and eat before going home. If anyone is too tired don’t worry, we’ll make sure you all get home,” Sandra Vines said, “We’re offline until you’re all home,” she added, “so some of us can drive you home.”

“Thanks, it’ll be appreciated by some of us,” Bobby smiled, patting him on the shoulder as the rest of A-Shift listened and headed to shower and change.

Ravi was the first to change and head to the loft, quiet and subdued as he held the coffee he had been given in his hands. Vines walked over to him, “You okay, Kid?” she asked.

Ravi looked up, “I’ve not been at a fire like that before,” he said, “And this guy, his name was Parker, he pushed Hen and me out the way, and he died.”

“It’s not easy losing someone,” Vines said as she sat down across from him, “This job is a hard one, and we all have to find ways to manage what we see. And having to lose someone like that is even harder in my books.”

“He,” Ravi began and stopped, “I love this job, this… this is what I want to do with my life,” he sighed.

“And you’re doing damn fine in my books. Bobby said you’re ready for your Shield, so,” Vines smiled, “take it from me, I’ve been doing this since I was a kid myself. It can be the hardest job you’ve ever done, and you will lose some along the way, more than you wish, as I know every single one I’ve lost on this job I wish I could have saved. Never play the ‘what if’ game, though, it will drive you crazy.”

Ravi nodded, “Yeah, yeah it would.”

“Now, you got someone waiting at home?” she asked him.

Nodding, he answered, “I have a partner.”

“Good, go see them, hug them tightly, remind them that you love them, and cuddle for as long as you can before you sleep. I know I always do that after a bad shift. My wife is a star and I love her for it,” Vines advised him.

“Yeah, I will, I’ll do that,” Ravi smiled slightly as he drank some of his coffee, the rest of A-Shift heading up the stairs. C-Shift were taking care of the restocking and the check of the trucks and ambulance while A-Shift ate.

“Thanks for all this, Sandra,” Bobby said as he walked over and sat down next to the C-Shift captain.

“Welcome, you’ve done the same for us as well,” Vines pointed out as she got up and started to bring everything over, “Fresh food and coffee for you all, then you get home and rest. Shifts have been changed, so you have 48 hours off,”s he said, standing by the table as the last plate was put down.

“Thanks,” Buck grinned, happy with an extra day.

“Right, I’ll leave you to your food, are any of you too tired to drive home?” she asked, seeing only two raise a hand, “Right, we’ll have someone drop you at home.”

Buck got up as soon as he was done eating, swilling off his plate and putting it in the dishwasher, he grabbed Eddie’s and did the same. “Right, home,” he said, happy and relieved that they would be going.

“Christopher wants to say hi before we go to bed, then Carla is going to be taking him to school,” Eddie said as they headed to Eddie’s truck.

“Right,” Buck yawned as he climbed in.

Eddie was more awake than Buck, as the man dozed lightly in the passenger seat. Eddie smiled at him and concentrated on driving them safely home. “Buck,” he called, as he parked up outside his home. Carla’s car was still there, ready to take Christopher to school.

“Hmm,” Buck blinked groggily as he looked around, “Already?”

“Yeah, come on, hug Chris and then bed,” Eddie said, as he got out.

Buck did the same, “the Lees have Jee at the moment, so I’ll message them and ask if they can have her for another few hours,” he yawned as they had been set to get her after Christopher had been taken to school.

“Good idea,” Eddie said, as they headed to the door, it opened before they reached it.

Christopher stood there, “You’re home!” he grinned as he hugged his dad first and then Buck.

“Good to see you, Buddy,” Buck grinned as he hugged him tightly.

“I’ll see you later, Dad! Buck!” Christopher called as he and Carla headed to the car.

“I’ll see you, boys, soon, you take care and get some sleep, you both look like you could drop at any moment,” Carla said as she passed them both.

“We will,” Buck said as they went inside, quickly getting ready for bed and climbing in. Curling up against each other, it didn’t take long for them both to fall asleep.

XxXxX

Bobby looked at Michael and David as they walked into the Grant-Nash home. “Hey,” he smiled, “Congratulations to you both.”

“Thank you,” Michael grinned, holding David’s hand tightly as he glanced over at his fiance.

“What are you going to be doing?” Athena asked the two, May was at work and Harry was in his room, leaving the four adults to talk about things privately first.

“I’ll be going with David to Haiti, I might not be able to save lives as he can, but I can help to rebuild a few,” Michael answered as they sat down.

“We’re going to miss you being here,” Bobby said as he relaxed.

“I’ll miss you all too, but I’ll call whenever I can. Going to miss being with the kids,” Michael said with a heavy sigh.

“You better call,” Athena told him, “And you better both be back before the baby is born, I want you both here for that,” she added as she glanced over at David.

“I will,” Michael smiled at her as he went and hugged her, “I can’t wait to meet them,” he added, letting her go.

“Neither can we,” she said, glancing over at Bobby, who reached out and took her hand, “It’s going to be a while before they are here, but we’re looking forward to it. The doctor said everything is going well at the moment.”

“We’ve got a check-up every other week for now, though he may go to once a week if he sees anything that could cause us some concern,” Bobby added as Athena settled beside him again.

“Good,” David nodded, “I’m glad that you’re both being careful with this, I know the risks,” he added, “And to know that you’re taking this even more seriously than most, makes me believe that everything will be fine.”

“It should,” Athena smiled at him, “I have to admit the surprise got me badly for a moment. I didn’t know if we should go through with this. I just… my age and Bobby’s, we’re old now, not exactly the young people we once were.”

“You can still outrun the brats,” Michael grinned, “How many have you run down and cuffed?” he asked. Then looked over at Bobby, “You’ve run in and out of burning buildings, looking after a child shouldn’t be too much harder.”

“I don’t know,” Bobby laughed, “I can always hose down a fire and put it out, can’t really do that with a child,” he said.

“Water guns are around for a reason,” Michael laughed, “Had a lot of fun with those when May and Harry were growing up.”

“A good water fight when they’re older would be nice, but for now, we need to get out of the diaper stage first,” Athena reminded him, smiling at some of the treasured memories they had of their two children when they were little.

“I missed those days,” Bobby said, “it was nice to have fun like that with Robbie and Brooke,” he added, a slightly sad tone to his voice, but he was still smiling as he thought about his children, still feeling sad, but it was no longer the crushing sadness that had followed him for so long.

Athena smiled as she reached out to him and held his hand. “I do miss seeing May as a child, the fun we had together. Then Harry always wanted an adventure, and us going along with it,” she smiled, “It’s memories like that, that I’m looking forward to creating with this little one.”

“Yeah,” he smiled back at his wife, “I am as well. I think Hen and Karen might be the only ones that don’t know yet.”

“No, I haven’t told her yet. I kept meaning to. I know Buck and Eddie know, and with Buck knowing, so will Maddie. He doesn’t like keeping things from her and since they are now allowing visits every now and then,” Athena said with a shrug, as she then turned to her ex-husband and his fiance, “Now the wedding,” she said, changing the subject.

“Okay, we can plan something, but nothing big, or we’ll take a page out of your books and elope,” Michael smirked at her.

Athena snorted, “Fine, nothing big,” she promised, though she had a feeling that it wouldn’t last long when people learned what the two were planning.

“We have a lot to celebrate,” Bobby smiled, already thinking of the food that he could cook, and maybe even thinking that Buck would be able to help.

Athena and Michael started to plan and Bobby and David began to make their own plans for food.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Bobby had brought out the folders that he had been using himself while he had been trying to plan his wedding to Athena. They might not have used anything in there apart from the dressmaker that he had found, but he still had a few things that might suit Michael and David, if they let him help them. The three men were at the Grant-Nash house, sitting around the table, with the lunch that Michael and Bobby had cooked together while David had watched, jokingly saying that maybe he should think of a poly relationship of sorts, as he had never eaten as good as he had as Athena, Bobby, and Michael were all excellent cooks.

“So,” Bobby said as he walked over, dropping the heavy folder down on the table after the food dishes had been cleaned up. “This is what I came up with for myself and Athena, but there are some things in here that I think might suit the two of you. You really don’t have to use anything, if you already have an idea. Just thought you might like to get something down before Athena takes over. She’s already planning the nursery for the baby and I don’t think I’m going to get any input in that,” he smiled, snorting a little as he joined the two of them again.

Michael and David opened it up and began to look through it. There were several venues, and each of the pictures that were stuck in the folder had the cost of the venue attached to it, which would have changed a little, and the number of people that could be invited, most of the places had a low number of people they could take. They had a good family there, but they were rather close and small in the grand scheme of things.

“You put a lot of thought into this,” David said as he looked up from looking at the caterers that had been listed.

“I did, I never thought I would ever get married again. I love Athena with all that I am, and I’m lucky to have her. I wanted to make the day as magical as I could for her. In the end, we might have eloped, but we only had two of the people we wanted there in the end, but it was still a very perfect day for us,” Bobby smiled, “We had a great time with the party here afterward.”

“You know,” Michael said, “That’s all we really want.”

“How about if you look into being able to officiate for us?” David asked him, “You’ve become a really good friend to Michael, and to me as well.”

“I’ll look into it, and I would be honored to do so for you both,” Bobby smiled, happy that he could do this for someone that had quickly become his best friend after he started dating the man’s ex-wife.

“I think it’s a great idea, and these venues are such a great choice, I think… I think we should keep this in the family, so to speak. See if Athena wouldn’t mind us getting married in the back garden. As for the food, well, I think we could take care of most of that between us,” Michael added, grabbing some paper and starting to write down some of the things that they were coming up with.

“I don’t see why not, I think she’ll be happy to celebrate that for you,” Bobby said, though he would be sure to check.

“Great, then most is done, apart from decorations,” David said as he looked at the list that Michael was writing, some of the things that they hadn’t even spoken of going on there.

“Cake, leave that to the professionals,” Michael suggested, looking at the two.

“Yeah,” David nodded, “Now, guests,” he said, sighing, “I don’t really have any family left, so no one on my side, maybe a few colleagues that I get along with.”

“Agree there,” Michael nodded, writing that down, the three of them went through those that they wanted to invite along. His parents had passed away some time ago, and he had no one else in the form of siblings as he was an only child.

Athena walked in as they finished writing the list, “So what have we here?” she asked, sitting down and glancing at the list Michael was writing, “Ah, wedding plans,” she smiled, “Excited?” she asked him.

“I… I am,” he smiled at her, before glancing over at David and taking a hand, “I really am.”

“Good,” she smiled, nodding, “And don’t worry about the cake, I’ve already got someone working on one for you both,” she said, “And decorations, leave that to Buck and me. We have some good plans for making that garden look like something magical for the both of you.”

“You and Buck are going to take care of that?” Bobby asked her.

“Yeah, we would like to, if no one minds. I’ve been talking to him about the wedding, and he had a few ideas, with a little bit of help from Christopher that I think we could do in the garden. That is if you want to get married there?” she asked them, making sure before she told them what she had planned.

“We were going to ask if it would be alright. Part of this is still my home in a sense, I lived a long time here and I loved every minute spending it with you and our children. I couldn’t think of a better place,” Michael said in answer.

“Have to agree, this place has some good memories for the two of us,” David agreed with his husband-to-be.

“Then, leave it to Buck and me to make sure that place is set just right for you both,” Athena told the two of them.

“Okay,” Michael smiled, “I’ll leave it in your hands, and thank you,” he told her.

“No need to thank me, Michael, you deserve to be happy, and I can see that you and David are well matched,” she told the two of them, “Now, we have a dinner to plan out as well. Hen and Karen still need to be told about the baby. I don’t want to leave it much longer to tell them. Hen is my best friend and everyone else knows but her.”

“Yeah, I don’t know if she is going to be happy about that, though she just wasn’t at work at the time,” Bobby said, wincing as he thought of the strong-willed woman he had really come to rely on while out in the field. Chimney may have been excellent at his job, but Hen was something else, and since she was also now working towards becoming a doctor, she knew a lot more than what most paramedics did.

“No she won’t,” Athena snorted.

Talk turned to a planned gathering before the wedding, since Athena didn’t want her news to Hen to outshine anything for Michael and David’s big day.

XxXxX

Hen looked around as she and Karen walked into the Grant-Nash garden. Everyone was already there, they were a little later than planned. Denny couldn’t find the game for his switch that he wanted to play with the others. “Okay,” she said, whispering to Karen, “Something really is going on. Athena is nervous about something. Buck is doing his best to look innocent and Eddie is just hovering, as always with a besotted look on his face. The kids were giggling as well before they headed off to Harry’s room anyway,” she finished observing their surroundings.

“I agree,” Karen nodded, “Bobby’s looking rather proud of himself, and I doubt it’s because of the grill and his cooking.”

Hen nodded as they went to mingle with everyone. “Hey,” she greeted Buck, “How was Chimney when you saw him?” she asked. She knew he had gone, but had waited a while before asking. She wasn’t sure if Buck wanted to even talk about him after what had happened.

Buck smiled at her, “He was doing a lot better, he doesn’t think he’ll be coming back to work for a long time though. Said at least six months, maybe more. He doesn’t feel stable enough with what’s going on,” he sighed, “He saw Jee as well for the day, she missed him, and he had missed her. It was nice to see him more relaxed and able to just be a dad to her instead of worrying and manic about everything.”

“That’s…. that’s good, I’d really like to be able to see him myself. He’s one of my best friends, Buck, I miss being able to talk to him,” she sighed.

Buck reached out, “I know, he’s got another month before they step down again. By Christmas, they are hoping that he’ll be able to come home. Maddie will be able to come home in January. Neither of them feels like they will be able to be parents to Jee-Yun when they are released, though I think they’ll be okay. I’ve been talking to both of their therapists about the slow transition from Jee being in my care, to their joint co-parenting care. Both of them have admitted that they don’t think they should be together, and neither was sure if they would be back together again either.”

“Do you think I’ll be able to see him before then?” she asked.

Buck shook his head, “I’m only allowed to go because I am the main caretaker for Jee, while they are both getting help. I think another month then they might be allowing more visitors”

Hen sighed sadly, “Okay, thanks for at least talking to me about it. I know that the.. punch wasn’t-”

“Hen, please,” Buck shook his head, “Chimney already faces some discipline when he comes out for that. I don’t want to really think about it. It hurt, more than just physically, but he did explain a little of what was going on in his head at the time. I’ve been able to forgive him, but part of me won’t really forget. It’s going to take some time and a lot of talking between us to even get close to how things were before. He has a lot to work on himself and so does Maddie,” he sighed. He was still feeling a little odd about seeing Chimney, he would have thought he would rather have Hen go and see him.

“Okay,” Athena called out, as she got everyone’s attention.

Buck walked over to Eddie, and held his hand, the children now out of the bedroom and joining them as Bobby was finished grilling the food and was starting to dish it out to them first.

“So,” she said, as Bobby finished handing out some of the food and turned it over to Michael. He took the hand that was held out to him and joined his wife, kissing her cheek as the two stood to face the gathering.

“Well,” Bobby said, “Athena and I have a little news we would like to share,” he began.

Buck grinned, an excited look on his face as he leaned against Eddie.

“And this type of news gets larger as time goes on,” Athena added with a little smirk, “This is not something that either of us planned to happen or even thought could happen,” she added, “But Bobby and I are expecting a baby in about six months,” she finished.

“We’re excited and nervous, as you can imagine,” Bobby said, knowing that all of them would understand the risks better than anyone else could.

“Really?” Hen asked as she looked at her, “Girl, I don’t even know what to say,” she smiled as she went over and hugged her friend tightly, “Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Athena said, “I still am scared out of my mind about what could happen, and so is Bobby.”

“You have all of us though, ‘Thena,” Buck grinned, going over and hugging her tightly. Glad that the last of them finally knew.

Hen looked at him and the others, “I’m that last?” she asked, getting a sharp nod from Athena. “We are going to be having words later, but I’ll let it slide…. for now,” she warned her.

Athena smiled, “Well, you weren’t there when things happened that meant I needed to speak up.”

“I miss everything, sometimes,” Hen laughed, “But I’m happy for you, for you both,” she added, as she looked at her Captain.

The rest of the night went smoothly as Hen and the others of the 118 started to plan a baby shower for the two, making sure that not one word would be whispered to Bobby and Athena.

Chapter Twenty-Five

The beginnings of Stand By Me, by Ben E King, started to play as Michael and David went to the little dance floor that had been created in the backyard of the Grant-Nash home. Bobby walked over to Athena as she watched the newly married husbands have their first dance as a married couple. Taking hold of Athena’s hand they remained on the edge for a while.

“You know, Michael still isn’t happy about this,” Bobby said, giving her a little smirk.

“Michael can get over himself. He insisted that when it was our wedding when we had our little party, turnabout is fair,” she huffed, wiping at her eyes. The last of her tears from the ceremony was being brushed away. “I’m happy for him. When he first told me that he was gay, I didn’t react well. I didn’t want to lose my husband, the thought… made me feel like a failure,” she told him, glancing up at her husband.

“And now?” Bobby asked, curiously.

“Happy for myself that we both had a chance at being happy again. I found you, and while I know we were friends before all this, I like how we ended up. It hasn’t been easy, and we have a rather unexpected surprise as well, but I can’t say that I would change anything,” Athena answered honestly, “He’s happy, and I knew near the end of our marriage he wasn’t, he was miserable and trying for me and the kids. I even tried to talk him into pretending to still be something to each other instead of just friends,” she sighed, leaning against Bobby.

“Well, I know it was painful at the time, I never really thought I would have a second chance after Marcy, Robert, and Brooke. I thought that was it, and then we went out. On that first date, I wondered what the hell you were doing with an old fire captain,” he snorted, shaking his head before dropping a kiss on her lips.

“Same thing you were doing with a Forever Sergeant,” she laughed, pulling him down a little for a second kiss, “Finding happiness that we thought we would never get.”

Bobby pulled her close and kissed her again, “Yeah, we got there.”

“And so is nearly everyone else,” she added as she let him go, a large grin on her face as she looked around the gathered guests. Eddie and Buck were heading out to the dance floor, having a dance, or rather just swaying on the spot as Christopher joined them.

“Well, my wonderful and darling wife, will you have a dance with me once more?” Bobby asked, as he flourish a bow and held out a hand.

Athena laughed, but put her hand in his and let him lead her to the dance floor. They moved around, smiling at Eddie and Buck as they glanced over at them. Other couples were now joining them and dancing with their loved ones. Buck picked up Christopher and swung him around before, reaching out and wrapping an arm around Eddie, pulling him close.

“Again!” Christopher called out, laughing loudly, the ten almost eleven-year-old was getting a little too big to be picked up easily. With the weights that Eddie and Buck had to carry for work, it was still easy to lift him. This time Eddie plucked Christopher from his boyfriend’s grasp and spun him around, before letting him down.

“Have fun?” Eddie asked him.

Christopher nodded, “I always do, Dad,” he said, “Though you really should consider your back when picking me up. You’re getting old and you might break it,” he grinned.

“You are a horrible child,” he admonished, though it wasn’t very effective with Buck laughing quietly beside them, and the twitching of Eddie’s own lips betraying his amusement.

“You own fault, Dad,” Christopher grinned back, “I’m going to join Harry and Denny,” he said, seeing his two friends, who were both rolling their eyes at their parent’s lovey-doveyness on the dance floor.

“Have fun, Mijo,” Eddie said with a sigh, “He’s growing up too fast, Buck,” he said, looking at him.

“I know,” Buck said, as he led Eddie from the dance floor, while both of them were good dancers, most of the moves they liked to use just weren’t fit for what was supposed to be a child-friendly setting. “I hate that he is, I want him to stay young, and I don’t know how you are even smiling as he reaches another year older. His birthday is soon and I am dreading it, he’s almost a teenager, Eds, what’s he going to be like then? I was the worst, really, I was.”

“I have no idea, it’s driving me crazy, he’s… so independent and happy with how things are going,” he said, “He’s still had a scare from when I was shot, and he’s trying to deal with it, but I think I’m going to get him to speak to someone about it. He’s been tense and he’s… he’s scared I think.”

“He understands things a lot more these days, Eddie. He’s gone through so much as well. His mom, the tsunami, you being hurt with the well and then shot, and let’s not forget the lovely Miss Ana Flores,” he added, with a roll of his eyes as he thought of the woman.

“Let’s not bring up the worst of the failures on my part,” Eddie huffed, he was still pissed he had even thought about letting the woman into his life after the things she had said about Christopher back when she was his teacher. He had thought she had changed, but it was obvious with how she was beginning to act nearing the end of their relationship that she hadn’t, she was just better at hiding it.

Buck snorted, “It doesn’t matter, he was glad to see the back of her as you and I were,” he grinned, “Taylor and he are getting along too well as well,” he added with a little pout.

“She’s the first woman in his life that isn’t family that doesn’t think that he can’t do anything. She treats him like you do,” Eddie told him, “That’s why he likes her.”

“Oh, and Taylor said that she’ll babysit one of the nights for us again, so we can have a whole night to ourselves without a curious and nosey ten-year-old around,” he added as they sat down at one of the tables that had been set up.

“Pity she got that assignment to do and a horrible deadline. I know she wanted to be here for this. She’s starting to get along with the rest of the 118 after what happened a few years ago,” Eddie said, leaning back, and putting an arm around Buck’s shoulder, drawing him as close as the chair would allow, without either of them falling.

“Yeah, she’s learned a lot since then,” Buck smiled, “And she did send a gift for the happy couple as well. It’s in the pile, no idea what it is,” he gave a shrug as Eddie looked at him curiously.

“Are you boys just going to sit there all night?” Hen asked as she walked up to them, a drink in one hand and the hand of her darling wife in the other, “I thought you two would be out on the dance floor trying to show the world that you can actually dance,” she gave that joking smirk she had. She had seen the two dance together before and had needed a fan as much as Karen did. They two might be card-carrying lesbians, but that didn’t stop them from knowing hot when they saw it.

“I don’t think our dance moves would be acceptable with all the children around,” Buck smirked back, “I don’t doubt that you and the wonderful Karen, here, can’t just show us a few more… PG-rated movies.”

Karen looked down at the two, “You two, and us two, next time we’re out, dance off, the others can judge who is burning up the dance floor with their moves,” she challenged, smirking at the two men.

“You are on,” Eddie smirked, the two did hold a few of the more risque moves they had for when they were at home alone and wanting to have a little fun as they worked around the house. The music was always on and oftentimes, work took a little bit longer to be finished.

“So sure of yourself,” Hen snorted, before looking out at the dance floor, “I’m glad to see him happy. I remember when I first met Athena and Michael, you could tell that things were strained between them. That their marriage wasn’t as picture perfect as they tried to maintain,” she said.

“They are happy now, though,” Buck said, looking between the two couples that were still on the dance floor, though the pairing had changed a bit. Bobby was dancing with David and Michael and Athena danced around them. “They are having fun,” he snorted. Bobby and David were barely swaying as they chatted. Michael and Athena looked to be competing with each other on what moves they tried to show off, large grins on their faces as they did so.

“One thing you have to remember about Michael and Athena is that they have a competitive streak,” Hen sighed, “No doubt one of them will need saving, wonder if their husbands will figure it out,” she added.

“Ten says yes,” Buck smirked at her.

“Oh you are on, and I go, no, sorry, but Bobby and David seem to be in a world of their own with whatever they are talking about,” Hen said, grinning at him.

The four of them watched as Michael and Athena both stepped up their game. Buck grinned as David and Bobby slid from each other and went to their respective partners and grabbed their hands before starting to dance with them for a few moments before leading them over to the group as Hen handed over ten dollars to Buck.

“Why, thank you, Henretta,” he smiled, plucking it from her hand.

“What was the bet this time?” Bobby asked the group, eyebrow raised and waiting for an answer.

“If either of you would notice and step in before Michael or Athena got hurt by their antics,” Eddie said, snorting, “Buck won.”

“Yep, I said you would and pull them away from it, and you did,” he grinned, waving the ten dollars in the air, before tucking it away.

“You would really bet on the most trivial of things,” Michael said, shaking his head.

“Gotta make things interesting,” Hen smiled, “Congratulations,” she told the two, “It’s nice to see you so happy, Michael,” she added looking at the man. While Athena might be her best friend like Chimney, he was still a good friend to her as well.

“Thanks,” Michael said, as David nodded his head.

“Well, we have another couple of days to finish all the packing and to head out,” David said, “We’re going to do one more dinner together, with just the kids. I wanted to make sure they know they can get in touch whenever they want. It’s going to be hard leaving you all behind. I should be gone around six months, maybe longer if they need more help and no one else is volunteering. Michael is going to be helping with the building work that needs to be done,” he smiled proudly at his husband, “It’s going to be a challenge, and I can’t wait for it, but I’m sure going to miss everyone here.”

“We’re going to miss you both as well,” Athena was the one to speak as she started to tear up again, “Damn hormones,” she complained, though it wasn’t just because of them that she was crying. Michael and she had become closer after their divorce, better friends to each other, an ear to talk to when things got hard at home or with their partners.

“Miss you as well, Thena,” Michael said as he hugged her, “Keep us updated on everything,” he reminded her as he slowly let her go.

“You know I will, and the kids will be doing the same,” she added.

The night carried on until the early hours, as people headed home. Three days later, the Grant-Nash family was at LAX saying goodbye as they boarded their flight to Haiti.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Taylor was smiling as she waited in line at Durand. She had been added to the pickup list a few days ago. Carla had an out-of-state family emergency that she needed to attend to and Taylor had volunteered to help out with Christopher when she had free time. Taylor walked towards one of the teachers and smiled, “Hi, I’m here to pick up Christopher Diaz, here’s my ID, and I should be on the list,” she said, holding up her ID, she had been told she would need to show it while picking him up the first few times before the staff got used to her picking him up.

“I see,” the woman frowned, “I thought Mr Diaz was seeing a Mr Buckley, not a news reporter,” she added.

“They are seeing each other, I’m a friend of the family,” she smiled, not happy with what this woman was trying to imply.

“Hmm,” she said, pursing her lips, “I see, I’ll call for Christopher.”

Taylor watched her as she left to call him. She smiled again when the woman came back and she saw Christopher.

“Auntie Taylor!” Christopher shouted all excited. He had thought Carla was going to pick him up.

“Hey, Acey,” she grinned as he walked over, “I know Carla was supposed to come and pick you up, but she had to head out of town for a few days at least. So until then, I’m going to be working from home and being there for you, and maybe trying to keep your dad and Buck in line,” she added.

“Oh, we can work on our project too, Snakes,” he giggled as he reached her.

“Sounds like a plan,” she nodded, “Thank you for getting him.”

“Welcome,” she gave a tight smile, “I’ll see you after the weekend, Christopher.”

“Okay Miss Carmichael,” Christopher said as he smiled at her and then followed Taylor to where she had parked.

“Right, I brought the folder with me as well,” she told him as they slowly headed towards her car, she had taken the seat that was in Buck’s jeep that morning before the two men had headed to work. They would be staying at Eddie’s for the night, though Taylor was going to take him to hers, but as the lift was broken down that was going to be a no as being at hers. She was getting sick of it happening and her complaints just never seemed to work with the landlord of the building either. She was already picking Buck and Eddie’s brains to help her find somewhere else to live.

“So we can work on the plans then,” he said happily, “Auntie Taylor, do you think we’re going to be able to get them to get married though?” he asked.

“We’ll be there to make sure, me and you, Acey, are a great team, we got them together,” she reminded him, “Now, the Lees have Jee-Yun for tonight, we’ll be getting her in the morning, and going to the park tomorrow with them, so we have some work tonight and movie, of course.”

“Home Alone 2?” Christopher suggested.

Taylor laughed, “Don’t you want to save that for your Dad and Buck?” she asked him, as she held his crutches as he got in the car. Making sure he was fully buckled, she tucked them away near him and got in the driver’s seat.

Taylor put on some music that they could sing to as they headed home. She was beginning to spend more time at the Diaz home than she was at her own apartment over the last few weeks. Admitting to herself that she enjoyed their company, especially Christopher’s, had been a bit hard. She wasn’t the maternal type, she didn’t think. She was fine around children for short periods of time, but longer, she tended to back away as fast as she could. With Christopher, she enjoyed spending time with him, even with Jee-Yun, but that might be because she can always hand them back over.

“Okay,” Taylor said as they reached Eddie’s and got out of the car, “Snacks, and homework first, get that out the way, and then you’ll have the entire weekend to have fun, and since Buck and Eddie are both off work for the next four days, we can make some plans together.”

“Yeah,” Christopher sighed, but went to the dining room and set himself up to get his homework done. Taylor went to the kitchen and began to make him a small snack. Buck had made something that she could just put into the oven to cook, so she didn’t have to worry too much about dinner. The Pasta Bake looked good as she put it into the oven, following the instructions that Buck left behind, though she rolled her eyes at how detailed they were. She wasn’t the best cook, but she could still make a good meal for herself and others.

“Auntie Taylor,” Christopher called as dinner neared finished cooking. Taylor went into the dining room and smiled as she saw that Christopher had a pile of homework done. “I’m done, but can you check?” he asked.

“Sure, go and wash up for dinner, it’s almost done. I also put the garlic bread in,” she grinned, knowing that Christopher loved garlic bread.

“It’s it the one Buck makes?” he asked, happy and excited at the thought.

“Of course, is there any other garlic bread we should have?” she laughed.

“Yes!” he yelled, fist-pumping the air, “I’ll wash up.”

“I’ll check this over and then you can help me set the table,” she smiled as he nodded and got up, not using his crutches as he went to the bathroom.

Taylor checked over the homework, not finding many mistakes, and easily wrote down on a spare piece of paper what she had found. It was easy things that would have been caught by Christopher himself after another go-through after dinner. Standing up and putting the paper on the pile, she moved it aside for Christopher to put away before dinner and went to set the table for the two of them. Sitting down to dinner, Christopher began to ask Taylor about her work, he was curious as to what she did.

“I’ll see about you coming in to work with me one of these days, so you can see,” Taylor said, wondering if her boss would allow it.

“That would be amazing, maybe I’ll be a reporter like you,” he said, still trying to figure out what he could do when he got older.

“No doubt you could, you’re charming enough,” she laughed, eating the last of the bread before getting up to clean up.

“That’s what Bisabuela says as well,” Christopher grinned, getting up to help.

“Go choose a movie for us, while I put things away,” she told him as soon as she started washing up.

“No movie tonight, Auntie Taylor, we have things to plan,” he grinned, “Where’s the folder?” he asked as he began to leave the kitchen.

“It’s already on the coffee table, I put it there when we arrived,” she answered, smiling to herself as she washed up. Soon enough, she joined him in the living room and saw the notes that he had spread over the table. “So, what are we looking at?” she asked.

Christopher looked up, “I was talking to my friends, and they all said that weddings have colors, and I was thinking that it should be red and blue,” he nodded, as he picked up the paper he had written on and handed it over.

“Reasons?” she asked, taking it and joining him on the floor on the other side of the coffee table.

“Well, they are firefighters, so that’s where the red comes from, and blue because I know Dad likes Buck’s eyes a lot, and they are nice and blue,” he nodded and then smiled at Taylor. “We have so much work to do,” he huffed, “I don’t know how adults have to do this all the time,” he muttered.

“Because they love each other and they want the world to know that as well,” Taylor offered the only excuse she could think of.

“Hm,” Christopher shook his head, “So still, everyone knows that Dad and Buck love each other, even before they did.”

Taylor laughed and nodded, agreeing with him, “Yeah, well, sometimes they needed a little help,” she told him.

“Like what we did at the Zoo?” Christopher looked up from what he was writing.

“Exactly,” she nodded, grinning.

“We need to talk to Bobby, he has to walk Bucky down the aisle,” he added, going back to writing, “And you have to do that talking at the front bit that Bobby did for Michael and David at their wedding. It will be fun,” he grinned.

Taylor took the main folder and opened it up, they only had a few notes in there so far, they had been working on it when they could over the last couple of weeks. “Okay, I’ve added notes for that, and the colors, we should look at suits for them at some point, they always dress well, but I know that you help your dad choose his shirt for their dates,” she said, giving him a grin.

Christopher laughed brightly, “Dad would wear the same one each time otherwise.”

“Buck does the same, I had to talk him into wearing something else, the last time,” she shook her head.

“They are helpless,” Christopher sighed heavily, “At least they have us,” he nodded, “Oh, maybe instead of a place to have the wedding we have it in Miss ‘Thena’s garden, it was so pretty for Michael and David,” he said, as he scribbled something down.

Taylor thought for a moment, “We can ask, but it will still be up to your Dad and Buck,” she reminded him.

“I know, but they will be happier there. They don’t like flashy,” he said, “Oh, and we’re not going to invite Grandma and Abuelo, they won’t be happy that Dad and Buck are getting married. They don’t even know they are together yet. Dad’s scared to tell them,” he added looking over at her, “And we will never have Bucky’s parents come, they are really mean. They hurt Buck a lot, and I don’t want them there when he should be having a happy and fun day.”

Taylor nodded, “Yeah, that’s a good point. Though I think your dad needs to talk to his parents at the very least. It won’t be good if they show up and find out, will it?”

“No,” he huffed, “It won’t, Grandma will yell, she always yells when she doesn’t like something. Or she makes you feel like the worst person in the world, I hate it,” he flopped over the table, pouting.

“Well, they have to be nice if they want to come to anything,” Taylor said, making notes on the guest list they had begun to make. She made a note beside Helena and Ramon Diaz, making sure that when she finally handed this over to Buck and Eddie, they knew Christopher’s feelings about his grandparents.

The two made a few more notes before Christopher wanted to finally watch a film before bed. “Do you think they will be okay with what we planned?” he asked as he leaned against her, a blanket covering them both and a bowl of popcorn between them.

Taylor smiled, “They will, or they will answer to me. We put a lot of work into this,” she told him.

“Good,” he nodded, yawning and leaning a little more against her.

Taylor knew that he would be asleep soon, she would have to take him to bed. She didn’t mind, doing some training on and off with Eddie and Buck helped to make her strong enough to be able to do it with ease. “You’re a good kid,” she murmured.

“You’re a great Auntie as well,” Christopher gave a giggle.

“You’re the one training me in that role, so I had better be,” she laughed, feeling him nod slowly against her side. She looked down and could see that his eyes were closing. “I think it might be an early bed,” she told him.

“No,” he said, opening his eyes, “We watch the end of the film first,” he told her.

Taylor nodded and let him watch the end, though he was asleep the moment the credits started to roll. “Good staying power, Acey,” she murmured as she moved the now empty bowl and picked him up, and tucked him into bed. She cleaned up before heading to the guest room and going to bed herself.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Taylor was lost in her own head as she was sitting on the chair at the Diaz-Buckley home. Even though Buck hadn’t moved in, yet, the man may as well have done so with all the time he spent there. Taylor would no doubt be poking him about it later. Her mind was now on the letter she had received a week ago. She had ignored it until the day before and now she was having to think of her past, of her parents and everything that came with it. Sighing again, she shifted in her chair, bringing out her phone, wondering if she should call her sister and see if she would be going. No doubt the answer would be no.

“You okay?” Eddie asked her as Buck was getting them some drinks from the kitchen. Christopher was in bed already and it was now them just watching stupid things on TV before turning in for the night.

Taylor looked up from her phone, “Yeah…” she trailed off and sighed, “No, I don’t think I am.”

“What’s wrong?” Buck asked as he walked back in, handing her the tea she had asked for. Normally it would be a glass of wine, but the last couple of days, she had been sick as anything, and the tea helped to calm her stomach better for the night, anything else and she would be throwing it up not long after trying to lay down.

“I… I don’t even know where to begin,” she told the two of them, holding the mug tightly in her hands and blowing on it before taking that first tentative sip and finding out that it really is too hot to drink.

“Start at the start,” Eddie said, taking his own drink from Buck.

Taylor nodded, “Well, when I was a kid, my Mom died. We thought it was suicide at first, though nothing really pointed in that direction,” she began, “But we all know that people can cover that up really well. Eight months later, my Dad was arrested for her murder.”

“Fuck,” Buck muttered, sitting beside Eddie and leaning against him slightly.

“Exactly,” Taylor nodded, “That’s the simple bit of the situation. My Dad is up for parole, and some of the family are asking me to say something on his behalf,” she told them both, “I really don’t know what I want to do. One side of my family is telling me off for even thinking about going to it and for seeing him in the past. My Aunt Jenny, whom I lived with after everything had happened, stopped me and my sister from going to see him while he was in prison, at least until I was an adult and moved out. They firmly believe that he killed Mom. My Dad’s side of the family is of course on Dad’s side, and don’t believe he did it. No matter what I do, I’m going to lose one side of my family. I don’t even know if my sister’s going to go. She doesn’t care about it all. She never has cared, as long as she can do what she wants, she’s fine. She’s the oldest of us both and used to getting her way with things,” she sighed. “Aunt Jenny loved her because she was happy to not talk to Dad again. I wanted to talk to him, find out what happened, why and all that,” she finished.

“He’s up for parole?” Eddie asked, “What are you wanting to do? You know that we’ll be here for you if you need us.”

Taylor gave him a smile and nodded, “I know, it’s the first time I’ve felt like I have someone at my back to help me.” She took a sip of her tea and sighed, relaxing back a little, “I don’t know what I should do. I still want to see him, ask him why. Though I’m not even sure if he really did kill her. If he didn’t then he’s been in prison for twenty years for something he hasn’t done. Argh,” she grumbled, “I don’t know what to believe. It’s either my Mom committed suicide, or my Dad murdered her.”

“Either way, it changes how you think of your parents. Either your Mom was in such pain she had no other way out in her eyes, or your Dad is cold and a murderer, to have it in him to commit one of the worst acts a person can do against another,” Buck murmured, watching his friend closely.

“Yeah, I know I’ll never really know the truth of what happened,” she sighed heavily, closing her eyes, “I want to know, I want to believe that neither of my parents was in pain or unhappy with the other, or anything like that. But one is dead and the other is in prison for causing it. All I can remember is how they were with each other. I always thought they loved each other.”

“Doesn’t mean you can’t go and talk to him at the very least. You don’t have to say anything you don’t want to. No matter what either side of the family says about it. Do you talk to any of them now? Close to any of them? I’ve known you for what, around three years now and this is the first time I’m even hearing about a sister, let alone any other family,” Buck pointed out, “I’m just saying that you don’t seem close to them anyway.”

Taylor snorted, “You’re right, I’m not close with any of them, they were always trying to get me to decide on who’s side to take. I was pulled one way and then another. If I even tried to voice my own opinion on anything I was shot down and told that I was a child and didn’t know what the hell I was talking about. I think there was only one that didn’t do that, and that was my Uncle Gregory, he only ever asked me how I was. How I was doing and that.”

“Then maybe it might be time to tell your family to stuff it,” Buck said, “Cut out the toxic asses that have trod you down.”

“Therapy has been good to you,” Taylor smiled, “Yeah, I think I will go, doubt Sis will,” she sighed, grabbing her phone and sending a message to ask. “Message sent, and let’s see,” she shrugged, before yawning, “Damn, why the hell am I so tired.”

“Because your mind has been on this since you found out and you’re overwhelmed and anxious?” Buck hazards a guess, shrugging before drinking some of his hot chocolate.

“Maybe,” she said, “I should head home, it’s starting to get late.”

“May as well stay the night,” Buck told her, “Couch is new if you’ve not noticed,” he grinned.

“I did, and it’s a very comfy one,” she nodded, rolling her eyes, having been there when it had arrived the day before.

“Pull out too,” he added, “So that means no more being scrunched up on the couch and you can starfish all you like,” he grinned.

Taylor laughed and then nodded, “Sure, I’ll stay, glad you suggested it, to be honest, I was going to Uber home, not up to driving at the moment.”

“Good,” Eddie nodded, he looked at Buck and then nodded again.

“If you want to go to the parole hearing, I’ll go with you,” Buck suggested to her, “I don’t mind being there to support you.”

Taylor looked between the two of them, “Are you sure about that, I can easily go alone, you know.”

“We know,” Eddie said, “But it’s always nice to have someone there as backup. Plus, he’s a good cuddler, and always makes me feel better when I can cuddle up with him. No doubt it’s the same for you,” he added, smiling.

“That is a bonus,” Taylor laughed a little and then nodded, “If you’re sure, Buck, then I would really like someone else there. No doubt both sides are going to hate me, but what else is new? This time they’re just going to be able to yell at me to my face instead of through voicemails and messages.”

“I’m not just a cuddle buddy to pass around,” Buck mock complained, looking at his boyfriend.

“Shut up, you love the cuddles,” Eddie said, poking him in his side causing the man to jolt and almost spill his hot chocolate over himself.

“Eddie!” he exclaimed, glaring, “Mean,” he told him, before smiling and looking over at Taylor, “I’ll come along, just tell me when?”

“30th, so, less than two days. Need to fly out in the morning to get there with a few hours to spare. No doubt family will want to try and talk to me beforehand to find out what I plan on saying,” she sighed, putting her empty mug aside. She gave him more details and Buck grabbed his phone to make travel arrangements.

“Do you want to stay the night there and come back the next day?” he asked, glancing up.

“Up to you, I don’t care,” Taylor said, a little dismissively, but she really didn’t. She wanted the day to have come and gone already. Just wanted it all to be over and done with so she never had to think about it again.

“Okay, we’ll stay the night and go back early morning,” Buck said as he booked the flights and a hotel to stay at. “I’ll forward things to you as well,” he added.

“Thanks,” Taylor yawned and closed her eyes.

“How about we set the bed up here for you, and you go and get ready. You know what you can use to sleep in if you haven’t got anything with you,” Eddie said as he got up and pulled the woman to her feet.

“Thank you, both of you,” she smiled as she headed to Eddie’s bedroom to grab something to wear and have a quick shower.

Buck got up as Eddie sorted out the pull-out for Taylor. “Are you sure you’re okay with me going?” he asked.

Eddie glanced over, “I am, now go and get the comforter,” he told him, “The soft one,” he added as Buck went to the linen closet to fetch it.

Buck handed it over, and a half hour later, Taylor walked out in some of Eddie’s old sweatpants and an army t-shirt that she kept using. Her reason was that it was comfortable, which Eddie agreed with. They both said it had that well-worn feel that just made it comfortable. Buck had just smiled, he knew exactly what they were talking about. He had a few comfy T-shirts like that.

“Right, we’ll see you in the morning,” Buck said as he made sure she had some water, she was already half asleep when the two men headed to their bedroom and started getting ready for bed themselves.

“I can’t believe she was hiding that, how the hell did she do that?” Eddie commented quietly as they got into bed. That type of thing would normally be easily found out by someone, especially since Buck and Taylor had dated for a while.

“She’s a tough one to crack. She keeps her walls up all the time, even took me a while to get through just a little bit. You remember what she was like back when we first met her?” he reminded his boyfriend as they settled into bed.

“Yeah,” Eddie said, nodding and yawning. “We’re back to work on the 2nd, you’ll be coming back early 1st,” he said, “Want to do anything when you get back?”

“Just spend time with you and Chris,” Buck said, curling against Eddie.

“That can be arranged, though make sure Taylor comes with us. No doubt after dealing with family, she’ll want people around her who actually care about her,” he said, wrapping his arms around Buck and pulling him as close as he could.

Buck nodded, “Yeah, Taylor included. I can’t believe how well she just fits in with us,” he snorted.

“I know,” Eddie rolled his eyes as he looked down at Buck, “But it works, and she is a sneak, she and Christopher are up to something. And what’s with those nicknames they have?”

Buck laughed, “They watched Home Alone when we were at work a little while ago. They took to calling each other Acey and Snakes. I think it’s cute, and it’s just something for them. Christopher’s just happy that Taylor isn’t keeping us apart and joins us more often than not.”

“Unlike Ana that wanted to only spend time with me,” Eddie uttered, still disappointed in himself for dating her.

“She knows how important Christopher is, and she likes him too, and thinks he’s awesome. Which we all know he is,” Buck grinned, “Now, sleep,” he said, “tomorrow is a school day and Taylor is going to be cranky when woken up early,” he reminded him.

“Yeah,” Eddie snorted as the two settled down and drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Taylor looked over at Buck, they had been grabbed by Aunt Jenny before they could even head to the hearing. The woman wanted to know what Taylor was going to say. Her sister had messaged back just before she had gotten on the plane, telling her that she wouldn’t be there. She had no wish to see her dad at all. So both sides of the family were now looking at her to take a side.

“Aunt Jenny,” Taylor said, standing in the foyer of the hotel that Buck had booked for them. They were going to share the room, it was easier than trying to book two. Eddie had told her that at least someone would get some Buck cuddles that night when they had told him.

“Taylor,” she said, “Well, are you even going to introduce us?” she gestured to Buck, “Honestly, no manners, then again with a father like that, I’m not surprised. My poor sister would have been better off if she had divorced him like I had told her to after you and your sister were born,” she muttered.

Taylor gripped Buck’s hand tightly, and he squeezed back, “I don’t want to hear it, and this is Buck, he’s a good friend of mine.”

“Nice to meet you,” Buck said, giving a nod, though there was a hint of coldness in his tone as he looked at the woman.

“A friend, when are you going to settle down and find someone?” She asked, shaking her head, “Really, your sister is doing so much better. She’s going to find someone she had thought had got away, and date him. She has plans for her life,” she added, feeling and sounding proud of Taylor’s sister.

“I don’t care what she’s doing. She does what she wants, like always,” Taylor rolled her eyes.

“Show a little more respect to your older sister. At least she knows what she wants to do with her life. You’re still pretending to be a news reporter. Silly dream, honestly,” she added as she began to walk away. “Now you can tell me what you’re planning on saying at the hearing. We need to make sure that it will be enough that those on the parole board will never think about letting that… that man out of jail.”

Taylor took a deep breath, “Aunt Jenny, I’m not telling you anything about what I’m saying. I’m going to do this on my own terms, not on yours or on anyone else’s.”

Aunt Jenny turned and faced her, “You know what that man did to your mother?” she asked her, getting angry as she glared at her niece.

“I know what they say he did,” she nodded, “It’s not like we’ll ever be able to find the damn truth of what happened, Aunt Jenny, the evidence that the police had were all hearsay and circumstantial. I looked at it all, trying to find one thing that would give me a surefire damn answer on what happened that day. There is nothing!” she yelled at her, having kept her thoughts to herself since she was a teenager and able to start searching for the answer herself.

“How dare you,” she seethed, “I took you in, you and your sister.”

“You took us in because we came with a damn paycheck,” Taylor rolled her eyes, “You were getting money from the estate to house and feed us and everything. I saw the rest of the money after I turned eighteen, and I saw how it had all been set up. We both did. So we knew that you had only taken us in for that,” she shook her head, “Don’t try and play the loving Aunt, you had your own agenda.”

“I still took you in and housed, clothed, and fed you,” she hissed at her.

“And continued to berate me for not outright believing that my Dad murdered my Mom without concrete proof. Instead, you shoved it down my throat and never let me see him, to talk to him. I may not have gone many times after I got away from you, but I’ve still talked to him over the years.”

“Your mother would have never killed herself, she loved you both so much, she would never have left you!” Aunt Jenny yelled at her niece once more.

“A smile can hide a lot. A smile can hide how you really feel,” Buck said, gaining the woman’s attention, “Do you know how many times I have attended a call where someone was going to commit suicide and it happened? Their family and friends all say the same thing. They always seemed so happy. A smile can hide what people feel since they feel like they have to present a front to people. To make everyone believe that they were happy.”

“She was happy, she loved her children, she loved her daughters so much. I won’t hear a word against her,” Aunt Jenny said as she turned and began to walk away, “You’ll do the right thing, Taylor, especially if you want any of the family speaking to you.”

Taylor watched her go, they had been going to get a ride with her, “You know, Aunt Jenny, I think I’ll get an Uber to the hearing, I don’t want to listen to you bitch at me about what you think.”

“Behave, Taylor,” she hissed, “And get moving.”

“No, we’ll make our own way, thank you,” Buck added, turning to face Taylor, “We have an hour before we need to get there, so I’ll call us an Uber,” he said, giving her a reassuring smile.

Taylor nodded, “Yeah.”

“Taylor!” Aunt Jenny yelled, not happy with being ignored.

“Aunt Jenny, go on ahead without us,” Taylor said, she never had any backup in facing her family, her sister didn’t care and everyone always wanted her to pick a side.

“Do not make a mistake in this, Taylor,” she warned once more before leaving.

Taylor slumped and Buck put an arm around her, “Thanks,” she said, glancing up at him, “I know I would have let her run roughshod all over me if I was here alone.”

“Well, you’re not, I’ve got your back,” he grinned.

“You’re thinking about Eddie,” Taylor snorted as she saw that little look enter his eyes.

“Maybe a little,” he admitted with a blush, “Can’t help it though.”

“I know. I’m happy for you,” she told him, as she pulled out her phone and ordered their Uber. “No doubt Aunt Jenny is going to be complaining to everyone in the family about what I’ve said. In her eyes, I’m always in the wrong because I wanted to learn the truth. She still thinks that I won’t amount to anything being a reporter.”

“Well, as far as I’m concerned you’re proving them wrong every day. You’re the one reporting the news in LA these days,” he reminded her as they headed out of the hotel to wait for the Uber.

“Maybe, but they don’t see it,” she shrugged, “I’m used to it now. It’s one of the reasons that I very rarely contact them, and they know it. I’m not what they wanted in a niece. Because I didn’t immediately think my father was guilty, I don’t know if he is innocent, but I don’t know either way, and I never will.”

They waited for the Uber and headed to the hearing. Inside Taylor kept away from both sides of her family. One of her father’s brothers had already tried to talk to her about what she was going to say. Ignoring him and Buck getting in the way soon had him backing off. It was soon Taylor’s turn to talk for or against her father.

Standing up, Taylor moved forwards, avoiding looking at either side of her family. Though she couldn’t help the glance at her father. He had aged, though he was now in his fifties. It wasn’t easy to think of the man living in prison. How he had been a great dad, while there were the occasional arguments, she knew that happened in any home. She had even heard Eddie and Christopher arguing once or twice, and teenager style Christopher had slammed his way to his bedroom at the end of it. Though the kid was quicker to apologize than she had been at that age.

In a rarity, she gave her full name before she began to speak. She had something else planned, but with Buck there and the things that she talked with Buck and Eddie about, she felt more confident in saying something else. “When I was a child, I loved spending time with both of my parents. No matter what I say today, one side of my family will not be happy with me. I have to choose what I believe. I can’t do it, Do I believe my mother committed suicide, I don’t know. Do I believe that my father killed her, I don’t know. I would have said no to both of those things as I grew up with them. All families argue, and all families will have that moment when words are said in the heat of the moment. I love my dad still, I do, no matter what has been said against him. I just don’t know if I believe my mother killed herself. I love them both, but I can’t say what I believe in, and this is what my family wants me to do, to say which parent I believed could do something.”

“Is there anything that you can say about your father and his release?” one of those on the panel asked.

Taylor sighed, “I remember the good times we had when I was young. The fun, like when he would take me and my sister out so our mom could have a break from us. Days out with all four of us. I don’t really remember the time when my mother died, I pushed a lot of it down and I can no longer bring them back as easily. That’s all I will say about things, I don’t… I can’t take a side, I can’t.”

Buck reached out to her as she returned to her seat, took his hand, and sat back down beside him. She could feel the eyes of her family on her and she dared not look up. Buck squeezed her hand and she gave a small smile as she finally raised her head. She caught her father’s eye as he looked at her, he gave her a sad but understanding smile and nodded as he turned his attention back to the parole board.

An hour later and a decision had been made, her father would be paroled, he was out. Taylor got up, Buck following her as they headed out.

“Taylor!” came the sharp voice of her Aunt Jenny, she could see other members of her mother’s family there with them.

“What was that?” her cousin Kyle wanted to know.

“That was me choosing not to believe the worst of either of my parents. I will never be able to find out the truth of what happened. The memory of people changes with time. What they believed one day is different. I once remember you, Aunt Jenny, adored my father and said he was the best thing that ever happened to my mother. When my mother first died, you were there for him, to console him. He was distraught and you believe that my mother had killed herself then. That changed the moment he was arrested and charged. You said he had to have done it, you changed what you thought based on those around you. Everyone does. You followed the mob who was now all bad-mouthing my father. Before that, no one was, not even a damn whisper of anything against him. So how can I know what is the truth when people’s memory and beliefs change like the wind,” she said, gripping Buck’s hand. “Please, just leave me alone.”

Taylor turned and began to walk away, only to find her Uncle standing there outside.

“I’m not going to say anything, you said what you believed, your dad would like to speak to you when you are ready for it. But he told me to tell you one thing. He understands, and he doesn’t blame you for not wanting to say anything either way. He wasn’t happy when he found out that we had asked for you to say something. He wasn’t the one that sent the request, I did,” he told her, “You’ve grown well, and he’s proud of you, when you’re ready, he’ll be there waiting.”

Taylor was frozen as she watched her uncle leave. “It’s okay to still care,” Buck reminded her.

“Yeah,” she said, “Let’s go to the hotel, I need… I want a nice long soak in that damn bathtub,” she muttered as Buck ordered the Uber.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Taylor sighed as she looked at the message that came through just after dinner. It was from her Uncle. He was giving her, her father’s number so that she could contact him. Repeating again in his message that this would be on her timeline, and not her father’s. “I just don’t know what I should do, Buck,” she said, flopping back on the bed and then quickly regretting it when she started to feel sick again. “Ugh,” she groaned as she sat back up, “I don’t know why, but dinner really didn’t agree with me.”

Buck reached over, checking her temperature, “Well, that feels normal,” he said, frowning a little, “You do look a little green around the gills,” he added, checking her over, “Why don’t you rest, put something on the TV and just… not think about it. We’re going home tomorrow morning and I already know that Chris has plans for a small gathering for the four of us, to welcome us back,” he smiled.

Taylor looked at him and smiled, “Yeah I know,” she nodded, settling on the bed a little more and toeing off the shoes she had been wearing. They dropped to the side of the bed and she closed her eyes. “I don’t know if I want to meet him, Buck. He’s my Dad, and yeah, even after everything, I still love him,” she confessed. She snorted, “You know, I’ve never been able to say that aloud properly. If I said anything even hinting at that around Aunt Jenny, I would be in trouble and punished for it.”

Buck snorted, “Well, you Aunt Jenny,” he spat, “She sounded so entitled to things, and was demanding that you follow what she said.”

“Yeah, it’s been like that since Dad was arrested, nothing I did was good enough. My sister on the other hand, as she didn’t get along with either of our parents and didn’t really care what happened to them. So when Aunt Jenny said something bad about Dad, she would often agree and she quickly became the favorite because of it. I was… well, not hated, but was a disappointment to them for always going on about finding out what really happened,” she told him again, “It just goes through my mind all the time. Why did the cops wait so long? Why did what people said about my Mom and Dad change? It was hard to see someone that my Dad got along with, suddenly turn against him.”

“For something like that, you won’t. Talking to him might help you make your mind up about it all, but that’s up to you what you do,” Buck answered her, giving her a gentle smile.

Taylor groaned, “Ugh, I’m going around in circles here,” she complained, rubbing her face a few times before reaching for her phone and sending a message. “Damn,” she muttered as soon as it was sent, “Well, I need to get myself ready.”

“Why?” Buck frowned.

“I’m going to meet Dad, I need to talk to him,” she said, “I’m good at figuring out who is telling the truth,” she added, getting up and grabbing something to change into. If she was going to be talking to her dad for the first time in almost ten years, she at least wanted to be comfortable. She didn’t want to meet him as the Put Together Taylor Kelly, but just Tay, a young girl who just wanted to know the truth about what happened to her mother, no matter what that might be. A young girl that still loved her dad, even when she had those thoughts that he had killed her mother, she still cared and loved him, she could never beat it down and get rid of it like her sister had been able to.

Buck watched her get ready, “Do you want me to come with you?” he asked, “I can hang back and keep out the way, but be there if you need me.”

Taylor finished getting ready and sighed, “You know, I’d like that, it’s nice to have someone that is just in my corner. Eddie is one hell of a lucky guy. I’m lucky the two of you have let me hang around as I have been,” she added, “Thank you,” she kissed his cheek, “Let’s go and wait for them. I know Uncle Gregory said that he and Dad were staying nearby, so they shouldn’t be long.”

“Okay,” he nodded, grabbing his jacket, and the two of them left the hotel room and headed downstairs to the lounge, where Taylor’s Uncle and Father were already waiting for her.

“Okay,” she said, feeling nervous as she spotted them, and stared. her dad looked better now he was in something other than a prison jumpsuit.

“I’ll wait over here,” Buck said as he led her partway and then stopped at a table and set of armchairs, “Just call me, and I’ll be right there, okay?” he asked her, making her look at him.

Taylor looked at her friend and nodded, giving him a small smile, “Thanks, and I will,” she said, giving him a firm nod before she went over to the two.

“Taylor,” her father said as he smiled, standing up. She could see that he wanted to hug her, and for a brief moment she hesitated, as he was about to sit down, she quickly hugged him before stepping away.

“Dad, Uncle Greg,” she said as she greeted the two of them.

“I’ll go and join your boyfriend,” Gregory said as he stood up.

“He’s not my boyfriend, he’s my friend, though we did date for a while. I kind of pushed him at his new partner,” she smiled, “He’s great though, he and his partner insisted that one of them come with me for this.”

“I’m glad you found people that could support you how you needed,” Gregory said, “I know most of this side of the family hasn’t been very welcoming of you and your sister.”

“Yeah,” she nodded, then looked back at her dad, as the two of them sat down and Gregory left them. “How… how are you?”

“A little out of place,” he admitted, “I didn’t think I would be released at all.”

“Oh?” she frowned.

“I never expected you to come, I didn’t even know Greg had sent the letter to you, asking you to come. I don’t blame you for not coming, I wouldn’t have. You’re a grown woman now, you have a life that is far from here and from what happened as can be. I…” he trailed off as he glanced around and sighed, “Getting away from here was the best thing you could have done for yourself.”

“I couldn’t stay, the looks, the need to comply with Aunt Jenny, and then Uncle Arthur and Aunt Mary, they were on me all the time to choose a side,” she said, looking down, “I couldn’t, how could I do that?”

“You can’t,” he agreed, “I would never ask you to pick a side, I wish I could, but I…” he trailed off, not knowing what he should say. “I’m just glad that you’re happy. I wanted to see you one last time at least, talk with you, and see how you’re doing. I don’t want to talk about what’s happened. I-”

“I just want you to answer me this,” she began, biting her lip before asking him, “Did you kill Mom?”

“No,” he answered her, “There’s nothing I can tell you to get you to believe me. I wish there was,” he sighed, looking at her, his eyes full of sadness, “Nancy, she… she was a wonderful wife and mother. I love her still, and I know I always will. I don’t know what happened to her, I wish I did. There’s nothing I can do to bring her back, but damn, do I wish,” he muttered, thinking about his wife.

“I miss her,” Taylor said.

“Of course you do,” he murmured, “She’s your mother, you always will miss her,” he said, reaching out tentatively, letting Taylor reach the rest of the way for his hand.

“I don’t know if I believe you, I want to. But…” she shook her head, “The only other thing is that she… killed herself, Dad, I can’t… I don’t want to believe that she would do that.”

“Neither do I, I don’t. That’s not the Nancy that I knew and loved. We had our spats, as all couples do, little things that we would argue about and then compromise on,” he snorted, “We talked to each other a lot about things. All we wanted was for you and your sister to be happy,” he said, “And as long as you are, both of us could rest easy. Even though your sister was being a bit of a brat, her teenage years had started and she wasn’t happy with how things were.”

“Yeah, she was starting to argue with everyone,” Taylor snorted, “She is still doing what she wants when she wants. If something doesn’t go her way, she flounces off,” she added, shaking her head.

“She loves her drama,” he laughed, Taylor doing the same, “I’m grateful you let me see you before you go home.”

“I didn’t know I was going to. I made a snap decision and went with it,” she answered him, smiling a little, before glancing back at Buck, “I don’t think I would have if I was on my own.”

“That’s okay,” he told her, nodding a few times, “Now, tell me more about how things have been for you. What are you doing now? About the young man that you came with? I know you said that he isn’t your boyfriend, but you both seem close.”

“We are,” she said before answering him, telling him all that she could. She still didn’t know if she believed him, but there was nothing she could really do to find out what happened.

XxXxX

Taylor walked back to their room after saying goodbye to her father and Uncle Gregory. “I think that… went well,” she said as soon as she entered their hotel room.

“Yeah, Greg was nice,” Buck said, “We talked a little, his brother was angry at him for sending the letter. Greg said he thought you should have your say, that no one in the family would let you speak. That your sister had more chances of doing so. They don’t really seem to like your sister. They never mention her by name.”

“No one on Dad’s side talks to her, and the same with Mom’s, only Aunt Jenny does. The rest all knew that she didn’t want to be called Alison anymore, but she never made it known what she wanted to be called,” Taylor shrugged as she changed into some pajamas, “Ugh, today has been hard. No doubt Aunt Jenny might try and ambush before we leave.”

“I told her the wrong time for the flight, so she’ll get here about two hours after we’ve left,” Buck grinned at her, as she darted into the bathroom to brush her teeth.

“Sneaky, I like that,” Taylor laughed, words half garbled. A few minutes later, she was getting into bed, “I’ll have a shower in the morning,” she muttered as she snuggled down in the cover.

“I’ll have a quick one now, save doing it in the morning, which means you can have a long shower,” Buck laughed lightly as he heard a mutter from the bed before heading to the bathroom and showering. He didn’t take long, but when he left, dressed and ready for bed, Taylor was already sleeping, a soft snore the only sound from her as Buck climbed in. It didn’t take long for Taylor to curl against him, holding onto him as he sent a goodnight text to Eddie, and told him to hug Christopher as much as he could for him. He couldn’t wait until he got home the next day. Buck was happy that Taylor was making some peace with her past. Yawning he smiled as he received a picture from Eddie of himself and Christopher smiling, and soon fell asleep.

 

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