Reading Time: 104 Minutes

Title: Some Things Are Meant To Be
Author: Duochanfan
Fandom: 9-1-1
Genre: Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Slash
Relationship(s): Evan ‘Buck’ Buckley/Eddie Diaz, Minor/Background Pairings
Content Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Hate Crimes, Homophobia, Domestic Abuse, Bigotry, Character Bashing, Dark Themes, Permanent Injury, Violence – Canon Level, Stalking, Discussion – Child Abuse, Discussion – Domestic Abuse, Discussion – Rape
Author Note: Thank you to HarleyJQuin, ScarslikeVelvet for all the help you have given. And to those that helped turn a small one-shot scene into a massive monster. Rape discussion is related to Dr. Wells.
Beta: ScarslikeVelvet, HarleyJQuin
Alpha: ScarslikeVelvet, HarleyJQuin
Word Count: 180217
Summary: After it comes to light what the Diaz Parents had done to make sure a mother couldn’t talk or contact her son, Shannon and Eddie finally meet after two years and decide that while they cared about each other, the love they had is gone. Instead, they decide to Co-Parent Christopher and Shannon does nothing but tease her Ex-Husband to be on the crush he has on his new co-worker, Evan ‘Buck’ Buckley. But will it all be plain sailing as relationships change and grow?
Artist: Halestrom

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Chapter One

Eddie stood by his truck as he watched Shannon come out of the school. She still looked as beautiful as she had when she left them. Her hair was a little longer, and she looked more at ease than she had last time. Then again, Eddie knew that was partly on him that she had looked so run down. She was taking care of Christopher and even helping him as he tried to get his life back together after he had been shot in Afghanistan. He took a few steps away from his car and waited for her to spot him. It didn’t take that long. It was as though she knew he would be there.

“Eddie,” she said, hesitant in speaking. She gripped the strap of her bag tightly as she walked over to him, stopping a few feet away from him.

“Shannon,” he sighed, “Why…” he began, not even sure what he could say to her. Two years was a long time for her to be gone from his life. From Christopher’s life after all.

“I heard you moved out here, I was going to see about getting in touch with you. I did try and write. I really-” she cut herself off and shook her head.

Eddie snorted, “You mean the fact that you did write to us, each week without fail for almost a year. Then stopped.”

“Of course I stopped. I never heard back from you, nothing. I got nothing from you. I know, maybe I should have called, or… or something. But I knew if I did then we would be right back where we were. Arguing over things when we should have been working together. We… weren’t right for each other. We married so quickly. While I do love you, Eddie, I’m just… not in love with you. I’m sorry. Mom was ill and I needed to go and be with her to help her, Shannon said, her words rushed.”

“I know all that, I know. And I don’t blame you for leaving, but I just wish that you called me, and talked to me instead of just doing it. I didn’t find out until I read some of those letters what was going on. I didn’t even know that Siobhan was ill. Let alone dying,” he sighed heavily and closed his eyes. Running his hands over his face as he opened his eyes once more and looked at Shannon, “I just wanted to know if you were alright. I did try calling you.”

“I kept it off for the first few days, and then it got stolen not long after I got here,” she sighed, “And I didn’t want to tell you why because I knew you were still trying to recover yourself. I wanted to move away from them, not you, not Chris. While I may have fallen out of love with you. I still care about you, and I still love Christopher. I-” her voice wobbled as she tried to keep her feelings locked away.

“Shannon,” Eddie began, “I just wish… you know what. That doesn’t even matter, what matters is Christopher. We have a life here. We’re getting on with things. We’re moving on. I… haven’t told Christopher about the letters yet. I didn’t know if you were going to be back or not.”

“I want to come back. I only found out a few days ago about the letters, and that you hadn’t received them,” she told him as he gestured to his truck.

“Come on, let’s have a coffee and really talk for once. We never talk and we…” Eddie started before trailing off.

“We should have done, so many times,” Shannon huffed a pained laugh as she went to the truck, “Still driving this old thing?”

“It got me from El Paso to here, so don’t insult it,” Eddie argued back, a mischievous smile appearing on his face for a moment.

“It survived, I thought it would have died with that type of journey,” she teased before the smile dropped from her face. “How… How is Chris?” she asked him tentatively.

“He’s doing well. We’re trying to get him into this school here since it will better suit his needs,” he said, “I have someone that comes in to help with him while I’m working and he made a friend with my co-worker, Buck. They talk and chat every time they meet. Chris likes Buck to come around as much as possible.” Eddie smiled, “He is such a great kid, and that’s on you,” he told her, glancing at her as they came to a red light.

“Not recently, I… I failed him, Eddie. I didn’t stay and I know I should have. I should have done so many things differently,” she shook her head.

Eddie went quiet as they carried on to a coffee place that Buck had taken him to after they had dropped Chris off at school the once. Parking the two got out and entered. “Go sit down, I’ll get them,” he told her.

Shannon walked over to an empty table near the back, there weren’t many people around and she just hoped that they wouldn’t end up in a shouting match again. She was lost in thought that she didn’t notice that Eddie was walking over with two coffees. He put hers down and she looked at it. “You still remember.”

“I never forgot,” Eddie told her, sitting himself down, “Now. You left, that’s the basics. I know now that you left because you needed to help Siobhan, and I don’t blame you for it. I just wish you had told me. I wasn’t ready then, at that time to leave. I needed…” he sighed clamming up somewhat.

“You needed time to remember who you were without the army to support you,” she nodded, “I know, it took me a while to realize that I was pushing you for something you weren’t ready for.” She put her hands around the mug and smelled her coffee, a hint of hazelnut within the steam.

“You wrote. Mom and Papi stopped the letters from getting to me. It’s only because Mom didn’t hide the last one properly that I found out. I argued with them a lot after that. Nothing I did was good enough, then again, it never was,” he sighed, shaking his head and looking down at his own black coffee. “I was going to stay in El Paso, but when I learned of that, and where you were and what was going on. We got one more letter after that. I waited another two months before we moved out here. I had applied for the fire academy and took the one in LA,” he took a sip, wincing slightly at how hot it still was, “I… went to Siobhan’s after a while, when I felt ready to talk to you, find you. That was around a month ago.”

“She passed away, she wanted to be buried in Ireland, with her family. So I sold everything off, put some away for Christopher, and did as she asked, took her home. Niamh met me there, so we could say goodbye to Mum,” she told him, “I came back after we put the last of her affairs in order. Niamh and I are living here at the moment.”

“I’m sorry, Siobhan… was a good woman. A fun one,” he said with a small smile. “Abuela will be sad to hear of her passing,” he added, knowing that his grandmother had gotten along with Shannon’s mother really well. The two had talked a few times outside of family gatherings. But Isabel had moved closer to Josephina and they had lost touch from what Eddie had been able to gather.

“Thank you,” Shannon said awkwardly, “My sister was insistently trying to get me to get back in touch. I went to El Paso in the end and talked to Sophia, she is the one that told me what happened with the letters and how Helena hid them from you. It made sense as to why you didn’t write me back,” she sighed, drinking some of her own coffee, enjoying the heat of it, “I got back a few days ago from that, and got the call from the school. So, I went and hoped that maybe you would be ready to talk to me soon. I was going to call you, your sister gave me your number.”

“At least you were going to try and talk to him… us again,” Eddie told her. “I’m going to let Chris have the letters that you wrote for him. Tell him the truth as to why he only just got them. I know it’s been almost a year since the last one but… if you want to write him another one now. I’ll see that he gets it and reads it. I know he misses you, still.”

“You’ll let me see him?” she asked, a little shocked that he would do so, so easily.

“You’re his Mother. I have to admit, if it wasn’t for those letters, I doubt I would have let you near him until I knew that you weren’t going to be leaving us again. But… you already said that you don’t love me anymore,” he added, looking away.

“I love you as I would a friend and someone that I had loved with all my heart at one point. But we weren’t right for each other. You know that. When we spent too much time together we ended up arguing about the stupidest of things. I knew it would get worse and in the end, it would have hurt Chris, I didn’t want that for him. I thought some time away, look after my mum and then maybe I could come back and we would be able to do things and separate, be parents to Chris, and be the best we could be,” she shook her head, “I’m sorry, Eddie.”

“No… no, don’t be sorry. I… You’re right, we moved so fast. Neither of us wanted to marry, but family,” he snorted.

“Yeah, Mum and Dad were insistent,” she said, thinking of her parents. Her father had passed away only a few weeks after their wedding. They had ended up naming Christopher after him, which had pissed Helena off.

“So were mine. My parents…” he shook his head, still disappointed and angry at them for the way they had been.

“They never thought I was good enough for Christopher. That… that I was useless as a Mother. That they would have been better parents to him than we were,” she snorted, rolling her eyes.

“They baby him, they weren’t better at all. They still think that I can’t help him, and will only drag him down. I’m… doing the best that I can. All they see is his CP and put limitations on him,” Eddie seethed somewhat. He hated the sad look that Christopher would have when his parents had been around their home before they had moved from El Paso.

“Yeah, I know,” she said, reaching out and patting his hand, “I’ll write the letter, and call you. I’ll wait until you’re ready to let me see him. I hope that I can soon,” she added.

“Shannon,” Eddie said quietly, “I won’t stop you from seeing him. You’re his Mother no matter what has happened. Yes, I want to be careful, but that’s because I don’t want him hurt again. I know it’s not all your fault that you weren’t able to contact us. You… could have still tried to visit at least once during that time. Especially for Christmas or his birthday.”

Shannon hung her head as she heard Eddie gulping down his coffee, “I know. I think… part of me was still scared of seeing you, of knowing that if you just said something I would come back.”

“Maybe,” Eddie said as he put his mug down, “Look, I have to get home. Write the letter, and when you’ve done it, call me.”

“I will,” she nodded, grabbing her phone and sending Eddie a text from the number that Sophia had given her. “There, now you have my number as well. If you need help sorting things out for Christopher, don’t hesitate to call me. I won’t let him down again,” she promised.

Eddie’s phone pinged and he smiled slightly as he started to stand up, “I will.”

“Oh… that reminds me, I’ll want to meet with you again. I know you may think I’m rushing things but… I have divorce papers all ready to go. Shared custody, with you as main, for Christopher. He should live with you, Eddie. I would love nothing more than to have him with me all the time. But he… needs to get to know me over again,” she told him quickly before he could even finish standing up.

“Wow,” Eddie snorted, falling back into his chair, “You really didn’t wait long.” He stared at her and nodded, “Chris… goes to bed at half seven tonight. I don’t have work until tomorrow morning. I’ll send you my address and you can drop them off and I’ll look through them, and get them to my own lawyer. I have to admit I was looking into doing the same a few months ago. Didn’t know if I should wait until I could speak to you. Thinking that we might be able to try again, but it’s… really over isn’t it?”

Shannon nodded, “I think it has been for longer than we want to admit.”

Eddie sat and thought for a few moments before nodding slowly, “Yeah, you’re right.”

“I’ll see you tonight after Chris has gone to bed. Would you… mind if I look in on him while I’m there?” she asked quietly.

“Sure, you can check on him,” he answered standing up again. “Bye, Shannon,” he told her as she said the same. He walked out of the coffee shop, leaving her to find her own way back to her car. Eddie got in his truck and headed back home. He knew that Buck was watching Christopher while he went to the school to see Shannon. When he pulled up to his house, he looked at it and sat in the truck for a little while longer. Just thinking about what he had learned from Shannon. He had failed, as a husband and he knew he was a failure when it came to his son. Some days he wondered if his parents were right that he was dragging Christopher down with him. He shook away the dark thoughts and got out, heading into his house and smiling as he heard Christopher laughing and Buck’s voice.

“Daddy!” Christopher yelled out as soon as he saw him. He got to his feet without help and headed towards him.

“Hey, Mijo,” Eddie said as he wrapped his arms around his son and held him tightly.

Buck gave him a look, but Eddie shook his head, giving the man a look that told him he would talk later without little ears around. Buck nodded back as he stood, “I made dinner for us all,” he said, “I didn’t know when you would be back, soo,” he shrugged as he saw the grateful look on Eddie’s face.

“Thanks, well Chris, shall we eat?” he asked his son.

“Yeah! Buck made spaghetti,” Christopher grinned as he took his dad’s hand and they followed Buck into the kitchen where the man finished cooking the spaghetti and dished up.

Chapter Two

Christopher went to sleep easily that night, well, after getting his dad and Buck to read him a chapter each. Buck had left the last part of tuck-in to Eddie and headed back into the living room and began to tidy up after their movie night. He was starting the washing up when Eddie joined him in the kitchen.

“You know that you don’t have to do that,” Eddie said as he brought in a few more things from the living room.

“I know,” Buck smiled over his shoulder at him, his hands already in the hot water as he began to wash the dishes that had been used. “You know I don’t mind cleaning up after we’ve had one of our movie nights.”

“Yes, but this wasn’t exactly a movie night,” Eddie pointed out as he stacked the plates up.

“Yeah. But you know I don’t mind watching Chris at all, he’s amazing, Eddie,” he smiled, glancing over at him.

Eddie sighed, “I thought I was only going to speak with her for a few moments,” he told him, “Just a few minutes.”

Buck waited a bit before he asked, “So, what happened? If you don’t mind me asking,” he winced.

Eddie was quiet as he began to dry the things that Buck was washing. “Well, she’s been out of the country for a bit. Her mother passed away. She wanted to go back home to Ireland to be buried with her family. Shannon and Niamh, her sister, took her home before coming back here. Siobhan… how do I tell Chris that his grandmother has passed away,” he said, shaking his head. “Chris loved her to bits. Always loved it when he came out here to see her. Now I need to tell him that she’s gone and that he wasn’t even able to say goodbye to her. You know, he was named after her husband. For his grandfather.” He stopped speaking for a moment. “She wants to see him. She… doesn’t want to get back with me.”

“She’s been gone for two years,” Buck began, “Are you ready to let her back into his life? And into yours? Two years without contacting you.”

“She did though, or rather she tried to. She wrote two letters each week. One for me and one for him. The reason why we moved out here was that my parents decided that it would be fine to hide the letters. Which ended any chance of us talking. Until now,” he sneered slightly, “I can’t believe they did that.”

Buck glanced over at him, a wet plate in his hand as he went to pass it to him. “Not much you can do. If she really wants to be around, then maybe you should see what Chris wants?”

“I know he would want to see her. He still misses her. Shannon told me in the letters that Siobhan was dying. That she wanted Christopher to come and say goodbye. Mom and Papi, they stopped him from being able to do that. I don’t think Shannon will forgive them for that. Don’t think I can either,” he sighed. “She didn’t want the clean break that I thought when she first left. She needed to look after Siobhan and wanted me to go with her. I wasn’t ready. So she left after one of our arguments that I needed time. I’m just going around in circles, Buck. I told her to write a letter to Chris. To give it to me and then I’ll hand them all over. I’ll tell him the truth as to why he is only just getting them now. He already doesn’t like my parents that much. They baby him too much. He hates it,” he snorted.

“Yeah, well, what kid likes to be treated like a baby? Chris is independent and wants to take on the world. Like most of us do,” Buck grinned, causing Eddie to laugh a little.

“Yeah,” he sighed, smiling now, “I’ll have to see how it goes. Though… she wants a divorce. That she loves me but isn’t in love with me.”

Buck looked at him, “Right, blunt moment,” he began, “Do you love her?” he asked.

Eddie jolted, “Of co-”

“No, do you love her? Are you in love with her?” he asked again, causing Eddie to look at him.

Eddie paused this time and actually thought about the question. “No,” he finally answered, “No, I think I never really loved her as I should have,” he sighed, taking the plate from Buck and drying it.

“Well, that answers it. While you might not be happy that things are over. It will be for the best. Yes, staying together for Chris is something that you could do. But then the both of you would be miserable. Sounds like she didn’t want that for him,” he told him.

“Yeah. We could have made it work. But you’re right we wouldn’t have been happy. And in the end, the fights we were having before would start up again. And I don’t want Chris to be exposed to that.” He put the plate away before taking another one. “Sometimes I think I’m failing badly at just being what he needs,” he murmured to himself.

Buck snorted, “Eddie, that kid loves you so much. He’s so happy when you’re around. How can you be failing? He’s happy, he’s as healthy as he can be. He’s loved and soon he’s going to have another piece of his family back around him that loves him.”

“I guess you’re right on that,” Eddie smiled a little, “I want her in his life. But… she is right, we’re not good together. I don’t think we ever were right for each other. But we wanted to try at least for Chris,” he told him.

“And now, after trying, you’ll find out how to be parents without being together. You’re a great dad, and I’ve no doubt that Shannon was a great mom to him. He’s amazing and that’s on the two of you,” Buck told him.

“That he is,” he smiled. “I’ll be signing the divorce papers as soon as I’ve had my lawyer look at them. But it seems from what I’ve read that I have main custody of Chris, that she wants him when she can.”

“Maybe when we have our 24-hour shifts, having him overnight and for that day, might be good times for her. It won’t be regular but…” Buck suggested with a shrug.

“I’ll see,” Eddie sighed as they finished the washing up.

XxXxX

It was two days after first seeing Shannon that he met her a second time. He had talked with his lawyer and signed the papers. They had been sent back to her and hopeful in a few weeks they would be divorced. He had told his Abuela and Pepa but hadn’t talked to his parents. He was still debating when to tell his sisters, as he knew as soon as he did the news would find its way to their parents. While he wasn’t talking to them, he still allowed Christopher to Facetime them once a month at the moment. Now, he was meeting Shannon to take the letter for Chris from her.

“Eddie,” Shannon said as she stood up, her long dress swishing around her ankles as she stepped around the table and greeted him with a hug.

Eddie thought about what Buck had said and he realized he was actually being truthful when he said he didn’t love Shannon anymore. But he knew the woman could easily become a good friend again, one of his best alongside Buck She had been before they had gotten married. “Shannon,” he smiled, hugging her tightly for a moment before letting her go.

Her smile was relieved as they sat down, coffee already there waiting for him. “How’s Chris?” she asked straight away.

Eddie pulled out his phone and pulled up the album he had created for her to look through. “Here. You missed out on a lot. So I thought, this would be the best way to catch up a little. But he’s doing great. The school looks like they are going to accept him. So, he’ll be looking forward to that. He… he’s a superstar Shannon, and I know that’s because of you when he was little. You raised him so well. To make sure that he wanted to try new things. He’s amazing,” he gushed, seeing tears in Shannon’s eyes as he talked about their son.

“Not just me. When you… when you were there, he loved spending time with you. Each time we got that call from you he was always so happy and excited. He wanted to make sure his hero Dad would be proud of him,” she said, as she took the offered phone and started to go through the pictures and the small videos that had been taken over the last couple of years. She was quiet as she went through them, tears spilling from her eyes. “I missed so much,” she murmured as she watched the last little video. Handing back the phone she wiped her eyes.

“But you won’t be missing anymore. I’m going to talk to him tonight, about you, what happened with my parents. To make sure he knows that you love him,” he told her. “It’s the weekend soon, and I’m hoping that, since I’m off, you’ll want to see him and he will be good to see you.”

“I… I would love nothing more. I wrote him a letter, it’s long, but,” she took a shuddering breath as she pulled out the letter from her back and handed it over. “You… you can read it first, make sure that it’s okay for him to read,” she said.

“No, I won’t. They’re your words for him. Not for me,” Eddie told her, trusting her. He hadn’t wanted to. But over the last couple of days he had nothing else to do but think about the situation and with Buck’s help. He could see that Shannon had tried to remain in touch, and tried to keep talking to them. Not in a way that most would. She had been dealing with a lot and not wanting to fall back into the same old arguments. He could understand that at the very least. Christopher still remembered a few of the arguments that they had before Shannon had left to take care of Siobhan.

“Eddie,” Shannon began, “Thank you, for giving me a chance.”

“You’re his Mother and that will never, ever change. No matter what happens, you will always be his mother and I won’t keep him from you. I love him to pieces. And I want him to be happy. I know he will be so excited and happy to see you again. He still… he still asks about you.” Eddie took hold of the mug and drank the last few dregs of coffee within it.

Shannon smiled and nodded. The two spent a little more time talking. Eddie told Shannon all he could about Christopher and how he was doing.

XxXxX

That night Eddie sat Christopher down, “Chris,” he said, holding a wooden box. It was full of all the letters that Shannon had written for Christopher.

“Dad,” he grinned, looking at his father, “What’s that?” he asked, spying the box.

“You know how Mommy had to go away for a while? She had to go away to take care of Nana, she was very ill,” he began.

Christopher nodded, “She’s gone away now?” he asked, frowning.

“Yes, she has, but I know that Nana loved you so much. But Mommy wrote to you each week. But Grandma and Abuelo took the letters before we could read them. I found them, and now I’m going to give them to you. So you can read them. And when we have read them together. There is one last letter that you need to read,” he told him. Eddie opened the box and took out the first letter, the one that was dated two days after Shannon had left.

Christopher curled up next to him as Eddie began to read through them. The words were easy enough for the little seven-year-old to understand them. As he read the last one Eddie could tell that Christopher was crying.

“She still loves me?” he sobbed as he crawled into his dad’s lap.

“Oh Chris,” Eddie cried as he wrapped his arms around his son and held him tightly, “Of course she did. She still does. How could she not love you, Chris? You’re her little boy, her son. She loves you as I do. She had to go away to look after Nana and I wasn’t ready to do such a long journey at the time. I was still hurting. And that is on me, not on your Mom,” he told him, rocking him in his arms.

“I thought she left because I was a bur… burden,” Christopher continued to cry.

Eddie looked at his son horrified and wondered how he had come to think that. “Oh Chris, you’re not a burden at all.”

“But Grandma said it’s hard to look after me because I have CP,” he carried on, clinging to his dad. Eddie had to take a calming breath, wanting nothing more than to get on the phone with his mother and break contact fully.

“It’s not hard at all. I love every moment that I spend with you. And I know that your Mommy thinks the same. She sent one last letter for you to read,” he told him. He pulled the letter from the end table where he had put it. He opened it up, as he settled Christopher on his lap better so the seven-year-old could see the words himself. He began to read the letter aloud, as he had done for the others.

“‘Know that I love you with all my heart, Christopher, and I look forward to the day when you can forgive me for being away for so long. I love you so much and one day when you are ready, I’ll be waiting to see you again. Love you always, Mommy.'” Eddie folded the letter back up as he finished.

“She loves me and wants to see me?” Christopher sniffed a few times. Tears stained his face, but they had begun to dry as he listened to the words of his mother.

“She does, what do you say, that this weekend, we both go and see Mommy?” Eddie asked him.

Christopher turned on Eddie’s lap, his hands on either side of Eddie’s face as he asked, “I can see her?!” he exclaimed, eyes filled with hope.

“Of course, you can,” he answered smiling. “She’s your Mommy and she has missed you so much. And while she won’t be living with us. You can go and see her.”

“Please, Daddy, please. I wanna see Mommy,” he nodded, teary-eyed.

“Then,” Eddie began and then paused. He picked up his phone and sent a quick message. It was quickly answered and he smiled, “I have something better.” He pressed the call button and it was answered.

The phone screen went blank for a second before Christopher screamed out, “Mommy!”

“Hello, baby,” Shannon said, tears in her eyes as she saw her son, “I miss you so much, baby.”

“Missed you, Mommy,” Christopher said as he began to cry, “I missed you.”

Eddie held the phone as mother and son talked for the first time in two years.

Chapter Three

Buck grinned as he carried Christopher into the living room and settled him on the couch. It was their weekly movie night. Today on the table was Moana, and if there was time, Buck and Eddie would be watching Die Hard. Buck had missed the Yippee Ki Yay reference that Chimney had made at work that day. Eddie had all five of the movies that had been released, so he was planning on watching them with Buck for their own movie night as soon as Christopher was asleep.

“Right, you stay there while your dad and I finish getting the popcorn ready,” Buck tapped Christopher’s nose as he stood up and headed into the kitchen. “Hey,” he called out to Eddie.

“Almost done, Buck, is Chris all changed?” he asked, glancing over at him.

“Yeah, he’s all happy we’re going to watch Moana,” he grinned, walking around the counter and standing next to Eddie as he finished making the popcorn.

“He’s been wanting to watch it with you for the last month,” Eddie snorted, “Finally got his wish.”

“Yeah,” Buck grinned, “not watched it yet, so,” he shrugged.

“Buck, the only time I’ve known you to watch films is with me and Chris,” he pointed out to him.

“Well, I never really watched them when I was a kid. And then I just traveled around a lot when I moved out of my parents. Movies never seemed a big deal. When I returned here and joined the academy, well, I was living in a place with four others for a while,” Buck told him, “I was more used to reading books than I was to watching films. So I just read.”

“Well, Chimney and I will just have to get you all caught up. You’re missing out on some great films,” Eddie said as the popcorn was finally ready. He poured them into a bowl and grinned, “Now we are ready for movie night.”

“Daddy! Bucky!” Christopher called from the living room.

“What is it, buddy?” Eddie asked as he walked towards the living room, bowl in hand.

“Hurry up, I want to show Buck Maui, he’s so awesome, Buck!” Christopher called back, he was still sitting on the sofa, now with the afghan that had been on the back of it surrounding him.

“Alright,” Eddie shook his head at his son, “tonight we have our popcorn and sodas, now let’s st-” he started only to stop when they heard knocking on the front door.

“Well, looks like we have a visitor,” Buck said, curious as to who would be coming.

Eddie gave a shrug at the look and got up, “No idea,” he murmured. He headed to the front door, hearing Christopher whine a little about having to wait a little longer for the movie to start. Opening the door he was surprised to see Shannon standing there.

“Sorry,” she said, “I hope I’m not interrupting,” her voice was quiet, as though she didn’t want to disturb anyone in the house, or even let anyone else know she was there.

“It’s fine, is everything okay?” Eddie asked her.

“Yes, yes, everything’s fine. I just thought you should have these now and not later,” she answered, pulling a folder out of the bag she was carrying. “I filled in everything that I needed to, so he should be fine to start his school soon. Is he excited about it?” she asked.

Eddie took the paperwork, “You didn’t have to bring it tonight, I don’t mind having to wait a bit. His start date isn’t until next week.”

“I know, but the sooner the better, make sure there are no hiccups or anything,” she replied softly, “I just… I want what is best for him and after seeing the school and talking to the teachers there. It will be just that.”

Eddie smiled, “Want to come in and see him?” he asked her. They still hadn’t made a date for her to meet with Christopher. It hadn’t even been two weeks since she had come back into their lives.

“Are you… are you sure that’s okay?” she asked, hesitant to step through the door.

“Yeah, it’s about time. Talking to you most nights, well, it just isn’t enough really is it?” he asked her.

“No, no it isn’t, but I was waiting for you to be alright with it, and for Chris to be alright with me coming back. Talking to him is a lot more than I ever dreamed of happening,” Shannon said, a soft smile appearing on her face.

“Come in, we’re about to have a movie night with Buck, it should be fine to have you there as well. No doubt he’ll want to climb all over you instead of Buck this time,” Eddie smiled, coaxing her to come inside. This was the first time she had been inside the house. She had only seen it from the outside as he handed her some paperwork.

Shannon smiled as she walked inside. She could already see several photos hanging up on the wall. Seeing her own smiling face in a few of them caused tears to gather in her eyes. “You…” she shook her head, her hand gesturing to the pictures.

“You’re his Mother, no matter what, that’s a fact. I would never want him to forget you,” he told her, “I know how much you love him. If you hadn’t, you would have left long before you did. And you went because you knew it was the better choice,” he reminded her.

“Daddy!” Christopher yelled, “Hurry up, we want to watch the movie!” he called out to him.

Eddie laughed, “Okay, I just have a little surprise for you, Mijo,” he answered as he took Shannon by the hand and pulled her through to the living room.

“MOMMY!” Christopher yelled as soon as he saw her. He struggled to rush to her, eyes full of tears as Shannon dropped to her knees and let the seven-year-old fall into her arms. “I missed you, Mommy,” he said as he cried in her arms.

“Oh baby boy,” she said, kissing his cheeks and head a few dozen times as she held him tightly in her arms. She heard movement around her and glanced up.

“Hi,” Buck said with a nod, a smile on his face and there were even a few tears in his eyes.

“Hi,” she said back, “You must be the Buck he talks about?” she asked him.

“I am, if you want, then I can leave, so you guys can have some time together,” he suggested, looking a little unsure at Eddie and Shannon.

“No, no you don’t have to leave. I only came by to drop something off. I… I wasn’t going to disturb your movie night,” she said, finally letting Christopher go, but allowed the child to cling to her, though she was still holding him as best as she could as she stood up.

“I said you should join us,” Eddie told her, shaking his head, “Let’s all watch a movie,” he repeated, getting them to move into the living room properly and sit down.

“Really, I-” Buck began, still standing.

Eddie huffed, grabbing his friend and pulling him to the couch, “Sit and shut up,” he instructed, feeling smug satisfaction as soon as Buck did so.

Shannon watched the two as Christopher decided that he was going to sit on her lap and cuddle with her for the film. “Is Buck around a lot?” she asked in a whisper.

“Yeah, I love Bucky, and he makes Daddy happy,” Christopher told her, a large grin on his face as he looked up.

“Right,” she nodded, chuckling lightly as the film finally started.

XxXxX

Buck took out the empty bowl as Eddie took out what had been used for drinks. “I really think I should have gone home,” he said as he looked at Eddie.

“Buck, it was fine to stay,” Eddie reassured him, “I think Christopher would have thrown a fit if you had left. Yes, Shannon is here, but he would have wanted you as well. Or didn’t you notice that part way through the film he decided to climb onto your lap,” he snorted.

“Well… yeah, but he wouldn’t have if I wasn’t here,” he shrugged.

Eddie rolled his eyes, “You’re not hearing me, Buck, Chris would have had a fit if you had left. You’re his Bucky, and he won’t want you going anywhere.”

“He’s right, Buck,” Shannon said as she walked into the kitchen, hearing the tail end of the conversation.

“I take it Chris is out?” Eddie asked her.

“Like a light,” she smiled, “he was so happy to have all his family here, and Buck, that includes you. He adores you so much,” she told the young man.

“Well,” Buck said, squirming a little, “I love the little man. He’s amazing.”

“He thinks the same of you,” she grinned.

“Yeah?” Buck blinks, shaking his head, “I should actually head home, we have an early shift tomorrow,” he said. He knows that while they do, he had been planning to stay the night on Eddie’s couch if the man would leave him to it. Last time, Eddie had ended up dragging him to his bedroom and making him share with him. It was a lot more comfortable than the couch. Also, it didn’t hurt to have someone sleeping next to him.

“You can still stay, you know,” Eddie told him.

“Nah,” Buck grinned, “I should get home instead, I’ll see you tomorrow, Eddie. And it’s really nice meeting you, Shannon,” he told the woman.

“It was really nice meeting you as well. Hope we can get to know each other,” she smiled at him as Eddie showed him out.

Eddie sighed a few minutes after saying goodbye to Buck. He had tried again to get the younger man to stay, “I wish he would have stayed.”

“Why?” Shannon asked him.

“At the moment he’s staying on his sister’s couch. Though he was on one of our co-workers for a bit. He’s looking for a place at the moment,” Eddie told her.

“Hmm,” she nodded, “Well you know Niamh may be able to help. She’s a realtor. She got a new job not long after we got back,” she told him, “I could ask her to keep a lookout, just need to know the budget.”

“I’ll talk to Buck and point him in your direction,” Eddie smiled, “Good to know that she’s working again, what about you?”

“I’ve been finding my feet somewhat. Just getting myself sorted and then finding a job, is not always easy,” Shannon told him, smiling. “Though Buck.”

“What about him?” Eddie looked up as he started the washing up. The ease of how he felt with Shannon there now that there was no pressure of a relationship on them was nice. He could now remember all the fun they had at one point.

“He is a dream boat. Like, hot hot,” Shannon said, smiling as she looked at her soon-to-be ex-husband.

“Shannon!” Eddie exclaimed, eyes wide as he glanced over at her.

Shannon picked up a dishcloth and began to dry, “Oh come on Eddie, we both know you like both. And if you can’t see that pretty boy, I might chance it,” she wiggled her eyebrows at him.

“Sometimes I forget what you are like,” he sighed heavily.

“Well, there was that threesome we had before we had Chris,” she reminded him of some of their past fun times.

“Yeah, well,” he muttered.

“If you say you didn’t have fun, I’m calling you out on your lies, Edmundo Diaz,” she gave him a pointed look.

“Okay,” he said, handing her the last of the glasses that were used. “It was a lot of fun, and he was rather nice too. And yes I know that Buck is fucking gorgeous, but that doesn’t mean that I’m going to do-”

“Not yet maybe, but don’t let him get away. He loves Chris and I can see he kinda likes you as well. He looked quite happy curled into your side. Don’t let an opportunity pass you by,” she told him.

“Not yet Shannon, seriously,” he told her, “I’ve got Chris to think about at the moment and to make sure I get through my probation period.”

“Well, let’s get Chris into that fancy schmancy school, let the divorce settle a bit, and then tap that ass. Seriously, you could bounce a coin off it,” she smirked, putting the glass to the side as Eddie began to put them away.

“Shannon,” Eddie growled in warning, causing the woman to laugh.

“What happened to you, you were such a free spirit,” she said softly, reaching out to touch his arm.

“War happened, Shannon, it did change me some. I don’t think I can ever go back to how I was,” he told her honestly, looking at her.

“But who you are underneath all that. It’s like it’s been trodden down so much. You were still a free spirit when you came back. You still wanted to fly, and yeah, you were taking some time, but you were still there. Now, it’s like part of you has been ripped away,” she sighed, “I can have a guess.”

Eddie sighed, “After you left, they got even worse. I was running between three jobs,” he told her, “And they were just trying to take over with Chris all the time. No matter what I did it wasn’t good enough. I heard about being a firefighter and when I was looking into it, Chris needed another surgery, and we didn’t have the insurance to cover it all. I was working so hard, paying everything off afterward, and then I went for it. Mom and Papi found out and… they tried to get me to give them Christopher. They wanted me to give them my son, and that… that was the last straw. Chris was keeping me going most days when I felt like the world was ending around me. A hug and a smile from him and my world was just fine,” he told her quietly.

“I have to say that I hate your parents. They… they had me believing that Christopher would hate me, that it was my fault that I did something during the pregnancy that caused his CP. That it was all on me,” she said, “I know… I know that it’s not. But it took me a long time to feel like that. Some days, I do feel guilty.”

“There… Shannon,” he began, only to stop.

“I know, but at the time, and occasionally that was how I felt. I’m doing better. It’s one of the reasons why I don’t have a job just yet. I want… come to terms with a few more things. I’ll be trying soon,” she added.

“You’re a great teacher, I know you loved your work,” he smiled.

“Yeah, well, now this place is all cleaned up. I’m going to go home, myself. Niamh will be waiting for me. I texted her to tell her I was staying a bit, but she’ll be expecting me soon,” Shannon said as she began to gather her things.

“Don’t be a stranger, I’m working tomorrow. He’s with Carla after school and during the night, but I can tell her to let you take him for a bit if you want,” Eddie suggested.

“No, we’ll work out something properly, I don’t want to disrupt his schedule too much. No matter how much I would love to take him around after school and that. Let’s get it sorted properly. I’ll take him some nights you’re working, let Carla have a break. Though I need to meet this woman, she sounds amazing,” she added as she walked to the front door.

“She is, she cut through red tape like it wasn’t even there. Helped sort so much out for Christopher. And took him on a client personally. Buck… he was the one that introduced us,” he said, a soft smile on his face.

“Boy, do you have it bad,” Shannon snorted, “Well, one day soon, I hope I can meet her. Night, Eddie and we’ll talk more soon,” she added.

“Night, Shan,” Eddie watched her leave before closing the door and muttering to himself as he went to get ready for bed, “She knows me too well, damn it.”

Chapter Four

Buck sighed as they reached the station. He was the first one to leave the truck and head to change. He wanted to avoid the others. Yes, he had already left Abby’s apartment and had been out for the last three weeks. But that didn’t mean he wanted to talk about it. It still hurt. He had tried one last time to call her and it had gone straight to voicemail. Not even the normal wait to go to voicemail. He had been sent straight to it. It hurt to know that he wasn’t even worth telling him that she no longer wanted him.

“You alright?” Eddie asked him as he walked up behind him as soon as he finished changing.

Buck put a smile on his face, “Yeah, yeah I’m fine,” he nodded.

Eddie snorted, “No, I don’t think you are,” he said, placing a hand on his shoulder, “You know you can talk to me.”

“I know, Eds, I know,” he sighed, his smile finally dropping. “Just talking to Lola, it kinda made me think about Abby and how she was when we were first together. Things were great, we had some good times. When I was leaving, I tried one last time to call her. She… she never answered, just went straight to voicemail. I mean it rang once and went to voicemail.”

“You think she rejected your call?” Eddie asked, sitting on the bench, thankfully no one else was in the room.

Buck looked at him, “I think she did. She left and didn’t even think I was worthy of being told she wanted to break up with me. She just left and ghosted me,” he sighed, looking down.

“Then that’s on her. Buck, you’re a great guy, and I really do mean that. You… you’re something special, Buck. How about after our shift you come back to mine? Chris is asking after you again as well. And I think a Chris hug is needed after that.” Eddie watched Buck, seeing the faded light in the man’s blue eyes. He hated to see it, but each time the man had talked about Abby, he had noticed the others teasing him, making light of what he was going through. Even Buck’s sister had done it.

“Thanks, Eddie,” Buck finally smiled again, “Yeah, coming to yours to see Chris, I like the idea. Oh,” he said as he got up, “How’re things going with Shannon?”

“She and Chris spend time together while I’m working. She has him at least once a week overnight when we have a twenty-four. Carla the rest of the time. Shan’s settling in well again. Chris loves seeing his Mom and spending time with her. I think we finally settled into what we want,” Eddie answered him, standing up and walking with him up to the loft.

“That’s good, she’s… fun,” Buck said.

Eddie gave him a look, “You have no idea. That woman… We were friends before everything. Really good friends. More friends with benefits than boyfriend/girlfriend. That’s what we were happy with. Then Chris came along and the pressure from my family to marry became too much, so we did. I was already signed up for the Army,” he sighed, “we got married during a week’s leave. Then back to Afghanistan. Allowed to come back when Chris was born, and I could see, even then, that she wasn’t happy. She loved Chris, I knew that, but we weren’t really in love. If you know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I do,” Buck nodded, “You said something about signing up a second time?”

“I did, I know I shouldn’t have. But, damn was I scared to be a dad. I really was. So I signed up again, and with his CP diagnosis, the Army was giving me better benefits that helped me get what he needed at the time. So I thought I was doing it out of duty to Chris, but really…” he sighed, shrugging.

Buck nodded, “But you’re back now, you two have talked and started to sort things out between yourselves.”

“We have cleared the air a lot. We actually talked. Once upon a time, we would have just fallen back into bed and not talked,” he snorted.

“Sounds like you know that from experience,” Buck said, smirking.

“More than enough,” Eddie replied to him, “We just clicked in a different way all the time. If it wasn’t for Chris, I don’t think we would have been more than fuck buddies,” he said bluntly.

Buck couldn’t help but snort at that, “I just don’t see you as doing that, I really don’t.”

Eddie laughed, “Come on, Buck, I was someone different back then. I didn’t have worries or a kid. Shannon and I liked our fun, a lot. I worked for my dad at the time, so I had a job and could do as I wanted. Then I joined up, wanting to get away from things at home. My parents were pressuring me to settle down. While I was away, I found out about Shannon being pregnant and well, you know the rest.”

“You grew up,” Buck said.

“No, my outlook on life changed, my priorities changed. Still don’t think I actually grew up. Just life happened differently than I thought it would. Wouldn’t change it now,” he smiled softly as they headed over to the couch. They didn’t even reach them before the alarm rang once more.

XxXxX

Diaz movie night took place three days later. Buck had been over once, spending a bit of time with the Diaz boys. Christopher had ended up being able to get the man to stay the night. He had spent an uncomfortable night on the couch and had gone to work the next day only for something to happen that had him deep in thought. He was still thinking about it as he sat on the couch in the Diaz home watching Spiderman with the two. Only Eddie had been able to tell that the man was still thinking about things and not paying attention. Christopher had fallen asleep partway through the second film they had put on.

“I’m going to get this one to bed, beer after?” Eddie asked Buck as the film came to an end.

“Hmm,” Buck blinked, glancing up at Eddie as the weight of Christopher was taken from him. “Oh, erm, yeah, sorry.”

“It’s fine, Buck, go grab some beers. You’re welcome to stay the night again,” Eddie suggested to him.

“Yeah, sure,” he nodded watching Eddie take his son to his bedroom before cleaning up some of the mess and grabbing two beers for them both.

“And still out,” Eddie grinned as he walked back in, “Thanks, Buck. And you didn’t have to clean up, I could have done that myself, or at least helped.”

“It’s fine, it gave me something to do, to take my mind off things,” he said glancing at Eddie quickly.

“You’re still thinking about that couple, aren’t you?” he asked him. Even he couldn’t help but think about them both. They had been together during a time when it was still a taboo when getting beat up was seen as normal. Times had changed, thankfully. There were still homophobes around, but they were now the minority and not the majority like it once was.

“Can’t help it, I was talking to Thomas and he was talking about how they had met. He… he said that you have to work at love and I was thinking about it. Thinking about Abby and… I was the only one working to try and make it work. She was so focused on her mom that nothing else counted. Which, you know, I understood, I understood that. But after she wanted to leave, she didn’t say anything until I saw her suitcase. There was no talking about it, no build-up to it. Just she was going and leaving me behind. She never even suggested that I go with her,” Buck said in a rush.

“Shannon and I never really worked at it either. We clicked in other ways. We both love Chris, and I think that was the only thing keeping us together for the longest time. He was right though, you do have to work for it. When you find that someone, that one that makes your chest squeeze and your stomach roll. Like the world is coming to an end but also a new beginning is just starting,” Eddie said, looking at Buck. “That’s the one you should work on, should work with. Because that one will be the person you’re meant to spend your life with,” he finished quietly.

“Yeah,” Buck murmured, drinking some of his beer. “Was thinking about trying my hand at dating again,” he added, just as quietly.

Eddie looked at him sharply, “Really?”

Buck glanced over, “Well, yeah, I don’t… I am always alone. Yeah, I’m still at Maddie’s, she got me an airbed to use. So not breaking my back on her couch this time,” he shrugged.

“Yeah,” Eddie was quiet for a few moments. “That reminds me, Shannon’s sister is a realtor. She works here in LA. Shannon said that she might be able to help you find a place to live. If you want, that is.”

Buck looked over at him again, settling his beer on his leg, “Yeah, that would be great. I’m getting a little sick of sleeping at Maddie’s. Chim keeps coming over and it gets awkward. They say they aren’t together, or anything.”

“But it’s looking that way?” Eddie asked him.

“Yep,” he snorted, “they are. Really, they are so a couple and don’t even see it.”

“I’ll get in touch with Niamh and send her your way. She’s good at her job,” Eddie told him.

Buck nodded, “Thanks, that’ll help a lot. I’ve got some saved up since I’ve basically not lived in a place on my own before. House share when I first got to LA and then I was in Abby’s place, then bouncing between Maddie and Chim.”

“Well, let’s hope she finds you a place soon then,” Eddie told him.

“Yeah,” he nodded, “I was… thinking today. About finding someone.”

“Hmm?” he hummed, waiting for Buck to continue.

“I still have that number from the woman, Ali, the one we saved in the leaning building,” Buck said, glancing over at him. “I was kind of thinking about asking her out. But I don’t know if I should.”

Eddie froze again, shaking his head, “I think maybe wait a bit. Until you find a place maybe. Get yourself sorted out first,” he suggested.

Buck smiled, “Yeah, you’re right. I should get myself a place first before I end up on Maddie’s airbed for the rest of my twenties.”

Eddie laughed along with him, “Worse places to be.”

“Yeah, Chimney’s couch. Sorry, it isn’t that comfortable,” Buck told him.

“Neither’s mine,” Eddie pointed out. He knew exactly how uncomfortable the couch was, he had fallen asleep on it a few times.

“But you have a bonus here in Chris. Who doesn’t want to be woken up by a kid giggling as he is trying to pile as many things on top of you before you wake?” he laughed.

Eddie stopped, beer bottle almost at his lips. “He does that to you?”

“Yeah, a few times. He piled half his stuffies on me last time before I woke up,” Buck grinned happily.

“Sorry,” he apologized, wondering if he should have words with Christopher again to stop him from waking their guest up.

“Look, no need to be sorry, it’s a different but fun way to wake up. I plan to wait next time and then grab him from the middle of them all,” he grinned.

“Right, I’ll be prepared to wake up to his squealing laugh when you tickle attack him then,” Eddie snorted.

Buck nodded, “Damn right you better.”

Eddie shook his head as he finished off his beer, “Another?” he asked.

“May as well. We can always watch something, we don’t have a shift tomorrow and while we do have to get up for Chris and school, there are still hours before that needs to happen,” Buck agreed.

Eddie rolled his eyes as he got up, “Yep.”

XxXxX

Eddie was jolted out of some sweet dreams by a squealing laugh, just as predicted. He glanced at his clock, there was still half an hour before he had to be up. Groaning, he got out of bed and headed to the living room. On the sofa was Buck, holding a squirming Christopher who was laughing and trying to get away. Surrounding the two were all of Christopher’s stuffies. On the floor, sofa, and everywhere.

“Well, I hope you are planning to clean up,” Eddie said, giving the two of them a fond look.

“Of course, Daddy!” Christopher called out, “Now save me!” he added as he started laughing again as Buck continued to tickle him.

Eddie walked over and hummed, “Well, should I? Or should I let you face the music of using Buck as a table?” he asked him.

“Save me, Daddy!” he called out again, reaching out to him only to snap his arms back close to his body as his sides were tickled.

Eddie walked around the couch and knelt, “You know what,” he said pausing to look at Buck, who had stopped tickling Christopher for a moment. “Pincer attack on Chris for waking us up!” he yelled out.

Buck laughed and the two men tickled Christopher. His loud shrieks would have been enough to wake the dead. Moments later the two stopped, leaving Christopher laughing and trying to catch his breath.

“Right, breakfast,” Buck said as he slowly got Christopher off his lap and onto the couch.

“Pancakes?!” Christopher called out hopefully.

“Hmm, do you deserve pancakes,” Buck said thoughtfully as he stood. “I don’t know about that… depends on if all of the stuffies make it home.”

“I’ll put them back!” Christopher said, wiggling around a bit until he was standing up.

“Then okay, pancakes it is,” Buck grinned at the seven-year-old.

“Blueberry?” Eddie asked, “I know we have some.”

Buck snorted, “Sure, blueberry pancakes for all of us,” he nodded heading into the kitchen.

“Right, I’ll help you sort all this out. How many did you pile on?” Eddie asked, looking around and seeing what he thought was Christopher’s entire stuffie collection in the living room.

“All of them, Dad,” he grinned up at him, several stuffies in his arms as he walked slowly back to his room.

Eddie snorted and began to help his son clean up. When he entered Christopher’s bedroom, the kid had been right, it was all of his stuffies that he had brought out. Shaking his head they took a bit to clean up. Soon enough the smell of blueberry pancakes began to fill the house.

“Bucky’s done!” Christopher yelled, excited as he made his way to the kitchen.

Eddie laughed and followed after his son, eager for some of Buck’s pancakes. The man-made them better than he did.

Chapter Five

“Now, I know that you said that you wanted a single-bedroomed place. But I saw this one listed and it’s in the right area, right price range. But it is a two bed and two bath apartment. We’re on the third floor, and the building is up to code as well. The place was refurbished two months ago and it’s just come onto the market. Now, it’s also closer to Eddie’s place, around the same distance from the 118. The apartment building does have a gym on the first floor as well. Residents are free to use it, and if you want to sign in a visitor you are free to do so as well.” Niamh said as she told him about the place. “We have this lift and stairs to get up. The emergency stairwell was accessible at each end of the corridors as well. There are four apartments on each floor. Only four floors.”

“Right,” Buck nodded, taking in what she was telling him. This was the third place that she had taken him to that day. It had been a week since the two had been introduced and it had taken a while for the woman to warm up to him at all. She was shy and quiet. Well, at least she was unless she was working and then she could talk for hours.

“The two bathrooms are pretty decently sized. One is a wet room and the other has a bath and shower. The wet room was an addition that was added for the last tenant. The owner liked the addition and had it redone after they moved out. Instead of having it taken out. The two bedrooms are on either side of the apartment. Open Kitchen and living room. There is a half-wall divider between the two, but that is it. There is a nice balcony with access from the living room and the master bedroom,” she said in a rush as the lift came to a stop. They walked to the door and she unlocked it.

Buck walked in. The wood floors were new. He could see the open door for a bathroom and bedroom. It was light, airy. The ceiling was a little higher than normal, but it made the room seem a lot larger than they were. Buck took his time to explore. He looked around, and he could easily see himself there. Playing games with Eddie and Chris. Having them sleep over. This was the place. It really was. The others didn’t hold a candle to this one.

“I think this is the place,” Buck said as he looked over at Niamh, who was standing at the counter in the kitchen area. The dark wood and red highlights were nicely done. The brickwork was nice as well. “It’s really nice, the bedrooms are nice and I… I can see myself here,” he smiled as he looked at her.

“That was quick,” Niamh snorted, “Normally most take a good few weeks to find the place that fits them.”

“I didn’t really know what I was after, just a place to sleep, to stay. I never really had my own place before. But this… this is nice. It’s light, larger than I thought it was going to be. The rent isn’t as high as I was expecting either,” he was looking over the paperwork that she had handed him.

“Well, we can start with the paperwork. You’ll be able to move in within the week as it’s ready now,” she told him, smiling.

“Thanks, Eddie said you were good at your job,” Buck grinned back.

“Well, Eddie’s kind of family. He would say that.” Niamh shrugged.

Buck laughed a little, “Yeah, maybe. But you are good. Come on, you helped me find a place within four days of us looking. And only seeing three apartments. It took ages for my sister to find her place.”

“Well, after the few I showed you online you helped narrow down what you were after,” she told him, “Now, let’s get this paperwork started.”

“Yeah,” Buck grinned, happy he was going to have his own place finally.

XxXxX

Buck flopped onto his new sofa. He finally finished the living room. His bedroom was done and the spare room was still empty, well that would have to be empty for a little while longer. But he was all moved in and happy. Thanksgiving was coming up and he had been invited to share it with the Diaz family. Requested not by one, but a few Diaz’s and Shannon and Niamh. Isabel was cooking along with Josephina. The two had told him that he was invited. Maddie had been invited as well, but the woman was working a shift that day. Having volunteered to do so for this holiday.

“You look deep in thought,” Maddie said as she walked over from the kitchen, coffee in hand as she placed them down on the coffee table.

“Just thinking about the holidays,” he said.

“We’re both working that day, and me the day after,” Maddie said carefully.

Buck looked at his sister, he could see the fear and apprehension in her eyes. “Bad memories,” he murmured, letting the woman pretend not to hear him if she wanted to. Instead, she just gave one sharp nod. “Well, Abuela,” he began.

“Abuela?” Maddie asked him, frowning, though there was a teasing glint in her eyes.

“She told me to call her that!” he protested, “Anyway, she said that you’re welcome to still come if you change your mind. We’ll be there all day. I know your shift isn’t that long. They were going to celebrate together on the day. But when they found out Eddie and I were both going to work. They said that they will do it the day after,” he smiled softly, feeling warm and fuzzy about being invited.

“Well, I know you’ll have fun,” she told him, curling herself on one of the armchairs. The deep red was a nice contrast to the lighter wood of the floor. “You’ve not got bad taste,” she told him, snuggling down.

“Thanks,” Buck grinned at his sister, “I just need to finish furnishing the place. But I still have some funds saved up for that,” he murmured looking around. It was coming along. He’d moved in three days before, with only an airbed for the first night. The second was when the bed he ordered came. And now his third some of the other things had shown up. Maddie would be coming by again tomorrow when the table and chairs came and a few other pieces.

“Well, I’m proud of you little brother,” she smiled, “This is a nice place.”

“Yeah,” Buck smiled drinking his coffee, “Wish I could sleep here tonight. But I have a shift soon,” he muttered, feeling a little odd about actually wanting to be home.

“Same, Josh is coming to pick me up from here since my car is in the shop. Can’t believe it broke down on me,” she muttered, rolling her eyes.

“At least you have a ride to work,” he said, drinking his coffee quickly. “Right, I need to shower,” he told his sister.

“I’ll clean up, I have your spare key. I know that you want to give Eddie one as well,” she frowned, remaining in her chair as she drank her coffee.

“That’s more because of work. In case something happens. We all have keys to each other’s places. Like I have a key to Bobby’s apartment and Hen’s place as well. Even though she has Karen. Bobby has Hen’s and Chim’s. Hen has mine and I want to give another to Eddie. Eddie plans to do the same as well,” he shrugged, he could see the logic of it. Just in case something happens, someone else can get anything they might need from home quickly. Or if there is an emergency or something going on. They can check on each other.

“Okay,” Maddie said, still not quite understanding, but dropping the subject.

Buck headed to shower and change. “Right, I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon, Mads,” he grinned at his sister, grabbing his back.

“Be careful!” she warned him.

“Of course, I have Eddie watching my back,” he waved as he then left the apartment.

Maddie snorted, “More like watching your butt.” Shaking her head, she hadn’t been the only one to notice Eddie watching her brother, even Chimney had. Just like her brother had been watching Eddie just as much.

XxXxX

Buck glanced up from his phone as Eddie walked over. Their twenty-four-hour shift was almost over. Maddie had told him the other things that he had ordered had arrived. He would have to sort them out when he got home. “Hey, Eddie,” he grinned.

“So how is this mysterious apartment of yours?” he asked him, he had heard about the move. He had been planning to help but had been told not to even bother as the man didn’t have anything to move except for what was in his jeep.

“Starting to look like a home,” Buck carried on grinning, “It’s great, Eds.”

“I’ll have to see for myself before I call it great. Though from what Niamh said about it, she called it her best find,” he snorted, his former sister-in-law said that a lot about nearly all the properties she took on and was able to rent out.

“Well, come over tonight, bring Chris as well. We can have a movie night at mine,” he told him, “I had a delivery of a few things, just need to sort them out and it should be fine. We finished just in time for you to get Chris from school don’t we?” he then asked, trying to remember when Chris’ school let out.

“Yeah, I’ll be a little late getting there with traffic, but they don’t mind waiting for me to get there. Shannon was going to get him, but Chris really wanted me to. He’s been trying to get me to since he started at his new school. Not been able to yet,” Eddie sighed. He hated missing out on things with his son. He already missed so much and missing more hurt. But he loved his new job. He felt settled again, more settled than he had been in his life. Eddie had found his direction, now he just needed to gather a bit of courage. And with the way Shannon was egging him on it would either happen on his terms, or she would spill the beans.

“Then come over after, I’ll cook dinner,” Buck added as an incentive.

“Sure,” Eddie smirked, “I don’t mind getting out of cooking.”

“Don’t know why, you’re pretty good at it,” he shrugged as Eddie sat down beside him, leaning against him a bit.

“I do enjoy cooking when I can experiment. Can’t do that often with Chris, he doesn’t like it. Don’t know if anyone here would be appreciative of me trying something different and new for breakfast, lunch, or dinner here,” he snorted.

Buck paused and thought for a moment, “Well,” he began, “You could always let Shannon have Chris for the night and you could experiment and cook for me?” he suggested, smiling over at him, a slight blush on his face.

Eddie looked at him and nodded, “Yeah, I’d like that. Maybe when we have that day off next week, we can do it. I’ll talk to Shannon.”

“Sounds like a d… plan,” Buck grinned at him, quickly covering up his slip, even though he felt his face heat up a little.

Eddie laughed and nodded, “Yeah.”

They had one last call out before they left for home. Buck hurried to his new apartment in the hopes of getting everything set up for when Eddie and Christopher arrived. He had almost finished setting up the new TV and gaming system when there was a knock on his door and Buck cursed himself. He was supposed to give Eddie the spare key when he was at work. He rushed over to the door, grabbing the spare key from his bag as he went over. This time he wouldn’t forget.

“Hey,” he grinned, opening the door and letting them both inside.

“Bucky!” Christopher grinned as he went in for a hug.

“Hey, Superman, how was school?” he asked, hugging Christopher tightly for a moment.

“It was good, we were learning about lions today. And we have a new book to read, will you read it with me?” Christopher asked as he looked up at Buck.

“Of course, we can,” Buck smiled down at him, ruffling the curly hair.

“Awesome,” he grinned as he then started to let go and walk into the apartment.

Eddie shook his head and looked fondly at the two, “Thanks for the invite, Buck, need any help with anything?” he asked him.

“Yeah, I just need to put the dining set in place and finish off the TV set up. Just a cable needs to be put in. That will take me a second. If you could sort out the dining set. The table needs to be moved a bit, so I’ll help with that,” Buck said as he went over to the TV to plug the last thing in. “Right, done,” he said, glancing at Christopher who was looking at the bookcase that was against a wall.

“Let’s get the table sorted and then I’ll set up the chairs,” Eddie said as Buck nodded.

The two finished setting the table in the right place. “Thanks, Eds,” Buck grinned at him, “Right, dinner,” he muttered heading into the kitchenette.

“Not a bad place,” Eddie said, “You got a theme in color I see,” he added, seeing that most of the things around the place were dark wood and red.

“Yep,” Buck laughed, “Thought that I may as well carry it on. Even the main bedroom is red as well, so why not. I like the color as well. I like the bold colors.”

“Why not,” Eddie nodded, “Need any help in cooking?” he asked as he settled against a counter and watched as Buck started to grab things out of his fridge.

“I thought you wanted a break?” he reminded the man.

“I don’t mind helping,” he repeated.

“This is awesome!” Christopher called as he walked over to them, having finished his exploring.

“You like the place, Bud?” Buck asked him as he went over to the half wall. He wondered if he could get rid of it, and turn the counters there into a breakfast bar or something.

“Yeah, I love the red,” he grinned at him in answer.

“So do I,” Buck smiled back, laughing lightly as he began to prepare ingredients for their meal.

“What are we having?” Christopher asked as he watched.

“Well,” he began, “I was thinking we could have spaghetti bolognese. Does that sound good?” he asked him,

Christopher nodded rapidly, “Sounds great. Dad makes it really good too.”

“Does he, well I might need to have his help in the kitchen then,” Buck told him.

“Ready to help!” Eddie called out, waving a hand, causing the other two to laugh. Eddie was soon put to work as the two men cooked dinner and Christopher settled to watch some cartoons on TV.

Chapter Six

Buck was nervous as he pulled up outside of Isabel Diaz’s home. The woman had been kind enough to invite him to share their Thanksgiving with him. Though Eddie had told him that she wasn’t the only one that wanted him to come. Getting out of his jeep he looked at the house. He started to walk towards it, having to park nearby instead of on the drive. Eddie’s Truck was there already. He could see another car that had been parked and wondered if that was Shannon’s or Niamh’s car. The two women had also been invited. Isabel had been the only one that had welcomed the woman back into the Diaz family. Josephina had been apprehensive at first. But she had warmed up when Eddie and Shannon had both sat her down and told her what had gone on.

“Are you going to stand there and stare at the house all day Buck?” Eddie called from the porch. Christopher had sent him outside to wait for his Bucky, to make sure he knew which house.

“Was contemplating it,” he said nervously.

“You okay?” Eddie asked, going down the couple of steps and over to his friend.

“Just a bit… nervous,” he admitted with a wince. “Sorry, I haven’t been to a Thanksgiving Celebration in a long time.”

“It’s fine, Buck, really. You don’t have to be nervous. We’ll be having fun, Abuela and Pepa have refused to have any of us in the kitchen, they have it all under control,” Eddie reassured him as he led the way to Isabel’s home.

“I… I know,” he sighed, “Just, ya know,” he shrugged.

“Yeah, been a while, but you’re always welcome here. Abuela already said that you’re family. She won’t have it that you don’t visit. So make sure you do. She was complaining when we got here that you hadn’t gone to see her. So expect to be told off about that,” he warned him as he opened the front door and got him inside.

“Okay,” Buck nodded and followed Eddie inside fully.

“Bucky!” Christopher yelled as soon as he saw the man.

“Hey buddy,” Buck grinned at him as he went over and swept him up in a tight hug. Holding the kid was the best way to calm his nerves about being there.

“Evan,” Isabel greeted him, a warm and welcoming smile on his face. She was the one person who he didn’t mind calling him Evan. Calling him that made him feel like more of a part of her family. And with the way she had claimed him, he was. “I’m so happy that you made it,” she greeted him as she walked over and kissed his cheek, “You haven’t been here in a while. You need to come over more. And you look thin, you’re working too hard,” she admonished him.

“Just as hard as Eddie, Abuela,” he smiled kissing her cheek back, feeling all fuzzy. He had never really celebrated Thanksgiving after Maddie left for college. His parents hadn’t wanted to be around him during that day, instead, they would go out somewhere else to have Thanksgiving with friends, leaving Buck to fend for himself.

“You both need more food,” she huffed, “I’ll show you a few of my recipes. Eddie told me that you like to cook as well. I taught him and I shall teach you as well,” she told him, “Now go and sit, Eddie, get him a drink,” she instructed her grandson.

“Yes, Abuela,” Eddie grinned as he went to do as he was told.

Buck let Christopher down as soon as he wiggled to get free, “You sure you don’t want some help in the Kitchen?” he asked Isabel and Josephina.

“No, you stay out here, keep them company,” Josephina told him, “We have everything under control and it shouldn’t take too much longer, we’ve been cooking since early this morning.”

“How has the new place been?” Niamh asked him as soon as he sat down.

“I love it, really, Niamh, I can’t thank you enough for the help you gave me in finding it,” Buck grinned at her. As soon as he got comfortable on the chair, Christopher decided to climb into his lap and sit there. “You okay, bud?” he asked him.

“Tired,” he muttered.

“Oh?” he asked, “Didn’t you sleep last night?” he asked him gently.

Christopher looked up at him. And he really did look tired, a little sleepy. “I had a nightmare and I didn’t want to sleep again.”

“Ahh,” Buck nodded, “Well I don’t think Abuela would mind if you had a little nap,” he told him, getting a nod from Shannon that it would be fine for him to do so.

Christopher nodded and cuddled closer. It didn’t take him that long to fall asleep. Eddie walked back into the living room, a glass of lemonade in his hand. He put it down near Buck and looked at him and his son.

“Nightmare last night, he couldn’t shake it. Don’t have a clue as to what it was about. He wouldn’t say,” Eddie said softly, “They don’t happen often. Most of the time it’s just the normal nightmare monsters that plague most kids. I can move him to his room here if you want?” he offered quietly.

“Right, well, I don’t mind him sleeping here at all,” Buck said, quite happy to have a sleeping Christopher on his lap. It made him feel wanted and needed.

“Okay, but if he gets heavy after a while. I’ll take him to his bed for a bit and let him sleep there,” Eddie told him as he went and took another chair nearest to Buck.

“So,” Shannon said, “How have things been at work? You two being safe?” she asked the two of them.

“As safe as you can be with running into burning buildings,” Eddie snorted, rolling his eyes.

“Well,” Buck said, “Firefighters have less of a chance of dying on the job. We’re more likely to get in a car accident driving to a store than we have in dying in a burning building or in the line of duty.”

Shannon looked at him, “Really?” she was a little surprised at that.

“Yes,” Buck nodded, “dying on the job is like, 0.001% chance of dying, while driving a car you’re 1% likely to get in a car accident.” He then listed a few more things he had found out on that particular research binge.

“That’s… actually pretty reassuring,” Shannon said slowly. She had actually thought the opposite. That someone who became a firefighter was more likely to die on the job and that it would happen.

“Yeah,” Eddie said a soft smile on his face as he watched Buck and his son.

Shannon looked at her former husband and shook her head, “Really,” she muttered, thankfully only gaining Eddie’s attention. He shrugged at her. She stood up, gesturing for him to follow her.

“Everything okay?” Buck asked as he saw the two of them stand up.

“Yeah, just something I need to talk to Eddie about, Buck, don’t you worry,” Shannon smiled at him, reassuring him that things were actually fine.

“Okay,” Buck said, returning the smile and going back to cuddling a sleeping Christopher.

Eddie followed Shannon to one of the back rooms. He could hear his Grandmother and Aunt in the kitchen, the two were laughing and talking in rapid Spanish. He glanced at Shannon and asked, “What?”

“You know full well what,” she huffed, pacing a few times before turning to him and pointing. “You are an idiot. If you like him, ask him out, it’s not hard. Seriously, Eddie, am I going to have to go and do it for you? Are we back in high school and you not knowing how to ask Theo Lewis out and getting me to do it for you?” she asked him.

“Shan,” Eddie sighed, “Stop that, and it was only the one time and I was fourteen and unsure of thinking he would even want to try and date me.”

“Well he did, and while it may not have lasted that long, it was enough for you to see that you liked both,” she grinned, “Now, Buck,” she began, glaring at him, hands on her hips. For a moment he could see Siobhan standing before him.

“Leave it, I don’t even know if he likes me at all like that. I want to make sure he is… fine with the thought,” Eddie glared at her, “So don’t you dare do anything!”

“Fine, but I mean it, Eddie, he is a fucking catch. You see him with Chris…” she gestured wildly towards the living room. “He adores that kid. Not many are happy when someone else’s kid comes and sits on their lap and falls asleep. Most would have taken the opportunity to have them off and in a bed. Buck, he doesn’t mind it, in fact, looked like he is fucking happy about it,” she swore.

“Really need to do something about your swearing,” Eddie muttered.

“Really, really!” she muttered, “Fucking really,” she added mockingly. “You’re bitching about my swearing?”

“Yes,” Eddie said, “You know better,” he told her.

“Oh I can swear like a fucking sailor if I damn well wanted to, you stupid fuck,” she cursed at him, glaring, “Now, listen closely you shithead, do something. Or I swear to everything you hold dear, I will turn your world blue before I talk to Buck about you.”

“I will, I just want a little time to test the waters. To see if he would be interested. I don’t even know if he likes men. I know he’s been with women. But nothing about men,” Eddie said, running a hand through his hair, sighing heavily.

“Fine, but I’ll be doing the same. And if I don’t get what he likes out of him subtly, I will just ask him outright,” she warned him.

“I know you will, but do so when I’m not around,” he hoped.

“Fine, I’ll do that,” she smiled at him, “Now, let’s go back in there before the silence between my sister and Buck suffocates them.”

“Your sister is a little odd,” Eddie muttered.

“But she’s my sis,” she reminded him.

“Buck said it was odd that she was so talkative and that when she was showing him a place. But as soon as he met her outside of her work she was so quiet and shy,” he snorted.

“Yeah, I know, a little odd, but it’s who she is,” she shook her head, “Now come on,” she added, leading the way back to the living room.

Buck looked up as soon as they entered. Eddie looked a little annoyed and harried. But there was a smile on his face as soon as he saw Buck and Christopher, “Is everything really okay? he asked again.

“Yeah, it is, Buck,” he reassured him as he went over and sat back down.

Shannon went over to her place on the sofa. Her sister was still sitting there quietly, just watching. “You can talk you know,” Shannon teased her.

“I know,” Niamh shrugged, she had been focused on her phone for a bit, reading.

Eddie snorted as he watched his former sister-in-law go back to reading on her phone. “Buck’s got his place sorted, Chris wants to have a sleepover soon.”

“Yeah,” Buck nodded, “I’d like that. I’m just setting up the other bedroom and he should be fine for sleepovers. The bathroom just outside of it is a wet room and I’m going to install a few handrails for him so he can shower himself,” he added, knowing that Eddie’s bathroom had a very similar set-up.

“You’d make a great Dad,” Shannon said, giving Eddie a pointed look.

“Well, I don’t know about that,” Buck said, embarrassed.

“Buck,” Eddie began, “You treat Chris like a parent would. You’re there for him, you talk to him.”

“You help him fly,” Shannon continued, “You are so good with him, Buck.”

“I’m just the fun friend, that’s, that’s all,” he gave a half-hearted and careful shrug so as to not disturb Christopher.

“You’re not just the fun friend, Buck. I don’t know what I would have done without you. You saw that I was having a hard time getting Chris what he needed and helped me by bringing Carla into my life,” Eddie told him, “You helped more than you know.”

“It’s nice to know that Eddie and Chris have you around,” Shannon told him.

“Mn,” Buck said, not looking at the two.

Eddie shook his head. Buck never took compliments well most of the time. “Do you want another drink, Buck?” he asked, seeing the glass of lemonade empty.

“Oh, erm, yeah, please,” Buck nodded, looking up and smiling.

Eddie got up again and went to the kitchen. “Abuela,” he greeted his grandmother, smiling at her as he saw her almost dancing and singing in the kitchen as she worked. “You sure you don’t want me to help?” he asked, “There’s a lot to cook.”

“Oh, Eddito, Pepa, and I have it all well in hand. You don’t have to worry about anything,” she smiled at him, “now go back out there with your familia,” she told him as she went back to her cooking.

Eddie sighed, “Abuela, I want to help, it doesn’t feel right that you should do all the work. We’re here as well and we’re going to be eating. We should all work together,” he tried a different approach.

“No, now go, shoo,” she said, waving her hands at him to get him to leave.

“Fine, but if you need any help, either of you, you call us. Buck and I would be very happy to help,” he reminded them, “Now let me get a drink for Buck.”

Josephina snorted, “Yes, you keep an eye on that hombre guapo, very easy on the eyes.”

“Pepa!” Eddie exclaimed, “Hush.”

“I have eyes, Eddie,” she stared at him, “How could I not with him? Now get your drink and make a move sometime soon. Shannon even told me that you like him. Don’t waste time.”

Eddie sighed, “Really, I hate you both.”

“All three, Eddito,” Isabel smiled at her grandson, “He is a very handsome man.”

“I give up,” he muttered as he sighed deeply and headed back into the living room with Buck’s lemonade and some for the others as well.

Thanks were given as he handed them out. They talked quietly as Christopher napped on Buck. Isabel and Josephina joined them occasionally, and each time Buck and Eddie asked if they wanted some help in the kitchen. The meal was done after hours of cooking by the two women. Christopher was now awake and insisting on sitting next to his Buck and his dad. Shannon grinned at the two, giving Eddie a pointed look. Buck had grinned and smiled through the entire day, happy to spend time with Christopher and Eddie. As well as getting to know Shannon and Niamh a little more.

Chapter Seven

Christmas was just around the corner and Eddie had roped Buck into helping him put up the decorations around the house. Shannon was inside with Christopher, both of them working on the tree. Shannon stood at the door as she heard the two of them talking and sighed. She had found out from Buck that he was bi, letting Eddie know. And still, the man hadn’t made a move on the blond firefighter.

“He’s silly, they both are,” Christopher said as he came up behind his mother.

Shannon looked down at him, ruffling his hair, “That they are. You can see they like each other.”

“Yeah,” Christopher nodded, grinning, “Bucky likes Dad, he blushed and laughed a lot. He makes a happy face when he sees Dad. And Dad is really happy when Bucky is here. He gets all mopey and sad when Bucky has to go home.”

“He does,” she nodded, “Now, shall we finish getting the tree already?” she asked him, kneeling.

“Yes,” Christopher grinned widely, “Oh, Bisabuela gave me something to put up. She said we have to put it in a special and right place.” He then walked off to where the bag he used when he stayed overnight with Isabel.

“Oh?” Shannon frowned, getting up and following her son.

“Ta-da!” Christopher laughed as he brandished the sprigs of mistletoe that Isabel had given him.

Shannon burst out laughing, “Well, that’s all of us on the same side in getting those two idiots together. Let’s make sure there is enough to cover the house,” she added, “high five Chris!” she added, hand raised for her son.

Christopher laughed brightly as he gave his mother a high five, “Let’s make Buddie real!”

Shannon snorted, “Buddie.”

“Yeah,” he nodded, “Tía Sophia told me that it’s their ship name.”

“Sophia,” she nodded, “I didn’t know that she knew about Buck.”

“I talked to her all about Bucky. I had to. She needed to know that Bucky is family now. So did Tia Andi,” he nodded as he started to look around the house, finding the best spots for the mistletoe to be hung.

When mother and son had finished putting them up they went back to dealing with the tree, making sure that their personal ornaments were on it.

“Mommy,” Christopher said, frowning, “We don’t have one for Bucky.”

Shannon looked at him, “No, there isn’t. How about, since you, Dad, and Bucky are free, why don’t you tell them that you need to go and get him one?” she suggested.

“Really?” he asked her, “Bucky is family, and he should have on. We have one for everyone else.”

“We do, and yes, he does need one. He is family,” she agreed with him. Every single ornament on the tree represented someone in their family. Both Shannon’s and Eddie’s families. The only ornaments that were no longer there were Helena’s and Ramon’s, neither Eddie nor Shannon had felt comfortable letting them be on the tree this year, not after what they had learned. Neither of them considered the two family.

“Then we should have one for Grandpa Bobby, Uncle Chim, Aunty Hen, and Aunty Maddie,” Christopher said absently, “Oh, and Miss ‘Thena. And Auntie Karen, Denny, Harry, and May. They are all family too.”

Shannon looked down at her son again as he was staring at their Christmas Tree. “They are, they are family.” She hadn’t really met anyone else of the 118 yet, but she had heard all about them from Christopher and Eddie. The only one she had somewhat met was Maddie.

“We’ll get some for everyone,” Christopher nodded.

“We will,” Shannon promised him, tapping the one that she had gotten for her mother. It was a little Celtic knot, nothing big, just something small. But a reminder of where they had come from.

“We should tell them,” Christopher said, turning and making his way to the front door.

Shannon laughed lightly and followed. She could hear Eddie and Buck outside. Teasing each other. The two stepped outside. Christopher giggled as he watched his dad and Buck. Shannon remained by the door as Christopher went to join them. She wondered what had caused Buck to chase after Eddie this time. Christopher got in the way, and Buck picked him up as he said. “Let’s get that mean Daddy of yours!”

“Yeah!” Christopher yelled as they then chased after Eddie.

“This isn’t fair, it’s two against one!” Eddie yelled back as he dodge one of Christopher’s reaching arms.

“They are a family and they don’t even realize,” Shannon huffed, shaking her head as she decided that she would make a start on dinner. Since she was staying for it. She was beginning to enjoy watching the two men. Remembering the better times when she and Eddie had been best friends instead of a couple that had been forced to marry thanks to the pressure of Eddie’s overbearing parents.

“You have to kiss!” came a yell from Christopher.

Shannon was quick to leave the kitchen to see what was going on. “Ah, yes, it’s tradition,” Shannon said as Buck and Eddie had been caught under the mistletoe. Christopher had a tight hold of their legs, stopping them from moving away from each other.

“Shannon,” Eddie said, in that warning tone of his. She just smirked and waited. Buck looked embarrassed and trying not to glance at Eddie.

“Well,” Shannon said, looking at the two men.

“Tradition!” Christopher yelled, “Kiss!”

Eddie glared at Shannon as he turned and quickly pecked Buck on the cheek.

“Come on, Eddie, I know you can do better than that!” Shannon admonished him.

“Yeah, Daddy!” Christopher joined in with his mom. “You have to do it properly,” he added, “You like Bucky, so you have to do it properly.”

Buck froze as he looked down at Christopher. “What?” he murmured.

Eddie stared down at his son, “Mijo,” he began.

“Do it properly, Dad,” Christopher glared at him.

Eddie looked at Buck, seeing the blush on his face. “Buck,” he said, feeling slightly scared of what his son and ex-wife were trying to push.

“Eds,” Buck said, his voice squeaking slightly. Clearing his throat, “Eddie.”

Eddie murmured, “Hope you don’t hate me,” he said, as he pulled Buck close, giving him time to move away from him as he cupped Buck’s face and pulled him closer. Kissing him lightly on the lips. Eddie pulled back just as slowly, “Buck.”

“Wow,” Buck said, his smile appearing and disappearing a few times as though he didn’t know if he should be happy or not.

“Yay, finally,” Christopher shouted as he let them go.

“Yes, finally,” Shannon said, “Now Chris, come and help me with dinner, I think your Dad and Buck need to have a little talk.”

“Okay,” he nodded and followed his mother from the room.

“What… what do they mean? Why would… would we need to talk. It was a-” Buck began and then stopped himself, biting his lip, “Maybe… maybe I should go?” he asked, not sure what he should do.

“You’re not going anywhere,” Eddie said, “come on, let’s sit down a bit. I think… I think Shannon’s right, we need to talk a little.” He walked over to the couch and waited for him to follow.

Buck looked at him, “Eds,” he began. Seeing the look on Eddie’s face he walked over and sat down.

Eddie sighed, “And now that I have you here, that we should talk, I don’t even know where to begin.”

“The start?” Buck quipped, feeling nervous, his stomach was doing summersaults and it felt like he was going to throw up. The kiss had been special, unexpected.

“Well…” Eddie began again, shaking himself, “I-”

“Just say I like you already, Eddie!” Shannon finally yelled out, annoyed as hell that the man was taking so long to say anything.

“What?” Buck blinked, looking through the archway towards the kitchen door. He could see Shannon’s head and Christopher’s peeking around the door.

“Daddy like like’s Buck!” Christopher added, giggling. Shannon gave them a thumbs up and then pulled Christopher into the kitchen and let the door close.

“Eddie?” Buck queried as he turned to look at Eddie.

“They.. they are right, I like you, Buck,” he told him, looking at him for a second and then looking away, “I… I don’t know if you what to go out on a date. But I’d like to have that chance, Buck.”

“You… want to go on a date?” Buck asked, eyes going wide, “But I’m…”

Eddie turned to face him, “Yes, I would like to take you out on a date.” His smile was soft, “Buck, you’re amazing,” he told him, “You are brave, kind, smart, funny. There are so many things I think of when I see you. You adore Chris, and you enjoy spending time here. And I know, you could have anyone you want.”

“But I like you as well,” Buck said quickly, “I do. Damn, am I out of practice,” he snorted, “It’s been a long time for me. Abby…”

“Doesn’t deserve you, and I don’t think she ever did. I never met her, but I know you cared about her a lot. But she really didn’t deserve all that you did for her in the end,” Eddie told him, “Will you give me a chance?”

Buck looked at him and then nodded, “Yeah, okay, we’ll… we’ll go on a date.”

“Good,” Eddie smiled as he leaned forwards and kissed him again. “And make sure to get rid of that woman’s number,” he added, thinking of the one that they had rescued during the earthquake.

“Already done,” Buck smiled back, laughing lightly as they kissed a second time.

“Mommy!” Christopher called, a happy tone in his voice, “They are kissing and smiling!”

“Good,” Shannon said as she entered the dining room and walked through to the living room, “Took your time, but I’m happy for the both of you.”

“Thanks,” Eddie smiled at her, “And can you stop pushing me now,” he said, giving her a pointed look.

“I will, I just wanted the two of you to actually go on a date. Now that is going to happen, I’m going to be stopping my very pushing behavior,” she smiled, “Now, dinner is in the oven, I’ve got a nice lasagne cooking for us all, along with some garlic bread.”

“Thank you, Shan,” Eddie said.

XxXxX

Three nights later and Eddie slowly unlocked his front door and walked in. Keeping as quiet as he could. He knew that Christopher should be asleep, and he was rather late getting back home. Shannon had said she would watch him at his place that night, instead of taking him to hers.

“Well, well,” Shannon said as she popped up from the sofa making Eddie jump and drop his keys.

“Fucking hell, Shannon,” he hissed at her, bending to pick them back up, “Do you have to do that? I thought you would have been asleep.”

“How can I sleep when I need to find out all the gossip on how your date went,” she told him, “now come and sit here and tell me everything!” she demanded, moving around on the couch and patting the seat beside him.

“Really?” Eddie gave her a look.

“What, I have to live vicariously through you, and you know that we had the best talks about your dates,” she grinned.

Eddie sighed and shook his head, “I should have stayed out later,” he muttered as he walked around the couch and sat down.

“Soooo?” she drew out the word and waited.

“It was… great,” he gave a shrug.

Shannon glared at him, and went, “Really?”

“What more do you want me to say?” he told her, “That it was great. He looked… edible, really. I could have just taken him back to his and… well, he wouldn’t have left the bed for hours at the very least.”

“Now that’s better,” she grinned, “What else?”

“We talked, and it was so easy talking to him. Like… like how we were, how we are again. We’re best friends, but there is really something there, something that I’m falling for and I think I have been since the moment I met him. He was a complete dick that day. But he was scared, he had made a family out of those at the 118, and me being there was a threat to that. But… he calmed down, and we have each other’s back now. It’s amazing, Shan, we just talked and after we finished, we just sat there having a drink and talking about anything and everything,” he smiled, a fond and happy look on his face as he thought of his date with Buck.

“And?” Shannon prodded him.

“We got kicked out of the restaurant because they were closing. Instead of taking him home, we just walked around for a bit. Shan, I…” he sighed as he flopped back on the sofa, “damn, I feel like I’m back in high school.”

“You sound it too,” Shannon teased him, “Now, Eds, a second date planned?”

“Yep,” he nodded, “Buck is already planning something. I already warned him no large gestures, no hot air balloon rides, or things like that.”

Shannon smiled, “He should know you don’t like the showy, that you’re more down to earth.”

“Yeah he does, he said it will all be fine,” Eddie nodded, “Are you sure you’re fine on the couch? It’s really no trouble to swap.”

“I would say we could always share a bed, but I don’t want to make that boyfriend of yours jealous,” Shannon wiggled her eyes brows at him, “I’ll be fine, Eddie, seriously.”

“I doubt he would mind, he knows we don’t see each other like that anymore,” Eddie pointed out to her.

“Doesn’t matter, let’s not start your new relationship on a bad note,” she added, kicking him on his butt as she demanded, “Now move, I need some sleep. I’ve got a job interview tomorrow afternoon.”

“Shit, I forgot about that,” Eddie said, jumping off the couch.

“It’s fine, Eds, really,” she told him, shaking her head as she snuggled down on the couch, “Though if I ever stay over here again, you are going to get a better fucking couch. I will not put up with this one again,” she told him.

“Fine, I’ll get a better one,” Eddie rolled his eyes.

“Night, Eds,” she told him, yawning, “And you can tell me everything else over breakfast, you have a seven-year-old that wants to know exactly how well you treated his Bucky.”

Eddie froze for a second, “Damn, forgot about that.”

Shannon laughed, “Night.”

“Night,” he said about to leave, “Oh, where are you going for your interview?” he asked, she had only told him about the interview and nothing more.

“Durand,” she said, “Mathematics, their teacher is out on paternity. They already know about Chris, and they said that I can still teach there, I just won’t be able to teach him, and he’ll have to call me Miss McKinley if he does see me. But it will be fine.”

“Good luck, hope you get it,” he said, “Night, Shannon, and thank you.”

“Welcome, Eds, night,” she said, letting her ex go to bed and herself to drift off to sleep. No doubt she would be woken in the morning by her son jumping on her.

Chapter Eight

Eddie looked over at Buck, the man was going to head home, “Hey, Buck,” he called to him before he could put his boots on.

“Yeah?” Buck turned to look at him, a smile on his face. They had just spent another afternoon off with each other. Christopher would be coming home soon with Shannon, who had taken him out for a bit to give them a little alone time. Though it wouldn’t be too long, Christopher had decided that he wanted to see his Bucky before he went home.

“Shannon and I are taking Chris to see Santa, I know he would love it if you could come with us,” he suggested, “We could all have dinner together afterward as well?”

“I don’t want to interrupt your time with Chris and Shannon, he should go with his parents,” Buck answered, shaking his head.

Eddie grabbed his hand, “And he will be Buck, you’re in my life as a partner. And I am hoping that in time you would feel comfortable around Chris,” he added softly.

“I am, I just… I don’t want to overstep, We’ve not been together for long either. And while… while I know that I want this, this family with you and Chris, and yes even Shannon, as she is one awesome lady. I can see why you were with her,” Buck snorted as he thought of Eddie’s ex-wife.

“She is amazing,” Eddie agreed, “But I’m talking about bringing you into our family. My Abuela and Pepa, they both love you and adore you as much as Chris does. And I… I do love you. I know it’s sudden, but how could I not? You’ve been by my side since I first arrived here and have helped me so much. You don’t expect anything back. And no, I’m not dating you because I think I need to pay you back. I’m dating you because I fell for you,” he finished putting a finger on Buck’s lips before he could say anything against Eddie’s words.

“Eds,” Buck murmured as Eddie moved closer.

They were sharing a sweet kiss when the front door opened, “Well, not what I expected to see when I walked in,” came Shannon’s voice.

“Oh Dad and Bucky are being gross again,” Christopher giggled as he walked past them, “You two have to stop for now,” he said, “I want to see Santa, I need to ask him something very special,” he grinned.

“Okay,” Buck said, “Well, I should head home, and let you guys go and have some fun,” he said as he leaned down to try and hug Christopher.

“No, you have to come as well!” Christopher demanded, “I want some Bucky time. It’s why I wanted to come home early.”

“I told you, you’re part of this family,” Eddie smiled at Buck, “Now, come on, all of us are going to see Santa.”

“Yay!” Christopher yelled, banging his crutches on the floor a few times.

“Good, now let’s get going,” Shannon said, laughing at the shell-shocked look on Buck’s face.

“Let’s go,” Eddie said as he guided Christopher back out of the house.

“Eddie is right,” Shannon said softly, smiling at Buck as she put down the bags that she had brought in with her.

“How can he be, we’ve been dating for less than a month,” Buck protested, shaking his head.

“Because all three of us can tell that your heart belongs with us. Just as we belong with you. And yes, I know that it’s a little odd for your boyfriend’s ex-wife to be happy about him having someone. But I am, Eddie and I were never right for each other, never. We make better friends than anything else. We had our fun, and neither of us regrets it. We got Christopher out of it after all. But I want to find someone and be happy, and I want that for Eddie as well. I could tell that was you the very first time I saw you. Chris… he adores you, and I can see why,” she told him, “Doesn’t hurt that you’re easy on the eyes too,” she winked at him, laughing at the look on his face. “Come on, lover boy, let’s go and join those Diaz boys of ours,” she said, hooking her arm through his and escorting from the house, quickly locking it behind her as she made him go in the passenger seat of Eddie truck, while she took her place in the back with Christopher.

Eddie reached over and squeezed Buck’s hand for a second before starting up the truck and heading out. It took them a little longer to get to the parking lot near the mall. “Right,” Eddie said as they made their way out of the car park, “We’ll go and see Santa first,” he said looking over at Christopher.

“Yes!” he laughed brightly.

“Then, how about we get something to eat, all of us?” Shannon then suggested, smiling at them all.

“Sounds like a plan,” Buck clapped, grinning at them all.

The group of four headed to where Santa’s grotto was set up. Eddie was going to go with him but Christopher turned and said, “No, I want to do it alone. I need to talk to Santa about something really really really important. And if I want it to come true, you can’t overhear me,” the seven-year-old said as he stared at the three grown-ups.

“Okay, Chris,” Eddie said, a little pout on his face. He loved taking Christopher to see Santa last time. And now he was being told to stay behind.

Christopher grinned and walked away, joining the queue and waiting his turn. The three adults stood there for a few moments before taking a seat on the edge o the fountain nearby.

“He’s growing up so fast,” Shannon said, “I’ve missed so much.”

“But you’re here now,” Buck told her, “He loves having you back. And Eddie could do with being kept on his toes,” he smirked at Eddie.

Eddie glared at the two of them, “Really… you two are going to pair up against me? I will have Christopher on my side. And My Abuela’s tamales.”

Buck and Shannon shared a look, “Okay, we won’t,” Buck nodded.

“As long as you always share the tamales,” Shannon added.

“I’m doomed,” Eddie groaned, rolling his eyes as he went back to watching Christopher.

“You are,” Shannon laughed at him, “Come on, Eds, it’s fun, we’re bonding. I’m getting along great with your boyfriend.” she told him and then moved a little closer to whisper, “And really, I wouldn’t mind watching once or twice,” she laughed when he choked and stared at her.

“No, no chance in hell,” Eddie told her, eyes wide. he shook his head, “Fucking hell, I forget what you are like. Honestly.”

Shannon just laughed as Buck looked at them wondering what the hell they were talking about. “It’s Chris’ turn,” Buck said instead.

Both Eddie and Shannon got out their phones and started to film as Christopher sat on Santa’s lap and began to talk to him. “He’s getting so independent,” Eddie complained.

“I know,” Shannon sighed, “I just want him to be a little baby again so I can carry him everywhere and cuddle him. So that he won’t grow up. I don’t want him to grow up.”

“I don’t think any parents wants their kid to grow up,” Buck said, as he looked at the two of them.

“You’re right about that,” Eddie said, with a smile. Eddie got up as Christopher was escorted back to them.

“I’ve got to run for a second, go and grab Chris,” Shannon said as she patted Buck on the arm.

“Bucky!” Christopher yelled as he went over to him, “I asked Santa something and I am hoping he will be able to do it.”

“What did you ask for?” Buck asked him, grinning as the seven-year-old wanted him to pick him up.

“I can’t tell you. Otherwise, it won’t be able to happen,” Christopher said gravely, though there was a bright smile on his face as Buck began to walk away.

Eddie watched them go and smiled, “Typical, see’s his Buck and that’s all he wants,” he sighed and was about to follow them.

“You know, you have a beautiful family,” the young elf said as she looked at him and then over to where Buck was with Christopher still in his arms.

Eddie grinned, “Yeah, I do,” he said, “Thank you.”

Eddie jogged over to catch up with them. “Where’s Shannon?” he asked, not seeing the woman near Buck.

“I don’t know, she said she had to do something,” Buck answered him.

Eddie huffed but pulled out his phone and sent her a quick message. he got a message back almost straight away. “It’s alright, she’ll meet us at the restaurant,” he said, tucking it away.

“Come on then, food and playtime!” Buck said as he swung around, holding Christopher securely in his arms as he did so.

“Yeah!” Christopher yelled, almost dropping his crutches.

“I think I’ll take them,” Eddie said before they could end up hitting someone.

“Thank you, Daddy,” Christopher smiled sweetly.

“Welcome always,” he smiled as they headed to the restaurant that they had chosen on the way. It would be full, they had no doubt about that. But it was a really large place and had a nice play area that Christopher liked to play in. They had just entered when they got another message from Shannon, “She’s got us a place to sit near the play area,” he said as he led the way.

“Hey!” Shannon called out, over the noise of playing children.

“Glad you were able to find a seat, this place is packed,” Buck said as he looked around, a little wide-eyed. This was his first time coming to the place.

“It usually is, it’s rather popular with the under tens,” Shannon said, “It works well for Chris, he loves the play area. And we can usually get a place near the front of it so we can watch. No adults are allowed near the play area, only security. Unless it’s the soft play area, and then those under two are to be watched by a parent or sibling over 13.”

“Wow,” Buck said, impressed.

“Like I said, it’s one of the really good places. There are plenty around, this one makes it more relaxing for the parents. Instead of one of us hovering, but instead, letting them play and have fun,” Shannon agreed.

“What were you up to?” Eddie asked her as soon as Christopher had wandered off to play. Letting the adults know what he wanted for food.

“Nothing much, just getting a present for Christopher. I know you got him a switch,” she said, giving Eddie a pointed looked, “I got him two games. I know you got him the Super Mario Cart one, I got him the Mario Party game and Pokémon Let’s Go.”

“He should enjoy them,” Eddie agreed with her, “And so what, I thought he would like it. I got him some clothing from Santa and a few other small things.”

“What did you get him, Buck?” Shannon asked the man as he sat back down after ordering their food.

“What?” Buck asked, glancing away from where Christopher was playing.

“Christmas presents, you were all happy and giddy when you found something for him,” Eddie reminded him.

“Well, I remember he wanted to start reading the larger books. But they make his arms ache when he’s reading after a while. So I brought him a Kindle. I’ve already put on a load of books for him as well. It’s… linked to my account so I know what he has on there. So nothing bad will go on there,” he said as he trailed off a little at the end.

Shannon and Eddie shared a look smiling, “I think you chose a good present there,” Eddie told him, taking his hand and then glancing over at the play area. Christopher had joined up with another kid that looked a little bigger than him. “Yeah, the elf, that brought Christopher back,” Eddie began as he looked at the two of them. “She said that me and Buck made a beautiful family,” he grinned as he watched Buck blush.

“Oh,” Shannon smirked, “And what did you say to that?” she asked him, eyes alight with humor.

“I said we are, and thank you,” he grinned as he heard Buck squeak a little.

“I did say you were both easy on the eyes. How could you not make a beautiful family,” Shannon said, “Even without me there.”

“I know you did, several times,” Eddie rolled his eyes, “And you know you make up half of Chris as well. So take the compliment as well.”

“I will,” she nodded. “You’ve gone awfully quiet, Buck?” she said as she looked over at him.

Buck looked at her, “Well…”

“You’re family,” Eddie and Shannon said together, “Get that through your head. That Elf just saw what we do,” Eddie finished.

The food soon arrived and Christopher was called over. The seven-year-old was happy and joyful as he saw his chicken nuggets and fries, and tomato ketchup dolloped on the side.

“Daddy, can… can Bucky stay tonight?” Christopher asked as he looked at him.

“Well, you might have to ask Buck that one,” Eddie told him, giving the man a smirk.

“Okay,” he nodded, eating a couple of fries before he turned to Buck and asked, “Can you stay tonight? You can read me a story and then we can have pancakes. I really like your pancakes.”

Buck looked at him, and then quickly glared at Eddie before turning back to Christopher, “Sure I can, buddy,” he said.

“Awesome,” Christopher grinned as he took a bite out of a chicken nugget, ketchup dropping onto the plate from it.

“You will spoil him,” Shannon sang lightly.

“How can I say no to that face,” Buck protested, gesturing to the bright smile that Christopher now had on his face as he looked at his parents and Buck.

“You’re going to have to learn Buck,” Eddie told him, “I had to as well,” he said, reaching out with a free hand and taking one of Buck’s.

“Maybe,” Buck pouted.

“It’s something we all have to learn,” Shannon told him, “Don’t worry, Eddie, and I will keep you on track,” she grinned.

Buck just nodded, feeling a little overwhelmed with how he had been welcomed into the little Diaz family. He had only been dating Eddie for three weeks and everything felt as if it was going at lightspeed, but it felt nice. As though he had truly found the place where he belonged in. He looked up from his food and saw Eddie smiling at him, reassuring him that everything would be just fine. Smiling he went back to eating and all three adults were now trying to figure out what Christopher wanted for Christmas.

Chapter Nine

Buck walked over to where Maddie was seated in the coffee shop. She wanted to talk to him, ask his advice she had said when she had called him that morning. So now he was going to speak with her. Wondering if she was finally going to admit that she was seeing Chimney. “Hey,” he greeted as she pushed him the coffee she had gotten for him. “Thanks,” he said, sipping at the hot and sweet coffee.

“I can’t believe how much sugar you have in that. May as well just have sugar water,” she snorted, enjoying her own coffee, with a small dash of creamer and only one sachet of sugar. instead of the tub load she had put into Bucks.

“Can’t help what I like, sis,” he grinned at her, “Now,” he said, taking another sip, “What’s going on? Are you finally admitting that you and Chim are dating and not just friends?”

“Hush up, Evan,” she groaned, “Really.”

Buck laughed, “Come on, what’s going on? It’s not often you want to meet before we’re both on shift.”

Maddie sighed, holding the cup with both of her hands, “I want to divorce Doug. I’m really done. I am so scared that he is still going to come after me. But… I want to move on with my life. I wasn’t going to tell you about it and just do it. But I think… I just needed you to tell me that things are going to be fine, that I’ll be able to have the life I want. That I can control my own life,” she told him, looking up from her coffee.

Buck smiled softly, “You can have your own life. But you’re still scared of him?” he asked her.

Maddie nodded, “I am, I see you and Eddie and I want that. I want that freedom to find someone that I love. Christmas is so close now, and I want to celebrate it being free. To know that he can’t have me anymore.”

Buck nodded, frowning, he took a long drink of the coffee. “I think you need to talk to Athena, she might be able to advise you better on what you should do. You said you were scared of him, of him coming after you. When you first got here you were looking over your shoulder. You still have the best security going as well. All of it to protect yourself. So keep with it. Talk with Athena, and see what she has to say about it.”

Maddie nodded, “Yeah.” She sighed, “I should talk to her, I know we have resources I could have a look at, at work, but I just…” she trailed off, closing her eyes.

“You don’t think you need them, that things will be fine. You’ve been away from him for months now and that should be long enough, yeah?” Buck guessed as to what she might be thinking.

Maddie snorted, “Yeah, that.”

“You know how that could end, take all the precautions you can. Even if they aren’t needed, it’s better to do so than to let yourself be in danger,” he reminded her, they both knew the statistics of what abusive spouses and partners could do. Buck had been to a few of those calls and Maddie had seen the aftermath and the beginning of the as a 9-1-1 operator and nurse.

“You’re right, I should. I’ll call Athena and ask her what she suggests that I do,” she smiled at him, drinking the last of her coffee. “I’m only on four-six hours today. I might stop by the station to say hello.”

“Don’t you mean you’re going to stop by the station to say hello to Chim, and barely acknowledge me?” Buck told her, standing up.

Maddie stood up and laughed as she watched her brother finish his coffee, taking both mugs to the counter. “Maybe, we’ll have to see,” she grinned as they walked out. “Take care, little brother.”

Buck turned to look at her, “Always, big sis,” he told her. Even though she snorted, she had heard a number of stories about his recklessness. Even if he did always save a life because of it.

Buck headed to work, he had a twenty-four hour coming up. Jumping into his jeep he headed off, seeing his sister’s car heading in the other direction. He wore a smile on his face, his sister was doing something for herself and was going to take a chance on getting rid of Doug fully.

XxXxX

Maddie did walk in around dinner time, a little later as she covered a few hours for another dispatcher. Bobby had finished cooking and Athena had turned up. Maddie smiled at the older woman and went over to her. “Athena,” she smiled in greeting.

“Buckette,” she smiled down at her, “Nice to see you here, who are you here to see? Chim or Buck?” she asked, laughing as the young woman blushed.

“Both, though I’m actually glad to see you as well. I was going to call you tonight and see if we could meet,” Maddie said quietly as she went to the table, most of the others were already sitting down. Chimney and Buck were watching her.

“I can come by tonight if you want me to, I don’t mind,” Athena told her, as she followed, a large mug of coffee in her hands as the two women settled at the table.

Buck walked over, Chimney slow to follow but doing the same, “Okay, Mads?” he asked his sister.

“Yeah, since Athena is here now, I thought-” Maddie began, feeling suddenly unsure if it was a good idea to bring it up now, while they were together like this.

“That it would be okay to talk about it now, get things out there,” Buck nodded, smiling reassuringly at her.

“Okay,” Maddie said, taking a breath. Hen and Bobby sat down as dinner now needed to cook in the oven. “Some of you know that I’m married. I left my husband after he had been abusing me for a number of years. I… kept quiet about it, for a long time,” she said quietly. Eddie now joined them, sitting next to Buck.

“I see,” Athena nodded, “And are you worried he might try and come for you?”

Maddie nodded, “He did say that he would kill me should I leave. I wasn’t planning on staying here at all. I was just… I just wanted to see Evan before I left again. Spend another day with him before I went back on the run basically. I’m wanting to file for divorce, but, Buck said that if I’m still scared that he might come for me, that I should talk to you, Athena, maybe you would have some tips to help?” she asked as she looked at the police Sergeant.

“I have a few, the first is to make sure that friends and family know what he looks like. Just in case he has been hanging around. Also, make a statement about his treatment and have it filed. Get a restraining order, it might not seem like much. But it will tell us if he has left the area,” she said as she began to list the things that Maddie should do or be aware of.

“Maddie, have you got a picture of Doug?” Chimney asked her, taking hold of her hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Shaking her head, “No I don’t, I didn’t bring anything like that with me. I didn’t want the reminder of him at all,” she said quietly.

“It’s fine,” Athena told her.

“I think I might have a way to get one,” Buck said, pulling his phone out. “Facebook, I know there were some pictures on there,” he said. “They might be a bit old though. I don’t think you put anything up for a while.”

“I didn’t know you looked,” Maddie said softly.

Buck gave her a sad smile, “For a while, it was the only way I could see you,” he confessed. He looked back down before she could say anything, “Here,” he said, putting his phone on the table and turning it so everyone could see Doug.

“That’s Jason,” Chimney said, eyes going wide as he realized that the man was already there.

“What?” Maddie exclaimed, voice shaking badly.

“I bumped into this guy a while ago, you know the tree?” he said as he looked at her. “he was the one that suggested that one,” he added, feeling sick to his stomach that he had brought it.

“Yeah, you… that was the last type of tree that he got us. Said that I loved that type,” she murmured.

“I’m sorry,” Chimney said, ignoring everyone as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug, “I wish… I wish I knew.”

“It’s fine,” Maddie told him, returning the hug.

“So you’ve met him, Chim?” Athena asked, wanting to get their attention back to the matter at hand.

Chimney nodded, “Yeah, hang on I have a number for him as well. I’ve met up with him a few times. To talk,” shuddering he pulled up the number and let the others see it.

Athena made a note of it, “Right,” she said, “I need to talk to someone else at the station.” She got up, and kissed Bobby, giving him a small smile, “I’ll see you later?” she asked him.

“You will,” Bobby agreed, “You sure you can’t stay for dinner?” he asked.

“Sorry, but I think I should move on this,” she told him, looking towards Buck, “I want you to send me a copy of that picture. I’ll need it for now.”

“Thank you,” Maddie said from where she was leaning against Chimney.

“You, don’t stay at your place, and the same goes for you, Chim, I don’t think either of you should be at home for a while until we get this guy,” she warned the two of them.

“You can come to my place,” Buck offered quickly.

“Why don’t you let Chim and Maddie stay at yours, and you can come and stay with me and Chris,” Eddie suggested as he looked at the couple. He could see that they were together, even if they didn’t want to admit it.

Buck pulled a face but nodded, “Fine, but… ya know, don’t do anything, even though you should use the extra room, not mine,” he said, giving them a glare.

“I would not!” Maddie exclaimed and just like that as she began to tell her brother off for his thoughts, the somber mood broke a little.

XxXxX

Athena had worked with Detective Ransone, and so far they had come up with a trap in order to try and lure Doug out into the open. The plan had been set for when Maddie would be at work. Chimney would be making a call to Doug, or Jason as he was currently being called by Chimney. And asked if he wanted to meet at a bar.

“Eds, seriously I just need to head to the apartment for a moment, I won’t be long, okay,” Buck said as he was on the phone with Eddie. He needed to get a few more changes of clothes. As Maddie had now decided that she wanted to move again as soon as Doug was found and caught. She had made her statements and there was now a warrant out for his arrest. Maddie’s friends at her old workplace had made sure to keep records of what had been done to her by Doug, and now all that evidence that had been compiled and saved with the police there was being used.

“Fine, why it couldn’t wait until later I don’t know,” Eddie snorted.

“Because I don’t want to get home, and have to go out again,” Buck told him.

“You… think of here as home?” Eddie asked him.

Buck parked the jeep in his spot at his apartment building, “Yes I do. Eds, you know how I feel. I… love you. And you and Chris are my home, have been since you first invited me back,” he told him.

Eddie laughed lightly, “Well, I’m glad of that,” he said.

“Yea-” Buck cut himself off, “Maddie?” he called out, seeing his front door open slightly.

“Buck? Is everything okay?” Eddie asked, worried now as he heard the tone of Buck’s voice.

“Ma-” he began only to cut off with a yell as something plunged into his arm. “Fucking hell,” he said as the knife was pulled out, “Doug.”

“So the little brat is still around sniffling after his poor sister. When are you going to learn to grow up? You don’t need your sister to hold your hand. She should never have come here,”

“She came here because you’re a bastard that deserves to rot in the deepest bowels of the earth,” Buck snapped back, dodging Doug as he rushed towards him. He dropped his phone and hoped that Eddie would call Athena or someone to head his way.

Doug turned, running at him again, this time he swiped with the knife. Catching Buck on his stomach. But Buck used that. Grabbing the man’s wrist, squeezing it enough that the knife dropped with a clatter to the wooden floor. Flipping Doug over and twisting his arm. He pinned the older man to the ground. Kneeling on his back.

“I’m not the little kid that you knew back then, Dougie,” Buck hissed sarcastically, “I’m a lot bigger and a lot different. I think the last time you saw me I was seventeen. I’m a bit more bulky now, I work out.”

“Get off me, you bastard! I will get her, and I will make sure she regrets ever leaving me. She is mine!” he yelled, struggling and yelping as Buck twisted his arm a little more.

“I would stop your moving unless you want a dislocated arm,” Buck warned him coldly. He could hear the sirens in the distance getting closer. A few minutes later Athena and Detective Ransone rushed into the room.

“Buck, you okay?” Athena asked as Ransone arrested Doug.

“I… will be,” he said as he remembered that he had been hurt.

Athena was on the radio quickly, “I need medical back up. Off duty firefighter has been hurt by a suspect we have arrested,” she said, asking for aid. She was quick to describe the injuries and then told me that a unit was already on the way.

“Eddie,” Buck gasped as he started to look around for his phone.

“Buck,” Athena said, wanting to try and keep him still so she could at least put some pressure on his arm. It was starting to bleed a lot now.

“Be fine,” he said, finding his phone and picking it up, “Sorry, Eddie.

“It’s fine, I’ll meet you at the hospital, just tell Athena to message me which one you are going to,” he said, “I need to ask Shannon to come and watch Chris. Love you, Evan, and see you soon.”

“Love you too, Eds,” Buck smiled as the paramedics arrived. Minutes later he was bandaged and the bleeding slowed as he was taken to the hospital. Athena went with him and as promised sent a message to Eddie as to where he was going.

Chapter Ten

Buck sighed as he was guided to the couch in Eddie’s home. He was home from the hospital after making sure that he was fine after Doug’s attack. The man had been arrested, but Buck had a nasty feeling in the pit of his stomach that he would be able to make bail. He just hoped the man went back home instead of sticking around LA. Buck didn’t want him in the same state as Maddie. He wanted her protected and safe from the man that had been abusing her. And Buck had a sinking feeling it was a lot longer than Maddie was willing to admit to him.

“Really, I could have gone-”

“Where, to your apartment, they are still considering it a crime scene. And then it will need to be cleaned up properly,” Eddie said, rolling his eyes. The gash across Buck’s stomach had been a little deeper than they had first thought. The stab wound to his arm meant he was going to be in a sling for at least a week. Much to Buck’s annoyance.

“It only needs to be cleaned,” Buck pouted.

“Yeah, and it will be, the others are going to take care of that. But for now, and while you recover you’re going to be staying here,” Eddie said, “And I would sic Christopher on you, but I don’t want him sitting on your lap for a while. Let that wound heal a little before you let him.”

“It’s fine, Eds,” Buck protested again, “Really.”

“You’re going to listen to me, you’re going to take it easy, we’re going to spend Christmas here together as a family. I know that Maddie and Chimney want to spend it together, so you are here, and a welcome addition at that. I think Christopher would have thrown a fit if you weren’t going to be,” he told him as he sat down beside him, he smiled as he felt Buck lean against him, careful of his arm. “I’m just glad you’re okay. Getting a call saying that a unit was needed at yours. It scared me, Evan,” he whispered as he turned to wrap his arms around the younger man.

Buck rested against Eddie’s chest, “I’m sorry. I didn’t even know he was there.”

Eddie rubbed his back, “I know you didn’t, Cariño, but that doesn’t stop me from being scared out of my mind when I heard what was going on. Athena took your phone and told me that you were hurt and then the paramedics arrive. I heard all that as Shannon arrived and then Athena was telling me that your injuries were more serious than you both first thought. That night was a nightmare for me. And I know that Christopher is scared as well. I lost it a little when I heard you call out Doug’s name and I thought… I thought I was about to lose you.”

“I’m okay Eddie I’m okay, I only had to stay for a couple of nights,” he reminded him, “Just glad that I’m in time for Christmas.”

“Still too damn long,” Eddie muttered. He sighed, kissing Buck lightly. “Just glad that you’re okay,” he told him.

Buck nodded as he smiled, “Not the only one,” he murmured. “I’ll be back at work just after New Year.”

Eddie rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything. Buck had been kept in the hospital just in case of infection. Nothing had been really damaged, just a little nick to the intestines from the knife, but it had meant surgery to repair it and two more nights in the hospital. Eddie glanced down as he heard a little sound coming from Buck. He smiled as he saw the younger man had gone to sleep. He settled better on the sofa, moving Buck a little so he would be more comfortable, happy that he hadn’t woken him. He had learned quickly that Buck didn’t sleep well in the hospital.

The front door opened some time later and Shannon walked in with Christopher quickly rushing into the house.

“Hey, Mijo,” Eddie whispered quietly, knowing that would clue both Christopher and Shannon into being quiet.

“Dad,” Christopher said as he quickly rounded the couch and saw Buck. “Is Bucky okay?”

“He will be, Mijo, he just needs to rest for a while. We’re just going to have to look after him over Christmas,” Eddie reassured him as Christopher sat on the edge of the couch, his crutches now on the floor as he played gently with Buck’s hair.

Shannon looked down at them, “Chris, why don’t you clean up,” she told her son, wanting to talk to Eddie without little ears around.

“Fine,” Christopher sighed and rolled his eyes, “But dinner is ages away,” he huffed.

“It might be, but that doesn’t stop you from cleaning yourself up a little and putting away your bag, which is here,” Shannon said as she let her son take the bag and hook it on his crutches after picking them up from the floor. She waited until Christopher had gone to his room to put away his things. “How is he really?” she asked Eddie.

“Tired, in pain, refused pain meds before we even got home. Going to try again later on that,” he answered quietly. “Been told to look out for any infection, but he should be fine. He just needs to take it easy and rest for at least the next two weeks. He’ll be able to return to light duties after the New Year and he’s already wanting to,” he snorted, “His arm is fine, some damage to his muscles, but again, the same type of time frame as the stomach, and no heavy lifting. So we need to watch out for him lifting Christopher up. He’ll want to do so.”

“We’ll have to stop him, and make sure Chris knows to stop him as well,” she said going around the couch and looking at the two of them, “You both look rather comfy,” she smirked.

Eddie rolled his eyes, “I am,” he admitted, “He’s a good cuddler.”

“I can see,” she smiled, “How about you two stay there and I’ll make us some dinner,” she suggested, “And you need to start getting those, things sorted for the tiny man,” she said a little cryptically as Christopher went into the bathroom.

“I know, I hid most of them at Buck’s. So we’re going to have to wait until tomorrow before we can get them. They are releasing the apartment then,” he told her, “Is Niamh joining us as well?” he asked, “Abuela and Pepa are.”

“Niamh has a new girlfriend that she wasn’t to spend the day with. Or rather an old girlfriend that she has reconnected with,” Shannon said, “she did say that I could join her, but she knows I would rather spend it with Chris,” she smiled as she headed towards the kitchen.

“Okay,” Eddie called out to her quietly. Buck gave a grump noise at the slightly louder voice. “Shush,” Eddie soothed, rubbing his back and keeping him asleep for a while longer. At least until dinner was almost done.

XxXxX

Buck had Christopher curled up against him, the new Kindle he had for Christmas already filled with books that they could read together. Eddie took one last photo of the two before joining on Christopher’s other side. It was nice to have Buck there for the holidays. Shannon watched the two as Josephina and Isabel finally sat down and rested. The two had taken control of the kitchen that morning and hadn’t let anyone else inside it until it was time to take the food into the dining room. Shannon and Eddie had been the ones to clean up. No one was letting Buck do anything, much to the younger man’s annoyance. Christopher had been on distraction duty, as he had been since Buck got home.

“Maddie said she’ll be here in about ten minutes,” Buck said as he glanced from his phone. His sister still wanted to see him on Christmas day. Since she had spent it with Chimney. The two were popping by so the siblings could exchange gifts. Maddie had brought a little something for Christopher and the others as well. Only little things, she had said, but still something.

“Right,” Eddie nodded as he went through his pictures of the day so far. It wasn’t fully over yet, there was pudding to still eat. Everyone wearing those silly paper crowns and Christopher had been laughing so hard at the jokes in the crackers that he had almost fallen from his seat at the dinner table. Eddie wanted to choose one or two really good ones that he could print out and hang up.

“Thank you,” Buck said, looking over at Isabel and Josephina, “You’re cooking is amazing,” he smiled.

“Welcome,” Isabel smiled back at him, “Always, now, Evanito, you come to mine, I’ll teach you a little more. But only after you have healed up. You worry us,” she said as she reached over the two arms of the couch and chair to pat him on the hand.

“I look forward to the lessons,” Buck grinned at her.

“She’s a really good teacher,” Eddie said, smiling at his grandmother, “Abuela made sure that I knew to cook well enough to keep Chris fed.”

“Dad’s pretty good now, but he wasn’t when I was little. Before we came here,” Christopher giggled as he looked up from what he was reading with Buck.

“Good to know I’ve improved,” Eddie rolled his eyes, he wasn’t that bad to begin with. He was often just kicked out of the kitchen by his mother. Since moving to LA he had been able to actually cook again, and experiment, much to Christopher’s horror and occasional enjoyment.

“You have, but no more messing around,” Christopher told him, “Some of those were very yucky,” he added, leaning his head against Buck’s arm.

Buck smiled, “I think I might need to know about these messing around cooking times,” he said glancing at Eddie.

“It was just me experimenting with a few things. Nothing much,” Eddie shrugged as someone knocked on the door, “I would say that would be, Maddie,” he said, getting up and going around the back of the couch to get to the front door. He opened it and smiled, “Hey.”

“Merry Christmas,” Maddie smiled as she walked in, Chimney following behind her. In her hands were two bags of gifts for everyone.

“Hey Mads,” Buck greeted his sister, about to stand up when he felt Christopher grab onto his arm.

“You stay here,” he demanded of him, “You’re to rest,” he added.

Buck snorted, it had been like that all day. Each time he had made to get up Christopher had hung onto his arm to stop him. He had even called Eddie in to help get Buck to stay sitting down. “It’s fine, I’m just going to hug my sister hello,” he told him, kissing the top of Christopher’s head before getting up slowly.

“How are you feeling?” she asked like she hadn’t done the same thing each time she had talked to him over the phone.

“I’m good,” he answered her smiling as he gave her a one-armed hug.

Maddie returned it carefully, biting her lip as she looked him over, “Oh, Evan,” she sighed, shaking her head, “That-”

“Don’t worry about it. I know you think you should blame yourself, but you know that you shouldn’t. It’s all fine,” Buck to her, he had given his statement to the police already. No doubt he would be called in for the trial. Buck was pressing charges against him for all that he could.

“But he is… was-” Maddie began again, only to stop when she saw Buck’s face. “Fine,” she huffed, “Now I bring gifts,” she smiled taking the bags that she had brought and began to hand out what she had got. “Sorry they are a little generic, I’m not sure what you would all like,” she added.

“That’s fine,” Isabel told her, “Come, sit, we have a little for you as well,” she told her, patting the seat beside her on the small two-seater couch she was on. It was something that Eddie had gotten at the last minute the day before when he realized he didn’t really have enough seats for everyone.

Eddie went and grabbed a couple of chairs from the dining room and put them around so he and Chimney would be able to sit down for a bit. “You still up for New Year at the Grant house, though with what Athena wants, it will end up being the Grant Nash house soon enough,” he snorted, hearing about how Athena had wanted Bobby to move in.

“Well, they are engaged now, and I know Bobby won’t move in until they are married, no matter how much Athena tries to get him to,” Buck grinned as he had heard Athena moaning about that fact often enough. Though it was more of a playful moan now that she had a very nice rock to show off. Her husband-to-be was the old-fashioned traditional type, in one respect, but not in all, and Buck had heard enough to know he wanted to hear no more.

Maddie finished handing out the gifts, and Eddie went and did the same for him and Buck for Maddie and Chimney.

“Merry Christmas,” Maddie said once more as she looked at her baby brother. He was happier than she had ever seen him, not even when she was living at home did he look so at ease.

“Merry Christmas, Maddie,” Buck smiled back at her, and with that, he opened his gift. Grinning as he saw the books that were in the box he had opened. “Wow, all the Charles Dickens and the Edgar Allan Poe collection,” he said, he had a fondness for the classics and was slowly building his library of them.

Maddie smiled and then unwrapped her own. It was a large box, setting it on the coffee table she opened it. Finding a large blanket that she would be happy to wrap around herself. A bottle of her favorite perfume, along with several bath bombs, bath salts, and even a couple of bottles of bubble baths. And in between it all were two bottles of her favorite wine, “Thank you,” she grinned at him, laughing. Her brother knew her well, and exactly how she liked to relax. A long bath and then curling up on the couch with either a good book or film and a glass of wine.

“Bucky, Bucky, will you help me with this later?” Christopher called out as he unwrapped the gift Maddie and Chimney had gotten him. It was a Lego set, one that the seven-year-old didn’t have yet. And he had a lot of them already.

“Sure,” Buck agreed, “When you’re Dad’s at work me and you can work on it.”

“Yay,” Christopher cheered, as the others laughed.

The rest of the gifts were opened and thank you’s were quickly passed around. Maddie and Chimney stayed for a little longer before going home. The rest of the night was family. Buck fell asleep with Christopher after being made to take his pain medication when he started to hurt a lot. The Diaz’s and Shannon moved around quietly as they cleaned up, letting the two sleep against each other. Of course, Eddie did what any responsible partner and dad did and took a photo for later.

 

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