Reading Time: 126 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 Forty-Five

Buck and Eddie had returned from a night out. Carla had watched Christopher for the night, almost kicking the two of them out of the house. She had noticed that Buck was tense and hadn’t looked as happy as he should be with all that was going on. Now they were back, and while Carla could see that Buck was a bit more relaxed, he wasn’t as relaxed as he should have been, as he normally was when the two of them had gone on a date.

“Okay,” she said as she walked over to Buck, while Eddie went and changed.

“Hey, Carla, thanks for watching Chris,” he smiled as he greeted her.

“You’re welcome, always, you know that,” she smiled, but it didn’t last long before she had a serious look on her face, “Now, what is going on, and what has gotten you so tense that not even a night with your boo helped at all?” she asked him, getting him to the couch in the living room and sitting him down.

Buck caved quickly as he told her about Ali, the messaging, trying to meet all the time. Ambushing him in the store and trying to pass them off as a couple. “She wants to get back with me. She keeps talking about these two children that are going to end up in her custody and she wants me there to help with them,” he finished explaining, “I’ve tried to make it clear to her that I’m not available and that she needs to move on. She just-” he ended abruptly as he rubbed at his face.

“I see,” she sighed, shaking her head, “There isn’t much you can do except what you are already doing. She doesn’t know where you are living now,” she told him, reaching out, “Now, what you need to do is concentrate on the family you have around you. She is going to get in the way if you let her. Doesn’t matter what she does, ignore her as best as you can. If not, there is a woman out there that I know will be all too happy to help,” she smirked a little.

“Athena,” Buck snorted, “I really didn’t want to get her involved. I just want her to go away and leave me alone.”

“She might not, you are a wonderful young man,” she reminded him, “You have a lot to offer to someone as well. And not just in the looks either. You’re kind, warm, and loving. You give everything you are to the person you are with. I saw it with Abby, I saw it with Taylor and I see it with Eddie as well. You love with all of your heart and soul,” she smiled, “Now, that man of yours is going to be out soon, go and get some lovin and I’ll see you tomorrow to pick up Christopher for school,” she smirked as he blushed.

“Carla,” he whined, but grinned at her, hugging her tightly. “I’ll think about talking with Athena, she’s pregnant and I don’t want to put too much on her plate at the moment.”

“I know you don’t, but if she finds out and something happens. She’s going to be the first to tell you off,” she chuckled as she let him go and stood up. “Christopher is fast asleep, so have fun,” she added as she turned to see Eddie walking towards them, “Damn if only I was younger and not married,” she joked, as she went to gather her things.

Eddie raised an eyebrow as he toweled off his hair, he wasn’t wearing a shirt and was still damp from the quick shower he had taken. “What’s going on?” he asked, looking between the two of them.

“Oh, nothing,” Carla smirked as she turned and winked at Buck before leaving, “Bye!”

Eddie turned to look at Buck who was still blushing, “What?” he asked again, moving closer.

“Oh, erm.. just something she said,” he smiled as he rested a hand on Eddie’s chest, “Why didn’t you put a top on?” he asked.

Eddie smirked, “Well, there are many reasons, the main one being why put one on when I’m going to be taking it off shortly. I would have left the pants off, but Carla was still here,” he finished, leaning in and kissing him.

Buck wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close, the grievances in his mind going quiet as he let Eddie pull them toward their bedroom.

XxXxX

Buck finished putting everything out onto the picnic blanket that he had spread out on the sand. Eddie had recognized that they all needed a moment to themselves as the weekend approached. Eddie was trying to wrangle Christopher long enough to put some sunscreen on him before he dived into the water. It was nice to see him enjoying being on the beach after what had happened during the tsunami. Buck knew that Christopher and himself had both had trouble being on the beach after that. It had taken therapy and weekly trips to the shore to see if they could even dip their toes into the water. It was hard, but they had managed to do so several months ago to get back into the ocean. Christopher was even taking surfing lessons again.

“Right,” Eddie said as he looked at Christopher, “You can go into the water up to your knees, and you stay in sight all the time. If I call you, then you come straight out,” he warned him, “As soon as I’m done putting sunscreen on, then I’ll join you and we can go a little further,” he told him.

“Okay!” Christopher said, already heading towards the water. He would at least pay attention to what his dad had said as he went in, not going as far as he was allowed, he knew that doing so could end up being a bit dangerous for him, even with that depth.

Eddie shook his head as he watched him, “You going to be joining us in the water?” he asked as he glanced back at Buck for a moment.

“Not yet, I’m going to do a bit of reading, I might join you both after we’ve had some lunch,” he told him.

Eddie nodded and put some sunscreen on before passing the bottle over to Buck, “Put some on, I know you burn like hell if you’re out in the sun too long,” he told him, shaking his head.

Buck grinned a little and nodded as he took and used it. Eddie got up and headed for the water, grabbing Christopher and swinging him up, and tossing him into the water further out. Buck laughed as he heard Christopher squeal and then yelled for Eddie to do it again.

XxXxX

Eddie grabbed Christopher for the last time and put him over his shoulder and headed back to shore. They had been in the water for over an hour. Buck was still sitting under the umbrella shade that he had put up not long after they had headed into the water, reading on his Kindle.

“Will Papa be joining us in the water soon?” Christopher asked as he was set down as soon as they reached the sand.

“Yeah,” Eddie smiled. The two made their way up the beach to where Buck was sitting, reading something intently. “Hey,” Eddie said, noting that the food was already set out and the cooler of drinks was in the shade. He grabbed one of the sodas and passed it to Christopher before grabbing one for himself.

Buck was quick to put his Kindle away and smiled as Christopher flopped on him. Still wet from the ocean, “Did you two have fun?” he asked, smiling as he held Christopher on his lap and waited for Eddie to join them on the blanket.

“We did, Dad threw me into the ocean over and over again,” Christopher said, grinning widely as he opened his soda and began to drink.

Eddie snorted, “Well, you wanted the flying lessons,” he said, sitting down after toweling off a little. “Right, so what have we got for food,” he said as he glanced at the food on the blanket.

“Sandwiches, salad, I did a few tarts as well,” Buck said as he began to point out a few things.

“Yes, chicken strips,” Christopher cheered as they pointed them out to him, “The homemade ones?” he asked, getting a nod, “Even better!” he laughed as he was quick to reach out and nab one.

Buck smiled as he did up a plate for Christopher, making sure to add a couple of chicken strips he had made. Eddie did himself up a plate and started on one for Buck as Christopher asked for a few more things.

“Dad, Papa,” Christopher said as he looked at the two, “What’s going to happen with the babies?” he asked, “Where are they going to sleep, we don’t have a room for them.”

“Well,” Eddie said as he glanced at Buck, “We’ve been looking for a place to live. We found one and we’re just waiting for the details to be finalized.” They never did get around to showing Christopher the place they had found. Instead, they had shown Taylor later that night after Christopher had gone to bed.

“What’s it like?” Christopher asked, “Does it have a large garden, will I have my own room or will I be sharing with the babies?” he carried on the questions.

Buck smiled as he began to answer, grabbing his phone for the photos that he had taken of the place while they were there. Everything was almost ready for them to take possession of the place. The paperwork was going through quickly and Buck had already been preapproved for a mortgage as well. Especially since he had the loft that had now sold. “We’ll be able to move soon, but you’re going to have to go through everything to make sure we need to keep it, and if you want to keep it.”

“So I can send some of my toys to charity places?” Christopher asked, “I don’t play with all of them and they can go to other kids that way, to those that want them,” he added.

Eddie smiled at his son, “That’s a good idea, so when you have a chance, go through the toys you want to keep and we’ll donate them once you’re done.”

“Okay, Dad,” he nodded, starting to munch on his food, “This is so good, Papa,” he grinned at him, leaning against Buck a little as they all ate.

Buck put away his phone, sharing a smile with Eddie as they ate. “I’m excited about the new place,” he said, “We’ll be decorating your room before we move in,” he told Christopher, “you’ll have to come with us to see it and see what you would like done with it.”

“Okay,” Christopher nodded, smiling, “I need lots of room for my Legos,” he began, “And all my books too,” he added, frowning a little as he tried to think of what he wanted. “Can I have a starry sky on the ceiling?” he asked.

“I don’t know about painting it, but we could put up some glowing-in-the-dark star stickers at least,” Buck said, wondering if he could paint something like that. Art wasn’t his forte, but he had a few old friends that might be able to help with that.

“We’ll see then,” Christopher nodded, pulling a face at the thought of stickers on the ceiling, “I don’t really want stickers. If it can’t be done, then leave it, I don’t mind,” he said, “I just really would like a space themed room I think. Or close to it, I might change my mind when I’m older,” he added.

“Okay,” Eddie said, shaking his head as he smiled, “What about the baby’s room?” he asked, looking mainly at Buck for that.

“Well,” Buck began, “We still don’t know what we’re having, they were hiding during the last few scans. We’ve got another one coming up soon as well,” he added, “So, wait until then to decide?” he suggested.

“What about a light green and yellow,” Christopher suggested, “They aren’t for girls or boys, but both,” he said, looking at the two.

“Hmm,” Buck hummed as he looked at Eddie, “We could look into it,” he said, nodding slowly.

“They aren’t bad colors either, it just depends on the shade of them as well,” Eddie agreed.

“Plus, green is a calming color in some shades,” Buck added, smiling a little, “Nice suggestion there, Chris,” he said as he looked down at Christopher.

They finished eating and waited a little while before all three headed into the water. Christopher laughed brightly as they played in the gentle waves. The day was a relaxing one, when they got home, Eddie opened the front door and Christopher headed to his bedroom and Buck to the laundry to take the wet things out and get them set up on a wash.

Chapter Forty-Six

Athena parked her car in one of the bays at Taylor’s apartment complex and went up. She had been doing her best to find people that she had mentioned during their last talk about Taylor’s father’s case. So far, the sister was around, and in LA at the moment, looking to be moving there soon. Though Athena hadn’t been able to get in touch with her to talk. Knocking on the door, she waited for it to be answered.

“Hey,” Taylor smiled as she opened the door and let her inside.

“Taylor,” she nodded, walking in, a hand resting on her stomach. “I’ve been doing a search for Connor and the others that you mentioned in your notes.”

“Oh?” Taylor asked, as she led the way to the living room and the two sat down, peach iced tea waiting for the both of them. They had fallen in love with the drink after Buck had made it for the both of them a few weeks ago, and now both women kept a jug full in the fridge.

Sipping her iced tea, Athena continued, “Yeah, I’ve not been able to find Connor, well, not for a while. I was able to locate his family.”

“I remember his mother coming around once to try and tell Mom not to let Ali near him again. Then again, both parents were doing the same thing all the time. Trying to make sure that neither of them would go near the other. Bad influences came up all the time,” she snorted.

“Hmm, that’s what Deidre Anderson said when I talked to her,” Athena said, nodding, “She mentioned your mother as well, said that she remembered it happening and people were shocked as they knew that your Father was very much in love with your mother. She had no idea where the rumor came from that something more was going on in the house. She said that when Alison was around, she complained often about how loving the two were and always kissing. That really doesn’t sound like a marriage on the rocks at all.”

“No, it’s what I found as well, no one had a bad word to say about them. Then one day the cops came and Dad was arrested, saying they had word that he had been abusive to Mom and that he had killed her in a fit of rage. Dad… I’ve never seen Dad in a rage. Yeah, he raised his voice, usually when Ali was doing something that caused an argument, but before she was like that, the house was usually peaceful,” Taylor sighed, leaning back on the chair and getting comfortable, grumbling she muttered, “Twins, I hate the fact that twins run in the family.”

“I heard that triplets do as well,” Athena snorted, “Be glad that isn’t happening.”

“Oh, you have no idea how glad I am of that. My insides must be so bruised from all the kicks and punches over the last few weeks,” she told her, “How about you?”

“This little ball of energy is doing somersaults and kicks at three in the morning when I’m trying to sleep. Woke Bobby up a few days ago. My stomach was pressed against his back, and he felt the kick,” she laughed, “I did like that since it woke me too, that was one hell of a kick.”

“A little fighter then,” Taylor smirked, “I think these are the same at the moment. Can’t wait until I find out what we’re having,” she added, rubbing her stomach a little, a soft smile on her face.

Athena watched her, she had changed so much from the young woman that wanted to pursue nothing but her career. She still did, but it was more tempered now. She had things outside of work that she wanted to focus on. “Well,” she said, bringing them back to the topic at hand. “I talked to Deidre a few times and found out that Connor went missing fifteen years ago. About five years after the murder of your mother. He just disappeared, with no note or anything to indicate where he had gone. At the time he had a girlfriend, and she had a child from the relationship. Pregnant, late stages at the time as well. Connor was reported to be over the moon and really excited at the time of his disappearance, which leads me to think that something happened to him.”

Taylor was quiet as she digested that bit of information, “Do you think you’d be able to talk to the girlfriend at all?” she asked.

“No, Deidre is very protective of her. I think you might have a better chance. She remembers your mother, while they might not have been good friends at all, she knew her and found it odd that your father would be arrested for the murder. It seems like at the time, the two were popular in their neighborhood,” she said, drinking more of her tea, “I think it’s suspect that he went missing. Especially when you were the one that was starting to look into things,” she added.

“Yeah, I know I was trying to talk to him at the time. Ali said that he didn’t want to talk to me at all,” she frowned.

Athena nodded, “Right, well, Deidre did say that I could pass her contact information on to you. She seemed willing to help, but she doesn’t think that Connor had anything to do with what happened. I know that he was around your parents at the time. He might have known something. You can talk to her about the girlfriend. I don’t even have a name,” she added, passing over a notecard on which she had put the information.

“Right,” Taylor said, reaching over and taking it, “Thanks,” she smiled, “I’ll see about doing that soon. I was able to talk with Kyle, and he was able to tell me a little about the time, but not much. He didn’t like my Mother or Father. He hated them and made it known a few times when he ended up doing damage to our car and the house. He was upset that he was banned from seeing my sister a few times. He caused a lot of trouble. He hasn’t said much but is willing to meet. He’s coming to LA in a few days to see his brother with his kids. So I’ll be talking to him face to face then. I’ll be able to get a better handle on any lies he might tell.”

“Oh, this would be Kyle Pastini?” she asked, remembering the name from the notes that Taylor had given her a copy of.

“Yes,” she nodded.

“I saw that there were a few arrests on him when he was eighteen and nineteen, but nothing after that. Lived in the area for a few years before moving,” Athena said, bringing out the notes she had been making.

“Yeah, he was in trouble a lot, he is the same age as my sister, and she often got in trouble for the same things with him. Even after our Mom died and Dad was sent to prison,” she sighed.

“Right,” she nodded, “I’ll continue to look into the names you gave me, but let’s talk about something more pleasant.”

“Yeah,” Taylor smiled, “Oh, Dad’s trying to get his parole transferred down here. So that he can be around when the babies are born. He’s putting the past behind him, he is going to have to find work of course. He won’t be able to return to what he had been doing, but he did classes and that while in prison, said that he had to have something to do. So he has skills and qualifications for other work as well, so he should be able to find something. He still has some money and Uncle Gregory is willing to help him for a while and support him too,” she added.

“That’s good, I know that you wanted him close when you give birth,” Athena said, she and Taylor talked a lot over the weeks, not just about the case, but also about their pregnancies. Each of them enjoyed having someone else to talk to that was going through the same thing.

“Yeah, I want Buck in the room, though they are thinking that because it’s twins I may end up having a C-Section,” Taylor said, “So that could happen as well.”

“I had a C-section with May, she was breeched, so it was the only way for her. Harry was natural, I can’t see which one would be better, easier to recover with Natural. C-Section, well, it took a while for me to be able to do a lot after that,” Athena said, “So, talk with your doctor and make sure that it’s something you want to do. Pushing twins into the world sounds hard. I had enough trouble with Harry, only gas and air with him. Most painful things I’ve been through in my life, but worth every damn second of it,” she smiled as she thought of Harry, “He was a gorgeous baby, wanted to hold him all the time. I almost decided then and there not to go back to work. I think if it wasn’t for my Mother deciding that it was the right thing to do, be a stay-at-home mother, I would have. I hated listening to her advice, she always tried to steer me to be like her, to do what she wanted me to. She never approved of me being a cop,” she sighed, “So, I decided to go back to work after my maternity leave.”

“I don’t think I could stay at home all the time,” Taylor said, shaking her head, “I know that Buck and Eddie will love that bit, spending so much time with them. I might not stay at home for the full time that I’m given, depending on how things go at first. How I connect with them,” she said, biting her lip.

“Are you still scared about not being able to bond with the babies?” she asked her.

Taylor sighed and nodded, “Yeah, I’ve never been one for children, even babies. That was more Ali, she always wanted children. I think half the problem between Ali and me is that she’s always wanted to be a Mom, even now she is asking to have custody of the twins so she can raise them. She… told me she can’t have children. I just can’t do that to Buck. He deserves to raise his children. I think if it was anyone else that was the dad, then I may have done so. Buck though, one of his wishes is to have kids. I know that he treats Christopher as his own, but it… it’s a little different,” she told her.

“It’s a little different,” Athena agreed.

“It is, I know Buck, Eddie, and Christopher are all excited as well,” she smiled.

“Taylor,” Athena said softly, “I need to ask something.”

“What?” Taylor asked, turning to face her.

“Alison, do you think she could have killed your Mom?” she asked, giving Taylor a serious look.

Taylor shook her head several times, “No, I don’t. She was gone for almost two days when Mom was murdered, it took us three more before we even found her.”

“Are you sure?” she pressed again, it was one of the things that made sense in her mind as she went over things.

“Ali is a bitch, a big one,” Taylor snorted, “but she’s not a killer. She didn’t get along with Mom and Dad and argued with them. Two days before Mom was killed, all three of them had a massive argument. Ali walked out and said she wouldn’t be coming back. Five days later we finally found her. Two before Mom died and three after, high as a kite, and Dad told us that she had been like that for those five days,” she sighed, “Also, she’s not the type, I really don’t think she could have.”

Athena listened and then nodded, “I saw the notes about that, for Alison,” she added.

“Yeah, so did I. She had almost OD’d at the end,” Taylor said quietly, “We could have lost her and she would have never known about Mom. She was… only mildly upset, but then again she was recovering for most of that. By the time we had a funeral, she was recovered and upset.”

Athena nodded once more and turned the talk back to their babies, and what had been done to prepare for them.

Chapter Forty-Seven

It was Valentine’s Day and Buck and Eddie had the day off, and so did the rest of A-Shift. It wasn’t their turn to deal with the crazies that came out for the day to make the grandest romantic gestures they could. Buck and Eddie have spent most of the morning and afternoon sorting out some of the things for moving. Wanting to make it as easy as they could when the day came. Now, it was nearing the night time and Carla was walking into the house as Buck let her inside.

“Well, don’t you two look smart,” she commented as she looked at the two. They were dressed up in suits, no ties, as neither of them was a fan. “So where is your date tonight?” she asked.

“I was able to get us a table at that new place, The Opal,” Buck answered, “I booked almost two months ago to make sure we had a table for today,” he smiled, “The waitlist is crazy as well. I was lucky I even got one,” he snorted, as he looked at Eddie.

“I remember you saying you got something good for us,” Eddie snorted, “Christopher is in the living room, you know his routine better than we do at times. Jee-Yun is happy on the floor playing, the gates are all up so she can’t get out of the living room that has been baby proofed. She’s walking as well,” he added.

“Oh, when did that happen?” Carla asked, from what she remembered she hadn’t been the last time. Pulling herself up and taking a few shakey steps along the couch was all that she had been doing the last time that Carla had to babysit her.

“Two nights ago, when she was with Maddie for the night. Maddie was able to get a few steps on film. Chimney had her last night, and he’s got even more footage. She’s moving quickly as well. She’s well-balanced,” Buck said, sounding so proud of his niece.

“Well, I shall have to keep an eye on her then,” Carla smiled as she put away her coat, “Now you to go and say your goodbyes, no doubt those children will be tucked up into bed when you get back,” she added as she then followed them into the living room, going through the gate and closing it behind her.

“Bye, Chris,” Buck said as he hugged the boy tighter, he then placed a kiss on Jee-Yun’s head and added, “Bye, Jee,” he smiled, stepping aside to let Eddie do the same.

“We’ll be back after your bedtime, and no trying to get out of going to bed either,” Eddie warned Christopher.

“Fine,” he huffed, “But you will be here when I wake up?” he asked.

“Of course and yes, blueberry pancakes are on the menu for breakfast,” Buck smiled before Christopher could ask.

“Awesome,” he cheered, waving as they stepped out of the room.

“Well,” Buck said as he took Eddie’s hand, “Let’s get going,” he added, leading the way to Eddie’s truck and getting in the driver’s side, and Eddie climbed into the passenger side.

“What’s this place like?” Eddie asked as they headed away from their home.

“The menu has a lot of things that I know you’ll like. There are two different curries and then there are the BBQ ribs. There is a lamb shank that they do that gets a lot of attention as well,” Buck said as he began to go over the menu. “The portions aren’t small either,” he grinned, “I know that’s one thing you hate about the so-called fancy schmancy restaurants you go on about,” he snorted as Eddie rolled his eyes.

“At least you remember that, what’s the point in paying money for something that wouldn’t even fill a nats stomach, let alone ours? We’d need to buy at least twenty meals to even be semi-full,” he ranted, pulling a face.

Buck couldn’t help but laugh as they headed there.

XxXxX

Their meal had been wonderful and filling according to Eddie. Now they were leaving and heading back to the parking lot. It was a bit of a walk, but one that got them to go through a small grassy area that was just right for strolling after a romantic meal.

“That was a really good meal, I can see why it’s so popular,” Eddie said, as they walked hand in hand.

“I know, the reviews about the place really didn’t do it justice at all. It was really good. I want to go back, but it might just be months before we can get another table,” Buck sighed, but his sadness didn’t last long as he then added, “So, we can take a long walk along the beach before we go home?” he suggested.

Eddie smiled, “Yeah, that sounds like a great idea.”

“I thought it would. It’s nice, to be able to go out and do this,” he smiled softly, glancing over at Eddie.

“It is, I never thought I would have this with you,” he admitted, “I was so scared to admit that I liked you. From the way that my parents raised me, they were against everything that seemed to make me happy. As long as I did what they wanted, they left me alone, for the most part,” he snorted, “They still don’t know about you,” he said, feeling bad that he hadn’t told them that yet.

“When you get around to it, it’s fine. I know what they can be like, I’ve heard you and Christopher both complain about their behavior at times,” Buck reminded him, “And my own are just as bad. I’ve given up on talking to them at all. They didn’t want to carry on the therapy together. So I’m done, I gave them a chance and they blew it.”

Eddie nodded, “I’ll…. call them tomorrow when you’re making breakfast,” he added.

“Okay,” Buck nodded, “If you need to, end the call, don’t let them push you around.”

“I know,” Eddie snorted, “Therapy is helping me see how toxic the two of them really are. No-”

“Oh, Buck and Eddie, wasn’t it?” came a voice from behind them.

Buck closed his eyes, already knowing who it was. “Ali,” he said as he turned around. She was alone.

Eddie turned as well, it would be the first time he had seen her since she was in the hospital visiting Buck when he had gone there. “It is,” he said, taking Buck’s hand, who squeezed it in thanks.

“What are you doing here?” Buck asked, staring at her, he wasn’t happy to see her, not after the time they had bumped into each other in the shop.

“I was having a walk. I did think about trying to find a date for the night. But, well…” she shrugged, giving Buck a flirtatious look.

“Stop it,” Eddie was the one to speak, “Really, what the hell do you think you are doing?” he asked her, “You followed Buck around, text him so much that he’s had to block you just to get some peace from you. When I first met you, I thought you were decent, but really you’re a stalker in the making.”

“I am not, I’m just trying to make sure that Buck isn’t being railroaded into a relationship with you,” she stated, glaring at Eddie, “you’re trying to pressure him with your son, and now that he has two other children, who I doubt even belong to him. You’re just saying that to trap him.”

“Actually the twins do belong to me,” Buck interrupted her, “The mother is my ex-girlfriend, and before you even think that she had cheated on me, no she didn’t. She isn’t the type for that at all. And she was the one to break up with me to push me towards Eddie,” he added, “She’s still around, and is a good friend of ours. We would have found out if there was another relationship in the works, which there isn’t.”

“There is no way you’re the father, people are just trying to trick you, Buck, you’re so gullible,” she wheedled as she took a step closer.

“Ali,” Buck said, staring at her, “They are mine, I know they are, there is nothing you can say or do that is going to change what I’m doing. I’m dating Eddie, and that’s not going to change. Not only that but I’m happy, and you’re trying to do the same thing and trap me with the so-called children that you are to gain custody of,” he told her, “now please, leave me alone.”

“Why are you being so difficult, you weren’t like this while we were dating,” Ali frowned at him, “What’s changed you?” she asked.

“Almost dying a few more times, almost losing Eddie, and realizing that I was in love with him, and maybe I always was in love with him,” Buck answered her easily, “Things happened and I changed, I grew as a person and I’m happy with the way I am and where I am in my life. I have a great group of friends around me that are more like my family than those people that call themselves my parents. Why would I want to change and go out with someone from my past?” he asked her seriously, “What do you have to offer that would make me happier? Because, really, Ali, there isn’t anything that you could offer to make me as happy as I am now.”

Ali growled a little, glaring at Eddie before looking back at Buck, “There is so much more I have to offer, but I would rather talk about that without him around.”

Eddie snorted, “It’s not going to happen at all. You’re acting like a spoiled brat, to be honest with you, and it’s really not attractive at all,” he finished, shaking his head.

“Let’s go, Eddie,” Buck said, “I want to get home to our son,” he added, giving the man a small smile.

Eddie smiled back and they headed off toward the parking lot. Their happy mood slightly soured, but soon came back as they walked and talked.

XxXxX

Eddie had the laptop on his lap as he Skyped his parents. He had messaged them that night, telling them that he wanted to talk as soon as he could in the morning, that something was going on in his life that he wanted to talk to them about.

“Eddie,” Helena said as she greeted him, “You’re looking well,” she added, “It’s not often that you want to call, usually it’s us that have to call you.”

“Sorry, Mama,” he told her, “But… I’ve been working on myself a lot. Wanting to make sure I’m the best I can be for Chris,” he added, feeling awkward.

“What is it you needed to tell us, Mijo,” Ramon asked him.

“I’m in a relationship,” he told them, “I know you remember Ana, but we broke up. I got together with someone that I have had feelings for, for a long time. I just never thought they would like me back.”

“Are you on about Buck?” Helena asked, smirking a little. Her hand was up and giving the gimme sign when Eddie nodded.

“Fine, you were right, it was to tell us about him and Buck being together, I was wrong that he was only going to inform us about him breaking up with Ana,” Ramon snorted as he pulled out his wallet and handed her a twenty.

“What?” Eddie blinked as he watched them.

“Pepa talked to us a few months ago. I think while you were still with Ana, telling us how unhappy you were, following what we wanted, not yourself. She pushed us to go to therapy. She swears by it. So we went, and we’ve been corrected on some of the behaviors that we’ve had,” Helena said, “Especially when it comes to you and Christopher,” she added.

“We’re sorry,” Ramon said sincerely, “And I remember Buck, and I know he saved Christopher that day, during the tsunami as well. If he makes you happy, then I’m happy.”

Eddie bit his lip, “I-”

“I know, a little much,” Helena said softly, “We were waiting for you to contact us before we started this. We still have a long way to go, I know, but this is the start. I can’t wait to see you all, and tell Buck, welcome to the family.”

“We… there is so much more to tell you,” Eddie said, “I… suddenly I don’t want to do this over the phone.”

“Then how about we come down sometime soon, we’ll book a hotel and we’ll have a few days together. This time, instead of just staying and trying to be overbearing parents with a superiority complex, we’ll chill out and relax and take in some of the sights that LA has to offer. We’re also sorry about Christopher, and how we’ve treated him, you’ve helped him grow so much more than we would have done. You made the right decision back then,” Helena smiled, her little joke getting a surprised laugh from Eddie.

“Thank you,” Eddie murmured.

“Go and get some hugs from Buck and Chris, and we’ll call in a few days when we have things booked. We can talk more then,” she added.

Eddie nodded, they spoke a little more before he signed off and headed to find Buck. He needed that hug that his mother suggested he get.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Chimney stood outside of the 118. It had been a good few months since he had last stepped foot through those doors and he wasn’t sure of the welcome he was going to get. He had hurt Buck that day, not just physically in his eyes, but mentally as well. He had harmed someone he had thought of as a brother. He knew that they were well on their way to repairing their relationship, but to Chimney there would always be that dark cloud hanging over them.

“Chim?” came a voice as Hen rounded the ambulance and saw him standing there. She smiled as she walked over and enveloped him in a hug, “Damn, is it good to see you,” she told him honestly.

“It’s good to see you as well. I know we still get together often,” he said, giving her a smile, “But it’s not the same as working with each other all the time,” he admitted.

“No, it isn’t,” she agreed, “But I understand the want to be better first,” she added, as she then began to guide him into the building.

Chimney gave a hesitant smile to some of the A-Shift personnel that spotted him. Some of them walked over and greeted him, smiling and welcoming him back. A couple were a little more cautious, but he understood, he had come apart in the middle of a shift after all. They had all seen him at one of his lowest points in life, twice now.

“Hey,” Buck greeted as soon as he saw Chimney, “I didn’t know you were stopping by, I would have asked Cap to make your favorite for lunch,” he added, going over and walking beside him.

“I wasn’t sure about just turning up,” Chimney gave a shrug as he made it to the stairs.

“Chim,” Eddie greeted from the top of them, “Come on up, Cap’s preparing lunch and there’s enough for you as well,” he added.

Chimney started to relax a little more as people were quick to warm up to him again. He had missed being in the firehouse with everyone. The comradery, the brother/sisterhood that they had with each other. The family that had been created on A-Shift.

“Welcome back,” Bobby said as soon as Chimney reached the top of the stairs.

“Cap,” he smiled, “It’s nice to be here at least. I know I’m not working, but I just wanted to come here. Stop by and just see everyone.”

“How are you doing?” Ravi asked, a little cautious still as he looked around their captain at the man.

“Hi Ravi,” Chimney smiled as he then answered, “I’m doing a lot better than I was. Maddie and I are doing well in our co-parenting of Jee-Yun. She’s walking and her first birthday is coming up soon, which is one of the things that I wanted to talk to you all about,” he added as he headed for the table. Food was being brought over.

“Oh?” Buck frowned, “I remember what you told me about that. I looked everything up,” he added, smiling.

“I have no doubt, what we’re going to be doing is the Doljanchi,” Chimney said, a soft smile on his face. “John and Anne are helping to get things set up for it all. They’ve been working on this since the beginning if we’re honest about it. I’m here to ask Buck if he and Eddie could bring something for the Doljabi,” he said as he looked at the two of them. “You both really stepped up in helping Maddie and me when we needed to get help. You took care of our daughter, helped her grow, and made sure that we were watching every single thing she did, even if we weren’t right there beside her.”

“You know I’m always here if you need me, and Eddie is right here as well,” Buck said, feeling a little embarrassed, “You’re family, Chim,” he added quietly.

“I know, and you are mine, you all are,” he said, taking a breath, “I went off the rails in such a big way, my own mind turning against me. I’m getting better and it’s going to take a while before I’m in a place I want to be in,” he added.

“It happens,” Hen said, reaching out, “Now, tell us more about this… Doljanchi?” she asked, sounding it out slowly.

“It’s a tradition when a baby reaches their first year. It’s like a celebration that they reached that age since in the past mortality rates of babies were so high,” he added, “In more modern Korea, they also hold the Doljabi, but it’s a little different, that how my own parents went, even how mine went,” he smiled, “I like the old blessings more than what it’s now turned into, but even the new way is still fun and a nice nod to tradition while making it more modernized. I supposed we could mix the two,” he babbled a little as he frowned. “It might be fun to do that as well,” he added.

“Okay,” Buck frowned, “So, what are we needing to do?” he asked.

Chimney smiled and began to explain what they were going to be doing, and what he wanted Buck to help with. “And that’s it,” he said, smiling, “I hope that will be okay for you.”

“Chim, I’d be honored to help, you know that,” Buck smiled as they carried on eating.

“Thanks,” he said, looking around and feeling welcomed back once again.

“Welcome,” he nodded again.

When lunch was over and the dishes piled and Ravi washed up with Eddie drying. Chimney, Hen, and Buck sat around the table. Bobby brought out some paperwork he needed to finish to the table as well. He didn’t want to be stuck alone in his office.

“Are you going to be coming back soon?” Hen asked, she would love him to come back to work.

“I don’t know. At the moment, I don’t even think I could do this job at the moment, maybe not ever,” he answered her, “I love you guys, and I love the work. At the moment though, I’ve still got a lot of things on my plate that I need to deal with before I even think about coming back. Let alone to a job that is hell on stress levels at times,” he snorted a little, trying to make light of things.

“You know you’d be welcomed back here,” Bobby said, getting a nod of agreement from Buck.

Chimney stared at Buck for a moment. He knew that at the moment the Chief hadn’t said one way or another what he was going to be doing concerning the punch that had happened. It felt like he was just waiting for an execution to happen and for a carer, he had loved, to be taken from him. It was the main reason why he gave no clear answer about if he would be back or not. He didn’t know, not only for his own mental health but also for the ramifications of his actions.

“We’ll still be here,” Buck told him, smiling, “So, don’t you worry about that. We have someone here at the moment that has taken the spot, but they are only here for the next couple of months. So, there’s going to be a place open again,” he told him, hoping that would help reassure him that they still wanted him around. That the position wasn’t going to be fully filled like it most likely should be.

“Thank you,” Chimney said, shaking his head, “But I really don’t mind if you do fill it permanently, I know how hard it is to keep a full house. I saw the paperwork just as much as Bobby and the need for paramedics is higher than firefighters, and getting one that is dual trained, well, almost impossible,” he murmured, “So, do what you need to. I don’t want to be the one that has to find out you’ve been hurt because you didn’t have someone you needed right there,” he added, giving Bobby a look.

“I know, and at the moment, there is a shortage of dual-certification, the one we have here at the moment is paramedic only, which is why he is only here until a place opens up at a different station. We’re on the lookout for someone, but I and the other would rather have you back, even if that might be a year from now,” Bobby said, getting nods from the others around the table.

“I agree with them,” Eddie said, he had been bitter about the punch for a while until he had heard about Chimney’s apology and then talked with him when he left the facility he had been staying in.

“Take it, that this might never happen, do what you need,” Chimney told them again. “I could be months or even years away from thinking I could do this again. I may never be able to again. So, hire someone, don’t keep things open for a just-in-case scenario,” he said again, shaking his head and sighing, not sure why they were pushing things.

Buck looked at him, “Okay, just… if you do, tell us, so we can help bring you back home. You belong here,” he added.

Chimney smiled and nodded back, “I’ll keep you informed of what’s going on, I promise,” he added.

“Good,” Hen grinned, “Now,” she said as she stood up, “Care to join me at the TV, we have some catching up to do on Mario Kart,” she told him.

“Oh, you just want to beat me again,” Chimney snorted as he stood up, “I’ve had plenty of time to brush up my skills. Might even win this time.”

“He beat Christopher a few days ago!” Eddie called out, “Chris has been teaching Chim a few of his more dirty tricks, so be warned Hen, Chimney’s back and he might just beat you!”

Hen snorted, “No one in this firehouse has beaten me yet,” she smirked, “Let’s see if you like up to the new hype,” she added, going over to the TV and setting it all up. Handing over a controller to Chimney the two of them settled on the couch, some of the other joining them as the two set about playing.

Chimney was laughing hard as Hen sat there, staring open-mouthed at the screen several minutes later.

“I lost!” she blinked, glancing at him, “What the hell has Christopher been teaching you?”

“Everything,” he grinned, “I go over there a lot when Jee-Yun is with them when I don’t think I can cope alone with her. Chris and I took to playing Mario Kart and I asked him to teach me. So every time I was over there, he did,” he said, “Want to challenge the new champ of the 118 again?” he asked her.

“You are so on and you are going down! I will get that crown back!” she huffed, but there was a smile on her face as a new race began.

Chimney grinned and replied, “Not going to happen, I will remain the champ of this place.”

“We shall see!” Hen smirked as she upped her game and began to race. “This time you are going down!”

“No chance!” Chimney laughed as he used every single thing that Christopher taught him to keep ahead of Hen when he passed the finish line first once more. She sat back in a huff, though they could all see she was playing.

They all groaned when the alarm went. Getting up, Hen put the controller down, “You and me, when we get back a rematch.”

“Fine, I’ll hang with Peters,” he grinned, “honing my skills even more.”

“Peters, sit on him and make sure he stays,” Hen called out to the man that would be the man behind for this call.

“Will do, Hen,” he grinned as he looked at Chimney, “How about a round against me, I’m not as good, but we can make sure you reign supreme,” he laughed as Chimney nodded. The two went a few rounds as they waited for the rest of the 118 to come back.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Buck was grinning as he looked around the home he now had. It was theirs, their home, to grow their family and to make new memories together. He would miss Eddie’s place a lot, but they were moving on. They had done what was needed over the last week, getting contractors in so that one of the bathrooms could be converted for Christopher’s use. He was getting to the stage where he wanted nothing but his own independence. Buck and Eddie could both understand that. Christopher was quickly heading to being a teenager and both were dreading the day.

“Well,” Eddie said as he walked up to Buck and wrapped his arms around his waist, “You ready to get this show on the road?” he asked, knowing that they would be meeting everyone at their former home and to start moving things over.

“Yeah, I just can’t believe we’re really doing this,” Buck turned in his arms and kissed him, “Ready to start another part of our life together?” he asked.

“Always,” he smiled back, “Now, let’s get going, the others are not going to be happy if we take too long in cleaning things up ready for things to be moved in. We have today only, and then the next three to sort everything out.”

“Yeah,” Buck said, reluctantly letting Eddie go as they headed out of the house and to Eddie’s truck. They had something that would haul a lot of the larger things at the old house, no doubt Bobby was getting everyone into place to sort that out. Maddie and Athena would be with the kids at the Grant-Nash house for a while before they would head over to the new house. Mostly because Christopher wanted to make sure his room was sorted the way he wanted first.

Arriving at the old Diaz home, they saw people helping to bring things out of the house. Boxes had been packed and Buck had labeled everything, making sure that it would go to the right room at the new house. He left nothing out in his need to organize it all.

“Right,” Buck said as he went into the house and looked at the boxes. He had numbered them, which load they would go with, so the heavier things would get taken first. So when people were tired, there wasn’t much heavy lifting needed.

“Load one in Eddie’s truck, and in Bobby’s put two, both loads should fit,” he said as he, Chimney, and Hen began doing that while Eddie went to help Bobby and a few others from A-Shift that had volunteered their help. Things were loaded up and the first lot went over. Hen remained at the house with Peters, as the others headed back for the second. The two remaining would be making sure the boxes got put in the right rooms.

It was getting close to the evening when the last of it went over. Partway through, as soon as the living room had couches and chairs, Athena and the kids arrived. Maddie put up the baby gate to make sure that Jee-Yun wouldn’t get underfoot at all. Christopher had commandeered Buck to help him sort out his room, Bobby stepping in to help move the bed around a little. Christopher had asked for the night sky and stars on his ceiling, after reaching out to an old friend, she had been able to come by and do it, happy to get paid for the job. Most didn’t wish to, especially when they were told how much she charged. It was hours of work, reaching above her head, leaving her aching for days after finishing.

“Right,” Eddie said as he shut the truck’s large door and nodded to Bobby, who was going to be driving it to the new house.

Buck stood in the doorway of the old house, the two of them were the only ones left. “You know,” he said, as he walked back inside, one last check to make sure everything was gone. “I’m going to miss this place so much,” he sighed.

Eddie reached out and took a hand, pulling him close, “I know, so am I. A lot of good memories have happened here,” he said, “I’m going to miss it as well.”

“We’ve gone through a lot, to get here,” Buck added, “A lot of it has happened right here. We became a family here, in my eyes. Because I considered you my family the moment you brought me inside that first time. That you opened up your home, let me get to know your son.”

“Our son and I didn’t realize for a while that we were co-parenting Christopher and had been since near the start of our friendship,” he snorted.

Buck grinned, “Come on, let’s go and join everyone over there, they are going to be wondering where we are,” he said.

“Bobby knows that we might take a few minutes,” he said, looking around the living room, now empty of everything that had made it their home for the last few years.

The two were quiet for a moment, lost in memories of the past before they left the house one last time and locked the door behind them. Eddie would drop the keys off to the landlord on another day. Buck got in on the passenger side and Eddie in on the driver’s side. Driving away, they said a mental goodbye, a small smile on their face as they stopped at a red light, reaching out, they squeezed each other’s hand and headed off.

XxXxX

Christopher was grinning as he saw his parents walk into the house, “Finally,” he said, “I thought you got lost!”

“Not a chance, Mijo,” Eddie said, grabbing his son and picking him up, holding him close for a moment, “So have you sorted out your bedroom?” he asked.

“Yep, all done, I have everything I need and please can we send something really nice to Miss Elsie?” he asked, “The ceiling is amazing!” he exclaimed.

“It really is,” Taylor said as she looked up from where she was reading through something on her Kindle.

“Oh, I didn’t know you were coming?” Buck said as he looked surprised to see her.

“I wasn’t going to, but I really need to see this place, Chris was telling me that something was done for his room. So I had to come and see for myself. Though, why is the nursery locked up?” she then asked, giving at Christopher for a moment.

“I asked Elsie to do something for the babies’ room as well,” he grinned, “And I’m keeping it as a surprise for a little while longer,” he added before anyone could ask to look now.

“Is she finished?” Eddie asked, frowning, he didn’t know what Buck had in mind, just that he should leave it with him.

Buck nodded a few times, “Yeah, she finished it just after Christophers’ room was finished. It looks really good, I’m hoping you’ll like it, but I want to get the furniture all together before I let you see it,” he added, glancing between Eddie and Taylor.

“Well, I can’t wait to see it after what I’ve seen of this woman’s work,” Taylor smiled, “Now, I was told we were going to be having some pizza, I demand one!” she added, grinning as Christopher laughed and was finally put down by his Dad.

“Yes, pizza, that’s what I paid for your services,” Maddie laughed, thinking about when she had moved, both times. The more recent one as well. Chimney, Buck, and Eddie had helped that time, and this time as well. She had gotten them all Pizza as a thank you.

“I’ll order in a moment, just write down the orders we need,” Eddie said, shaking his head.

He sat down on the floor, Buck joining him as they looked around the larger living room. Everyone was able to fit in, and though a lot of the extra help from A-Shift had already gone home before, there were still a few.

“I brought a load of drinks,” Athena said, as she gestured to May who was standing in the doorway that led to the kitchen.

“I’ll grab some for everyone,” she said, heading back in and grabbing a few, Harry following his sister and helping her. The two-handed them out to the adults, all soft drinks.

“Thank you,” Buck smiled gratefully as Eddie put in the pizza order.

“This is a nice place,” Peters said, his dad had been a builder and contractor. Peters had worked for him for a while before he became a firefighter, “I’ve had a little look around, it has a strong structure,” he added.

“That’s good to know, a few things needed updating, but we had that all done when Christopher’s bathroom was remodeled,” Eddie smiled as he leaned against Buck.

“Not far from Isabel and Josephina?” Athena asked.

“Yeah, they’re a small walk away,” Eddie grinned, “When Chris gets a bit older, I may even let him walk it alone,” he said, getting a cheer from his son.

They chatted for a while longer. Christopher headed over to Maddie and Chimney, so he could play with Jee-Yun. The pizza arrived and was handed out.

“Thanks, everyone,” Buck said a couple of hours later, “Really.”

“It’s fine,” Chimney said, “It was good to be around everyone again,” he added as he left the house, kissing Jee-Yun goodbye as he nodded at Maddie and smiled a little before heading to his car and leaving.

Maddie kissed Jee-Yun a few times before she did the same. Jee-Yun was still staying with them. Though Maddie was getting things ready in her new home to have Jee-Yun back with her. She was feeling better about being alone with Jee-Yun and being around Chimney as well when it was time to hand Jee-Yun to her father for a visit.

“Well,” Buck said as the last of their guests had left, “Shall we go and make sure Christopher is going to bed?” he asked, knowing that he would often stay up late reading a book. There was no more reading him stories at bedtime. The only time they did that still was when he was ill and he wanted that little bit of comfort from his parents.

“Best,” Eddie snorted, as he closed the door and began to lock up. Taylor was staying over for the night in the room that was mainly for her after the twins were born. “Are you heading to bed now or are you going to stay up for a little longer?” he asked the woman, as she stretched and yawned on the couch.

“I think bed for me, have fun you two but make sure to keep it down,” she smirked and winked, as she got up and headed to her room, “And thank you,” she said, turning back to the two of them, “For giving me a place that feels like my own here. I know I won’t always be here, but it’s nice to know that I’m welcome.”

Buck smiled at her while Eddie answered, “You’re family,” he told her, “May not have liked you much back when we first met, but you’re like a fungus, you grew on me.”

Taylor laughed as she saw Buck giving him a look. “Night,” she said again and headed to her room.

Eddie carried on locking up as Buck went to Christopher’s room, finding him asleep on the top of his covers, a book half resting on his chest. He smiled as he took it and put the bookmark into the page he was on and set it to one side. He was able to get Christopher tucked up into his bed without waking him up.

“Today was a tiring day,” Eddie said as he walked into their bedroom, after seeing Christopher for himself.

“Yeah,” Buck said, yawning, “glad it’s all done though. We’re here, and this… this is our forever home I think,” he added, smiling as the two of them got ready for bed.

“It is,” Eddie agreed, they got into bed, curling up against each other, and quickly fell asleep.

Chapter Fifty

Chimney was nervous as he waited outside of Chief Alonzo’s office. He had finally been called in, and now it was time for him to face the music of what he had done.

The woman outside looked at him and said, “Chief Alonzo will see you know.” She gestured to the door and Chimney got up and walked towards it.

He knocked on the door and waited for the call to enter before he opened it and walked inside. “Chief Alonzo,” he greeted, nodding his head as he greeted the man.

Chief Alonzo looked at him, “Firefighter Han, please sit down and let’s talk about what has happened and the consequences of everything.”

“Of course,” he nodded, feeling even more nervous now as he sat down, he clasped his hands in his lap to try and stop himself from fidgeting as the man stared at him.

“Right,” he sighed, “This is a whole different meeting than what I had first expected when the incident was reported to me. I’ve learned of your own struggles with your mental health, and how you have been combating what has happened.”

“Yes, Sir,” he nodded, “I’ve sent my medical documents for your viewing. I’m still in therapy as well. I’ve been working on myself and the issues that I had and have been addressing them as well.”

“I can see,” he nodded, “Normally, with what has happened I would at the very least transfer you out of the 118, but as you are on medical leave at the moment. We can’t really do that. What I would have done was fire you. But I’ve had words with Firefighter Buckley about the incident and what has occurred since. You were facing some very heavy consequences for this incident, Firefighter Han.”

“I know, sir, and I understand that, I’m prepared for whatever they may be,” he added, “I know that I hurt Buck, Firefighter Buckley, with what I did. Though there is a lot more to it than just that,” he sighed, thinking of what he had done to Maddie.

“I know, I have talked to several people involved, including Miss Buckley and Mr Diaz, and Sergeant Grant as well,” he added, “Each of them stated that things were going on that added to what happened. That things weren’t fully in your control. Normally I would call bullshit on such. But speaking with your doctors and therapist, you had a break from reality in such a way that everyone seemed to be a danger to Maddie and your daughter. I can understand wanting to protect them, but it is the actions that you took at that moment that is concerning me.”

“I locked Maddie in our home, and it was… it was like I knew what I was doing was wrong, but something else was stopping me from stopping myself from doing it. A weird part of my mind was rationalizing everything I was doing and I’m not okay at all with what I’d done. I’m still… I still don’t think I can come back from this,” he said, bowing his head.

“Hmm, which is why it’s so hard to find a suitable punishment for you. I do not know if you wish to come back, but if you do, you will be retaking your certifications and you will be stripped of your Lieutenant’s status as well. Mr Buckley is adamant about you coming back one day. Even Captain Nash has said that he is open to you coming back, providing you carry on your therapy,” he stated, shaking his head, “I wanted to impose a larger punishment on you, Firefighter Han, though I believe that will be Mr Han for the time being until you take your recertifications,” he added.

“Sir?” Chimney looked up, a little wide-eyed, he was going to be able to come back if he wanted. He didn’t know if he should be thankful or not. Part of him was, but there was another part that felt like he deserved so much worse than what he had gotten.

“You are lucky that so many have stood up for you and asked for some leniency. I understand the difficulties of Mental Health and the toll it can take on us if we are not careful. We are in one of the most stressful jobs where our quick thinking can mean the difference between life and death, not only for ourselves but for those around us,” he told him, “if you improve, if you do come back, you will be in a probation period of a full 18 months. I want to make sure that you will continue to do well in this job.”

“I… I really don’t know what to say, Sir,” he began, “I was expecting to come in here and be fired. I really did. I know what I did to Buck deserves it, hell, I deserve prison at the very least for what I do to Maddie, she was my girlfriend and the mother of our child and I harmed her in such a way that I know that we will never be able to get back together and that does hurt,” he babbled a little, “But to know that I could come back, it’s more than what I expected.”

“Take it as a kind offer for now, you will still have a lot to prove in my eyes,” he said, “You’ve been on medical leave for the last few months. That will end in three months,” he warned him.

“I, thank you, sir,” he nodded.

“Dismissed,” Chief Alonzo said.

Chimney stood up, taking a little breath as he left the office. He nodded to the woman at the desk and headed home. That had gone so much different than what he had expected. He knew that it was mainly in thanks to Buck speaking up for him, and he didn’t know how to repay that, especially when he still felt at a loss on how to truly apologize for cold-clocking him in the middle of a shift. Chimney sighed once more as he drove out of the parking lot. He had a few things to think about and he had at least three months before he truly had to worry about things.

XxXxX

Taylor was on the phone, sitting in her home office, laptop open on the notes she kept for her father’s case. She had added to it a lot over the last couple of months. Since she had asked Athena to help, they were getting that little bit further than she had when she was working alone. Her dad would be moving down to LA in the next couple of weeks, and she was looking forward to seeing him again. The relationship they were rebuilding since his release was going well. She enjoyed talking to him, learning a little more about her mother each time and she could see just how much he loved her with each word and memory he shared.

“Hello,” someone said on the other line.

“Hello, are you Deidre Anderson?” she asked.

“I am, who is this?” Deidre demanded to know.

“I’m Taylor Martin,” she answered, “You have talked with Sergeant Grant,” she added, biting her life. Suddenly she was nine years old and heard this woman tear into her parents about Ali.

“Taylor Martin, I heard it was Taylor Kelly from what I saw of you on the news,” came the snorting reply.

“Yes, I did change it. I…” she trailed off, unsure of what she should even say to this woman.

“Trying to distance yourself from your Father. I don’t know why you would, he adored your mother and the ground she walked on. I remember when they first got together, many of us were jealous that he had put his efforts into romancing her,” she added, “Sergeant Grant did talk with me, about my son Connor.”

“Yes, it’s one of the reasons why I wanted to talk to you as well. I’m looking into my Mother’s murder. It was murder, and the evidence proves that. But as you said, it wasn’t my Father that killed her. I’ve been looking into it since I was young and could get access to things,” she sighed, “I have a diary that I kept from that time, from before the murder to after, and some notes that I had ended up taking as well in another notebook about what I was seeing since I didn’t believe Mom wanted to die either.”

“I see, and Connor was around your sister a lot back then, and I know he said he disliked your Mother. But then again, he hated me as well, since I tried to forbid him from seeing Alison. Not that it stopped him, he was twenty at the time,” she sighed, “I really didn’t like the two of them near each other.”

“I know, I’m looking into things. I heard that Connor went missing fifteen years ago?” she asked, changing the subject.

“He did, it was a shock to me and to his fiance, everyone was really happy at the time, all looking forward to the birth of his first child. It was all he could talk about for a while, then about a week before he disappeared he started being secretive. We didn’t really think anything of it, as he was always doing something like that to surprise his fiance,” Deidre told her.

“I see, and when did you realize he was missing?” she asked.

“About two days after we last saw him, we realized that he was gone. The police tried, but they weren’t able to find any traces of him. They found a few odd calls on his phone, but nothing that told us anything about why he had gone.”

“It went cold?” Taylor asked her.

“Yes,” she replied, “within three months, there was just nothing more they could do, so they put the case away. They try every now and then, but nothing.”

“Would his fiance know more about what was going on, since I assume that they were living together?” Taylor then asked.

“I’m not sure,” Deidre answered, “She doesn’t talk about it much, she loves her son a lot, and he looks so much like Connor did. He’s fourteen now and doesn’t even know who his father was, never got the chance to meet him.”

“Would you be able to ask her if we can talk? I don’t mind traveling a little bit, but not that far, I’m currently pregnant at the moment, and traveling carrying twins is not that fun,” she added, trying for levity.

“Ah,” Deidre said, “With your Father’s release and you pregnant, you wish to find out before they are born, to see if you should let him back into your life?” she asked her, guessing at what Taylor might be doing.

“Something like that,” she answered, it wasn’t the truth, but it wouldn’t hurt to go with that little lie. “I can understand her not wanting to bring up the past, I understand how hurtful it is.”

“I’ll talk with her, I’ll get in touch should she wish to speak with you. She never got married in the end, she never met someone else that she loved as she loved Connor. He was a rebel when he was young, but the moment he met her, he changed for the better.”

“It’s nice to hear that,” Taylor smiled a little, “I… I don’t remember much because of what was going on at the time. He may not have liked my Mother, but… with what’s happened I don’t think he was involved, but he may have known something.”

“You… don’t?” she asked.

“No, I’m looking at all those that were around at the time. I don’t think Connor did something, but he knew something. There were nine people in that group, my sister included. I don’t think she did, she was at the time high as a damn kite and didn’t even know what had happened till three days afterward,” Taylor told her.

“I’ll talk with her,” Deidre promised, “And thank you for not immediately thinking the worst of my son.”

“Innocent until proven guilty. Even then, take it with a pinch of salt unless there is solid proof or a confession,” she added, “Thank you for your time, Deidre,” she added.

“Welcome, Taylor, you take care of yourself, carrying twins is no joke,” she snorted as she then hung up.

Taylor sighed and relaxed back in her chair for a moment, before writing down what she had learned, which wasn’t much at all.

Chapter Fifty-One

Eddie was nervous, he had a tight grip on Buck’s hand as they waited for the car to park and for his parents to get out. They had arrived yesterday afternoon, spending time with Isabel and then Josephina before they were to meet Buck and Eddie while Christopher was at school. “It’s going to be okay,” Buck reassured his partner again, he had been doing so since Carla had taken Christopher to school.

“Yeah, Abuela has said that they were different,” he added, “She called me last night,” he murmured, as he saw his parents get out of the rental car that they had rented.

“Eddie, Buck,” Helena greeted, a smile on her face as she went over to them, first hugging Eddie and then doing the same with Buck.

“It’s good to see you again, Mrs Diaz,” Buck greeted her, smiling.

“It’s Helena, and I bet it’s been a nightmare thinking about us coming or even finding out,” she said, shaking her head, “We’ve really let our family down in more than one way,” she told him, before looking at Eddie.

“Mama,” Eddie said, “I-”

“Do not tell me that it’s fine, we all know it’s not,” she said sternly, but there was sorrow in her eyes as she looked at him.

“Eddie, Buck,” Ramon greeted as he walked up behind his wife, he was a little slower as he had grabbed something from the trunk of the car. A large bag was now in his hand, “This is for the two of you, for the house. Congratulations on moving. It looks nice and sturdy,” he said as he glanced at it.

“Oh, thank you,” Eddie said, taking it from his father, “I… come on inside, instead of standing on the doorstep,” he said, shaking his head.

They headed inside and Buck went to get drinks as soon as they had told him what they would like. When he came back, he could see all three of them just sitting there in silence. Sighing, he handed out the drinks as he asked, “So, what changed?” He could see the mild panic in Eddie’s eyes at the blunt questions.

Helena smiled at him, “We went to therapy, for years we always believed that only weak people went, and we… we were schooled as it were on that,” she snorted a little, “I got so caught up on what should and shouldn’t be a family that I lost sight of my own. I drove my daughters away somewhat. But it was Eddie,” she began, looking at him again, “That really hurt. He was my baby boy, the youngest in the family and I felt like you should remain the little boy that would cling to my skirts and refuse to do anything without me there. The little boy that grew up all too soon in my eyes.”

“It wasn’t only that,” Ramon added, reaching out and taking his wife’s hand, “I pushed you to suppress your emotions as much as you could. Not even your Abuelo had made me do that, he was all for showing them, to show how much he loved his family.”

“It was my own father that was harsh against Ramon when we started dating. He often berated and argued with Ramon, until he started to do the same. We moved away from the family, to El Paso, to be nearer to mine. I was only in LA for college,” she said, shaking her head, “I never did use my degree, too busy doing what my parents thought I should be doing. Being a wife and a mother and remaining at home.”

“Toxic masculinity and old world views on the place of a woman,” Buck snorted, shaking his head, “I’m glad that you’ve started to remember who you are outside of the roles that your parents pushed on you.”

“I’m nowhere near retirement just yet, Got another decade at least before then, but,” Helena smiled, “For the first time since I got it, and getting it updated, I’ve started to use my degree,” she added, “It’s been exciting learning again, going to work. It was one thing that I had wanted to do, I didn’t want to conform, but I ended up doing so. I promised myself that I wouldn’t put those on you, and I still did.”

“We’re getting there, finding our place in the world again. I know that Mama despaired so much about the attitude that I got after starting to date Helena. Without Maria and Oscar there to make sure we conform, it’s a lot easier to finally see what we were doing, with people pointing it out,” Ramon added, “And when Pepa came down and told me what an idiot I was being, concerning you and Christopher”

“So, we got help and tried to put aside what my parents were drilling into us. When they went back to Sweden a few months ago, it was like the pressure to conform was finally gone and I wanted something different as well,” Helena smiled, “Now, I’m going to do my best to try and repair the relationship we all have with you and your sisters. As well as the one with Christopher, we… were so hurtful to him, to Shannon as well because she didn’t do what we did.”

“We’re too late to really say sorry to her, and we deserved the ire you both had towards us. Nothing is going to change what has happened, but we’re hoping to make it right,” Ramon told the two of them, “And thank you both for listening.”

“I can understand wanting to change something about yourself that you know is a problem,” Buck said, “It’s hard to know that you’ve fucked up somewhere and to right it.”

“Now, open your gift,” Helena said.

Buck and Eddie looked at each other and opened the bag, pulling out a heavy hard-backed notebook. He opened it and smiled, “I… Thank you,” Eddie said as he looked at it, smiling over at Buck as well.

Buck smiled widely, “I love it, thank you,” he said, “I can’t wait to try a few of the recipes,” he added, looking over a few of the handwritten recipes that Helena had given to him.

“They are the recipes from my side of the family, going back several generations. I’ve written them down, and even translated a few of them from Swedish,” she added, “I did it by hand because, in my eyes, that’s how they should be passed down in the family.”

“Thank you,” Buck smiled again, almost buzzing with the need to make something from it. He would have to have a good look through it later.

“There is… something else that we have to tell you,” Eddie began, getting a nod from Buck as he handed over the book and stood up and headed to the bedroom, grabbing the two little books they had started.

“Here,” Buck said, handing them out to the two of them.

“Baby Buckley one,” Helena said as she looked at the penciled marking.

“Baby Buckley two,” Ramon added, looking confused as he glanced at the two.

“Before Eddie and I got together, I was with someone. Taylor, she’s still a really good friend of ours, and well, she found out sometime after we broke up, near Christmas, that she was pregnant. She’s expecting twins and she is giving us main custody of them, and yes, she is still going to be in their life,” Buck was quick to get out, almost babbling as he tried to explain the situation.

“We don’t know what the genders are at the moment, they keep hiding during each scan,” Eddie said, “We started the books when we first found out. Taylor was the one to buy them for us, telling us that she’ll be keeping us updated for everything that is recorded in them,” he smiled, “She’s been making sure that we knew when they first kicked, everything.”

“She’ll be coming to live with us for a bit before the babies are born and a little after, as she wants to breastfeed for the first month at least. After that, she may pump, and bring it over for the day. If she isn’t busy,” Buck continued.

“Are you both happy?” Helena asked though she could already see the answer.

“Yes,” they answered together.

“Then I am as well, another two grandchildren,” she said, “Oh, can we go shopping for a few baby things? Please?” she asked, looking mainly at her husband.

“Sure,” Ramon said, “Join us?” he asked, “I don’t know the colors you are going with for them. I know not every parent wants to go with the usual baby blues and pinks, and since you don’t know the gender yet, it makes it even harder to decide,” he added.

“We’re not,” Eddie said as he looked at Buck, “He knows more about the colors, he’s keeping secret what we are doing.”

“I know what I am doing,” Buck grinned, “Most of the furniture is in there and all put together,” he added as the two stood up. Helena and Ramon joined them as they got ready to go to the baby store.

XxXxX

Ramon was fuming when they returned to the house a couple of hours later. “Who was that vile woman?” he demanded to know.

Buck sighed, “An ex-girlfriend. She’s been trying to get back with me. It hasn’t worked and I’ve told her to leave me alone as well.”

“She needs to be put in her place,” Henela huffed, “How dare she call you both-” she cut herself off.

“I’m going to call Athena and ask her if there is anything that we can do. She’s getting worse,” Buck said as took his phone to the bedroom.

“It’s hard, they had an alright relationship when they first started dating, it was during the truck bombing, and when Buck was left badly injured and he wanted to go back to being a firefighter, she left him. Told him she couldn’t cope, and now suddenly she’s back, saying she’s going to be having two babies put in her care and she wants Buck to raise them with her. She said that Taylor is just faking things, pretending that she’s pregnant with Buck’s children to trap him.

“She really said that?” Helena asked.

Eddie nodded, “As I said, it’s bad.”

“Have the police been informed at all?” Ramon asked him, getting a shake of Eddie’s head in answer, “Then I would do so.”

“That’s what Buck’s calling Athena for. She’s a cop, she’ll be able to give us a little advice on what we can do to protect ourselves from her,” Eddie told them as he went into the kitchen, the two following him as he made them all something to drink. “Christopher will be home soon,” he added, glancing back at them, “Want to stick around to see him?”

“Is that alright?” Helena asked, wanting to see her grandson, but understanding that Eddie may wish to protect him from how they had been.

“Yeah,” Eddie smiled at her, “Just be warned, he’s even more independent than last time,” he snorted, “Never wants help with anything at first. He’ll ask if he really needs it. He just tells us to… wait and see if he can do it before helping.”

“Okay,” Ramon nodded, “We’ll follow your lead.”

“Athena said that she’ll talk with one of the detectives when she’s next on shift. He’ll be able to advise better,” Buck said as he walked into the room.

Eddie turned towards him, “Okay, we’ll make another note and hope that she finds someone that will be willing to talk to us.”

Buck nodded as he went over and looked in the cupboards, “Stir fry for dinner, have enough for everyone,” he said, glancing towards Ramon and Helena.

“Sounds good to me,” Eddie smiled, “You’ll both be staying for dinner as well,” he then added.

“Okay,” Helena smiled, “It beats finding a restaurant that looks and sounds good and doesn’t have a reservation list a mile long,” she joked.

Buck laughed as he started the prep work, so all he had to do was cook later on. They remained in the kitchen around the counter as they talked until Christopher came home, skeptical at first about his grandparents, but soon accepting them again when they proved to him they were now listening and like his Papa.

Chapter Fifty-Two

Taylor looked at Buck and Eddie, another scan and check-up. She had already had her blood taken, but so far nothing looked out of the ordinary, so hoped it would be the same for the next set of results as well. “Right,” she said as he nodded at the doctor as she spread the cold gel on her stomach. She was twenty-seven weeks now, and her main problem was heartburn, each day it plagued her and there was nothing she could really do to get it to stop. Though with her feet almost constantly swelling, she was enjoying the foot rubs that Eddie would give her.

“Here we are,” the doctor said, smiling, “Two little babies, and this time I’ll be able to tell you the gender,” she said, knowing that the odd little family had wanted to learn that since they had found out that Taylor was pregnant.

“So, what are we having then?” Buck asked, taking hold of Eddie’s hand before he then reached out for Taylor. Taking hold of one of hers as well.

The doctor reached up to the screen and pointed, “This little one here is a baby girl, and this tiny one is a boy,” she smiled, “They both are looking good, a tiny bit smaller than I would expect from this stage, but they are well within the acceptable range for now. You have some extra weight considering their size, there is nothing that we are getting that shows anything wrong. So nothing to worry about I would say,” she said, glancing over.

“Thank you,” Taylor said as she gave a smile to the doctor and then turned her attention to Eddie and Buck, who were just watching the screen. She shook her head and said, “Can you print off a few copies of the pictures, please?”

“Of course,” she smiled and did just that.

They were there for another half an hour before they were let go. “That went well and we finally have genders,” Taylor said as she handed over a couple of copies of the pictures taken, helpful markers to show which baby was which.

“Yeah, 27 weeks,” Buck said, “Next is twenty-eight and the third trimester,” he added, frowning, “It’s going so quick,” he murmured, “I know Athena is in her third trimester as well.”

“She is, she has had an easier time with this one than she did with May and Harry,” Taylor said, “We’ve talked a few times about things, she’s also still helping me with my dad’s case. Oh, and he’s now settled into a new home. Uncle Gregory is staying with him for a bit, to make sure he’s settled. Though knowing Uncle Gregory, he’ll end up staying permanently. While they are two parts of three, they are very close to each other.”

“That’s great, I know you were hoping that they would allow him to move his parole down here,” Buck said, hugging her quickly, “So, want to come back to ours?” he asked.

“No, I’m going to see my Dad,” she smiled, “I’ll see you both another day,” she told them, as she headed for her car and got in.

Buck and Eddie stood there for a moment before heading to Buck’s jeep. “A boy and a girl,” Buck said as he drove them home, “I can’t believe it.”

“Neither can I, twins and one of each. Christopher is going to be happy when we tell him,” he said, “What to do that tonight, make sure that he keeps quiet, so Taylor can tell people herself?” he asked, pulling out his phone and shooting a message to Taylor, for her to read later.

“Sure,” Buck agreed, “What about the rest of the day, we have the day off and Chris is with Hen and Karen for a little longer,” he added.

“Lunch, then we’ll go and get Chris,” he answered.

They soon arrived home and Eddie grabbed the mail as he went past. “Right, Bills and…. hmm, what’s this?” he asked as he saw a letter addressed to him. It was typed, no return to sender at all. It took a moment to realize that it had been hand-delivered as well. Frowning even more he wondered who would be sending him some mail, they’d only been living in the house for the last two weeks.

Buck walked over as soon as he had closed the front door, “Hm, open it, you won’t find out what it is unless you do,” he pointed out.

Eddie rolled his eyes and nodded, “Yeah, yeah,” he muttered and opened the letter. He pulled out the typed note and frowned as he read it.

“What… what is it?” he asked, seeing the look on Eddie’s face.

“Read,” he said, handing it over.

“I think we should call the cops,” Buck answered as soon as it was over.

“If I didn’t know better, and know that my parents were on our side and happy for us. Really happy for us, then I might have thought it was them. it definitely has the same tone as they used to use on us,” he sighed, putting it down.

“Either we should report it, or ignore it,” Buck told him, “What do you think we should do?” he asked him.

“I think, just put it up for now, it’s just the one. If we get another one then I’ll report it. It seems stupid to do so just for one little note,” he said, picking it up and stuffing it back into the envelope.

“Put it somewhere safe,” Buck told him.

Eddie nodded and did so, hiding it in their bedroom. He came back out to Buck still standing in the middle of the living room, frowning and deep in thought, “Buck?” he asked as he walked over to him.

Buck shook his head a little as he looked over, “Sorry, I was thinking. I’m just wondering if it might have been from Ali… I mean, when we met her with Ramon and Helena, she said something similar but was referring to you bringing me down,” he pointed out.

“I thought that as well, but then I remembered that it can’t be,” Eddie told him, wrapping his arms around him, noting that Buck was more agitated from the letter than he was.

“Well… who else would want to send that to you?” Buck asked, “I can’t think of anyone else that would do so,” he growled a little, not liking that Eddie was being threatened at all. He turned to face him, arms still around him as he was nose to nose with Eddie, “So… why don’t you think it could be Ali?” he asked.

“Because she doesn’t know where we live. That was hand delivered, and while we’re not exactly hiding where we are, she isn’t part of our circle of friends that would know anything to do with us,” Eddie pointed out to him.

“Okay, so you make sense of that. I’ll keep it in mind, but something tells me that it’s Ali that sent it,” Buck frowned, shaking his head before hugging Eddie for a moment and then getting out of his arms, “Now, where do you want to go for lunch?” he asked as he then headed to put one of the pictures he had gotten of the twins, on the fridge, near a drawing that Christopher had done of their family, Taylor and the babies included.

“Anywhere,” Eddie began and then changed his mind, “I want a burger, all the trimmings,” he added, giving a little shrug as Buck looked at him.

“Okay, let’s go,” Buck said, smiling again as they headed back out to get lunch before they were to pick up Christopher, who was having lunch with Denny, Karen, and Hen.

XxXxX

Taylor pulled into the driveway of the small house that her uncle had found and gotten for her dad. She walked over to the door and was about to knock when it was opened. “Uncle Greg,” she smiled, as she was pulled into a hug.

“Well, don’t you look well,” he smiled at her, “Your dad told me the news that it’s twins,” he smirked.

“Oh shut it,” Taylor muttered with a little smile on her face, “Is Dad in?” she asked him.

“He is, and congratulations,” he added, letting her inside and closing the door. “He’s just in the shower,” he told her.

“Are you going to be staying down here long?” Taylor asked her uncle. She liked Uncle Gregory, he was one of the only ones on her dad’s side that talked to her, even when she couldn’t make up her mind about what was going on. It had been hard at first to admit that she had missed her aunts and uncles.

“I’m moving down here as well, your cousin Dean, lives down here with his husband. So I thought since I have family down here, I’ll move too. I work from home, so I don’t really need to find work either,” he added, “Want something to drink?”

“Got anything that is pregnancy safe and deals with heartburn?” she asked, hoping.

“Nope, the only thing I have for that is some milk,” he told her.

“That will help a little for now,” she pouted, wondering if she could find anything that would get rid of the burn that was almost always there.

“They say heartburn means that the baby is going to have a head of hair,” he said, pouring her a glass of milk.

“I know what they say, Uncle Greg, and I don’t know,” she shrugged, “Though I did find out the genders today,” she added.

“Oh?” he asked, “That’s good, so boys, girls, one of each?” He brought over the glass and held it out for her.

“Wait until Dad gets here, then you’ll know,” she smiled and took the offered glass, “Thanks,” she said, taking a few sips.

“You’ve done really well for yourself, Tay, I know your Dad is so proud of you,” he smiled, “I know your mother would be the same.”

Taylor was quiet before she nodded, “Would she be happy to be a grandmother?”

“She would complain that she was too young for it, but would be ecstatic about it,” he answered honestly.

Taylor smiled a little, “Yeah,” she said, nodding a few times. She went quiet as she sipped her milk and waited for her Dad to finish his shower.

“Taylor,” her dad greeted as he walked into the kitchen, “Why are you both in here, come into the living room,” he said, shaking his head at them and leading the way.

“Thanks, Dad,” Taylor smiled as she followed, milk in hand.

“Now, you look a little upset,” Patrick asked her, looking her over, she glowed in a way he knew she had never thought she would.

“I was thinking about Mom,” she answered him, honestly as she sat down.

“Ah,” Patrick nodded, “I often do, she’d be so happy to be a grandmother, but also…”

“Too young to be one,” Taylor finished for him.

“Exactly,” Patrick laughed sadly, “I know you wish she was here for this, I do as well. I’m here and at the moment, I wish I was more.”

“I know, Dad,” she told him, “I found out the genders finally.”

“So they finally stopped hiding,” he laughed, a bit more joyfully, “So what are you having?” he asked.

“One of each, a boy and a girl,” she grinned, putting a hand on her stomach.

“Congratulations,” he said, going over and hugging his youngest daughter. He still hadn’t seen Alison at all, but then again, he hadn’t seen her since before his arrest. She had left the house a week before and had refused to return home. She hadn’t even gone to the trial, just distanced herself from him and the death of her mother.

“Thanks,” she smiled, “Now, how have you been settling in?” she asked him as he let her go.

The three of them talked for a while longer, before Taylor headed home, a smile on her face as she got a little more information about her mother. Her Aunt Jenny, while her mother’s sister, never talked about her at all.

Chapter Fifty-Three

Taylor pulled up outside Buck and Eddie’s home. She needed to talk to Buck for a moment, she just hoped that they were in. The jeep was there, but the truck wasn’t. It could mean they were all out, or just Eddie. She got out and went up to the door, knocking on it. It was thankfully answered by Buck.

“I’m so glad that you’re in,” she smiled when the door was opened.

“Hey, Tay, what’s wrong?” he asked her, frowning as he saw the worried look on her face.

“I’m going to be meeting my sister in a bit. You know that Athena and I are looking into my Dad’s case. Well, she mentioned that she thought my sister could have had something to do with my Mother’s death. I don’t think so,” she winced, hating how distrusting of Ali she was being.

“But, she’s planted that seed in your head and you need someone with you to make sure nothing of the sort is going on?” Buck guessed.

“Something like that,” she sighed, “It’s more because she has a habit of running roughshod over people when she’s annoyed with them and doesn’t want them to do something. She has a sense of entitlement that… Well, she wants the twins, she wants to take them. Wants them for her own. I’ve told her no on that count. I don’t think she’s listening to me at all,” she finished, shaking her head.

“Right, maybe seeing me might change that. Pity Eddie is busy today, he’d join us to help with that,” he snorted. Buck might be the more intimidating one of the two, but Eddie’s got a resting bitch face when he’s unimpressed with someone that would often send people running.

Taylor laughed, “Yeah he would, but just one of you will be fine for now,” she stated, “And thank you for agreeing to come with me,” she murmured as Buck started to get himself ready. The two head out to the cafe where Taylor had set up the meeting.

“Right, shall I go and order?” he asked as they reached the place. Taylor was looking around and couldn’t spot her sister at all.

“Please, usual for me and she’ll have a caramel latte, with oat milk,” she told her.

Buck nodded his head and went to place the order. Taylor went to find a place to sit. He wasn’t paying any attention when Taylor’s sites arrived. He grabbed the tray with their drinks on and walked over, only to stop when he saw Ali sitting at the table with Taylor.

“What?” he blinked as he carried on over and put the tray down.

“Buck?” Ali frowned as she saw him, “What are you doing here?” she asked him.

“I’m with Taylor,” he answered her, “What… Ali…. Ali is your sister, Tay?” he asked her.

“Yeah… you two know each other?” she asked, looking between the two of them.

“Ali is the one that has been bugging me the last couple of months,” Buck said, giving no fucks if he annoyed Ali. He was no longer going to play nice, Eddie had told him that he shouldn’t do so.

“Ali,” Taylor frowned as she looked at her sister, “You’re the one that has been trying to get Buck to go out with you and when it failed you were basically trying to force him?”

“Yes, so, it’s not like he’s your boyfriend,” Ali snorted, waving a hand.

“No, he’s Eddies,” Taylor told her, “I’m the one that finally got the two of them to admit that they’ve had hidden feelings for each other for months, if not years,” she huffed.

“And the two children that you said that you’re going to be coming into the custody of, are Taylors,” Buck stated.

“Yes, so, if they are yours, then it works out even better,” Ali smirked up at him, “And since I will get those kids,” she stated.

“You’re not,” Taylor and Buck said as one.

“They are my children, and Taylor and I will be sharing custody of them,” Buck was the one to carry on, “You’re not getting them in any way shape, or form,” he finished, staring at her.

“I will sue for custody,” Ali said, “I can make your lives a fucking misery,” she added.

“You know, I do have to wonder if Athena was right and that you had something to do with our Mother’s death with the way that you are going on,” she said, staring at her sister, “Y-”

“How the fuck dare you!” Ali said, standing up and staring at the two of them, “I am trying to do the best for those children, Taylor, you have never been the mother figure. You always spent time alone. You never even went to Aunt Jenny for anything while we were growing up,” she added, “you have no idea what it’s going to be like trying to look after children at all. You don’t even like them,” she spat at her.

“I like children when I can hand them back to their parents, and that is what I’m going to be doing with mine. They will be with their parents. And yes, I’m their Mother, but I won’t be their primary parent, that will be Buck and Eddie. Also, there is a three-parent adoption in California. And Eddie will be filling that spot,” Taylor snapped at her sister, “I can’t believe that you’ve been going around telling everyone that you’re going to be a mother when it’s not going to happen. My children are not YOURS!” she yelled at her, getting up herself, “I’m sorry, Buck, but I think we should head home. I no longer want to be around Ali at the moment,” she stated.

Ali stared at the two of them, “They are meant to be my children, I’m the one that wanted to be a mother, not you, you never wanted that. So why the fuck are you so adamant about keeping them. Buck and I could raise them, you would still know them.”

“I won’t be raising my children with you at all, Ali,” Buck reminded her, “I’m in a relationship with Eddie and that is never going to change.”

Ali turned to him, “It will, there is no way he will stay with you. No doubt, he’ll think you’re too much trouble.”

Taylor snorted at that, “Too much trouble,” she shook her head, “No, they love each other so much I can see them getting married someday soon,” she said.

Buck blushed but nodded, “Yeah,” he murmured wistfully, wondering what Eddie would think about getting married, “That’s the plan.”

“Buck, let’s go,” Taylor told her friend, “I want to head home and put my feet up, this didn’t go the way I wanted it to,” she sighed.

“My place, or yours?” he asked her as they took the to-go mugs they had gotten for their drinks and headed towards the exit.

“You walk away from me and I will make sure that you will never see those children at all!” Ali threatened.

Taylor turned to look at her, “You’re all talk, there is nothing that you can do against us. Buck is already a great Dad, and that is not going to change at all,” she shrugged and walked away, Buck walking with her. Not even wanting to talk to Ali anymore.

They both heard her screaming at them as the door of the cafe closed behind them.

“Well, that was eye-opening,” Taylor snorted, “I can’t believe you dated my sister,” she muttered.

“Neither can I, though now that I think about it, there are a few similarities about you both,” he shrugged, “Though, sisters?”

“Yeah, she left as soon as she could. Never cared what happened to our parents. Hasn’t spoken to Dad since a week before he was arrested,” she sighed, “I don’t really think she had something to do with Mom’s death, but I do wonder if she knows something about it. It’s what I wanted to ask her today.”

“Well,” Buck began, not sure what he could say.

“Don’t worry,” she told him, “My sister has always been more talk than bite,” she added, “She threatens to try and get her way. When she doesn’t, she goes off and sulks like a toddler that got told no,” she laughed, shaking her head, “It’s what she’s always done.”

Buck nodded, “I still can’t believe…” he trailed off.

“Yeah, I know, what the hell, sleeping with my sister. Though… you met her… after me and you?” he asked.

“Yeah, after me and you slept together,” Buck snorted, “I don’t think back then we could have called it a relationship”

“No, I suppose not,” she smirked, “But nice to know that I was there first.”

Buck looked at her.

“What?” she said unrepentant of her words, “You’re hot as fuck, even back then you were, and you know it. I was ready to climb all over you then and even now if I’m honest. But that might be more of the horny hormones I’ve got going on.”

“Seriously, Tay,” he muttered.

“Seriously, Buck,” she mimicked as she rolled her eyes. “You have no idea how horny I am most of the time. Even Eddie’s foot rubs can start me off. They are seriously magic,” she added, “Wonder if I can get him to give me another one at yours?” she asked, getting a snort from Buck. “Come on Buck, have you ever gotten a foot rub from him?”

“Yes,” Buck said, “And I do agree, they are magic,” he sighed, “And you can ask, you know he doesn’t mind, though I want to know what’s this about third parents adoption?” he then asked her, frowning.

“I was looking into it a while ago for a story. One had come across my desk. Never finish the story as things were sorted out in another way. When I found out I was pregnant, I carried on the research and, I have to admit, I want that for the three of us. I want to let Eddie know that he has rights over them as well. That he is a third parent to them,” she answered him, “I’ll send you the links that I had. I know you like to do your own research on things.”

Buck smiled, drinking his coffee, “Yeah, I do.”

Taylor smiled, “I know you, Buck.”

“You do, I admit,” he smirked, “But I know you as well,” he said as he pulled out his keys for the jeep and they got in.

“Can we stop at that… taco place on the way, I want tacos,” Taylor asked him, buckling herself into the jeep.

Buck shook his head, “Abulea has asked that we head over for lunch,” he told her, “Want to wait and see what she has-”

“Let’s go! This Mama wants some of Isabel’s cooking, and nothing’s gonna stop me from getting to it!” she yelled out.

Buck laughed as they headed to Isabel’s. Eddie would already be there. “Why don’t you message Eddie that we’re on the way,” he suggested.

Taylor nodded, pulling out her phone. “What’s he doing there, anyway?” she asked as she sent off the message.

“Abuela asked if he could help with the garden beds, her hips have been hurting her the last few days again. So, instead of trying to push herself to carry on, she called Eddie to help her,” he answered her, “Christopher is still at school and Carla will be getting him, he has PT today, and he likes her to go along with him. He knows that he’d be able to wheedle myself and Eddie out of doing things. Carla doesn’t let him get away with anything,” he smirked, “So he asks her to go along instead, knowing he needs this.”

“I see,” she nodded as they went quiet, the music from the car radio on low. Soon enough they arrived and were warmly welcomed by Isabel and Eddie, the older woman immediately took Taylor to the kitchen to get something to eat, leaving Eddie and Buck to follow.

Chapter Fifty-Four

A few days after the meeting between herself, Buck, and Ali, Deidre called her and told her that Nadia, Connor’s fiance, was willing to meet with her in LA that day. Nadia was now living in San Diego with her fourteen, almost fifteen-year-old son, Trevor. Now Taylor was seated in another cafe and feeling bad about always being in one. “I think I’ve been in every cafe in LA over the last few months,” she muttered to herself.

“Now that’s something that sounds familiar,” someone said as they walked over. The woman was tall, her hair a dark chestnut color and cascading down her back. She was beautiful, with dark soulful eyes complimenting her darker skin tone.

“You must be Nadia,” she said as she stood up, a smile on her face.

“I am Taylor Kelly, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve seen you on the news a lot recently,” she added as she sat down, drink in hand, “Do you need another drink?” she asked.

“No, thank you, I’m good,” she smiled, “I’m sorry to call you out like this,” she added, giving her an apologetic smile.

Nadia smiled back, “It’s alright, it’s been fifteen years since he disappeared, and I know in my heart he is gone and has been all this time. It doesn’t stop the hurt and the fact that he never got to know Trevor,” she added, “I’ve talked to him about Connor a lot over the years. Deidre has been there for me even more and helped me when I was alone. My family wasn’t happy with me dating a white man instead of the man that they had picked out for me,” she said, shaking her head, “I haven’t talked to them since I answered yes to his proposal,” she smiled faintly.

“It took me a long time to talk with my Father again. Not sure of what I believed concerning my Mother,” Taylor said, nodding her head, she couldn’t fully understand not speaking with family but understood enough that Nadia was going to marry for love and not the one her family wanted her to.

“I can understand that, I had no idea about anything when I first met Connor, he was charming, smart, and loyal to me. He moved to San Diego sometime after the murder I think. He did mention it once. That his best friend’s Mother had been killed and people couldn’t decide if it was murder or suicide at first. He said he knew it was murder,” Nadia explained a little of what she knew.

Taylor frowned, “He knew it was murder.”

“He seemed adamant about it, he wouldn’t talk much more than that,” she shrugged, “It’s why I don’t think I can really help you when it comes to information about your Mom and her death. Connor just never wanted to speak about it at all. He only said that once.”

“Even that is enough for me,” she told her, “Though… What happened with Connor? From what I hear he just left one day and never came home.”

“I was pregnant with Trevor, we’d just found out we were having a boy, I was going on five months at the time. He started getting secretive. Now… he had a habit of going like that when he wanted to surprise me with something. So I didn’t really think much of it. Then he was jumping at things, at knocks on the door, phone calls,” she frowned, “I started to worry,” she added.

“I see, were you able to find out what was going on at all?”

Nadia shook her head, “Not really. I told the cops when they were investigating his disappearance about it, they didn’t think it was anything to do with him walking off. That’s what they believed happened to him. That he just left because of the pressures of becoming a new father,” she sighed, “It’s hard for them to take it seriously,” she muttered.

“I know someone in the police, a Sergeant, she might be able to help a little and find someone in San Diego that might be able to help you better, and maybe take the case on,” Taylor said, “I make no promises,” she added.

“Even just someone looking into it again would be nice. Trevor has no idea what happened to his Father. The cops say one thing, but Deidre and I know Connor wouldn’t leave like that, he was the one that was buying all the clothes, the furniture everything, he was so excited. All he talked about was us getting married and raising our son and maybe adding another child to the mix in a few years,” she sighed.

“Sounds like the two of you had a plan for the future,” Taylor said, “It really doesn’t sound like he wanted to leave at all,” she finished kindly.

“That’s what we were telling the cops,” Nadia said, “They just didn’t want to listen. They never checked the calls that he was getting. I know someone showed up at the house at least twice. I caught a slight glimpse of a woman, but that was all.”

Taylor perked up at that, “A woman?” she asked.

Nadia nodded, “Yes, somewhat shorter than myself. Blond hair, but looked like it was dyed not natural,” she added, “I always remember her because Connor didn’t react well to seeing her. He slammed the door in her face and told her to go away and that he never wanted to see her again. I never saw her again after that,” she told her.

“So we have a woman that Connor didn’t want to see… would you be able to recognize them from the pictures?” she asked.

“I could try, it was a long time ago and I only caught a glimpse,” she reminded her, she was willing to help,, especially if they were able to find out what had happened to Connor as well.

“Okay,” Taylor said, pulling out her phone and searching through her Facebook for an old picture of Ali, from around the same time. It took a while, but she found one, “Here,” she said, putting the phone down on the table between them and pushing it towards her.

Nadia picked it up and looked hard at the picture, frowning, “It looks similar, very similar I would say. The height could be the same. But the hair, color, and style are,” she added, handing it back over. “I can’t say for certain, but… she looks like she could be the one.”

“Right, that’s Ali Martin,” she said, biting her lip.

“Ali… she talks with Deidre a lot, she’s been helping to try and find Connor. I know that they were friends, very good friends,” Nadia frowned, “So… she couldn’t be part of why he left.”

“Right,” Taylor nodded, Ali had never said that to her when she had asked about Connor, so her sister had known that Connor was missing, presumed dead.

“I wish I could be more helpful to you,” Nadia said, “I know I would do anything to learn what happened with Connor. To know the truth about something.”

“I’ll help you as much as I can, I may only be a reporter, but that doesn’t stop me from researching and talking to people. A lot want their fifteen minutes of fame,” she smirked, “You’d be surprised what people will tell you to get it sometimes.”

Nadia laughed lightly, “I can guess,” she told her, “I have a few things, about Connor’s disappearance that you might be able to use,” she said, going to her bag and pulling out a folder, “here, this is some of the things that the cops released to me about it all. I don’t know what else there is, but as I said, they all believe that he just left.”

Taylor took the folder, and opened it, seeing records and police reports of interviews. “Thank you,” she said, “though how did you get all this?” she asked.

“One of the cops on the case felt sorry for me. So gave me that in the hopes that I would see that he might have run,” she snorted, “It didn’t.”

“Yeah,” Taylor said, “I’ve been told all the time since my Mother passed to drop it, leave it alone. To stop bringing up bad memories for everyone. That my Father killed her and that’s the end of it,” she snorted, “I don’t believe he did. I was never allowed to talk to my Father after he was arrested, it was only when I left my Aunt’s care that I was able to. Though, he never talked about Mom, never. Always wanting to know how my sister and I were doing.”

“In other words, he never wanted to talk about a case, and maybe he was scared that you believed he had killed her and didn’t want to know,” Nadia suggested.

“That was part of it, the other part of it was that he was still grieving my Mother, he had to be strong for me and my sister,” she told her, “that he never let himself have the time. Then when he was arrested and sentenced, well he had nothing but time.”

“Here, have my number so we can talk again,” Nadie said as she pulled out some paper and wrote down her number, and handed it over.

“I’ll text you,” Taylor said, pulling out her phone and entering the number before sending a message to her so she would have Taylor’s number as well. “If you need to talk, please, contact me,” she smiled.

“I will,” Nadia smiled back.

The two talked a little more before they parted and headed home. Taylor walked into her apartment and yawned deeply. “A nap sounds like a good idea,” she huffed as she was about to head to her bedroom when there was pounding at her front door. Frowning she headed towards it and looked through the spyhole, “Ali,” she groaned “What the fuck is she doing here,” she hissed as she opened the door “What?” she snapped.

“How dare you go to them when I told you to leave them alone!” Ali shouted at her, “I told you to leave Connor alone.”

“And you didn’t want to tell me that he was missing. I had to find it out from them, all you had to do was talk to me!” Taylor snapped back at her sister, “And how the fuck dare you to come here and pound on my door. I’m the only one in this damn family that cares about finding out who killed Mom, we know it wasn’t Dad!” she yelled back.

“Yes, it was!” Ali yelled back, her fists clenched at her sides.

“Why are you so sure?” she asked her, “You weren’t even around. You were gone for days, we had to search for you!”

“I… I was!” she yelled at her again, “I was, why… why-”

“You’re lying,” Taylor told her, “I know you are, I can see it in your eyes. You’re trying to make something up on the spot to stop me from looking into things. Why?” she asked her.

“Because I don’t want to keep dragging this out. I’ve been helping Deirdre in trying to find her son, I was his friend, someone he was close with. Deidre and I had put aside our problems with each other to try and find him. I don’t want someone dragging up their pain like you are always doing to me. I love Mom, and I love Dad. But I can’t deal with them and what happened. I have to think about me,” Ali stated, shaking her head at her sister, “Please, Tay, for me, drop this.”

“I can’t,” Taylor told her, “One way or another, I’m going to find out what happened to Mom and who it was that killed her. We know Dad loved her too much to do so. That was the main thing people talked about until one day they all turned on him for no reason,” she added, closing the door, “Leave,” she added as she then let it click shut and locked it. She really needed some sleep and then some time to think about her sister and the whole Connor situation.

Chapter Fifty-Five

The family was safe, the truck had exploded, but everyone was safe. Eddie and Buck had gone over to it and had been able to get the family out of the moving truck as they tried to figure out what the hell was going on and why this family had been targeted with a car bomb of all things. The family was taken away and the 118 crew stood around, all relieved that it was finally over.

“Where the hell did you learn how to do that?” Mathews said, shaking her head.

Eddie sighed, “You think just because I was a medic that I was away from the action?” he asked her. He got a nod in reply and then carried on, “I was a combat medic. That means I was on the front lines just as much as the next soldier.”

“I… never really thought of that, but still, how?” Mathews asked again.

“Sometimes, we’re under fire and we need a distraction. We’ve jerry-rigged a few trucks to speed off without us inside to draw fire so we can take care of insurgents,” Eddie shrugged, rolling his shoulders a little.

Buck looked at him, giving him a concerned look, “You okay?” he murmured quietly, so only Eddie could hear him.

Eddie gave a sharp nod, “I’ll talk to you more later,” he promised.

Buck nodded, still looking concerned as they were finally able to leave the scene after they had put out the resulting fire from the explosion. They were tired and drained as they reached the 118, it wasn’t every day that they had to deal with a bomb.

“I swear that was just like Speed,” one of the others muttered as they headed to clean up.

“I know what you mean,” Hen snorted, “Chim… Chimney would have found it-”

“Just as weird,” Eddie said, “We should tell him later on, after shift.”

“Yeah, we’re meeting up tomorrow, he said he needs a day out, out of the house and out of his head, his words not mine,” Hen said as they headed to the showers.

Buck looked at Eddie once more, seeing that he was a little calmer, and more grounded now that they were away from the scene. Showering and changing into a clean uniform, they headed upstairs to the loft. Bobby had already showered and changed, and food was being prepared. Buck went over and helped, getting a smile from Bobby.

Eddie stood there, since it was only the three of them in the kitchen area he said, “It brought back a few memories that I wish it did,” he told them both.

Buck stopped and looked at him, “You okay?” he asked.

“I will be, just need to remember where I am,” he smiled, “I wasn’t expecting to have that feeling while we were out there,” he said, walking over, and squeezing Buck’s arm.

Buck smiled at him and said, “Okay, you know I’m good to talk about whatever.”

“I know,” Eddie said, looking at Bobby, “I’m going to ask that if we have another call in the next two hours, that I’m the man behind. I don’t want to put someone at risk as I don’t know how I’m going to react after that,” he added.

“Okay,” Bobby nodded, “If you need the time, I’ll give it to you.”

“Thanks, Cap,” Eddie said, heading towards the couch and flopping down on it. He would be making a call to his therapist later. Taylor had been right, he had been bottling things up to a point where it was dangerous. Now, he was taking care of all the problems he had, and knowing that his parents had done the same, eased the conflicted feelings he was having about therapy.

Buck walked over after he and Bobby had finished, most of A-Shift was now sitting around the table, eating the food that had been prepared for them all. Buck had taken a plate of food for the both of them to share and joined him, making sure to keep himself near Eddie without touching him until the man pulled him a little closer. When Eddie fell into these spirals, he tended to need space for a little while, before he grabbed someone for cuddles, or just to be pressed against them.

“Thanks,” Eddie said quietly, as they began to eat.

“I’ll always have your back, Eds, no matter what,” Buck reminded him.

Eddie smiled and nodded. Thankfully the rest of the shift was quiet, with only one more call out.

XxXxX

Buck picked up another box and headed inside the apartment that Maddie was now living in. “Thanks,” he said as she held the door wide open for him.

“Is that the last of it?” Maddie asked, looking at the three boxes that were now settled in her living room.

“Yep,” Buck grinned at her as he put it down, “I can’t believe how much we gathered for her,” he said as he glanced over at his sister. “She’s grown a lot, as you’ve seen,” he added, knowing that all the clothes that Chimney and Maddie had brought for her were now too small for Jee-Yun.

“Yeah,” Maddie said softly, looking over at Jee-Yun, she was on the play mat, happily playing with the blocks she loved. “I can already see Christopher’s influence on her choice of toys.”

“Yeah, well, we couldn’t let her play with the small ones that Chris liked, so he brought out some of his old ones, the bigger ones that the two could play with together,” Buck smiled, “I’m happy for you Maddie,” he told her.

“So am I,” she smiled at her brother, “I have my daughter back in my arms each night. Howie and I are taking steps to make sure we can co-parent well. Things are finally looking up for once,” she added, biting her lip.

Buck frowned at the action, “What is it?” he asked her, “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“Mom and Dad,” she said, sighing as she went and sat down, “They called not long after I was released. I told them what was going on, that I’m getting better, and I’ve been able to hold them off on coming down. They are now insisting.”

“Maddie…” Buck sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, “I don’t want anything to do with them, I really don’t.”

“I know, I know you said that,” Maddie said, pacing in the living room a little, “I know, I’ve tried to tell them that we don’t want them here. They are coming for me,” she added.

“If you want to have a relationship with them, that’s fine. I can understand that Maddie, they were… different for you. I just can’t, they’ve never loved or accepted me as I am. We did one session of therapy together before they packed it in, it was too hard to bring up old trauma,” he rolled his eyes, “I just don’t think I can handle having them around me,” he admitted, “I’ve made my peace with the fact that they don’t love me,” he sighed.

Maddie walked over to him hugging him tightly, “I don’t think I want them here, but I think I need to face them about a few things. About Daniel, how they treated you and me. How they were never there for either of us. I reached out once, about Doug, just once to Mom,” she said, “I wanted to leave, and she just… she told me that I had made my bed and that now I was to lie in it.”

Buck froze at that, “They… what?” he asked slowly, calmly, keeping any anger he felt under tight control.

“Therapy was good for me, Buck, I can talk about things now. I finally came to a point where I could admit that Mom was right and she tossed me needing help in my face. I need to confront her about things, clear it all, and then… then tell them that I can’t have them in my life anymore,” she repeated, holding onto her brother, taking the comfort he offered when he wrapped his arms around her.

“I should have been there,” Buck murmured, “I should have stayed.”

“No,” Maddie said, taking a step out of his arms, “No, you did the right thing for yourself. Just like I’m doing the right thing for myself, finally,” she smiled slightly, “I want them to know that Daniel deserved more from us than being forgotten and buried, to never be spoken or thought of again.”

“Then… me and you, against the world?” he suggested.

“No, me and you, with Eddie,” Maddie said, “He’s family, more family than they ever were. Hell, Athena and Bobby are more like family than Mom and Dad ever were,” she snorted, “They are the people that we love and rely on. They are the ones that were here when shit was hitting the fan. Abuela and Pepa were here as well, they… they have both been a blessing over the last several months. They were there for me when I was at my lowest, just like you, just like everyone was.”

“Abuela is one of the best,” he grinned, “She’d be really happy to be here as well. I know she has a few… choice words when it concerns Phillip and Margaret Buckley.”

“I bet she does,” Maddie laughed, “We’ll get through their visit, and I’m only going to entertain them once. Then bye-bye they can fuc-” she began only to find a hand over her mouth.

“Uck, Fuc!” Jee-Yun giggled as she copied her mother.

“Oh fuck,” Maddie muttered as she removed BUck’s hand.

“uck!” Jee-Yun yelled out.

“I tried,” Buck laughed.

“Yeah, where did she get that from the first time?” Maddie asked as she turned to look at her brother.

“Our next-door neighbor had a friend around and all he was yelling in the back was that,” Buck answered her, “We were hoping she was saying Buck… but noooppee,” he drawled, “It was the other when she added the F letter before it.”

“Right,” she said, sounding skeptical.

“I mean it, Mads, Christopher will back me up and so will Eddie. Christopher found it funny,” Buck rolled his eyes, “I think if he knew he wouldn’t get in trouble, he would have been encouraging it,” he snorted.

Maddie shook her head, “I’m not happy, but at least she learned a very vital and very versatile swear word as her first. I just hope she doesn’t use it so much,” she cringed thinking of any time that she might end up using it.

“If you don’t say it, then she forgets about it,” Buck told her, “Really, don’t use it.”

“I know for next time,” she said, looking at her daughter as she pushed her tower of blocks over, clapping and laughing as they tumbled to the ground. “Destructive, isn’t she,” she commented.

“You have no idea,” he said, telling her a few more of Jee-Yun’s escapades at the Buckley-Diaz home.

Maddie was laughing as Jee-Yun walked over to her, flopping onto her mother’s lap and gesturing for cuddles.

“I’ve missed you so much,” she murmured as she held her daughter tightly. “I can’t believe that you’re home for good now,” she added.

“She’s missed you as well,” Buck said, taking a quick picture of the two. Maddie may have been having Jee-Yun overnight weekly, but it was nothing compared to the fact that she was well enough now to have her daughter with her all the time.

“Thank you, for taking care of her while Howie and I couldn’t,” she said as Buck started getting ready to leave.

“Maddie, you’re welcome, always. Don’t forget the Lees will be happy to help out as well. Abuela says you’re welcome to go and visit as well,” he reminded her as she held Jee-Yun in her arms and saw him out.

“I’ll remember that, and thank you again, Buck,” she smiled at him.

Buck left the house, smiling and happy that Maddie really was on the way to recovery, now he just needed to get through a visit from their parents and things would be good once again.

Chapter Fifty-Six

Athena waited for the call to enter her Captain’s office. “Captain,” she greeted as soon as it came and she entered the room.

“Sergeant Grant,” she greeted back, “Look, Athena,” she said, switching to a less formal name, “Sit down, we need to have a little talk about your leave.”

“Sure,” Athena nodded, walking over to the desk and sitting at one of the chairs in front of it, “What do you need to know, I don’t go on leave for another three weeks at least,” she said, not looking happy about that.

Elaine sighed, “Normally, you would be right. I’m just worried as this is a rather… late pregnancy,” she said, trying to be delicate about it.

“Call it as it is, Elaine,” she rolled her eyes, “I’m over fifty and pregnant. Most stop this before they even reach forty,” she snorted.

“Fine,” Elaine rolled her eyes, “A geriatric pregnancy, it’s a lot harder for someone your age, Athena, and I’m worried that the stress of the job could cause problems.”

Athena shook her head, “Normally, I would be right there with you. I have to tell you, Elaine, I thought the same, that I was going to go through a gamut of problems because of my age. This has been the easiest of all three of the pregnancies I’ve been through. Morning sickness came and went after a little while. Elaine, it’s been easy, so far, and to be honest with you, I don’t want to not be working. I tried that after getting beat up, remember, I was losing my mind within a week.”

“You need to think hard, it’s only three weeks earlier than we said, three weeks, it won’t be that bad,” she pointed out to her friend.

“Not a chance in hell am I going to leave early,” she repeated herself, “I’ll take it easy, that I know to do. I’m not even out on patrol most of the time. I’m stuck here helping some of the detectives with their busy work,” she muttered, not really happy with what she was doing, but it was still better, in her eyes, than starting maternity leave earlier than they had first planned.

“Detective Ransone is very grateful for the help as well. He wants you to stay as well if you can,” Elaine sighed, knowing that the two of them fighting her, she was going to have no choice but to accept it for now, “Any sign that you are having trouble, your maternity leave will start then, I will be wanting reports from your doctor as well about your stress levels. I want it manageable,” she reminded her, “That is only part of what I want to talk to you about.”

“Oh?” Athena nodded, “What else?” she asked.

“I heard that you were looking into a case for a Patrick Martin that had killed his wife,” she answered.

“I am, Taylor Kelly is their daughter. She doesn’t believe her Father guilty, and I have to say, the evidence was all circumstantial, with no witnesses, and they dismissed the brother of Patrick Martin, saying he was lying about the alibi. No one said anything against them until about a month before the arrest. It was like someone started a gossip train and it went out of control quickly,” she added.

“You think the cops over there didn’t do their job?” Elanie asked, knowing that it was going to cause a few problems to know that someone else from another state was looking into the death.

“No, just that they ruled it as a suicide at first. Then began to look into things. They note down some people hanging around the home during the days before the murder. A month before the arrest they dropped that line of inquiry from the notes I was able to get. They arrested the Father. It just… doesn’t sit right with me. When Taylor first brought it to me, I thought the same, that it was a cut-and-dry husband who killed his wife. I talked to some of the people that were questioned and said one thing, only to change several months later to say something else about the relationship,” Athena began to explain what she had been finding in her own line of inquiries.

“And when did things change?” Elaine asked, her curiosity roused.

“They all say nice things about the couple, how loving they were, and such. That remains true until three days before the arrest. Those that I’ve talked to all said the same thing. That they heard a rumor that things weren’t right in the household and that Patrick was arguing and threatening his wife. Talking to them now, they are saying they were wrong to say such,” Athena snorted, rolling her eyes, “It doesn’t stop the fact that because some of them reported the rumors as facts, Patrick was arrested and charged.”

“Jesus,” Elaine sighed, shaking her head, “Carry on, if the originals give you any trouble, send them my way. Does Mr Martin stick with the same story?” she asked.

“I haven’t talked with him yet, I’ve already called him and he said he will talk with me. His brother is around, the one that gave him an alibi at the time,” Athena told her, “I was planning on doing that during lunch.”

“Bring them in and make it official, as far as I’m concerned this should be classed as an official case,” Elaine told her, “Ask, Lou Ransone to help you if need be. I may just talk with the cops over there about their investigation and the Captain as well as the Chief. We have a duty to make sure we have the right one in jail.”

“Patrick Martin is out on Parole, twenty years after the murder, he has never confessed, even though they said they would release him five years ago if he did,” Athena told her, “His story never changed, never, not once in twenty years. From the accounts that I’ve read and heard.”

“Right, interview him, gather notes, I have a call to make,” she said.

Athena stood up, glad that she was now able to look into this in a more professional capacity, rather than just as a concerned citizen with good connections.

XxXxX

“Mom, Dad,” Buck said as they were let into Maddie’s home.

“Evan,” Margaret said as she stared at him.

“And this is?” Phillip asked, looking at the man and child that were standing next to his son.

“This is my partner, Eddie, and our son Christopher,” Buck introduced them.

“Hello,” Christopher smiled brightly at them.

“Mr Buckley, Mrs Buckley,” Eddie greeted, he didn’t like the two people in front of him, he was only there because as far as he was concerned that Buck and Maddie might need the buffer. Christopher had insisted on coming to make sure his Aunt and Papa were going to be okay.

“I see,” Margaret said, forcing a smile, “Nice to meet you both,” she added, looking at the two.

“Dinner will be ready soon, Buck helped cook it all,” Maddie said, rolling her eyes at her parents’ behavior already.

“I see,” Margaret said as she and her husband sat down, “How… how have you been?” she asked Maddie.

“I’ve been good,” Maddie smiled, “Therapy has really helped me see a few things clearly now. Bringing a lot of things into line and helping me grieve and start, really moving forward after everything I’ve been through since I was a child.”

Buck almost grinned, his sister wasn’t going to just beat around the bush too much on getting to the heart of things with their parents. He had respected her to just hint at things and only confront them when they said something that would give her an in.

“A child, you were fine as a child,” Phillip said, shaking his head, “Have no idea why that part of your life would be brought up.”

“How about the fact that you often threatened me if I started crying about Daniel? Or the fact that you both would yell in my face should I even accidentally mention his name?” Maddie stated, “Or the fact that you both decided to check out on our lives the moment we moved to Hershey. I was the Mother to Buck, all the time. You… you never cared about me, just like you didn’t care about Buck.”

“We cared,” Margaret said, pale face and her features so tight.

“No you didn’t,” Buck said, “Do you know what we did for our birthdays?” he asked her. “You don’t, because we always celebrated in our rooms with a damn cupcake, and with each other, because we were the only ones that cared to celebrate them. You checked out, I’m sorry that you lost Daniel, but in fact, you didn’t just lose one child. You abandoned two others.”

Christopher leaned over and hugged Buck tightly, “Do you need a hug too Aunt Maddie?” he asked.

“I would love one,” Maddie smiled, looking at Eddie with an apologetic look on her face for bringing things up with Christopher there. Christopher understood what was going on, because one of the other children at school had been neglected and the CPS had been brought in. A lot of the children had questions and Christopher had talked with Eddie and Buck about it all

Christopher got up and went over to her, hugging her tightly, “I love you, Aunt Maddie,” he told her.

“I know, and I love you too, Chris,” she smiled, hugging him back.

Margaret shook her head, “Letting a strange child call you Aunt,” she stated.

Christopher looked at her, “I’m only a stranger to you,” he told them, “I’m not to Aunt Maddie, and I love my Aunt,” he added turning back to her, “Can I go and play with Jee, please?”

“Of course, she’s in her room, do you need any help with the gate, it can be a bit awkward,” Maddie asked him, smiling as she let him go.

“I’m okay, it’s the same one we had at home when she was with us,” Christopher grinned and headed to Jee-Yun’s room to play with his cousin.

“I can’t believe that you’re both allowing that child to see you like that. What happens when you grow out of the phase where you like… men?” Phillip asked, looking at Buck.

“I’m never going to be growing out of that phase,” Buck stated, “For me, the relationship I have with Eddie is going to be the last one I will ever have. He’s mine for life, just like I am his.”

Eddie smiled, “I’d marry you tomorro-”

“No, you will not be getting married without everyone around you,” Maddie said before Eddie could finish his suggestion, knowing her brother would take him up on heading to a courthouse as soon as they could to get married.

“I think Abuela would kill us if we did that,” Eddie added, thinking about it.

“Just Abuela, I think Athena and Bobby would too,” Buck pointed out, laughing lightly, “But yes, Eds, I’d marry you in a heartbeat.”

Eddie grinned as he leaned in with a kiss.

“Will you stop that disgusting behavior!” Margaret shrieked, “Honestly, show some decency.”

“Shut up, Mom,” Maddie was the one that spoke up, “I was going to talk to you, have dinner and then make sure you knew that I wanted nothing to do with you. To have one last chance to change. You just don’t want to, you wallow in your grief, forgetting those around you so much that you just don’t care,” she said, with a heavy sigh. “I don’t think we should even have dinner together. You can’t respect the choices that we are making for ourselves. I have a daughter, Buck has a son, and two more children entering their lives. We’re happy, but you just can’t stand it, can you,” she said, “As far as Buck and I are concerned now, you don’t have any children or grandchildren. I won’t let Jee feel like she isn’t loved because you think she isn’t meeting your expectations on what she should be doing.”

“I don’t want them to know Chris, or the twins either,” Buck added, “I never want them to feel as unloved as I did while I was growing up,” he added.

“I think you both need to leave, I would say it was nice meeting you, but it really isn’t. My own parents fucked up a lot, they got therapy, and it’s helped them get some perspective on things that they had done in the past. Maybe you should try it as well,” Eddie said as he was able to escort them out of the house. The rest of the night went a lot better without them there. Though Maddie and Buck’s phones blew up with missed calls and messages from the two of them.

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Patrick smiled as he saw his youngest daughter head off to the bathroom. She reminded him a lot about his late wife. The way she needed to constantly go to the toilet, even in the latter part of her pregnancy. He went over to the benches in the area and sat down to wait. He was happy that he was now able to at least connect with one of his daughters. Ali still ignored any messages that Gregory had sent her. No matter what, she ignored it. He knew that Taylor was in touch with her, but that they were arguing at the moment.

“I can’t believe you would dare show your face in public,” someone said.

Patrick looked up, seeing his eldest standing there, seeing her and being reminded of his mother a lot in how she looked. “Ali,” he greeted her, “And why can’t I? I didn’t kill your Mother, no matter what they have said.”

“You… you must have done,” she said, shaking her head, “I can’t… I can’t deal with having you in my life. I want you nowhere near me.”

“I’m not here for you, I’m here with Taylor,” he told her, “I get it, you don’t want me in your life and that’s fine. I don’t have to be. There is no reason for you to come over here and yell at me for it,” he added, his words calm, as had been most of those he had spoken to her years before when she was yelling at him and his wife because she didn’t like the rules he was putting down concerning her very troubling behavior.

“Me, you’re the one that killed your wife,” she snorted, “You always had to be like that. Your way or there would be punishments.”

Patrick stared at her, “You think I should have let you get away with things?” he asked her, “That I should let you continue to run riot around the damn place?” he continued, “You almost ended up in prison, Ali, you were arrested, it was only luck that the woman and her daughter didn’t press charges on you,” he added, shaking his head, “You were a bully,” he finished, “And it looks like you still are, considering you have been trying to pester your sister into her handing over her children. She wants to be their Mother. She might not be as attached as your mother was to you, but she is still going to be there for her children. With you, I’ve no doubt that after a while you would toss them aside, like everyone else that you think isn’t needed in your life.”

“He’s right, that’s what you do isn’t it?” Taylor said as she came up behind them, “You use them when you want something from them, but as soon as you’re done, you throw them away.”

“And what would you know about me, Taylor?” Ali snorted, “You wanted to bury your head in the sand all the time, and you followed their rules.”

“I followed them because they made sense. They kept me safe and away from doing shit like you did that got you into trouble all the time. I knew you were arrested twice, but I didn’t know anything more than that. Mom and Dad tried to protect me from you,” Taylor said, “Or do you forget that you would bully me at times when we were young? Mom and Dad loved you and you threw it in their faces all the time. Nothing they did could get through to you,” she added, shaking her head.

“I did what I wanted and I will get those children as well. Do you really think Buck will stay with Eddie when I do,” she snorted, “It’ll never work.”

“Whatever you are planning, Ali, you need to forget it. You will never have my children. I’ve even been working on a will that will forbid you from even coming near them. Eddie and Buck are compiling a few things as well for a restraining order against you,” she smirked, “They’re ready for the next step, I can hear wedding bells for them.”

“He won’t stay, Buck… has other needs,” Ali snorted.

“Oh, you have no idea,” Taylor said, laughing, “He is a wonderful lover, don’t I know when it comes to that. You think this is the first time I’ve been with him,” she told her, “No, I was with him before you were even there. He’s rescued us both,” she added, turning to her father, “We should go, I’m feeling sick at the sight of her,” she said, indicating Ali.

“Alright,” he smiled, getting up, “I don’t mind coming out and shopping again when you have time.”

“Thanks, it’s Jee’s birthday soon, and she’s turning one. They are going to be doing a Korean tradition, I can’t remember the name of it. It begins with a D I think,” she said, “I know Buck told me.”

“Ah, I’ll have to look it up,” he nodded.

Taylor smiled as the two walked away from Ali, leaving her seething as she watched them leave.

XxXxX

Chimney looked different in the light-colored Hanbok he was wearing. Maddie was with him, dressed in a nice dress, while little Jee-Yun was also dressed like her father in a Hanbok and looking so cute and pretty.

“Happy Birthday,” Buck said as he went over to them, he took Jee-Yun’s hand and let her babble at him for a moment until he looked up at the happy and proud parents. “So, things all ready?” he asked, knowing that Chimney and the Lees had worked really hard to put the Doljanchi together. The place had been decorated beautifully, scrolls adorned the walls, and the tables were full of food, a larger table was set up as well as a small round table where a load of items sat on it. He had been doing his best to research everything that he could when Chimney had mentioned it to him some months ago. He had also helped to put a few more things together, which is what he had with him.

“Come with me,” Chimney said, heading away after kissing his daughter on her cheek. “Thanks for the help,” he added, as Buck handed over the bag that he had brought everything in.

“I just hope I did okay,” Buck said, “You gave me a list of items to find,” he told him, “And bring them together. I got them all. But you said to add something that represented other things as well, just hope that’s okay.”

“Yeah, I asked you to do so, Buck, and thank you,” he said, taking the bag and pulling out the things one by one. A brush, a string of money, a bag of rice, thread, a toy bow, and arrows, are the traditional items that would be used for a doljabi, the small fortune-telling part of the Doljanchi. Chimney carried on pulling things out, more modern times that would represent modern carers. “This is all perfect, thanks,” he said again as he nodded at him.

“So what’s with the small table, they said it’s called a Dolsang?” he asked, as they walked back inside the hall that had been rented.

“We put things on it that we wish for the baby, for Jee, each item on there means something, even the colors of the rice cakes, and if they are hollow or filled, mean something,” he tried to explain. “I have to say I left a lot of my heritage behind me when I lost my mother. If it wasn’t for John and Anne, I don’t think I would be celebrating her first birthday like this,” he said, gesturing at what he was wearing. “There are some traditions that I stopped, that I shouldn’t have. Like the birthday soup,” he smiled, “Miyeok-guk, a seaweed soup that I would have every birthday. I stopped having it when my mother died. I never felt like I should without her there. I was surprised by the birthday I had when I was with Maddie, after she and Anne had met, the two of them made me Miyeok-guk, have to say I cried.”

Buck didn’t know what he could say to that, he reached over and squeezed his shoulder, “You still have them.”

“I know, I have all of you as well,” he said, “and I will be doing that with Jee from now on, each birthday, I will be making her Miyeok-guk, a reminder of the heavy struggles a mother goes through to bring each of us into the world,” he finished quietly.

“It’s nice to have traditions like that, even better when it’s something that is from your own culture as well. I don’t know if Maddie and Daniel did anything. Though, when I was little, and it was my birthday,” Buck said, looking over at his sister who was now talking to Taylor. “She would come into my room at midnight, wake me up, and in her hand would be a cupcake with a candle on it. I would blow it out and we would rip the cupcake in half and eat a piece. We did the same for her birthday as well,” he smiled, “I missed that when she moved away, I still miss that even now.”

“Yeah,” Chimney nodded. He put the items over to one side, as he went back to Maddie and Jee-Yun. Maddie and he might not be together, but they were very much on the same page when it came to raising their daughter. They wanted to make sure she loved every moment of her childhood, something neither of them got to have.

People mingled, talk carried on, food came and went, and a birthday cake would be given after the doljabi portions of the day. Everyone was gathered as Chimney laid out the items that Buck had brought. Each of them had been gone over, told what they all meant as he laid them out. The photographer that had been hired for the day, was nearby, recording as much as she could on film and photo. Maddie put Jee-Yun amongst the items and stepped back.

Jee-Yun babbled as she looked up at her family, and those that were gathered to celebrate her, and her first birthday. She struggled to her feet in the unusual clothing and tottered around the items, falling to her butt and reaching out to grab the brush before pushing it away, “uck!”

“Really, Jee!” Chimney complained, shaking his head, as she reached out and grabbed the toy cuffs that had been added to the items for careers. “A Cop…”

“A good choice,” Athena said, hand resting on her baby bump, “I’d be happy to train her when the time comes,” she joked, knowing that Jee-Yun could grow up to be anything in the end.

Buck laughed at Chimney’s pout, “Well, there were too many choices,” he added, there were fourteen items around Jee-Yun.

“I think that she might not enjoy school,” Anne laughed, “She did push the calligraphy brush away,” she added.

“What kid likes school,” Albert snorted.

“I didn’t,” Eddie said, with many saying the same.

Buck frowned, “Well, I did,” he shrugged.

“You would,” Chimney smiled at him. “Cake?” he asked, as he glanced around for Maddie, who was slipping away.

Maddie walked back in, instead of the birthday cake that she had made for Jee-Yun she had a single cupcake and a candle in it. “We don’t have traditions in my family. But, Buck and I, we made one, that I carried on, on my own for a while. I haven’t had a chance to share it with him since, but I’m hoping he’ll join me in doing the same with Jee. I know it’s not midnight, but would you?” she asked as she looked at Buck.

“Yeah,” he grinned as he walked over, the two of them went to Jee-Yun as Maddie lit the candle.

“Jee,” she said, “Blow the candle out,” she told her.

Jee-Yun looked at the flame, about to reach out when Buck stopped her. With a pout she huffed and the candle went out. Everyone clapped as Maddie then tore it in half, and then into quarters, “Chim,” she said, holding out one piece.

Chimney walked over, and took it, not eating it as Maddie handed Buck his, and then finally Jee-Yun got a piece.

“Happy birthday, Jee,” the two Buckley’s said as they began to eat. Jee-Yun doing the same and Chimney joining them on the floor and eating the piece of the cupcake as well. He smiled at Buck, and nodded, knowing this will be one tradition of Jee-Yun’s that he would be happy to make sure Buck would be over to take part in. John and Anna got the larger cake brought out and it was cut up and handed out, with Jee-Yun wearing most of it by the end of the day.

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Athena rolled her eyes as Buck and Bobby were cooing over some of the clothes that were available for babies. “Really?” she asked the two of them as they held out two different little outfits. She had to admit that they were very cute.

“Come on, ‘Thena,” Buck said, grinning widely, “Wouldn’t he look adorable in this little romper?”

Bobby nodded, “He would, and in this one,” he added, showing the one that he had chosen.

Athena sighed and shook her head, “Fine, add them, but you are only adding three things to this basket, or else,” she warned the two of them.

“Okay,” Buck grinned, he had seen something that he thought Athena would like when he had been in here a couple of weeks ago with Taylor and Eddie when they were choosing a few things.

“Why did I decide to bring you both with me,” she said, as she looked at her husband, someone she considered a son.

“Because you love me,” Bobby smirked as he moved closer and kissed her.

“Lucky that I do,” she smirked back leaning up to kiss him again.

“Okay, parents making out,” Buck said, laughing as the two of them turned to glare at him. “I’m exiting stage right, there’s something I want to find, join me when you’re done canoodling.”

“Where did we get him from again?” Athena asked.

“He’s a stray, but we love him,” he smiled, getting a nod of agreement.

Buck shook his head as he left the two and walked towards the boy’s section of clothing that was in the store. There was an outfit that he had seen. A cute pair of slacks, and then a top, that looked like it was a shirt with a tie. It was for a six-to-nine-months old, but sometimes, you just have to stock up on clothing for that age as well. Babies grew fast, after all.

“Oh, Buck,” came a voice that sent a shiver up Buck’s spine.

“I thought I told you to leave me alone,” Buck said as he turned to face Ali, “And what the hell are you doing in a baby store?” he asked her.

“What do you think I’m doing, I’m getting things ready for when MY children arrive,” she said, giving him a smirk. “You see, what you don’t know is that Taylor will end up giving me those children. She knows she can’t be a good Mom, she’s too much like my own, useless. It’s why she said she would have handed them over to you. Though it would be a lot better with me, you see, since I am not like our Mother at all. I know what I can do, what I am capable of,” she added, “And Taylor will give them to me one way or another.”

“No she won’t,” Buck told her, frowning, “Taylor would never hand them over to you willingly. So I’ll know, if you have them, that you’ve done something to get them. You’ve tried to blackmail her or something. Though, I don’t think there is anything that you could blackmail her with,” he snorted.

“You’d be surprised,” she said, “I will have those children, and nothing you or Taylor say or do, will stop me.”

“Well now,” Athena said as she walked up behind Taylor, “That sounds like a threat to me, Miss Martin,” she added, “I would take the time to realize that Buck here, has enough to get a restraining order, and so does Taylor. They only haven’t so far as you are family to Taylor. That can change quickly,” she smirked walking over to Buck, Bobby following her.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Ali snorted as she looked at her, “You’re the cop, though from what I know, you’re on leave at the moment. You can’t do fuck all.”

“Oh, I can, you see, while you were threatening Buck here, I was calling a very good friend of mine. He should be arriving soon, he’s the one that we’ve been having to compile the evidence against you. And since we’re in a store, and there are at least two cameras pointed towards where we are, I’m going to be making sure that they get the records as well,” she added.

Ali stared at her, a cold look on her face, “You have no idea who you are messing with,” she stated before turning around and walking away.

“I really don’t like her,” Athena muttered.

“I know,” Buck nodded in agreement as he glanced over at her.

“Good,” she said, “This time, make sure you tell Lou that you want a restraining order against her. No ifs, ands, or buts,” she added sternly, giving him that mother look that told him he better do as he’s told.

“She’s nothing like I remember,” Buck then said, “She was… nice,” he frowned.

“She may have been,” Bobby said, “But that doesn’t stop someone from changing at all.”

“I know,” he nodded, “But… this drastic?” he asked, “She’s completely different. To also find out that she and Taylor are sisters, well, that shocked the hell out of me.”

“Taylor and I have been looking into her Mother’s death. Since neither of us now believes that her Father killed her,” Athena said as she began to look at some of the outfits around them.

“From what I hear from Taylor, she was in two minds at first, but it’s changed, especially after actually talking with her dad. She was mostly forbidden to do that when she was growing up,” he added.

“I know,” she replied, “I’ve been given permission to officially investigate, which means I brought Lou into help,” she added, “Now, I told Lou to meet you at home later on. You get that sorted and make sure you keep to it. You see her again, you call the cops, understand me?” she told him.

“I will,” he nodded, giving her a smile.

“Good, now, what were you searching for?” she asked him.

Buck reached over her shoulder and grabbed the outfit and handed it over, “This one, I think he will look adorable. I got one for my kid as well,” he grinned.

Athena laughed and nodded, “Well, I do agree, it’s rather cute,” she said, putting it in her cart. “Now, let’s get a few more things.”

XxXxX

Buck had texted Taylor to meet him at the house. He wanted to talk to her about getting the restraining order. Lou Ransone would be meeting them at the house as well. So they could all talk about it. Taylor was seated in her favorite chair, drinking a soda that she had managed to get her hands on, mostly thanks to Christopher getting it for her. There was a knock on the door and he went to answer it. He had Athena message Lou to tell him to stop by a little later in the day, which is what Athena wanted.

“Hey, Lou,” he greeted the man.

“Buck,” he smiled, “Athena told me to come by,” he said as he was let in.

“Yeah,” he nodded, taking him through to the living room. “Want something to drink?” he offered, “Tea, coffee?”

“Coffee, please,” he smiled as Eddie gestured for him to sit down.

Buck didn’t take long to come back with drinks for himself and Lou since Eddie and Taylor already had something.

“Now,” Lou said, “Athena has had me start a file on the harassment that you’ve been facing from Miss Martin,” he stated as he pulled out his notes.

“Yeah, she’s been trying to get me to give up my children to her,” Taylor said, “She might be my sister, but I’m really not liking the person she is. She had a go at Dad a few days ago as well. She… has threatened to try and go to CPS as well. They aren’t even here and she keeps telling me of all the things she is going to do to try and make my life miserable enough that I will give up custody of my children to her, and her alone.”

“When she found out that it was me, she was trying to get back together with me,” Buck sighed.

“Even though we’ve all told her that Buck and I are together. She just keeps dismissing it and telling us she will get her way,” Eddie rolled his eyes at the narcissistic and entitled behavior he saw in Ali Martin.

Lou nodded, writing things down, “Has she done anything else?”

“Stalked where we’re going. She followed us to the DIY store when we were decorating. She tried to cause a scene, I know Athena went there and was able to get a video of it,” Buck said as he started going over all the things she had been doing.

“Now, I have to ask, you’ve gotten a few threats in your mail, correct?” he asked the two men.

Eddie nodded, “Yeah, a few. We got the first when we moved here.”

“We didn’t think it was Ali at first,” Buck began, biting his lip as he reached out for Eddie and took his hand, needing reassurance that Eddie was okay and right there beside him.

“The last one threatened to cause me harm. That they would find me and hurt me, to show me how unworthy I am. They never say in there what I’m supposed to be unworthy of,” he added, shaking his head as he held Buck’s hand and squeezed it tightly.

“Miss Kelly, what about you?” Lou asked as he glanced over at the woman.

Taylor sighed, “I don’t even know if I can do it. Can I?” she asked.

“Of course, you can, just because she’s your sister doesn’t mean she has to be in your life at all,” Buck reminded her.

“Cut out the toxic assholes,” Eddie muttered, “Buck did, so can you.”

Taylor nodded and turned to look at Lou. “She’s been trying to find a way to take my children from me. Before they are even born. She’s said often that she will get them one way or another. She’s been arrested as a teenager for violence against others. So I know she is capable of it.” She closed her eyes before opening them, “I think she might know something about my Mother’s death, maybe even be involved in it.”

Buck glanced over at her, “I didn’t know you were still thinking that?” he commented.

“I don’t just think it, I actually believe she does. I don’t want to believe it, but I do,” she said, still feeling confused about the matter.

“Right,” Lou nodded, “I’m also helping on that,” he told her, “I might come and talk to you later about everything that you know. The people, their locations, and everything else.”

“Looking into the disappearance of Connor, he was a very close friend of my sisters, but they drifted apart a while after the murder. He hasn’t been seen in fifteen years,” she told him, “But I want to be put on the restraining order. That she’s not allowed near me, or the babies when they are born. I don’t want her near them, she has a habit of using people and when she’s done she fucks off to parts unknown. I know she says that she left Buck because of the injury, but it was because you were injured, not you wanting to go back to your job that had her leaving. She just didn’t want to be around to help you,” she told him.

“I figured that out when she always left the room when I needed anything, rushing off and saying she needed to go and do something,” he snorted.

Lou nodded, taking as many notes as he could and asking several more questions, “Right, I would start the paperwork for this and get it filed. I believe you have enough to get one. The harassment you’ve all faced with her coming to you when you’re out, tells me that she’s been following you.”

Buck nodded, and Eddie squeezed his hand. An hour later the three of them headed to the police station to handle the beginning of the restraining order, and hoped that it would get seen to fast and awarded to them.

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Buck was excited, he was finally going to be showing everyone the nursery. He had asked Helena, Ramon, Adriana, and Sophia to join them all for it. Buck has sent out invitations to everyone. Patrick was also there, along with Taylor’s Uncle Gregory. Everyone that would be in their lives had been gathered and people were confused as to why a simple showing of a nursery needed everyone to gather.

Bobby had gone over earlier than everyone else, along with Isabel, to help Buck with the cooking and getting the food ready for everyone that was coming. Now the house was full, and the children had retreated to Christopher’s room for some extra space, the adults in the dining room and living room, talking and laughing, getting to know those that they hadn’t met before.

“Well,” Athena said as she sat next to Taylor on the couch in the living room,” Are you going to tell us what is going on and why you need so many people?” she asked Buck as he walked into the living room again.

“Shall I go and get everyone to gather?” Eddie asked as he saw Buck nod in answer. He went and gathered everyone in the living room, most people standing, as they all waited for Buck to explain. The children were sitting on the floor.

Buck looked at them all, smiling widely as he said, “You know what I went through with my parents, that they never cared or loved me,” he began, “I have family right here, right in front of me. I wanted to make sure that the children that are going to be entering our lives will always know the family they have. So I did something a little different. Inside the nursery, you’ll find what you’d expect. Also, you’ll find portraits of yourselves on the walls. I’m asking if when you go in there, you use the paint pans that are filled, pick a color and put your handprint next to your portrait. If you want, you can use the Sharpies that are there and write a message on the wall for them. I want them to know that they will always have family and those that love them around them, to know their faces.”

Christopher grinned, “And when you do that, you can come into my room and on the blank wall put your handprint and name too,” he added, having been told by Buck what he was doing and asking if he wanted something similar. He had, but no portraits for him, he was happy with how his room had been for the most part.

“So that’s why the wall had been repainted white,” Eddie said, shaking his head.

“Yeah,” Buck grinned at him, “I thought it would be nice, a reminder of those that we love, that love us,” he added.

“I think it’s adorable,” Maddie said as she got up, “So, can we see now?” she asked.

“Yes, but a few at a time, or it’s going to get crowded really quick,” Buck suggested as he could see a load of people wanting to hurry and see what had been done.

“How about, Grandparents and parents first,” Eddie suggested, “along with siblings?”

“I’m bringing Jee,” Maddie said, grinning as she walked over. Patrick joined them after getting a push from his daughter.

Athena and Bobby had been gestured to get up as well, when they had remained seated, “You two as well, you’re Buck’s parents, as far as we’re all concerned,” Eddie told them, helping Athena to her feet.

The group headed in first, looking around the room, the two cots were set up along one wall, opposite the windows. On the wall was a sunny meadow, there were a few flowers among the tall grass but nothing else decorated it. The edges of it faded out into white, which was the rest of the room painted in. Only broken up by the portraits that had been painted of everyone.

“This is… beautiful,” Maddie said as she walked around, finding herself and Jee-Yun on the wall. Chimney’s portrait was nearby as well. She looked down, the carpet was covered in a tarp, to make sure that no paint would be able to drop onto it. It would be a messy day, but it would also be a fun one.

“Well, choose a color and put your handprint next to your portrait,” Buck said, gesturing to his own and Christopher’s that had already been done.

Eddie stepped up and looked at the colors available before picking the green and dipping his hand in, he stepped over to his portrait and pressed his hand firmly against the wall. Moving back he smiled at Buck, “This is a great idea, Buck.”

“I thought so too, I just… I want them to remember that there are so many people out there that love them,” he said as Eddie washed off his hand before going over to Buck and standing beside him as the others all did the same. Maddie helped Jee-Yun to do so as well.

Buck remained in the room as others came and went to have a look. Athena remained with him for a moment, watching as her children came in and grinned as they put their handprints on the wall.

“This is a wonderful thing, bringing everyone together, reminding them all as well that they are part of a family together,” Athena said, “And I think Bobby may end up crying a little later.”

“Again,” Buck said softly. On Bobby’s portrait was the word Grandpa, and Nana was on Athena’s. “You know I consider both of you my parents, I have done for a long time.”

“We know,” she smiled, looking back at her children, “Are you excited?” she asked him.

“Nervous, scared, and yeah, excited as well,” he answered her, grinning, “I’m happy, Athena, really happy,” he told her, “I didn’t think I could have this,” he said, gesturing to what is going on around him, “To have kids either, and Eddie.”

“Sometimes, you need to take that leap,” Athena told him, smiling.

“More like Taylor pushing me and setting us up with Christopher’s help,” he snorted.

“I saw the video, I think we all have, Chris was happy to share with Denny and Harry and they shared with everyone else,” Athena laughed, as Buck rolled his eyes.

“It was never, not going to go around the group,” Buck sighed, as they walked out of the room. Harry and May followed and whispered to each other as they had written little messages for the twins for when they would be born.

“Okay,” Buck said as the last person had added their prints to the room, “Thank you, all of you,” he said as he addressed everyone again. “I… It’s nice to know that we have so many around us that will be here.”

“Thanks,” Eddie said, smiling at everyone and taking Buck’s hand, “Taylor,” he said looking at her, “We have duplicates of things for your home as well, so they won’t have to change when they stay with you,” he told her.

“Thank you,” Taylor smiled, “I’m going to be looking for a larger apartment soon, and one that is accessible. I can’t split Chris from his siblings at all,” she added, looking at Christopher.

“Yes, gossip nights are on!” Christopher yelled.

“Gossip nights?” Buck and Eddie asked.

“Those are for us to enjoy, and you to forever wonder what we get up to,” Taylor smirked, before sharing a grin with Christopher, who had joined her on the couch and curled against her. She wrapped an arm around him, “We have a few things to get going on as well,” she whispered to him.

“Oh?” he said, before grinning when he realized what she was talking about, “Okay,” he nodded, giggling as his Dad and Papa looked at him, trying to figure out what the two of them were up to.

“I’m still not sure if I like this partnership,” Eddie muttered.

“Same now,” Buck nodded in agreement as Patrick walked over to them, his brother with him.

“Patrick, Greg,” Buck greeted the two of them, he’d only met them a couple of times since they had moved to LA.

“Buck, Eddie,” Patrick greeted, smiling at the two of them, “Thank you, for inviting us to this.”

“You’re their grandfather and Great Uncle,” Buck said, “Of course, we’d bring you here, they are your family.”

“I just… I never thought I would be able to see Taylor become a Mother, and be happy. She was always so driven, by her career, and by finding out what happened to her Mother. She might believe me now, I know she never knew what side to pick. I never wanted that for her. I think myself and Greg were the only two that didn’t expect it,” Patrick sighed as he glanced at where Taylor and Christopher were whispering to each other. “I have one of my daughters back,” he added quietly.

“I wish Ali wasn’t acting as she is. She’s their aunt, and family is important, but-” Buck began to say.

“You cut the toxic ones out of it,” Gregory said, shaking his head, “I know all about doing that, my ex-wife is toxic as hell, none of our children can stand her,” he snorted, “I was the only one still living in the area, and that was because of Pat,” he said, glancing at his brother.

“You could have moved, you know, I didn’t need you near the prison all the time. It was nice to know that you’d visit, but really,” Patrick sighed, shaking his head.

“You’re my younger brother, get over it and James would say the same. He still lived around as well,” Gregory told him.

“That’s only because his family is all there still,” Patrick huffed.

“James?” Buck asked, not hearing the name before.

“The middle one between myself and Patrick,” Gregory said, “We’re triplets,” he added, seeing the shocked look.

“I’m the one in the youngest, and yes we also have a pair of older twins, both boys,” Patrick added, “and younger twins too, one of each. Poor Mom had a right time, only one daughter as well,” he snorted.

“She still loved us,” Gregory smiled, “love all her kids, Dad was the same, proud as punch.”

“Yeah,” Patrick said, smiling a little

“Mom and Dad are still alive, but they are getting on in years now,” Gregory told them, “They are going to be coming down for a visit when the twins are born. James is going to be bringing them. The rest of the family were hard to talk to after Patrick was arrested. Yes, they all believed him to be innocent, for the most part.”

“But they all dog-piled on Taylor and Ali about choosing a side, when myself, Greg, and Jay told them not to. The three of us were the main force in trying to keep the girls out of things,” he said, shaking his head.

“Not that either side of the family would let them while they were living with Jenny. I still don’t know how she managed to gain custody,” Gregory frowned.

“Neither do I still, we had it written down that it was between you and Jay that would be taking them. You two were with the girls a lot more than any other family member, from both sides,” Patrick finished for him.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter now. I know Taylor doesn’t really speak with her Aunt Jenny at all,” Gregory snorted, “Well, let’s get back to the celebrating,” he said, as he looked at his younger brother.

Patrick nodded and headed over to where Taylor was.

“That was beautiful,” Isabel said as she walked over to them, Josphina with her, “Such a lovely way to have a connection to all of their family.”

“It really is,” Josephina smiled as she looked at her nephew and his partner, “You’ve made such a wonderful family here,” she said, “I remember the first day you turned up on Mama’s doorstep, half panicked and wondering if you had made the right decision.

“I think it was the best decision that I’ve ever made,” Eddie said, taking Buck’s hand and looking over those that had gathered.

 

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