Chapter Text
Buck was getting ready to walk out the door for his first shift back since the tsunami when little legs rushed towards him.
"No go, Daddy," cried Eleanora.
Buck sighed as he picked up his youngest daughter, saddened at the thought of her turning two in three and a half months. "I know you don't want me to leave for work after going away for a week, but Daddy needs to work so you have clothes, toys, books, and everything that's needed to make your homemade yogurt bites."
"Go, Dada," said Eleanora.
As Buck finished changing and had smiled when he realized that Ethan had snuck in three new drawings from him, Katherine, and Eleanora to display in his locker, Hen gave him a cupcake with a white seashell and blue icing on top.
"I take it the seashell and blue icing is about the ocean?" Buck asked.
Hen nodded, "Yes."
"Thank you," said Buck.
"How's Katherine doing with her physical therapy and what her former English teacher pulled at Durand?" Hen asked.
"Katherine has been doing exercises with moving her ankles over ten times a day and has taken ten steps while holding onto the parallel bars," said Buck.
"That's great," said Hen.
"She's frustrated that her steps are slow, but everyone is telling her that it'll take time for her to walk as fast as her siblings, parents, and everyone else," said Buck.
"I take it with her ADHD, she's wanting to be on the move again with her feet?" Hen asked.
"She misses doing cartwheels, handstands, front flips, and even backflips," said Buck.
"She'll be back to being the gymnast she wants to be in no time," said Hen.
"I hope so, too. She's been writing about her life as a gymnast before she became injured, her injury, and recovery for a future autobiography to publish if she makes the 2028 or 2032 Summer Olympics and wins a gold medal," said Buck.
"She's ambitious, and that's what I like about Katherine. She beats the own drum like me," said Hen.
"Katherine's a spitfire like me," said Buck.
"Are Katherine and Ethan enjoying being homeschooled?" Hen asked.
"They love being homeschooled at their grandfather's church," said Buck.
"You and Erica must be relieved about your father-in-law's church providing daycare for members, who aren't old enough or trusted to be left home alone when their parents are working," said Hen.
"I'm forever grateful my father-in-law stepped up when my parents wouldn't give a damn about me," said Buck.
"Even if you're working towards a relationship with your father now," said Hen.
"The years of not talking helped because we both did a lot of therapy," said Buck.
"Any word about your mother after she confronted you at the cemetery?" Hen asked.
"Even if she was forced to spend five years getting therapy and being treated for untreated PPD before being released when Kat and Ethan were four, it's looking like she'll never be allowed out in the world again," said Buck.
"Better for yours, Erica, and the kids' safety," said Hen.
"Speaking of kids, how is Karen handling IVF?" Buck asked.
"It's been a struggle, and she wishes she had her eggs frozen when she was younger," said Hen.
"Just remember there are more ways to become parents. There are many kids in Los Angeles who need a home, and Erica had to represent a lot of children who were orphaned by the tsunami," said Buck before walking away.
A minute later, Buck was greeting Lucas and Eddie with hugs.
"I hope you never agree to fill in at another station again," said Lucas.
Buck laughed. "If my skillset is needed, I can't say no if I'm not too tired to work overtime."
"Even if I agree with Cricket about not wanting you to be borrowed to another station again, I'm grateful you helped out at the 136 that shift. I could have lost Chris and Shannon if you weren't on the pier the same time as them," said Eddie.
"I know we briefly talked during my trips to Colorado and Maine after I had time to recover from the tsunami, but how are they doing?" Buck asked.
"They're in therapy, and I'm now in therapy and anger management classes, too," said Eddie.
Buck, who had known about Eddie's arrest at the zoo, nodded. "If that man said the same things about Katherine, I would have been angry, too."
"You would have punched that guy?" Eddie asked.
"Even if I learned how to fight while training for the Naval Reserves, I wouldn't have hit him," said Buck.
"You're a lover who uses their words instead of their hands," said Lucas.
A minute later, Buck was being welcomed back by Bobby and the rest of the 118.
The bell rang, and Bobby told Buck to be man behind for the first call on his first day back.
A few hours later, Buck was going on a call to a pumpkin farm about two boys trapped in a barn, with crows waiting outside.
Following the call with the crows, Hen spoke up, "If Chimney was still working as a firefighter/paramedic, he'd be freaking out over that call."
"Due to the crows just sitting on the jungle gym like in the movie The Birds?" Buck asked.
"Even if you stated you spent more time outside than indoors watching TV, you know that movie?" Hen asked.
"When I was 13 and had a sleepover at Erica and Isaac's house, there was a night we watched Alfred Hitchcock movies, and The Birds was one of the movies we watched," said Buck.
After his first shift back at the 118, Buck was eating dinner with his wife and kids.
"Any crazy calls on your first day back, Dad?" Ethan asked.
"Two boys learned their lesson on why they shouldn't throw rocks at crows," said Buck.
"Crows attacked two boys because of them throwing rocks at them?" Katherine asked.
"Yes. If you two or your sister ever throw rocks at animals, remember that you might not always be survive," said Buck.
"Like that dentist who threw rocks at Kobe the tiger at the zoo last year," said Ethan.
Buck nodded, "Exactly."
"While grounding will happen if either of you throw rocks at animals," said Erica.
"I won't throw rocks at animals," said Katherine.
"Me neither," said Ethan.
"I'd never hurt an animal after your sister killed Pickles and Pumpkin," said Katherine.
Buck looked at Bobby, who was showing him the candy and smoke detectors. "I've done this before at my station in San Diego, at the 132, and even during Trunk or Treating events on All Saints Day at my father-in-law's church on my days off, Bobby. "
Buck looked at the boy in the prisoner costume. "I asked to be the man behind because a firefighter has to be the man behind to keep this event running. I have no complaints about staying man behind for this event because my wife promised to bring our three kids to the 118 for this event, and I want to see them while on shift."
Erica, who had just arrived with the kids, spoke up, "The 118 wouldn't be able to keep this event running when their help is needed if a firefighter or two don't offer to stay behind. Just be lucky that my husband is sacrificing his skills as a firefighter to help keep this event running."
"Hi, Dad," exclaimed Katherine.
"Hi, Dad!" exclaimed Ethan.
"Hi Dada!" exclaimed Eleanora.
Buck smiled at his three kids. "You three look amazing in your costumes."
Katherine, dressed as Alice from the 2010 Tim Burton version of Alice in Wonderland, wheeled herself over to the boy because of her naturally curly blonde hair. "My Dad, who is the firefighter you're bullying, became a firefighter when I was a one-year-old toddler in San Diego. He'll be celebrating his eighth anniversary as a firefighter next year."
Ethan, who dressed up as the 2010 Alice in Wonderland version of the Mad Hatter to go with his sister's Halloween costume, glared at the boy. "We are proud of our father because he saved many lives after being caught in the tsunami while volunteering at the 136. He will be earning a Medal of Valor for his actions, and my Mom and Dad are getting me fitted for a new suit so I don't have to wear a church suit."
Eleanora, who was dressed up as the hot pink and purple Cheshire Cat, ran to her father and hugged his long legs, "Wuv you, Dada. Tick or Teat."
Buck smiled as he scooped up his youngest, "I love you, too. You make an adorable Cheshire Cat, Alligator."
"You like our costumes, Dad?" Katherine asked.
"I love your costumes, Kat and Wolf," said Buck.
"You named your kids Kat, Wolf, and Alligator?" snickered the boy in the prisoner costume.
"They're nicknames to protect my kids in public due to the publicity I've received as a firefighter on Instagram and even the news," said Buck. He then went to his wife and pecked her cheek. "How's the chaotic trick-or-treating going, Gazelle?" Buck asked.
"This is the last place since we already went around three blocks in our neighborhood, and it's going to be Alligator's bedtime soon. I also promised the kids that we'll attend the trunk or treating event at Dad's church for All Saints Day tomorrow," said Erica.
"At least I'll get to join in tomorrow evening after I take a nap," said Buck.
"Can we please have candy now, Dad?" Katherine asked.
Buck then placed candy into his three kids' buckets.
"You're doing the limit Bobby's giving even if Kat, Alligator, and I are your kids, Dad?" Ethan asked.
Buck nodded. "You know your mother, and I raised you and your sisters to not to be spoiled or receive special treatment."
"I understand, Dad. No matter what, I'm planning on giving some of my candy to my dentist office so they can ship candy to soldiers serving overseas, too," said Ethan.
The boy's mother in the prisoner costume looked at Buck. "I take it he's bullying you into giving him more candy?" asked the mother.
"He is and he says my father isn't a firefighter. My Dad is so good with kids that he offered to be man behind for this so he can see my brother, sister, and me," said Katherine.
Buck then gave the mother a smoke detector while saying it'll keep her son safe until his eventual parole hearing as an adult.
Erica, Katherine, Ethan, and Eleanora, who didn't understand what her father just said, all snickered.
"At least your father makes sure that we have top of the line smoke detectors and checks them monthly," said Erica.
Buck nodded. "Now go have some fun, and I'll be home in the morning for breakfast."
"Bye, Dad. Love you and stay safe when this event is over," said Ethan.
"Love you, too, and I promise, Wolf," said Buck as he gave his wife and kids each a hug and kiss on the cheek or head.
Following the call where there were kids shackled in the basement by their parents, Buck, who was man behind, looked at his teammates, "Are you alright?" Buck asked.
"I had Shannon send me a picture of Chris," said Eddie.
"I asked Karen to send me a picture of Denny," said Hen.
"Sam sent me a picture of Melissa and Jacob," said Lucas.
"Michael sent me a picture of May and Harry, and I had Erica send me a picture of your kids," said Bobby.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Erica offers her assistance to those kids when I tell her I wasn't involved with that call," said Buck.
"You really think Erica would help represent the teenagers that were locked in the basement by their parents?" Eddie asked.
Buck nodded, "Yes."
An hour later, Buck's phone rang, and he saw that his father was calling. He quickly answered the call, "Hi, Dad."
"I know you're on shift right now, and I wasn't sure you'd answer," said Phillip.
"I was man behind for the last few hours for the trick or treating event the 118 had, but I'll be back on calls soon. What's up?" Buck asked.
"I saw the news about the parents that locked their own kids in their house, and I kept on thinking about how your mother would be just like them if Daniel had lived to keep you healthy and safe," said Phillip.
"Just in case Daniel needed more blood, bone marrow, or any other parts of my body?" Buck asked.
"Yes," said Phillip.
"Even if you miss Daniel, are you glad what was discovered earlier didn't happen to me?" Buck asked.
"I am. You were able to have an actual childhood and enjoy being a teenager," said Phillip.
"Now after what happened to Katherine last year and a few weeks back, I just want to put my kids in a bubble they can never escape, but I also know that I need to let them explore the world," said Buck.
"You're a much better father than I was, but I'm grateful you're giving me another chance to be the father I should have been," said Phillip.
"I have to finish putting away everything, but we'll talk tomorrow when I pick the kids up from the church," said Buck.
"I love you and please stay safe," said Phillip.
"Love you too, and I'll try," said Buck before hanging up.
Buck rummaged through the cupboards in the loft kitchen and groaned.
"What's wrong, Buck?" Bobby asked.
"We're out of hot chocolate mix or cocoa powder to make some hot chocolate. I felt like the call with those kids earlier made everyone deserve hot chocolate as a comfort drink," said Buck.
"You want hot chocolate?" Bobby asked.
Buck nodded, "My in-laws would make me hot chocolate if I woke up in the middle of the night when I slept over."
Bobby thought about the rough call that happened earlier with malnourished and sick children being found chained up in a house, even if Buck was watching over the station. "Since nearby coffee shops are closed, take the Captain's truck and run to a gas station to get yourself hot chocolate."
Buck grinned, "Thanks."
"Take your turnout gear with you just in case there's a call before or after you get to the gas station," said Bobby.
"I will," said Buck.
After getting the station's credit card to get food, snacks, and beverages, Buck grabbed his turnout gear and stuffed it into the backseat of the Captain's truck.
After taking a few requests from others about what was needed, Buck drove the Captain's truck to a gas station.
Buck pulled into the gas station and was about to enter when he saw a woman with a knot on her head and two mismatched shoes walk past him. He quickly ran to the woman and grabbed her before she slid into her car. "I'm a firefighter for LAFD. That's a big bump on your head, ma'am. Please let me check it out."
The woman saw the nice young man in uniform and inwardly sighed in disappointment when she saw a silicone ring on his left ring finger. "What?" she asked.
Buck found the penlight in his shirt pocket and flashed it in her eyes. "Did you hit your head the other day?" asked Buck.
"I don't think so," said the woman.
Buck held on to the woman, and his eyes widened when he heard a groan and saw a man embedded in the windshield. He had the woman sitting in the backseat of the Captain's truck as he grabbed his turnout coat and gloves, and slipped them on. He slid into the open driver's side and felt the man's neck as glass rubbed against or fell onto his turnout coat sleeve. He sighed in relief when he realized the man was alive and called 9-1-1 to report his findings.
After the man and woman were both taken to the hospital, Buck gave the police his statement and pulled up to find Bobby waiting.
Buck grabbed the boxes of hot chocolate mix, bags of chips, and bottles of soda he bought. "Sorry I'm a bit late with the hot chocolate and other treats I promised to bring back."
"Dispatch called me to let me know what you came across, and you'd be held up for a while," said Bobby.
"I'm glad I took my turnout gear and heavy gloves with me so my arms and hands were protected from the broken glass I knocked down when I checked the man's pulse," said Buck.
"Otherwise you'd end up needing surgical glue on your arm," said Bobby.
After going home for a bit to nap, Buck headed to his father-in-law's church, where he noticed the kids were playing outside for their break from schoolwork. He smiled as he watched Ethan play soccer with 10 other kids, ages 5 to 14, while one of the volunteers, who supervised home schooled children supervised the game. He cheered when he saw Ethan score a goal, shouting, "GO ETHAN!"
Ethan quickly ran over to his father, "Dad!"
As soon as Ethan collided into him, he lifted his son and twirled him around. "Have you been good and not eaten all your Halloween candy in one sitting?" Buck asked.
"I only ate two pieces after Mom inspected the candy, and I'm looking forward to trunk or treating here tonight, Dad," said Ethan.
"Where are your sisters?" Buck asked.
"Kat decided to stay inside where she's learning a new crochet stitch from Louise. Ellie is eating a snack," said Ethan.
"If you want to return to your soccer game, I'll go say hi to your sisters," said Buck.
"OK, Dad," said Ethan.
A few minutes later, Buck found Katherine. "Hi, Katherine."
Katherine quickly dropped her yarn and crochet hook and wheeled herself towards his father. "Hi, Dad."
Buck quickly hugged his eldest daughter, "I just wanted to see you before I greet your sister."
"Did you greet Ethan already?" Katherine asked.
"I watched him score a goal before I told him I was here," said Buck.
"He's happy that he's able to play a small game of soccer during the 30-minute recess we're given," said Katherine.
"Your mother and I will be finding a soccer camp this summer to make up for his decision to be pulled from Durand," said Buck.
"We know he'll follow your footsteps to play football in a few years, Dad," said Katherine.
After the church's trunk-or-treating event that evening, Buck was tucking Ethan into bed. "Are you enjoying being homeschooled, Wolf?" Buck asked.
"Why do you ask?" Ethan asked.
"I'm wondering because pulling you from Durand was very sudden," said Buck.
"I do miss all my friends and most teachers except for Ms. Flores, but I enjoy getting to work at my own pace. I ended up completing my math, science, English, and social studies in four hours yesterday, Dad," said Ethan.
"You don't want to be enrolled in another private school or attend public school next semester or next school year?" Buck asked.
Ethan shook his head. "I want to be homeschooled until the sixth grade."
"Then you'll be homeschooled until you're starting the sixth grade," said Buck.
"Can I see about Chris and a few other friends from Durand sleeping over?" Ethan asked.
"I think you hosting a sleepover can be arranged, buddy," said Buck.
"While we can also start plotting a birthday party to invite friends from Durand, church, and the 118 to since my birthday is over two months away," said Ethan.
"Then start thinking about where you want to host a birthday party so we can make invitations," said Buck.
"I will, Dad," said Ethan.
Meanwhile in Katherine's bedroom, Erica watched Katherine settle herself into bed. "Are you happy being homeschooled right now?" Erica asked.
"I am because I get my schoolwork done faster and get more time to focus on physical therapy. Why do you ask?" Katherine asked.
"I just want to make sure your father and I aren't protecting you and Ethan, too much after what Ms. Flores did at school," said Erica.
"I miss getting to see Audrey and Jasmine five days a week at school, even if I get to see Audrey more outside of school thanks to Grandpa Phil living with Audrey's Grandma Anne," said Katherine.
"We can see about Audrey and Jasmine having a sleepover soon," said Erica.
"That would be great, Mom," said Katherine.
"Good because Jasmine's mother has messaged about Jasmine wanting to have a sleepover with you," said Erica.
"Can I have Audrey, Jasmine, and a few other friends sleep over, and we can go see Frozen II together as the main activity since the movie will be in theaters on November 7th?" Katherine asked.
Erica grinned. "That sounds like a wonderful idea, Katherine. Just tell me who you want to invite, and I'll start messaging their parents."
"How many friends can sleepover?" Katherine asked.
"You can have four friends sleepover, but you can have eight friends join you at the movie," said Erica.
"I want Audrey, Jasmine, Bailey, and Melissa even if she doesn't go to Durand to sleep over since they've all slept over before. I want Mikayla, Sarah, Polly, and Mackenzie to go to the movies with us, but they aren't allowed to attend sleepovers, but they're allowed playdates outside of school," said Katherine.
"I'll message their parents about Audrey, Jasmine, Melissa, Bailey, Mackenzie, Mikayla, Sarah, and Polly joining us on a trip to the movies, but you want Audrey, Jasmine, Melissa, and Bailey to sleepover," said Erica.
"Will Ethan join us on the trip to the movies since he liked watching Frozen due to Kristoff when he was younger?" Katherine asked.
"Let's make it a girls' day and night with your father joining for supervision, and Ethan can just have a sleepover with Grandma Tina and Grandpa Ryan or Aunt Alice and Uncle Leon," said Erica.
"OK," said Katherine.
Later on, when Buck and Erica were getting ready for bed, Erica looked at her husband. "Katherine is going to be going to see Frozen II with eight of her friends, and then Audrey, Jasmine, Melissa, and Bailey will sleepover since she misses her friends from Durand."
"Knowing Ethan, he'll beg to spend the night elsewhere," said Buck.
"I think so, too. My parents and Alice have all offered to take either Ethan or Eleanora for a sleepover so Katherine and her friends are our main focus," said Erica.
"I think my Dad and Anne would offer to take in Ethan or Eleanora for the night, too," said Buck.
"We'll let Ethan pick, but I think my parents would want Eleanora to spend the night," said Erica.
"I take it you want to host the sleepover so I can help drive the friends who aren't sleeping over home if their parents can't pick them up from the movies?" Buck asked.
"Yes, and then you can stay with the other girls if one of them needs to use the bathroom at the theater, too," said Erica.
"So the sleepover will happen after November 7th," said Buck.
Erica nodded, "I was thinking about November 8th, even if it's opening weekend, because Katherine and her friends are all excited about Frozen II."
Buck checked his schedule, "At least I already have November 7th off."
"I had checked your schedule before I started messaging the parents of Katherine's friends, and they're game on us taking their daughters Kat are friends with to the movies so they don't have to take them," laughed Erica.