Chapter Text
“Okay, we’ll go to bed and in the morning I’ll give birth and we can go home.” Buck decided, ignoring the rolling cramp that felt like braxton hicks but worse. That was not a contraction. No.
“Buck-”
“Get out, I’m going to use the bathroom and then we’ll go to bed.”
“Okay.” Eddie nodded a couple times, then left the room. Buck could hear him walk calmly for a couple steps, then a scurry towards Maddie and Hen’s door. Traitor. It was hard though, to feel angry at Eddie. Through the bond he was so excited and so happy it pretty much suffocated the uncomfortable-ness of Buck’s situation. Maybe that’s why bonds are so important.
“Buck, honey, do you need help getting off the toilet?” Buck wanted to swear at Eddie and tell him that he was perfectly capable but-
“Yeah.” He muttered. The Alpha helped him, efficient as always, then guided him towards the bed.
“So Maddie said you can go to bed.”
“Really?” Buck perked up, happily.
“The contractions will probably start in the next twelve hours.” Eddie explained softly, helping Buck get into a reclined position. “But you have to promise to wake me the second they kick in.”
“Eds?” Buck whispered softly, reaching a hand out in the dark. Eddie caught it, pressing kisses to his knuckles in response. “Are you still gonna love me after I give birth?”
“What?” Eddie whispered back, visibly confused.
“Because I won’t be pregnant anymore and I won’t be your precious Omega and what if you don’t love me anymore and I get all weird looking-”
“Buck.” Eddie interrupted. “Buck, I love you. You. With or without the pups. They were just a very happy bonus.”
“You promise?”
“I promise.” He kissed Buck’s knuckles again. “There is nothing on this planet that could stop me from loving you.”
“But what if I’m a terrible Dad and you’re so perfect and-” oh god Buck was going to cry. To be fair, he had enough hormones running through him to kill a small horse.
“You are not going to be a terrible Dad.” Eddie insisted. “Because you’re already a great Papi. You know that.” Buck pouted, blinking away tears. “This next part is going to be really hard. No one is trying to lie to you about that.”
“I know.” Buck whispered.
“What I do want you to know is that I am with you every step of the way.” Eddie said again. Buck could tell he was trying to catch his eye, but he wasn’t ready.
“I’m scared.” He whispered, softly into the dark. It was the first time he was saying it out loud. He had lived with nothing to lose for such a long part of his life. Then he found Eddie and Chris and the pack and that was something to lose. Now the girls were leaving his body and he could lose them too. Not that babies could get very far for the first little while, but still.
“That’s okay.” Eddie whispered back, moving forward and pressing soothing kisses into his head. “Because when you’re nervous, I’m here to assure you it’s all going to be okay.”
“Eddie.” Eddie blinked, looking up at him. “We still don’t know what we’re going to call them.”
“We’ll know when we see them.”
“Are you sure?”
“I could name them.” Christopher piped up, both adults turning to look at him. It made sense he would’ve woken up. They weren’t exactly being quiet.
“Yeah?” Eddie grinned over at his boy.
“Yeah. I have a list.” Christopher pointed towards his backpack.
“Did you-”
“I brought our list.” Eddie assured Buck.
“We should pick the names off Christopher’s list.” Buck decided.
“Um-”
“It’s a great list, Dad.” Christopher insisted. “Are the babies coming?”
“Yeah.” Buck muttered, smiling softly. “They just can’t wait to meet us all.” Christopher hummed and nodded as if that made perfect sense.
“It’s pretty great out here.” Christopher grinned, easily the opposite of what Buck had said earlier. Although, now that Buck looked between Eddie, the love of his life, and Christopher, his precious pup… he rethought. Yeah. Maybe it was pretty great out here.
- Eddie’s POV -
“Eddie Diaz, you are never touching me again.” Buck declared, at three in the morning, as Maddie drove them towards the hospital. Despite the threat, Eddie’s hand was firmly grasped in Buck’s and there was no sign he was letting up any time soon. Another contraction must’ve rolled through him as Buck gasped in pain, groaning loudly and squeezing all the bones in Eddie’s hand closer together.
“That one’s five minutes.” Christopher had manned the stopwatch, sitting in his hoodie and slippers in the passenger seat.
“Thanks, Chris.” Eddie answered in lieu of Buck. Initially the Alpha had chuckled a bit at Buck making the pup practise his timing, but he was grateful now.
“Eddie.” Buck whimpered and Eddie’s heart ached. He’d been there with Shannon, which had been hard in it’s own way. But something about the bond made him ache even more. He would take all of this from Buck if he could.
“Hey.” He smiled, undoing his seatbelt to move to the middle seat. “You’re doing really well.”
“You can’t leave us.” Buck whispered.
“Are you kidding me?” Eddie reached up to hold Buck’s face in his hand. “I am so excited for this-“
“Enjoy it.” Buck groaned. “I am not doing this again.”
“That’s okay.” Christopher decided from the front seat. “You’re doing two at once. We can be done after that.” Buck blinked, before looking to Eddie with a plead in his eyes.
“Very good point.” Eddie answered for him.
“Nearly there.” Maddie announced.
“Okay.” Buck decided, squeezing Eddie’s hand again. “This is fine. I’m fine.”
“Does it hurt?” Christopher asked. Buck looked back at Eddie.
“Yes.” Buck managed, blinking hard.
“Oh.” Christopher looked over to Maddie. “Should we get some pain medication?”
“You know, that’s a great idea.” Maddie started. “But once we get to the hospital they’re going to give Buck some really strong-“
“They better.” Buck agreed.
“They know we’re coming.” Maddie soothed him.
“Did someone call Bobby?” Buck looked over to Eddie. “Or Athena? I need-“
“Hen’s calling them now. They’re on the way.”
“Okay, Eddie, you can’t let them take the girls.” Eddie blinked, but nodded firmly. He’s still not sure why Buck has this idea in his mind that he’s leaving Buck, but he can do one thing. And that’s assuring his love.
“Of course not.”
“They might need to take them to check them out-“
“No.” Buck snapped at Maddie. “No. If they’re going to take the babies-“ Eddie could feel good stress growing by the second. “Turn around. They are not-“
“I’ll look out for them.” Christopher decided. “I’ll take baby one, so Dad can stay with you and he’ll take baby two.”
“Sounds like a good plan.” Buck nodded.
“Does that mean I can name her?” Christopher excitedly spun around.
“Okay- ah!” Buck squeezed his eyes shut as he cried out. “Okay. Ow. I’m done. I don’t want to.”
“I uh-“
“Not now Maddie.” Eddie decided.
“Wait so I can name the babies?”
“One baby.” Buck negotiated.
“It’s gonna be a team discussion.” Eddie cut in, smiling at his son.
“So it’s a vote?” Maddie teased him. “Okay, we’re here.” She pulled up in front of the brightly lit reception room, where Eddie could see someone walking out with a wheelchair.
“Morning!” She greeted, pink scrubs and bright smiles. “How are we going?”
“We have babies coming out of us.” Buck groaned, clutching his bump.
“Well, that doesn’t sound great for you, but let me tell you.” Eddie helped lift Buck from the car into the chair. “I happen to love when babies are coming! My name is Zara and I will be your nurse for the next few hours.”
“Okay.” Buck managed, grasping out. Eddie took his hand, before turning to make sure Chris was following.
“Hi! I’m Chris.” Their son announced, grinning at Zara.
“Hello Chris. It’s lovely to meet you.”
“This is my Papi.” He explained.
“Evan Buckley.” Maddie offered. “We rang earlier.”
“Yep, I have been expecting you.” Zara smiled, pushing Buck towards the entrance. There were indeed three other people standing by, all looking calm and happy.
“This feels like a lot for one patient.” Maddie said wearily.
“Well, for a rural hospital like ours, our labour and delivery ward is pretty empty most of the time.” Zara explained as they moved forward. “Which is why you are getting the VIP treatment.”
“Sure.” Buck managed, before squeezing Eddie’s hand again.
“So Evan-”
“Buck.” He interrupted. “Sorry, I go by Buck. Please.”
“Absolutely.” She led them over to an elevator, a woman with an ipad stepped in with them, giving Buck a kind smile. Eddie waited until they were moving to kneel by Buck’s chair.
“How are you going?”
“Pretty uncomfortable.” He admitted, tucking his face onto Eddie’s shoulder.
“We’ll get you in a room and hopefully be able to help with that.” Zara offered.
“Sure.” He managed.
“Where should I go?” Christopher whispered to Eddie.
“Just stay by me, okay?” Eddie explained.
“There are some chairs and even a couch in your Papi’s room.” Zara pushed them forward as the doors opened, Eddie standing quickly to follow. “You can sit there while we make sure he’s nice and comfortable.”
“Okay!” Christopher agreed quickly. “Do you have cool televisions that hang off the roof?”
“We sure do.” Zara smiled. It took Eddie, a wardsman and Maddie to get Buck into bed as he swore softly at the ceiling.
“Do you want anything?” Maddie asked.
“No.” Buck shook his head.
“Hi everyone, I’m Alice.” A woman walked in, smiling softly at Buck. “I’m the Doctor on this evening. I was hoping to have a chat with you?”
“Sure.” Buck nodded, Eddie's hand still tight in his grip.
“Maybe we could get everyone else to step out?” No. Which wasn’t a fair thought. Buck was allowed to have his privacy and should be in complete control. But sue him, Buck was distressed and he didn’t want to leave. He wanted to hold Buck’s hand wipe his brow and kiss him softly and-
“Sure.” Buck managed again.
“Okay.” Eddie nodded, before standing.
“No-” Buck yanked on Eddie’s arm. “Not you. Sorry. Mads, could you-”
“We are gonna go find a vending machine.” She quickly offered, smiling at Christopher.
“Dad says I have to have breakfast before snacks.” The pup pouted.
“Today can be an exception.” Eddie chuckled, before focusing back on Buck. His nose was scrunched in the usual way he did when he was uncomfortable, so Eddie grabbed a spare pillow and helped him put it under his hips.
“So this is our second pregnancy?” Alice checked.
“First.” Buck amended.
“My confusion,” she was so kind, but Eddie wanted to hurry her along. Where was the good pain medication? Why weren’t they helping? He must’ve emitted something, because both the doctor and nurse looked over to him. “Just while we do background, I really do like to have some privacy.” He understood. He really did. The amount of abusive Alphas who must’ve come through this ward makes him sick. But-
“No.” Buck repeated. “Write it down somewhere. Eddie stays.”
“I’ll step out.” Eddie suddenly agreed. Buck whined and his heart ached so badly. “Carino.” He scooted forward, holding Buck’s face in his hands. “It’s okay. Thirty seconds. I’ll go get you some candy.”
“Sour?”
“Of course.”
“Then you’ll come right back?”
“In a heartbeat.” Buck nodded shakily and Eddie leaned forward to kiss him, just once, before heading out. They had to know his Omega was safe. Because he is. Eddie had the sudden urge to sit outside the hospital room to stop anyone else from going in. No. It’s okay. He can walk away. He found Maddie and Chris only a few meters away, staring at the machine.
“Hey.” He greeted them, pressing a kiss into Christopher’s hair. “Are you okay?”
“Don’t know what to pick.” Eddie chuckled, clicking the series of buttons to get sour patch kids. He tapped his card, swiping the candy and standing back up.
“You can text me. I can grab anything.” Maddie offered.
“Welfare check.” Eddie answered briefly, before smiling at her. “Thank you, though.”
“You did it for Chimney.” She smiled.
“Dad. How long is this going to take?” Christopher asked, looking up at him with wide eyes. His baby… who wasn’t really a baby anymore. He remembered the absolute fear of holding Christopher in his hands, so worried about supporting his neck and tiny feet and now he was this full human in front of him.
“I don’t know.” Eddie honestly answered.
“Okay, so can I get two snacks?” Not quite grown up yet. Eddie was completely okay with that.
“Sure.” He smiled, leaning down to kiss Christopher’s head again before feeling the longing through the bond. “Okay, I’m going to head back.”
“We’ll be there as soon as tricky choices are made.”
“Okay!” Eddie headed back down the hall. The ward really was empty. But it was nice. The walls weren’t the plain white he’d grown used to. There were pretty pastel colours and big windows. “Knock knock!” He called out as he poked his head through the doorway.
“Eddie.” Buck whined and held a hand out again.
“Hey.” He smiled, rushing forward and taking Buck’s hand in his. “How are you going?”
“I don’t like this part.” Buck whispered.
“We’re going to get those opioids. We’ve had a look, we're about six centimeters dilated so we’ll start getting ready for the next few hours.” Alice announced, before gesturing to the buzzer next to Buck. “If you need anything or anything changed, hit that buzzer.”
“I’ll just be at the station there.” Zara pointed out the door.
“We’ll have some more guests coming soon.” Eddie told them. “Is that okay?”
“My parents.” Buck said firmly, before they could question it.
“Of course.” Alice nodded. “Would you like us to call anyone?”
“No, we’re okay.” Buck insisted.
“Okay, we’ll leave you to it.” Zara smiled, heading out. Eddie waited until the door was closed softly behind them, before turning to look at Buck.
“How are you really?”
“I’m okay.” He confirmed. “I don’t like this.”
“I don’t think anyone really enjoys it.” Zara came back in, gave Buck an injection and then headed back out. Eddie worked to scent the pillow around Buck, starting to unpack the blankets.
“We’ll probably be here for a little while longer.” Eddie explained as he tried to tuck Buck in.
“Eddie?”
“Yeah?”
“I feel like shit. The blanket isn’t going to help that. Can you come hold my hand?” As if Eddie wouldn’t try and move the Earth off its orbit for him.
“Of course.”
-
Buck flinched a little when the door opened again and Eddie turned to glare at whoever it was. He had made it clear they should knock first.
“Hey darlin’.” Athena greeted them, Buck whining again and turning towards her.
“Hey.” He managed.
“How are we going?” Bobby followed her in. He moved straight over to Buck’s side, running his fingers through Buck’s hair. Eddie felt himself relax, just a touch. Athena and Bobby were here. Buck’s team just got bigger.
“Nine centimeters.” Eddie reported.
“Look at you.” Athena praised him softly. “We nearly missed the fun.”
“This isn’t fuc-” Buck’s eyes flicked over to Christopher, sitting and staring at his book. “This isn’t fun.”
“That’s okay.” Athena promised him. “Because you get to go home with two baby girls.” Buck nodded shakily. “Right?”
“Yeah.” He agreed, a couple of tears going down his cheek. It felt like Eddie’s chest was aching. He wanted so badly to fix this. He made himself a promise when everything happened with… everything last year. He never wanted to feel helpless to protect Buck and here he was. Useless. “Eds.” Buck’s head tipped towards him. He had it wrong.
“My love.” He knelt on his chair, running hands over his shoulders and down his back. “I love you so much. You are doing so well.”
“Promise?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Hey Papi?” Christopher came over to Buck’s bedside. “I think you’re doing well too.”
“Thank you.” Buck let go of Athena’s hand to reach for the pup. “You better get ready. I think they’re coming soon.” Eddie watched Athena glance over at Bobby, before landing on Buck for guidance.
“Christopher has a plan, because Buck doesn’t want the girls to be alone at any point.” He kissed Buck’s hair. “So when baby number one is born, Christopher is going to stay with her, so that I can stay with Buck.”
“I’m going to take good care of her.” Christopher nodded, before blinking a couple of times. “But maybe someone should come with me.”
“There’ll be a nurse, I’m sure.” Bobby chuckled. “But how about, I’ll be on team ‘baby one’.”
“Great idea.” Christopher decided, nodding to himself. “Do you want me to read to you?”
“As much as I would love that.” Buck groaned. “I have other things to- Eddie.” His hand scrambled along the ground until he found Eddie’s again. “I think this is- I think something is happening.”
“Hey there!” Zara walked in, smiling at Athena and Bobby. “I’m Zara, just wanted to have a little check here of where our lovely Buck is at.”
“It’s not- ah!” Buck squeezed his eyes shut again. “Zara, help.” Zara set herself up between Buck’s legs (which did make Eddie want to smack her for), before nodding and reaching over to click a button. “What?” Buck breathed.
“It looks like it’s show time!” Zara announced.
“I can’t do this.” Buck announced, squeezing Eddie’s hand. “I can’t. Bobby please I-”
“You can. I’m sorry.” Bobby sat on the edge of the bed that Eddie wasn’t occupying.
“Maddie, now.”
“Come on, Chris.” Maddie guided the boy out. “This is the time that we are gonna head out.”
“Oh.” Christopher looked around. “Okay! Bye Dad! Bye Papi!” He moved out and Eddie nodded gratefully towards Maddie. He loved his boy, always, but this had to be about Buck. People started to come in, cribs rolled in towards the back. Eddie watched, desperately just watching Buck. He just needed support now.
“You’re never touching me again.” Buck announced.
“That’s okay.” Eddie answered quickly.
“I can’t do it.” Buck went to turn into Eddie again. “I can’t. You need to cut them out. I’m sorry.”
“Buck?” Zara was standing up now, smiling at him. “I’m sorry to say, you are doing this. It’s happening. Right now.”
“Really?” Buck whined.
“I can tell that your first baby has blonde hair. Yes. Really.”
“Oh Buck.” Eddie gasped, turning to him with a bright smile. “We’re gonna have a little girl with beautiful blonde curls like you and Christopher and-”
“Not now!” Buck shouted, just as Alice was instructing him to push. Something flashed through the bond, before a little cry filled the air. One of the cribs was rushed forward, another couple of people moving over. “Eddie.” Buck’s eyes were wide, staring forward. “Eddie you can’t- don’t let them-”
“I’ve got her.” Bobby moved quickly over, still standing out of the way, but close to their baby girl.
“Bobby’s got her.” Buck repeated, before closing his eyes and letting out a breath. “Okay. Okay. Here we go.”
“You’re doing amazing.” Zara promised. “Birth two is normally faster. Your body has done this before and-”
“Eddie, make her stop.” Buck begged. He opened his mouth, but the nurse was already smiling and miming zipping her lips shut. “Okay. Okay. Okay. Fuck!”
“You’re doing amazing.” Eddie repeated.
“I can do this.” Buck breathed. “Come on baby girl. Come on.” Eddie wouldn’t be able to tell you in the moment, or even the days after that, how long it took his second daughter to come into the world. He would always remember the complete relief that rushed over him when he heard two babies cry at the same time. The sight of his baby girl being taken away, Athena quick on their tail.
He would always remember Buck turning towards him, letting out a sob as he realised he was done. It was over. They were in the world. He would remember pulling his Omega as close as he could, kissing his hair and whispering every affirmation he could think of.
He wouldn’t be able to recall the moment Bobby and Athena left the room to tell Maddie and Chris about the birth.
He would have the moments his daughters were brought to Buck and himself engrained in his memory forever. Tiny baby girls, settling as they were brought against Buck’s body. His Papi scented them so carefully.
“Hi.” Buck’s voice wavered. Eddie helped him get under the covers so he would be less exposed. Then he watched his girls. Their first daughter, with her (albeit slightly sticky) blonde hair was staring forward towards them with big blue eyes. Eddie knew, realistically, they couldn’t see anything. But it was worth it.
“Hey mijas.” Eddie whispered, running gentle fingers down their face.
“They don’t look the same.” Buck pouted. Her sister defied any logic she couldn’t see, her big brown eyes twitching and looking around. She matched it with brown hair, just as sticky as her twin.
“They’re perfect.” Eddie continued.
“Golden.” Buck whispered, a shaky hand coming up to caress the blonde hair. “What about Aurelia?” Eddie looked at him with wide eyes. “We could call her Lia, for short?”
“I love it.”
“Do you? Do you really? Because I can’t do this alone.”
“Buck.” Eddie knelt, making sure he was just looking at Buck for a precious second. “You will never be alone again.”
“Okay.” Buck blinked back his tears. “Okay. Aurelia and…”
“On our list we had Lia and Mia.” Eddie reported. He practically had the list of names memorised. “What about Mirabelle?”
“Oh yes.” More tears stung at Eddie’s eyes. Oh his daughters. He had daughters and a beautiful son and where-
“Where is Chris? Can he come in?”
“Yes yes.” Buck agreed quickly. “Wait. I think we should put Athena’s name with Mirabelle and Isabel’s name with Aurelia? Otherwise it’s Mirabelle Isabel.”
“You’re so smart and beautiful.” And kind, and patient. And Eddie loved him so badly he wanted to bond again. And now he had brought babies into the world and it was perfect and-
“I can feel everything you’re thinking.” Buck giggled. “I’m too tired for your perfect loving energy, Eddie.”
“Oops.” He wasn’t sorry one bit.
“How do you feel about a couple extra middle names?” Buck whispered, still staring at them. “They’re too beautiful.”
“The ones we discussed?” Eddie asked softly. “Or did you have a new idea?”
“My brain is barely moving one thought at a time.”
“Okay.” He smiled softly, scenting his daughters softly. “I’ll go get everyone.” Eddie kissed along his head until he reached Buck’s lips. He moved towards the door, catching Bobby’s eye and waving him in. Christopher cheered and rushed past Eddie, moving straight over to the group on the bed. It offered Eddie the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.
Buck, the love of his life, tucked up safe in bed. Christopher, his son, giggling at the babies as he tucked his head onto Buck’s shoulder. And his baby girls, new to the world and already surrounded by love.
“Guys.” Buck started, once everyone was in the room. “I’d love to introduce you.” Maddie cooed, moving to her baby brother as Athena and Bobby stood proud by the bed. Buck brushed his fingers over Lia’s head softly. “This is Aurelia Isabel Madeline Diaz.” Christopher giggled out a little hello. “And this is Mirabelle Athena May Diaz.” Athena gasped, looking up at Bobby with big teary eyes. Maddie tucked Buck’s head towards her, kissing over it gently. Christopher grinned, waving at his sisters.
“Welcome to the world little ones.”