Reading Time: 101 Minutes
Title: The Animal Song
Series: Affirmation
Series Order: 2
Author: Duochanfan
Fandom: 9-1-1
Genre: Angst, Crime Drama, Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort, Romance
Relationship(s): Evan Buckley/Lou Ransone, Background relationships
Content Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Hate Crimes, Hate Speech, Violence-Graphic, Violence-Domestic, Violence-Against Children/Child Abuse. Bigotry, Canon Natural Disasters, Canon Typical Violence, Character Bashing, Dark Themes, Death Minor Character, Discussion Death of Children, Gun Violence, Homophobia, Injury, Kidnapping of a Minor, Attempted Murder, Attempted Murder of a Minor, Murder, Stalking.
Author Note: BytheBry helped a lot with the romance side of things in this part. So thank you, for all the help with this bit!
Beta: HarleyJQuin. Thank you so much for the editing you’ve done, and all the commas you made me add!
Alpha: HarleyJQuin, Once again, thank you for all the help with everything, and to BytheBry for your help with the romance side of things!
Word Count: 50,955
Summary: Evan arrived in LA, meeting with Isabel and Edmundo Diaz, the two take him in as he starts university, and becomes the godfather of one very adorable baby, Christopher Diaz. He settles into life in LA, finding friends, a relationship and even a career that he hadn’t thought of before.
Artist: Tpena19
Artist Appreciation: Thank you so much for the art, and I still am squealing over the cast image for this one!
Chapter Thirteen
Evan looked at the table where he was seated. Christmas Day had been hectic and now that the meal was over, all he wanted was a nice long nap to recover from it all. Lou was seated beside him, smiling and laughing as he talked to Shannon and made faces at Christopher. Janet was talking quietly to his dad, both of them smiling and occasionally laughing. His dad had been able to make it, and hadn’t that been awkward when he introduced him to his boyfriend who was almost fifteen years older than him.
“You alright?” Edmundo asked as he saw how quiet Evan was.
“I was just thinking about things, about how we’re all here. With family, and it’s just…” Evan told him, “I never really thought about having this. I know last year we did this small thing together, but this year. It just feels like a lot more. You even invited Lou,” he said quietly as he looked at his boyfriend playing with Christopher.
“He fits in well, and he treats you right,” Edmundo said, “it’s nice to see,” he added, “You deserve it.”
Evan smiled and nodded, “Yeah, oh, that reminds me, a few days ago, the place we were looking at for me. I went for it in the end; it’s a nice little three-bed place. I know I don’t need that much space, but… well, I was thinking that when Chris gets older, he’ll want to stay a night or so, so he’ll have a room and then one for an office or library for myself so I can study,” he added, feeling unsure of what he was thinking going for such a large home.
“Well, you’re fully grown, you can go with what you want. I think the idea of a place for Christopher is a very nice idea. But it does have that extra den room near the back of the house, and it all being one floor is a nice bonus. It has a large garden that I know my Bella will be excited to know she has another garden to help organize and plant things in, especially since that one is almost three times the size of ours.”
“I don’t doubt that the Diaz family gatherings will end up at mine after it’s done,” Evan said, feeling a little excited at the thought of being able to host them all himself. And maybe trying out a few of the recipes he had gotten over the years from Isabel, Pepa, and even some that his dad and Simon’s wife had given him.
“I look forward to the day,” Edmundo nodded.
“Maaaaaaaa!” Christopher yelled out as he clapped his hands together as he reached out to his mom from where he was seated on Lou’s lap.
“Oh,” Shannon said as Christopher carried on repeating the word as he giggled and reached for his mom.
“His first word,” Isabel said, clapping along with Christopher.
“Yeah,” Shannon said, tears in her eyes as she picked him up and cuddled him, “Oh, my special little guy,” she murmured, kissing his cheek as he giggled even more.
“Wow,” Evan smiled as he looked at his godson and his teary-eyed mother.
Phillip smiled and said, “Your first word was Danny,” he told him quietly. “You loved your brother a lot, he always wanted to be with you. He hated it when he had to spend the night away from you, he cursed the fact that we didn’t allow him into your room to sleep. It was… annoying but also adorable,” he smiled.
Evan grinned, enjoying knowing what his first word was.
XxXxX
Two days after Christmas, Evan opened the front door of his soon-to-be home. Phillip walked inside after him. “So this is the place I’m going to buy,” he said, “I know I said I might rent for a bit, but when I was going through this place I knew this was it for me,” he began to explain.
“It’s in a nice area, not far from Isabel and Edmundo’s home. I also know it’s not that far from Shannon’s,” he added.
“True,” Evan said, “it’s one of the reasons why I was looking in this area. There is another one that is for rent, but I wanted to buy it. I may live here my whole life, or I may find another place and just rent this one out. I don’t know yet. But I do know that for now, this is where I want to live. It’s got a great big yard, and it’s nice enough that I can do a lot with it.”
“Looks good, I take it you’ve had it surveyed for any problems?” Phillip asked as he was shown around the large home.
“Of course,” Evan grinned, “I made sure of that, and so did Edmundo, he pointed me in the direction of people who could help and made sure that I’ll get the best I could,” he added, glancing over at his dad. “So… what do you really think?” he asked, feeling nervous and wishing for approval.
“Evan, you’ve chosen a great house, no doubt it’s going to be filled with you and friends and family soon enough. I know that Edmundo and Isabel are going to be just as often, and I hope you won’t mind if I am as well,” he added.
“As often as you can get out here, I think maybe I’ll keep it a spare room and have it for guests so you can stay here instead of finding a hotel or something,” Evan said aloud as he wandered to where the three bedrooms were. At the back of the house was another den-like room, not a bedroom, but it may have been used as an office, or even a home gym at some point with the way that it looked.
Phillip smiled, “I won’t be needing the guest room often, since I found a place myself I had a look at a few while I was here, and already had surveys done before I looked at them. I found a nice little two-bed place. It’s closer to Edmundo’s home than here, but I like it, it’s small, I don’t really need much, never have.”
“You got a place as well?” Evan exclaimed looking excited at the thought, “I thought… thought you wouldn’t do it in the end, since you stopped talking about it.”
“I’ve been busy with the planning of it all. I’ve got a business opportunity here that I’ve made for myself, promoting a few people to take care of things on the East Coast while I move out here to be near you. I’ve already set things up for Maddie should she ever need the help to get away,” he sighed. Maddie was still being stubborn and blamed Evan for everything that was going wrong in her life. She had tried several times to talk with Evan, but the only thing she wanted to do was berate him for everything she believed he had done wrong. In the end, Phillip had made sure that Evan had changed his number so she couldn’t bother him anymore.
“So, when’s the big day then?” he asked, looking happy at the thought of his dad moving out to LA to be with him.
“The end of January is the aim, but it may end up being the middle of February if things don’t go as smoothly as I hope. But should be within the next two months. I’ll be able to call you with a better day as soon as I know, but hoping around then,” Phillip answered him, smiling at the look on his son’s face. Phillip had thought their relationship was at an end when he found out Evan had moved out. Had finally had enough of them and started his own life. To know he still had a chance to get to know his son, his youngest child, and be in his life was a miracle to the man. To know that Evan was actually looking forward to him moving out to LA and living nearby, well, it was a dream that he had never even thought he had wanted.
“This is going to be great,” Evan grinned and Phillip couldn’t help but laugh and smile as well.
The two went around the house and Evan explained what he wanted to happen to it and what he wanted to do. He was smiling brightly as they left and headed out to lunch. With a promise from Phillip to show him the place he had brought for himself.
XxXxX
Evan walked with his dad as he went through the airport. “I’m going to miss having you here,” he said as he reached the point where Evan couldn’t go any further.
“I know,” Phillip said as he turned to his son, “I’m going to miss talking to you every day and even the coffee meet-ups,” he smiled, “And as for Lou, he’s a good man, you’ve chosen well, but then again, I always knew you would end up with someone older than you. You’ve never been like your peers,” he stated softly, looking his son over, seeing how healthy and happy he looked. “How are the colds and flus?” he asked, knowing that it had been a while since Evan had last complained about having one.
“Not as many as before, but I still get the occasional cold, I just don’t feel like death warmed over when they hit now. No doubt when Chris gets older and goes to daycare or kindergarten, I’ll be having loads of them again. Children just attract the germs,” he snorted, shaking his head.
“That they do, we had to be so careful with Maddie going to school and Daniel being so ill all the time. One cold and he could be in the hospital for weeks. It was a horrible time, but the memories he made sure to make with us,” he sighed, “He didn’t care about the colds and coughs when you were born. He was as stubborn as you, there is just no denying that you two are brothers. Both so smart, and an understanding of the world that comes from life experiences, ones I wish neither of you had.”
“I really wish I could have gotten to know him,” Evan said, a little envious that they had all these memories and he didn’t.
“I do as well, I sometimes dream of it, wondering just how the two of you would have teamed up, because I know for a fact he would have. He disobeyed Margaret a lot to spend more time with you. She often had to give in because he could out stubborn her any day,” he smiled, reached out, and put a hand on Evan’s shoulder, “I found some of the old home movies I made back then. It’s not the same, but I’m having them touched up and put on DVDs so that we can watch them together when I get here.”
“I look forward to it,” Evan said, a little quiet, but knowing that going down the what-ifs and wishes was the wrong thing to do. He would never have that precious time with his brother, or rather, he would never remember it. He just wondered if he would be able to see the two of them together, actually watching how they were with each other instead of listening to the stories behind the pictures that his dad showed him.
“So do I,” he smiled as he knew he still had the security checks to go through, “I’ll see you soon and I’ll call when I land to tell you I made it home safe.”
“You better, Dad,” Evan said as he reached out and hugged his dad.
Phillip wrapped his arms around his son and held him tightly for a few moments. “I’ll miss you, but I’ll be in your hair soon enough that you’ll wish I was back on the East Coast,” he said as he slowly let him go.
Evan snorted, “Don’t think I will unless you hover too much,” he grinned, “But yeah, I’ve kinda missed you as well. It’s nice to just talk, and actually know my dad.”
“Yeah, same here son,” Phillip nodded as he hugged him one last time before heading inside.
Evan watched for a moment and waved as his dad turned to him and did the same. Evan soon left, heading back home.
Chapter Fourteen
Evan was walking around campus, there were a few extra people around. Recruiting for various things. Evan already had an idea of what he wanted to do, so he went over to one of the tables that was set up. “Hi,” he said to the woman who was standing there. She looked stern, but looking into her eyes, he could tell that she was a good woman and a caring one.
“Hello,” she said, a small smile appearing on her face. “I’m Sergeant Grant, what can I do for you?” she asked, “Thinking about joining the LAPD?”
“I am,” Evan said with a firm nod, “I’m Evan Buckley. I’m doing Criminology here. I’ve been thinking about the academy for a while since I know a few cops. They belong to a running group I’m with,” he smiled. He also thought of Lou, but didn’t know if he was out at work, so refrained from saying anything.
“So you know a little of how things work?” she asked.
“Just a bit, but not enough to call myself an expert or anything like that. I know that the academy is six months long and that there are two, or three places around that I can go to. I know that the one I’d like to attend has a start date around May, which clashes a little with Uni, but…”
“They can do special dispensation for Uni, but it’s case by case. I was doing a degree at the time I was attending the Academy as well, I got my degree in Law, alongside it. I just never told my mother that bit. She wanted me to be a lawyer,” she snorted, her words putting Evan at ease about signing up.
“Don’t know what my dad wants me to be, I don’t think he cares as long as I’m happy about it all,” Evan said, “But, yeah, I’ve been thinking about it. I know there’s a physical and that, that I have to go through, and am prepared for that. I was just worried about uni, I’ve worked hard to get here, and I have two associate degrees, and I’m almost done with this one as well,” he babbled a little, feeling a little nervous. “I also…” he trailed off, biting his lip. “I have ADHD.”
“That doesn’t stop you from being a police officer, it takes all sorts to do this job,” she reassured him, “It will depend on how it behaves for you. But chances are it’ll be fine,” she finished, smiling at him.
Evan smiled at her, “Thanks, I worry sometimes. I do go on research spirals, and it said that it won’t affect my chances, but they do consider it case by case. I don’t medicate, as I’ve found ways around how my ADHD brain works, and made it work for me instead,” he grinned a little more as he talked.
Sergeant Grant laughed, “I can see.”
“Yeah, the associates are in Science and Psychology, but meh,” he said as he shrugged his shoulders. “I haven’t decided if I want to do anything with them both really.”
She smiled at him again, “Well, I think you’ll do well. Let’s get things signed up and the information that you’ll need can be sent to you. You can fill it out, and they will give you a time for the testing that you need before you start. Hope you’re physically fit, and in good shape, you’re gonna need it.”
“Like I said, I have a running group I go with, but we do a lot more than just that. I also go to the gym, while I’m not all bulked out like some, my… partner thinks I could easily go that route with the right diet and exercise, should I choose to,” he added.
“I see,” she nodded, “If that’s the route you go, then go for it. Nothing is going to be stopping you.”
Evan nodded and signed up on the sheet. He saw a few names on there as well, but none that he recognized. “Thanks,” he said as he handed it over to the sergeant.
“Welcome, I look forward to seeing you on the force, when the time comes.”
“Yeah,” Evan grinned as he took the small packet of information that was given out to any who signed up. There would be a lot more heading his way. He smiled and then headed off, having to rush a little as he was late for a lecture.
XxXxX
Evan looked up as someone knocked on his front door. He had been living in his home for two weeks now, and he was still feeling like he was trying to get the place to feel more like a home, than just a place he slept in. He got up and went to see who it was, frowning when he saw Shannon, Janet and Christopher standing there. He opened the door, worry etched on his face, “is everything okay?” he asked.
“Everything is fine,” Janet said as she went to him and hugged him tightly. “It’s fine.”
“Oh, you had your appointment today!” Evan exclaimed, feeling stupid for having forgotten.
“I did,” Janet laughed, sounding happier and more carefree than she had since she had found out about her diagnosis.
“So, come on in,” he said, ushering them all inside.
They went in, heading straight to the living room, and settled down, with a pack’n’play ready for Christopher along with a couple of toys.
“So?” Evan said waiting for them to say something, though he already had a feeling it was good news from the way Janet was smiling.
“I’m in remission, I still have five years of checks to go through, but if I get through them, with no sign of any more cancer, then I’m in the clear!” she called out, “I’m so happy,” she said, as she started to cry, “I was so scared that I wouldn’t be able to see Christopher grow up.”
Shannon held her mother and said, “I’m glad this is over, that we can finally keep going. And you’re going to be there for Chris,” she reassured her, holding her tightly as she began to cry herself. It had been hard on her, having Christopher and then her mother living with her, and needed help and care as well. Evan had been trying to help, even trying to find someone who would be able to come in occasionally and help the little family, since they had stopped everyone else from doing it as often as they wanted to.
“Yeah,” Janet nodded, “yeah.”
Evan watched them for a moment before getting up, “I think this calls for a celebration,” he told the two women. “How about a meal out, my treat, you both deserve to have a good night out. Maybe we can see about bringing in Abuela and Abuelo as well, no doubt they’ll be so happy to hear the news.”
Janet let her daughter go, looked at the young man who had entered their lives, and nodded. “You know, that sounds like a wonderful idea, and no, it’ll be my treat,” she told him.
“Not a chance,” Evan argued with her, “You’re the one that’s celebrating the good news, so it should be someone else that should treat you.”
Shannon smiled at her mother and shook her head, “Listen to him, Mom,” she told her, “Let’s tell Isabel and Edmundo what’s going on, and then go out for a meal. What about Pepa?” she then asked.
“She’s on date night with her husband,” Evan said, “she’s all excited about it, they’ve not been able to for a while. So they are taking advantage and going out while they’re both available. We’ll tell her when we have the chance next time.”
“Alright,” Shannon said, “hey Chris, wanna see Abuela?” she asked as she got up and went over to her son. “Oh, you’re getting so big now.”
“Mama mama!” he clapped his hands, “Unca, Nana,” he grinned as he then nuzzled against his mom.
Shannon smiled sweetly at the action, “Oh, my sweet and special boy,” she murmured.
“He’s learning a lot more words now, isn’t he?” Evan asked as he went over.
“He is,” Shannon said proudly, “What to show Unca Evan your new words?” she coaxed her son.
“Abua, abuo!” he giggled as he repeated them a few times.
“We’ve been working on his Spanish a little,” Shannon said, “I only know a couple of words, so Eddie’s been teaching him when he calls sometimes,” she said softly, “We have those two getting closer and closer each time he says them, hopefully, he’ll be able to say them properly in a few more weeks, or a month.”
“No doubt,” Evan said, looking proudly at his godson, “You’re so smart, Christopher,” he said, as he tapped the eleven-month-old on the nose.
Christopher huffed as he went cross-eyed trying to follow it, “Unca!” he whined as he slapped at the hand a few times when it came close enough that it looked like Evan was going to boop his nose again.
“Let’s head to Abuela’s and tell them both the good news,” Evan said, “come on, I’ll drive,” he stated.
They headed out to Evan’s car. It didn’t take long for them to pull up outside of Isabel and Edmundo’s home. After Edmundo’s heart attack, things had changed and the two had gone through a little change. Edmundo was doing better and had been exercising with the help of his doctor and the cardiology unit to make sure he was doing the right thing for his body and to make sure he was going to be around for a lot longer. Evan was the first to reach the door and knocked on it.
Isabel smiled brightly as she opened the door to find them all there, “Oh, this is a wonderful surprise, come on in,” she said as she began to usher them all inside.
“We actually came here to give you a bit of news and to invite you out for a meal,” Evan said as they headed into the living room where Edmundo was sitting on the couch reading.
“Evan,” he smiled as he saw him, “oh, Shannon, Janet, and Christopher, this is a pleasant surprise, you want to stay for dinner?” he asked, not having heard what Evan said as he was walking to the living room.
“We want to go out for dinner,” Shannon said this time, “Mom,” she said as she looked at her.
Janet smiled, “I had my final appointment today, and I’m officially in remission. The chemo and surgery all worked. I’m good to go,” she told them.
“Oh, that is wonderful news!” Isabel called out as she went over to the woman and hugged her tightly, “Oh, I’m so happy,” she said, pulling back a little to look at her, “You look so happy now.”
“I feel it,” Janet laughed lightly, “I made it,” she said, “And we’d like to go out for a meal, and we want the two of you to join us. To celebrate,” she added.
“We’d love to,” Edmundo said as he got up, “This is brilliant news. We’ve been praying for you,” he added, “I’m happy, so happy,” he smiled as he went over to her and hugged her. He felt relieved that she was going to be alright.
“So, this is on me,” Evan said before anyone else could say anything, “I’ll not be having any of you try and talk me out of it. This is my treat,” he said firmly once more, giving each of them a look.
“Unca Unca win!” Christopher clapped his hands and then reached out for his godfather.
Evan smiled, “Yes, unca win,” he agreed, “no one else is going to,” he glared at everyone.
“Fine, we’ll allow it this one time,” Janet said, “but never again.”
Evan smirked and said, “We’ll see,” he then added, “Right, time to decide and then we’ll head out,” he said as they all began to discuss the places they could go for a good meal.
Chapter Fifteen
Evan watched as Eddie walked out of the airport. February had come all too quickly and Eddie had finally taken his 30 days of leave to be there for Christopher’s first birthday. Isabel would also be celebrating her birthday towards the end of the month and Eddie would be there for it as well. Shannon was happy to have him home. Her mother had gone back to her own condo, but she still spent a lot of time at Shannon’s home, spending as much time as she could with her family. The cancer had scared her and made her want to spend time with those she loved.
“Hey!” Evan waved at the man.
Eddie laughed and grinned as he rushed over, “Evan, good to see you,” he said, dropping his duffle beside him and pulling the younger man into a hug. “Damn, I missed you,” he said as he held him tightly for a few moments before letting him go.
“Yeah, missed you as well,” he grinned, “Shannon’s waiting at home for us both, and Abuela and Abuelo are expecting all of us at theirs tonight for dinner.”
“How’s Abuelo?” he asked, as they got into Evan’s car.
“He’s doing well. He changed a few things, and his docs are pleased with his progress. He’s okay, Eds,” Evan said as he started up the car, “He’s happy spending time with Chris, your abuela, and the rest of the family.”
“How have my parents been? They’ve been emailing me and trying to call and take all my air time away from me so I can’t call people. I’ve had to put a block on their numbers just to get some peace and be able to call others,” Eddie asked, a bit of dread in his stomach at the thought of the two people who had raised him.
“Yeah, we got Shannon and nearly everyone they were harassing to change their numbers. The only one that they can contact at the moment is Abuelo,” Evan said as he turned out of the parking lot.
“That’s good, Abuelo doesn’t take kindly to fools,” Eddie snorted, he could remember several times that Edmundo had gone off on his father over the years about the way he and his mother had behaved towards their youngest child, their only son.
“No he doesn’t. Ramon kept pushing, and he did behave for a little while, but as soon as Helena is around, it’s like he loses all reason,” Evan huffed as they headed on the freeway to get back to Shannon’s home. Eddie would be staying there at least a night or two while Janet remained in her condo for a while longer. There had been talks over the last few weeks of her selling it and moving into the house with Shannon to help with Christophers care.
“I always thought Mom was the main instigator of things between them. Dad’s a little more mellow when she’s not around. He’s still a dick, but not as bad,” Eddie said, as he looked out the window.
“Yeah, I saw that the time he came down after Abuelo’s heart attack. He was distant and glaring at Shannon and me but said nothing. With Helena around, he’s very much on her side about yelling at us all about anything that they perceive as wrong,” he snorted, pulling a face.
Eddie nodded, “Yeah,” he sighed, “I heard about Janet being in remission. I’ve told Shannon that she’s welcome to have her mom move in, but I think that she is waiting for something. So how is she and Chris? She doesn’t really tell me much over the calls. Always telling me she’ll wait until I get back stateside,” he rolled his eyes.
“I think she’s been talking about trying to start an actual relationship with you, if that’s something that you want. She knows that really you were just friends with benefits,” he told him, “So, be warned you have that waiting for when you get back to Shannon. Chris is… doing okay at the moment. He’s been going through a lot of testing and they’re ruling a lot out. I think there is an appointment in a week, just before his birthday which she wants you to be at. That might finally be the one for a diagnosis of what’s going on with him. He has started to crawl around a little more, but it’s still hit-and-miss how much he does. As for standing, he’s standing occasionally, and then his legs just don’t seem to hold him and he falls. He’s getting frustrated a lot and yelling. We can see him getting angry at times about it as well,” he sighed, “I just wish there was something we could do to help him. But it looks like it’s going to be a case of waiting for him to be walking like a normal toddler.”
“Shannon hasn’t told me much about what they’ve been going through,” he frowned, “I think… she’s hinting at me coming back, not going back, but that’s impossible at the moment, and you know that this is what I want to do as a career, I’m working hard on making sure that I can advance quickly. She knows this,” he sighed again, “I think I might ask you to take Chris for a bit, so Shannon and I can have a really frank talk. I know I have a son, but there are so many out there as well that have families waiting back home. Yeah, some of them are going through a load of shit, but they’re not kept out of the loop as I have been for the last year,” he ranted a little, feeling upset that he wasn’t seeing much when it came to what was going on with Christopher.
“I’ve tried to tell you what I can, but she’s started to stop telling me things since she finally has a doctor who will now listen to her concerns when it comes to Christopher,” he sighed, “She’s been pulling away for the last month, since just after Christmas. I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s starting to worry me. I know that Janet is staying at her condo more than she is with Shannon. Hell, even Janet has pulled away a little.”
Eddie frowned, “I’ll see if I can figure out what’s going on,” he told him, “And if need be, bring you’ll in to help if there is anything to help with.”
“Yeah,” Evan agreed with a nod as they got off the freeway and started to go around the streets to get to Shannon’s home.
Evan parked up and the two got out. Eddie grabbed his duffle and looked at the house he had brought, and was paying for with his pay. It was his home and it was all in his name. Shannon hadn’t wanted it in her name, though he had offered to have them both on the deed. She refused in the end, stating that she might go and live with her mother at some point. Instead of going between the two houses. When Janet was diagnosed and moved in, it made sense for them to live in his home, and not Janet’s as it was closer to the hospital where she was receiving treatment.
“You ready?” Evan asked as he began to walk down the path, to see that Eddie wasn’t following him.
“Yeah, sorry, I’m going to see Chris again and he’s going to be so big,” he said, saying that instead of what he was thinking.
“Yeah, he’s getting bigger, I’m wondering what the hell Shannon is feeding him each time I see him,” Evan smiled.
“From what I hear, you’ve made several meals for him to eat, that he loves. That you make and freeze meals for her each week,” Eddie said, raising an eyebrow at his friend.
“I’ve been making kid-friendly versions of the ones we eat ourselves. Just leaving out some of the spices and that, that might upset his stomach. He’s only tiny and I don’t want him to be restricted to the icky baby foods I found. Seriously, some of the flavors they put together. Like, I get that some of the flavors are normal, but really they don’t taste nice at all. I want Chris to be able to enjoy his food and not shudder each time he takes a bite,” he huffed as he defended himself.
Eddie grinned as they reached the door and knocked. It didn’t take long for Shannon to answer it. “Hey,” Eddie smiled as he saw his friend and mother of his child. They really needed a talk, because he could have sworn that Shannon wanted them to just co-parent and to not have a relationship at all last time. Even with his parents pushing for it.
“Hey,” she smiled, “come on in, Chris is excited, I told him you were coming home and he was so happy,” she told him, as she let them both into the house.
Evan closed the door and followed the two to the living room. He could hear Christopher as he played. Evan watched as Eddie walked in, looking at his son with an awe-struck look on his face.
“Hey,” Eddie said, “mijo,” he called out.
“Daddy!” Christopher yelled out as he tried to stand, only to fall before he could stay on his feet for more than a second. He gave a little growl as he began to crawl, his legs jerking out from underneath him.
Eddie had gone to try and reach for him, but Shannon had stopped him. “I…” he began, only to be cut off by a shake of her head.
“Let him do it, he needs to keep trying,” Shannon said looking at him with a serious frown on her face. “We have an appointment on Monday, next week, with his doctor, you need to be there.”
“I will be,” Eddie said as he knelt down and waited for Christopher to reach him. “You’re so good at that mijo!” he called out as soon as Christopher reached him.
“Daddy!” he said again, a bright smile on his face as he held him tightly. “Wuv yu,” he murmured.
“I love you too,” Eddie said, feeling choked up, “Missed you so much, mijo,” he said, holding him as he got up.
“We need to have a talk later,” Shannon said, a tight smile now on her face. “For now, we have lunch and then later we’re going to Isabel’s, she’s making some of your favorites for dinner and she wants us all there.”
“That’s good,” Eddie nodded, “I can always stay with her instead of here if you’d be more comfortable with that,” he said, not wanting to push his presence on the home. He wanted to spend time with his son, but also knew that their relationship wasn’t exactly well defined or even stable.
“Here,” Shannon told him, “Now play with him for a bit while I get you something to eat and drink. Still like that citrus tea?” she asked as she began to walk towards the kitchen.
“Yeah,” he answered, as he glanced over at Evan and the two of them sat down on the floor to play with Christopher.
“She’s like that a lot,” Evan murmured, not wanting Shannon or even Chris to hear him.
Eddie nodded, “Well, we’ll see how things go,” he said as he smiled down at Christopher as the almost one-year-old, trying to show him everything he was playing with.
Evan took out his phone and began to take photos of the pair. He knew that Eddie would want a few to have around and to take with him.
Eddie looked up and grinned, “Thanks,” he murmured before going back to listen to what Christopher was babbling at him, only a few words actually made sense to the two men. Soon enough, Shannon returned to the living room with hot drinks for the adults and a colder one for Christopher, who grinned and clapped his hands several times as he was handed the watered-down juice.
Chapter Sixteen
Eddie leaned on the counter as he went over the appointment they had the day before. Christopher had Cerebral Palsy, and usually they wouldn’t have diagnosed it until he was almost two. But since they had pushed and prodded and Evan had helped them, they had gotten someone to listen to them. Now, they had a fight on their hand to make sure that Chris got everything he needed. Eddie had talked to Evan a lot during the night, with the younger man already starting to try and research what the next step would be and what they might be facing.
Shannon had barely spoken a word in the week leading up to the appointment. Only giving him the minimum of information, he’d gotten more from Evan, who had been keeping up with what was going on as best as he could. But Eddie was confused about what was going on with his former girlfriend. They had split up officially a few months before, finally admitting that they weren’t well suited to each other as anything more than friends. Eddie sighed deeply as he finished making the two of them some coffee. He needed to talk to her about the way she had been behaving. Eddie had asked Evan to take Christopher for the day so he could talk without Shannon retreating to play with Christopher or doing something else for her son. It had been her escape each time he had tried to talk to her.
Picking up the now steaming mugs of coffee, Eddie headed into the living room. Shannon was once more staring at her phone, a tight frown on her face as she read something, only to bite her lip and put it down. That was the worried and afraid look on her face. He had seen it several times in the past, but the last had been when she had first called him via video to tell him of Janet’s cancer diagnosis.
“Here,” he said as he put down her mug and then took a seat. “What’s going on?” he asked as he stared at her, waiting for an answer. “You’ve pulled away from everyone. Even Janet has told me that you’re not talking much with her, which is why she was starting to move back to her condo. I thought she was going to be living here with you.”
“We should get married,” Shannon said instead of answering him. “We need to be married, Christopher needs a stable two-parent home and he doesn’t have that. If he doesn’t then… then he could be taken from us.”
“Shannon,” Eddie frowned as he leaned forward in his chair, “We’re not going to get married. We already talked about this. We’re not right for each other and we’re going to co-parent Chris. Just like so many others in the world do, I know we can.”
“But they’re going to take him from us!” Shannon said, a desperate tone in her voice as she looked like she was a moment away from crying.
“No one is going to take him away from us because we’re not married,” Eddie repeated, frowning as he wondered where this was coming from.
“Your parents are!” she yelled out, grabbing her phone and tossing it to him, “Listen to the… listen to the messages she leaves all the time. She keeps saying that we aren’t taking care of Chris properly. That he’s not reaching his milestones because we’re going against what should be.”
Eddie took almost twenty minutes to listen to a few of the messages that his mother and father had left for Shannon. Calling her all kinds of names and threatening to take Christopher from them if they didn’t fall in line with what they wanted. He read the messages as well. “Right,” he said, as he looked at her, “Every single message I want you to keep and put onto a USB. Along with all the voice messages, I know you have a cloud for them, so I want access. I’m going to talk with Tia Pepa about getting a lawyer. I’ll not put up with this shit. They want to get to Chris… Well, they can go through the courts, and we’ll have the statements that came from the hospital on their behavior when Chris was born. We had them filed, just in case they were needed. Now I’m going to use them to make sure that they can’t come near you, or Chris ever again. Neither of you deserves the vitriol that they’re heaping on you. You’re a great mother to our son. He loves and adores you so much.”
“They’re going to try and take him,” She said with a hint of desperation in her voice, “I can’t lose him, I can’t lose my son,” she told him, almost begging him to follow along so that she wouldn’t.
Eddie got up and sat on the coffee table, taking her hands in his, “We’re not going to get married and they aren’t ever going to get Christopher. We’ve got things in place for that if anything happens to us,” he reminded her gently.
“I know, but that…” she trailed off, looking away from him.
“It’s going to be okay, we will be okay and so is Chris,” he reassured her, squeezing her hands, “I’ll get started on things to make sure that they have nothing. They’ve barely spent time around him, since we’ve limited it because of their behavior. Let’s talk with Tia Pepa and find out what we can do.”
“Okay,” she said, “Okay, I just… they keep calling and messaging and I’m trying to ignore it, but then there is Chris and he’s… he has that and I can’t… I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“We’re in this together. I might be a world away half the time, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t others who can be here to help. I’m able to get messages, emails and talk when I can. It might not be much at the end of the day, but it’s what we have, and we can make this work,” he told her, his words soft as he smiled at his ex.
Shannon looked at him, “Okay, okay, we’ll try your way.”
Eddie smiled and nodded, “One thing to do, is to stop pushing everyone away. They’ve all noticed and tried to keep up with you, but… you-”
“I know, I know. All I could hear was some of the things that they were saying to me all the time. I started to believe it, to believe that I’m not a good mother. That my own was just using me…”
“Janet loves you so much,” Eddie sighed, “She does. My own mother doesn’t love anyone but herself. She doesn’t even love my father. She uses him,” he sighed, “my dad is just too besotted with her to see, and he enables the shit that she gets up to. Always has done. She’s manipulative and entitled. Narcissistic as well and abusive,” he told her, being blunt on what was going on with Helena Diaz. “She believes that everyone should fall in line with what she wants, and if people don’t, she’ll make their lives hell. She’s doing that to you because she wants us to fall in line with her. To her, we should be married, have more children, and Chris should be with her to raise since she doesn’t believe that anyone else would be able to raise a child,” he finished.
Shannon listened as Eddie told her a few more things about what his parents had been like when he had been young. Her eyes went wide as she made a vow that Christopher wasn’t ever going to go near them. Eddie got up after he finished, needing a little space, and began to make them a late lunch as they waited for Evan to come back with Christopher.
XxXxX
Eddie looked at the two people before him. He cursed to himself and wondered just when his parents had arrived in LA. He told Shannon to take Christopher and head into his Abuela’s home. It was the location of Christopher’s first birthday party. Everyone had gathered there, ready to celebrate the day with Christopher. Eddie’s parents had been the only ones that hadn’t been invited. Eddie wondered if he should have taken Evan up on the offer of his home to host the party, it was bigger than his Abuela’s home, but he hadn’t wanted to impose at all. Even though Evan had tried to insist that he would be fine with it.
“What are you two doing here?” he asked, glaring at the two of them as he waited for them to reach him.
“We’re here to celebrate Christopher’s first birthday,” Helena said as she went to step around her son to head to the house.
“Not going to happen. Or did you forget the fact that I told you both you were not going to be invited and you’re not going to be getting near my son for all the shit that you’ve been saying to Shannon?” he reminded her, narrowing his eyes, “I told you, and so did the lawyers that you were no longer welcome in our lives. So go home to El Paso, no one here wants you around,” he stated.
“How dare you keep me from my child!” she yelled at him, as he got in the way and stopped her from going toward the house. Ramon was standing beside her, glaring at his son.
“Christopher isn’t your child, he’s your grandson, but at the moment, he’s nothing to you. Not your concern, or even someone that you’re acquainted with. You’ve tried to berate Shannon into giving in to your demands. But she won’t, and neither will I. Every single message, voicemail, email. Everything is going to be sent to my lawyer to make a case to have a restraining order taken out against you both. I don’t ever want to see you around my son. Not until you both learn your place in his life and have apologized sincerely to Shannon for all the shit you’ve been doing; including what you did the day Christopher was born. Then again, I don’t know if I ever want to let you near my family at all. If you want to see Chris, see what the courts will let you because there is no other way that you’ll be getting near him otherwise,” he told the two of them before heading to the house.
“It’s his birthday, he’ll want to see u-” Ramon began only to stop when he saw his father standing on the doorstep.
“Ramon,” Edmundo snapped as he went over to his son, “Eddie, inside, I’ll deal with this persistent little man.”
“Is that any way to talk to your son!” Ramon began, as he glared at his father.
“And how should I talk to two people who are determined to believe that they know best? Neither of you have a damn clue as to what is best for people. I’ve heard all the messages you’ve left on Shannon’s voicemail, and I’ve seen all the messages you’ve sent her. You disgust me Helena! Ramon, to allow this entitled woman to try and alienate your child to the point that he wants nothing to do with you both. Not just due to your current actions, but because of what you did in the past as well. How can you not feel shame at your own actions?” he asked his son.
“We’re do-” Helena began.
“Shut up,” Edmundo snapped at her, “You’re not welcome in my home. Ramon, know this, you are perilously close to being kicked from this family. I have seen how you have turned from the kind young man that I raised to an entitled, deceitful, and bullying man that I now see before me. The only thing that can account for the change is her,” he said, as he glared at Helena. “She turned your head and led you around, you’ve forgotten all the values that the Diaz family stands for. Now leave, before I call the police to have you escorted from my property,” he told the two, looking from his daughter-in-law to his son. “I’m disappointed in you, more than words can even explain and for a very long time I have kept my silence to protect Eddie from your wrath, now he’s no longer under your thumb, I will not.”
“You have no right to keep my child from me!” Helena said as he went to push past him.
“I will never allow an abusive woman into my home. And that,” he told her, standing tall, “is what you are. Now leave,” he demanded as he heard his wife behind him call out that she had 9-1-1 on the phone and they were going to send someone to escort Helena and Ramon off his property.
Ramon and Helena began to protest, but the whoop whoop of sirens five minutes later changed their minds. They were escorted away and warned, as statements were taken. Going back into the home, the family relaxed as the everyone gathered around and began to celebrate Christopher’s first birthday.
Chapter Seventeen
Evan got into his car, a spring in his step and a smile on his face. He only had one more thing to do and he would be set for the police academy to start in May. He would be spending six months there, learning all he could to become an officer before he would be released into the world. UCLA was willing to work with him on the last few months of his degree to make sure he would be able to finish it out and graduate while starting at the academy. He sent a message to Lou to tell him that he was heading home and hoped that he would see him there, knowing that his boyfriend had a break coming soon. That was if he could get away from the case he was working on for a few moments. It had been taking Lou away from their relationship a lot over the last couple of weeks, but Evan understood that the man was extremely busy because of it.
Evan was heading home, getting closer to his home. He passed the turn that would take him to his dad’s new home and smiled, enjoying Phillip being around. They had taken to having dinner together once a week, at least. Though they’d had dinner together five times since he had moved into his new home two weeks before. Lou and Eddie had helped the two Buckleys in moving Phillip into the small one-floored home. It wasn’t a sprawling home, like the one Evan had grown up in, nor the smaller home that Phillip had lived in after the divorce. It was larger, with extra bedrooms, in case someone wanted to stay the night. Though one of the rooms had been set aside for Maddie, should she ever decide to leave Doug.
Maddie was still a sore point for the two. She had made it known even more before Phillip had left that she blamed Evan for all the things that were going wrong in her marriage and life. Phillip had borne the brunt of it, since he hadn’t let her near Evan, or even told her where he was. She hadn’t been happy to learn that Phillip would be leaving Hershey, she was still trying to get her parents back together, even after Phillip had to take a restraining order out, to stop Margaret from going near him after she tried to corner him several times.
Evan snorted as he waited at a red light near his home. Family drama aside, things were going well in his life. The light went green and he drove off slowly, as he headed on the last little stretch of road before his turn-off. The next thing Evan felt was a heavy jolt and pain as the world around him went dark as the sound of metal crunching and breaking echoed around him.
XxXxX
Lou cursed as he saw the car beside him rev its engine and dart across the red light. He sighed as he went to call dispatch to call it in and take off after the car when he saw the car crash into another. It narrowly missed a third car before coming to a stop. The car it had hit was right side up, after it had rolled once from the impact.
“Dispatch,” Lou said as he grabbed his radio, giving his location and what happened, “Two cars involved in a collision,” he said, “Rescue, ambulance and backup requested. Going to check it out. Divert traffic around the accident, the intersection is blocked,” he finished as he moved his car into the middle and turned on the lights. Stopping traffic as best as he could before looking at the two cars involved.
Lou’s heart leaped into his throat as he finally recognized the second car that was involved. “Evan,” he murmured as he rushed over. “Evan,” he called out as he looked into the car. The window had broken and he could reach inside, his hand trembled a little as he checked for a pulse. A flood of relief went through him as someone ran over to him.
“Need any help?” he asked, “I’m a paramedic,” he added.
“Please, check on this driver properly. His name is Evan Buckley, he’s nineteen,” he said, not wanting to leave him, “I need to check on the other driver,” he added, giving Evan a lingering look, as he grabbed his radio and said, “Get back up here, I need to not be involved in this,” he said, his voice shaking slightly as he headed over to the other car and checked on the drive, who was already starting to try and get out the car.
“Stupid fucking asshole!” the driver yelled as he got out.
“Sir, remain where you are please. You’ve-” Lou began.
“I don’t give a rat’s ass!” he yelled out as he glared at Lou. “That car got in my way.”
“And you ran a red light,” Lou told him, getting closer, and was quick to put cuffs on him. “Now, sit down and remain there. You’re under arrest at the moment,” he told him, reading him his rights as sirens were heard. “Good backups nearly here,” he said as he got on the radio again to dispatch. “The suspect has been arrested, he’s agitated and angry,” he warned. As more police arrived along with an ambulance and fire engine.
“Detective Ransone,” one of the cops said as they headed over, a paramedic rushing over with him.
“This is the driver that ran a red. I’ve got dashcam footage of it as well. I need to excuse myself from anything more to do with this. The driver that was hit is my partner,” he stated, “I… I need to head over there,” he said as he went back over to Evan’s car as they were beginning to get him out.
“Detective Ranson,” the Captain said as Lou reached him.
“Captain Mehta,” he greeted.
“If you need to talk to him, I would wait,” he said, thinking the man was there because of the accident.
Lou shook his head, “No, he’s… my boyfriend. I was heading to his place to spend lunch together before I had to get back to work. I’m… going to be following you to the… hospital. I need to call his dad and others,” he added, his voice starting to shake. He was normally the one on the other side of this.
“Ah, right,” Mehta said as he looked him over, “Are you sure you’re up to driving?”
“Got to get the car there,” he stated.
“How about one of mine drives it and parks it and you get in the ambulance with the vic,” he suggested, seeing the slight shake of Lou’s hands.
“His name’s Evan,” Lou said absently as he then nodded, “Yeah, that sounds like a better idea.”
Mehta nodded and was quick to inform dispatch of what was going on as Lou went to the side of the ambulance to wait for Evan to be extracted. Lou was quick to get on the phone and called Phillip. Telling him what had happened and learning the hospital that Evan would be taken to as he was loaded up. Phillip told him he would inform the others. Lou handed his keys over to one of Mehta’s firefighters and got in the ambulance, watching as they worked on Evan, who was still unconscious.
XxXxX
Lou had been able to get the rest of the day off since he didn’t know if he could work while he was unsure of Evan’s status; the younger man had been unconscious for a while. Phillip had arrived as had most of the Diaz family along with Shannon, Christopher, and Janet. It had taken almost two hours for him to wake. His injuries weren’t severe, but enough for them to want to keep him overnight. A room had been readied for him and they were finally allowed back to see him. The others had popped in, making sure he was okay.
Lou sat beside Evan’s bed, waiting for him to wake up again, since no one but the doctors and nurses treating him had seen him awake. The door to the room opened and Phillip walked in. “Hi,” he said, as he went back to watching the rise and fall of Evan’s chest.
“Still not awake?” Phillip asked as he went over to the other chair in the room.
Lou shook his head. “No, he hasn’t, The others?” he asked.
“I got them to go home,” he said, “There isn’t any point in all of us camping out in the waiting room. No doubt as soon as he wakes, he’ll be sending us both home as well.”
Lou nodded, a little unsure, “I don’t-”
“Evan has been in and out of the hospital for a long time. He knows how it works. better than anyone. He…” Phillip began. “How much has he told you about his past?”
“I know a few things, about Margaret attacking him, and Doug of course. They were found in his file. But other than that he had a rocky relationship with you until a couple of years ago. Nothing more.”
“He used to do stupid things to get attention from myself and my ex-wife. It would work for a moment, but only because Margaret wanted to know if he would die this time,” he said with a look of distaste on his face as one of horror appeared on Lou’s. “He was in and out of the hospital so much because of it. He stopped, of course, he doesn’t do that anymore. I’m telling you, that he knows what it’s going to be like, and a night here, and he’ll be home again. I’ll-”
“Okay,” he said, cutting Phillip off as Evan began to shift around on the bed, “I think he’s waking up,” he added.
Phillip nodded and looked at the bed. Sure enough, eyes began to flutter open.
“Ugh, hospital,” Evan muttered as the two stood up and hovered over him. “Seriously, go home.”
“Wow, not even a hello,” Phillip smiled as he reached down and brushed a few loose curls from Evan’s forehead.
“What’s the damage,” he said, blinking a few times to try and wake himself up a little more. His whole body ached and his head pounded in time with his heartbeat.
“Concussion, bruised ribs from the seatbelt. A sprained wrist, but other than that, you were lucky,” Lou told him. “They said that you were lucky to come away with just that. When I saw the crash and then you…” he trailed off.
“How-”
“I was at the red light, and the driver of the other car ran it right next to me,” Lou answered, “Don’t worry about that, he’s been arrested, and you’ve got a good few days of being coddled by everyone. I know Isabel is already starting to cook a few things for you.”
“I’m planning on staying with you for a bit, to make sure you’re okay and take it easy,” Phillip added, “unless you would rather Lou do that?” he asked as he looked at him.
“I can stay at least the first night you’re home, but… work,” he sighed, wishing again that he could just take off for a few days.
“That’s okay, you stay with Evan the first night and then I’ll stay after just come around when you can,” Phillip said, smiling at the other man.
“Sounds like a plan,” Lou smiled a little as he looked at Evan, “I just wish sometimes I could actually spend some proper time with you. This case is just… taking everything,” he murmured.
“Hey,” Evan said as he reached for him, wincing as he realized this was the sprained wrist he had. “It’s fine, I understand, and cases take over all the time. You’re a detective and a damn good one. They’ve got their best on the case for this. I also know that you’ve got six other cases that you’re working on,” he reminded him. “You should both head home. I’m here for the night and they’ve no doubt got me on concussion heck through the night. At least some of us could get a good night’s sleep,” he huffed.
Lou snorted, “I’ll stay here a little longer until visiting is over, then I’ll go home for a bit,” he told him.
“Okay,” he yawned and then looked at Phillip, “Dad.”
“I’m staying as well,” he told him, “No arguments, I’ll leave when Lou does, for now, rest, and chat if you want, but you don’t have to entertain.”
Evan huffed but listened to the two of them as they talked a little with Evan slowly drifting to sleep as visiting hours were up.
Chapter Eighteen
Lou let Evan lean on him a little. The man was feeling dizzy as he walked. Evan had been warned he could feel dizzy along with nausea from the crash. His car had been written off and the man that had caused the crash had walked away with no injuries other than the bruising from the seatbelt. Lou had found out he had been charged and was out of bail.
“Right, let’s get you on the couch, and would you like some of that mint tea you enjoy?” Lou asked as he got him inside and slowly walked over to the couch.
“Yes, please,” Evan said as he was eased onto the couch and left to lie down. “Ugh, hate feeling dizzy,” he muttered.
“I think we all do,” Lou smiled as he grabbed the afghan blanket that Isabel had crocheted for Evan and covered him up. Lou stood up straight and headed into the kitchen. He took his phone out as he informed the others that Evan was home. It didn’t take long for his phone to ring and Lou answered it.
“Lou,” came Phillip’s concerned voice, “How is he?” he asked.
“He’s okay, dizzy, but okay. I would say watch him for the next couple of days and he should be fine again. For now, I’m staying tonight, and I’ll try and check on him throughout the day, if I can manage to get an hour or so to do so,” he said. “I know that you’re going to be working from home the next few days, so why don’t you head over for dinner and I’ll cook us all something?” he suggested. Lou had found out more about Phillip and Evan’s relationship, the true extent of how bad it had gotten between the two. Lou had wanted for a few moments to arrest the man for what he had been part of. But in the end had stopped when learning about how they had started to repair things, and how Phillip had finally stood up to his entitled wife.
“Are you sure about that? I thought you would like to spend some time with him without me around. I don’t mind at all of course. You’re dating after all, and having me around must be a little cramping on the style,” Phillip joked slightly.
“I also know that you’re worried and that it comes from a place where he’s been attacked twice within a short amount of time, and could have easily been killed in this last one if it was any worse than it had been. He was lucky he hadn’t headed out as soon as it turned green, as he tends to wait a few extra seconds. Those seconds saved his life, even with his car rolling over like it did,” Lou said, he had seen how worried the man had been for his son when he had first appeared in the hospital while they waited for news.
Phillip sighed, “Alright, I’ll come by for dinner, but I will be heading home. I’ll come again in the morning, and no arguing about that,” he said before Lou could even think of protesting.
“Fine,” he said, “I’ll make that pot pie that Evan enjoys,” he said as he started to think of dinner.
“I’ll make a dessert, I know he enjoys the blueberry pie that I make. I’ll bring some ice cream as well,” he added.
Lou smiled, “Alright, I’ll see you later on tonight, around six tonight?” he asked.
“Sounds good, and thank you, Lou. Thank you, for caring for him as you do,” he told the younger man.
Lou smiled, “Welcome; he’s easy to care for,” he said, avoiding saying the L word for now. He was enjoying the relationship with the younger man, but he wasn’t sure he was fully there yet when it came to love. He cared for him deeply, that was for sure. Lou shook his head, to get rid of the thoughts that were starting to creep in. He finished making the tea that Evan enjoyed and took a mug out, along with another for himself.
XxXxX
Lou walked into Evan’s home, having been given a key while he had taken care of Evan. Phillip had come and gone as well. But this time, Lou had a little surprise for his boyfriend. He’d talked with Captain Maynard for the last couple of days and had finally been able to get to a point where he could go away for a couple of days. So, he had organized a nice place for them to stay for a long weekend, before Evan would head back to university, and him back to work.
“Hey,” Lou smiled as he walked into the living room, to see Evan reading some of his coursework.
“Lou,” Evan looked up, putting everything aside as he smiled warmly at his boyfriend, “I didn’t know you were going to stop by, it’s great to see you,” he added as he got up.
Lou smiled back as they met. He wrapped his arms around Evan’s waist and pulled him in close for a kiss. “Well,” he said, as he pulled back slowly, “I have a little surprise and I hope you like it.”
“Oh?” Evan asked, looking at him curiously, “Like what?”
“Well, I was thinking, we’ve not really had much chance to just be together for a while, not with the crash and your uni work, and me with my work. I thought it would be nice to go away for a long weekend. I was thinking about Vegas since I know that there are a couple of shows there that would be interesting for the both of us,” he said.
Evan blinked as he took in what Lou was saying. “Go away together?” he asked.
“Yeah, I thought it would be something nice. I’ve… already started making bookings, but they can be canceled if you don’t want to go,” he told him, “So, it’s up to you, if I confirm everything or not. It’ll be in two weeks,” he added.
Evan smiled, “You know what, I’m in. Let’s do it. I think it would be great to spend time with you, without anything getting in the way, like work, uni, and family.”
“That’s what I was thinking. So, Vegas?” he asked, wanting to be sure that it was something Evan wanted to do.
“Yeah, sounds good to me,” he grinned, “Thank you,” he smiled up at him as Lou leaned down for a kiss.
“Welcome,” Lou smiled as he leaned in for a second kiss.
XxXxX
Lou looked over at Evan, they had arrived in Vegas and had collected their bags. It hadn’t been that bad of a flight. He’d made sure to get the seats with the extra legroom, both of them were no slouch when it came to height and needing it. They would be heading to their hotel room to rest. Lou had booked them at a restaurant nearby that they would be having dinner at. The rest of the day was going to be spent wandering around the city, learning the layout, and seeing some of the sights that didn’t need a ticket or entry cost. That would be starting tomorrow.
“I still can’t believe we’re here,” Evan said as they headed out of the airport and to the waiting taxi that would be taking them to the hotel.
“I thought it would be nice,” Lou said, as he captured Evan’s hand with his.
Evan sent him a blinding smile and nodded, “Yeah, it really is. Thank you,” he said as he moved closer and Lou turned to face him, kissing lightly before they carried on outside.
“Today is just about us, connecting and spending time with each other. Going around and seeing what there is,” Lou explained. “I have a restaurant booked for us for tonight, something casual, nothing fancy.”
“That sounds great,” Evan smiled as they got to the taxi.
The ride was mostly quiet, Lou and Evan speaking in whispers as Lou explained what they would be doing over the weekend and part of Monday morning, before they had to be at the airport to go home. When they arrived at the hotel, Lou was able to check them in and guide them to their room. It was large, with a nice balcony and seated area, along with one inside as well. The bed was a king, which was good for both of them, being so tall a normal-sized bed would often leave their feet hanging off the end.
“This place is really nice,” Evan said as he walked around the room and onto the balcony.
“Yeah, it is,” Lou said as he dumped his small case near the bed and followed Evan out onto the balcony, they were high up, being able to see some of the city. He hadn’t wanted a place that was right on the strip, but it was close enough that the sky would be illuminated by the lights when it got dark.
Evan stood there, looking out as Lou came up behind him and wrapped his arms around him. Evan loved it when Lou did that, resting his head on Evan’s shoulder. Evan hummed and closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth and the feeling of being safe he had with Lou. “This is great,” he murmured.
Lou hummed as he just stood there, holding Evan in his arms and watching the city below.
“Lou,” Evan began, “I… have something to tell you. I still need to tell everyone else as well.”
Lou let him go and let the younger man turn around to face him, “What’s up?” he asked, little worry lines beginning to appear on his forehead.
“Well,” Evan paused, “I joined the police academy. I head to San Jose in three weeks,” he finally said aloud. He hadn’t told anyone what he was doing, not his dad, Shannon, or any of the Diaz’s.
“You joined. I know you have been thinking about it. But then you never said anything more. I’m happy for you. If this is what you want to do, I’m happy,” Lou smiled at him.
Evan smiled shyly, “I wasn’t sure, but… I started to look more into it and this is what I want to do. It calls to me, I want to help people and I think…” he shrugged, “I’d like it if I could work for the police.”
“Like I said, if this is what you want to do, then I’m behind you one hundred percent,” Lou said, reaching out, smiling at his boyfriend, “I’m right behind you. I remember my own time at the academy, it was… a lot at first. It can be overwhelming, but keep at it; it’s six months at the academy, living there, with others.”
“I know, I got the spiel and I got the leaflets and information packet as well,” Evan grinned, “It’s going to be… good for me. They’re even making a concession for me to be able to continue working remotely on my degree. So, I still have that as well,” he turned to look out over the city, “I want to do something good, to help people, and watching you, listening to you. You do so much good, you help so many, and I want to do that as well.”
“Then I’ll be happy to welcome you onto the force. I hope that you’ll be joining me at the LAPD, it’ll be nice to have you around, so I can grab you for lunch occasionally,” Lou said, chuckling lightly as he saw the large grin starting to appear on Evan’s face.
“Yeah, that is the bonus. I’m hoping to join the LAPD, I really would like to be working near you, and to be able to see you, just that little bit more,” he smiled, as he turned to look at Lou.
“Hmm,” Lou nodded, “sneaking in a kiss between this and that,” he smiled as he pulled Evan close, “I think I like that idea,” he added as he leaned down and kissed him a few times, leaving Evan that little bit breathless.
Chapter Nineteen
Lou watched Evan as they entered the Bellagio Botanical Garden. When he had told Evan that was one of the places they were going to go, he had begun to talk about the gardens and how they changed with the seasons and even had special holiday designs that they would roll out during the year. Lou had learned that they were doing the spring exhibit at the moment and Evan had been excited to be able to go.
“Come on,” Evan said as he turned to face Lou as they walked into the gardens fully.
Lou reached out a hand for Evan to take and it was quickly grabbed as Evan pulled him along. “Slow down, we have all day,” he reminded his boyfriend.
“I know, but there’s so much to see here. I’ve been reading about the Bellagio Botanical Gardens for a while, how they change the displays depending on the seasons,” he said, repeating what he had said the last time he had talked about the gardens.
Lou listened and smiled as he watched Evan’s eyes lighting up as he walked through an archway and into the gardens. There was so much color around them, and the lightning was done to make sure each piece was shown off. Evan moved through the gardens, taking a few pictures here and there.
“Oh wow,” Evan said as he came to the swan and its signets. “This is amazing,” he said as he began to go around the display. “Did you know that this is made of over 5,000 feathers and even some simulated fur,” he said from atop the long stone bridge that went over the display.
“It’s beautiful,” Lou said as he looked from the display to Evan, “How about we get a picture of us down there in front of it?” he asked.
Evan looked at him and nodded, “Yeah, that would be good, it’ll be nice to have more memories of our time here than just me taking random pictures of things,” he laughed as they made their way over the bridge. Lou took his hand as they walked around, standing in front of the display. Evan handed his camera to one of the workers and asked them if they could take their picture.
The worker smiled at them both, “of course,” he smiled as he waited for the two to get into a good position. “Smile!” he called out as he took a few pictures so that they could keep the best one.
“Thank you,” Lou said as Evan took the camera back, saying the same thing.
“Welcome,” he smiled, “Hope you have a wonderful time here.”
“We shall!” Evan called out, grinning as he began to tell Lou about everything he could remember reading about the swan and signet display.
Lou laughed and listened, nodding as he took in what Evan was telling him. They slowly meandered around the displays. Stopping at the harp and violin that had been set up. They passed a rotation windmill, marveling at how it had all been put together.
“Do you know why they put up the floating parasols?” Evan asked, as he waited for Lou to answer.
“Why?” he asked, curiously.
“To invite the spirits of spring with open arms. The carousel is next,” Evan said as he went over, kissing his boyfriend on the lips, “Thank you for today,” he said, “This is amazing.”
They walked into the conservatory next, seeing the 11-foot-tall carousel. “It’s amazing,” Lou said as he looked at Evan.
“Yeah,” Evan murmured, as he walked closer, pulling Lou along, The carousel was surrounded by daffodils, and it was accented with shades of emerald, plum, ginger, and ruby, setting it off like a jewel in the middle of the surrounding flowers. “Did you know that the Bumblebees are made of preserved sunflowers,” Evan told him, grinning as they began to take a few selfies in front of the carousel.
“It’s amazing what they can do with flowers, isn’t it? I remember some floats that I was part of when at school,” he said, “Using flowers to make them,” he snorted.
Evan grinned, “I never got wrangled for that,” he told him, “I was the… loner most of the time. I had one best friend, Eric, and he’s looking into med school over here at the moment, he’s finishing up pre-med over there. But the whole family wants to up and move out here when they can. Which will be great, I’ve missed Eric a lot, talking on the phone and skyping when we can, just doesn’t cut it. So when I finish my training he should know where he’s going next.”
Lou nodded, he’d met Eric when the young man had been able to make it out for a few days over the holiday period. “He’s a good young man,” he nodded, “I can see why you two became friends. You’re both driven,” he said.
Evan smiled, “We are, he’s… he kept me sane, both him and his parents. Especially when things with my own family were out of control. They helped me move to my own place when I was sixteen. When I was moved to the grade above him, we remained friends, and even when I carried on with college, we still hung out all the time. Come on, they made some dutch clogs as well, let’s go see them.” He finished as he wanted to change the topic. He was missing his friend a lot, and while he’d made some friends in LA, they were mostly older than him. Most of the time he felt odd about it, but with Lou and his running group, he at least felt a little more welcomed with them. They still didn’t treat him like a child, unline those from his study groups.
“Then let’s go,” Lou smiled, taking Evan’s hand and pressing a kiss to it, seeing the melancholy that was beginning to seep into Evan’s face.
Evan smiled, “Yeah,” he said with a firm nod and then a shake of his head, to get rid of the more morose thoughts, and the two headed to find the dutch clog display.
XxXxX
Saturday had been filled with them exploring the city. Neither of them was the gambling type, but it helped that Evan wasn’t allowed in the casinos, since he was only nineteen, and you have to be twenty-one to sit at the tables in the casinos. Evan could walk through then, with Lou beside him, but that was about all he could do.
“Come on, food time,” Lou said as he began to lead him to another place that he had in mind for them to eat at.
“Where are we going?” Evan asked as he looked around.
“A place called Serendipity, it’s said to have some good food. Though we could try it before we do something you chose?” he said, as he turned to face Evan.
Evan nodded, “Alright,” he smiled, “I could do with something to eat.”
They entered and were soon seated. A small menu was handed to them.
“What do you recommend?” Evan asked the waiter.
“Since it’s a little cool out tonight, I’d go with the triple-decker grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup,” he answered them, “The foot long chili dog is good too.”
“I’ll have the tomato soup and grilled cheese,” Evan said, as he ordered a hot chocolate as well.
“I’ll have a hot chocolate, and the foot long, can we also have some Mac’n’cheese as well?” Lou ordered.
“Sure, I’ll get that to you soon,” he smiled as he wrote things down and headed off.
“This place is nice,” Evan said as he looked around.
“Yeah it is, it’s got some good reviews and I thought we should check it out,” Lou said.
“Made a good choice, but then again, all of what you’ve suggested that we do have been great choices. It’s been really nice just spending time with you,” Evan said, as he reached out across the table, and took Lou’s hand with his.
“It has,” Lou smiled back, twisting his hand around to grip Evan’s fully. “It’s nice to get away from the cases as well, there’s one that is… getting to me,” he said carefully, “but I’m working hard on it, I’ve got another detective going over it as well, since I want to make sure I’m not missing anything.”
“You’ll get it solved, I believe in you,” Evan told him, “I know that doesn’t really mean much, but… I know the work and hours you put into the cases that come across your desk. You work so hard on them, and you’ve got one of the best close rates in the LAPD from what I heard.”
“You might be biased on that,” Lou snorted slightly, “But I try my best,” he said as they went quiet. It didn’t take long for food and drinks to arrive and they tucked into their meal.
Lou tried some of the mac’n’cheese and hummed in appreciation, “Here, try some of this,” he said as he held out a forkful for Evan.
Evan leaned forward and took it, doing the same as Lou and humming. “That is sooo cheesy, it’s so good,” he said.
Lou smiled, “How are the soup and sandwich?” he asked, as he then offered a bit of his chili foot-long.
“It’s good, have a try?” he said as they tried each other’s food, appreciating the taste of both as they ate and drank their hot chocolate. They would have had the ice cream hot chocolate but felt it was a little too cold for it. They talked a little more as they ate, paying for their food and leaving.
“It’s our last night here,” Lou said as they walked out of the restaurant, hand in hand.
“Yeah, there’s something I want to do, I’ve wanted to since I saw them. That’s going to the STRAT. There are two rides that I’ve always wanted to go on. Big Shot and X-Stream. Since we’re here, do you think we can?” Evan asked as he looked at Lou.
Lou hid the wince. Adrenaline rides weren’t his cup of tea. He liked the slower-paced rides, where he could hold his date, and just spend time with his date. “yeah, okay,” he said, smiling tightly.
“If you don’t want to, we don’t have to,” Evan said, as he saw the look on Lou’s face.
“We’re here, and we should do them, I’ve heard of them as well,” Lou said, “come on,” he smiled, “let’s go.
It didn’t take them that long to arrive at the STRAT and get the tickets for the rides. Queuing, Evan watched as people went on Big Shot. Which was going to be their first ride.
“It’s so high,” Evan said, “you’ll get the best view of Vegas from it though,” he grinned as it was soon their turn. They were strapped in and soon shooting up into the air. Lou had a death grip on Evan’s hand as the younger man whooped in delight. Getting off, Evan was flushed with excitement for the next ride. Lou felt a little shaky as he was starting to realize that maybe they really weren’t as compatible as he thought. Evan was still a young man, and Lou was in his thirties.
“Right,” Lou said, “X-Stream,” he added as he looked to where the other ride was beginning to queue up.
Evan nodded, “Yep,” he grinned, bouncing on the balls of his feet as the adrenaline from the ride coursed through him.
Lou smiled at him, they weren’t as made for each other as he thought. Evan was mature in more ways than most his age. But there was still that wonder of the world that Lou was beginning to lose, that Evan had, and he didn’t want to hold him back. Soon enough they were on the other ride and once more Lou had a death grip on Evan’s hand as they teetered over the edge of the tower for a few moments before being pulled back. Lou was glad when it was over, even as Evan talked about the two rides nonstop as they headed back to their hotel for their last night in Vegas.
Chapter Twenty
Evan looked at Lou. It had been three weeks since their trip to Vegas and their relationship had started to simmer down. Things had gone quiet between them and he knew that things were ending. They’d had a lot of fun together, and Evan just hoped that their friendship wouldn’t suffer at all. “Come on in,” Evan said as he stepped aside for the man to enter his home.
“Evan,” Lou smiled, “I really wish I was here for something else.”
“Break up time?” he asked.
Lou sighed and then nodded slightly, “I wish…”
“Don’t, don’t wish to change who you are,” Evan told him, “I knew when we were coming back from Vegas that something had changed between us.”
Lou sighed, “You’re right, I realized something while we were out there,” he said as he stuck his hands in his pockets. “You’re young, younger than me by a lot. And while it doesn’t really matter much to me, it matters a little when I realized that being young you want to do things that I just won’t want to. Going on the rides right at the end was not fun for me.”
“I knew I should have said to forget it when I saw the look on your face when I mentioned them,” Evan sighed, “Yeah, I like things like that, but I never really got much of a chance when I was a kid to go to theme parks or anything like that,” he shrugged, “I just…”
“Wanted to have some fun and spend time doing something exciting,” Lou smiled, “Yeah, I know, which is why I agreed to them. It’s just not something I would have done.”
“I’m sorry,” Evan said, “I shouldn’t have mentioned them, I…”
“Like you said, there is nothing to be sorry about, and I wouldn’t want you to change at all,” he told him.
Evan sighed and nodded, “We still friends though?” he asked.
“Of course. Still friends, and I’ll be around as much as you want. Just because the romantic side of the relationship is over, doesn’t mean the friendship we built before it has to go as well,” he told him.
“Good, you’re one of my closest friends,” Evan said quietly, “It feels odd, but… I’m not entirely unhappy or sad.”
“I think we both knew that while our relationship was good, it wasn’t going to last. It… stings a little, but maybe this is a case of, right people but wrong time?” he said.
“Yeah, yeah, that feels like it might be the case. In five years, I think we would have been… better for each other, maybe,” he murmured as he looked at Lou.
“I do,” he agreed, “But, for what we had, I loved every minute of it, and I wouldn’t change it at all,” Lou said, being honest with what he felt. “I care about you a lot, and I’m going to be cheering you on when you join the police academy. You’re going to San Jose?” he asked.
“Yeah, I am, go in four days, and I still haven’t told everyone,” he winced, he’d been leaving it till the last minute.
“Best do so soon, and they do have family days occasionally, about three during the six months, and you can leave for a couple of days around the halfway mark. And San Jose you’ve got one of the more laid-back Commandants running the place. Commandant Mahoney. His Captains in charge are Hightower, a good man, along with the other, Jones. He’s damn funny,” he smiled, “I remember my time at the Academy fondly.”
“I’ll look out for them, and say hi for you,” he laughed, smiling and feeling better about their breakup.
“I-” he sighed as he felt his phone buzz in his pocket, “Looks like I gotta go,” he said, “You take care, and I’ll see you either when you get back, or on one of the visits. I plan to at least stop by to show my support to my friend, if nothing else,” he reminded him.
“One last hug?” Evan asked.
Lou nodded and wrapped his arms around the smaller man. Lou closed his eyes, it hurt a little that they were breaking up, but he didn’t want to hold him back. Maybe in a few more years, they might get another chance, if someone else didn’t snap Evan Buckley up.
XxXxX
Evan had packed, and he was ready for the trip up to San Jose. He still hadn’t told anyone, and he would be heading out the next day. He sighed and waited for people to start arriving. He had already asked Lou if he would be able to check on his home while he was gone. To get any mail and send it on to him.
“Evan,” Phillip said as he walked inside, seeing his son pacing. “Everything alright?” he asked.
“Yeah, just got something to tell everyone and then… well, may as well do it when everyone is here,” he said as another knock on the door and the Diaz’s had arrived. Shannon and Christopher as well.
“Hi,” Shannon smiled as she gave him a quick one-armed hug before letting go.
“Unca! Unca!” Christopher screamed and bounced in his mother’s arms, reaching out for his godfather.
Evan reached out and took him as he got a cuddle from the one-year-old. “I’m gonna miss this,” he murmured as he led everyone inside.
Shannon frowned at that but said nothing as they all entered the living room and sat down. “So, what’s going on?” she finally asked as she noted that those who were close to him.
“I should have told you this a while ago, but I kept putting it off, don’t even know why,” he sighed, as he moved around the room with Christopher in his arms. “Tomorrow I leave for the police academy in San Jose. It’s six months out there, there are days when I will be able to come back and days when you can all visit. Though there aren’t many of them.”
“Police academy? What about your degree?” Phillip asked, frowning.
“They’re going to let me continue it remotely as long as I keep myself in the top five at the academy,” he stated, “If I do, they’ll let me keep going. I’m only two months from being able to graduate. I’ll have one last exam to sit at the uni, which they have already made sure that I will be able to do,” he explained the concession that the academy was making for him.
“That’s good of them,” Phillip smiled, “is this what you want? I know you mentioned it a few times about wanting to go. I just didn’t know you were committed.”
“It is, I think, this is what I’m meant for,” he told him, smiling at his dad.
“If this is what you want to do, I’m not going to stand in your way. So, when do you have to leave?” he asked.
“Tomorrow,” Evan winced, “I know, it’s really short notice. I just didn’t know how to tell you,” he said as Christopher grumbled and patted Evan’s face. “I’m sorry superman, was I not paying you enough attention?” he asked, as he began to tickle Christopher’s stomach.
“Unca stop!” he giggled as he flopped around in Evan’s arms. The young man was careful to catch him each time he threw himself backward.
“Nope,” Evan said as the others were quiet around him.
“We’re going to miss having you home, Nieto,” Isabel finally said as she got up and went over to him, running a hand over Christopher’s back before pulling Evan into her arms.
“Yeah, I’m going to miss being with you all as well, it’s for six months. Six months, so I should graduate in October if all goes well. I’ll be putting in applications for the LAPD, hopefully I’ll get a place there,” he said, smiling at them.
“Well, this calls for a celebration, and don’t think we will be letting you go without a meal out,” Edmundo said as he and the others got up, “I know just the place,” he smiled, “go and get ready, I’ll make the booking.”
Evan smiled at them all and nodded, “Alright,” he said as he handed Christopher over to his bisabuela and headed to get ready.
XxXxX
Evan sat in the classroom at the academy and glanced around. It was his third day at the academy and his family had seen him off with well wishes and hugs. Christopher had cried when he realized that Evan was going away for a while. It had broken Evan’s heart, and he knew it had been the same for Eddie when he had to go back to the army.
“Right,” the captain said, a little quirky grin on his face as he stood at the head of the room, “I’m Captain Larvell Jones, I’m going to be one of the trainers here. I’ve been in your shoes a long time ago. I know the tricks of the trade, so don’t think you can get past me,” he smirked.
Evan heard a few snorts and shook his head. From what Lou had told him, Captain Larvell Jones, Captain Moses Hightower, and Commandant Carey Mahoney had all gone through the Academy together, they knew the tricks since they played most of them during their time. People would learn that nothing got past the trio, since Lou himself had tried a few times during his time at the academy.
“From here on out, I’m going to be cramming your head with as much knowledge as it can take. You will be physically and mentally exhausted most days. We’re going to be running you into the ground and building you back up to be the best damn police officers this academy can turn out. So pay attention,” he told them, “Captain Hightower will be in charge of your physical skills, he’s a beast and will expect you all to comply with the high standards he has. You will feel like you are about to drop dead, I advise against it. If they didn’t think you have what it takes, you wouldn’t be here after the physicals and mental evaluations. So, take what we have on offer and run with it. Don’t just think that you need what you read in the classroom. There is a world out there that will expect more from you,” he warned them all, looking at each of them in turn.
“Yes, sir,” a lot of them called out.
Jones smirked again, “Right, now here is the basic of basics when it comes to being a police office. This is Police Officer 101 for all of you. How to eat a donut and not get the damn dust all over your uniform!” he said. He paused for a moment seeing the incredulous looks on his student’s face. It didn’t take long for him to laugh, “Joking, right, the actual lesson, is you might be the law, but you need to know it to be able to enforce it. Here, you’ll be learning all about it. For those that have a degree in law, or even started one, well done, you’re one step ahead of your classmates, so help the others,” he told them. “In front of you is a book of laws that we help to govern in this country. They change all the time, always be up to date. You’ll need to know the law to enforce it, like I said. So open up and start reading that first page. Know what you’re getting into, as you might enforce it, but you’ll be held to a higher standard than what you think.”
Evan and the others looked at the book that had been on the desk when they first arrived. He opened it up and began to read. He remembered a little of what Lou had told him, that he was constantly relearning the laws because of how they changed from year to year. Captain Jones began talking again and Evan sat up to pay attention, taking a few notes as well.
Chapter Twenty-One
Six months at the academy went by all too fast for Evan. He had learned so much and spent a lot of time with his fellow classmates. Finding them much like himself, eager to learn, though a few of them had tried a few things to get around Captain Jones and Captain Hightower, but it hadn’t worked. Now he was nearing graduation and it was the last day that he could have visitors. His family had come the last time, but this time Lou was going to be stopping by. He had heard the exhaustion in the man’s voice and asked him to come for a visit. Hoping that the small break to see him would help with whatever was going on in the older man’s life.
“Lou,” Evan said as he saw the man get out of his car and head his way.
“Evan,” Lou smiled. Evan could see the bags under the older man’s eyes. He looked tired and worn out.
“What’s going on?” he asked, frowning as he looked at his friend.
“A case, another victim, turned up a few weeks ago. A young firefighter was killed, murdered. We’ve got no leads so far. This is the fourth victim,” he told him, “I’m getting worried, we have a serial killer and they’re going after first responders, but the uppers aren’t sure. Captain Maynard is backing me up, but she’s facing a lot of disinterest about it. LA doesn’t have serial killer types. Bad for the image,” he rolled his eyes, “So I’m coming up with blocks in more than just leads.”
“Fuck,” Evan cursed as they walked towards the building, “Well, maybe just having a few hours away from it, will help clear your head and give you a new perspective?” he suggested.
“Maybe. But I agree that I need a few hours away,” he said, nodding a few times, “If I remember right, the canteen here does good coffee.”
“It still does, don’t know how they managed it, I’ve heard terrible stories about cop shop coffee,” Evan grinned as he glanced over at Lou.
Lou laughed, “It can be bad in places. But I know myself and a few others got together to get a better pot and better beans,” he said as they walked inside.
“Well, if it isn’t Lou Ransone,” came a voice as Commandant Mahoney walked into view.
“Commandant,” Lou said with a respectful tone.
“Detective with the LAPD now, I hear a lot of good about you,” Mahoney said as he looked at the younger man.
“Thank you, sir,” he nodded, “I try my best.”
“And your best is damn impressive,” he smiled, “Right, I better get back to my office. I sneaked out when I was supposed to have a meeting,” he said as he heard a voice in the distance.
Lou laughed and Evan chuckled quietly. “I’ll see you around, sir,” he nodded as Mahoney headed off.
“He’s going to get in trouble again,” Evan said, “I heard someone shouting last time he escaped his office without being seen.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me, he did the same when I was here,” he said as they carried on to the cafeteria to have some coffee and talk, while other visitors were milling around.
Evan nodded and began to tell him about his time at the academy while asking Lou how things had been going for him.
XxXxX
It was finally graduation, and Evan’s family and Lou were all in the crowd. Even Eric and his family had been able to come out to see his graduation. He was lined up in his uniform, a proud smile on his face as he waited for his name to be called up. he was buzzing, he had graduated from university as well, getting the highest marks he could for it, and now he was about to graduate from the academy.
Commandant Mahoney stood at the podium, names being called up as he shook their hands and handed them their certificate. Congratulating each and every single one of them that came up. “Evan Buckley!” he called out finally.
Evan almost skipped to the stage. He kept his cool and walked up the steps and across the stage.
“Congratulations, I look forward to seeing a lot from you. Just like Ransone,” Mahoney said as he shook his hand and handed him the certificate.
“Thank you, sir,” he smiled proudly as he walked across, hearing his friends cheering and shouting out for him. He grinned their way as he rolled his eyes when Jones began to mimic squeaky shoes again. “Not falling for it, cap!” he called out to the man.
“I’ll get you yet!” Jones called back. The man had been able to get nearly all of the cadets at some point with that trick.
Evan laughed as he went back to where he had been standing as the rest of his class was called. When the last one was lined back up.
“This year was a great year,” Commandant Mahoney said, “This class, I’m so damn proud of you all. Congratulations to you all, and I’m looking forward to seeing how well you do out there. We are here to serve and protect. We’re here to help those in need and keep the people safe. I know you’ll make me proud, Congratulations again, and good luck out there.”
Evan and the others cheered before breaking rank and heading off to find their families. It didn’t take long for Evan to almost crash to the floor with Eric’s usual greeting of tackling him. “Hey, Eric, glad you were able to make it.”
“Of course, I fucking did,” he grinned as he let him go and walked beside him, “We moved out here in August, I know I didn’t tell you, but I thought… well I could tell you now. And we missed your birthday since there was no visiting day,” he huffed at that.
“It’s fine, we can always do something when I return home,” Evan pointed out as he saw his dad smiling proudly at him, “Dad,” he grinned.
Phillip went over and wrapped his arms around him, “Damn, you make me so proud and I know I have no right to be, but you… you are an amazing young man. You make this old man proud,” he said, holding him tightly.
“Maybe not at first, but… you did help in the end, you’re finally the dad I needed and wanted,” Evan murmured into his ear as he held his dad just as tightly.
“Yay, yay! Unca Evan!” Christopher cheered from where he was being helped to stand on his feet. He was stomping them as he tried to move towards his godfather.
Evan grinned down at him, “Hey, Chris, have you been a good boy?” he asked as Shannon let Christopher go. On shaky legs, Christopher took a couple of steps before they began to jerk and weaken to the point he was on the grass and pouting as Evan grabbed him and swung him around, causing the huffy look to vanish and squeals of joy echoed around him. “He’s taken steps?” he asked, looking at Shannon as he stopped spinning.
“Yeah, only a couple, his legs aren’t strong enough to support him at all for long. But one or two steps… means that he can use a gait trainer in another six or seven months. If he does well with that, then he should be able to transition to crutches in the end. He may not end up in a wheelchair if we do things right.”
“That’s amazing news,” Evan said, looking like he would cry at it as he cuddled Christopher before tickling him when the little boy grumbled too much. “Darren, Coco,” he smiled at the two as they were the next to come and congratulate him.
“Never pictured you as a cop,” Darren said with a grin, “though the uniform suits you well. Proud of you kid,” he said as he hugged him tightly.
“Thanks,” he said as Coco then did the same.
“Oh my nieto, so proud of you,” Isabel cooed as she went over and took Evan into her arms, brushing a hand over Christophers’ hair when the little boy became pouty again since Evan was paying attention to others and Christopher wanted to tell him all about what’s happened.
Edmundo walked over, and held him as soon as his wife had let the young man go, “Well done,” he told him, hugging him, “and I think Chris has a lot to tell you.”
“Unca Evan,” Christopher pouted, “Teddy left!” he cried out. “He left!”
“His Teddy is at yours, we forgot him when we were cleaning the place out ready for you to go home,” Shannon said.
“Ah, we’ll find him later, I’m a police officer now, so I have to help find missing people and missing Teddy as well,” Evan told him.
“Good, he’s alone and scared,” Christopher said as he rested his head against Evan’s shoulder, safe in his godfather’s arms.
“Looking good there, Evan,” Lou smiled as he hung back a little.
“Glad you could make it, Lou,” Evan smiled at him.
“Same,” he smiled, “Congrats,” he added, giving him a nod. It hadn’t felt as awkward as he thought he would do, him being there to celebrate. He was happy that Evan had graduated and they had promised to keep talking, and he had said he would be there at graduation for him. He wasn’t going to break that promise at all.
“Thanks,” he grinned as his family surrounded him. He couldn’t believe how much things had changed in such a short amount of time. Just four years and his whole world was different. He was no longer in Hershey, he was in LA, he was no longer a student but a cop. He just hoped he would be a good one.
XxXxX
Evan walked into the LAPD building and looked around. He quickly found out where he had to go and stood there, he noticed another officer from his class stood there. “Right,” Captain Maynard said as she walked into the room, “We have two new recruits, and I’ve chosen your training officers for the next couple of months. You may be grabbed by others to help out, that is called cross-training, and we like to keep you on your toes here. But your main training officer is who we are going to assign now. So pay attention,” she said as she looked at the two young men that she had taken on, “Officer Barry Patten, you’ll be with Sargent Lewis, learn from him, he’s a good officer and knows the ins and outs of this city better than the back of his hand. Officer Evan Buckley, you’ve been assigned, Sergeant Grant. She’s a ball buster and one hell of a cop. She’s got a nose for good officers. She requested you when she found out you were coming here. So that tells me you’re going to be someone to look out for.”
“Yes, sir,” the two nodded, and saluted, a little bit of confusion on what they should call her.
Captain Maynard grinned at the confused looks on their faces. “It’s Captain,” she told the two, “No sir, or ma’am,” she finished, “Now, Sergeants Lewis and Grant will be here soon. Get ready, they aren’t going to go easy on you.”
Captain Maynard left and two more walked into the room. Evan recognized the woman that he had met during the open day at UCLA.
“Buckley,” she smiled, “I knew you’d get through, come with me, you have a lot to learn. Lou said you’ve got some good smarts on you, you’ll need it for LA,” she told him.
“Yes, Sergeant Grant,” he nodded as he quickly went to follow her. Grinning as she began to explain what he’d be doing that first day with her. Most of it would be remaining in the station, learning about the paperwork that is involved in being a beat cop in LA.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Evan went and opened the door. He’d finished his first shift at the precinct and had been paired with Athena Grant, the officer who had recruited him. They had hit it off well. “Hey, Dad,” he smiled as he let the man inside. Since Phillip hadn’t been able to see him on his birthday, and not just because Evan was at the academy, but because he’d had to go to St Louis on a business trip with Simon.
“Evan,” he smiled as he walked into Evan’s home.
“How was the trip, by the way? The first one. I know you were at my graduation, but you had to rush off for something, and only came back this morning,” he frowned as he led his dad to the living room where coffee already waited for them both.
“I did. St Louis was nice, and seeing Simon and working with him, it was nice to do, and it took me back to when we were still young and fresh faced,” he laughed lightly, “As to the one I just got back from. Just a small problem with one of the warehouses. Had to help sort it out and some of the licensing there,” he told him, “Nothing to worry about, but it was something I had to do myself instead of leaving it to someone else.”
“Hope things are going better now,” he said, sitting down and curling up a little on the couch.
“It is, everything is running like it was,” he told him, “Though one of the reasons why I wanted to see you today was to give you something.”
“Oh?” Evan said, frowning at his dad.
“I told you that Daniel wrote a few letters for you. Well, you have a career, one that you worked hard for, even going as far as to get a degree for. I know I could have given this to you with each of the smaller jobs that you did while waiting to find what called to you. But I think waiting for now was the better option,” Phillip told him as he grabbed the bag he was still using, though there looked like there was some new stitching on it. It had been repaired again. He pulled out an old letter and handed it over.
Evan reached out, taking it and tracing his fingers along the crooked letters. “His handwriting looks a little shaky now,” he said.
“He wrote that one about a month before he passed away. He could barely hold the pen at the time, but he was determined to write it. He wouldn’t let me write it for him, though I begged him to let me do so at times. He wanted them to be from him and him alone,” Phillip said softly, leaning back in his chair and watching his youngest son.
“I… you showed me them, did he ever do any for Maddie?” he asked.
Phillip nodded, “Yes, she has them all. I gave her her baby box a few months ago. I thought she may as well have it now. Hoping that it will remind her that she is worth something, something more than what that man believes of her.”
Evan nodded as he finally opened the letter, being careful not to ruin it at all, he wanted to put it with the others that Daniel had written for him.
Evan
You’re sleeping right beside me at the moment, you’re sucking your thumb, it’s kinda cute but gross. Wonder when you stopped doing that? Well, that doesn’t matter, because I want to talk to you about something important, and that’s work. I would love to know what you are doing with your life. What career are you going for? I don’t know what I want to be anymore. I don’t think a doctor would be good. The army could be good, but scary. Maybe I’d be like Dad and Uncle Simon and work in businesses and fly everywhere. Mom wanted me to be a lawyer, but I don’t think I would be good at that. I hate arguing. And to be a lawyer, Maddie said that you have to know how to argue properly.
What is it you want to do? When you were eight, like me, what did you want to be, and what are you now? I can’t imagine you all grown up. Will you look like Dad or Uncle Simon, or even like Grandpa and Granddad? There are so many things I wish I could see. But I want you to know that I hope that whatever job you have taken, you’re happy with it, and it’s going to bring you a lot of joy doing it. I wonder if you’re going to be scared of doing your job. If you are, then know that I’m going to be right there watching over you and doing my best to protect you.
Love you, baby brother.
Danny
Evan closed it up, the letters were all shaking, showing how tired and sick Daniel had been at the time. He put it back away in the envelope and smoothed it out on his lap. “He wanted to know what I would be…” he trailed off, not sure what he could say.
“I know, he asked me so many questions writing that one, asking about all the jobs that people could do,” he smiled, “He told me a few that he’d like to see you do, and said that he would be watching over you.”
“He said that, if I’m in a scary job, he’d be there to protect me,” he added, taking a breath and letting it out slowly. “I really do wish sometimes that I could have met him.”
“He would have loved to have seen you grow up. You were his favorite, even over Maddie. He loved spending time with you. Margaret had no choice but to let you go with him at times. He had a temper on him, even as sick as he was near the end,” he laughed a little.
Evan smiled, “What… what jobs did he have in mind for me?” he asked.
“Well, he wondered if you would work with me and Simon for a bit. Then he switched and said doctor, but then added it was too sad of a job for someone so happy. I think it was a policeman that finally won for him. So, really you are doing something that Daniel thought you could do, but there were about eight more things on that list,” he said, shaking his head.
“Yeah, when I was eight I wanted to be an astronaut, wanted to go into space and explore. Or become a treasure hunter,” he laughed, “Those were two of my top choices back then,” he smiled, putting the letter aside and picking up his coffee again, taking a sip. “Do you think, one of the days, you’ll take me to where he is, so I can talk with him?” he asked.
Phillip smiled sadly, “Of course, I would have offered before if I knew that was something you wanted to do. I go there on his birthday in March, you’re welcome to join me whenever you want,” he told him.
“I’d like that,” he agreed, smiling. He’d like to be there and say hello at least. He wished again that he’d had the chance to meet him.
XxXxX
Eric grinned as the two of them walked around the mall. Eric had a free day from med school, and Evan didn’t have a shift until the next day. “So,” Eric said, “I heard about the breakup with Lou. What happened?” he asked him.
Evan smiled sadly, “We just weren’t in the right place for each other at the moment. We think that maybe we are the right people to date. That we were just in the wrong time, for now. There are things that I do and want in life that he’s past wanting to do. Fun fairs and rides at theme parks, he’s over that. He doesn’t enjoy some of the things we’ve done on dates. I could tell that he just wasn’t that into it, and some of the things he did with me, just were something I was interested in. It was really nice while it lasted, and we’re still friends,” he smiled a little brighter.
“I’m sorry that you broke up. I had a girlfriend just before coming out here, but she didn’t like that I was looking over here for med school, even less impressed when I told her that I was going to be following my best friend,” he shrugged, “I know it sounds stupid now I’ve said it out loud. But… she wanted me to move down to somewhere in Florida with her for med school as she wanted to go with her three high school friends who all work there,” he said, pulling a face. So we split up. She wasn’t too happy about that, but I won’t change my mind, and one of the best med schools is out here. And I got in. Can’t wait until I’ve graduated and start my residency,” he grinned.
“Do you have any clue as to what you want to specialize in?” Evan asked him as they headed toward the food court.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I think I know what I want to go for. But it’s going to be really hard to get into. So,” he said wobbling his head from side to side, “I have to have backups. I’ve got four years before Match Day,” he murmured, “and about three to figure out what my number one choice is going to be and my backups.”
“I know that Coco went into general surgery,” he said as he looked at his best friend, “So, are you going to tell me what you want to do? Or are you going to keep it close to your chest.”
“If I tell you, don’t tell my parents. I… don’t want them to know just yet. I know Mom talks to me about it a lot. Trying to give me advice and find out what I want to do. I’ve had the idea for a long time, and I do mean before I even applied for med school over here,” he sighed.”
“Well?” Evan prompted him, giving him an exasperated look.
“Neurology, I want to do neurosurgery,” Eric finally answered him, “That’s what I want to do, if I can’t do that, I was thinking of a few other things. But that’s what I really want to do, the other could be general surgery, but that’s more because I know that mom would like me to do.”
“That’s ambitious,” he nodded, “But yeah, if that’s what you want to do, then go for it. You know I’ll help where I can when it comes to you studying.”
“I’m going to have to do more than study. I have the days at the hospital that I’ll be doing, hands on learning as well as the studying, the tests, exams, practical ones and more,” Eric said, “When I said I wanted to be a doctor to Mom, she told me a lot about what she had been doing and all the work she had put into her career,” he said, “I forgot it all, and it’s been so much work and I have four years here, and then if I get what I want, seven years for that. I have over a decade of learning to go,” he snorted, “but it’s going to be worth it, it really will when it’s all over.”
“It will, I know I’ve only had one shift as a police officer, but I’ve enjoyed it, learning more and helping people out. Taking down a perp is a lot of fun as well,” he grinned, “Exercise for the brain and the body,” he added.
Eric laughed, “Yeah, so we have tacos?”
“Not a chance, Abuela will kill me if I have food truck tacos when I know she always has everything ready for some,” he said, shaking his head and smiling.
“Right, do whatever it is on that one!” he pointed to one of the others, ignoring Evan as he called out after him as they went in search of something to eat.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Thanksgiving had come and gone, a large affair with the Diaz family, Shannon, Christopher, and Janet. Along with his dad, Coco, Darren, and Eric. It had been a lot of fun to host it at Evan’s home. Even Lou had been able to make it. Their relationship started to slip back into the friendship that they had before they had started dating. It had been awkward a few times they had met up, but had found themselves talking and chatting like they used to. Christmas had been just as large, though Coco, Darren, and Eric had headed to see Coco’s mother again. Evan had been invited, but he’d had a shift for part of Christmas Day. Learning that Sergeant Grant had two kids when they came to see her on the day to give them both a small turkey dinner that her husband Micheal had made for them both.
Mathew had spotted him around the station and reminded him that they had a meet-up in the second week of January, for a run. They’d tapered off around the Christmas and New Year holidays, giving people time to recover from late nights and celebrating when they could. Evan reached the meeting point, knowing he was early, but he wanted to have a talk with Mathew and catch up. He hadn’t seen much of the man as he had been on a case for a while, and he knew it was over as he’d seen him come in with an arrest two days before.
“Hey!” he called out, frowning when he saw Mathews drinking bottle to one side, knocked over. “Mat!” he called out again as he began to look around. His eyes went wide as he saw the man lying on the ground. He rushed over, dropping to his knees as he shakily checked him for a pulse, not finding one and seeing he wasn’t breathing. He remembered his training and started CPR as he quickly dialed 9-1-1.
“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?” came the calming voice of dispatch.mat
“This is off-duty police officer Evan Buckley,” he said, quickly giving the address of the park he was in, “I’m with Mathew Drake, 31, he is unresponsive, I found him not breathing and no pulse, giving CPR now, I need help. He… looks like he’s been attacked, police and ambulance please,” he said as he carried on giving CPR. He could see bruising around his friend’s throat, he could at least see one broken bone, his arm was at a funny angle, but he didn’t dare touch it.
“Okay, they are on the way, just keep doing what you’re doing,” he said, “You’re doing the right thing, you should be hearing the sirens soon, they’re almost there,” he told him.
Evan barely listened as he carried on. Only stopping when someone put their hand on his shoulder and paramedics took over. He was shaking as he stood and took a step back. He listened as they began to go over what they were doing. Evan jolted when they shocked him and got a pulse. He wanted to cry as arms went around him, leading him away. It took him a moment to realize just who was there.
“Evan,” Lou called out to him as he finally looked up.
“Lo… Lou,” he said, choking a little, “He… I…” he said, shaking himself as he took a breath, “I found him unresponsive. It looked like he had been attacked. Arm at an odd angle, bruising appearing around the throat. He’s been strangled. His water bottle was upended, over there,” he pointed to where he believed the attack had started, going through what he had observed for Lou.
“Thank you, Evan,” he said, making notes on everything the other man had said, and making notes of his own from what he had seen so far.
Mathew was taken away and Evan wondered if he should inform the man’s family. “Should I?” he asked as he looked at Lou.
Lou shook his head, “No, that’s my job. Don’t you worry about it,” he told him, “I’ve messaged your dad to come here and get you. I know you’re an officer, and this isn’t the first time that you’ve come across something like this. But this is the first time you’ve done so with a friend. It hits differently, and in a way that can make all the things we know fly from our heads. So go home, have something sweet to drink, and do something fun. I’ll make sure to keep you informed about Mat. You did good, Evan, you kept him alive until help got here. Now let them do their job,” he said, his words gentle and full of worry for the younger man.
“Yeah, yeah okay,” he nodded, taking a breath as he was escorted from the scene. He could hear the siren going as the ambulance rushed off, “Do you… think he’s going to be okay?” he asked.
“I don’t know, Evan, and I can’t give you a promise either, we shouldn’t ever do that,” Lou told him, “But know he’s strong and he’ll fight,” he added.
Evan nodded and waited near the entrance, where his truck was. He knew he wasn’t in a state to drive it, but he didn’t really want to leave it behind either. It didn’t take as long as he thought for his dad to drive up. But there was someone else in the car with him.
“Dad,” he said as he saw him get out and then Darren get out of the passenger side.
“I was with your dad when he got called, thought it would be alright for me to drive your truck home,” Darren said as he went over, hugged him tightly and took the keys. “I’ll see you both at Evan’s home.”
“Thanks for doing this, Darren,” Phillip said with a smile as he then turned to look at his son. He could see the pain on the young man’s face and wished there was something he could do to take that look around. “Come here,” he said as he went over and hugged him.
“I found him dad, he… he could have died, he was dead. He wasn’t breathing and I couldn’t feel a pulse either,” he said as he held onto his dad and let himself feel what had just happened.
Lou looked on sadly as he was called, “I’ve got to go back. I’ll come and see you later, alright?” he asked as he reached out and placed a hand on Evan’s back.
Evan untucked himself from his dad and looked at his ex, “yeah, please. I know you won’t be able to tell me everything, but just… keep me informed?” he asked.
“I’ll do what I can. Now, go home and do what I said, alright, I’ll see you later when I can,” he added as he headed back to the scene where forensics had arrived.
Phillip slowly let his son go and the two got into his car. Evan was quiet on the drive home, his mind going over anything that he could have done differently until he arrived home and his dad shook him gently. Darren was still waiting there for them, handing back the keys and telling him that Isabel and Edmundo would be stopping by. He had told everyone that something had happened and that he could do with people being around at the moment.
Phillip got his son settled on the couch and made some of the sweet tea that Evan enjoyed occasionally. He saw his phone buzz and read the message that Shannon was going to drop by with Christopher and hoped that the one-and-a-half-year-old would be able to cheer his godfather up a little, or at least take his mind away from what had happened, at least until he got to know Mathew’s condition.
Phillip walked into the living room, “Shannon’s going to stop by,” he told him, “Chris is going to be with her,” he added quietly, as he put the tea down in front of Evan.
Evan looked up and gave a tired smile, “Thanks and it’ll be nice to see them.”
Phillip nodded and sat beside his son, letting the man curl up close as he cradled the hot drink in his hands.
“I don’t know what I should do,” he said, closing his eyes before taking a sip of his tea, hissing at the heat.
“There isn’t anything you can do,” Phillip told him, as he held him and let him just comprehend what he had come across
Evan nodded, and remained with Phillip until Shannon and Christopher arrived, where he at least started to talk and play with Christopher.
XxXxX
Lou knocked on Evan’s front door. He waited for a few moments before the door opened. Phillip stood there and let him inside. “You found anything?” he asked as he waited for Lou to enter the home before closing the door.
“A few things, but can’t really discuss that. I just want to talk to Evan about Mat, and tell him what I was told to tell him. His parents are here, and are at the hospital with him,” he said.
“Good, he’s worried about what’s going on,” Phillip said, “Shannon and Christopher left a few hours ago,” he told him, “he’s been quiet.”
“Yeah,” Lou said, “it’s always hard when it’s someone we know that’s been hurt,” he added as he walked towards the living room. He could see Evan on the couch, a book in his hand and it looked like he was trying to read.
Evan looked up as he heard footsteps, “Lou!” he called out, tossing the book aside and getting up, “Have you heard anything?” he asked.
Lou gave him a small smile, “I did, I talked with his parents at the hospital. He has a head injury, so they are letting him sleep, they’re going to have him in a coma for a few days, before letting him come around. They believe that it will help him heal better. His parents said that you’re welcome to visit him and to thank you for saving his life. If you hadn’t found him, he would have died if you hadn’t gotten there.”
“But… he could have been not breathing for a long time. I don’t-”
“We have CCTV footage of him entering the park around ten minutes before you did. I think he lived because you called out for him and stopped the killer from finishing the job fully. We have footage of around nine others entering the park before you, from the same entrance. But there are three more that aren’t monitored at all,” Lou told him, “I’m still looking for more, but…”
“You think this is the work of the killer that’s been going around?” Evan asked, biting his lip and unsure if he wanted to know.
Lou sighed and nodded, “I do, I’m working hard, and I want to find this guy,” he sighed, “I might need to talk to you more about what you noticed, but I think you gave me what you could at the scene.”
“If I can think of anything, I’ll tell you,” Evan said, “I’ll… try and go over it in my head again, and see what comes up. But I’ve already been doing that, and I just… I keep focusing on what I saw with Mathew only,” he sighed, shaking his head a few times.
“That’s all I ask, and I wish I didn’t have to,” he told him, hugging him, “just take care of yourself for now, see Mat when you can, and remember, that we deal with this the way we always do. We go after the evidence, track down leads, and find whoever it is that is responsible for Mat’s attack.”
Evan sighed, hugging Lou back before letting go, “Yeah, you will, I know you’ll find this guy and thanks. Sometimes I get in my head about things.”
“I know,” he smiled, “I’ll come and see you again tomorrow, we’ll go for lunch so you can relax. I know you’ve got the next two days off. I’ll be working mostly, but I can wrangle a lunch at least.”
“I’d like that, I’ve missed talking to you since I joined the LAPD,” he snorted, “Thought I would be seeing you a little more.”
“It’s like that,” Lou told him, “I’ll see you later, Evan, and try not to get in your head.”
Evan nodded as he walked him to the door and said bye again.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Evan looked over at Athena as they got back into the patrol car. They had just dropped off an arrest after they had caught someone trying to rob a convenience store. “How do you do it?” he asked her as they got in and buckled up.
Athena frowned as she looked at him. “Do what?” she asked, putting the car into gear and heading out of the parking garage.
“I… when I found Mat, I froze for a moment, just a moment before I started to help him. I was trained to react quickly, but this time, I didn’t. I just didn’t,” he frowned, “How do you do it? Not freeze.” He looked at her, hoping she had an answer for him.
“Three days ago, you found a friend, a friend, remember, in distress. You found him unconscious, not responsive, at that moment, you weren’t a cop. You were a civilian, the training doesn’t mean much when it is someone we know and care about, whether a friend or someone we love, like a lover,” she said, “I’ve reacted similarly. When someone I loved was… hurt. No matter how we are trained, certain things will make us forget our training. Every first responder no doubt has frozen at one point or another due to what we see. We’re not all stone-faced machines,” she told him, as she pulled out into the main street leading to the station and added, “No matter how much people think we are.”
Evan nodded, “Okay,” he said, still feeling a little lost, “When I saw him, and for a moment, I didn’t even register that he had been attacked, but then I realized he had been, and it confused me. Who the hell would attack him?”
“Don’t know, but you know Lou is going to do his damndest to find out what the hell happened and who did this,” Athena reminded him.
“I know,” he sighed, “He’s good at his job, I’ve known that for a long time,” he added as the radio crackled to life and they were directed to a call.
Athena nodded as she hit the lights and sirens, “He is, now buckle up, Buckaroo, we’ve got a job to do.”
Evan couldn’t help the snort of laughter as they sped towards their next call.
XxXxX
February was beginning and it was finally time for Eddie’s leave to start. But this time, it was different. Eddie had a decision to make, and that was if he would re-up or take the discharge that he was being offered since his four-year contract was now over. Evan smiled as he saw his friend rush over. “Good to see you,” he greeted as he pulled the older man into a hug.
“Same,” Eddie said, as he felt himself starting to relax. He let Evan go and grabbed the duffle bag that he had dropped, back up and slung it over his shoulder, “Right, home?” he asked.
“Yeah, Shannon and Chris are waiting for you. Shannon’s doing a lot better since last year,” he told him as he led the way to where his car was parked, “She’s been seeing a therapist, and your parent’s numbers have been blocked on everything. I also changed her number so they don’t know it,” he explained, he had already told Eddie much of this during their few calls and the letters they had sent back and forth since they still enjoyed writing to each other.
Eddie snorted as they reached the car, he tossed his bag into the back and got in, “Yeah, she complained about you grabbing her phone and changing it around. She took ages to learn her new number, she wasn’t happy,” he said as he buckled up.
Evan smiled, “Yeah, she’s still complaining about it occasionally,” he said as he started up the car.
“How are you doing?” Eddie asked, “Shannon told me what happened to Mathew, during our last call.”
Evan sighed, “He’s awake, and at home now, but he doesn’t remember the attack at all. Lou’s still investigating but it’s been almost three weeks since it happened and there’s been nothing. Lou… he believes it to be the serial killer that he’s after from another case, but the uppers aren’t too keen on that idea still,” he muttered darkly. “So far, only me, Captain Maynard, and Sergeant Grant all believe it to be the same person. Lou said that when I started calling out for Mat, I stopped the killer from making sure that Mat was… dead,” he said, shuddering a little at the thought.
“He’s alive, because you got to him quickly, put any other possibility out of your head,” Eddie said, glancing over at him as they headed out of the parking lot.
“Yeah, I know,” he sighed, “just, sometimes it’s going around in my head. Lou’s doing his best, but he’s not getting anywhere, and I wish I could help him,” he added.
“I know you do,” Eddie told him, “But right now, theres nothing you can do,” he finished, giving a one-armed shrug.
Evan nodded, “Have you thought about what you’re going to do?” he asked, “About signing up for another tour?” he clarified.
“I’ve talked to Shannon about it occasionally when we could. She’s not that keen on it, but also understands that it might be the best thing for us to do at the moment. My insurance is covering Chris and everything that he needs, without it, well, the operation he has in a couple of months wouldn’t be happening just yet. So she understands why I want to. The only thing I can think of when it comes to staying, and not going back is that I’ll actually be able to be there for Shannon and Chris and watch him grow up. I feel like I’m missing a lot but… I enjoy the work that I do. As odd as that sounds, I’m happy with my job and what I do. It’s… what I wanted to do with my life, I wouldn’t have signed up if this wasn’t what I wanted to do. Especially since my parents were against it,” he sighed, “But I’m going to spend this leave talking things over with Shannon since you said I should do that, rather than just sign up,” he finished.
“It would have been stupid of you to just do that. Communication is key, remember,” Evan reminded him.
“I know, I think Abuelo would have raked me over the coals should I have just re-upped without talking it out,” Eddie snorted.
Evan nodded, “Yeah he would have,” he smiled a little as he headed back to the Diaz-Whitt home.
XxXxX
Eddie had Christopher on his lap as the now two-year-old was ripping his way into the presents, though he was happier with the paper than the gifts he was getting from those around him. Evan and Shannon sat on either side of the floor. Christopher had claimed his dad and was refusing to sit anywhere else. No one had been able to talk the birthday boy into being anywhere else but with Eddie for the last couple of days.
“Yay!” Christopher giggled as he flung the paper around and then scrunched some of it up. Enjoying the noise it made before turning his attention to the toy that his dad was tapping on to get his attention.
“What about this, mijo?” he asked, as he tapped on the toy truck that Phillip had gotten for him.
“Verooommmm!” Christopher went as he reached forward and wiggled it back and forth a few times.
“Yeah, vroom,” Eddie laughed as the next present came into view and the toy truck. “Okay, we have another,” he said, as he brought Christopher’s attention to the latest present.
“Booo, vroom!” he squealed out but began to open the next, “Yay!” he laughed as he saw another toy for him to enjoy, though he played with the paper for a bit beforehand.
Soon enough all the presents had been opened, and Christopher was now happily playing with the toy cars and truck that he had gotten. There were other toys, but they had been pushed aside, for the playmat that looked like a road system for him to use his cars and trucks on. Cake had been eaten, and the candles had almost ended up all over the place.
“So what’s your decision, Eddie?” Isabel asked, knowing that he had to decide what to do, and with only a week until her birthday, and then five days after that for him to either go back or start the discharge process, the family wanted to know what was going to happen.
“I’m going back, I’ve signed back up, and I’ll go back when my leave is over. Shannon and I talked it out, and while she and I would both like me to be here for Chris, we both know that with everything going on to make sure he gets what he needs, we need the extra funds and the insurance will help,” he said, glaring at Evan since he had offered to pay for things, so he could remain. Both Eddie and Shannon had nipped that idea in the bud before it could fully form. Promising him that if they really needed any help, they would ask him.
“Going to miss having you home,” Shannon said, “but I know this is what is best,” she added, as she looked at Christopher, “I’ve got people here that can help me if I need it.”
“We are,” Janet reminded her daughter, smiling as she put a hand on her shoulder.
“We’re all here for you, for all of you,” Edmundo told her, “Just call us, and we’ll come. You’re familia, Shannon,” he added, smiling at her.
“Two weeks, and then you go back,” Shannon said as she looked at Eddie, “I hate it, but I know,” she added, seeing the conflict in Eddie’s eyes.
“Yeah,” he sighed, as he looked at Christopher as he played and went over to join him.
Evan shook his head, “He’s… trying, he just… When I first contacted him, it was through the pen pal system at my school. We kept talking after the first letter and I learned a lot. He wants to be career army. This is what he wants to do with his life. He wants to see himself climbing the ranks, and he’s working hard towards it as well.”
“I know, I kept thinking, because of Helena and Ramon, that he should be at home. But Eddie, he told me that Ramon was barely at home, and how he missed him, and I thought… I don’t want Eddie to just be a part-time dad.”
“But he isn’t, he calls and talks to you and Chris all the time,” Evan pointed out to her.
“I know, which took me a little while to figure out, but yeah. He’s there, just not there,” Shannon said with a laugh.
Evan smiled as Lou brought over a couple of drinks for everyone, “Thanks, Lou,” he smiled as the man sat down on the couch behind Evan, who was seated on the floor. He leaned against Lou’s legs, feeling comfortable. Lou snorted and settled with his drink as talk turned to other things.
Eddie looked over, a little huff before he called out, “Hey, Ev, want to come and join me in playing with Chris?”
“Sure,” Evan said as he put his drink aside and headed over.
Eddie grinned at him as the two played with Chris, his cars, and truck. Shannon shook her head and turned to the others and began talking again.
XxXxX
Time passed all too quickly and Eddie was getting ready to head back. Evan had driven him to the airport. Shannon and Christopher had said their goodbyes at home, with Christopher crying and begging his dad to stay, once more tearing out Eddie’s heart with his son crying and clinging onto him.
“It’s going to be okay, you know, Chris is still young, he doesn’t really understand that you have to go,” Evan said as they were at the gate, the flight had called and Evan didn’t want to say bye to his friend just yet.
“I know, but it still damn hurts,” Eddie snorted, “And thank you, for being there for them and being a great friend. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“You would have been fine, I think,” Evan told him, as Eddie’s flight was called again, “you better go, or you’ll be in trouble.”
“Yeah,” Eddie said as he dropped his duffle and hugged Evan tightly, “Thanks again, for everything.
Evan wrapped his arms around his friend and held him just as tightly, “Gonna miss having you home, you be careful out there, yeah?” he told him.
“I will,” he promised.
Eddie reluctantly pulled away, “I’ll see you when I’m on leave again, but before then, I’ll call and send letters, emails and that too.”
“You better,” Evan said as Eddie headed off. He sighed, he hated to watch him go, he missed him a lot when he wasn’t there. He huffed to himself before heading back to his car. He was already missing Eddie, but at least he had the rest of the family back home. Evan shook himself a little. He had a shift in three hours and he needed to get ready for it. He would put his worries about Eddie to one side, there were other things he needed to worry about, a serial killer on the loose, making sure Christopher was taken care of, and that Shannon would keep the Diaz parents blocked and restricted. He’d take care of their family, as long as Eddie would take care of himself.
Such a great story. I love watching how the ripples keep spreading from that one simple change.
Thank you for writing.❤️
Nicely done!
Fascinating to see the changes and how the ramifications of them affect Evan and everyone around him.
I am really enjoying this verse you’re building. the characterizations are spot on, and I like the changes, too.
bravo!!
Great story
Well done. Another great story in this series. I’m looking forward to the next one. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Great story
I was sad to see Lou and Evan not make it as a couple. They had a lot in common, just not enough. Evan wants to explore and unfortunately Lou doesn’t.
Great story.