Chapter Text
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June 24, 2023
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"I really think this is unfair." Daniel sighs, sitting on the ornate sofa watching Buck fiddle with bowtie sitting at the base of his neck.
"What do you mean it's unfair?" Ethan scoffs, smack Buck's hands away. "Stop it, I had it perfect and you just fucked it up."
Buck flicks Ethan on the forehead. "Don't smack me, it's my wedding day."
"I just can't believe you picked Ethan to be your best man is all." Daniel says. "Don't you think it'll be a little weird having someone with the same face as you standing next to you while you exchange vows? And someone who kissed your fiancé before you ever did? I never kissed Eddie."
Buck snorts. "Are you say you wanted too?"
"He does sound jealous." Ethan hums in agreement.
"Fuck off, the both of you."
"Don't be mad that I'm the favorite again." Ethan sticks his tongue out at their brother.
"You're lucky Chris is Eddie's best man, because he would have beaten the both of you." Buck runs his hand over the deep navy blue suit, turning around and spreading his arms out. "What do you think?"
Daniel gets up, smiling as he walks over to him. "You look great, baby brother." He says, pulling Buck into a hug. "I'm really happy for you."
"Thanks." Buck says, wiping away a tear before it has the chance to fall. "This is kind of crazy right?"
"Nah, kind of perfect if you ask me." Ethan says. "I'm glad I could be here with you Ev."
"Me too." Buck pulls Ethan into a hug. "I really missed you, man."
"Missed you too."
"Stop, stop, stop." Maddie says, standing in the open door way with tear in her eyes. "I swear if you make me ruin my makeup before you're even halfway down the aisle, Eddie's going to have to find a new husband."
"Maddie." Buck chuckles, going up to his sister and wrapping her up in a hug as well.
"I'm just..." Maddie waves a hand in front of her face, fighting off the tears. "I'm so happy for you and so grateful that you and Ethan reconnected. Everything is the way it should be."
"Knock, knock." Bobby pokes his head into the room, a big smile on his face. "We're ready when you are." He says.
"Oh shit." Buck takes a deep breath. "I'm actually about to get married, aren't I?"
"I mean... I'll marry him if you wanna switch." Ethan says, grinning and jumping out of reach of Buck's swinging arm.
"I'm about to put you on bathroom attendant duty." Buck snaps.
"Relax, I just messing around. Besides, I'm the reason you two even got together in the first place. Why would I mess that up?"
"Excuse me, Eddie and me would have gotten together regardless of your interference." Buck huffs.
"Yeah, but you wouldn't be 2 minutes from walking down aisle right now." Ethan says.
"Maybe the aisle of the grocery store." Daniel mutters.
"This... this is messed up. You're attacking me, I'm being attacked. Bobby make them stop."
Bobby nods, motioning everyone to file out of the groom suite. "Time for everyone to get lined up anyway."
"Never did get a thank you." Ethan says to Daniel.
"Not sure you should be asking for one, you did kiss his future husband." Daniel tells him, following behind Maddie.
"They weren't even together yet! I knew he needed some kind of push to get things going, we'd only just started to really talk again and 95% of our conversations were about Eddie."
"Okay, well try watching them at any parties before they were together. I was ready to put my head through a wall more than once. And when either of the were dating someone? Please, insufferable."
"Okay, you know I can hear you, right?" Buck says, walking beside Bobby.
"We're not hiding anything." Daniel says. "I need you to know that you and Eddie were really, really annoying."
"You're uninvited to my wedding." Buck says.
"To late, I'm already here and oh look, there's Chimney, and Hen, ready to walk down the aisle. Hey guys."
Bobby chuckles next to Buck, nudging him in the side. "They're just messing with you."
"I know." Buck says with a small smile.
"You ready kid?" Bobby asks as the music starts up.
Buck looks at Bobby and nods. "Never been more ready for anything, Cap."
Bobby wraps Buck in a warm embrace. "I'm proud of you. Eddie is a lucky man." He pulls away, giving Buck's shoulder a squeeze before picking up the notebook he had set on the table. "See you in a minute." He says before stepping through the wide doorway and out onto the lawn.
Maddie slides up next to Buck, hooking her arm through his. "This is it." She says.
"Thank you Maddie." Buck says as the wedding coordinator sends out Chimney and Hen.
"For what?" Maddie asks.
"For everything." He says. "I... I don't know where I'd be if I didn't have you growing up, keeping any eye on me, making sure I knew someone loved me and that I mattered."
"Evan." Maddie says softly. "What did I just tell you about making me cry?"
Buck laughs just as Daniel and Ethan are sent out and the billowy ivory curtain is pulled closed. "You still look beautiful." He tells her, placing a kiss on her cheek.
The music playing fades out and everything goes quiet again for a moment, there's the sound of people shifting in their chairs then soft notes start to play again. Maddie takes a step with Buck, pausing just before the door way.
"Wait..." She says, a laugh bubbling up. "Is that..."
Buck looks to his sister. "A classical version of the the Jurassic Park theme?" He says with a grin. "Yup."
"Oh my god." Maddie laughs, her smile bright as they step through the curtain and out to their waiting family and friends.
Buck laughs with her, his eyes traveling down the aisle and find Eddie's gaze glued to him. The soft late afternoon sun streaking warm light across his face, his eyes sparking, and his smile filling Buck with warmth and love. He sees a tear rolling down his cheek as they reach the last of the rows of guests, Athena's hand reaches out and catches his briefly as he moves by her.
"Get your man." He hears her say softly.
He's standing at the alter, Maddie moves in front of him and is hugging him then she turns to Eddie.
She steps up to him and takes both of Eddie's hands. "I am trusting you with a piece of my heart. It's been hurt, mistreated, neglected. But it's starting to heal, it's stronger and more confident. Please, take care of it like you would your own."
Eddie smiles soft. "He's already they other half of my heart. No one will ever hurt him again, I promise you."
Maddie nods, tugging Eddie into a hug. "Thank you for loving him."
"Thank you for raising him." Eddie whispers back.
Maddie smiles at him then steps away, joining Athena and Jee-Yun in the front row.
"Buck." Bobby says, eyebrow raise. "Gotta step up here if you wanna get hitched, kid."
The air fills with laughter, Buck smiles ducking his head and taking a step up to stand across from Eddie. "Hi." He says softly.
Eddie takes a deep breath, reaching out and tangling their hands together. "Hi."
"Jurassic Park didn't work." Buck says. "Still saw you crying."
Eddie chuckles. "Yeah, well. Turns out marrying your soulmate is pretty emotional."
Tears spring to Buck's eyes. "Bad form Diaz." Buck says, with a small sniff.
Eddie grins, bringing his hands up to wipe away Buck's tears.
"Awe." Echos around them.
"Shit." Buck looks to his right out at their family gathered to watching them. "We're not alone."
"Nope. We're just all waiting for you to get it together enough to get married." Hen says, leaning around Chimney.
"Yeah, universe doesn't revolve around you two." Chimney says with a smile. "I guess today it can."
"Are we ready?" Bobby asks.
Buck and Eddie stare into each others eyes and nod. "Yeah Cap." They says in unison.
"When I met Buck, he was an overeager cocky smartass." Bobby starts. "He thought he knew better than most, that firefighting was just seeing the fire and putting out the fire. You want to finish that quote?" He teases.
Buck snorts. "The rest is just blah, blah."
"This is the attitude I had to work with, and now? Now there isn't anyone I would trust more with my life or my teams life. You've come a long way from that smart mouth kids who stole my fire engines. I am proud of you as a captain and I am proud to call you a friend, to call you family. You've become a son to me, Buck." Bobby pauses, laying a hand on Buck's shoulders. "I am honored to be here with you today, honor to have the chance to share in this moment with you and walking you through your next chapter. I love you kid."
Eddie drops Buck's hands, smiling as Buck embraces Bobby.
"I love you too, Bobby."
Buck turns back to Eddie, wiping away more tears and chuckles when Eddie hands him a tissue. "Gotta whole pocket full, don't you worry babe. And Chris has back ups." He says.
"Two packs." Chris says proudly. "One in each pocket because you're both going to be a mess."
Eddie just shakes his head, taking up Buck's hands again. "You sure you wanna deal with that forever?"
"Sound like a good way to spend the rest of my life, honestly."
Bobby clears his throat, giving Buck and Eddie a pointed look that holds little heat to it.
"Eddie Diaz." He starts up again.
"Likes to be called 8-pack!" Chimney calls out, making everyone laugh.
"That's a lie! I want it on the record that I have never been called, nor wanted to be called, 8-pack."
"Noted." Bobby says. "Can I continue?"
"Please." Eddie says.
"Eddie was top of his class out of the fire academy, served multiple tours in Afganistan, and was rewarded with a Silver Star."
"Wow, a Silver Star." Hen murmurs, winking at Buck.
Buck rolls his eyes.
"On paper, he was the perfect candidate and someone I knew would make a great addition to our team. He more than proved himself during his first shift with the 118 and had Buck a little on edge. But the cold shoulder didn't last long, 2 shifts and a totaled ambulance later these two men before you became fast friends. I've seen them work scenes together, perfectly in sync, I've watched them bond and laugh together during down time, I've even had the pleasure to watch them raise an incredible young man together. Buck and Eddie are the very embodiment of a team, a set of unbreakable partners who hold each other up in their darkest moments and shower each other with affection in their happiest. I've seen the strides Buck has made as a firefighter and as a man, and I've seen Eddie learn to trust and be vulnerable with those around him, to ask for help and lean on others when he needs. They are two sides of the same coin, a perfect match through and through. Watching them come together as friends, co-parents, and soulmates... it has truly been on of my greatest honors. I am grateful for the love they've found with each other and to have been able to witness it with my own eyes. Thank you Eddie, for being there to have Buck's back in every way, for being the one to check his harness, and for catching him when he falls."
Eddie looks to Bobby. "Thank you for bringing him into my life, we wouldn't be here without you, Cap."
Bobby nods, stepping up to Eddie and pulling him into a hug. "Be good to him."
"Forever." Eddie promises.
Bobby goes back to his place between Eddie and Buck, swiping a hand under his nose.
"Cap, are you crying?" Buck asks with a smile.
"Not yet." Bobby say, clearing his throat. "If you'll repeat after me, Buck."
Buck nods, taking Eddies hands and gazing into his eyes.
"I, Evan Buckley." Buck begins to recite. "Take you, Edmundo Diaz to be my lawfully wedded husband." He grins at Eddie, squeezing his hands. "I promise to love you in this moment and every moment for the rest of our lives." He continues, jumping past Bobby's words and speaking his own. "I swear to be your calm in the chaos and your strength when you're weary. I promise to celebrate your wins and shoulder your sorrow. I vow to have your back through this life and into the next. And I vow to find you in every life because you are my whole heart, my every breath. You're my soulmate now and you'll be my soulmate then." Buck smiles at Eddie with tear filled eyes, holding his tissue out to Eddie.
"Fuck you." Eddie laughs wetly, taking the tissue and wiping his eyes. "We were going to let Bobby do the vows."
Buck shrugs. "I felt inspired."
"You're actually the worst." Eddie says.
Bobby smiles proudly at the two men before him. "Eddie?" He asks gently.
Eddie clears his throat and then nods.
"Repeat after me."
"From the moment we met, I knew you were going to twist my world." Eddie says, cutting Bobby off. "You've been a safe place for not only me, but for Christopher. You've taken care of us both even when I fought you on it. My promise to you, Evan Buckley, is to be your forever. To laugh with you when you are happy and lift you up when you feel like you're sinking. I promise to be honest, patient, and fiercely loyal. I vow to grow with you, feed your dreams, and build our life with laughter and love. You are the other half of my heart, I'm only whole when you are with me and Christopher. I vow to choose you every single day. You are my person, my best friend, my greatest love."
Buck bites his quivering lip. "Give me back my tissue." He snatched the tissue back, getting another soft laugh from their family. "No vows my ass." He mutters.
"Those were beautiful words from both of you." Bobby says. "Now, if there's no objections." He pauses. "Ethan, Christopher. Rings." Bobby holds out his hands, for their rings. Both silver bands, one studded with small sapphires and the other with chocolate diamonds. He hands the sapphire ring to Buck. "With this ring, I thee wed." He says softly.
Buck gently lifts Eddie's left hand, sliding the band onto his ring finger. "With this ring, I thee wed." He repeats.
Eddie pick up the other band, holding Buck's left hand and repeats the same motion. "With this ring I thee wed."
"I said it first." Buck mumbles softly.
Bobby shakes his head fondly. "I say these next words with all the love I could possibly have for you two. By the power vested in me by the state of California and the Los Angeles Fire Department, I now pronounce you husbands!" He calls out, a wide smile breaking across his face as he starts to clap with the rest of their gathered guest, tears shining in his eyes. "You may now kiss to seal this union."
Buck and Eddie grin at each other and move in, Buck goes to cup Eddie's cheek but it surprised when his husband splays a hand on his waist and one on his back and dips him. Buck makes a startled sound, wrapping his arms around Eddie's neck and laughs.
Eddie's smiling down at him, leaning in closer. "Mi amor." He says before pressing their lips together.
Noise raises around them, shouts and clapping and laughter envelop them. When they come back up, they're still tucked in close, sharing one more kiss before turning out to face their guests. Buck raises up their linked hands and they get another rush of cheers. Abuela and Pepa stand, stopping them just as the start to make their way back down the aisle, each pulling them into a hug.
"My Eddito." Abuela says, a hand grazing his cheek then she looks to Buck. "You've been the best thing for him, carino."
"He's kind of great." Buck says. "I'll take good care of him."
"I know you will." She nods, coming over and pulling him down to kiss him on the cheek. "I'll send you the tamale recipe, it'll drive his mother crazy." She whispers to him.
Buck barks out a laugh. "I would love that, but only if you stay a couple extra days and teach me how to make the first."
"How could I say no to that?" Abuela smiles, touching his cheek affectionately. "My boys."
"You be nice to Evancito." Pepa warns, hugging Eddie. "We like this one."
"I remember that I'm you nephew right?" Eddie chuckles.
"He's a good boy Eddie."
Eddie looks to his right, smiling. "Yeah, and he's all mine now."
Buck looks back to Eddie, beaming. "All yours, huh? I guess that's alright."
Pepa laughs, shaking her head and leaning up to kiss Buck on the cheek. "Congratulations, Buck."
Ramon and Helena squeeze in before Eddie and Buck make their way back down the aisle, Ramon giving them both a handshake and Helena giving them a quick hug before falling in step with Christopher as he makes his way back inside the venue with Bobby on one side and Athena on the other.
Eddie tugs on Buck's hand. "Come on, I have a husband to dance with."
"Can't have him waiting."
"I think he'd have waited for me forever, but I don't want him waiting another second."
Buck smiles, leaning in and kissing Eddie as they make their way back down the aisle. "I'd wait as long as I needed."
Buck is in the middle of the dance floor, Jee in his arms with Maddie and May, Eddie's right next to him dancing with Chris and Ravi. The music is loud and they're all laugh and smiling, people floating in and out of the circle they've made to get a chance to dance with the grooms. Ethan is close to Buck with his boyfriends Casey who Hen had introduced him to a few months ago and Daniel has his fiance, Hannah, pulled close. Everyone they love and care about is having a great time, enjoying the company and the food, it's the perfect night.
Albert weaves through the dance floor, coming up to Eddie and speaking close to his ear to be heard over the music. Eddie's eyes widen, his smile replaced with a scowl. Buck catches the shift immediatly and hand Jee over to his sister.
"What is it?"
Albert gives Eddie a sympathetic look.
"Tell Daniel and Ethan, and go get Chim and Bobby." Eddie says, nodding to his brother-in-laws talking at the edge of the dance floor.
"Eddie?" Buck grabs Eddie's arm.
"What's wrong?" Maddie asks, coming to stand next to Buck.
"Albert said you mom is in the lobby."
"Our parents are here?" Buck looks over his shoulder as if they'll walk through the ballroom doors. "How did they even find out?"
Eddie shakes his head. "I don't know, but we'll do whatever you want here baby." He takes Buck's left hand, bringing it up to his lips.
"Just leave it, Buck." Maddie says. "We can have someone tell them to leave and go back to enjoying the night."
"You know what, no." Buck says. "No, if they came here to crash I want to know what they were thinking; I wanna hear what they have to say."
"Okay." Eddie nods, following Buck off the dance floor.
May watches them go, looking at Maddie. "What's going on?"
Maddie sighs. "Apparently out parents are here. Do you mind taking Jee?"
"Yeah, of course." May grins at baby Jee, bounding her on her hip. "I'm going to go find mom."
Maddie nods and rushes after her brother, Ethan and Daniel falling in step behind her.
"Margaret." Buck calls as he and Eddie walk into the lobby.
"Eva... Buck." Margaret says, catching herself on his name.
"What are you do here?" Buck demands. "If I wanted you here, you and your husband would have gotten an invitation."
"Your father isn't here." Margaret says softly. "It's only me, and I'm not looking for an invitation or to be asked to stay."
"Then what it is that you're doing here, Margaret?" Eddie asks. "I was having a really nice night celebrating with my husband and our family."
"I... I just... I wanted to apologize. For everything. For not being the mother you all deserved and-and for they way your father and I acted the last time we saw you. It was despicable and I am ashamed of my reaction."
"Honestly, you should be." Buck says.
"I am. Who you fall in love with, or who your brother falls in love with... that's shouldn't matter. You're happy, you look happy even though you're not happy about me being here. There's still a glow." Margaret smiles. "That's all any parent should ever want for their children. I'm sorry."
Buck nods. "I appreciate that." He tells her. "And I am happy. Today have been perfect, it's more than I ever thought I could have or deserve. I was surrounded by the people who mean the most to me and the people who have loved me despite my flaws... maybe because of them, who knows. But they're here and I've never had to question whether they care about me or love me. My sister walked me down the aisle, I had both of my brothers standing next to me, my captain who's become the father I deserve officiated. I stood up on the alter today with the love of my life and the best kid in the world standing at his back and I got married." Buck says, sounding blissfully happy. "Friends who have become family cried and laughed with us today, cheered for us and loved us. And you know what? You and Philip, didn't cross my mind once. I never looked out to our guests, hoping to see you or wishing you were here because you didn't earn the right to be here and share in this day with us."
Margaret nods, wiping a tear away. "I know that. And you shouldn't have wasted a single thought on us, we don't deserve it and we didn't earn it. I just wanted to tell you in person, congratulations. And... and give you this." She holds out a white envelope. "It's not to buy you back or anything as crude as that, it's just... it's my guilt really and-and without a relationship with you I couldn't see another way to try to make some kind of amends or give you some sort of closure. I would understand if you don't accept it, but I felt compelled to give you something on your wedding day."
Eddie reaches out, taking the envelope. "Buck's been my family long before today." He says, flipping the envelope over. "I won't allow anyone to come in and try to hurt him."
"I don't want to do that." Margaret says quickly. "I promise, I'm leaving. I really did only come to congratulate you two and give you that. I have no ulterior motives or desires to be include, I know that's not what you want. If I were asked to stay I would as long as everyone was accepting of that but... but I know I don't belong here. I wish you a lifetime of happiness, truly I do. Buck," She looks to Buck with soft eyes. "If there is ever a time where you wish to talk, I will always answer."
Buck nods. "I'll keep that mind."
Margaret smiles sadly, her gaze sweeping across the faces of her children and a couple unfamiliar faces that are staring daggers at her. "You have an incredible family." She says. "I'm glad they could be there where I failed." Her eyes look to the back, finding Bobby standing with Athena as his side. "Your captain?"
Buck glances behind him and smiles. "Yeah. And his wife."
"Sargent Grant-Nash." Athena says pointedly.
"Thank you for taking care of him." Margaret says.
"He's a good man, despite everything." Bobby says coldly.
"I'm glad he had someone to guide him." Margaret wipes at her eyes, nodding. "I should leave, let you get back to you family and your celebration. Thank you got allowing me a few minutes."
"I wanted to hear what you had to say, I appreciate your words and your gift, thank you. But I don't see where I would ever find myself opening to reconciling. You... you caused a lot of damage and it took a long time for me to care about myself or feel like I was worthy of the love I have now. I don't wish anything bad on you, but I do want to live my life in peace separate from you. I don't want your influence around Christopher or any future kids we might bring into our family. I'm glad that you're able to see and acknowledge the wrong you've done but it's just not enough for me to trust you."
"I understand, Buck. I do, but you just need to know that I'll be there if you ever find that you want to reach out."
Buck nods. "Thank you."
"Enjoy your night." Margaret smiles at him and Eddie, turning to walk away. She pauses and looks back at Buck. "I love you, I love all of you." She takes a breath then walks through the lobby and out the door.
Eddie's waits until Margaret is out of sight before he's pulling Buck aways from the group gathered around them and into the nearest bathroom, locking the door when he hears footsteps following them.
"Are you okay?" Eddie asks, holding Buck's face between his palms.
Buck wraps his arms around Eddie, pulling hims to his chest, burying his nose in his husband neck and taking a deep breath. "I'm okay." He whispers.
Eddie nods, kissing the side of Buck's head and rubbing a hand up and down his back. "I wasn't expecting that."
"Me either." Buck says. "It was actually... it was actually kind of perfect." Buck pulls back, sliding down into Eddie's back pocket, earning a smirk from the other man. "Get your mind out of the gutter, there's at least 4 people waiting for us on the other side of that door. I want to see what's in the envelope."
"You're really going to make me wait until we get back to the hotel?"
"What, the blow job in the groom suite before cake wasn't enough?"
Eddie shakes his head, pulling Buck in by his suspenders. "I never get enough of you." He says, nipping at his jaw.
"Fuck." Buck breathes. "Maybe this can wait." He says, pushing Eddie back against the door, their hips grinding against either other.
There's a bang on the door. "Save it for the honeymoon!" Ethan calls out. "You've got like 150 people looking for you!"
Buck groans, dropping his head to Eddie's shoulders. "Fuck off."
Another bang on the door. "Come on." Ethan says again.
"One second." Eddie says, chuckling. "Open the envelop and we'll go back in."
Buck huffs, removing himself from Eddie. "Got your knife?" He asks, digging in Eddie's front pocket, pulling out a small knife. He shakes his head chuckling, slicing the blade across the top of the envelop. "I can't believe you actually had a knife in your pocket, it's our wedding day you weirdo."
Eddie snorts. "See, but you needed a knife. Who's the real weirdo, at least I'm prepared."
"Mmhm." Buck hums, pulling a shimmering pearlized card from the envelope. A fairly basic wedding card at first look but looking closer Buck makes out the subtle image of two firefighter helmets resting against each other, the shields in the middle with 118. "Huh, it's... it's custom."
Eddie shifts to Buck's side to look at the card. "Wow, it's actually pretty nice."
Buck nods, opening the card and reading the hand written inscription.
Buck and Eddie,
Congratulations of the start of your new family, may you have nothing but happy days filled with love and laughter. You deserve the happiness that you have found in each other, and child brought into this love will be beyond blessed to have you both. I hope this will be enough to help you start your life together, it's the absolute least that I could do for you.
All my love, Margaret
"She's full of surprised." Eddie says.
"Yeah. If only I saw this side of her when I was a kid. But, I'm glad that she's able to see how her actions had impacted us all. She's trying to be better, I may never benefit from it but her showing some growth is still a good thing."
Eddie nods, pressing a kiss to Buck's shoulder and wrapping an arm around his waist. "Yeah, it's a good thing."
Buck picks up the small piece of paper and unfolds it, looking down at the check that sat in the card. "Holy shit." He says, nearly breathless.
Eddie gawks at the paper, snatching it from Buck's hand and bringing it closer to his eyes. "Wait, how many zeros?"
"So many... Eddie..." Buck looks over at him. "Eddie this... this covers that house we found, that 4 bedroom with the in-ground pool."
"This covers the house, taxes for 3 years and a cruise to Hawaii for me, you, and Chris."
"Holy, fuck." Buck takes the check back, staring down at his mother's elegant script. "If she'd trying to make up for shit, this is definitely a start. Christopher could go to any school he wanted."
"He's already got colleges funds, one Shannon started when he was born and the one you started for him. He's got plenty of money for school." Eddie says.
"So..."
Eddie grins, taking Buck's hand. "We'll call the realtor on Monday and a travel agent after."
"And... you want that 4 bedroom?"
"Well, we'll need another room for kid number two don't you think?" Eddie says with a smile.
Buck nods, cupping Eddie's cheek and turning his head to kiss him. "I love you."
"I love you too. Let's go back out to our family."
Buck nods and lets Eddie lead him back out to the ballroom where they're greeted with cheers and clanking glasses, insisting that they share a kiss. Never wanting to disappoint those he loves, Buck sweeps Eddie up into his arms and kisses, then leads him back out to the dance floor where they're surrounded by those who mean the most to them; a check to begin their lives settling in his pocket.