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

---

---

 

Chapter Forty-One

Shannon waved as she saw Karen enter the cafe. The two had exchanged numbers a while ago, and would often meet on a Saturday when neither of them was with the kids. They mostly went shopping, or even just have a coffee after Shannon’s accident. It was the one thing that she enjoyed getting out to do, a bit of normal while her world was in turmoil. Karen walked over, Shannon had already ordered the drinks for the both of them.

“Hey,” Karen smiled as she sat down, “How are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m doing well, things are going good with the pregnancy so far, nausea is still a pain, but then with Christopher, I was sick throughout the entire pregnancy, this, isn’t so bad this time around,” Shannon said, “Here, I got you the decaf caramel latte you like.”

“Oh, thank you,” Karen said, pulling it towards her and taking a sip, “Perfect,” she grinned.

“Welcome,” Shannon laughed, shaking her head, “I do miss the days when Christopher was a baby, he was always so cuddly and loved to be held,” she said.

“I remember Denny being the same,” Karen smiled softly, “He’s grown so much,” she said, a wistful smile on her face now.

“I think we all miss the days when they were happy little babies,” she smiled, “I’m wondering how this one will turn out since Buck’s the dad. Will they be like Buck, with a birthmark, I heard that they can be passed down,” she added.

“Never know,” Karen said, “I have some news of my own as well.”

“Oh?” Shannon said, perking up even more, “And what would be this news?”

“Well, when I heard that you were trying for a child, Hen and I were thinking about trying as well. We were going to wait a little longer, but I liked the idea of a child of ours to be around the same age,” she said, “So I started going through IVF, and we have a sperm donor as well.”

“That’s wonderful, have to admit that I overheard a few things,” Shannon grinned happy for her friend.

“Doesn’t surprise me, I just passed the six weeks mark,” she added quietly, “We’re hoping things are going to go well, we’ve kept quiet about what we’re doing, not waiting to… well jinx it,” she said, a small smile on her face, “We’re really happy about this. Denny doesn’t know yet, but we’re going to wait to tell him for a while longer. Make sure that things go smoothly before he knows.”

“I can understand that. I only told Buck and Eddie early because Christopher overheard,” Shannon snorted, “No one else knows, except for you and them. We told Bobby and Athena recently since as far as we’re concerned they are more Buck’s parents than the ones he has,” Shannon said, wrinkling her nose at the thought of the Buckley parents. She hadn’t met them, but she’d heard enough from Buck about them when she had talked about letting them know about the baby.

“Well, we’re keeping this close to the vest for now, you’re the only one that knows, and Hen knows I’m going to be telling you. She doesn’t understand why, but she said that since I’m the one going through it, I can tell who I want first. No doubt Hen will have a get-together with everyone so we can tell them all,” Karen smiled, “And this will be the only coffee I can have today,” she sighed, looking at the latte she was drinking.

“I know, we should be doing that soon as well. I know Buck wants to tell Maddie first before we announce it to everyone else. I think he’s waiting to find the right time to tell her. He’s worried about something, and I don’t know what at the moment,” she frowned.

“Oh?” Karen frowned, “Is she okay?” she asked, she had met Maddie a few times, and thought the woman was a little standoffish at first, but soon warmed up to people.

Shannon nodded, “Yeah, I’ve talked to her a little, she’s in therapy, and I think most of us are at the moment and that’s helping her. Something happened at work that reminded her a lot of what she went through. I’ve been seeing her and inviting her over. She and Niamh get along really well, so they’ve been meeting up occasionally. I know that Buck and Eddie went on a double date recently with her and Chimney,” she added, frowning slightly, “She’s… scared for Buck a lot. Always fearful that something will happen to him.”

“I heard why,” Karen nodded, feeling bad for Maddie and for Buck.

“Yeah, losing a brother would be hard, especially while she was so young. Then being told you weren’t ever allowed to even talk about him,” Shannon shook her head, an upset frown on her face, “I couldn’t imagine doing something like that, telling a child that they can’t… mourn a sibling. I know I would be a mess,” she added, her words quiet, “I can’t imagine what she’s been through, having to push that down for so long.”

“At least Buck knows now and I think that might help a little,” Karen suggested, getting a nod from Shannon. “I heard that Maddie helped Athena recently,” she then said.

“Yeah, I can’t believe that Athena was engaged before Michael. I just… to lose someone like that. I can’t imagine,” Shannon said, thinking of the strong-willed woman. Shannon had no idea how she would have coped if something had happened to Eddie while he was in Afghanistan. She had dreamt of it a lot while he was over there, always hoping that the ring of the phone or the knock on the door wasn’t someone about to give her the bad news of her husband being killed in action.

“I know, Hen didn’t even know about Emmett either,” Karen shook her head, “Hen was so surprised when she found out, she couldn’t believe it at all.”

“At least they finally have justice now, that the one that killed Emmett has been arrested and charged,” Shannon nodded slowly, drinking her tea.

“Yeah, still will have to go through it all again with a trial though,” she sighed, “I can’t imagine Athena being happy with that. I learned that she had told Emmett’s family about it as well. I don’t know if they are fully in touch at all though.”

“I don’t either,” Shannon said, “Athena is a hard one to get to know,” she added.

“She is, but she’s a damn good friend to have at your back,” Karen smiled, “She and Hen got really close when Hen started at the 118. She was someone in Hen’s corner, they had a rotten Captain at that station when she started,” she said, “He was… all the phobics if you know what I mean.”

“I do,” she nodded, “Against everyone and anyone unless you were a certain type.”

“Yeah,” Karen muttered, “He was the worst, racist fuck,” she added, “Hen and Chimney really bonded over that bastard being there. When Bobby took over, well, he cleaned the house well. Got rid of everyone that had been on that shift, each of them in different houses now, and the Captain made to retire early. Should have just been fired, I say.”

“Agreed on that,” Shannon shook her head.

“So, we going shopping after this, I need to look at some baby clothes,” Karen said.

“I’ll join you on that,” Shannon agreed as they drank their tea and latte before heading out into the mall, Shannon used her wheelchair, knowing she’ll be aching badly if not.

XxXxX

Buck sat down on the couch at home. Yawning he had just woken up from a nap, since he had done an extra shift, covering for someone on B-shift for a half shift. “Hey,” he said, as he saw Eddie and Christopher building something with Christopher’s Lego.

“Good nap?” Eddie asked.

“It was nice,” he mumbled, curling up on the couch to watch the two, still tired, “Shift was long and it was busy, really busy,” he muttered.

“You can always go back to bed for a little longer,” Eddie pointed out, “I don’t mind, Shannon and I will be able to drop Christopher off at his friend’s birthday party,” he added.

“No, I promised that the three of us were going to go out after we did,” Buck said, closing his eyes, “I should shower,” he mumbled to himself.

Christopher looked at Buck, “Papa, you’re falling asleep,” he told him.

Opening his eyes, “Maybe,” he said, giving him a sleepy smile.

Eddie laughed quietly, “We can always go out another day, you know, there’s no rush,” he added, “And Chris, we need to start cleaning up if you want to get there on time.”

Buck huffed and sat back up, “I’m going to shower quickly,” he said as he headed to the bathroom.

Eddie shook his head as he and Christopher began to tidy up the living room, taking Christopher Lego’s back to his room. There was a jiggle of a key in the front door and Shannon walked in, “Hey,” he said, greeting his ex-wife.

“Afternoon,” Shannon smiled, “ready for the party Chris?” she asked.

“Yes!” Christopher answered, excited.

“Where’s Buck?” she asked, glancing around and not seeing the man there at all.

“Shower,” Eddie answered.

“Papa’s really sleepy,” Christopher said, grinning, “He even had a nap, and then almost fell asleep on the couch.”

“Did he?” Shannon said, looking at Eddie for an answer.

“He took a twelve-hour shift, took over for Peters on C-Shift, he got hurt, so they asked Buck to go in. He didn’t mind, but he came off a busy shift this morning,” Eddie explained, grabbing one of the tubs and heading to Christopher’s room, Christopher following with one of the bags full of his lego.

“Right, we could always do something at the house instead of going out,” Shannon said, “cook something together?” she suggested.

“No, we’re going out,” Buck said as he came into the room towel-drying his hair, “I said we were and I meant it, it’s not often that we can all go and have some fun,” he added, “And yes I know you miss the other fun,” he snorted as he saw Shannon began to speak.

“Well, I have some months before I can do that again with someone, but there are always toys,” she smirked with a shrug causing Buck to roll his eyes, “But it’ll be worth it.”

“Right,” Eddie said as he came back into the living room after taking the last of Christopher’s Legos into his room.

“Let’s get going,” Buck said, quickly putting the towel in the laundry room before joining them as they headed out.

Eddie drove as Christopher and Shannon talked about the party in the back. “Where are we going after dropping Chris off?” Eddie asked Buck giving him a quick glance as they reached a red light.

“There’s this new cafe that I found with Maddie, it had a few things that I know we all like, so I thought we could go out and try it,” Buck said, grinning, “It’ll be nice getting out again. We’ve not been able to do so for a while,” he added, glancing in the mirror to look at Shannon.

“It has been a while, but I didn’t think you two would want a tag along on your dates,” Shannon smirked at the two of them.

Eddie snorted as he started the car up again, “We have our dates, but sometimes I’d like to catch up with you as well, Shan, you’re my best friend,” he reminded her.

“True,” Shannon said, “It’s been a while since I could really embarrass you about something,” she laughed.

“Well, not our fault we all got busy,” Buck said, “Shannon’s back at work, as are we,” he reminded Eddie, “So getting all three of us together can be a little difficult, and Shannon has her play date with Karen don’t forget most weekends.”

“And really, all you can think of is making fun of me?” Eddie asked, wanting to roll his eyes at Shannon.

“There is much joy in life, and teasing you is a bonus that I am never going to miss out on doing,” Shannon said, causing Christopher to giggle beside her.

“As always,” Eddie snorted, a little smirk on his face.

Eddie parked up sometime later near the place where the party was going to happen. Shannon and Christopher headed in, while Buck went to grab something from one of the shops. Eddie stretched a little as he waited for them.

“Hey!” someone yelled from behind him.

“What?” he asked.

“What the fuck do you think you are doing in the handicapped space, that’s not for arseholes like you. That’s for people like me,” he yelled as he walked over to Eddie.

“Look, my son and my ex-wife are both handicapped, so I’m here waiting for them, or rather the ex,” Eddie said, rolling his eyes. It wasn’t the first time someone got in his face for taking the spot. He doubted it would be the last either.

“Likely story,” the man snorted, “You all think the same thing, just because you say something means it’s true. I don’t see them anywhere do you?” he sneered, looking around.

“That’s because my son is going to a party, and my ex is taking him. She’ll be back in a bit as we wait for my partner as well,” he sighed, the man was now right in his face.

“You all think you can get away with this!” he yelled in Eddie’s face.

“Sir, I ask that you take a step back,” Eddie told him, “I will call the cops if you don’t.”

“Call them and they’ll set you straight,” he laughed.

Eddie sighed and started to pull his phone out, only to stop when the man tried to grab it from him. “Sir, I ask you again to stop.”

“Because if he doesn’t I’ll be calling the cops,” Shannon said as she made her way over, “Christopher is happy as a lark, and Kathy has said that she’ll drop him off later on,” she added, as she went over.

“This would be the ex-wife I was waiting for,” Eddie said, “He’s happy there I take it?”

“Yeah, the kid couldn’t wait to go into the play area. Kathy said that Mitch will keep an eye on him as he plays, making sure he’s okay,” she added, ignoring the man that was now glaring at the two.

“Typical,” Eddie smiled, “Buck should be here soon, then we can head to the cafe,” he said as he glanced around.

“What’s he getting?” Shannon asked, frowning as she then saw that the man was still there, “Are you going now?” she asked him, “We have nothing to prove to you.”

“I-”

“Leave,” she stated again, “Oh, there’s Buck,” she smiled as she saw the man heading towards them.

“Hey,” he smiled, kissing Eddie on the cheek, “Sorry it took so long, they couldn’t find my order,” he said.

“What were you getting?” Eddie asked as they began to walk away/

“Something for Athena, it’s her birthday soon,” he reminded them, getting two nods.

“Almost forgot about that,” Eddie said, “I know Chris is making a card,” he added.

“Yeah,” Buck grinned as he led the way to the cafe, telling them what he and Maddie had found out about it. A cafe that had so many different ice creams that Buck didn’t think he would be able to choose just three flavors. They left the man standing there, red with anger.

Chapter Forty-Two

Maddie pressed the button once more as she answered, “9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”

“I… shot him, I hurt him. I couldn’t help it. he was coming at me again. I didn’t know what to do,” the woman’s voice was familiar, “He needs help, please, ambulance.”

“Okay, Ma’am, where was he shot?” Maddie asked as she routed a crew to the address that came up, “I’ve sent someone to you, I need you to listen to me. You’re going to have to help him,” she stated.

“O-Okay,” she said, “I tossed the gun away, I didn’t want him trying to get it, it’s in the other room,” she babbled as Maddie could hear her moving, “I’m next to him, I shot him in the chest.”

“I need you to put some pressure on the wound,” Maddie instructed her.

There was a male moan as the woman did so. “I did it, he’s losing so much blood,” she murmured.

“I know, but you’re doing really well. I know you’re scared,” she added, making sure that the police were sent as well. “My name is Maddie,” she said quietly.

“Tara, I recognized your voice. You… you told me that I could get away, I was going to. My sister, I called her, asking her to come and get me. Vincent found out. He… he was waiting for me, the gun… he had his gun out, on the table. I didn’t know what to do. I played along, did want he wanted, then grabbed it off the table and fired, I didn’t know if it was loaded. I wanted to leave, just leave,” Tara was crying as Maddie could hear the sirens now preaching. Maddie was still on the line when they got there, but it soon went dead.

Maddie waved at Josh, showing that she needed a moment. She didn’t know if she would find out what happened to Tara after, she hoped she did, wanting to know if the woman would be alright. Making the choice to leave and then finding him standing in the way, a gun out. Maddie shuddered, it was what scared her so much with Doug. He had a gun that he would often bring out, cleaning it in front of her, a show that he wouldn’t hesitate to kill her if she stepped out of line. It was only when she truly realized that he would kill her in the end that she decided to take that chance and run.

Josh walked into the breakroom moments after her, “You alright?” he asked.

“The call, a Domestic Violence call. Though the victim shot her husband. I just… I’ve talked to her personally. I accidentally came across her when I started at that new gym, she was one of the people there. It didn’t take long to click that she was the one that had talked to me on the phone once or twice. She was doing what I did. Calling 9-1-1, and then fobbing it off as a misdial or an accident press of the speed dial or something,” she said, shaking her head. “Then on that double date a little while ago, she was in the restaurant with him. I could see her fear as she was eating with him. I talked to her, told her to find those that she loves were all waiting for her to leave him, to be her safe haven.”

“You did what you could, maybe you will find out what happens next, but Maddie, you’re going to have to put it aside,” Josh reminded her, “most of the time, we never find out.”

“I know,” she sighed, “I’ve already sent a message to my therapist to book an emergency session tomorrow since I don’t have a shift. I know I need to talk about this,” she added.

“Good, I’m glad that therapy is working out for you,” Josh told her, “Now, want a coffee before heading back?” he asked.

“Please,” she smiled as he went over to make them both on.

XxXxX

Maddie looked at Buck, she had asked him to go with her as Tara had called her, asking to meet at a coffee shop. Maddie wanted to go, to know what happened. It had been four days since the call that Maddie had taken from her. “Thanks for coming with me.”

“Welcome, I’m going to take a seat in the back, and then you can go and talk to her. I don’t think she’ll need someone like me hovering around,” he told her, “I’ve got a book to read,” he added before she could ask what he would be doing.

“Okay,” she smiled as she let him go into the cafe first, she followed a moment later and saw Tara sitting at a table in the far corner. She ordered herself and Buck a drink, as her brother then went over to another table with his and sat down. Maddie headed over to Tara and sat down, “Hi,” she smiled.

“Hello,” Tara said, looking and sounding nervous, “Sorry for calling you out of the blue like that. I just… I needed someone to talk to that knew what it was like, how it felt to be that… helpless,” she said, “My sister… she really doesn’t understand how I could have stayed with him for so long.”

“We’re always hoping that this time, they really mean it and that they will change and love us,” Maddie said, “We hold on to that hope for as long as we can,” she added, sighing, “It’s why I stayed with Doug for so long, and to try and prove my mother wrong that I could make the relationship work.”

“Yeah,” Tara nodded, “That… that was it, I love him still, even now. I just want to go back to him,” she said, feeling ashamed of herself for even thinking it.

“A part of me will always love Doug, the hope and dreams we had when we first got together before things went south. I don’t know what happened to him to make him change. He wasn’t always like that. At first, he was so sweet and loving, always there for me when I needed someone to talk to,” Maddie sighed, “I’ve moved on, but it’s taken a lot of help from those around me and now therapy. It’s not fully behind me, but I’m moving on.”

“I just wish my sister would understand, she just keeps going on about how I should have just left right away. She just-” Tara slumped, “She’s helped me find a lawyer, and since Vincent is dead, she’s making sure that I don’t get put away for murder. So far it’s a clear case of self-defence. Vincent had CCTV put in the house, which I didn’t know about, but the cops found it. So there is a video of what happened. He was… keeping an eye on me.”

“Maybe she needs to hear things from someone else?” Maddie suggested, “Those that haven’t been through it, don’t really understand what it’s like, while they can empathize and try and understand as best as they can. There will always be a slight part of them going, ‘Why didn’t they just leave?’ My brother has done his best to understand, talking to his own therapist and even with me. He is as understanding as someone can get, my boyfriend is also learning how to understand some of the quirks I now have and where they have come from.”

“I can’t even imagine trying to date again. I don’t think I’ll ever want to,” Tara said, shaking her head, “I don’t know how to be brave.”

“You already are,” Maddie told her, “You were leaving, it takes a lot of courage to even make that call, to ask for help. I escaped and came here, to Buck.”

Tara looked at her and nodded, “I don’t even know what I’m going to do now, I feel lost.”

“Take time for yourself, learn who you are again. Therapy,” Maddie said, “I was so against it, my brother had to talk me into it and to really give it a try and not just fake it. My lawyer said the same thing to me as well. It’s helped a lot more since I’ve done so. I know it might not be for everyone, but it’s really helped. Just make sure you find someone that you can click with, it makes talking easier that way. There are also other resources available to us,” she said, starting to explain all she could about what she had found available in LA for those like her and Tara.

“Thank you,” Tara said, smiling a little more, “For everything, I hate how things have ended, I really do. I still don’t feel like I’m safe,” she said, “That he could still pop up even if he is gone.”

“I know, even though Doug is in prison, I still feel like he could turn up. Doesn’t help that his family is… not happy with how things have turned out. His parents, and siblings, well…” Maddie sighed, “they weren’t happy when things went down at the trial. I was painted as clumsy, abusive, and such. It was easy to counter those. I told them all the bruises they saw on me were caused by him, their precious son and they just laughed it off, falling for the lies he would tell them.”

“He didn’t have any family that talked to him. I know his parents are around, they came to the wedding but weren’t really happy with him. I think… I think they knew what he was like. They warned me away and told me that I should leave him. I thought they were just being typical in-laws not wanting their son to marry someone they didn’t like,” she sighed, “Anyway, my sister should be waiting soon, this is the first time I’ve really gone out since.”

“If you need to talk, you have my number, don’t hesitate to reach out. Also, don’t forget that there are resources out there as well, they can help or even point you in the right direction,” she reminded her as Tara stood up.

“I will, and thank you,” she smiled as she headed out.

Maddie slumped in her seat for a moment before someone else joined her at the table, “Hey Buck,” she greeted her brother.

“You okay?” he asked her.

Maddie hesitated for a moment before she answered, “Yeah, yeah I’m okay. Just brought up a few things that I hadn’t had to think about in a while. Though I’m seeing my therapist again tomorrow, so you don’t have to worry too much,” she reassured him.

“Doesn’t mean I can’t be worried for you,” he remained her, “Right, want to go?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Maddie nodded and got up, the two left the cafe and Buck didn’t drop her off at home though. Instead, they were going to have dinner with Shannon and Niamh, who was coming by later on.

XxXxX

Maddie watched her brother cook, “You know, I remember when you were little, you were always hovering around the kitchen, trying to see how things were done,” she said, a soft smile on her face.

“I always wanted to learn how to cook, I used to watch those cooking programs when I could, always wanting to try them. I did a few times when our parents fucked off for a holiday or two without me. Left alone, with money, I was able to cook a lot without them around. I ate well, I can follow the instructions really well. I think that’s why Bobby really liked teaching me. He mostly taught me breakfast things at first, until he saw that I could do more than that,” he grinned at her, before turning back to the pot he was stirring.

“It’s nice to see, I wasn’t much of a cook, in fact, I rather hated it. Though I think that was more because Doug always found a reason to find fault in what I did. Cooking with Howie though, it’s a lot more fun. We both make mistakes while cooking,” she laughed, “and neither of us cares.”

Buck smiled, “Sounds good,” he told her, “Okay, it’s ready,” he said, “curry is done.” He then began to put things together, so that they could be carried out. Maddie got up and helped bring everything out, Christopher was sitting between his parents. “Dinner is served,” he said as he let Eddie dish out for himself and Christopher, while he brought over the naan bread that he had made.

“I love curries,” Christopher said as he was quick to dive in.

“I know,” Buck grinned, “So do I,” he said, as everyone began to eat.

“So, is there a reason why you wanted me over for dinner?” Maddie asked, getting a nod from Niamh.

“There is,” Shannon said, “Something that we talked about when Buck and I were recovering.”

“Oh?” Niamh frowned, looking at her sister, “What’s that?” she asked, spoon almost at her lips.

“Well, we talked about a child, ha-”

“I’m gonna be a big brother,” Christopher said between bites, “Sorry Mommy, but you were taking too long,” he said looking at her before going back to his food.

“Chris,” Shannon sighed, shaking her head at her son.

“Well, you were, you’d take forever to say something and then talk too long in saying it when you do,” Christopher said, sounding so sure of himself, “Aunt Maddie, Aunt Niamh,” he said looking at the two, “Mom’s pregnant, and Papa is the Papa, though Dad will still be Dad, but Papa’s the bio Papa,” he frowned, “That’s right isn’t it?”

“It is,” Buck smiled, “But we’re all their parent in the end, just like you’ve claimed me as your Papa.”

“Okay,” he nodded, “This is really good, Papa, can we have it again?” he asked, as he pulled some naan toward him and dunked a piece into the curry.

“Not too often, but I’ll make it again,” Buck answered.

“Yay,” he grinned.

“Pregnant,” Maddie said, a little smile on her face, “Well,” she said looking between the three of them.

“Congratulations,” Niamh smiled at her sister, “I know you wanted another child, but well… I didn’t know how it would happen.”

“We talked about this a lot while Buck and I were recovering. Then brought Eddie in and talked with him. We came to a decision when my doctor said that I wouldn’t really heal any further than I already have,” Shannon said, explaining how things had come about.

“We’re happy with it,” Buck said, “We all are,” he added, getting nods from those involved.

“As long as you are,” Maddie said, “Congratulations, all of you, being an older sibling in a hard job, Christopher, I’ll give you all the tips that you need,” she said to him.

“Thanks, Aunt Maddie,” Christopher nodded, “I’ll need it, with Papa being Papa, well, no doubt the kid is going to be in all kinds of trouble,” he laughed as Buck’s mouth dropped open.

“Christopher!” Buck exclaimed.

“Only telling the truth, Papa. Dad said the same thing,” Christopher grinned, laughing as Buck now looked at Eddie.

Eddie shrugged, “We all know it’s true,” he said, causing the others at the table to laugh as dinner carried on, with Maddie and Niamh asking more questions about the pregnancy and how far along she was.

Chapter Forty-Three

Eddie was pacing, waiting with Athena, “I can’t believe he ignored orders,” Eddie said, “He knows…” he sighed rubbing his hands over his face as he growled in frustration.

“They are a law unto themselves at times,” Athena said, “I have a good mind to have the same type of argument with Bobby. They both knew the dangers when they decided to stay and no doubt Bobby is going to be making his displeasure known to Buck that he disobeyed orders.”

Eddie stopped and turned to face her, she looked calm but looks could easily be deceptive with the women, and he knew that. “Yeah, Bobby said that he should expect a reprimand for it, but whether the man keeps to it,” he shrugged, “He knows that Buck will take risks, especially if it’s to help someone.”

Athena nodded, “I know,” she sighed, “Bobby is the same, two peas in a damn pod,” she snorted, sitting down on the chairs in the waiting area.

“It was radioactive, they said that they shouldn’t have been in there long enough to cause damage, but..” Eddie sighed, “I just-” he cut himself off as he finally sat down. From the moment that Buck had remained with Bobby in the tunnel, the fear Eddie felt skyrocketed, even while he was waiting outside of it to direct the needed crew inside. He couldn’t help but think the worst could happen.

“I know,” Athena told him, shaking her head, “Those two,” she sighed once more, “All we can do is hope for the best and that all the testing is negative,” she reminded him.

Eddie nodded as someone walked into the waiting room. “Can we see them?” Eddie was quick to ask, jumping to his feet and heading over to the doctor that had walked in.

“Mr Diaz and Mrs Grant-Nash?” she asked, getting a nod from them both, “You can, they have been placed in the same room,” she said, “I’m Doctor Sweeting,” she smiled, “I’ll talk to you all when we’re together, they asked for us to wait until you were both with them.”

“They’re okay though?” Eddie asked, needing to know, though he wouldn’t fully believe it until he saw Buck.

“Yes, they are currently okay,” she answered, as she walked through the corridors to a private room that had been given to the two firefighters. She opened the door and walked in, “Mr Nash, Mr Buckley,” she greeted the two.

“Buck,” Eddie said as he hurried to Buck’s beside, “be prepared for a lecture,” he murmured as he kissed his cheek.

“Bobby,” Athena said, that stern tone in her voice telling Bobby that he was in a little trouble, but that she understood why he had done what he had done.

“Athena,” he said, a gentle smile on his face as he held out a hand to her, “I’m fine,” he reassured her.

“At the moment, everything shows that they are both fine. We have some further tests to do, but the results will take a little longer to get. We believe that things should return just fine,” Doctor Sweeting said as she looked at them all, “They weren’t exposed for as long as the driver of the vehicle. He’s being kept in for a while longer, before you ask that is all I can tell you.”

“Thank you,” Athena said, “Is there anything that we need to look out for?” she asked, standing by Bobby’s bedside. Eddie was doing the same with Buck, as he also listening to what was being said.

“I have a list of things to look out for, but since the exposure time wasn’t that long. I’m cautiously optimistic that the two of you will be fine, but do keep an eye on things,” she said with a smile.

“Thank you,” Athena said, as she looked down at Bobby, the Doctor now leaving them alone.

“You’re both in trouble,” Eddie said, as he looked from Buck to Bobby.

“We had to, Eds,” Buck protested, “We were doing what we could to make sure the driver stayed safe and that the chemicals didn’t catch alight more than they were,” he added, looking sure of himself.

“That might be the case, but you still remained there when you were ordered not to,” Bobby was the one to say that.

“I understand why you both stayed,” Athena said, “Even against orders.” She shook her head at the two of them, “I get it, I really do, but that still doesn’t mean that we’re in the clear. There’s still a chance of something happening.”

Buck nodded, “I know it was stupid, but I needed to stay, to help,” he said as he looked at Eddie.

“I get it,” Eddie sighed, rolling his eyes.

“We all do,” Bobby sighed, “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you some days, Buck. You disobeyed an order.”

“But I was helping, I know you said to retreat, but Eddie was capable enough of helping to get things sorted outside. You needed more hands to help with the driver and the fire. You couldn’t have done it all on your own,” Buck replied, glancing over at the man on the other bed.

“I would have,” Bobby insisted, “We’ll talk more about this another time,” he said, “Right, Thena, would you be able to see when we can be released? I would rather be able to go home tonight, rather than stay here,” he asked as he looked over at her. Squeezing her hand in reassurance as he could see the worry in her eyes.

“I will,” she smiled, “Eddie, I know you have a few things in your truck for Buck, can you go to my car and get the bag for Bobby, I have some of his things in there,” she asked him.

“Sure,” he nodded, taking the keys from her and kissing Buck, “Behave,” he warned as the two of them left the room.

Buck looked over at Bobby, “I’m sorry for disobeying, Bobby, I just couldn’t leave you there alone.”

Bobby sighed, “I know,” he said, shaking his head at him, “But please, keep in mind that you should be obeying my orders, there are reasons why I do so, I don’t just do it to hear myself talk.”

“I know, I know why you wanted us all out, you didn’t want us risking anything,” Buck replied, “I understand that, but you were doing the same thing, risking yourself to help him and keep him alive until the right help came. We both did what we needed to,” he said, sure of himself.

“Still doesn’t mean that you needed to take that risk,” he reminded him, “You have a child on the way don’t forget, and another at home that relies on you to come home.”

Buck huffed, but nodded, knowing that Bobby was right, he did take a risk in remaining behind with him. “I know,” he said softly.

“Just think about it before you go running into danger. I know most of the time, you’ve got the training behind you, not just what you did for your certs, but also the training you got with the SEALs. You may have quit, but that didn’t stop you from taking in the training they gave you as well. I know that, but sometimes, you need to listen to someone that’s been doing this job since I was younger than you,” Bobby explained.

Buck looked at him and then nodded, “Okay. I’ll try my best to listen to you more.”

“Good, that’s all I want,” Bobby smiled, “This time, I won’t put a formal reprimand in your file, but don’t keep pushing me on it, Buck. I want you to live a long enough life to see those kids of yours all grown up after all.”

The door opened and Athena walked in, with Eddie quickly following her.

“Right, you can both go home, but we are to keep an eye on you,” Athena said, “I’ve got the release papers for you both,” she added.

“Here, clothes for you to change into,” Eddie added, handing each of them their bags.

“You know how hard it is going to be to get replacements for your uniform, Buck,” Bobby sighed, “It’s going to be a nightmare, it was when you first arrived, and each time they were ruined,” he said, as he started to get up, heading to the bathroom first to change. It didn’t take that long for the two to be fully discharged with a reminder that their tests could take a few days at the very least to come back.

XxXxX

Buck was on the couch in the living room the next morning. Shannon was there, along with Maddie and Christopher. Carla was standing behind them, shaking her head at him. “I know,” he said before any of them could say anything.

“Papa,” Christopher said, his voice sounding serious, but to Buck, it just sounded so cute and adorable. His hands were on his hips and Shannon was standing nearby doing the exact same thing. His sister was giving him her most disappointed look possible.

“Now, you know why I didn’t really tell you off,” Eddie said as he went and joined Carla.

Buck sighed as he then turned to look at Christopher.

“Papa,” Christopher said again, “You did something very stupid,” he added, “And you could have been really hurt, I didn’t like it when I found out. It made me really sad,” he pouted at him, “I don’t want to lose you so soon after finding you, Papa.”

“I know, Chris,” Buck said, holding his arms out for Christopher to walk into them.

The eight-year-old did and curled up in his lap, “You have to be safe, okay? Make sure you come home to me, like Dad. You can’t do silly things that get you hurt.”

Buck held him and nodded, “I will make sure to do my best to fight and come home, every single time I go to work,” he promised him.

“Don’t be silly again, okay, Papa?” he asked, looking up at him.

“I won’t,” Buck smiled, hugging him tightly for a moment, before letting him go.

“I’m going to my room so Mom and Aunt Maddie can tell you how stupid you were,” Christopher said as he slid off Buck’s lap and headed to his room, “I don’t want to hear the language they are going to use,” he added with a grin, “Though don’t forget to donate to the swear jar!” he finished, going out of sight.

Buck snorted before stopping and staring at his sister and Shannon. “Hi,” he said, voice squeaking a little.

“What the fuck were you thinking, Buck?” Maddie hissed at him, “I know you want to help, but remaining behind when you were told to get back?”

“I wanted to help, I know it was stupid, you don’t have to remind me. Bobby’s already told me, and I just had Chris tell me the same,” he replied looking up at her.

“One thing you need to remember is that little boy adores the fuck out of you. If something happened to you he would be devastated. You’re his hero, even more than Eddie is most of the time,” Shannon snapped at him, “You have another life that is coming into this world that you could have missed seeing. I’m just hoping that when those results get back that everything is fine. Because if they are not I will skin you alive.”

“I’m sorry,” Buck said, looking at her, “I know, and I promise I will be so careful, I didn’t mean to…” he sighed, shaking his head, “I forgot for a moment, all I could see was the job in front of me and the need to help,” he said quietly.

“I guessed,” Shannon huffed, “But, please be careful, I don’t want you dead before you’ve even had a chance to meet your child,” she reminded him, “And really, Christopher was worried, he knew something was going on.”

“I really am sorry,” he said again, “I just wanted to help,” he stated one last time.

“We know, but remember that there are those that love you and don’t want you dead at all,” Maddie said.

Buck nodded again. The two women headed out after telling him off one last time. Carla looked at him, “You know, I understand why you stayed,” she said, “I’m just glad that you’re home safe,” she smiled and then walked out, “I’m going to take Christopher to get dinner for us all, and then drop him back off so you can talk once more before I leave as well.

“Thanks, Carla,” Eddie said as she went to get Christopher.

Buck looked at Eddie as the front door closed a few minutes later, with Carla and Christopher heading out to get their dinner. “So,” Buck said as he waited for Eddie to have a go at him.

“I know why, I understand why, so don’t worry, I said all I needed to at the hospital,” he told him, going over and sitting on the couch beside him, holding him tightly, “I was so scared when you decided to remain with Bobby, but I know, he’s… in a way he is your Dad, that’s how you see him, that’s how you worry about him,” he added, sighing, letting him go, “I’m glad you’re okay,” he smiled, kissing Buck lightly on the lips, “Now, how are you feeling?” he asked.

“I’m fine nothing feels off at all,” Buck answered him, reassuring him.

“Good, I would hate for something to happen,” he said, “Now, you want to have a shower before Chris and Carla get back?” he asked him.

“Yeah,” Buck nodded as he got up, “Want to join?” he smirked a little.

Eddie laughed, “No, or we won’t be clean by the time they come home.”

“I know, but at least-” he was cut off by a kiss, “Eds,” he moaned into it.

“Later,” he promised, “Now go and shower,” he ordered, pushing Buck gently towards their bedroom and bathroom.

Buck pouted but left. Eddie watched him and he sat down heavily on the couch once more, his head in his hands. He could have easily lost Buck with what had happened, and could still lose him as well. It was a scary thought. He didn’t know what he would do without Buck, he couldn’t think of a life without him. The year had been too full of close calls when it came to his boyfriend and he didn’t know if he could cope with another one any time soon.

Buck showered quickly and went back, to find Eddie cleaning the living room once more. He stopped him, holding him for a little while and helping to settle Eddie down. He could tell that the man had been on edge since the tunnel fire. “We’re okay,” he reassured again.

“I know,” he said, “But it could have gone so wrong.”

“I know,” Buck replied, kissing him, as the front door opened and Christopher walked in with Carla following, dinner in hand. “Let’s have a relaxing dinner and a movie after,” he suggested, getting a nod as they went to Carla and thanked her before she left again.

Chapter Forty-Four

Maddie was not happy when she opened her front door to see Rita standing there, she glanced around and could see a car parked on the street. Andrew was sitting in it. “What do you want?” she asked, “I thought I told you at the end of the trial that I didn’t want to see any of you again.”

“I wanted to stop by, it’s a new year and I would just-” Rita began.

“What do you want?” Maddie demanded to know, “I don’t want a long-winded explanation on why you are standing outside my home. Though I would like to know how you found me.”

“It took a while to find you,” Rita admitted, “And I wanted to talk to you about Doug.”

Maddie steeled herself as she said, “And I don’t want to. I’m divorced, he’s in prison, and hopefully he’ll be staying there for a while so I can finally move on with my life and have nothing to do with my abuser ever again,” she stared at the woman.

“Look,” Rita said as Andrew, Doug’s father, stepped out of the car and headed towards them.

“If you don’t leave, I will be calling the cops,” she threatened, “I don’t want to see either of you.”

“We just want to talk to you about Doug, please,” Rita begged her, “He’s my son and I just-” she cut herself off. “I just want him to be happy, is that so hard to ask? He wants to see you, talk with you.”

“No, I’m never seeing him again. I never want to even think about him again. It’s bad enough that I have to see you,” she snapped at them, phone now in hand and a message sent out to Athena.

“Why can’t you, you were married to each other for ten years, you were together for even longer,” Andrew stated.

Maddie looked at him, “You are really asking someone that survived abuse to go and see their abuser.”

“I don’t believe he did that, I know he didn’t,” Rita was the one to say.

“He did, I have the hospital reports to prove it. You even saw the damn bruises half the time. But of course, your precious oldest son could do no wrong in your eyes,” Maddie sneered, “Just leave me alone, I will file a restraining order against you both if you come near me again. Go back to Boston and don’t come near me again.”

“We live here, in LA, it’s the only way we could be close to our son, to visit him,” Andrew said, shaking his head as he looked at his former daughter-in-law.

“Then do that, but leave me out of it, and don’t come near me,” Maddie said, hoping that Athena would be there soon. She knew that she was on shift today.

“You could help him, you just need to-” Rita began once more.

“I don’t need to do anything, now leave,” she said, as she heard the whoop of the siren. Maddie relaxed a little as she saw Athena getting out of the patrol car.

“I think you two need to move on, don’t you?” Athena said as she walked up to them, “I know that Miss Buckley here doesn’t wish either of you to be here at all.”

“We’re talking with our daughter-in-law,” Rita said, looking at her, “I just-”

“Mrs Kendall,” Athena said, “I know exactly who you are,” she said, seeing the surprised look on Rita’s face. “I know that your son is currently in jail because of the abuse and then the attack on Evan Buckley,” she added.

“Officer,” Andrew said, turning to face her properly.

“Sergeant,” Athena corrected the man.

“Sergeant,” he corrected himself and then carried on, “We’re just trying to talk, that’s all. We’re hoping that she will be able to help lift our son’s spirits. He’s been having a lot of trouble inside the prison, and he’s lost and alone.”

“That is no concern of Miss Buckley’s, hasn’t been since the divorce went through,” Athena said, “Miss Buckley, do you wish these two here?”

“No, I want them gone and to never come back. I don’t want them in my life at all,” Maddie stated, “I want nothing to do with their family.”

“Very well,” Athena nodded, “Mr and Mrs Kendall, I’m asking you to please leave the premises,” she said, gesturing for them to follow her. They were reluctant to leave, but they finally left Maddie alone, the door closing behind her as she went back inside her home.

“Sergeant, we’re just trying to talk with her to help our son,” Rita begged again, trying the same old excuse that she had said several times already.

“That may be, Ma’am,” Athena said, “But that doesn’t give you a right to harass a woman that has already been through enough at the hands of your family. I know a lot of what has happened because I know her personally. You laughed and made fun of her when she was hurt, believing the lies your son told you. I get it, he’s your son. Though even you should know what you were seeing when she shied away from things,” she pointed out, “Think about it, think back to those times when you laughed and then ask yourself if you were her, would you want to help someone that had abused you so much?”

Rita lowered her head, “Maybe I wouldn’t, but that wouldn’t stop me from helping someone,” she said as she moved away and to the car, “Andrew, we’re going home. We’ll find another way to help Doug,” she stated.

Andrew was quiet as he followed his wife.

Athena remained there until they left, “They are going to cause trouble,” she muttered as she went to see Maddie. Knocking on the door, it was quickly opened and she was let inside. “You okay?” was the first thing she asked as soon as the door was closed.

“I don’t know,” Maddie answered honestly. “I’m not sure what I think about all this,” she sighed, sitting down on her couch.

Athena sat down as well, “I’m going to take a statement from you about what happened, and going to file it. I would think about using it and getting a restraining order out on them right away. When Mrs Kendall left, she was going on about finding another way to help her son. I have a feeling they are going to try something else to talk with you and get you to agree to what they want.”

“They want me to visit their son in jail. I never want to see him again, why should I put myself through something like that for people that have belittled me since the moment Doug and I met? Rita wasn’t happy with her golden child dating me. Andrew didn’t care. He just followed Rita for the most part. Mathew, his brother, well, he was much like Doug. I don’t know what he is like with his partners, but they don’t stick around for long. His sister Diane and her husband only came around a few times, but her husband didn’t like Doug at all. Should have clued the rest of the family into what was going on. Of course though, in their eyes, Doug could do no wrong. It was always someone else’s fault for anything that happened to him,” Maddie sneered a little and then slumped in her seat, “I just want this to be over. I thought it was the moment that he was sentenced.”

“I’m sorry about this, Maddie,” she told her, “Now, let’s get your statement so I can get it filed away,” she added.

Maddie gave her a small smile and began to tell her what had happened. “I have ring camera footage as well, sound goes with it,” she added, getting up to get it. “I take security seriously,” she said, “It’s how Howie and I met in a way. He helped install things when I first moved. We got along great after that.”

Athena smiled as she handed over the paperwork for Maddie to sign, “There,” she said, taking it all back, “I’ll get this sorted and you can, hopefully, get things started. Make sure you do. Don’t give them a way out of this.”

“Thank you,” Maddie said as she got up to show her out.

“Welcome, you know that,” Athena smiled as she followed Maddie to the door, “I’ll see you at the next gathering.”

“Yeah,” she nodded, saying her goodbyes again and watching Athena head to her patrol car before closing the door and hoping that she would be left alone for a while longer before her shift at dispatch started.

XxXxX

Buck stared at the man that was walking towards his sister. He was picking her up so they could go shopping, Maddie wanted to get a few things, and Buck wanted to do the same, though his thoughts were more on baby items, as Eddie had put him in charge of getting a few things. “Maddie,” he said as he hurried over, seeing that the man resembled Doug a lot.

Maddie was pale as she tried to move past the man, “Mathew, will you just leave me alone!” she yelled.

“Hey!” Buck yelled again, this time able to pull the man away from his sister and let her escape.

“Maddie,” the man sneered, “So now you’re hiding behind this asshole? Whos’ this, the boyfriend?” he said.

“I’m her brother, and you must be Doug’s brother, Mathew,” Buck rolled his eyes, “I thought you and your family were warned to stay away from Maddie and her home. I know your parents have a restraining order against them. Looks like you’ll be the next one.

“Oh, the punk brother,” Mathew snapped, “Like they would listen to a brat like you. Doug told me all about you, that you never settled, that you were a partier and a whore,” he said, looking him up and down, “I can admit I can see why people would flock to you, but really, I wouldn’t want to be near used goods.”

“They would believe me,” Buck said, “Because I’m a firefighter, work hard, and am in a stable relationship, instead of someone that tries to pretend his rich and well to do, but is actually a jobless loafer that relies on his parents to get him out of shit,” he sneered at the man, “Get lost before you get yourself arrested.”

“Cops have been called,” Maddie said from behind Buck.

“Good,” Buck nodded as he escorted his sister to his Jeep, letting her get in, and keeping an eye on Mathew.

“Don’t you walk away from me, she needs to see Doug. Though I don’t see what he sees in the bitch. She was never good at anything, always making mistakes,” he shouted after them, following them.

Buck remained outside of the Jeep, not wanting to let the man get near his sister at all. “Shut the hell up,” he snapped at him, glaring but not doing anything. He knew better than to try and start something.

Mathew decided that he was going to get to Maddie, and Buck wasn’t going to stop him. Charging toward Buck, he lashed out. Buck sighed, and using moves that he had learned in SEAL training, he was quickly able to get the man on the ground and turned over so that he couldn’t move without getting hurt.

“Hey!” Mathew yelled, “Let me go,” he said, struggling and yelling out when his arm protested his movement.

“I wouldn’t move unless you want to be hurt worse,” Buck stated as he looked down at the man he had pinned to the ground.

“Let me go!” he yelled again, not listening to what Buck was telling him.

Thankfully it didn’t take long for the cops to arrive and for Athena and another to turn up to help. He was glad to see the woman as she walked over, “Athena,” he nodded, “This is Mathew Kendall, younger brother to Doug. He has been harassing Maddie,” he stated, “He tried to rush at me, though the camera on Maddie’s home will be able to show you what happened fully,” he added, letting the other officer with Athena take control of Mathew and arrest him.

“I’ll take statements from you both and the footage,” Athena said as she went to Maddie first and then talked with Buck as the other took Mathew away. Maddie was quick to get the footage from Athena to take with her.

“Well,” Buck said as he looked at his sister after Athena had finally left, “Glad that is over with, you still want to go shopping?” he asked her, not sure if she was now up to it.

Maddie smiled and nodded, “Yeah, I think I do, some retail therapy might help settle me even more,” she stated as she headed to Buck’s jeep.

Buck snorted and followed her, “Okay,” he smiled as he got up. They headed to one of the larger malls and began to look around.

“So what do you want to get?” Maddie asked him as they were walking to one of the larger baby stores in the mall.

“I’m not sure what I want to get now, I did have a list, but I left it with Eddie,” he said, giving her a sheepish look.

Maddie snorted, “Well, let’s just have a look around at least, maybe you’ll find something that catches your eye and triggers your memory of what’s on the list.”

“Yeah,” he nodded as they entered and started looking around, “Eddie and I plan to decorate one of the rooms for the nursery soon,” he said, “We’re trying to decide on the color for it. We wanted to wait until the scans to see what we were having, but they have been hiding each time, Shannons was annoyed with it all, she was hoping to find out. Niamh too wants to crochet some blankets, so we’re having to go with gender-neutral colors until we find out. Even if we now do, we’re still going to go with those,” he said, almost babbling as they looked around.

“I wouldn’t even know where to begin,” she said as she looked around the store.

Buck nodded, “Yeah,” he said, “Where to begin, clothes, diapers, and pacifiers, are just the basics, then there is the furniture, crib, stroller, and everything else. Oh, we do want the sling as well, so we can carry them like that. Shannon will be breastfeeding and wants a pump too since she’ll do that and then hand them over to us so we can store them.”

Maddie snorted, “You have some idea, so let’s go looking around and maybe make a few notes on things, so you can drag Eddie back here for things,” she suggested.

“Sounds good,” he nodded and pulled out his phone so he could make notes as they went around.

Chapter Forty-Five

Bobby and Buck were at the hospital again. This time they were there together as they had gotten the call with the results of their latest tests. “So?” Bobby asked as soon as the two of them had sat down in the doctor’s office.

“So, we got them all back and all the testing has come back clear. Nothing is wrong with either of you, the radiation hasn’t affected you both,” he smiled, “We’re going to do one last check in a few months. Though if nothing has shown up now, nothing should.”

“Thank you,” Bobby smiled, “That’s good to know.”

“Yeah,” Buck agreed, “Now maybe Eddie will stop worrying about me,” he added.

“Athena too,” Bobby agreed, “Thank you,” he said again as he and Buck shook the doctor’s hand and got up.

Buck followed Bobby out of the office, thankful that the meeting was quick, the two of them were going to have lunch together before they headed into work, going a little later than the others of A-Shift, C-Shift Captain Parker was holding things down for him since Bobby had taken over for him the last time the man had needed to leave early.

“I’m glad everything is okay,” Buck said quietly, “I really thought something could be wrong, especially when you had that nosebleed,” he murmured as they headed to Bobby’s car, he had been the one to pick Buck up and take them.

“I know,” Bobby smiled, “now, we have just less than a week before Christmas, and everyone has decided on takeout for dinner.”

Buck pouted at that, but there was also a plan forming in his mind, “Yeah, Chris found out that we’re working this Christmas day and he isn’t happy about it. Not even the fact that he’ll be with Shannon is helping at the moment,” he said, “We’re tried to cheer him up, but it hasn’t worked so far.

“Yeah, I can understand that,” Bobby said, “I know that Denny was annoyed as well, but this is the second time we’ve had a Christmas shift since I started at the 118. Hen told me that he was really upset the first time it had happened, but he is more resigned this time,” he said, remembering what Hen had told him during their last shift.

“Christopher is… very unhappy, I think most of that was because we had a nice family gathering last Christmas for him, his mom was there for the day along with me and Eddie. Now, he’s only going to have his mom. He wants everyone, he wants Abuela as well. Though he has stated he didn’t want Grandma and Abuelo, but then again, they aren’t allowed near him unless Eddie okays it, and he really isn’t going to be doing so for a long time to come,” he snorted, thinking of the two adults that had destroyed the trust that Christopher once had in them.

“From what you’ve told me, I don’t blame him at all,” Buck snorted as Bobby pulled into another parking lot and they got out. They thought they would have been longer at the hospital appointment, which is why they were going to stop for lunch before heading to work.

“Okay, a small lunch, and let’s bring a few things back for the others,” Bobby said as he went to the counter and placed the order for themselves and for the station as well.

Buck smiled and found them a table to sit at. Bobby was soon over with their food and set them down as he sat. “Thanks,” Buck grinned as he pulled it towards him and picked up the sandwich, and took a large bite, “I’m hungry, I didn’t eat this morning, was too nervous about the results. Oh, and I messaged Eddie that we’re in the clear, he should have told the rest of the shift. I’ll message Shannon as well, she’ll want to know and pass it on to Christopher.”

“I’ll message Athena in a moment, no doubt she’ll want to stop by the station at some point today to see me,” Bobby smiled softly.

“I’m really happy about you and ‘Thena, you know,” Buck said, “You… seem a lot happier now.”

“I am, I didn’t think I would be,” Bobby answered him honestly, “It took a lot to even think I deserved to move on after what happened, but I’m glad I chose to take that chance.”

“Eddie and I had Shannon prodding us at each step, trying to set us up all the time. I know she had words with Eddie about things several times while I was with the two of them. He blushes a lot around her, but she is so damn blunt at times. Seeing him like that is so amusing,” he grinned.

Bobby laughed, “I know, I never thought he would be the type to blush like that.”

“Neither did I, but damn is it adorable,” Buck said, taking another bite. “I still can’t believe that I’m going to be a dad,” he said quietly as he was thinking about Shannon.

“I’m proud of you, and so damn happy as well,” Bobby told him, “I know you love kids, and you love and adore Christopher so much. You’re a dad to him, and someone he looks up to and admires,” he added.

“I know, he called me Papa, he calls me that. I wanted to burst into tears nearly every time he has said it over the last few months,” he smiled softly.

Bobby smiled, “I could tell.”

Buck was quick to eat, as he had skipped breakfast because of nerves. He got up and put away his rubbish and headed to the counter to let Bobby finish eating. “Okay,” he said, grabbing the order that had been finished for the shift and headed back to the table as Bobby finished and was throwing away his own rubbish.

“Let’s get to work,” he said as they headed out.

XxXxX

Shannon looked at Buck and Eddie, “Right, scan again, let’s see if we can find the gender of this little one,” she said, resting her hand on her stomach, there was a small bump starting to show now. On the last visit when she had been fourteen weeks they had tried to see if they could see the gender, but nothing had shown. The baby was showing their back to them each time.

“Okay,” the doctor said as Shannon lay on the bed, she glanced at the two men with her, “We all ready to see if this little one shows themselves this time?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Buck grinned, a little excited.

“Okay,” she said, and then told Shannon, “This is going to be cold.” She then put the gel on and grabbed the wand, starting to look around, she found the baby, “And here we are,” she said as she then paused, “Well now, that’s a little surprise,” she said, “It looks like there are two little babies in there, but I can’t see the gender of them.”

“Two!” all three of them exclaimed.

“Yes, twins,” she said, “they are curled around each other,” she added as she started to take some screen grabs. “Sorry, no gender today, they are hiding,” she told them, “Now, we’ll go over a few things, but everything looks good,” she told them as she cleaned Shannon up, “They are a good length as well, looks like they are a good weight too,” she added, smiling at the three of them, “I’ve printed out some copies for you all as well,” she finished.

“Thank you,” Shannon said as she was able to sit up and straighten herself out.

The doctor went over a few more things with them before she let them leave, with Shannon booking another appointment for two weeks.

Leaving they headed home, but none of them said anything, still a little shocked at the news that it was twins. Buck opened the front door of their home and let them inside.

“Well,” Buck said as he looked at them, “I knew that IVF can cause multiple,” he said, “But I-”

“I know,” Shannon said, taking a breath, “I wasn’t exactly expecting it either,” she said, shaking her head as she sat down, “I think it’s going to be just fine though,” she added, looking at them all, “Yeah?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Buck and Eddie nodded in agreement, “it’s all going to be fine,” Eddie finished.

Buck went over to Shannon and hugged her tightly as he dared while she was seated, “We’re here for you, and we’re all in this together. Christopher is going to be so excited when he learns that he’s going to have two baby siblings.”

“It might stop him from wishing for more later on,” Eddie added, he knew that Christopher wanted a few siblings, not just one.

“Well, that wish he’s got now,” Shannon snorted, “Well,” she said looking at them, “We’re going to have to make sure we double up and since we still don’t know the gender we can’t exactly buy many different clothes. Though from when Christopher was little, he was dressed mostly in onesies.”

“I remember the pictures, rarely was he in something else for the first week,” Eddie smiled, he had been there until Christopher had been almost a month old before he had gone back.

“So, we don’t have much to worry about when it comes to clothing,” Buck said, looking between the two, he was relying on them since they knew more about being parents than he did.

“No, we don’t,” Shannon reassured him, “It might not seem right, but really, that first week or so, you’re just trying to find a good rhythm on how to do things with a newborn in the house. After that, we can always go shopping for things that we might need. That way we’ll also know the best sizes to get too,” she snorted.

“The little bear suit that Adri got,” Eddie grinned, “it didn’t fit him at all until he was almost 4 months old, it was for newborns as well, but he was tiny when he was born.”

“So small, though he is growing like a weed now,” she smiled, “he was so tiny that barely any of the onesies I got him fit him either. I had to buy a few more clothes for him in those first several weeks. It was only then did he start fitting into things.”

“I know Sophia wanted to use her degree to design and make some clothes, but I don’t know if she ever did,” Eddie said, curiously as he looked at Shannon.

“She did, I still have them as well, I took them with me, as they were a nice reminder of things,” Shannon smiled, “I think I could only get along with your sisters most of the time. Your parents, well, I could do without them always being around. They made things a lot harder than they should have been.”

“I get it,” Eddie nodded, “They were the same after you left as well. Always showing up when I had things to do, trying to get me to agree to them take him. They also tried to stop him from going to his weekly therapy appointments,” he snorted, “They were doing all they could to keep him dependent on others for help and getting around.”

“No chance of that happening now,” Shannon said, “I made sure of that when I was with him, always getting him to try and do things himself first before I helped. Though we came to an agreement that if there are things that are really hard, we try them together.”

“Yeah,” Eddie snorted, “He is the adventurous type,” he smiled, “I can’t wait to see what these two will be like. Will they take after their big brother or not?”

“I would say yes, we have two firefighters and they are going to know that both of you are heroes. Christopher believes that you are, and I agree with him. Not everyone could do what the two of you do. So they are going to be growing up with stories about the things you did, and the things that Christopher himself has done. I know you take him out to places so he can experience more things,” she added, glancing over at Buck, “I love hearing his stories about everything. I might… start joining in a few of them as well. I know my back isn’t going to heal any more than it already has. So, I’m happy, but it might have to wait until the twins are born.”

“There are things that you can still take part in even when you are pregnant,” Buck frowned, “I could look for things?” he suggested.

“We’ll wait until afterward,” she smiled, “Now, I was thinking that we should start telling the rest of our friends and families about the baby…. babies,” she added.

“Yeah,” Eddie agreed, “I want to tell Sophia and Adriana soon as well. I know it’ll get back to my parents, but I don’t care, they aren’t in our lives anymore. They dropped the lawsuit in the end, and only because they knew they weren’t going to win. No contact has been put in place and they have been blocked on everything. If they even try to get around that, well, I have the lawyer at the ready,” he smirked at the thought of finally putting his parents in their place on how they acted towards him, Christopher, Shannon, and others of the family. Adriana and Sophia don’t really talk with them either, they both hated the high-handed things that the two of them did.

“It has been a relief,” Shannon said, “Not to have to watch out for them all the time.”

Buck snorted, “Well, they are not coming back again. Maddie… has been talking about our parents, but I’ve spoken to her about not letting them know. Though…” he sighed, “I supposed I should, in the end, tell them what’s going on. I think the only time I get in touch with them is the occasional ‘I’m still alive’ phone call I’ve done.”

“You don’t have to tell them anything,” Shannon said, “We don’t mind at all, and these kids have got better role models than the parents you two have.”

The two men nodded, both of them thinking about Isabel, Athena, and Bobby. “Yeah,” Buck agreed.

“Good, now, let’s talk about what we’re going to need now that we know there are two babies in here,” Shannon huffed, “This is going to be fun,” she snorted.

“Some of it will be,” Eddie said, “The rest, maybe not,” he agreed, knowing all the things that Shannon had to do herself to make sure things were ready for when Christopher had been born. Buck looked between the two of them, are we still going with the lilac?” he asked then, as they started to talk about the color theme for the nursery.

Chapter Forty-Six

Buck looked at Athena and Isabel, “So, we’re all good for this?” he asked the two of them, he had been doing the shopping over the last few days to make sure that there would be enough food for everyone and all the guests that he was going to be getting to the station on Christmas Day.

“We are, I have Maddie getting a few things as well,” Athena said.

“Pepa is helping me to cook some of the food as well,” Isabel smiled, “We’re okay, Evanito,” she told him, patting his arm. “I know you’re scared that this could all go wrong, but my dear sweet child, it will be just fine, even if the meal is a complete disaster, it will be good. You’re making sure that those on your shift will be able to see their families.”

“I know, I just… I want this to go well. Shannon said she’d be here in a bit as well,” he said, glancing towards the door. They were at Isabel’s since no one else from A-Shift would be going there apart from Eddie, and even then he knew better than to go into her kitchen without an invite.

“Evanito,” Isabel smiled, “Don’t fret so much.”

“You’re borrowing trouble again,” Athena reminded him, shaking her head, “Now, we have everything, when Bobby leaves for his shift, Michael is going to come over to mine and we’ll start cooking as well and getting things ready to transport. You’ll have to message us when you want us to get there. You have Shannon and Niamh also doing the turkeys, so you don’t have to worry about them so much. You have a few more of the partners on A-Shift all chipping in as well.”

Buck nodded, “I know, I’m sorry I’m panicking a little, but I want this to go well. I know Christopher is really upset about not being with everyone this Christmas, and I know that Denny would love to be with Hen as well. The other kids from others are all the same. Every parent has been upset over the last few days because their kid isn’t happy with them not being home.”

“Which is why I’m agreeing to this,” Athena said, a soft smile on her face, “You’re doing a really good thing here, now we have everything we need for that day. We have all the partners keeping it secret as well, so when you all leave for work in the very early hours of the morning, you can go in knowing we got this.”

“We have their numbers and know which each of us is doing,” Isabel agreed, “Now, go home,” she told him, “Athena and I have a few more things to talk about for then. Your work is over.” She patted his arm once more and shooed him towards her front door.

“I can sti-”

“Home, Buck,” Athena was the one to order.

Buck sighed and nodded, “If you need me,” he said, opening the front door and grinning as Shannon stood there, Niamh beside her.

“We’ll call you if we need you,” Isabel said with a smile as she welcomed the two women into her home once more, “We will be fine Evanito, not you go on about your day. I know that Eddito and my bisnieto are waiting for you at home. Your day at the zoo awaits,” she smiled.

Buck nodded and headed out, going to his jeep and going home. It didn’t take long to pick up Christopher and Eddie and head for their day out at the zoo.

XxXxX

Buck was grinning as the truck pulled into the station a few days later. He had sent the message as soon as they had headed out on the call. Hen and Eddie both commiserating since neither of them had gotten any pictures of their children opening presents so far that morning. Now it was getting to late afternoon and still nothing. None of the parents on shift had received any pictures at all. Buck had also arranged a few more things, since they had met the young child on the call with his mother, he had helped to save her life. He had organized with Maddie and Karen to have those in the home brought to the station, Isabel and Athena had confirmed that there was enough food for them all to eat, even with the extras.

“What’s got you all excited?” Eddie asked as Buck bounced out of the truck and towards the stairs.

“Just happy,” he grinned at him, as he glanced up and saw people moving towards the railing and looking down.

“Merry Christmas,” Athena led the call as the whole of the A-Shift turned to look up, everyone breaking out into grins as they saw their loved ones waiting upstairs for them.

“What?” Bobby questioned as he headed to the stairs and joined his wife.

“I heard that you were all going to have takeout for dinner, and well, that just doesn’t sit right,” Athena said, taking his hand, and letting him kiss it.

“I did say I wanted a proper Christmas dinner,” Buck said when Bobby looked his way.

“So you organized all this?” Eddie asked as he then heard a very familiar yell.

“Dad!” Christopher yelled out as he made his way over as the rest of the A-Shift made their way up the stairs.

Eddie rushed over to his son and dropped down to hug him tightly, “Hey, Mijo,” he said, holding him tightly as he saw Shannon, Niamh, and Isabel standing there, “Hey,” he smiled at them all.

“You did all this?” Hen asked Buck.

“I helped a little, Athena and Isabel-”

“Abuela,” Isabel said to him, giving him a stern look.

Buck smiled slightly and nodded, “Athena and Abuela were the ones that helped to get it all organized after I started it off. So all the well done’s goes to them, and those that helped to make it possible. I was able to get in touch with people’s families and such,” he said, getting a few waves from others in the room, and a clap on the back a couple of times.

“Well, thank you,” Eddie said, pulling him to him and kissing him.

“Well,” Athena said as she looked at everyone, “Let’s get seated, I know you don’t have that long offline to eat dinner before you’re back online,” she added, as she gestured to the tables that had been decorated for the meal. Presents were piled high around the couch and TV, blocking most of the way there as the Care Workers from the Children’s Home helped to settle the children as the young child’s mom was able to get there.

Buck settled beside Eddie, Christopher on one side and Eddie on Christopher’s other, food was served and people began to eat. As soon as the meal was over, presents were shared out. Karen and Hen handed out some of the extra gifts that they had ended up buying for Denny, going to the visiting children, and some of the other parents doing the same as well.

Buck got up and began to go around after a while, talking to others and kissing a few on the cheek with the Mistletoe he had.

“When are you going to come back this way?” Eddie said as he walked up behind him, wrapping his arms around the younger man’s waist and pulling him close.

“I’ll get to you soon enough, just spreading the joy a little,” Buck smirked as he turned around and raised the mistletoe above their heads and then waited, “Well?” he said.

Eddie smiled, running a hand up Buck’s back and cupping the back of Buck’s head and pulling him closer, and kissing him. They heard a few wolf whistles from the others as they watched.

“Okay, break it up,” Christopher huffed as he went over to them, “Really, Dad, Papa, save it for home. Then again, maybe not even there either,” he grinned at the two of them.

Eddie let Buck go, giving him one last peck on his lips. “Hush you,” Eddie said, a little blush on his cheeks as he saw Maddie and the others looking at him, grinning.

“Well, none of you had to watch,” Buck grinned, unashamed.

“Well,” Shannon said, “Since everyone is looking this way.”

Buck and Eddie shared a look and then nodded, “Your show,” Eddie said, gesturing to the two of them.

“Yours as well,” Shannon reminded him.

Maddie was grinning where she stood, “Oh, this is nice.”

“Okay,” Buck said, “Well,” he began again, “A few months ago, Shannon decided that another kid was a great idea. But instead of Eddie’s, it’s mine she is carrying, though all three of us are going to be the parents,” he added, starting to babble.

“I’m pregnant,” Shannon said, “I’m currently eighteen weeks now,” she added, “and it’s twins.”

“What!” Maddie yelled, “Oh my God!” she said as she rushed over, hugging Shannon tightly, “Congratulations, twins, this is such good news.”

“Yeah,” Shannon smiled, “One must have been hiding behind the other,” she said quietly, “The first few scans didn’t see them at all,” she told her, as Maddie let her go and some of the others began to go over and congratulate them all.

“I can’t wait until I’m a big brother,” Christopher grinned as he looked at Isabel, who was crying. They had hinted that something more was going on, and she had a good guess, but now was the confirmation that she was getting another great-grandchild.

“Oh, my dears,” she said as she went over, hugging Eddie and Christopher, before moving on to Buck and then Shannon, holding her tightly, “Congratulations, I’m so happy for you all.”

“Thank you,” Buck said, looking around as the others were all smiling and happy.

“Well, two little fawns are going to be running around then,” Chimney grinned at him, “Congratulations,” he said, looking at Buck, “I’m happy for you. I know you’ll be a great dad.”

“Thanks, Chim,” he smiled, “I can’t wait,” he said softly, “though I’m still scared out of my mind, but-” he shrugged.

“I bet, I know I would be as well. I bet you’ve read all the books you can get your hands on,” he snorted, knowing how Buck worked.

“That and he went on so many research spirals that Eddie took away the phone, and laptop and then turned the internet off for a while,” he laughed a little at himself, “I just wanted to… I just want to be prepared, but Shannon and Eddie have been helping me a lot with answering my questions.”

“That’s good, no doubt others will as well,” he said, smiling.

“Yeah, Bobby and Athena too,” he smiled a little as he looked around. He saw Bobby moving to one side with Michael. He frowned a little as he had noticed that Michael had been quiet for most of the afternoon. He turned back as the children started to play with their toys. Though they would soon be leaving, since the 118’s time offline was almost over.

“Michael,” Bobby said as he walked over to him, “You okay?” he asked.

Michael gave him a small smile, “You know I’ve been having problems. Memory, vision, and all that?”

Bobby nodded, “Yeah, I know,” he said.

“Tumor, they found a tumor in my brain and… I’m scared, Bobby, I don’t want to tell them, not yet. I don’t know what I’m going to be doing yet, I’m still considering my options, but-” he sighed, glancing at where Athena was with May and Harry, the two of them smiling and laughing with their mother.

“You don’t want them to worry,” Bobby sighed, nodding a few times, “You know that you’re going to have to tell them at some time. They’ll want to know, especially Athena,” he reminded him gently.

Michael smiled a little, “I know, she’s going to be pissed when I tell her and she finds out that I’ve kept it from her,” he said, “But, for now, let’s just… get the rest of the year out of the way before I talk to her, please, keep this to yourself for now. We’ve just got some great news, and I don’t want to be a downer at the moment.”

“Michael, I won’t say anything for now, but please, talk to her as soon as you can,” Bobby told him.

Michael nodded, “I will,” he said.

Bobby smiled as they talked a little more before the families started to leave.

XxXxX

Buck looked at Eddie after the last of the families had gone. They were back online now as well, so it was time for them all to leave.

“Thank you,” Eddie said as he wrapped an arm around him, “Thank you for doing this. I think… I know that Christopher was the main reason for all of this,” he added.

“He was, but it was more because I knew he wanted to have a Christmas with everyone again. Last year was special, he got Shannon back, and he also had me,” Buck said, “He wanted that again, and with everything that had happened this year, he needed this.”

“Yeah,” he smiled, kissing him.

“Okay you two,” Chimney said, though there was a smile on his face, “Time for you two to get to your chores. We all have a lot to do,” he reminded them, “Though if you want a few more minutes to yourself, I would head to the storage room and do that one first,” he winked at them before heading to find Hen so they could go through the stock on the ambulance before they ended up called out.

“Did he just-” Buck began, looking a little open-mouthed at the man.

“Tell us to go and make out in the store room,” Eddie finished for him, laughing lightly, “Yeah he did, and no we aren’t going to be doing that. I’m not going to be making out with you there, we will do some more of that when we get a chance to go home,” he smiled at him.

Buck smiled back and nodded, “Sounds like a plan to me,” he agreed.

“What chores have you got?” he asked.

Buck thought for a moment before he answered, “Clean the kitchen up since there is still a bit of a mess there from dinner. Not much since a lot was already taken care of,” he said, glancing at where the kitchen was. Mostly it was just some plates and bowls that still needed to be washed up.

“I have checked the inventory on the engine,” he said, “So split and meet in a bit, and once again, Buck, thank you,” he smiled at him kissing his lips before heading to the engine and beginning to get on with his work.

Buck stood there for a moment before he felt a hand on his shoulder, “Come on kid, let’s get the washing up done and the kitchen sorted before things start to dry up and it makes the job harder,” Bobby said.

Buck nodded and the two went up, Buck smiling softly as he and Bobby worked together. Christmas had been good, if a little different than what people had thought it would be like.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Christopher was smiling as he was drawing his picture to go with the writing he had done. It was his first lesson in English for the year, and the teacher was out sick. They had the assignment to write about their Christmas holidays and to write and draw a picture about them. Christopher was going to be telling everyone about the Christmas dinner at the fire station and he couldn’t wait till he showed his Dad, Papa, and Mom what he had been doing.

“Okay,” Miss Flores said, gaining the attention of the class. She had taken over the class since she was one of the only ones free to do so. It was also the first chance she had been able to take to see Christopher Diaz. The young child was happy as he was drawing. She was still annoyed with the boy’s mother, who had been trying to get her fired just because she was being realistic about what the children in her care could do. “Is everyone finished?” she asked, getting a load of them replying yes, only a few of them complaining that they weren’t finished with their drawings.

Miss Flores smiled at them all, “Now,” she said as she began to move around the classroom, looking at what each of them was doing, “There are so many good pictures here,” she smiled, “I’m so proud of you all,” she said as she went back to the front of the classroom. “I will be having you come up, one by one to tell everyone what you did over Christmas,” she said, calling the first student up. One by one, she went through the list of students, and then finally the one she was waiting for. “Christopher Diaz,” she said, “Your turn.”

Christopher nodded and got up, going to the front of the class with his picture and putting it up on the easel. “Hi,” he grinned as he turned to the rest of the room, “My Christmas Day was amazing,” he began, “Dad and Papa were working on Christmas Day, they are both firefighters, so they were working.” He pointed to his picture, “Because they were working, Bisabuela and Miss Athena, who is a police Sergeant, helped to make sure that we could all have dinner together. Papa helped to start it all,” he grinned, “That’s Papa,” he said, pointing to one of the two men in the picture, “My Dad is next to him and so is Mom,” he smiled.

“Are they in a fire station?” one of the kids asked.

“Paul, you know we are to raise our hands when we ask questions,” Miss Flores said.

“Sorry, Miss Flores,” he said, looking down.

“Christopher, please continue,” she said, smiling at him.

“We had Christmas dinner in the Fire Station. Since Papa and Dad were working, they couldn’t leave to come home so we went to them. It was a lot of fun, we saw everyone and had a really big meal together,” Christopher said as he told them about what else they had done. “I was sad when I had to go home, but Mom was with me with my Aunties and Bisabuela.”

“That was lovely, Christopher,” Mis Flores said, smiling a little as he sat down. The others went up after Christopher and as the lesson came to an end she called out, “Christopher, could you remain for a moment please.”

“Yes, Miss Flores?” he said as he got up and walked over to her. The others left the classroom.

“I need to talk to you about your picture and your story,” she said, “please, sit down.”

“Why?” he asked, frowning as he sat down.

“Christopher, you need to understand that you can’t call Mr Buckley, Papa, he isn’t your father at all. It’s very disrespectful to your Dad. I know that Edmundo must be very hurt by you doing so,” she told him.

“Dad was the one that I talked to about calling Buck, Papa, he said it was fine,” Christopher told her, frowning.

“It may seem like that, but it’s not very nice to make it seem to others that you have more than two parents, you can’t have three,” she pointed out.

Christopher shook his head, “You can have more than two parents. Some people have one, some have three or even four. Some have two Dads, some have two Moms, and some just have no parents. There are all kinds of families out there,” he told her, “Mom, Dad, and Papa talked to me about it. It’s like my friend Denny, he has two Moms,” he added.

“That might be, but you don’t have that,” Miss Flores said, “You have a Mother and Father already, and while they are not together, you’ll only be able to have another Father if they marry your Mother, or another Mother if they marry your Father,” she told him.

“That’s not true,” Christopher said getting up from his chair, “That’s not,” he stated once more, “I don’t like what you are saying, Miss Flores,” he added as he began to head out the door, “I know what families are made of, and as long as there is love and we care about each other, that’s family.”

“Christopher Diaz,” Miss Flores said as she got up to follow him, “Family is only blood, not those that you think are your family.”

“No!” he shouted, “I’m going to talk with Mom,” he said, not wanting to listen to her and the lies he felt she was telling him.

“Christopher Diaz, if you keep walking away from me, I will have to report you to the Principal for your disappointing behavior. I will have to organize a meeting with your Father. No doubt that Edmundo will be disappointed and upset that his son has been misbehaving,” she carried on saying as she followed him.

Christopher was getting mad at what she was saying, but he was trying to be good as he reached his Mother’s classroom. Just before he was able to open the door Miss Flores spoke again.

“Really, Christopher, how are you going to act when you have a new mother in your life,” she said.

Christopher turned, “I won’t be having a new Mom in my life, I already have one, and Mom doesn’t like girls like that. Dad likes boys more than girls and he is going to marry my Papa, so I will have a third Dad in my life.”

“That is not possible,” Miss Flores said, shaking her head, “Really, Christopher, I think you need to be held back a couple of grades if you’re not listening to what is being taught in the lessons. I know that sometimes it can be hard to follow things,” she stated.

“I think that is enough, don’t you, Miss Flores?” Shannon said as she opened her door when she heard Christopher’s voice.

“I am just trying to point out that he has some rather skewed views on family and parents,” she stated, looking up at the woman.

“No, I don’t think he does, he knows how the family is set up since he has a very nice family,” Shannon said, “His Fathers are very happy, and I don’t think I will be looking for someone for a while either,” she added, glaring at the woman, “now, I think we’re going to head to the principal’s office as I think we need to talk about this with her.”

Miss Flores stood up straight, “We don’t need to do that at the moment, though, if Christopher doesn’t start listening to what the teachers say. Then maybe we should have a conference between the parents, he really does need to learn how the structure of a family is,” she added, looking at Shannon.

“Please, come with me, I don’t think I want to have this conversation out in the open for all the students to hear,” Shannon said as she left her classroom and looked at Christopher, “Why don’t you head on to your lunch,” she smiled at him.

“Okay,” he nodded, heading away, glad to be leaving Miss Flores, he wasn’t that keen on her as a teacher, she said things that he knew to be wrong a lot, especially when it came to his CP and to others and what they could and couldn’t do.

Shannon headed to Principle Summers’ office, talking with her secretary for a moment before being able to enter the room. “Principal Summers,” she greeted as she walked in, Ana followed her.

“Shannon, Ana,” she greeted the two but refrained from smiling as she took in the annoyed look on Shannon’s face and the same type of look on Ana’s. “What is going on?” she asked the two.

“Christopher Diaz isn’t learning anything that he needs in his lessons. I took English for them, as you know, Colin is out sick today,” Ana said before Shannon could say anything. “I don’t think he understands what families are to be like,” she added, shaking her head, “I was rather disappointed to learn of this. I had thought and expected Christopher to be an excellent student from all that his teachers have said in the past.”

“My son is a really good student, and he doesn’t need to learn what families are to be like. No family is always the same. From what you were saying, I can understand that you believe only two parents should exist?” she asked.

“Yes,” Ana said, “That is how biology works.”

“It might be how you believe Biology works, but I am having twins by Buck, not by Eddie. All three of us are going to their parents, just like all three of us are parents to Christopher. Threatening to have him held back a couple of grades as well,” Shannon shook her head, “I can’t believe the things you said to him. No doubt there is more as well than I was able to hear. I will be asking him what you said to him.”

“I was just telling him that the only way he would gain another mother or father was if you or Edmundo married, and only if you married a man would he gain another father. He won’t gain one from some idiot being there and pretending to have a relationship with Edmundo,” Ana said, pursing her lips as she stared at Shannon.

“It is Mr Daiz, to you,” Shannon reminded her, “And that is not how things work at all. I can’t believe the things you are saying, they are rather homophobic,” she stated, frowning at Ana.

“I am not… against those relationships, I just don’t think they are good to have around children,” Ana said, wrinkling her nose a little, “I don’t know how you can allow it to continue around your son. I would make sure Edmundo knew that it was unacceptable behavior,” she added.

“Miss Flores,” Principal Summers said, getting the woman’s attention, “I believe at this moment in time, that you should go home, I no longer feel comfortable with you teaching at this school. I have tried to work with you, but the views that you have been spewing for the last few months have not been what this school prides itself on. I no longer feel that you are an asset to this school. I will be recommending to the board that your contract is terminated asap,” she added.

“You can’t do that, my personal views on subjects should not be-” Ana began to protest.

“It is when it comes to teaching children. It states in your Contract, that you are to maintain professional behavior with students, and that you are to put forward the views of the school, not your personal ones. Which concerning who should be parents, is not in your purview to state. Many students in this school have parents that are not the usual mother and father that was the norm,” she said, shaking her head as she interrupted Ana. “We have a large diversity of children, including their backgrounds, disabilities, and of course their families. We teach acceptance in this school, not derision,” she added.

“I will not go quietly,” Ana stated as she turned and stormed out of the office

Marie sighed, “I wish we had been able to terminate her contract at the beginning of the school year,” she said, as Shannon sat down.

“I know, but she has shown that she still has no care for what she is presenting,” Shannon said, “She is also still somewhat annoying in the fact that she calls Eddie, Edmundo, again,” she shook her head, “Eddie hates his names. Reminds him too much of his parents and their constant use of it when they think he has disappointed them. Which to them, was all the time.”

“I see, well, I will be contacting the board directly, to set up the exit interview for Miss Flores. I don’t even know what to call her half the time. She was such a promising teacher when she first arrived. She had excellent recommendations when she joined us, a teacher of eight years,” she sighed heavily.

“I’ve been a teacher for less than that,” Shannon stated, “I only taught for two years while Christopher was little, and then again here. My mother had become ill and I cared for her and then went to take care of some family business in Ireland,” she added.

“The recommendations I got for you were very good as well. You may be a new teacher, but you have a large influence on the students here. Especially in light of your injuries, you’re… seen more as a role model to some of the more physically challenged students we have,” Marie told her.

Shannon blushed, “I don’t know about that, while I was recovering, well, it wasn’t easy. Buck was also doing the same.”

“Yes I saw the news report on the bombing, I have to say to know that he has gone back as a firefighter, to know how well he has recovered,” Maries said, a little smile on her face, “It was amazing to know,” she finished.

“I know, many didn’t think he would be able to. Though those that know him knew that he would. Eddie, myself, and most of those around him. We were a little scared that he was going to push himself too hard, but we saw that he was doing things safely and within what the physio and doctors were saying. It was also nice that when I went to therapy, he was doing the same thing, we often went together so we could cheer each other on,” she smiled, remembering some of their sessions together.

“Sounds like you have a good friend there,” she said, “Well, lunch bell will be going soon, so you’ll need to get back to class. Looks like I will be the one filling in for Miss Flores for the rest of the day as well. We already covered Colin’s classes, so it will be just hers. I will make sure to note down that she should be off the property with security. I don’t want her here at the moment, not until I have spoken to the board. Though they are already aware of what is going on,” she added, getting up.

Shannon nodded, getting up as well, “Thank you for seeing us,” she stated.

“Welcome, of course, we need to protect the children here from those that would harm them with their views on such things. There is enough influence from some of the parents, without a teacher getting into it as well,” she sighed.

“Of course,” she smiled back as they headed their separate ways.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Buck looked at his phone and frowned when he saw Maddie’s name and picture flash up on his screen. He was at work, and she knew that she would never call him unless something was going on. “Hey,” he greeted, “Is everything okay Maddie?” he asked, worried as he began to pace in the loft of the station.

“No, it isn’t. Doug’s parents, they’ve been bothering Mom and Dad,” she said, “They called me and they are demanding to know what the hell has been going on and why they are harassing them,” she added, “I don’t know what to do Buck, they are… annoyed to say the least.”

“Yeah, they would be. it doesn’t look good for them if they are having problems with people at home,” Buck said, frowning, “Is that what is going on?”

“Rita has been going to the house and demanding that they do something about us both. That we have a restraining order out against them and it’s not right. That they are entitled to be near us since we are all family. It doesn’t matter that I’ve told Rita and Andrew that I never want to see them again, that I don’t want anything to do with them or their family,” Maddie’s words were said in a rush, full of anger and even a little fear.

“Maddie, it’s going to be fine, talk to Mom and Dad and tell them that they should get a restraining order out on them as well. They may not like the idea, as they think that it will reflect badly on them, but we all know that’s a lie,” he told her, “Just talk to them about doing that and they should be fine.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll do that,” Maddie said, “They are still annoyed over the fact that I divorced him and we went to trial,” she snorted.

“Of course they are, they are most likely getting questions sent their way about it all,” Buck stated with a sigh, “They are always going on about it, you know that all they care about is the image that they project to those around them.”

“I know,” she said, sighing a little, “Thank you, for calming me down.”

“It’s fine, Sis, I know that talking to Mom and Dad can make you panic a bit,” he said, his voice was calm as well.

“They have always made me want to panic, why do you think that part of me wanted to stay with Doug? Mom and Dad would never let me live it down that I left him,” she stated, and Buck could tell that she was huffing and rolling her eyes.

“Well, call them back, and if you need me to, I’ll call them, they don’t like it when I do, so they might end up ignoring everything if I call and tell them to stop moaning about it and do something for once,” Buck said, he was no longer going to be polite to his parents and expect them to listen to him properly. They only ever heard what they wanted to anyway.

“I will,” she said as she added, “Bye, Buck, and thanks,” she then hung up.

Buck closed his eyes for a moment before he went over to the railing, looking down at the engines and the others that were working he sighed again.

“You okay?” Eddie asked as he walked over, he had heard the caution in Buck’s voice when he had answered the call.

“Rita and Andrew are now pestering our parents. They in turn are having a go at Maddie. They blame her for it all,” he told him, turning around to give him a small smile. “My relationship with our parents is… nonexistent. They only ever hear what they want when I call them. I only do the ‘Hey, I’m alive’ call these days. But even then they are waiting for me to ask them for help and then throw the fact that I walked out on them in my face. They hated me living there, but when I went to leave they were arguing about it, blaming me for being a problem all the time. Maddie… Maddie doesn’t know half of what happened in that house and I’d rather keep it that way. There’s a reason why I never want to see them again or really talk to them. Hell, they don’t even know about the babies either,” he said, sighing heavily.

“You have a bad feeling don’t you?” Eddie asked, seeing Buck grimace and nod, “Them coming here?”

“They’re causing problems, that’s for sure,” he told him, “They are… they believe that I’m nothing more than a screw-up. They… don’t believe I’m a firefighter at all,” he snorted, “They-”

“Are fuckers and we don’t want them in our lives,” Eddie finished for him, giving him a look of understanding, “I get you.”

“You do,” Buck snorted, “And no, I don’t want them in my life. I only do the phone call because I know that Maddie will be upset if I don’t. I’m slowly getting her to understand that we have very different relationships with our parents. She knows that I don’t get along with them at all,” he added, “But I didn’t think that’s going to stop her from talking to them.”

“Of course, if she really does love them then there isn’t much you can do to change that.”

“I don’t want to either. I’m happy for her to have that with them, but I know I don’t and I don’t want to be put in a place where I have to play nice with them all the time. It isn’t going to work, I will end up snapping at them. I have a lot of pent-up emotions about them that I am slowly working on in therapy, but it’s going to take time,” Buck sighed, and then rolled his eyes as the alarm went, “Duty calls,” he said as they headed out to the trucks, Bobby giving them the low down on the call they were going to be facing.

XxXxX

Maddie walked into the fire station two days after talking with her parents about Doug and his family. What happened and what they should do. Nothing more had been said until that morning and Maddie needed to talk to Buck. She saw Chimney and gave him a small smile as he walked over to her.

“Hey,” he smiled, kissing her softly on the cheek, “Is everything okay?” he asked her, looking concerned at how frazzled she seemed to be.

“Not really, I need to talk to Buck, I know he’s working, but it’s important. Do you think Bobby will be okay with that?” she asked as she started to look around, hoping to see the man so she could talk to him.

“Yeah, he’s in his office at the moment,” Chimney answered, leading the way.

“Thank you,” she said, “I know I shouldn’t just turn up like this. Bobby, you and Buck have all warned me that doing so without a little warning isn’t the best idea,” she added, though she was mostly just speaking to hear her voice and to stop the rampant thoughts in her head.

“Cap,” Chimney said as he went to the office and knocked on the door, getting the come in before he went inside.

“Chim, oh, hi Maddie,” he smiled, “Is everything okay?” he asked.

“I need to talk to Buck and it’s a bit urgent. I need to tell him something and he isn’t going to like it,” she said, biting her lip for a moment. She felt Chimney squeeze her hand in reassurance and she smiled at him a little before looking back at Bobby.

“Okay, I’ll send him in here,” Bobby said getting up, “Sit down, and I’ll tell him to bring in some coffee,” he added.

“Thank you,” she smiled, sitting down on one of the chairs. The room was empty and she was left with her thoughts for a moment until Buck walked in. Two hot mugs of coffee in his hands as he set one down on Bobby’s desk, “Hey,” she smiled at him.

“You okay?” he asked, “Because you don’t look like it. I could have Chim or Hen check you out,” he added, sitting down as well.

“I wish it was physical,” she snorted in answer, “It’s Mom and Dad, I talked to them like you said, and well…” she trailed off, sighing and closing her eyes.

“What’s going on?” he frowned, setting aside his mug and leaning closer, reaching out to take her hands, since she hadn’t even tried to reach for her coffee.

“Mom and Dad are coming here, they want to talk with us,” she said, “I don’t even know why they do,” she sighed, “I’ve not told them anything, not about the baby or anything,” she added, “I don’t know what is going on.”

“We’ll have to wait until they get here. When are they due to arrive?” Buck said, not happy with the thought of his parents being around.

“Now, they are going to want to have a meal with us both. I… I think they’ve been checking up on us because they mentioned Eddie, Christopher, and Chimney. Though not by name, only as boyfriend and child. I know we post a bit on social media, but I don’t have them linked to me at all, and I know that you don’t,” she frowned, “Buck, I don’t have a clue as to what they are doing and wanting.”

“Well, we’ll just have to wait and see, there’s nothing we can do at the moment, Mads,” he told her, “And we’ll face them together. We’re better united, we know that,” he smiled, he wouldn’t leave her alone to face them. While she had a better relationship with them, that was a long time ago in his eyes. She hadn’t seen them since she got with Doug. After leaving him, they had only talked on the phone and that was mostly to air how disappointed in her that they were about how things had gone.

Maddie took a breath to calm herself down, “Okay, I don’t know why I’m panicking so much at the thought of them.”

“Because you haven’t seen them since before you and Doug got married,” Buck told her, “And you know how they reacted to that,” he added, giving her a look.

“Yeah, yeah I remember,” she snorted, “They were not happy at all and made sure that I knew it and so did Doug. Part of me always wondered if that was something that triggered his problem because no one wanted to accept him in my life. I know that you weren’t keen on him, but you were more, better treat my sister right, at times.”

“I didn’t like him because he was always trying to dictate when I was able to see you. I just wanted to see you sometimes,” Buck sighed, “Anyway,” he said, “Go home, I know you don’t have a shift at all tonight. I’m almost done as well, we have two hours left,” he added.

“Good, good,” she nodded, taking her coffee and sipping at it. It was still a little hot, but the burn was a pleasant one.

Buck smiled and he changed the subject to what they were planning on doing in the nursery, he and Eddie would be starting to decorate it soon. They wanted it ready and sorted before the baby was due, though they still had a few months until then. Eddie had warned him how quickly that would all pass. Maddie stood up a few moments after she finished, smiling and feeling better and calmer again.

“Mads,” he said, “See about having a session with your therapist about this. You shouldn’t be panicking so much at the thought of them. It’s not good, Sis,” he added with a gentle smile as he guided her out of the room and station.

“Yeah, I already did that before I came here. It should start in about an hour, so I have just enough time to get there. I asked for an in-person meeting,” she added when she got a little frowning look from her brother.

“Okay,” he nodded, “I’ll talk to you soon, and I’ll be there.”

“I know,” she smiled, hugged him and then quickly hugged and kissed Chimney who had come to say goodbye to her.

XxXxX

Buck looked at the door of Maddie’s home, he was dreading going inside, knowing that his parents were there. Eddie had joined him, and even though his parents had tried to insist that Christopher join them, Buck had been quick to say that he was with his mother that night. He wasn’t supposed to be, but it was a good enough reason as to why he wouldn’t be there.

“We’re okay, Buck,” Eddie said as he squeezed Buck’s hand and Buck finally raised his other and knocked on the door.

Maddie was quick to open the door, “Oh good, you didn’t bring Christopher,” she sighed in relief, “They were talking about him, and I don’t like some of the things they have said already.”

“I don’t blame you on that,” Chimney said as he walked up behind her, “I don’t like your parents. I thought my Dad was an asshole, and he is, but damn they are worse in my eyes.”

“Not a competition,” Maddie reminded him, “Come on, let’s go and face them,” she said as he looked at Buck.

Buck smiled and nodded. Buck and Eddie entered the home. Maddie and Chimney had already cooked and it was ready to eat, they just needed to serve it. Buck walked into the living room, coming face to face with his parents for the first time since he left them.

“Evan,” his mother said, looking at him.

“It’s Buck,” Buck said, “I don’t answer to Evan anymore,” he added, though he did, only from Eddie or Maddie, and they both knew that he preferred to go by Buck.

“Evan-”

“I said, I won’t answer to that anymore, you can at least respect one of my choices in my life,” he told them again, there was no emotion in his voice as he stared at them, “Just because you wish to maintain an image, doesn’t mean the rest of us will let you trample all over our boundaries”

“I can’t believe you want to be known by a stupid little nickname,” Margaret stated, “have you no pride?” she asked him, sneering a little.

“I have pride, Mother, but not enough to make me want to conform to what you think I should be like. I’m my own person,” he stated one last time before turning to Maddie, “Need any help in the kitchen?” he asked her.

“Yes, help me bring things out,” Maddie smiled as the two siblings headed into the kitchen and started to bring food out. They had no idea how this dinner was going to go, especially with how it had just started.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Maddie and Buck took things out as soon as the meal was over, “I still have no idea why they are here,” Maddie whispered.

“I know, they’ve been glaring and trying to make sure we’re all quiet during dinner,” Buck said, pulling a slight face as he set up some drinks for everyone.

“Yeah, I remember them hating it when we talked at the dinner table,” Maddie said, shaking her head, “I thought, hoped they would have relaxed on that.”

“I don’t care for their rules, you know that. I never have, since they didn’t let me even have dinner with them most of the time,” Buck snorted, grinning a little as he glanced over at Maddie.

“You never paid attention to that one,” she added, “Even when you were in the dining room with us as we were growing up.”

“Yeah,” he laughed as he finished making the coffee for everyone. Maddie helped him carry them through, before going back for her own and Chimneys.

“Evan,” Margaret said as she looked at her son, “We think you should… discontinue the relationship that you are in. It doesn’t look good.”

“And how is that any of your concern, I haven’t seen you since I was nineteen,” he reminded them, “And I won’t be breaking up with Eddie at all,” he added, shaking his head and snorting at the thought of them trying to dictate what he does in his life.

“You will do as you’re told. We have already selected a young woman that would be perfect for you. She’ll make sure that you give up on that stupid job of yours, make sure that you’ll settle down like you’re supposed to,” Phillip added, “Maddie, we’ve also found someone for you,” he finished, looking at his daughter.

“We’re not going to do anything of the sort,” Maddie said, glancing at Chimney and then Eddie.

“They tried to get us to leave while you were in the kitchen. Almost trying to bribe us into leaving you both,” Eddie said, as Chimney nodded.

“Honestly, if I wanted money and I didn’t give a shit about things. All I had to do would be to go back to Korea and my Father would set me up with his business. I love the life I have, and I love you as well, Maddie,” he said, knowing that Maddie wasn’t really ready to hear it.

Maddie gave him a trembling smile, “Thank you,” she said, reaching out a hand for him to take.

“Like Eddie would just leave me,” Buck snorted, “Do you know what Shannon would do to him, let alone Christopher if he even thought about it.”

Eddie laughed, “My Ex would kill me and our son would destroy me for hurting his Papa,” he said as Buck sat beside him.

“At least now I know why you’re here, I couldn’t think of it,” Buck said, “We have nothing to do with either of you,” he added, “So why the sudden need to know what we are doing and who we are with?” he asked.

“Our friends have found out about you all. Social Media has been reporting on things, especially the tsunami and the bombing. People are questioning why you are both there and we haven’t seen you. We’ve told them that you were going to be returning home, that you realized that what you were doing was too dangerous, and that you both wanted to settle down. Maddie, you need to return as well, what happened with Doug is… unfortunate,” Phillip began looking between his children, an air of distaste about him as he looked down at them.

“More like it was upsetting to know that you were being asked things and never knew how to answer so you made some bullshit up and now you need to deliver on what you’ve said,” Buck rolled his eyes, “You did this all the time when I was a kid. Said something and then everyone had no choice but to follow it. Well, I’m happy, I have a baby on the way, we’re happy together and we already have one son, who is amazing. Why the hell would I give that up to be around two people that really can’t stand me?” he asked them both, staring at the two. They may be his parents, but they had never acted like it.

“You will do as you’re told, we will make your life a misery if you don’t follow what we command,” Phillip demanded, glaring at the young man before him.

“And seriously, what the hell could you do against me?” Buck snorted, “You have nothing over me at all. There is nothing that I want from you, I don’t care about either of you. I made my peace a long time ago that you were never parents to me. I can walk out of here and never speak to either of you again and I would be damn happy about that,” he stated, “So what… what could you try and do to make life a misery?”

“I will be informing Clare of where you are so that she can talk you into moving back,” Phillip stated, a smug smirk appearing on his face.

“Clare, that’s who you’ve chosen to try and marry me. Damn, she was a stalker when I was at school. Always trying to follow me around. She was creepy as hell,” Buck wrinkled his nose, “It’s not going to change anything, only get her and maybe even you in trouble.”

“But it will stop any adoption from happening. I’ll make sure that the baby that is going your way will never get near you,” Phillip added, “It’s not like Evan will be able to care for a child. He’s a danger to people around him. Always in trouble, always causing trouble.”

“He is such a disappointment,” Margaret said, “Now adopting children, and one with special needs. No, he won’t be able to cope with such a thing,” she stated, smirking a little as she looked at Buck and then Eddie, “Both of you need to stop this stupid relationship n-”

Buck and Eddie were sharing a look before laughing, “Okay, okay,” Buck laughed, shaking his head, “You have no idea what is going on,” he said, looking at the two of them. “There is nothing you can do that someone else hasn’t tried before. Not only that but they aren’t adopted children, they are natural-born children. Biologically one is Eddie’s and the newborns will be mine. Nothing you can do or say will get me to comply with you,” he added.

“My ex is the mother again, so all three children will be related to her and she and I have one child, Christopher, who, as Buck said, is amazing,” Eddie said, looking over at Buck. “We now have two more children on the way, and we’re very happy about that fact. Shannon, Buck, and I will be welcoming two more children into our lives.”

“We will find a way to cause you nothing but problems,” Phillip warned them both, “CPS could easily be called and we wil-”

“Been there, done that,” Eddie and Buck stated, “My own parents tried that route as they wanted to take control of our son. It isn’t going to happen.”

“I was giving you a chance,” Maddie said after a while, “Giving you both a chance to be in our lives. You have grandchildren coming and you really don’t care,” she added, shaking her head and looking disappointed at the two of them.

“We’re trying to look out for you. We don’t want another Doug to get his hands on you, and who knows what this…. this man is like,” Margaret told her daughter, shaking her head in disappointment. None of her children had ever obeyed her in anything.

“I had my problems, but I am sorting a lot of them out. Maddie and I are moving forward together, on a better step than what we first started on,” Chimney said, looking a little blank faced at the two, “You don’t know me, but they do, and they are fine with us dating. I love Maddie, and I know she isn’t ready for those words. I thought letting you hear them would be enough for you to realize that I’m in this for the long haul. I want to be with Maddie for the rest of my life. If I didn’t let my own Father dictate what he wanted me to do, what makes you think either of you has a chance of doing so?”

“You can’t fob us off or bribe us, both of us love our partners,” Eddie added, giving Chimney a nod, “We both have our pasts, what person doesn’t? I know Buck’s, and I love him for everything he is.”

“Love you too, Eds,” Buck smiled at him.

“I know,” he smiled back.

“You two will do as we say, you will find out that we have a better reach than you think,” Phillip threatened them.

“No you don’t,” Buck said, “I know you both, I know the people that you are friends with. Really a simple call and no doubt the both of you would be investigated for a number of things. I know about Daniel,” he added, “I will make sure that comes out. You’ve gone to a lot of st-”

“Don’t you dare talk about him!” Margaret screamed, eyes wide.

“What, talk about a child that you erased just because he passed away,” Buck said, he knew he was being a bit callous about his brother, but it was the only thing he could think of that would show them that they had nothing over him anymore. He knew everything about the family. Including a few other things that would make people sit up and realize that the two in front of him weren’t the people, they pretended to be.

“You can not speak about someone that you know nothing about,” Phillip demanded of him, getting up and looking over his son.

Buck snorted, “I know about him, and I’m sorry that you lost him. It just makes a lot of damn sense why you treated me as you did. You hated it when I tried to have fun and when I tried to do things that you didn’t want me to. The fact that you were always trying to dictate what and who I saw and did was always there,” he sighed, “I don’t care anymore,” he told him, shaking his head, “I’m not the scared little kid that I was back then, Now I’m an adult and fully grown, I’m also a Father. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to my kids. But I definitely wouldn’t do what you did and that was to bury your head in the sand and pretend that things were fine,” he added, looking up at him.

“How could you… how could you tell him about Daniel?” Margaret said as she looked at her only daughter.

“How could I finally tell him about a brother that loved him, and enjoyed every moment he could spend with him? How could I tell him about someone I was never allowed to grieve for?” Maddie asked her, “I could because he was my family as well, he was my brother and I cried every night and you hated it when I did. You would hit me and threaten me to get me to stop caring about him,” she told her, “I love Daniel even now,” she pointed out to them.

“I don’t think you two do,” Buck said, “You erased him, you don’t do that to someone you love.”

“How else could we cope, we had you two always needing attention and we had to try and find the time to move. You were a baby, Evan, and not an easy one. You-” Margaret began to tell them, sounding upset but not looking it.

“I was a baby that needed attention as I wasn’t able to do things on my own. Instead, you would often leave that all to Maddie to do. I very rarely remember either of you taking any time to take care of me. Most of the time it was always Maddie,” he said, shaking his head.

“You weren’t parents to us, we were children and we needed you as well. Instead, you went into your own heads and never came out,” Maddie snapped at them.

“No, they went into their own arse, because they are-” Buck began.

“Buck,” Eddie said, trying not to laugh.

“Sorry, but they are,” Buck huffed, “They are arse lickers, they all do nothing but suck up to the nearest idiot that will have them. Rich and snobby suits them to a damn T,” he added, Maddie nodding along.

“Clare, the girl that Dad is talking about is someone that is the daughter of one of those friends he brown noses with,” Maddie said.

“Hey,” Phillip snapped at them all, “How dare you be so disrespectful.”

“You’re being the same,” Buck told him, “You come in here, after years of not seeing you. The only reason I tell you I’m alive is to remind you that I exist. Then again, I really should have stopped, because I’ve not cared about you knowing for a while. It was also a way for Maddie to get in touch. Which is the reason why I have only contacted them once since you arrived here, Maddie,” he added as he looked at his sister.

“Hmm,” Maddie nodded, “I only talked to them once when I got here and decided to stay. That was all. An ‘I’m alive’ call.”

Buck snorted, “Yeah, I do those calls myself,” he laughed a few times. “Well, I don’t need to do them.”

“Neither do I,” Maddie nodded, the two siblings shared a look and then nodded again.

“Mom, Dad,” Buck said as he looked at them, “This will be the last time that I want to talk to you. You’ve made it known through all of my life with the two of you that I am not what you wanted in a son. I don’t care anymore,” he added, “What I care about now is living my life. I no longer want you in it,” he stated.

“I don’t either. I loved you for so long, it got into my head that you loved me as well. Therapy has really opened my eyes to that, talking about my childhood, talking about Daniel,” she said with a sad smile on her face, “It’s been hard to realize that you were abusive towards us both. Emotionally abusive.”

“And physically,” Buck said quietly, “As I said, there is nothing you can do with me anymore. I am not the scared kid I once was,” he added, looking at Phillip who had gone pale at Buck’s words.

“He hit you?” Maddie asked him, demanding to know.

Buck nodded slowly, “When I didn’t do what he wanted, what they wanted. Acted in a certain way, I would be punished for it. Usually a couple of hits, sometimes a belt across the backside. Once or twice a beating. It makes a lot more sense now that I know about Daniel since I think I was acting like him a few times. I mentioned wanting to be a doctor at one point and getting really good grades and I could have gone for it. I got a beating for that.

“Yeah, Daniel wanted to be a doctor,” Maddie answered, “He always said that even before he got sick.” She stood up, “Mom, Dad, please leave. I don’t think I will want to talk to you again. I hope that one day you realize exactly what you have given up when you decided to try and manipulate us. Neglected us and everything in our childhood. I wondered sometimes what Daniel would make of it all. How you treated us.”

In the end, Margaret and Phillip had to be escorted out of the home by Eddie and Chimney, since neither of them would let the Buckley Siblings near the Buckley parents. The last of dinner went a lot better before Eddie and Buck headed home, wanting nothing more than to see Christopher before going to bed themselves.

Chapter Fifty

Karen was excited as she went to meet with Shannon, they would be announcing the pregnancy to everyone soon. Shannon might be the only one that knew about it, but she was beginning to show a little. The clothing that she was wearing was helping to hide, though her emotions were all over the place. She and Hen had an appointment that morning and now Hen was off to work, a little later and Karen headed off to see Shannon. The weekend was free since Niamh and Christopher had decided to go and do something together.

“Shannon,” she greeted as she rushed over to the woman that was waiting on one of the benches at the Mall.

“Karen,” she smiled, getting up, “you look really happy.”

“We found out what we’re having, and Hen said that we could do something special together since people know you’re having twins. I am as well, just found out today and we’re having girls,” she said in a rush.

Shannon smiled, “That’s wonderful!” She congratulated and hugged her tightly, “I’m so happy for you and Hen. Wonder what Denny is going to say.”

“No idea, but he knows that I’m pregnant, doesn’t know we have twin girls on the way, but,” Karen grinned brightly, “We’re happy, so very happy.”

“Still don’t know what I’m having, they keep hiding. Eddie and Buck said two girls. I say one of each, so does Christopher,” she smiled, “But, I don’t mind waiting, we knew with Christopher. Christopher really wants one of each.”

“I bet,” Karen smiled, as they began to walk towards the shops, “So where to go first?” she asked.

“How about we think about organizing a get-together for you to tell people, it’s February now,” she reminded her.

“Valentine’s Day is coming up soon,” she said.

“Christopher’s birthday as well, he’s going to be nine. Can’t believe that it’s been so long since he was born. Things have changed so much since then,” she sighed, “Eddie and I are divorced, which is a good thing. Neither of us was ready for marriage. Nor for Christopher, but I know neither of us would change him for the world,” she smiled softly.

“Nine years is a lot, Denny is ten this year. It feels like it was only yesterday we got him,” Karen said, “He was such a cute little baby,” she added, “So tiny. We were worried that some of Eva’s problems would badly affect him, but he turned out just fine,” she smiled as she thought of her son.

“Yeah. When Christopher was a baby and I realized that something was wrong, it was hard. I was told that I was a bad mother half the time. It took three doctors to finally get someone to admit that there was something wrong,” Shannon said, shaking her head. “Helena wasn’t happy when it came back that Christopher had CP. Helena… I thought it was my fault for the longest time. I think it was because I was told to have a C-Section when it came to Christopher. Instead, Helena got in the way and I ended up having to give birth naturally. They are already saying that I should have a C-Section when it comes to the twins as well. I think that is one of the things that contributed to the CP,” she sighed, “I don’t know if it did or not. But at least this time, there will be no Helena in the way. From what Buck and Eddie have said, the Buckley parents have been sent packing back to Hershey,” she smirked.

“I take it that dinner didn’t go well. Hen was telling me that Chimney and Buck talked about it a little at the station the next day.”

“No, it didn’t. Phillip and Margaret Buckley were trying to get Maddie and Buck to go back with them. Marry who they had chosen. Hell, Eddie said that there is a woman in Hershey who thinks that she is Buck’s fiance and that she might try and show her face. I know that Buck plans to have a restraining order taken out. There is also a bit of history when it comes to the woman,” Shannon said, as they entered one of the baby stores in the mall, “Oh, so many clothes to choose from,” she said looking around.

“I know,” Karen grinned, “Let’s go a little crazy for my girls, and get a few cute ones for yours.”

“Not too crazy, we still have to carry everything,” Shannon warned her.

“I know, but hey, we can always call someone to come and help,” she said, “I have a few friends that wouldn’t mind,” she added, grinning as she went over and grabbed a cart, and led the way to the baby clothes section of the store.

Shannon laughed and followed her, her crutch making a little noise as they walked, “Okay,” she said, looking at the clothes.

“So, what about this woman that is the history that Buck and Eddie were talking about then?” Karen asked as she put two dresses in the same style but different colors into the cart.

“Well,” Shannon began, “Clare, is the woman’s name so if you find someone going around like that, then you know that it’s this woman. I’ll see if I can find a picture, she is pretty, but she looks half crazy,” she muttered.

“Oh?” Karen said, eyes going wide.

“She stalked Buck through high school and some of his time at college as well. It’s one of the reasons why he decided to get thrown out. If he had dropped out his parents would have made one hell of a mess for him. So he did everything he could to get kicked out,” she told her, “She stalked him, followed him everywhere. Sneaked into his bedroom a few times. And into the rooms, he had been in during school trips. Her father is a friend of Buck’s father.”

“Oh, even worse,” Karen shook her head as she looked at Shannon, “What are they going to do about it?” she asked.

“So far, nothing. If she turns up, then Buck’s going to be putting down the history of the woman and see about getting a restraining order. He had something similar back then, and notes from teachers about her obsession and her behavior towards him,” Shannon said, “He’s not that worried about it, he’s hoping that she’s grown up and realizes that nothing between them is going to happen at all.”

“Well, Buck is happy with Eddie and I really can’t see those two ever breaking up,” she said, shaking her head.

Shannon smiled, “I know, they are so in love with each other. I saw it as soon as I saw the two of them together. Damn, I told Eddie that if he didn’t I might go for it,” she laughed, “I told him to ask him right from the start,” she smiled, “I’m glad that he’s happy though.”

“Yeah,” Karen smiled, “He really is, you can tell that when you see him, and when you see the both of them together. I love Hen with all that I am. I have done since we got together. Her ex has always been a shadow in our life and we’re hoping that we won’t have to see her again after her last try and getting Hen back.”

“I sense a story there,” Shannon said, a little frown on her face.

“There is,” Karen said, “Hen stepped out, you could say with Eva when she first got out a while ago. Took us some time to learn to get past it. Therapy and couples therapy worked in getting us back to where we were. It took a lot of work and it still takes work even now to keep us going,” she told her, “It’s still hard to think about sometimes. I know that Eva would do what she could to get back with Hen, even now I still feel like Eva will turn up again.”

“As long as you are working to stay together, then you should be fine,” Shannon said, “A relationship, no matter the kind, is always work. I know that Eddie and Buck talk often about things. They don’t just cuddle and kiss and that,” she snorted.

“Yeah,” she laughed as the two of them went around the store, putting a number of things into their cart.

XxXxX

Denny huffed as he and Christopher were in Christopher’s room. Karen and Hen had stopped by, mostly to have dinner with Buck, Eddie, and Shannon, who was over.

“You okay?” Christopher asked his friend, putting aside his switch.

“Mom’s pregnant,” he told her, “but you can’t tell anyone, no one knows, well, not really,” he said.

“So is mine,” Christopher grinned, “I’m looking forward to being a big brother. I always wanted a little brother and sister. I want one of each though,” he said, nodding to himself, “I don’t know if I can deal with two girls.”

“I’ll have to. Mom’s having two girls. I’m going to be surrounded by girls!” he exclaimed, “I don’t know what I should do.”

“Well, play Lego with them, and read stories to them. I’ve already picked out some books that I can read to them while they are very young,” he said, “The Lego will have to wait a little while until they get bigger,” he added, getting up and going to the bookcase in his room, “Here,” he said, showing them all.

Denny smiled, “But they’ll want to play with dolls and things like that.”

“I know, but we can do that with them. I’ll be there too and help you play with them,” he smiled going back.

“Okay, we can both be big brothers to them all. We share?” he asked.

“We share,” Christopher nodded, “Though if we both have two sisters, it’s going to be really hard, they are all going to be around the same age as well.”

“Tea parties,” Denny said, “Chantel at school said she loved to do tea parties with her little sister. We’ll have to learn how to do that.”

“Youtube!” Christopher grinned, “We should look on Youtube, you can find out so much there. Maybe we can even find more things and hairstyles as well,” he said, grabbing his tablet and bringing it to the bed where the two of them started to search Youtube for things.

Buck looked in on them, smiling as he found out what they were doing. He walked back into the living room, “They’re fine,” he said, “looking at Youtube for some informative videos on children’s tea parties,” he smiled, getting a laugh from them all.

“Is Christopher hoping for sisters then?” Hen asked, looking over at Shannon.

“He wants one of each,” Shannon answered them, smiling.

“Yeah,” Buck grinned as he sat down beside Eddie, “he’s been going on about what he wants to do with them when they are here,” he said as he glanced over at Eddie, “Though tea parties are something I haven’t heard him ask about before,” he commented lightly.

“Same here,” Eddie frowned, wondering why Denny was joining in on the madness.

Shannon surprised them with a knowing smirk as she said, “Well, at least he is looking into things.”

“Yeah,” Eddie nodded, “He’s going to be a great big brother,” he added, a little smile on his face.

“It is what he wants more than anything,” Shannon snorted, “Though I just hope he doesn’t make another Christmas wish next year for another. I don’t know if I want to be pregnant a third time,” she added, rubbing her stomach. She was feeling a little bloated and awkward, she had felt the same during her last pregnancy, but she knew that in the end, it would be worth it.

“Don’t forget, get together at mine,” Hen said, as she looked at them all, a smile on her face. “Thought it might be about time to open the doors for us,” she added.

“Well, then the next one is going to have to be us,” Eddie said as he looked at Buck.

“Yeah, our turn,” Buck agreed, leaning against Eddie’s shoulder and receiving a kiss on his head. He smiled happily as the group talked a little more before Hen and Karen had to leave, taking Christopher with them for a sleepover.

XxXxX

Hen and Karen looked around, smiling at their friends. Happy couples around them, as they shared in the joy that Karen was pregnant. Though she was about to reveal the gender after everyone had placed their bets. Shannon had been in charge of it all, and a smirking Christopher had whispered in his dad and papa’s ears. Shannon had shaken her head but left them to it. Buck and Eddie had agreed to do what Christopher wanted and had made their bet. Which Shannon knew was correct, though Bobby had guessed the same as well. Everyone knew that it was twins, so there were only three options, but most had gone for boys.

“Well,” Hen said as Shannon handed over the book that had been used to write down everyone’s bets. She looked through them all.

“Denny,” Karen called over as she smiled and hugged him tightly, “You want to do the honors?” she asked him.

Denny smiled and nodded, taking the two balloons that were filled with colored paper. He looked at everyone, “Baby number one is!” he called out, popping the first balloon and a load of pink confetti rained down. “A Girl,” he grinned, people clapping and getting excited as he raised the second balloon, “And my second sibling is going to be a-” he called out popping the second balloon and pink confetti raining down once again. “I’m going to have two new sisters in my family,” he smiled as he went over to his mother and hugged them both tightly, “I’m happy, even if I do have to attend some tea parties with them when they get older.”

“They might want you to teach them how to play with cars yet,” Hen reminded him, “I preferred playing with them when I was little.”

“Yeah,” Denny grinned and looked up at Karen, “Love you both.”

“Love you too,” Karen said, hugging him tightly, “You’re our guiding star, never forget that.”

Denny nodded, smiling happily.

“Congratulations,” Bobby and the others all called out.

“So the bets,” Hen said, “The winners are Buck, Eddie, and Bobby!” she called out, “The only ones to guess at us having two girls.”

“It was all Chris,” Buck muttered, “He knew,” he added, looking at Eddie.

“Well, he does want us to use the money we win to get something special for the babies,” Eddie said, giving a little shrug, “it will go towards whatever it is that he has plans for.”

“Knowing Chris, it’s going to be something he’ll talk us into getting for ours.” he smiled.

“When are we going to find out what you’re having?” Chimney asked the two of them, looking at Shannon as well.

“When they let us see?” Buck said, “They’re hiding most of the time.”

Chimney snorted as he went over to congratulate Hen and Karen again, as no one knew that they were even going to be getting pregnant so soon, they had been told that they were going to be waiting a while before starting. The rest of the gathering, more like a party, carried on for a few more hours before people headed home.

 

---