Reading Time: 129 Minutes

Title: You Got It
Author: Duochanfan
Fandom: 9-1-1
Genre: Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Slash
Relationship(s): Evan Buckley/Eddie Diaz
Content Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Hate Crimes/Hate Speech, Violence – Graphic, Violence – Domestic and/or Against Children , Discussions of Domestic and Child Abuse, Non Parental Child Abuse, False Accusation of Sexual Abuse towards a Minor, Discussion of Rape, Past Rape, Belief of Adultery, Home Invasion, Suicidal Ideation, Canon Minor Character Death,
Beta: J-Love99, HarleyJQuin
Word Count: 126,634
Summary: Getting the Jeep from Maddie was his ticket to freedom, but when it led to him stopping outside of a Community College in El Paso, he decided that it was a sign from the Universe that he should at least get a degree. When a week later one of his House Share friends dragged him to an Under 21s Bar, he meets Eddie Diaz, home from deployment for the birth of his son. A yell and a push from Shannon in the hopes of her friend getting laid, Evan ends up finding everything he had been looking for. He gains a friend, a confidant, a boyfriend and even a son, but not everyone is happy with the new little family unit coming together.
Artist: Spennig

 

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Chapter Sixteen

Evan and Eddie stood on either side of Adriana as they walked her down the aisle. Antonio waited for her with a large smile on his face and a look of awe as he watched her. Eddie had to admit that his sister looked beautiful. He hadn’t believed it when she had asked him and Evan to walk her down the aisle. He knew that she and Evan talked a lot on the phone, and met up for coffee when Christopher was at daycare for a few hours a week. As the two men let Antonio take her hand, they reached out to each other and sat down, to watch as she got married.

The reception later was fun, family from all over and friends of the happy couple were there. Christopher was sitting on his mother’s lap during the ceremony and now he was in Eddie’s arms laughing and giggling as he and Evan danced on the dance floor.

“You look beautiful Adri,” Shannon complimented the woman as she stopped by.

“Thank you,” she smiled brightly, she looked so happy and joyful.

“Evan was shocked when you asked him to join Eddie in walking you down the aisle,” she said, as Adriana sat down for a moment.

“At first, when I first learned of what happened. I was just going to ask Eddie. But, then I remembered that Evan’s been there, been helping me with all the planning, getting me out of my head when I felt like running away because I was scared. He got me to work through everything. I knew it was just that stupid fear and he helped me calm down. I took to calling him daily, and talking things over with him. Meeting with him occasionally as well. And I knew that if I had Eddie, I should have Evan too,” she smiled easily as she watched her brother dance with his boyfriend, their son between them laughing loudly and brightly.

“He does listen well, though I think that might be the course he’s doing,” Shannon smiled, “He’s been coming into his own even more since I first met him. Can’t believe that it has been almost two years, it feels like longer,” she added, watching the two.

“It does, I still can’t believe they tried to get in,” Adriana hissed as she thought of her parents. They had been forcefully shown the door by Antonio’s brother and father.

“Well, they are no longer welcome around here, so, put them out of your mind, and enjoy your day,” Shannon told her, smiling.

Adriana nodded, “I should get back to my husband,” she giggled, “I still can’t believe that I’m married,” she sighed as she stood up.

“You and Antonio have been together for as long as I’ve known you,” Shannon murmured.

“We met in high school, over ten years ago. He asked me out when we were fourteen, now we’re twenty-six and married finally,” she sighed, shaking her head as she went off to find her husband.

Evan and Eddie danced a little more before joining Shannon, each of them taking the woman out to the dance floor and even handing her over to Antonio’s brother for a spin. She had glared at them at the blatant way that they had tried to set her up with him.

Eddie walked over to his sister, “Well, come on,” he said as he held out a hand, “I’m only going to be doing this once,” he added.

Adriana smiled at her baby brother and nodded. Taking her hand he pulled her to the dance floor. It cleared out and the two danced. “Thank you, for doing this,” she told him.

“You’re my sister, I would do a hell of a lot for you. Dancing for a few minutes, well, that’s just the least of it,” he said, as he spun her around.

Adriana laughed, a large smile on her face, “Just, thank you still. Love you, little brother,” she told him.

“Love you too, big sis,” he smiled back. Evan was the one to push Antonio back towards the dance floor. Eddie spotted the man and moved closer, holding out his sister’s hand, “Take care of her. She is more precious than gold.”

Antonio nodded, “I know,” he said, “You’ve grown up brat,” he teased Eddie.

“Yep, taller than you,” Eddie grinned at him. He had known Antonio since he was twelve and his sister had finally introduced the boyfriend she had been hiding from everyone.

Antonio laughed and began to dance Adriana away and around the dance floor. Soon enough couples began to wander back to the dance floor.

Evan took hold of Eddie’s hand and smiled, “She looks really happy,” he said softly.

“Think this will be us someday?” Eddie asked him, “Married?”

Evan smiled and nodded, “Yeah, one day, maybe… maybe when you come back for good, we can see about it. Finding a place outside of Texas to marry,” he added, looking back at Eddie.

“Agreed,” Eddie smiled, “come on, around the dance floor once more?” he asked.

Evan laughed, “Practice for our own day?” he smirked as he was spun around and then pulled close.

Eddie leaned forwards, foreheads touching, “Yeah,” he murmured, kissing him lightly.

XxXxX

Christopher’s second birthday arrived quickly. Adriana and Antonio had put off their honeymoon for an extra week to be able to be there for it. There were a couple of children from the daycare that Christopher went to. With presents and cake, they had seven sugar-high children to deal with, and very chatty adults. Hours later, when the children had crashed and parents had taken their cranky children home. All that was left was family.

“Eddito,” Isabel smiled at her grandson, who was already starting to tidy the house up. Evan did the same beside him, “Leave it for a moment, rest and relax,” she told him, taking them by the hand and pulling them to sit down.

Eddie sat down on a chair, pulling Evan into his lap. Evan was now slightly taller than Eddie, much to the older man’s annoyance. “We should get it tidied now,” Eddie protested slightly.

“Sit and rest,” she repeated.

Adriana had Christopher on her lap, she was telling him about the baby that she was carrying. “Yes, there is a baby in there. And in several months, they will be here and we can hold them,” she smiled, running a hand over Christopher’s curls.

Christopher clapped and giggled. He moved down and went, “Baby, hi,” he giggled again as he smashed his face against Adriana’s stomach and gave a smacking kiss to it, “Be good.”

“Oh, that is adorable,” Sophia squealed a little as she watched.

“Yep,” Evan said as he settled against Eddie, “He is always adorable,” he boasted a little.

“Of course he is, just look at those little curls and his large smile. How can anyone resist,” Xiaoli snorted, rolling his eyes as he looked at his best friend. He was down from LA for the next two days. Enjoying Christopher’s birthday and maybe even getting the chance to go out and have some fun with Evan before he had to go back. He had finished his days at the academy and was now being assigned a firehouse where he would be doing his probationary year.

“You have your exams soon for your degree, don’t you?” Sophia asked as she looked at Evan.

Evan nodded, “Yeah, I do. I’m already looking into the teaching course that I want to do. And since Shannon may need to start going to LA more. I’m thinking about joining her in LA with Christopher. You’re in New York now Soph, and Adri is going to be heading to Florida,” he added as he looked at the two sisters.

“Well, that’s going to wait now,” Adriana said, “Toni and I have decided to wait until the baby is a few months old before we make the move. Trying to do it all now may cause some added stress,” she added looking at them as she hugged Christopher, who was still babbling away at her tummy.

“Right,” Evan said, nodding, “We’ll at least be here until after Chris’ surgery in three months,” he said, worrying his bottom lip.

“It’s going to be fine Evan,” Eddie said as he squeezed him slightly around the waist.

Evan nodded his head against his shoulder. “Yeah,” he murmured, though the others could tell that he was still worried. He looked at Xiaoli, “How’re things going in LA for you?” he asked him.

“Doing well,” he grinned, “The academy was hard, have to admit. I was not as fit as I thought I was,” he snorted, he had been training before he had gone to LA, with Evan joining a few of his sessions.

“But you’re going to be assigned a place now, aren’t you?” Eddie asked, having talked a little about it before.

Xiaoli nodded, “Yeah. I’ve got a station already lined up to take me on for probation,” he smiled, “The 112, they seemed really nice when I met them. I start with them a couple of days after I go back. I’ll keep you updated on everything,” he smiled.

“Good,” Evan grinned back, “I’m looking at some of the courses over there. Since we want to move there. Shannon’s mom lives in LA as well.”

“And I have rooms prepared for you all, already,” Janet smiled.

“As do we,” Isabel laughed, “We all wish for you to come and be there fully. We miss you all so much,” she added, she had moved to live there when Josephine had settled there. Following her eldest daughter to California.

“Well, hopefully, we’ll be there in around six months, if everything goes well,” Evan said.

Shannon nodded, “I’ve already started looking at doctors over there. There are some really good ones in LA for CP, so it would be good for him. The one we have here, consults with others a lot,” she sighed, “There isn’t a specialist in El Paso,” she added as she got up, “Drinks?” she asked, quickly getting a few orders from some.

Evan went to get up to help, “No, stay,” Eddie said, holding him tightly.

“Eds, come on, Shan can’t do everything herself,” he tried again to stand up.

“It’s fine!” Shannon called as Sophia and Xiaoli went to help her instead.

“See,” Eddie said, kissing his cheek, “She’s fine.”

“Edmundo,” Evan admonished, turning to glare at him.

Eddie just smirked as he reached up a hand, cupping the back of Evan’s head and pulling him in for a closer kiss.

“Boys,” Josephine called out, shaking her head, even though a fond smile was on her face. “Getting carried away there,” she sang out.

“Sorry, Tia Pepa,” Eddie said, breaking the kiss as Evan buried his head to hide away in his neck.

“No you’re not,” Adriana snorted, rolling her eyes, “But it’s nice to see you both so in love,” she added happily. “I thought for a moment that you would give in to their demands,” she murmured.

“Almost did,” Eddie replied quietly as he looked at his eldest sister.

“I think we would have if Evan hadn’t appeared and caught Eddie’s eye,” Shannon smirked as she walked back into the living room, a few mugs in hands as the other two followed her out.

“Falling for Evan,” Eddie began, “Was the second best thing to happen to me. Chris, being the first obviously.” He looked at his son for a moment before kissing Evan again, “Evan, gave me the courage to stand up. To go for what I wanted and not give in to their demands. To finally be my own person instead of the man they tried to force me to be.”

“Which is a good thing, I don’t think we would have worked well as husband and wife,” Shannon snorted as she put the mugs of coffee down for the two.

Evan smiled happily from where he was sat on Eddie’s lap, “I think you would have been okay for a while. But you’re both… too similar in some way and that would have clashed,” he told the two of them.

Eddie and Shannon shared a look before nodding, agreeing, “Yeah,” Eddie said, “Which is why I’m glad I have you.”

Shannon snorted and muttered, “Same, since I don’t have to put up with him.”

Chapter Seventeen

“Shannon,” Evan sighed again as he shook his head as he paced outside of the hospital. “It’s fine, really. I know that you want to be here. But you have the flu,” he said.

“Evan, I should be there, my little boy is having surgery and I feel like total shit that I can’t be, so let me bitch about it,” Shannon muttered, her voice graveled and pained. It wasn’t just the flu, she had a sore throat and a nasty cough going as well. Evan and Mrs Lewis had been trying to get the woman to go to the doctor, as it didn’t sound like she was getting better at all.

“Shan, please, go to the doctors. Adri is with me today. So you don’t have to worry. She’s inside now waiting. So get some sleep, get an appointment. Mrs Lewis said she’ll be dropping off some of her soup later,” Evan told her, sighing as he heard her coughing again.

“Fine, I’ll… see,” she breathed heavily and Evan could tell she had flopped back on whatever it was she was sitting on. Hopefully, it was her bed and not the couch.

“Not, you’ll see, you’ll do it,” Evan told her, “Now, I’m going back inside. Chris was okay when he went in. They said that they would keep me posted on how things are doing. So I really don’t want to be out here for long,” he worried as he looked back at the doors of the hospital.

“Fine, go, leave me to my suffering,” Shannon replied dramatically.

Evan snorted, “Drama queen,” he muttered.

“Damn straight,” she laughed before coughing. “Call me as soon as he’s out.”

“I will,” Evan promised her, “Don’t worry, we’ll be here with him. And I know he would love nothing more than for his mommy to be there but at the moment. You need to recover.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she muttered, “Thanks Evan, for taking care of him so well. I wish I was a better mother to him.”

“You’re a good mother. You love him, and while I can understand you not wishing to be there, you didn’t really want children, but you still want to be in his life. You still want to be around, but just not full-time. There are so many others out there who would have just left,” he said.

Shannon sighed and coughed, “Doesn’t make me feel better, to be honest with you Evan,” she told him, “I know I’m doing the right thing,” she added, “It’s just going to take a while to even feel like it.”

“You love him, and that’s what he needs from you. You’re there when he needs you as well,” he said and then quickly added, “Which I know you want to be here, but you can’t at the moment. Get better, get some rest, and see the bloody doctor or I’ll come down and drag you there.”

“Okay, okay,” she muttered, “Thanks Evan, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay, later, bye Shannon,” he smiled softly as he ended the call and headed back inside. He walked to the waiting room where Adriana was. “Hey,” he smiled slightly as he saw her.

“Shannon okay?” she asked, knowing that the other woman was ill.

“Annoyed with herself that she can’t be here. She’s feeling like a failure again when it comes to Chris and not being around him all the time,” he sighed, shaking his head as he went over and sat beside her.

“I thought she was getting help with that,” Adriana grumbled, shifting around in her seat.

“She is, but I think part of it is that she wants to be here, and that’s making those feelings a lot worse. She knows that not being around Chris all the time is best for her and for him. She doesn’t want to resent him and she was beginning to feel that,” he told her.

Adriana was silent, “I can’t imagine wanting to give up my child like that.”

“Not everyone is ready to be a parent. And yes, I know a lot of people step up to the plate. But some would have done something else, like let their kid be adopted, or give them up to the other parents and left. Shannon’s still here, still in her son’s life. Doesn’t really want to leave him as she does love him. She just doesn’t think she is in the right place to be a full-time mother to him,” he said, trying to explain what Shannon was doing.

“That’s true, I just can’t imagine myself doing it, that’s all. And I know she loves Chris,” she smiled, rubbing his stomach. She was now six months along.

“Looking forward to having your own kid in your arms?” he asked her, smiling as she nodded.

“I am, a lot. Though… don’t tell anyone I told you. But it’s twins. We found out last week. My doctor said that she must have been hiding behind her sister,” she said, giving him a laughing smile at the wide eyes look that was on his face.

“Twins… girls?” he blinked, “Really?” he asked her.

Adriana nodded, “Only you and Antonio know so far. So, will you help us surprise the rest of the family?”

“Yeah, of course,” he laughed, “I would be delighted to help. Though say nothing around Chris, he’s started to repeat what we say now. So glad that I don’t swear around him, but it is hilarious when he is losing his temper and saying ‘Oh Duckies'” he snorted.

Adriana started laughing, holding her belly as she did so, “Oh, oh that is priceless,” she said and then stopped laughing, “Damn it all to hell and back,” she said as she got to her feet, “I need to pee again.”

“Rather you than me,” Evan told her as she gave him a sour look before quickly heading out of the waiting room.

It was a few hours later when they were finally able to see Christopher. He looked so tiny in the cot that they had put him in. Evan only left the hospital when pushed to by Antonio and Adriana, to shower and change. It would be almost a week before Christopher would be allowed back home.

XxXxX

Adriana huffed a heavy sigh as she sat down. This was her party and she felt like she should get up and do things. But once more she was being pushed to sit down and enjoy this by her husband and Evan. “Really feeling like a beached whale,” she muttered.

“I felt much the same,” Shannon said as she walked over, a tray in hand as she brought over drinks for the two of them and something to eat from the buffet table. “Have to say, I didn’t know Evan was helping you with this,” she added as she looked around the party. The gender reveal was going to be starting soon. Evan and Antonio were working to set it all up.

“I asked, and he said he would,” she smiled, “Now, I’m going to drink this, hope I don’t have to pee again, and then join my husband,” she added, watching Antonio as he joked around with Evan as they set up. Ten minutes later she was up and standing with her husband. There was a box on the table in front of them, it held the cake that would reveal the gender.

Evan was recording to let Eddie watch it later. Antonio and Adriana held the ribbon that kept the box closed and then pulled. The walls of the box fell to reveal two more boxes inside. One with Baby 1 on it, and the other with Baby 2.

“Twins!” Isabel yelled, eyes wide as she looked from the boxes to her granddaughter.

Adriana laughed and nodded, “Yes, twins,” she smiled, patting her stomach gently.

“I knew it, I knew it, she was too big for one!” Isabel laughed in delight, shaking her head, “Oh mijita,” she murmured, tears in her eyes, “I’m so happy.”

“Well, let’s carry on,” Antonio said as he gestured to the closed boxes.

Adriana took one box’s ribbon and Antonio the other. With a pull the boxes fell apart, revealing two cakes, their frosting all pink.

“Two little girls?” Josephine asked them both, “Two girls.”

“Yes,” Adriana laughed, “Two little girls to add to the family.”

“Hear that Christopher,” Shannon said, “You have two little cousins and not one.”

“BOGOF,” Christopher clapped loudly.

Antonio stood to the side going pale as soon as the acronym passed his nephew’s lips and echoed around them.

“What?!” Evan choked on a laugh as the rest of the family looked at the two and a half-year-old.

Antonio gave a nervous laugh, knowing he was caught. “Sorry,” he said as he looked at his wife who was now glaring daggers at him. “I…”

“BOGOF?” she asked him, “Did you really say that about our babies?!” she demanded to know.

“It was just…” Antonio began to defend himself.

“You said our daughters were Buy One Get One Free…” she glared at him, waiting for an answer.

“Well, yes. I’m sorry but come on you have to agree a little. We were expecting one and we got a second daughter as a bonus,” he said, trying to talk his way out of the trouble he was now in.

“You will be making this up to me in foot rubs for the rest of this pregnancy and for at least a year after they are born,” she told him.

Antonio went over, wrapping his arms around her, “I would give you foot rubs anyway,” he said, kissing her gently, “Now, let’s have some cake.”

Adriana huffed, “Don’t care. You still-”

“I know, I’m sorry, but I am just so happy that we are to be blessed with two little ones instead of one,” he said, giving her a little pout.

“Fine, but you will be making it up to me,” she repeated.

He leaned in and kissed her, “Forever if need be,” he told her.

It was two weeks later when she went into labor. Almost thirty hours later she had her daughters in her arms. Lucia and Rosa. With Evan being named godfather to the two.

XxXxX

Shannon walked into Evan’s home. She looked pissed. Christopher was down for his midday nap, and Evan was looking at the courses he was trying to get transferred to in California and looking at the job listings. He was already working as a Teaching Assistant in a middle school. “Hey,” he greeted as he looked up, frowning as he saw the thunderstorm that was on her face.

“We can’t move,” she told him, “We can’t leave El Paso, we can move around El Paso, but we can’t leave,” she growled as she flopped down into a chair and took a deep breath.

“Why not, we’re telling CPS that we want to move,” Evan frowned, “And we shouldn’t have an open investigation now. It was closed after the last visit,” he added.

Shannon shook her head, “We’re still open to them since they keep getting calls about Christopher. And we both know that they are all from Helena and Ramon. They’ve been getting one every week or two. As long as they keep coming in and they have to listen to them, they will keep the case open,” she sighed, “So we’re stuck here in El Paso for a while longer at least. I’m trying to petition the courts into letting us move. Just need to get proof that it’s those two calling.”

“And getting proof will do what?” Evan asked, putting aside his laptop, he would have to leave that and remain where he was. Though the course was still good.

“We can say that it is due to harassment from them and that the calls have all been false. While they know that the claims in them are false, they still have to investigate,” Shannon sighed, “So we’re here to stay until then, that’s if it works, I’m not sure proof will help.”

Evan sighed and nodded, “We’ll just have to wait and see how things play out. Now, Eddie is coming home for Chris’ 3rd birthday in a month, so we have that to look forward to at least,” he said, smiling.

Shannon nodded, “That we do, and I’ll watch Chris for a few nights so you and Eddie can have some time together. Try not to break the bed again, okay.”

“Shannon!” Evan yelled, face going red, “We only did that once. We’re not going to do it all the time.”

“So fucking funny,” Shannon laughed at the horrified face Evan was pulling.

“Ugh, you’re horrible,” he said, getting up and heading into the kitchen as he tried to escape her cackling.

Chapter Eighteen

Evan was in the middle of feeding Christopher his lunch when there was a knock at the door. Looking down at the three-year-old, he said, “Well, looks like we have a visitor.”

“Auntie, Mama?!” he called out, joyful at the thought of one of the two coming to see him.

“Maybe,” Evan smiled and laughed as he picked him up and settled him on his hip. He walked to the door and opened it, “Hello.” He frowned as he saw Marissa standing there. She had an upset look on her face and an annoyed one. Beside her were two others. “Marissa,” he greeted, “Is everything okay?” he asked, looking at the three of them.

“Can we come in,” she said, not wanting to do anything on the doorstep.

“Sure,” he nodded, as Christopher stared at them. He had seen Marissa often, but the other two were new and he wasn’t that keen on them.

“Papa, don’t like,” Christopher pouted as he pointed to the other man and woman that came in with Marissa.

“It’s fine Chris,” he said, patting his back, “We’re in the middle of lunch, you don’t mind if he carries on eating?” he asked as he took Christopher back to where the highchair was set up.

“Evan,” Marissa began, “You need to hand Christopher over for a moment,” she told him.

“What… why?” Evan frowned, “What’s going on, please just tell me that at least.”

“A call came in accusing you of something more serious. And this time we can’t let you be around Christopher until it’s cleared up,” Marissa told him, “You’ve been accused of grooming Christopher and Sexual advances towards him.”

Evan almost collapsed right there when he heard, “I would… I would never,” he shook his head, “Chris is my son, he’s my…” he stopped, shaking and he didn’t know if it was in anger from the accusation or the shock.

Marissa looked pained as she said, “I know that you wouldn’t do such a thing Evan, but I have to follow protocol on this. At the moment, we have to separate you and Christopher.”

“Shannon, can he… can he go to Shannon?” Evan asked, wanting to cling to Christopher who was beginning to pick up on the fact that he was upset.

“Yes, we’re going to give him to his mother. You won’t be able to contact her or Christopher or see them until this is over with,” Marissa told him.

Evan nodded shakily as he looked at Christopher, “Hey buddy,” he said, “You’re… you’re going to go on an adventure to mommy,” he told him.

“Mommy? Where mommy?” Christopher asked, looking around, as though he expected her to appear.

“She’s not here buddy, but she’s… she’s going to meet you. You’re going to be going with Marissa,” he said as he looked at the woman, not knowing the two people with her. He didn’t trust them with Christopher.

“No, no, no, no!” Christopher yelled, “Stay wif papa!” he cried, clinging onto his neck.

Evan rubbed his back, “It’s okay buddy, it’s okay,” he soothed, even though he wanted to do nothing but rage as well. “You’re going to be with mommy for a while, okay,” he told him, “Now calm down, I know you don’t want to go with them, but you have to.”

“Mr Buckley,” the man said as he stood up, “I-”

“Look,” Marissa said, as she stopped the man from just taking the child, “Christopher is only on our list because someone keeps calling in false reports. Every single one of them has been proven to be false. That nothing is happening. I suggest that we call Shannon McKinley to come and get her son. This will be less traumatic for him to do it this way. So Edwards, sit back down. Jess, remain here. I’m going to call Shannon to get her here,” she added.

“We’re supposed to take him from-”

“Edwards,” Marissa said, “Did you even read the file that you were given about this case?” she asked him, her phone out and at her ear as she waited for an answer. “Ah, Miss McKinley, I am asking that you please get to Mr Buckley’s residence as soon as possible, a situation has arisen that we’re going to need you for.”

Edwards waited for her to finish the call and said, “Yes. And all I see is someone that has been getting away with abusing a little boy.”

“No, that isn’t the case,” Marissa told him, shaking her head. “Look at the transcripts of the calls that come in. They read the same. Exactly the same in most cases. We’ve had over sixty calls and all of them saying the same thing. We have been doing spot checks over the last two years almost. We’ve come in and had Christopher examined by our doctors for any harm done to him, and there is nothing. The last exam was last week. We’ve had to deal with three calls a month, sometimes up to four or five. Read the case properly and not just what is accused.”

“This is why you’re still on probation,” Jess said, “You’re too quick to take a child from loving parents,” she added, giving the man a roll of her eyes. “I read through the file,” she said as she looked at Marissa, “And all I see is harassment from an outside party.”

“It’s Helena and Ramon Diaz,” Evan sighed, as he finally got Christopher to calm down. “They… have been trying to get Shannon and Eddie to marry. Shannon and Eddie are good friends, they don’t love each other, but they have Chris. I met Eddie and we’ve been together for three years, and his parents aren’t happy. They even abused Christopher themselves to try and get Chris taken away from myself and Shannon. That should be in the file as well,” he told them, though it was more directed at Edwards. “Both Shannon and I believe that the calls being made are by them. Chris starts getting bruises on his legs, then a month later CPS shows up. I record everything I find about Chris in a book for his pediatrician. It helps in figuring out the next step with his physio and if he needs another surgery,” he added as he sat down, Christopher clinging to him as he eyed the strangers in his home.

They remained silent for a while as Marissa made Edwards reread through the file properly, to see the pattern that was going on. The front door opened and Shannon walked in, “What’s going on?” she asked as soon as she saw Marissa.

“Shannon,” Marissa said, “I wish I was here for better things,” she sighed, “There’s been a more serious accusation this time. One of sexual abuse by Evan. We know it’s not the case. But we still have to investigate it all. Which means that these two will be doing what they can to speak with Christopher about Evan. They are supposed to be unbiased,” she added, “But I think someone else may need to be brought into this case as well.”

Shannon stared, “What the…” she growled, “That’s it, I am going to be petitioning the courts in order to find out who is making these accusations. This is now the end of it. I will not allow them to carry on doing this. You better make sure that this does not get out. That Evan is never publicly accused of such. You know how quickly that can ruin someone’s life, even if he is found innocent of everything. Someone doesn’t come back from that,” she warned them.

“Nothing will ever be released,” Marissa said, shaking her head, “We can’t do so.”

“Make sure that is the case,” she said, “So I take it that I’m to take Christopher?” she asked as she walked into the room. She could see how upset Evan was, but was keeping hold of it.

“Yes,” Marissa told her, “We’ll be doing interviews with people, mainly yourself and Evan and some of those that he works with. It will be pushed as we are looking at his work ethic and such,” she said before Shannon or Evan could say anything.

“So they won’t know what we are investigating,” Jess said.

“It better be quick, Chris has another surgery in two weeks, and Evan needs to be there for him. He knows what Chris needs better than I do when it comes to his CP,” Shannon said as she walked over to him, “Ev,” she sighed.

Evan looked up at her, tears in his eyes, “I can’t believe they would…” he shook his head, “Make… make sure…” he began as he had to give Christopher over to her.

“Look, you stay at my place, and I’ll stay here for now. So we don’t disrupt him too much,” she said as she knelt down. “It’s the afternoon, so why don’t you see about putting him down for a nap and say goodbye for now. No doubt you’ll be back soon.”

Evan looked at Christopher and then nodded.

“You can go with him to make sure nothing inappropriate happens, but you don’t interfere in him saying goodbye to his son for a while,” Shannon hissed at Edwards as he stood up to protest. Edwards nodded and followed as Evan got up and headed to Christopher’s bedroom.

“Right,” Shannon said as she looked at the two women that were left, “I want you both to know that I’m going to be going to the courts. I want the transcripts and the names of those that are making these accusations all the time. And I will get it. Over the last year, two years, we’ve had a number of visits, inspections, and such. It’s clear that there is nothing going on at all. We can’t even move away because of this. Evan was looking into college in LA and working over there. Most of my client list is LA based. Hell, the only reason I was down here in the first place was that I had two of my most important clients here. I only stayed for Eddie, we were going to leave when Christopher was a bit older.”

“I wish I could have done more, but my own boss isn’t sure that it’s harassment at the moment. But they will have to listen to a court order. I’ve seen the transcripts and they are too similar to not be the same couple of people reporting Evan Buckley,” Marissa sighed.

“He’s… he’s asleep,” Evan said, trying not to cry, “He… he has an appointment about his surgery in three days. It’s at two, I’ll write everything down,” he added, his hands shaking as he grabbed a notepad and pen and started to write what he needed to down.

Shannon got up as he finished and wrapped her arms around him, “This is going to be over soon. We both know that they are trying again, stay strong and you’ll have Chris back in your arms soon enough,” she reassured him as she handed him her keys, only taking her car keys off them.

Evan did the same, “Yeah, I… I hope,” he nodded.

Evan left the house, Shannon stood at the window and watched him leave.

“I hope you know what you are doing,” she hissed as she turned to them all.

“My name is Jessica Devin, I’m actually a police officer, or rather a detective. I’m the one that is normally brought in on these cases. Edwards is rather new at this,” she said, “I’ll be helping with the investigation, and we’ll not be releasing any names,” she added, reassuring Shannon that Evan wouldn’t have his name splashed in any newspaper or anywhere online.

“For now, we’ll interview you,” Edwards said, “We’ll want to talk to Christopher as well, but of course, you will be able to be there.”

“I’m not saying a word without my lawyer here,” Shannon told them, “Sorry, but I don’t want my words to be twisted around to fit a narrative that isn’t my own.”

“This is just an in-”

“Not without my lawyer,” Shannon said as she pulled out her phone and made the call.

“She is entitled to do so,” Jess said as she looked at Edwards.

“She will also be with us when Christopher is interviewed and with Evan,” she added as she ended the call moments later.

Jess nodded as Marissa did the same. Edwards didn’t look happy, but there wasn’t anything that he could really say.

Chapter Nineteen

It had been just over a week and Evan was going crazy being inside. He still had work to go to, but even that didn’t help when he had the day off. Today was the usual day that he would spend with Christopher at his PT sessions. He had already missed the first of two appointments in the lead-up to his surgery in another week. He just hoped that he would be able to be there for it. He’d had his interview, Shannon’s lawyer there beside him. He knew that Jess and Edwards had been able to contact the school he worked at, and talked with the teachers and principal there.

Evan looked around Shannon’s apartment, it was nice and suited the woman well, but it wasn’t home for Evan. All he wanted was to be back with Christopher. With a sigh, he got up and headed out. He needed to clear his head a little and stop worrying for a few moments. He walked around aimlessly, knowing he couldn’t go to his usual places as Christopher might be there. He heard someone shout his name as he walked. Turning to see who it was, he was blindsided as something hit him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Evan could barely tell which way was up as kicks and punches rained down on him. He heard a yell and then silence for a few blissful moments. Opening his eyes, all he could see was a blurry mix of red and the colors beyond.

“It’s okay kid,” an older voice said. Evan tried to concentrate for a moment but he soon drifted into unconsciousness.

XxXxX

Shannon nodded as she talked with Marissa. “So, everything is going to be going back to normal now then?” she asked her.

“Yes, look, I’m sorry about this, but your lawyers are doing what they can in getting the transcripts of the calls and the reports that were made. I don’t know if you will be able to find out who is behind the calls.”

“Are they recorded at all?” Shannon asked her.

Marissa nodded, “all calls are recorded in case there is something in them that we need to listen to again,” she answered.

“Good, if I can get the recordings released, then we might be able to find out who it is,” Shannon huffed, rocking Christopher in her arms. The three-year-old was constantly calling for his papa and had been since he had woken up and Evan wasn’t there. He was just as bad as when Eddie first went back after his third birthday. This time knowing that he wouldn’t be seeing his dad for a while.

Jess looked at the woman, “We are sorry, but we do have to investigate such claims. They are very serious accusations.”

“Yes, and if they h-” Shannon stopped as her phone began to ring. “Hello?” she answered.

“Is this Shannon McKinley?” the voice on the other end asked, “We’re calling about a Mr Evan Buckley.”

“He’s my friend, and the father of my child,” she answered, “What’s wrong?”

“He was brought in after a physical attack, the police are here as well. There was an older man that came in with him that witnessed the entire attack,” she answered, quickly giving the name of the hospital and asking Shannon to come in as she was listed as his medical proxy.

“Yes, yes, of course, I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Shannon said, a feeling of dread in her stomach.

“Thank you,” she said as she hung up.

Shannon looked at her phone, “Evan’s… been attacked,” she said, putting her phone away. “I need to go,” she said, standing up, shaking slightly, wondering what the hell had happened. Evan wasn’t the type to cause trouble, he was quiet, and yes she had heard him say that he had been the parting type, that he, once, would have been all too happy to be the bad boy and play it up. But the young man she had come to know was calm, had gained some ounce of confidence in himself and was making a life for himself, with Eddie and Christopher. He had been so unsure of himself, but now he was so much stronger sure of himself in a way he wasn’t when she had first met him.

“I’m sorry to hear that, I hope he’s okay. We’ll be getting in contact with him soon as well to go over everything one last time. But we’ll wait until he is home and feeling somewhat better,” Jess said as Marissa looked on in worry.

“Yeah, okay,” Shannon said as she hurried, putting Christopher in the stroller and heading out of the room. Getting to the hospital was quicker than she thought. Her heart was in her throat, wondering what on earth had happened to Evan. She hadn’t been able to speak to him in over a week in person, and she hadn’t even been able to call him. She missed having the young man around. Arriving at the hospital, it took a few moments for her to finally be allowed to see him. “Oh, Evan,” she sighed as she saw him lying on the bed.

“Papa, Papa!” Christopher cried as he saw him, wiggling and trying to get to him. Shannon held him tightly as she moved closer to the bed.

“Evan,” she whispered, not sure if she wanted to wake him or let him rest still.

“Sh… Shan,” Evan whispered, his voice breaking a few times as he tried to say her name. One eye opened, the other bruised badly enough that it refused to move.

“Hey, it’s okay,” she smiled at him, gently running her hand through his hair.

“Shouldn’t… be here,” he blinked slowly, fighting to stay away.

“It’s fine now. The investigation is over, the case has been closed, they’ve found nothing at all on Evan, and life can… and will go back to the way it was,” she told him, “Though this little man has missed his papa a lot,” she added, as Christopher was still calling out to Evan. “What happened? How are you?” she asked, as she looked him over.

“Don’t know,” he said, as he started to try and sit up, before yelping in pain.

“Stay down, please,” Shannon told him, “Rest, and I’ll see about talking to a doctor,” she said, not wanting him to sit up just yet

“I’ll be… fine,” he said, eyes fluttering closed as he tried to remain awake.

“Rest, I’ll be back in a moment,” Shannon said quietly as she then left the room, Christopher kicking up a fuss as she did so, “Christopher, you’ll be with Papa in a moment, we need to make sure your papa is okay,” she tried to reason with him.

“Papa, please, stay wif Papa,” Christopher cried out loudly.

Shannon sighed and shook her head, knowing she wouldn’t really be able to calm him down until he was back with his papa. She felt a little bad that Christopher preferred Evan over her, but then again, she wasn’t his main caregiver after all. She had chosen that, had chosen to step aside for Evan to take over. She finally found someone that was taking care of Evan and asked, “How is he really? And do you know what happened to him?”

“I’m not sure, the police wish to speak with him. They are waiting,” the doctor answered her partially before continuing, “At the moment he has a high number of bruises. His ribs are fractured, so he will need to rest, no heavy lifting. He has a concussion as well. We’re going to be getting him set up in a room and he’s going to be under observation for at least tonight. If he doesn’t deteriorate, which we don’t believe he will, we’ll release him tomorrow afternoon.”

“Right,” Shannon nodded, looking towards the cubicle where Evan was lying, “He’s a little out of it still, so I don’t think the police are going to be able to speak to him at the moment,” she added.

“They are willing to wait. They have CCTV from a shop across the road from where it happened,” the doctor said, “I overheard a few things,” he added when he got a questioning look from Shannon.

“Thank you,” she said, “Where are the officers? I’d like to speak with them myself as well,” she asked as she began to look around for them.

“They are… over there,” he said as he finally spotted them and gestured to where they were standing and waiting.

“Thank you,” she smiled again as she headed over to them, “Hello, I’m here about Evan Buckley,” she said as she greeted them, Christopher now just sniffling in her arms, murmuring about his papa every now and then.

“And you are?” one of them asked her.

“Shannon McKinley, Christopher is our son,” she added, as she adjusted Christopher on her hip.

“Miss McKinley,” he greeted, “You’re registered as Mr Buckley’s next of kin and medical proxy,” he added.

“I am,” she nodded, “Can you tell me what happened?” she asked them both.

The older of the two nodded. “He was set upon by three men. Beaten. They were yelling things,” he added, glancing around, “I think we should go somewhere private for now,” he added as he then led the way to one of the empty waiting rooms, “Please, in here,” he said as he opened the door fully and let Shannon in.

“Now tell me?” she demanded as soon as the door was closed.

“They were yelling that he was a pedophile and that he was harming a three year old child,” he told her, glancing at the child, “So we’re starting to look into the accusation-”

“You don’t need to, they’ve already been looked into and found to be false. Now about the ones that attacked him, are you going to be looking for them at all?” she demanded to know.

“We are, we’ve already got one of the three in custody. The man that helped stop the attack was able to identify him straight away,” he told her, “And about the accusations?”

“Someone has taken to calling CPS every few days about accusations towards Evan. Saying he has been abusing Chris, harming him. And now they have escalated to accusing him of sexual abuse. It’s been proven to be a false accusation and I am starting proceedings to bring the people that keep reporting us up for harassment,” she answered, “Now, you’re saying that they accused him of this?” she snapped.

“Yes,” he answered her, nodding once.

“Right, I think there is someone that I need to get in touch with. And may I ask those interviewing the person in custody, ask them and find out where they heard that from?” Shannon asked him, “Because I have a feeling I know where it came from and if so. I’m going to nail them to the goddamn wall,” she hissed, “Right, I need to get back to Evan, so this one can finally see his papa after a week of being forced to be away from him.”

The officers nodded, before quickly asking, “Who dealt with the accusation?”

“Detective Jessica Devin,” she answered before leaving the room, “Okay, let’s go see papa,” she told Christopher who looked up.

“See Papa?” he asked, hope rising in his voice.

“Yes see Papa, but you need to let him sleep and rest, you also have to be quiet. Papa is hurting and needs to rest,” she told him, hoping he would understand.

“Okay,” Christopher nodded, looking around for his papa.

Shannon gave him a small smile, “You’re a good boy, and I know Papa has missed you. He loves you so much.”

“Miss Papa too,” Christopher said, a large grin on his face as Shannon opened the door and he saw his papa on the bed, “Papa owwie?” he asked his mother.

“Yes, papa owwie, so we have to be gentle and quiet,” she said, raising a finger to her lips and beginning to whisper, “So he can get better and come home soon.”

Christopher gave a giggle as he then clapped his hands over his mouth, still giggling as he was taken over to his Papa. Who was awake, and sitting up in the bed slightly. “Papa,” Christopher said, muffled through his hands.

“Hey buddy,” Evan smiled, a tear falling down a bruised cheek as he reached out. Carefully Christopher was put on the bed so the two could cuddle. Not that Evan cared about the pain, he finally had his baby boy back in his arms.

Chapter Twenty

Evan was walking quickly from the shop he had quickly gone to. Christopher was at home with Mrs Lewis, who had happily gone to watch him. Evan dared not take Christopher out at all after being attacked again while Chris was with him. The police had to escort him home, as he refused medical treatment at that time. He no longer took Christopher out. Making sure that the three-year-old remained at home. He hated doing it, but he didn’t feel safe taking him outside with people trying to attack him and separate them. He had been fired from his job at the middle school. The rumor of him getting to some of the parents now, and they had protested him working there.

“Hey!” someone called out.

Evan’s eyes went wide as he hurried away. He did not want to be grabbed again, he had a son waiting at home for him. In the end, it didn’t matter how quickly he rushed away, he was grabbed from behind and thrown against a wall. “Look, just let me go home.”

“How the hell can I let you go home to that poor kid. Ramon and Helena are devastated that you’re still around. That you pose a serious threat to their grandson,” he snarled, raising a hand to hit Evan.

“Ramon and Helena, of fucking course it’s them spreading this shit around,” Evan said, pushing the man away, his limit had now been reached. He wasn’t the type to lash out, but he was done. “I’m so sick of them trying to force me away because they don’t like the fact that their son and I are dating. And when we got tired of their homophobic slurs directed at me all the time. And then yelling at Shannon because they believe no one else can be parents but them. Then yeah, I’m fucking tired of them. They’ve done nothing but make our lives a fucking misery. They have been harassing us for over a year. And if you are going to say that they aren’t allowed to even be near Chris. That’s because they abused him. They pinched his legs hard enough to leave bruises and they were caught on fucking camera doing so,” he snarled at the man.

“Ramon isn’t like that, he would never hurt a child, let alone his grandson,” the man said.

“Then I’ll show you the fucking video and you can see for yourself what type of man Ramon Diaz is. They are both abusers and are accusing me of being one so they can try and get custody of their grandson. It’s not going to work. No matter what happens. Even if Shannon and I are out of the pictures and so is Eddie. Christopher won’t be able to go with them because of their history of abuse!” he yelled at the man. “You have no idea what we have been through for the last three years because of them,” he told him, “You have no idea what they are capable of and they’ve harmed Chris, they harmed a baby to try and get their way. And because it didn’t work, they just keep escalating things.”

The man stopped, “You… are you telling the truth? Ramon and Helena are well-liked in our community,” he told him, “No one will believe you.”

“Why do you think we’ve not been able to do anything? So many believe them, so many have turned on us. We’re both outsiders to the area. Shannon is from LA, and is only here because some of her clients are here and she stayed for her son and Eddie. And me, I was just… I was just passing through and fell in love with Eddie and they fucking hate it,” Evan snapped, “I’ll show you the video, you can see for yourself what those two are really like.” Evan was suddenly glad that Shannon had been able to get a copy of the video, maybe even if one person believed him, then maybe things will be better.

The man followed Evan as he quickly got them to his place. “Hey Mrs Lewis,” he greeted the woman as she was watching Christopher.

“Evan,” she smiled at him, “Is everything okay?” she asked as she looked at the man that had followed Evan. Her mobile was in her hand and Evan could see that she had already started to call 9-1-1.

“Can you watch Chris for a moment more?” he asked her as he grabbed his laptop and went to the kitchen, “Come with me,” he ordered the man as he waited for the laptop to boot up.

“Of course,” she nodded, frowning in worry, keeping her phone at the ready.

Evan had to wait a while for the laptop to be ready to play the video. He observed the man as he watched it. His mouth dropped as he saw what they were doing.

“You see,” Evan said as the video ended, “They aren’t the angels they pretend to be. They aren’t doing what they can to take their grandson from people that are going to harm him. They are doing it because they don’t like the fact that Shannon and I are looking after him. They also said that Eddie wouldn’t be a good father. Chris loves us. He is scared of his own grandparents because of what they’ve done. Do you know how hard it was to have him crying and screaming each time we had to take him to the visitation center to see them. He couldn’t tell us what they were doing, he didn’t know the damn words to tell us,” he told him, shaking his head.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know-”

“Nothing is going to change, I know that. There are too many that believe them, too many that are on their side. Why do you think we’ve not been able to leave El Paso?” Evan snorted, “You can go now, do what you want with the information I’ve shown you,” he told him as he guided him towards the front door. “All I want is to be left alone, but them and by everyone, but as you can see,” he gestured to the wall and front window. Large letters spelling out pedophile decorated it now.

The man nodded as he walked away. Not knowing what he should do.

Evan closed the door behind the shocked man and turned to see Mrs Lewis watching him. “Thanks for watching over him Mrs Lewis, I know I shouldn’t have brought that man here at all. But… I got so sick of them never believing me that I had to at least show one of them what Helena and Ramon are really like,” he sighed, shaking his head, knowing he had most likely made a mistake.

“Well,” she said as she stood up and went over to him, “There’s nothing you can change now, you just have to see how things play out,” she hugged him tightly, “I need to get going, meeting Edna and Diana,” she grinned, as she cackled before adding, “Going to clean them out.”

Evan laughed, “You are a card shark,” he told her. She played poker with her two friends often, and would usually clean them out of the snack pile before the night was over.

“Got to have fun while you can,” she said, patting his cheek, “now you go play with that baby of yours, he always misses his papa when you go out,” she told him.

Evan smiled down at her and nodded, “I will,” he said as he saw her to her car and watched her leave. He turned to the house, grimacing at the sight of the letters, he had already had a go at trying to get rid of them. He had now had to hire someone professional to do so. Not that anyone wanted to when they saw them. Instead, they walked away and left it. Rushing back inside he went over to Christopher who was happily playing with his large blocks.

“Papa,” he said as he turned and began to crawl towards him. With some effort, Evan smiled as he saw him pull himself to his feet. He didn’t last long, but he tried to take a step toward him. He would be getting a gait trainer in another year to help with walking.

“You’re such an amazing kid,” Evan said as he caught him before he could fall, he would be getting his gait trainer soon, in the next couple of weeks, “So what do you say about a cartoon before dinner?” he asked him.

“Yeah!” Christopher yelled out, clapping his hands a few times before winding them around Evan’s neck.

Evan smiled and tickled his tummy, “Well, let’s go watch something then,” he said, as he went over to the couch and turned the TV on and to one of the cartoon channels that Christopher enjoyed.

It was after dinner when the last straw was cast at Evan. He had picked Christopher up and was walking near the window when several bricks smashed through it. Evan barely had time to react as he turned and covered Christopher up. The three-year-old wailed and screamed in fear as shouts were heard from outside. More bricks were thrown, and more of the window came down around them as Evan did his best to keep Christopher safe from the bricks and stones that were now coming through the window. He could feel himself getting hit, but as long as Christopher was safe, that was all that mattered. Keeping Christopher covered, Evan grabbed his phone and called 9-1-1. He could feel blood on himself and he was terrified that Christopher had been hurt as well.

“Chris, buddy,” he said as he got them to the kitchen, 9-1-1 still on the line as he tried to see Christopher, to make sure that he was okay, “Hey, you okay bud?” he asked, trying to pry him loose.

“No, scared, scared papa!” Christopher yelled out, screaming as Evan tried to loosen his grip.

Evan looked up as he could hear more glass breaking and the front door being broken. “They’re in the house,” he murmured. He got up from where he was and darted to the back of the house, into his room, and moved the dresser in the way before someone banged on the door and then into the bathroom and locked that door as well. “We’re in the back room, they are in the house now,” Evan said to the dispatcher, “I don’t know what to do,” he panicked, holding Christopher tightly. “Chris won’t let go enough, I don’t know if he was hurt by the glass,” he said as he tried once more to get Christopher to let him go.

“The police and ambulance are on the way,” the dispatcher reassured him, “You should be able to hear them now.”

Evan nodded even those the man on the other end of the phone couldn’t see him. It was a few seconds later when he could hear the sirens. There was still someone banging on the door. Evan didn’t know how long it took, but soon enough someone was calling his name.

“Evan,” came a calmer voice, “I’m Anita, I’m a paramedic, can you come to the door?” Evan could just about hear them.

Slowly he unlocked the bathroom door. The dresser had been pushed a little away, enough for someone to stick their head and arm around the door. He shuddered, glad that he had been in the bathroom. It took a while, as Christopher carried on clinging to him, screaming and crying in fear.

Christopher didn’t calm down as they were both examined, he just worked himself up more and more as he saw the strangers around them. Nothing Evan did would calm him down. It was later that night, as Evan was resting on his bed, Christopher clinging to his side as Shannon sat at the end of it.

“I’m going to have to leave Shan,” Evan said, his voice breaking as he wiped away his tears. “I can’t stay if he’s going to be in danger.” He was looking at a sleeping Christopher, the toddler had worn himself out with his cries.

“Evan, you can’t let them chase you off,” Shannon said, shaking her head, reaching out, and putting a hand on his ankle.

“I can’t stay, I have no job now, they fired me. I’ve applied for two more, and both of them have said no because of all this. When… when you can move, and leave here. As soon as you’ve done that. Call me, I can meet you outside of El Paso, but I can’t stay here where they are putting Chris in danger. They could have hurt him earlier if I hadn’t been quick enough to shield him, Shannon, I can’t do it again. I can’t. Tomorrow, I’m going. I… I don’t know where, but you have my number so you can call me whenever you want.”

“Don’t, don’t leave him like this,” Shannon said, “What about Eddie, he’s going to call here, and you… you won’t be here. You can’t leave either of them.”

“I’ll leave behind some videos, and hopefully it won’t be too long,” Evan told her, “I… It’s Ramon and Helena behind the leak. There was a guy that tried to attack me earlier. But I shouted at him. He actually listened. I showed him the video of what they did to Christopher,” he said.

“I don’t like this, and neither will Eddie or Chris, he has his surgery in a few days. He’s…” Shannon pleaded with him to change his mind. They could think of something, anything would be better than Evan leaving.

“I know,” Evan said, wiping his eyes again, “I don’t want to go, but for his safety, I have to.”

“I will make them pay for this Evan, I will. I no longer give a shit,” Shannon hissed knowing that she had no chance of changing his mind.

Evan just nodded, feeling tired and achy. They had to dig out a few pieces of glass from his back and it was as sore as hell.

“Get some rest, in the morning, maybe you’ll change your mind,” she hoped as she covered the two up properly. She kissed Christopher’s forehead and left the room, her hands clenched into fists, she would make Helena and Ramon Diaz sorry that they ever thought of doing what they had done.

Chapter Twenty One

Evan was up early. His back and the cuts on it hurt him a lot during the night, keeping him awake. Shannon had the front window boarded up and those that had broken in had been arrested. But they wouldn’t stop others that wanted to do the same. Evan knew he had to go, to make sure Christopher would be safe. He had already started making videos for him, to try and explain why he wasn’t there anymore. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he reached over and ran a hand over Christopher’s back, “Love you so much buddy,” he murmured.

Evan packed up a few more things. He would be on the road again, and he didn’t know where he would be going, but he hoped that he wouldn’t be out there for long, that he would be able to be back with his family soon. He wiped away his tears as the door to the bedroom opened.

“Hey,” he said, trying to smile and failing.

“You really don’t have to do this Evan,” Shannon said as she walked into the room, “I don’t want you to leave, and Chris, he’s going to be so upset. He was… he was hard to handle without you there.”

“I know, and I’m sorry, but what if they had done that when he was playing by the window? What if they attack me out in the street again and they hurt Chris? I… I was almost attacked again before what happened. I can’t go to the shops without someone trying something. I feel like one big bruise and I’m terrified that something will happen to Chris when we’re out. I can’t keep him locked up in this house all the time. He needs to be able to go outside and play. And the one time we went in the back garden to play, thinking that would be safe things were yelled at me. Scaring Chris,” he told her, voice trembling as he cried.

“I- ” Shannon began, she could see in the way he stood that he was determined to leave. But she could also see that he didn’t want to. He was thinking of Christopher and she couldn’t blame him at all for that. His face was still bruised from that very first attack, his eye had only just opened again. And yet there were newer bruises on him. Christopher had cried and screamed more over the last two weeks than in the last two years. He was so scared, clinging onto her and to Evan whenever they were nearby.

“Shan, it’s them, that’s one of the things I learned. Ramon is the one that told someone about the accusation and that nothing was being done. It’s all them,” Evan told her, “Fight them, fight them hard and get away from here. Because I’ve no doubt that they will soon start on you. Keep hold of Chris and make sure that you get Marissa on your side and get the court to agree to let you move. As soon as that is done, do not give anyone here your address to wherever you move. Hell, move from this house as well. Sell it, do whatever to it. But drop it, find a different area to live in around here. But not here. Don’t… don’t let Chris be associated with all that,” he said, pointing towards the living room where broken windows were boarded up. To where a front door had been caved in and replaced by something wooden.

“We will, all three of us will move, but you have to come as well,” Shannon tried once more to get Evan to stay.

“I can’t. They’ll just follow me to a new place. Ramon and Helena are well-liked in the community, why do you think we’ve had such a time trying to get away from them. People help them all the time,” Evan snorted, wishing that moving across the city would work for him. But things like that, that type of accusation could follow him for the rest of his life and he knew it. “I wish it could be different,” he sighed, getting up from the bed and over to her, “Thank you,” he told her, “and I hope that we are able to get away from them,” he added.

“We will, we’ll be a family again, promise. I’ll call as soon as I can, we’ll keep in touch,” she told him, as she hugged him for a moment, “Marissa is in the living room, she heard about what has happened. She came to talk.”

Evan nodded, “Yeah, sure,” he said as he looked down at a sleeping Christopher. He walked out of the room, grabbing his bag as he did so. His clothing, the only thing inside of it. He had sent his withdrawal from the university course he was doing, not knowing if he would ever be able to go back. The thought of teaching children now soured from what had happened.

“Mr Buckley,” Marissa said as she saw him, “I’m so sorry about all this. I wish we knew where the leak had happened.”

“It wasn’t from you. Ramon and Helena Diaz are the ones that are spreading it around. They’ve started to tell people, and as they’re both well liked in the community, they are believed,” Evan said, “And with all that has happened. I need to leave,” he said, putting his bag down. “Is that going to affect anything?” he asked her.

“No, it’s only Christopher that can’t really move,” she said, “As he is the focus of the investigations.”

Shannon walked into the living room, “I’m going to be moving things to my own apartment and then to somewhere else. I don’t want anyone to know where I live. It’s not like I have any friends here in El Paso. Adriana has moved to Florida now, and Sophia is in New York. The only ones outside of official places to know will be you and Mrs Lewis.”

“That’s fine,” Marissa nodded, “I wish things were different,” she added.

“Not the only one, I can’t let this happen again. If I stay here, it’s going to happen again. And they aren’t going to stop until they have Christopher. As soon as they learn that I’m gone, they are going to start on Shannon. So be warned, I won’t be the target anymore, she will be,” Evan told her, “I… I don’t want to say goodbye to Chris,” he then turned towards Shannon, “I can’t…” he murmured as he gave her a hug.

“Please, Evan, don’t. Don’t do this,” Shannon begged once more, “What am I to tell Eddie, and Chris.”

“I’ll call every night. Whenever I can,” he said, “I’m going to miss them both so much and I’m going to miss you,” he sighed, voice shaking.

Shannon held him tightly, “Chris is going to be devastated, and Eddie, he’s going to be livid when he finds out what has happened. We’ve kept it from him so far what’s been going on the last couple of weeks, but it’s not going to happen with you gone.”

“I know,” he told her, “I have to do this to keep Christopher safe. Get his things and get out of here now, make sure that no one follows you. I don’t want you getting hurt like I’ve been.”

Shannon let him go, “Just be safe and call me tonight,” she reminded him as she let him go. She turned to Marissa, “I need your help in making sure that they can’t do something like this again. They are going to try and do something.”

“Take it to a judge, they’ve now stopped a young man from living his life after a false accusation. If you can get proof that it’s them, sue them for slander, and damages to property as well. Do the same against those that attacked the place. Do everything you can to make a point,” Marissa told her, it wasn’t what she should say. But part of her had been horrified by what was now happening to what had been a happy family. She had even had the chance to meet with Eddie a few times while he was home on leave.

“I plan to do more than that,” Shannon said, “I’ll end up making sure that everyone has a copy of the video of what they did. I’m just going to have to blur Christopher’s face, as I don’t want that out in the public,” she added, thinking of ways to make the public turn against Helena and Ramon Diaz, as they did the same to Evan.

Marissa winced, “I don’t know if you should go that far.”

“Why not, they did the same without any proof. I’m going to be shouting from the rooftops that they are abusers and I have fucking proof of it, Marissa. My family is breaking apart because of this. Christopher has lost his papa. His dad is overseas and won’t be able to get back for another six months. I have to tell them both that they lost someone that they love. That it might be months or even fucking years before they will have a chance to see him again. I am going to make them pay for it all. I’m done, playing nice. The Judge that has refused to let us move, is going to fucking get it as well. This is the last straw. I know that this case could have been transferred to the CPS in LA.”

“I know, and we were prepared to do so,” Marissa sighed, “But with the number of reports the judge didn’t think it was a good idea.”

“It was a good idea because all those calls, and how many there were, could be termed as harassment. I have voicemails from Ramon and Helena that threaten to call CPS, I have dozens of them saved,” Shannon said, “I saved everything that they have ever done. Which includes breaking into this house and trying to kidnap my son. I will see them on the streets and I won’t care a bit about it.”

Marissa sighed but nodded, “I can’t have a part of this, you know that. I’m a social worker. All I can advise is to carry on with the courts to get the records of the calls, and have them analyzed for voices,” she advised, getting up and looking at the taller woman.

“I will be,” Shannon nodded, “I’ll be speaking with my lawyer and the judge today about it. Too little too late, but it’s better than nothing.”

XxXxX

Evan didn’t know how long he had been driving, but he had to pull over. He sat there, crying in the driver’s seat. He didn’t want to leave. But he knew it was for the best. Christopher wouldn’t have to be scared of being in his own home. He wouldn’t have to remain inside all the time, with a man that was too scared to take him into their own garden. He wasn’t paying any attention to what was going on as the door to his jeep was yanked open and he was pulled from it.

Evan scrambled to his feet, coming face to face with Ramon and Helena Diaz, “Oh, great,” he rolled his eyes, “two people who like to abuse little kids and trying to blame others for it,” he snapped. He no longer cared what he said to the two of them. “I know it was you that called CPS and accused me of sexual abuse. And so do others, you better start watching your back. As there is video proof of what you two did,” he told them both. He pulled out his phone.

“What the hell do you think you are doing?!” Helena screeched as Ramon grabbed the phone from him and smashed it, making sure it was broken into bits, along with the sim card.

“Getting you arrested, or did you really think that just because Christopher isn’t with me that the restraining order is over,” he told them. He could see other people in the street. “Can someone call 9-1-1 and ask for the police here!” he yelled out.

“Just you wait, as soon as we’ve finished running you off, we’re going to start on that stupid bitch. We know she likes to go out for drinks and pick people up. We’ll make sure that she won’t ever go near Christopher again,” Ramon hissed.

Evan snorted, “Wow, you’re both so stupid. You won’t get custody of Christopher if he is taken from us. You won’t be able to because you abused him in the past. And there is proof of it,” he reminded them, “You’ve got nothing and will never get him, even if everyone in the Diaz family and McKinley family can’t take Christopher. He will go into care instead. Abusive bastards like you don’t get children handed over to them again.”

Helena and Ramon had no choice but to leave as someone had started to call the police.

Chapter Twenty Two

Shannon looked at the letter in her hands. Mrs Lewis had given it to her just twenty minutes ago. Evan had dropped it at her place before he left El Paso. He hadn’t even said goodbye to her. Mrs Lewis had been upset to learn he had gone. Christopher had been asking about Evan since he had woken yesterday. Crying and screaming for him for most of the night until he had exhausted himself. Shannon had already left the house, leaving it empty and getting it done up to sell. Though she doubted she would be able to for a while. She may have to just rent it out.

Sinking down into her favorite armchair in her apartment. She was glad that she wasn’t at the house. She had already had a notification from her security system to know that someone was outside of it. It was easy to see that it was Helena and Ramon Diaz. Snorting she would have them, she really would. She made the call to the police, stating that they weren’t supposed to be near her home. It was listed in the restraining order. She might not be there, but they didn’t know that.

“Papa, I want papa, mommy, where’s papa!” Christopher started once more as he woke up from his afternoon nap, which had been a trial to get him to sleep.

Shannon closed her eyes for a moment before getting up and going to the bedroom, which would be Christopher’s until she moved to somewhere else. “Oh, my poor baby boy,” she murmured as she went and picked him up and held him.

“Where Papa?” Christopher asked again, sniffling, eyes filling with tears. He was so tired from all the crying he had done over the last day.

“I wish I knew, but he had to go away for a while,” she told him gently, rocking him as she walked back to the living room. She cradled her son in her arms as she started to go through listing for another house on the other side of El Paso, nowhere near where they were now. She wanted to be as far away from where Helena and Ramon Diaz was as possible.

XxXxX

Shannon had to wait until Christopher had healed up enough from his surgery before she could make the move. During the long month and a bit. Christopher had been inconsolable. Eddie had found out what had been happening and wanted nothing more than to come home. But he still had some time before he would be able to. The Army Medic had told her to release the video of what they had done to Christopher and to do it soon. Shannon had just finished having Christopher’s face blurred out. She didn’t want him recognizable in the video.

“Well,” Shannon said as she finished unpacking a few more things. Finally, the last box had been emptied and things put away. Four days it had taken her to fully move into her new home. Ramon and Helena had still been going past her old place. She had made sure one or two of the guys that Mrs Lewis had living in the house share would go over and retrieve any mail for Evan or herself.

There was a knock on her front door. Walking over to it, she checked to see who it was and then snorted, “Marissa,” she greeted the woman as she opened the door.

“Shannon,” she smiled, “I would say it’s good to see you. But we got another report against Evan. They are saying that he has kidnapped Christopher. I take it that you have put the house up for sale?” she asked.

“Yes, the sign should have gone up this morning,” Shannon snorted, “I knew they would call.”

“Right,” she sighed, “I’m sick of coming to see you, I have to admit. There is nothing for me to do here and it’s a waste of my time. There are actually cases that I have where a child is really in danger from.”

“The judge is giving me permission to get the calls. I’ve already got someone ready to analyze the voices to see if they match what is known of Helena and Ramon Diaz. As soon as they have been matched, I’m going after them,” Shannon told her, “It should stop them. I hope.”

“Right,” Marissa nodded, not feeling very comfortable listening to this, but she could understand why. Shannon was at the end of her rope with the Diaz parents. “And Evan?”

“I’ve still not been able to contact him. He left the laptop behind. So he only had his phone. He also transferred nearly everything in his account to mine. I didn’t find out until yesterday afternoon when I went to check on things. And I can’t transfer back either. He has nothing from what I know. His phone doesn’t answer, the call’s just dropped,” she worried, “I’m worried something has happened to him. He…” she went over to the side table in the living room and pulled a letter from it. “Here,” she said, handing it over, “This is from Evan, given to Mrs Lewis. Written the day he left. The police do have a report from him that they accosted him and witnesses as well. They pulled him from his jeep.”

“Hopefully, as soon as reports stop coming in, we can finally and fully close your case,” she sighed.

“I’m hopeful as well,” Shannon said as Christopher began to yell for her. “Looks like I’m needed.”

“How has he been?” Marissa asked as they headed towards Christopher’s room. A large play area set up with soft play toys and more.

“He’s missing him. Thankfully Evan left a few videos behind, so we get to play one of those most nights. He… Evan, he read entire stories, breaking them into small five-minute chunks. He must have worked through the night, I had thought he was sleeping and resting. Instead, he was doing this to make sure that Christopher knows he loves him,” she sighed, walking into the room, “Hey sweetheart,” she murmured as she went over.

“Mommy,” Christopher laughed, “See daddy?” he asked.

“Yeah, we’ll be talking to daddy tonight,” she answered him. “He’s learning how long between the days when he gets to talk to Eddie.

“It’s good that he still has Eddie, even if it’s through a screen,” she told Shannon, smiling as the woman tickled her son and played with him for a few moments.

“I know, but it’s not the same as him or Evan being here. I just hope I can get in touch with him soon,” Shannon said, standing up straight, “I’m worried about him. I have no clue as to where he is. I don’t even know what his plans were and where he was going.”

“He’ll get in touch when he can,” Marissa reassured her.

“I’m hoping,” she nodded.

XxXxX

“So, he’s really gone?” Eddie’s voice came through the speaker of the laptop. Christopher had been put to bed not long after the call had started. He wasn’t even supposed to be awake during this call, but Shannon felt that Christopher should see his dad for a bit. The two of them needed to talk about what was going on.

“Yes,” Shannon nodded, “Nothing from him in four months, Eddie. Not a word. I’m scared that he was attacked again before he could leave El Paso. His phone is disconnected now, I don’t even have his email, Eddie. I never thought to have it since he lived with us,” she closed her eyes. “Hell, even the skype account that he used to talk to you was mine,” she told him quietly.

“Another three weeks and I’ll be back. Maybe… maybe we could go look for him?” he suggested. His heart was breaking at the thought of Evan out there on his own.

“We’ll have to see, I got the calls from CPS after getting a court order. Finally, it took them ages to sort through them all and to make sure that I got them all,” she snorted, shaking her head, “Over a hundred calls Eddie, a hundred. That’s… crazy. I can see why a judge isn’t letting us move with that many calls against us. I’ve listened to some of them, and it’s their voices. I can tell Helena’s right off the bat,” she added, “Eddie, I’m sending them off to be analyzed. But CPS are still getting calls. But all of them are about a kidnapping. Now we have CPS doing spot checks here weekly since we moved here. But as they are for kidnapping and being out of El Paso, since we’ve not been seen in any of the usual places,” Shannon smirked, “CPS higher-ups are starting to see something is going on.”

Eddie laughed slightly, “Well, get them good Shan, I’m done. What about Adri and Soph, do they know what’s happened?”

Shannon sighed and nodded, “Yeah, Adri called a few days after Evan left. Asking me where he was and if he was okay. She knew that he had been attacked. They were close, always on the phone with each other. Eddie, they spoke every night, he’s godfather to their daughters. She’s worried and she still calls weekly to see if I’ve heard anything. Sophia knows as well. We’re all worried for him, and we can’t even file a missing persons report, we’re not family,” she told him, “It doesn’t matter that he’s Christopher’s father, that his phone is disconnected, that he wouldn’t go so long without calling to speak with Chris, without trying to contact you.”

“Hey Shannon,” Eddie said, “I want you to start buying up some cheap USB pen drives. One that could carry a copy of that video,” he told her, “I have something in mind, and I think I need to do this. To show Ramon that I’m done with him, that I no longer care how his life goes; or hers. I loved them, I really did, and I think part of me still does and always will. They-”

“They are still your parents at the end of the day,” Shannon sighed, “I get that Eddie. But they have been trying to ruin your life for the last three, almost four years. I think most would have given up on them by now.”

Eddie sighed heavily, “I wish I was there, I want nothing more than to be home. I still have what, just over two years now,” he said, “I shouldn’t have signed up for a second tour, I really shouldn’t have.”

“We know why you did,” Shannon told him, “We know that. The insurance that you have helps more with Christopher than anything Evan or I could have done,” she pointed out. Even though she hated it, he should be there with his son, not halfway across the world fighting a war, he was where he was needed at the moment.

“I’ll be home soon. Two more years and I’m done. I’ll be home for good, not going to sign up again. I’ll find work when I get back, don’t care what it is, as long as it’s work,” he said, wondering what he could do. He had no idea what career he could go for, joining the army had been a way to get away from his parents.

“We’ll figure that out when the time comes. For now, just keep yourself safe. I don’t want Chris to lose a second father. He’s so unhappy without Evan here,” Shannon said, looking away, “He… doesn’t really know me. And you know what, I didn’t realize how much that would hurt. That my own son doesn’t know me and doesn’t feel comfortable with me. I guess part of it was what I wanted. I know I didn’t want children, but I love him and, I think… I think I need to be around more even when Evan comes back, and you’re home full time.”

“Yeah,” Eddie smiled, “He loves you though. He may want Evan more than both of us, but that’s because he’s been there for things that we haven’t. It’s a special bond they have,” he added, the soft smile on his face dropped as he looked away from the screen, “I’m sorry Shan, I gotta go, I’m needed,” he sighed.

“You take care of yourself, come back home soon. I need you here,” Shannon told him.

“Yeah,” he nodded, cutting the call.

Shannon slumped in her chair and put her head in her hands. She felt so alone. Her mother was in LA and that was where she wanted to be. But until the case with Christopher was fully closed, she wasn’t going to be going anywhere as a judge had forbidden it.

Chapter Twenty Three

Eddie had been home for two days. Christopher’s fourth birthday was only a week away. Eight months had passed since Evan had walked out of their lives to keep Christopher safe. It felt like no time had passed to Eddie. He hadn’t been there to witness everything. But seeing how sad his son was when he returned home. Noticed how drained Shannon looked. He wished nothing more than to be finished with his tour and to come home fully. They needed him home and he wasn’t there. He felt the USB pens that were in his pocket. He took a breath as he looked at the yard that he knew his father would be in.

“Oh, Eddie Diaz, never thought I would see you here. You never wanted to work in construction,” a man Eddie recognized as one of his father’s employees. Someone that had worked with his father since Eddie was a kid.

“Paul,” Eddie said, not smiling at him, but giving him a small nod as he walked in, “Is he around?” he asked him.

“Yeah, he’s near the hut,” Paul nodded, frowning at how serious the younger man looked and sounded.

Eddie gave him a grim smile as he walked towards where Paul was pointing. He stopped just before his father could spot him, watching the man that had raised him and wondering how he could hold such disdain for his own children. To want to harm his own grandchild.

“Eddie,” Ramon said, eyes going wide as he saw him standing there. He moved to walk closer to him.

“I still don’t want you near me,” Eddie said quickly, “I just wanted to know where you get off on accusing someone of such a thing,” he said vaguely.

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Ramon said, shaking his head, “Edmundo,” he began.

“No, what right do you have to keep calling CPS and say that my son is being abused by my boyfriend,” he asked him again, “And don’t tell me you never called them. I have a copy of all the one hundred and twenty seven calls that you made from when Christopher was nineteen months old to now. Every single one of the calls made to CPS about Christopher and Evan.”

“Evan, you mean that pedophile?!” someone shouted.

“You mean my boyfriend and Christopher’s papa,” Eddie said, turning around and glaring at him, “Evan is no pedophile. He was cleared since Christopher has nothing wrong with him at all. Nothing was found at all. Nothing! The only thing that was found was the person that reported it and then started to tell people that he was. Causing people to spread the rumor when nothing was found,” he said as he turned back to Ramon. “You haven’t seen Christopher in two years now. For two years, you haven’t been able to see your grandson. But you said that you noticed marks on Chris, noticed bruising and such. How could you when you aren’t allowed to see him?”

Ramon stood up straight as he looked at his son. He could hear the murmurings around the construction site. “I did only what I could to protect my family,” he told him, “I did what I could to make sure you don’t make a mistake that will eventually cost you your son.”

Eddie shook his head, “The only one that almost cost me my son was you and Helena. Your constant reports on them would have had Christopher taken from all of us. Because of what you did that banned you from seeing Christopher, you wouldn’t have been able to get custody of him at all.”

“We would have been able to, being the only family he had left,” Ramon disagreed with him.

“No, you wouldn’t have been the only ones left. CPS told us that. You were banned from doing so, he would have ended up in care. Adriana and Sophia would have been next on the list before then, and even Shannon’s mother would be. But not you or her,” he sneered at his father at how entitled he was acting. Like he was above the law and the consequences of his actions.

“We would have found a way,” Ramon told him, sure of himself.

“You’re an idiot,” Eddie sighed, “I want you to leave my family alone, all of us. No more calling them, no more rumors, no nothing. Because every single call has been proven to be false. We all know you’re behind them.”

“We’re doing what we need to do,” Ramon blustered, shaking his head at his son.

“No you’re not, all you’re concerned about is yourself, that you and her need to control every aspect of this family. It’s not going to work anymore since none of us want anything to do with you. You’re going to be missing out on so much. Adriana didn’t even want you at her wedding. Told you to get lost. Evan and I were the ones to walk her down the aisle. Sophia, when she marries, has already asked us to do the same,” Eddie told him, “If you carry on,” he said as he pulled one of the USB pens out, “I will make sure what’s on this is shown everywhere I can. I will toss them out in the street to make sure everyone knows what the two of you are like. You get one chance at this, Ramon, leave us alone, or I will make sure what you did to Evan will be done to you.”

Ramon snorted as he saw his son beginning to turn, “I’m glad that bastard hasn’t shown his face again. Stuck in the house where he should be ashamed to even be seen. He-”

“Enough!” Eddie shouted as he turned, pulling out some of the USBs he had brought and throwing them out, “There, now people can see what two-faced bastards you and Helena are. You are out of fucking line. You ruined his life. He lost his job, he can no longer be seen without being attacked. Our home was broken into and Christopher almost got hurt because of it, Evan was hurt. You…” he told him, shaking his head. He had learned about it from Shannon, one of the reasons why she had moved.

“He should be run out of town, he is a deviant, a disgrace,” Ramon began to rant.

“You’re nothing but a homophobic bastard. You wouldn’t have done shit if I had done what you wanted and made myself and Shannon miserable by marrying her. I’m Bi, and I love Evan, and that is never going to change,” he told him, he felt himself choke up slightly and wished he knew where the man was. It had been months and they hadn’t been able to find him. They had tried looking and the police were no help.

Eddie stared at him, he could see that some of his father’s workers had picked up the USB pens that he had thrown. Others hadn’t moved. Too loyal to the man.

“Edmundo, I do everything for you. I raised you, all I want is to make sure you have a fulfilling life,” he began, stepping towards him.

“You weren’t there to raise me. You were always working. I barely saw you until you decided that you wanted to drag me into work in the hopes of me joining you. When I decided to sign up and join the army instead, you were against it. Didn’t like it, called me stupid. Told me I would regret it, but I don’t. I really don’t regret my choice,” he told him, “Helena may have had more of a hand in raising me, but she raised me to believe that because I’m a man that I should never be in a kitchen, that I should be out working and earning a wage and whoever I end up with, a wife, should be chained to the kitchen sink. Which we both know is a load of bullshit, she found work. Why she has such views I don’t know. But to try and make it so Adriana and Sophia wouldn’t be able to get into college, or to enter higher education, she made my sisters feel inadequate, and I hate her for it. My sisters are the ones that helped to make sure that I knew better than to hold those types of beliefs.”

Eddie refused to listen to any more as he turned around and walked away, he still had a few of the USBs and he knew that he would give more of them out in the end. But at the moment, he wanted to go home, and cuddle with his son as they both wondered where Evan was and hoped that he was fine and safe.

XxXxX

Eddie looked around at his family. His son was sitting on the floor with his cousins in front of him. The two little girls were now one and a bit. Christopher loved them, adored them even as he passed them some of the cake that was on his plate. Adriana moved around the living room and flopped onto the sofa next to him.

“Eddie,” she murmured as she placed her head on his shoulder, “How are you?” she asked.

“Evan… he should be here, it doesn’t feel right. Christopher was upset this morning because he wasn’t here. We watched the birthday message video that he left though,” Eddie said as he felt the tears in his eyes. He closed them, hoping to stop them from falling. He took a few breaths and let them go, making his entire body shudder.

“You don’t have to hold on to your emotions for us. You know it’s not a good idea,” she reminded him, “Don’t be like our parents. Don’t let what they believe take hold of you,” she said as she reached out and took his hand, “You’re my little brother, and we all know that you’re missing Evan, we do as well, but not like… not like how you are. Not like he does. He’s your family, your other half and the better half,” she tried to joke.

“I just wish I knew where he was, to know that he was safe. Hearing about him being attacked and I worry if he’s okay. I filed a report about him, they aren’t really going to do anything in searching for him, since he was leaving anyway,” he sighed, looking back at his son and nieces.

“They won’t search or even try?” Adriana frowned.

Eddie shook his head, “He left voluntarily, even though we told them that he had been attacked before. That didn’t even change their minds and have them wanting to search.”

“He’ll come back, he will, he loves the both of you so much,” she said, patting his hand. She looked out at the gathered guests, “Well,” she said, leaning closer, “Do you think she is?”

“Who, Soph, pregnant?” Eddie guessed at what his eldest sister was going on about.

“Yep,” Adriana grinned.

Eddie looked at his other sister. “I think she is, she’s trying to hide it though.”

“Come on, we need a good sibling gossip,” she said standing up and pulling her brother to his feet and grabbing their sister.

“What are you two up to?” Sophia asked, eyes narrowed as she ushered her out of the living room and into the kitchen.

“Just a gossip,” Adriana smirked.

Sophia just stared at her, “You know…” she sighed heavily.

“We do,” Eddie nodded as he spotted her putting a hand on her stomach, “What’s going on, I thought you would be happy?”

“I thought I would be as well,” she sighed, “He… doesn’t know if he’s ready for this. So we’re taking a break. He’s coming back here for a bit. To be honest, I’m not expecting him to return to me at all.”

Adriana pulled her younger sister into her arms and held her, Eddie wrapping her arms around the two of them, “We’re here for you,” Adriana told her, “Always welcome to come down to Tampa with me and Antonio.”

“Talk with Shannon, she might even be happy to have you here and some adult company,” Eddie added.

Sophia smiled and nodded, “I know, if I need to I will,” she said, “For now, I still have work in New York. Maybe in a few months, I’ll feel different about it.”

“We’re family Soph, no matter what, just grab us, call us, talk to us. I might not be in the country, but I still wanna know if you’re okay,” Eddie reminded her.

“Yeah,” she nodded, “I promise to make sure you both know what’s going on.”

“Good,” the two nodded.

“Daddy!” came a yell from Christopher.

“Gotta go,” Eddie grinned as he hugged his sisters tightly before heading to see what Christopher wanted.

Chapter Twenty Four

Eddie went back and Shannon continued to fight against the courts that were stopping them from leaving. Instead of the calls concentrating around Evan, they were now about her. That she had people in and out of her home. Within two months of Eddie heading back out on deployment, she was being investigated by CPS, though Marissa had told her that they knew the calls were false once more. They too were released to Shannon. Ramon and Helena weren’t going to give up.

Sophia had stayed with them for a little bit as she and her boyfriend worked things out. Both were now back in New York, working on their relationship as they awaited the birth of their first child together. As the weeks dragged on and slowly became months. Shannon was feeling more at a loss. She knew she wasn’t coping, but she had no one that she could rely on. Mrs Lewis had been ill for the last few weeks and had gone to live with her sister for a while. Eddie was no longer overseas, but at a military hospital in the US, recovering from three bullet wounds. He would be home soon, but until then, she was alone, as the man needed to recover more. Sophia was in New York and Adriana in Tampa. Janet was in LA and all Shannon wanted was to be in LA, with Christopher. To be away from El Paso. She still watched over her shoulder for Helena and Ramon and she knew as long as she lived in the city, she would continue to do so.

Shannon stood tall as she looked at the Judge. She was making her case once again about not being able to move and the harassment that she was a target of.

“I have looked through the evidence that has been presented in this court,” the judge said as she looked over the large framed glasses she was wearing. “The parents of Edmundo Diaz are here to represent their son’s interest,” she added, seeing the two standing to one side, “But I have here a letter from Mr Edmundo Diaz telling this court that he has nothing to do with his parents after they had abused his son to try and drive his boyfriend away.”

Shannon nodded once, “Your Honor,” she began, unsure of how to speak.

“You may continue Miss McKinley,” she said.

“Thank you, your Honor,” she said, giving a small smile, “Eddie, that is Edmundo, is my friend. A very close friend. He is the father of our son. From the moment that Eddie and I decided that we weren’t going to marry, Mr and Mrs Diaz made it their mission to harass me. And when Christopher was born, and Eddie got together with Evan, they then started to harass him as well. Stealing a key to our home and trying to take Christopher from his papa. They started to accuse him of abuse. It was found out that the abuse was from them, the evidence of such was shown to this court, it was of them both harming Christopher.”

“I watched the video,” the judge nodded, “And listened to some of the calls that were sent into CPS. Harassment is the right word,” she added. “Mr and Mrs Diaz, what is your excuse for wasting the time of the social workers?”

“We are worried for our grandson, to make sure that he is being well taken care of. She and that boy are not family to him. Not like we are,” Helena began.

Shannon stared at her, “Christopher is my son. I carried him and birthed him. Evan was there from when he was a week old until you drove him away.”

“Miss McKinley, please wait,” the judge said, looking at the young woman.

“Sorry Your Honor,” she said, “they… have caused a lot of pain to my family. Not just to myself, but to my son, and my two best friends. We… We don’t even know if Evan is safe and alive at the moment. We haven’t been able to get in touch with him, and because he left of his own violation, the police won’t search for him. He only left because they started the rumor about him being a pedophile and caused him to be attacked and even our home being attacked and he was hurt. It almost got Christopher hurt. So he left because of that. He lost everything, and they think it’s fine. Eddie is devastated that Evan is gone. Christopher cries for his papa most nights still, over a year later.”

“This hearing is to decide if you are able to leave this city, Miss McKinley,” the judge said.

“I know your honor. And at the moment I have to defend myself from CPS after they have called them and said that I have been bringing strange men home. My own security system has shut that down, even though they make a new claim and report every week or so,” Shannon said, “I’m being harassed in such a way that some days I am looking over my shoulder, worried that they are stalking me and my son.”

The judge nodded, “I need to speak with Mr and Mrs Diaz first,” she told her and then turned her attention back towards the couple, “So, are you going to explain why you wasted people’s time? Why have you harassed a young family so much that you have driven one to leave and another to not even feel safe?”

“We were doing what we could to make sure that she wouldn’t just take Christopher and run. When they brought that Buckley boy into things as well. We knew that Christopher wouldn’t be safe with them. That they will just take him, who knows what they could have done. We had to fight to even see our grandson for a while. And even that was taken from us,” Helena was the one to speak again.

“We believe that our son wouldn’t have had a home to come back to if they both carried on unchecked,” Ramon then added, “We did what we could to make sure that his son would always be there.”

“I see,” the Judge nodded, “But you are still wasting the time of those involved. There is no excuse as to what you have done, you have hounded a young family, enough to drive away a member of it. You are here trying to tell me that Miss McKinley shouldn’t be allowed to leave the city of El Paso because your son will lose out?”

“We are,” Ramon answered, “I do not wish my son to lose his only child, and he will if that woman has her way. We have been able to stop this for so long, and we are trying to-”

“Mr Diaz,” the Judge interrupted, “At this moment in time I find you a rather detestable man, and your wife the same. You abused your own grandchild in such a way that he screamed and cried each time he was taken to see you at the visitation center, unable to tell us what you did. You have had no contact with him since. But you have tried to force it so much that you have been arrested without charge, for violating your restraining order. You lied so much that you have caused the life of one person to be ruined in this city. I for one am glad that the investigation that took place will not be marked on his record at all. As you could have ruined the rest of his life,” she snapped at the two of them, “Edmundo Diaz has sent a letter and video for me to view, and after doing so I find that Miss McKinley, should you wish to move from El Paso, you have every right to do so. I’m sorry that it has taken so long to be able to do this for you. I am sorry for the harassment that you have had to endure for the last three years,” she said as she looked over at Shannon.

Shannon sighed in relief, “Thank you, thank you,” she gave a watery smile. Part of it was over, now to move and not to let those two find out.

“I am also fining Ramon and Helena Diaz $50,000 to be paid into an account for Mr Evan Buckley for damages to his reputation and his life here in El Paso. I am also awarding $50,000 to Shannon McKinley for the harassment that she has been put under for the last three years from CPS, and for the nuisance calls. You will also be doing community service, the length of which to be decided at a later date,” the judge said, “Normally I wouldn’t do such a thing, but at the moment I am disgusted with both of you,” she added, glancing at the couple.

“I will no-”

“Please, be silent,” she ordered, “Miss McKinley,” she said more gently as she looked at the young woman, “I hope that with your move, life will return to some semblance of normality, that you haven’t had in a very long time by the sound of it.”

“I am hopeful as well. I just hope that we will be able to find Evan soon, and to see if he really is okay,” Shannon smiled, nodding.

“You are dismissed, Miss McKinley, Mr and Mrs Diaz, I expect you back in my courtroom in three days,” she ordered the older couple.

Shannon packed away the things she had brought with her. Her lawyer stood up and shook her hand as well. “Thank you,” she smiled at him.

“Welcome, glad I was able to help with this,” he smiled as the two left the courtroom.

XxXxX

Arriving home, Shannon had another hour to herself before she had to go and collect Christopher from daycare. Lying on the couch, she stared at the ceiling and let herself cry for a bit. Finally, she would be able to leave. She would be able to see her mother again. She hadn’t been able to see her properly in so long. Janet hadn’t been able to come down while going through Chemotherapy. But with news now coming that she wasn’t getting better, that things were getting worse. Shannon wanted nothing more than to be by her side to help her. Janet’s doctors had told her that she might have as long as over a year left, or as little as six months. Christopher was only a month away from turning five.

Closing her eyes, she let the tears stream down the side of her face, there was no one to watch her, or expect her to be on the ball. She could mourn the fact that she was losing her mother. That she was forced to be a full-time mom, which she never wished to be. She loved Christopher, she well and truly did. But she knew she wasn’t the best mother he could have. And Christopher was a happy child, even though he still cried for Evan some days. Especially when he wasn’t feeling well. Shannon had no idea how long she had been there when her phone rang. She grabbed at it, seeing she still had an hour before she had to leave to pick up Christopher from daycare, and answered.

“Hello?” she answered, “Eddie?”

“Hey,” Eddie’s voice sounded rough, “How did things go?” he asked her.

“It went well, we can move. I know… I know you’ll want to come home and be here for a bit, and that… that’s fine. I can understand that,” she said, shuddering as she wiped away her tears.

“You okay?” he asked, concerned.

“I’ll be fine once you get home,” Shannon answered him, “It will be. We’ll heal and move and find a place where we won’t be looking over our shoulder and have to deal with them.”

“Yeah,” Eddie answered her, sounding unsure.

“We’ll talk more about it when you’ve healed up more when you’ve come home. Oh, and they are going to have to do some community service for what they’ve done and pay me and Evan $50,000 each,” she added, as she started to explain more about what happened before she let him go to rest and for her to pick up Christopher.

Chapter Twenty Five

Eddie stood before his home. Though he didn’t know if he could really call it his home. He had barely spent any time there after all. With one arm still in a sling, and months of PT ahead of him. He sighed heavily as he grabbed the duffle from the ground he had dropped it on and walked towards the front door. He didn’t even get a chance to raise it when the door opened.

“Eddie,” Shannon was there, a smile on her face. She looked worn out and Eddie couldn’t blame her. With him coming home, his parents had been trying once again to get in touch. He had forgotten to change the alert that should go out if he was hurt. So instead of just Shannon being told, his parents had been informed as well.

“Shan,” he tried to smile, but he could barely manage a grimace as he walked over. She hugged him carefully. “I’m home.” His words trembled, full of emotion.

“Not the way I wish it would have happened,” she told him as she let him go, “Come on, let’s get you inside and settled.”

“Thanks,” he nodded, letting her take the duffle from him and he followed her into the home. He looked around, expecting to see Christopher, “Where’s Chris?” he asked, frowning as he looked at his best friend.

“Sophia and Adriana have taken him for the day, with their kids. So you can get settled for a bit before Chris wants to have some cuddles. He doesn’t know that you’re coming back at the moment,” Shannon answered him, “Do you want to sleep, or be in the living room?” she asked.

“I’ll sit in the living room, I am sick of laying down most of the time,” he snorted. He moved over to the couch and looked around, there were toys mostly in one corner of the room, but still spread over most of the living room.

“Sit, coffee?” she asked, heading towards one of the bedrooms which had been set up for Eddie.

“Please,” he answered, closing his eyes. He leaned his head back and relaxed a little. He let himself feel at ease for the first time since he was shot. He was somewhere he felt was safe, he was home.

Shannon walked into the living room and stopped as she saw Eddie. Observing him she could see he was pale and had lost some weight as well. The bags under his eyes told her that his sleep wasn’t restful at all. He looked like a shadow of himself and knew that they wouldn’t be moving just yet. Not until he was healed up a little more at least. She made a little noise, startling him slightly as she walked into the living room fully and put the coffee on the end table, “Here,” she told him, taking a seat on an armchair.

“Thanks,” he said, reaching with his good arm and grabbing the handle, “Sorry,” he murmured.

“You’re going to have your sisters, nieces and nephew descend on you soon enough,” she warned him, “You sure you don’t want to hide away in your room?” she asked, a little smile playing on her face.

Eddie nodded, “I think… I think it would be best to actually say hello to them. I’m happy to be home-”

“But not how it happened,” Shannon finished for him, getting a nod. Her phone buzzed, “They are on their way back,” she warned him, looking up from the message that she had just received.

Eddie sighed slightly, “Yeah,” he breathed trying to center himself a little and get ready for the noise that was going to happen when his sisters arrived.

Shannon had a little smirk playing on her face as she waited for them to come back. The silence between them was easy, letting Eddie ready himself for a smile on his face that he didn’t really feel. But maybe there would be something that would actually put it there. The front door opened and to Shannon, there was a now familiar clacking.

Eddie frowned as he looked up, his eyes going wide as he watched his son enter the room. He was walking, with crutches, but he was doing it. “When?” he asked, glancing at Shannon.

“His legs have been getting stronger using the gait trainer. His physio said he was ready to try, so for the last couple of months, he’s been learning how to use them,” Shannon told him.

“Oh, mijo,” Eddie breathed as Christopher saw him.

“Dad, daddy!” Christopher yelled out, happy and ecstatic that his dad was there. He tried to rush towards him, only to almost fall. Eddie fell to the floor in front of him, stopping him and holding him with his good arm. His shoulder hurt with how tightly Christopher was holding onto him, but he didn’t care.

“Oh, my bright boy,” he murmured, placing a few kisses on his head, “You amaze me, all the time,” he breathed as he pulled him into his arms and picked him up, pushing himself to get up and sit on the sofa.

“I missed you, daddy,” Christopher mumbled as he gripped his dad tightly.

“I missed you every single day. I looked at your picture as soon as I would wake up and it was always the last thing I would do every night,” Eddie said, kissing his head once more.

“Hey, little brother,” Adriana said as she walked in with her twin girls skipping in front of her. Sophia held her son in her arms as she followed.

“Hey,” Eddie looked at the two of them, a true smile on his face as he let Christopher cuddle close to him. Shannon had gotten up and put Christopher’s crutches to one side. So the girls could play. Christopher’s toy box was quickly emptied by them.

“How are you?” Sophia asked as she settled on another armchair.

“Tired, as you’d expect. But doing okay,” Eddie smiled, “I’m glad to be home, the military hospitals leave a lot to be desired,” he told her.

“Glad you’re home,” Adriana said as she sat down on the floor with her twins; both of them now playing happily and looking at Eddie occasionally, curious, but wary about him.

“So am I,” Eddie nodded, giving her a tired smile before kissing the top of Christophers’ head. Soon enough his 6-month-old nephew was in his arms as he was introduced to the newest member of the Diaz family.

XxXxX

Eddie paid for the new shirt. Shannon had told him he needed to get some shirts, as it would be easier for him to get on and off instead of the Henley’s he usually wore. With his arm still in a sling for another couple of weeks, he had refused to use it when he first got home. Shannon had found out and thrown a fit, which was why he was now wearing it. For the last couple of days, spending time with his sisters and nephew and nieces, as well as his son had been tiring and painful. Now Christopher’s birthday was the next day and Shannon had sent him out to get clothing. Eddie smiled slightly as he walked out of the shop. It didn’t stay on his face long as he saw Helena and Ramon standing outside and waiting for him. He sighed as he went to walk past.

“Do not ignore me, Edmundo!” Ramon shouted at him.

Eddie turned and glared, “I want nothing to do with you. You do remember that there is a restraining order out against you?” He reminded them before turning and walking away. Shannon had gotten it changed to add him as soon as she learned he was coming back.

“Eddie!” Helena snapped at him, rushing towards him and grabbing his arm.

The yank on his arm caused him to hiss in pain as his shoulder throbbed with the sudden movements, his sling not helping him at all at that moment. “Let go of me!” he hissed through gritted teeth as he tried to keep the pain inside for the moment, “Don’t fucking grab me,” he told them as Helena let him go and stepped back at how Eddie was glaring at her.

“I’m your mother, I just want to know how my son is doing. We got a call telling us that you had been shot!” she yelled, a hand over her chest as she looked at Eddie with worried eyes, her eyes going to the sling.

Eddie stared at her for a moment, “More fool me, I forgot to take you off the list of those to be informed should something happen to me. And of course, you fucking yank my arm, which just hurt me more. No, you didn’t want to know what the hell happened to me, you just wanted to know if it would be something you can try and use against me.”

“What!?” Ramon exclaimed, eyes wide as he stared at his only son, “You would keep from us that you had been hurt. Would we have even learned if you had been killed?!” he demanded to know.

“No doubt someone would have told you if that had happened,” Eddie told him dismissively, “Now, I need to get home,” he told them, heading away again, hoping that they wouldn’t follow him. He was now in too much pain to wait around and try and make sure that they didn’t. He wanted to get home and ice his shoulder a little, his sling might be taking the weight, but the jolting action had left it throbbing badly.

“You are not walking away from me,” Ramon sneered as he moved to stand in front of Eddie, “I want to talk to you about what that woman is doing and how she is trying to ruin us.”

“Oh, you mean the payments you have to make to her and Evan, well, tough. You caused the problem, you have to deal with the consequences, isn’t that what you taught us?” he said, almost smirking.

“We taught you to respect us as well, but you don’t seem to be doing that either,” Ramon snapped back at him.

Eddie snorted, “How can I respect someone who abuses their position. Who abuses a system that is to help children in real trouble?” he asked the two of them, “You called CPS on Shannon and Evan, and now you’re being told to suck it up and pay your dues,” he said, “I have no time to waste on two people who think they are owed the world when really they are owed a damn dump truck of shit to be piled on them,” and with that, he walked around Ramon and moved as quickly as he could.

Eddie knew they were following him, but he needed to get home, he wasn’t feeling that great. The front door of his home opened and Christopher walked out with Shannon not a step behind him.

“Daddy!” he yelled out, a bright smile on his face.

“Chris,” Eddie grinned as he walked up the path.

“What the hell!” he heard a female yelling behind him.

Eddie couldn’t help but curse under his breath, “Fuck.” They had followed him, he had a feeling they would.

“What have you done to him? How could you hurt him!” Helena yelled out as she began to run towards Christopher.

Shannon was quick to grab her son away from the woman that ran towards him. Christopher stared at Helena clinging to Shannon at the strange woman. “Leave now Helena or I will call the police,” Shannon gave her one warning.

“Mommy,” Christopher said, clinging to her, staring at the strange woman that had been running towards him, “Daddy,” he called out for Eddie who quickly rushed over as well.

“Leave,” Eddie repeated, sending a glare to Helena and then another to Ramon.

“Why would we leave, it’s obvious that you’ve hurt your own child, he has to use crutches, what did you do to him!?” Helena yelled out as Shannon pulled out her phone.

“What is wrong with my son is none of your business,” Eddie said, as he now stood before Shannon and Christopher, “Chris, mijo, can you go inside for me,” he said as he kissed the side of his son’s head.

“Okay, daddy,” the almost five-year-old nodded, a frown on his face as he made his way back inside.

Eddie turned to his parents as soon as Christopher was back inside, Shannon following him. “My son has a medical condition that he needs crutches to help him walk, not that it’s any concern of yours. Now leave, Shannon has called the police, you will be arrested again, and this time I may just press charges on you for breaking it. I’m done.”

“He is our grandson as well, we have a right to-”

“You have no right to anything, you stopped having any rights the moment you harmed him. I’m just glad that he doesn’t remember what you did. I don’t ever want to hear him crying and screaming again like that. So leave,” he demanded of them.

“We will see what the courts have to say about this,” Ramon said as he took his wife by the shoulders and began to walk away.

Eddie turned and walked into the house, apologizing all the time to Shannon as he slumped on the sofa, to try to stay standing. Telling her about the confrontation at the store. She was there with the heat pad and a cold compress so he could switch between the two.

Chapter Twenty Six

Christopher’s fifth birthday had been the calm before the storm. A letter dropped onto the doormat two days later from the courts. His parents were suing for custody of Christopher. Shanon and Eddie were livid, they’d had enough of the meddling of Helena and Ramon Diaz. The courts were moving on it quickly this time. As his parents had presented it as a child in danger and CPS wasn’t doing their work in removing him from the situation. A month after Christopher’s birthday, Eddie and Shannon were at the courthouse. Before them was another judge ready to determine if a child would remain with his parents or be taken away from them.

“Mr Diaz, Miss McKinley,” the older man said as he looked at them, “You know why you are both here?”

“Yes Your Honor,” Eddie nodded, Shannon doing the same beside him.

“Where is the child in question?” he asked them both, he had expected them to bring him with them.

“I’m sorry Your Honor, but we will not allow our son to be in the presence of two people that have abused him in the past,” Shannon was the one to speak.

“You will present the child to this court, Miss McKinley,” he stated, staring at her. He wasn’t at all happy with the woman. From the notes that he had received from the Diaz’s, their grandson was in danger from this woman and their own son.

“Then I will do so, but not with them in the room. I don’t want my son to be faced with them at all. If they’re here, then my son won’t be. He is nearby, ready to come should it be needed. But as long as Mr and Mrs Diaz are in the courtroom, Christopher will not be. I know you can hold me in contempt for that. But there are reasons as to why I will not. They are part of the evidence against Mr and Mrs Diaz being granted custody of him,” Shannon told him, standing tall.

“Your Honor, this should be allowed. A child should not have to face his abusers, especially as young Christopher is only five years old,” Trevor Miles said as he looked at the judge.

“Very well, Mr and Mrs Diaz, please follow the bailiff to a side room for a moment so I may see young Mr Diaz,” he ordered the older couple.

“I wish to see my grandson, they-” Helena began, ignoring the order of the judge.

“Mrs Diaz, you will do as you have been ordered,” he told them both.

It took a few more moments before they were escorted from the room. Shannon had gone to go and get Christopher, and as soon as the all-clear happened. Christopher was brought into the room.

“Daddy!” Christopher yelled out as he slowly made his way towards him.

Eddie grinned as he went over to him, picking him up and making his son laugh, “Hey mijo,” he said softly.

“Mr Diaz, Miss McKinley,” he said, “May I ask what is wrong with your son?”

“He has Cerebral Palsy, he was diagnosed when he was two,” Shannon answered, “He’s had to have two operations since then to help with his walking, but he is a trooper and keeps a bright smile on his face.”

“I see,” he nodded as he looked at the five-year-old, “Christopher,” he called to him.

“Yes?” Christopher answered, looking at him, still in his dad’s arms.

“Is it nice being with mommy and daddy?” he asked him, a friendly smile on his face.

Christopher nodded, “It’s so much fun. I get to cuddle with daddy and he reads me stories. And mommy makes so many nice foods. Daddy does as well when mommy has to work. But we are going to be moving to grandma’s, which is really far away, but I like grandma, haven’t seen her for a long time,” he giggled, a large smile on his face. Though it dropped a little bit, “Though I miss Papa a lot, I haven’t seen my papa for a long time as well.”

“Papa?” the judge asked, frowning, he hadn’t only been told of Eddie and Shannon, not of anyone else.

“His name is Evan Buckley, something happened and he had to leave El Paso. We’ve been trying to find out where he has gone for almost two years. But no luck in locating him so far,” Eddie was the one to speak. It had been so long since Evan had left and Eddie missed him, and Eddie knew that Christopher still did. They still watched the videos that Evan had left behind, just to see him and hear his voice.

“I see,” the judge nodded, “Christopher can go back to where he was now,” he then added, as he looked at the paperwork that had been given by the defendants. Including evidence, video was available as well. Christopher was taken from the room and Helena and Ramon were brought back. Both sides were now able to present their cases. Each bringing a few people as witnesses forward. Which included Marissa.

“I will take an hour to review the evidence that both sides have given to me,” the Judge said as soon as they had finished, “I may ask others involved to speak with me as well,” he added as he looked at the people in his courtroom. “You will wait outside, I will have you called in when it’s time.”

A few minutes later Shannon and Eddie walked out of the courtroom and into a waiting area. Sitting down, they ignored Helena and Ramon. They had sent Christopher off with Marissa and Mrs Lewis. Neither of them wanted Christopher there, they wanted to keep him away from what was going on. Didn’t wish to worry him about what might happen.

“Edmundo,” Ramon said as he went to step towards them.

“I will stop you there, I don’t want to speak to you,” Eddie said, not even looking at the man.

“We’re trying to do what is best for Christopher. You’re not even thinking about him at all. He should be around family, be with us,” Helena began, “You’ve just come back from war, and she is always busy with work.”

“No, you’re not trying to do what’s best for him. If you were, you would be supporting us in things. Instead, you are constantly trying to make trouble. You abused Christopher, you then started to say that we were and reporting us and saying we were hurting him. You then said that… that he was being sexually abused, and again another lie to try and get your way. Now, this… trying to gain custody of our son, our son, not yours,” Eddie told them, turning to glare at them both, “You don’t give a shit about anything but yourselves and the reputation that you have. A feather in your cap should you have a grandchild living with you. You’d be seen as the best parents around, taking that on as you enter your golden years. Especially as I know your reputation has taken a hit,” he snapped at them.

Helena and Ramon shared a look before Ramon said, “We can give Christopher what he needs, not you. You’re still a child, saying that you want to be with a man. You don’t eve-”

“Oh, save your bigotry,” Shannon told them, rolling her eyes.

“Leave us alone,” Eddie told them, “We want nothing to do with you. I thought you would have taken that on board by now.”

“I have no idea where this rebellion has come from,” Ramon said, disappointed with the man that his son had become.

Eddie glanced at him, “I just do the opposite of what you tried to make me do. I’ve been happy since I’ve done so,” he answered quietly, “I met someone that I love and adore, even after they have been gone for so long. And I know I will continue to love Evan for years to come. I just hope that he is somewhere safe and he’s well,” he finished, looking at the floor, his hands clasped in front of him as he leaned forward on the chair.

“I believe he is, and we’ll find him. Even if we have to take an ad out in every single state. We’ll find him somehow,” Shannon reassured, patting Eddie’s hands.

Eddie looked at her and nodded as the two went quiet. Ramon and Helena stood over them for a while longer, trying to talk to them, but neither Shannon nor Eddie answered them. It was just over an hour later when they were called back into the courtroom. After the judge had sat down, he looked at the four people that were fighting over a young child.

“I have gone through everything. And while most would have quickly taken Christopher from his parents at the first mention of abuse. I’m glad that it wasn’t the case here. All I have seen is a sustained abuse of a system in place to prevent harm to children and the vulnerable. Mr and Mrs Diaz, your case against Mr Diaz and Miss McKinley for custody of Christopher Diaz is denied. Custody will remain with his parents. The petition to overturn the restraining order is denied as well. I hope that this will be the last time that you cause such trouble,” he warned them.

“Your honor,” Ramon said, “Please, we haven’t been able to see our grandson in so long. We’re trying all we can to protect him and now to learn that he has a medical condition and we don’t even know if he is being taken care of properly. He could need things and we’re here to help with that,” he said, trying to plead with the judge.

“You have caused this yourself by trying to force the issue before you lost contact. From the evidence that I have seen, you broke into your grandchild’s home and tried to take him from his papa. You tried to do the same while they were out and going to the park with Christopher. You entered their home at stupid hours in the morning. Everything you have done has been documented, and every action you have taken has proof of what you have done. From audio to video, to written pages of them. I believe you have been told all this before, and it will be repeated. You are to have no more contact with Mr Diaz, Miss McKinley, Christopher Diaz, or Mr Buckley,” he said, looking from them to Shannon and Eddie, “I’m sorry for the distress that has been caused to you and your family again.”

“As long as we remain a family, we can fight and carry on,” Shannon said, though in truth she was so tired of it all.

Another half-hour and the two were finally out of the courtroom. Avoiding Helena and Ramon as they tried to follow them as they joined up with Christopher, Mrs Lewis and Marissa and went home.

XxXxX

Eddie closed the door quietly as he headed back into the living room, “He wanted to listen to Evan read a story again.”

Shannon nodded, “Yeah,” she sighed, “Eddie, we need to head out soon,” she told him, “I need to be in LA. We have a place to go, we just have to pack up and go. I know… I know that you still need physio and therapy. But you can transfer things to LA.”

“Shannon,” Eddie began, and then stopped when he saw the fear in her eyes, “What’s going on, what aren’t you telling me.”

“She’s dying Eds, she’s dying and I’ve been stuck here. I haven’t been with her at all,” she answered as she began to cry, “Mom’s dying and I’ve had to deal with two entitled bastards when I should be with her.”

Eddie walked over to her and wrapped her into his arms, “I’m sorry,” he said, ignoring the twinge in his shoulder at the movement. He hadn’t long been out of the sling, only a few days. “She’s a good woman,” he added, “We… we can go. We’ll move there and be there. You’ll be there, if you need to, go ahead of us to get things started. I’ll wrap things up here with Chris and everything and join you within a week or so. Don’t wait, spend as much time with her as you can, and I want… I want Chris to have some memories of his grandma as well. He loves her.”

“We’ll start getting ready tomorrow, we’ll make calls, do what’s needed,” she suggested, getting a nod from Eddie.

“I would say it’ll all be okay, but…” Eddie sighed, “Janet is a good woman, and we’ll be there for her, I promise you.”

Shannon let go and nodded as she looked up at him, “Thanks,” she gave him a weak smile. Tomorrow would be the start of their leaving El Paso, within two weeks Eddie and Christopher would be joining Shannon and Janet in LA , ready to start anew. Free of the burdens of a past that had hurt them both, and with the hope that they could really start trying to find Evan.

Chapter Twenty Seven

Xiaoli

Hey, sorry for not getting in touch for a while. The phone and sim are toast. I had to leave El Paso, Li, I had to leave them and I’m still reeling from that. Fuck man, I am done with it all. I miss Chris so much and I can’t even get in touch with Eddie since we used Shannon’s laptop. And I never got around to getting my own. More fool me. Helena and Ramon, they finally won, they won and I’m gone. I can’t live in El Paso, don’t know if I will ever be able to go back. Okay, so I best tell you everything.

You know the investigation that was going on, the pedo thing, yeah. That leaked out and I was getting beaten in the street. They came to our home, they broke the windows and scared Chris so much. You have no idea how scared I was for him, so scared that they would hurt him to get to me. I locked us in the bathroom. Had to wait for people to rescue us. I couldn’t keep him safe Li, I couldn’t do it. I left the next day.

Ramon and Helena had to have been watching the house again, they did that a lot. I told Shannon she had to move, to move away from them. I don’t want them trying anything more against her. They destroyed my phone and sim. So all phone numbers I fucking lost.

I’m going to ask if you could do something for me. I have a new number, it’s at the bottom of the email. I only just about remember your addy, since it’s a dumb one. I want you to go down to El Paso when you get the chance. Find Shannon and pass my new number and my email addy. I’m setting up skype as well so they can call me through that.

Take care of yourself Li,

Evan

Evan

Hey, I went down to El Paso as you asked a couple of days ago, just got back to LA. I couldn’t find Shannon, someone else was living in the house. They refused to pass anything along to the previous owners. So I went and stopped by Mrs Lewis. She wasn’t in. Went to the shared house and gave them a letter there, to see about passing it on to her. But I don’t know. I’m not holding out hope. I’ll try to go down there again in a few more months.

Where in the world are you now? Are you okay? Damn Ev, you need to tell me more about what the hell is going. I’ll call when I can as well. Just stay safe. Be careful out there as well. I don’t know how I feel about you wandering the US alone like this. Anything could happen to you and I would never know.

I’m at a new firehouse, I’ve been transferred to the B-Shift at the 118. Not sure if I like the captain. He just. I don’t know, he feels wrong for me. He looks at me like he has no choice for me to be there. And considering that most of the others are bigots and racists, well, you can get a feel of what the B-shift captain is like. A-Shift has a new captain, Bobby Nash. Seems like a good one, had to work on A-shift once. And I felt better there. He takes no bullshit for that kind of shit. I want to move to A-Shift, and I think I’m going to get that transfer. Though the captain of B-shift might end up being kicked if he carries on with his racist bullshit. He’s been called out on it twice. That’s what happened with the previous A-shift captain. He was kicked because of his attitude, well, transferred out more like. The crew are a little better without him, but still arseholes.

Anyway, what are you up to? Are you sleeping and eating well? I know what you’re like when you’re worried. Shannon had to remind you to eat when you were studying for your exams.

Xiaoli

Xiaoli

I’m doing okay, I found a small place to share with others in Oklahoma. Doing some construction work here for a bit, most likely will move on soon though. I don’t want to put down roots. I’m hoping to go home soon. It’s been three months Li and I miss them all so fucking much. I just miss them. I look at their pictures all the time. So fucking glad that I took some physical ones. Because I couldn’t save the ones that were on my phone. I wish I had more of them, and of Eddie. I just didn’t think to take so much with me. I was hoping that I would be back with them soon enough. But I don’t think I could ever go back to El Paso at all. I feel like my life there is now over and done with for good.

Do you think that I’ll be able to find them again? That I will be able to be with them again? I miss them so much Xiaoli, all I want is my family back.

Listen to me, moaning and bitching about missing my family all the time. I need to get my head on straight. To get myself to work soon as well. It’s still the early hours of the moment. When did I turn into such an old man? I used to party so much before I was even allowed to do so. And now, going out, getting shit-faced, I don’t want to do it. I don’t need to.

I think I might stay here until my next paycheck and then leave. It’s fine here, but it’s not where I want to be. Then again, there will never really be a place where I will want to be.

I’ll talk to you soon, I need to shower and get ready for work. Construction is fuckin hard man.

Evan

 

Evan

Hey man, have you moved on? I’ve not heard from you in a week. And fuck sake answer your damn phone sometimes will you. I know you don’t talk about it most of the time, but you’ve not even text me! You worry the hell out of me didi, just message me or something just so I know that you’re still alive.

Oh, and you asked about work in your text last week. So B-shift captain has been kicked, we got someone new and she’s doing well, new captain at that. But has got things in hand. Though she is bringing in some new recruits now. I think these are people that she’s worked with before. There is a familiarity about them all that only comes from working with each other for more than a few days. I have to say I feel like an outsider. They are still friendly, I would say but I don’t feel like I belong. Then again I’m wondering if I will ever fit in here. I’m still called onto A-Shift occasionally. But only four shifts with them so far.

I may end up at another firehouse, we’ll have to see.

So where are you now? What are you doing? Fucking call me didi, I mean it!

Xiaoli

Xiaoli

Sorry! So Sorry!! Like really, I am. I left Oklahoma, just picked a direction, and started driving off. Found a place to stay for a night, and ended up getting a job at the bar nearby. The phone plan kind of went out the window a bit. Forgot to put money in the bank to pay for it. Money’s a little tight, but should be getting better now I have a job again. I know you’re going to have a go at me, but I don’t really have a choice, but I’ve been sleeping in the jeep every now and then. I’m looking at a place that I can rent for a little while.

As for where I am, I’m in Memphis at the moment, it’s okay here, bar work is taking up most of my nights so I’m not really having to think of what happened much. I worry about Chris, he had an operation due just after I had to leave. I just want to know how it went, and did it go well. Is his physio going okay? Are they working on strengthening his legs? He was supposed to get a gait trainer as well. There are so many questions and I can’t find out the answer. I’ve taken to memorizing your number, wanting to make sure that if something happens to my phone I’ll always be able to get in contact with you. Should have done that with Shannon and Mrs Lewis’ I know, too little too late.

I’m already thinking of where I want to go next. And I think I’m going to put my jeep in storage and maybe head out of the country for a bit. A clean break? I don’t know, I really don’t. My mind is just going around in circles all the time. All I can think of is Eddie and Chris, I miss them, Chris’ birthday should be soon, he’ll be four, four years old and I’m not there to celebrate. My little boy is four and I won’t be there. I just hope that Eddie is fine, that something hasn’t happened to him out there. Fuck Li, I’m spiraling and I can’t even help it.

I think I might save up for a laptop next. So we can skype and I can actually see your face. I feel so alone without a friend around. Maybe I’ll even look into an online course as well, just something to keep me occupied, something to do, anything.

Keep safe.

Evan

 

Evan

Didi, please, come to LA, I have a spare room, it has your name on the door. You can come here, take some time and settle in, maybe get some help for everything that’s happened. I know it’s not going to be home, but it’s a place to call your own for a while. Get yourself straightened out. Go back to schooling if you want to, or just take the damn time to heal.

I’m worried about you, I really am. I wish I could take the time off and meet up with you. To really see and speak with you for a bit. Being alone isn’t good for you. I know that, so, please. Even if you only come here for a few weeks, it’s something. Take a breath, just breathe for a bit, then go back on to do whatever you want to do. Please, I’m not above begging you, just come here, and relax, rest a little, and then do whatever it is that you want to do afterward.

Work is fine, I’ve been subbing on A-shift a little more over the last couple of weeks. My sleep is all over the place.

Yes, I’m PISSED that you were sleeping in your jeep, don’t! Do you know what could happen to you should you be in your car? Look up the stats for it, I’ll wait!

Evan, please be careful, I’m really worried about you. Don’t do anything stupid and call me if you ever need to. You’ve not been doing so again.

Xiaoli

Xiaoli

Prepare your spare room, think I will stay with you for a week. I’m not doing good. Really not doing good, I don’t think I should be alone for a few days. So I’m going to head your way. Like I said, I will only be there a week. I won’t be good company, but seeing a friendly face that knows me. I think I’ll be okay with that.

Evan

Evan

The room is ready and waiting for you. Give me a call when you are about to arrive. I might be working, but I’ll try and get the shift off. Just be careful Evan. I don’t want to have to hear about you crashing that jeep of yours should you end up falling asleep at the wheel.

Xiaoli

Chapter Twenty Eight

Xiaoli looked down at his phone. He had been asked to cover a shift on A-Shift again. It had been rather last minute for him to take the shift. So he wasn’t expecting to be there at all. He had tried to turn it down, but no one else had been available.

“Is everything okay Li?” Hen asked as she looked at the firefighter.

“Yeah, a friend of mine is having a tough time at the moment, so he’s going to be staying with me for a week at least. I’m going to be trying to talk him into staying a little longer. I’m worried,” Xiaoli sighed, shaking his head as he checked his phone again.

“Worried about what exactly?” Hen asked him, sitting down beside him, a little frown on her face.

“Something happened a while ago, something really bad. He had to leave everything behind, boyfriend, son, everything. And of course, he’s missing them all like crazy, doesn’t know if they are well. Things just… they just happened and he’s alone, except for me at the moment. We’ve been trying to get back in touch with the others. I even went down there a second time, but couldn’t even find someone to give anything to again,” he sighed, flopping back on the sofa and staring at the rafters. “I wish I could fix things for him, so he could go home. But it might not be safe for him to go back yet. I couldn’t find out.”

Hen looked at him, “Li, is this guy in some sort of trouble? And should we know about it?”

Xiaoli looked at her, “No, not nothing like that. I supposed I should explain. My friend and his boyfriend, and our other friend, have a kid together. Biologically not his, but he’s been there since he was a week old. Ev, he took to Chris so well, loved and adored him. Raised him. For three years. During that time, Eddie’s parents were not happy that he was seeing a bloke,” he said as he began to explain everything that he could. Not giving all the details but enough for Hen to know that Evan had been run out of town because of rumors.

“Damn,” Hen shook her head, “And now he’s away from his son and boyfriend, that’s fucked up.”

“You have no idea. He’s too scared to go back, thinking that if he did it would cause everything to start again and for Chris to get hurt this time. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make things right again,” he sighed heavily leaning against the back of the couch.

Hen was about to say something more when Xiaoli’s phone beeped. Grabbing it the young man looked at it and then dashed down the stairs and out of the building. Xiaoli saw Evan standing outside of his jeep, wrapping his arms around him, he could tell that the man had lost weight. “Damn, it’s good to see you,” he said, a smile on his face as he looked his friend over.

Evan gave him a weak smile, “Yeah,” he said, as he hugged Xiaoli tightly. His body was shaking a little, trying to keep his emotions locked away.

“You got my address, here are the keys to my place, my guest room is yours for however long you want it. Get some rest, I have another five hours on shift. Then I’ll be home, okay,” Xiaoli said as he let him go and handed over a spare key he had made up for him.

“Thanks… for this,” Evan said with a shrug, taking the key.

Xiaoli nodded, “Welcome, you know that, get to mine and rest up. I’ll be there when you wake up and help yourself to what’s in the fridge and that.”

“I may do,” he nodded, giving him a watery smile as he headed to his jeep and got in.

Xiaoli watched him go, worried for him before he went back to finish the end of his shift.

XxXxX

Xiaoli opened his apartment front door and walked inside. It was quiet and dark. It was dinner time, or rather an hour past when he would normally eat. He walked towards the guest room, seeing the door open slightly he peeked inside. Evan was sleeping still. On the covers. Xiaoli walked in, grabbed the comforter that was at the bottom of the bed, and flicked it out, covering Evan up. Xiaoli left the room and headed to his kitchen and began to look around, seeing that Evan hadn’t had anything to eat, he started to make something for the two of them. He settled into the rhythm of cooking, meat, vegetables, and rice. Something simple and filling, it didn’t look like Evan was really taking care of himself.

Xiaoli was just finishing when he heard movement from Evan’s room. He turned and smiled as the man stumbled out of it.

“Xiaoli,” Evan mumbled as he blinked, wide-eyed at him.

“Hey, dinner is almost ready, go clean up and then come and join me at the table,” he ordered him

“Okay,” he nodded, heading to the bathroom.

Xiaoli was just dishing out when he came back and sat down, “Eat up,” he smiled at him, chopsticks in hand and tucking into his dinner.

Evan looked at the food, picked up his own chopsticks, and began to eat as well, “Thanks, Xiaoli, really.”

“You know you’re welcome to come and stop by at any time. You know that,” Xiaoli reassured him, “I’m worried though. What… what brought on your sudden wish to come.”

“I felt alone,” Evan answered him, shrugging, “I was alone all the damn time. I don’t go out drinking and party. Being a dad, being Christopher’s dad came with so many responsibilities that I didn’t have time very often to go out. And when I did, all I wanted to do was to talk with Eddie,” he sighed. “I guess, I had gotten so used to being needed that I didn’t know how to be on my own now.”

“That’s not a bad thing. But I can see where being lonely would get too much. I’m glad you’re here at least,” he smiled at his friend.

Evan nodded, “Yeah, I’m only going to stay a week, don’t know where to go from there. But, I’m thinking outside of the US. Part of me wants to be here in case I can get in touch, but another part of me wants to be as far from here as possible, hoping that the distance will help.”

“We’ll find them, Evan, you know that. We will,” Xiaoli tried to reassure him. He would keep going down to El Paso until he found someone. He had been twice so far, but he didn’t mind going again and again to find them.

“Maybe,” Evan said, giving a one-armed shrug as he concentrated on eating.

Xiaoli knew that he wasn’t going to get anything more from him for a while, and began to tell him about some of his call-outs from his last shift.

XxXxX

Evan sighed as he walked down the street. He was heading to the deli that Xiaoli had recommended to him. The man had been telling him to get out of the apartment since Evan had decided to remain inside all the time. Taking the recommendation from Xiaoli while he was on shift, he headed out for food. He was almost there according to google maps when he heard the squeal of tires on asphalt and the screams of people around him. He turned just in time to see a car hit a young man as he tried to get out of the way. The car sped off.

Evan ran over to help as everyone else was standing in shock for a moment. “Hey,” he said as he looked down at the young man.

“I-”

“It’s okay man,” Evan told him, “You keep still,” he said as he looked him over, gently touching him in places to feel for broken bones. “Can someone call 911,” he yelled out.

“Yeah, sure,” an older woman said as she pulled out her phone and began the call.

Evan looked down at him, “Hey, you stay awake okay,” he told him, “What’s your name?” he asked him, seeing blood seeping through his top and onto the ground. He put pressure on the wound, causing the man to groan in pain.

The man blinked a few times, “It’s… erm… Erik,” he answered.

“Well, Erik, nice to meet you, I’m Evan,” he smiled at him, “So you live in LA?” he asked him, trying to keep him talking. The man’s leg was at an odd angle, but no bone had broken through the skin. The man was wearing shorts. Though that didn’t mean there weren’t internal problems that added to what was going on with his side.

“Live, just… moved,” he breathed, blinking more as he forced himself to remain conscious.

“Yeah, that sounds cool,” Evan told him, smiling at him, “Moved on your own, or are you with someone?”

“Girlfriend, was to meet her, going to be late,” he said, trying to laugh only for it to come out as more of a wheezing groan.

“I think she’ll forgive you for being late,” he told him, doing his best to keep him awake. He could hear the sirens getting closer. The police arrived first, getting people to move further back and getting statements.

“Evan!” Xiaoli yelled out as he saw him, “Let Mina and Francis take over,” he said as he helped Evan to his feet as the two paramedics took over Erik’s care.

“Hey,” Evan said, shaking now that things were handed off to someone else.

“You okay?” he asked him, looking him over, seeing the blood on his hands.

“I’m… I’m fine, really. I just… I saw what happened and went to help,” he said, mumbling slightly as he looked at his hands.

“I’m going to see if I can get someone to take you home, alright Ev, I’ll see about getting out of shift,” Xiaoli looked at him, he could see how shaky the man was.

“Thanks,” Evan nodded. He watched as the paramedics loaded Erik into the ambulance.

XxXxX

Xiaoli walked into his apartment to the smell of cooking. He smiled as he went into the kitchen, “Hey, sorry I was hoping to get off a little earlier. Ended up at a collision, they think it was the same driver as the one that went into the man you saved.”

“I didn’t save him,” Evan said, “I just helped a little.”

“If you hadn’t pressed on his injury, he would have bled out. You saved him, you did good Evan,” he said, “Maybe you could be a firefighter,” he suggested.

Evan shook his head, “Don’t know. I tried out for the SEALs, though I could get through that, learn how to shut my emotions down, I couldn’t do it. I just…” he sighed.

“You reacted, and you kept him alive until help arrived,” Xiaoli told him, “The fire academy would be a good choice,” he suggested again.

“Maybe, for now, no,” Evan shook his head as he finished cooking the pasta and started to stir in the sauce he had made.

Xiaoli nodded, “Well, it’ll be there when you’re ready.”

Evan gave him a small smile and nodded, before turning back to carry on making dinner. “I don’t know what I want to do at the moment,” he said honestly. “I thought moving on with the SEAL’s would be a good idea, I could do the training, that… that was easier. But in the end, it just wasn’t me. I don’t think I could be a teacher either. Leaving the SEAL’s is why I’m here, I had to come to terms with the fact that I can’t shut my emotions off. I have to deal with them, and it hurts.”

“Well, you can stay as long as you like, you know that. If you want to stay, that’s fine too. I wouldn’t mind the company,” Xiaoli grinned at him, “Be like old times.

Evan laughed, shaking his head, “Maybe. I think I will leave for a bit at the very least. Think of what I really want to do.”

“Okay,” he nodded as Evan finished and dished out, “Thanks.”

Evan nodded as the two settled down to eat.

Chapter Twenty Nine

Xiaoli

Well, Peru is nice. People are really welcoming here, and I’ve been using my Spanish again. It felt a little weird at first, but I’m getting back into it. I can already picture Shannon rolling her eyes at me. Eddie… well, I’ll let you imagine what Eddie would do.

Thanks, spending almost two weeks with you helped a lot. I don’t feel a hundred percent still, but better. And thanks for saying that you’ll go back and check things out when you get some leave. You really don’t have to. I think I might try and do so as well. Brave going there. I know things might not be so bad after another year or so has passed. So I should be okay.

I’ve been doing a few things down here, getting into shape a bit better. When we went on that hike, I had no idea I wasn’t in shape at all. But damn that almost killed me. So, doing things, training a little, next time. I’ll be able to get up there without you thinking I’m gonna die.

Evan

Evan

I thought I was going to have to call 9-1-1 for you. You were so done. I was worried that CPR would be needed with the way that you were going. But, get in shape and the next time you come down, we’ll do a few more hikes around the place. There are so many great places to go.

I was glad to have you here, you know that. I enjoyed having someone to talk to when I came home, and of course, you cooking dinner. You know how tired I am sometimes from work. Having someone else around was nice. So if you want to come again, you will be welcome, and not just because you can cook for me occasionally. But, well ya know. Anyway Didi, how has Peru been apart from getting you into shape?

Xiaoli

Xiaoli

I’m bartending down here. It’s okay, gives me something to do. Training during the day, taking in the surf a little. Found someone to teach me as well. So maybe we can do that when I come to LA again, and yeah I will come again. I’ve been thinking more about the firefighting thing. Been looking it all up, seeing what I should do. May decided to do another online course for fire science while I’m here. Carry it on when I apply and that. I don’t know, my mind is a muddle of what I should and shouldn’t do.

But, I’m feeling a little better, I miss them like hell though. I did get them a few things, sending them your way to keep safe. One day, I hope I can give them to them. Just little things, to know that I’m thinking of them. I’ve written them letters, telling them what I’ve been doing, asking them as many questions as I can, but I know I won’t get any answers, but just writing them down makes me feel a little better.

Well, gonna spend a little more time here before I join up I think.

Evan

Evan

I can understand writing them letters. I think I would have done as well. I think of Chris a lot, still got his present for his fourth birthday. I even found something that would be good for his fifth, and I’m getting it. He may have grown out of it by the time we get to give them to him, but I think he’ll still like them. He’s such a good kid. A bright and sunny boy is the phrase that I heard that I think suits him well. I miss him, and Eddie. The little boy is my zhizi, and Eddie is my brother as well. I might not have gotten to spend that much time with him in the end, but it was enough to know he’s one of the good ones.

Sorry, I don’t mean to go on. I know you miss them both like hell, and you miss Shannon, she was a great friend to us both. Which, actually. I’m going to see if I still have the number of her friend here in LA. She was the one that helped me get an apartment when I first moved here. I’ve moved on since then, but there might be a chance of it. Don’t hold out too much hope, it’s been a couple of years. Some people change their phone numbers more often than they change their socks.

Have to say that things have gotten a little wild at times around here. Had a spate of fires, arson, and our house got called out for a lot of them. Finally found the woman behind it. They were all places where she had been rejected. It’s unusual, you don’t see many female arsonists. And I have been asked to move to A-shift. I’ll be doing the changeover in another month and then I’ll have an all-new group of people around me.

It’s going to be a little odd at first. But they are all good on that shift. Helpful and friendly. Though they weren’t always like that from what people say. So, I have that to look forward to. Take care of yourself! And I can surf, so we’ll definitely go out one of the days when you get here.

Xiaoli

Xiaoli

It’s fine, I know you miss them as well. We miss them in different ways I know. But still, you can miss them. And I did leave the presents that I got for Eddie and Chris at yours. Hallway closet, right at the top and back, all wrapped up. I miss them every day, and I’m hoping that you’ll be able to get in touch. Though I’m not raising my hopes too high. I have a different number now as well. I wish I could find a way to get my old back, hope that I can get in touch, wish that my sim had been good enough that I could have transferred data from it. I’ve lost so many pictures and everything from there.

Well, training is going okay, one of the hotels around here has a personal trainer, and she’s helping me get into shape properly, so you don’t have to worry so much about that. Nice and slow, setting a good pace. I’m doing well with it. She even said that I should be okay with the physical portion of the exam. I’ve been reading up on the written exam now as well. And it’s a lot to remember. Thanks for putting those books in my bag by the way. I opened the parcel that they were wrapped in last week. I know you told me to do it ages ago but I forgot about it to be honest with you. But they are coming in handy now.

Chris would be starting school soon, he’s going to be five and I won’t be there to take him. I was supposed to be. I wonder how he is doing with his CP, is he walking now? I just wonder about all these things most of the time. I’ve most likely mentioned them already in emails. But they will pass through my mind often.

If you get some time off before I come back, you should come down here, it’s nice. And I actually have a place to stay, a proper roof over my head. So I have a place for you to sleep. Just so you know, you’ll be welcomed here.

I have a shift now, so I’ll call you another time.

Evan

 

Evan

Okay, it’s been a week now and you’re starting to scare me. Are you okay? That fight didn’t sound good while we were on the phone. So please, just email me back at least. You’re supposed to be safe and that Evan. I will come down if you don’t hurry up and message me or something. I think if I wasn’t in the middle of changing shifts I would already be in Peru searching and kicking your ass for worrying the hell out of me. Didi, please, just get in touch.

Xiaoli

Xiaoli

So sorry! Phone was smashed, again. Was in the hospital for a few days, a concussion, and bruised ribs. Only now just able to be around the screens. Got a new phone today, so we can call. Sim is fine this time, and I save everything to the cloud, so nothing is lost this time around. Really, it was a damn mess. These blokes started a fight because the girl they were seeing was cheating on them. Then it turns out one of them also had another girlfriend so she joined in the fight going after the first girl. Others began to join in to break things up, and it just ended up as a free-for-all that me and the two other bartenders here had to try and stop and sort out. I wasn’t the only one that ended up in the hospital thanks to it all.

But really, you don’t have to come down at all. I’m fine, got another couple of days off work and then will be right back, but that’s more thanks to the bar being closed for a bit while they sort out the damage. Let me tell you that the owner is not happy and all those that got grabbed are going to be paying for it. She’s going for them. I don’t blame her either, it’s going to cost at least a grand to get things sorted. Sorry for going no contact, when I got back home, was going to call, only realized that phone was done for. Went on the laptop to try and get through there, but man did it kill my head. I’m fine now though.

I’m doing good now, not to worry. And I’ll call you later on, or you can call me. I have free time after all.

Evan

Evan

You scared the hell out of me didi. You’re my little brother, my didi. I have to say I was about ready to come down. I think Captain Nash was worried about me, since I was looking up flights to Peru. He asked what was going on, and I just told him that a friend has fallen off the face of the planet and I need to go and make sure he hasn’t done something stupid, like get in the middle of a fight. Turns out I was right, and you had gotten into the middle of a fight. Just try not and get hit next time, maybe use that SEAL training of yours. I know you did hand to hand with that.

Just try and not get hurt next time, you worried the hell out of me didi. Now onto more pleasant things. How’s the surf down there?

I’m a little bored up here on my time off. Getting to know those on A-Shift is a little harder than I thought. They are all really welcoming and friendly don’t get me wrong. But they are very much in their own heads. Not like B-shift. Though with B-shift, I was kind of hung out to dry, didn’t really fit in with the new captain there, or the people she was pulling in. All awesome firefighters, but not very open to having me as a friend or co-worker I think. So when are you going to be going to the academy, I know there are two dates for startups happening.

Xiaoli

 

Xiaoli

The surf is good here. And I’ll be doing the start date in three months. I got something for Chris’ fifth birthday now as well. Which is soon. Damn, I miss that kid so much. Gonna start heading your way in another month I think. Peru is great, I may have spent more time here if I wasn’t going to join up with you.

Thanks, for the push. I think I need this. I can’t be a teacher now, that’s gone for me. But maybe this will do until I can find what I’m looking for. Helping people doesn’t sound like a bad idea.

I’ll see you in a month, but still, call me when you want. And send me your schedule, so I can call you occasionally.

Evan

Chapter Thirty

The move from El Paso to LA had been hard. Shannon had to inform all her clients that she was now LA-based and not El Paso. Eddie had been pushed by her to start up therapy within two weeks of arriving. It had taken a little longer for him to go back to physiotherapy. But with encouragement from both Shannon and Janet, he had started doing so. Even looking for easy work that he could be doing. Though neither of them expected him to just jump right in just yet. Eddie still hadn’t gotten the full range of motion back just yet or even strength. Though his physiotherapist was optimistic that was only a matter of time.

As the family settled into LA. Janet started getting worse. And while Shannon wanted nothing more than to be at home with her all the time, she still needed to work. Eddie spent most of his days helping. Though Janet had already taken her declining health into account and had asked for some home help. The woman that started was called Carla Price and she was a godsend angel as far as the family was concerned, and not just because she helped with Janet. After seeing Eddie and Shannon struggling to get Christopher what he needed, she had decided to take on the little five, almost six year old.

Carla had been a blessing, she had helped them get some things in place that Chrisopther needed. She had been able to come up with physiotherapists for him and a new doctor that actually listened to what Shannon and Eddie were telling her about their son instead of playing it off as first-time parents of a disabled child. It had helped in getting Christopher extra help and he would be having a third surgery just before his sixth birthday.

The worst happened when Janet finally passed away. Three months shy of Christopher’s sixth birthday.

Eddie looked over at Shannon, the funeral had been held, family had come. Shannon’s aunt had been able to make it. As had a cousin. They were the only ones that spoke much to Janet after she moved away from Ireland. The Diaz family had gathered around as well. Isabel easily helping to make food for everyone as they said goodbye to Janet.

“I can’t believe she’s really gone,” Shannon said, wiping at her eyes, sniffling as she tried to pull herself together for the day.

Eddie reached out and pulled her into his arms. “I know, she was a great woman, an awesome mother to you, and grandmother to Chris. He adored her so much, and I know that he is going to miss having her here like crazy. I know I am as well. And you, you will miss her as well. We all loved her, and… I’m really no good at this,” he snorted suddenly.

“Should have listened to mom when she was telling you that the way you comfort people suck,” Shannon said, laughing a little as she shook her head and let him go. “I know what you are trying to say, and yeah, I will always miss her. There are bad days ahead, I know. But I know that she would hate me to keep going over everything. It’s why she waited so long to tell me what was going on. She didn’t want me to worry or dwell on it for too long.”

“She was a smart woman, you take after her a lot,” Eddie told her.

Shannon smiled slightly and nodded, “Dad said that when I was little. Always said I was like her, which was why we butted heads so often.”

“I thought for a while, when we told her about Chris, that she would insist that we get married,” Eddie said quietly as he leaned against the counter.

“No,” she told him, “She wouldn’t do it. Aunt Marie was made to marry her first husband because she got pregnant. It didn’t end well. Mom didn’t want that for me either. She wasn’t scared that you would hurt me or anything. She just didn’t want me to be forced into something that I didn’t want. She knew that I wasn’t one to be a mother. She said that she was proud that I stayed close enough even with Evan there.”

“I have to admit, I thought you would have come here to LA as soon as Ev had settled in with Christopher,” Eddie admitted, he knew Shannon hadn’t wanted to be a mother. It had been close at one point on if she would be keeping Christopher.

Shannon smiled, “I think I would have, but when I was starting to organize it, I realized I didn’t want to be too far from Christopher. A few streets away, that… that I could deal with. I love him, Eds, I truly do. Didn’t think I would feel like that. I know being here all the time is hard for me. So I’m glad that I’m the one that’s working.”

“He loves you, and so do I, but…” he shrugged and sighed.

“We’ll find him,” she reassured him again, “We know that Xiaoli moved here to LA, maybe he still has a way to get in touch with him. We’ll just have to check the firehouses around to try and find him.”

Eddie nodded, “I’m not really working now, just helping out with Abuela and Pepa at the moment, the occasional odd job here and there for any one of their friends. So I could try.”

Shannon smiled, “Well, we’re doing this for you, so you better be helping me,” she snarked a little.

Eddie nodded, “I know. It just feels like I should be doing more to find him. And I should be doing more anyway. I know therapy is going well. Hated it at first, but I think I needed the push from you to go. And I should be fine going around and doing that. I’m good.”

“Alright, we’ll do that then,” she smiled, glad of having something else to think of instead of her mother’s passing.

XxXxX

Eddie walked into the house, looking around. He still half expected to see the bed set up for Janet in the corner of the room. Christopher sat on the edge of it as she read stories to him. Instead, the bed was gone and Christopher was sitting at the dining table that was in its place at the back of the living room. This time it was Carla sitting next to him as he went through some of his school work.

“Hey, how was physio?” Carla asked him as she looked up from Christopher’s schoolwork. He had been at home recovering from his surgery for the last two weeks, he would be heading back to school on Monday.

“Daddy!” he yelled out, getting up and rushing towards him, walking well enough without his crutches. He had been doing it more and more over the last couple of weeks.

“Hey mijo,” he said, picking his son up into his arms and holding him there. Where once there had been flames of pain and the twinges of hurt. There was nothing, just the stretch of muscles that had finally healed. “And I’ve been discharged, full-motion is back, and while my strength in that arm isn’t what it was, it will build back up,” he grinned at Carla.

“Well, that’s good to hear,” she smiled.

“Mijo, have you finished your schoolwork?” he asked his son, walking over to the couch.

“Not yet,” Christopher sighed as he flopped in his dad’s arms, letting his head rest on Eddie’s shoulder.

“Then don’t you think you should finish it, so we can have some playtime?” he asked him.

“Fine,” Christopher gave such a heavy put upon sigh as he was set back down onto his feet and he went back to the table.

“We can play later, okay. Since it’s nice, we’ll have some fun in the garden,” he added, grinning at his son, happy that now he wasn’t going to have to restrict any of their play.

“Okay,” Christopher nodded as he started to work again.

Carla smiled at him, and then looked back at Eddie, “That’s good news on the discharge.”

“It is. I’ve started looking for work already, something that I can do. I’m okay as a mechanic, and there are usually places around for that. I know I won’t be able to do that long-term. I’ll need something that I can do,” he sighed, shaking his head, “But that is a matter for another day.”

“Yes, don’t rush yourself,” Carla said, patting his hand before seating herself with Christopher.

Eddie watched them for a bit before heading into the kitchen, it was his day to cook dinner, “Carla, would you like to stay for dinner?” he called out.

“No thank you, Eddie,” she called back, “Howard and I are planning a night out. It’s been a while, and since he’s going off on business for his birthday, we’re celebrating a little early,” she answered him.

“Happy birthday to him for then,” Eddie smiled as he started to look through the kitchen to figure out what they would have that night. “Stir fry and noodles,” he murmured to himself. He started the prep work and began to cut up the vegetables. He found it to almost be soothing as he worked. He could hear Christopher and Carla in the dining room, talking and laughing lightly as they worked through his workbook. He was doing well in school, the only problem was his need for glasses. He hated wearing them and would often take them off and leave them in random places.

He was starting to cook when Shannon got home. A meeting had run longer than planned. Since she was supposed to be there before he got back home.

“Well,” Carla said as she began to gather her things. “I’ll see you all tomorrow, you all take care now,” she smiled at the family.

“Thank you, Carla,” Shannon said as she saw her out, “You are a miracle worker. I don’t know what we would do without you.”

“Oh, I have no doubt that you two would have found a way. You both love and adore that boy to bits, you would have done anything to make sure he was happy and well taken care of,” she told her, giving her a smile as she left the house.

Shannon smiled as she walked towards the kitchen, kissing Christopher on the top of his head while he watched his cartoons, only allowed since he had finished his homework. After dinner, he would spend a little time outside with dear old dad before being tucked up in bed with the two of them reading him a book, unless he chose to listen to one read by Evan. They may be baby books, but according to Christopher, he didn’t want to forget what Evan looked or sounded like.

“Eddie,” she greeted him, “So, been planning Chris’s birthday for the last few days,” she told him.

“Six, can’t believe he’s six already,” Eddie snorted, shaking his head as he started to fry the meat.

“I know,” she sighed, looking at the open door. She could just about see Christopher from where she was standing. “It’s gone by so much faster than I thought. Honestly thought the time would drag, but he’s no longer our baby. He’s a kid, just like any other and he’s so smart. So much smarter than us.”

“Good thing all he uses it for is to get an extra cookie and maybe some playtime before bed,” Eddie snorted, as he started adding the vegetables.

“Smells good,” Shannon commented as she glanced at what he was doing, “BBQ stir fry?” she asked.

“Yep,” he grinned glancing over at her, “We haven’t had it in a while.”

“We haven’t, oh good noodles as well,” she grinned back, happy to lean against the counter as her friend cooked.

“We’ll get everything sorted for his birthday, want me to make the cake?” Eddie asked, “I have the time to do it.”

“Sure, if you’re up to it,” Shannon nodded, “I thought you were going to ask Abuela to make one. I know she would love it.”

“She made the last two, and before that it was Evan, so I think I would like a chance to make one. It’s been a while since I’ve baked a cake,” he added, a soft smile on his face as he thought of past birthdays.

“Oh, are cupcakes more your style? Since you made a load for his school’s bake sale,” Shannon grinned at him.

“It’s therapeutic,” he pulled a face at her, laughing as he carried on with dinner.

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