Chapter Text
December 2022
Eddie takes a look around his house on Christmas Eve. He and Buck put their finances together and bought a bigger house, with the Buckleys help. They closed after Halloween, and Christmas Eve is their first big gathering.
Somehow, they got scheduled off Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, although they do have work on New Year's Eve, so they took over the Christmas festivities. Abuela and Athena's mother were chatting about who knows what, Pepa is speaking to Bobby's long lost brother, while the 118 children decorate Christmas cookies, even soon to be two year old Jee Yun.
Bobby and Athena are finally remodeling their house, with Michael's help, and they are standing around their little Haitian girl they decided to adopt. Maddie is laughing with Josh and Linda, who have become folded into their family, along with Sue and her husband.
Chimney is entertaining Bobby and Ravi with a wild story from Boston, while Eli and his family are laughing with some others from the 118. Albert is at the kids table while May looks on, making sure Jee doesn't make a complete mess.
A year ago, he was telling Buck, Ravi and Hen he was leaving the 118, telling himself it was for Christopher. But now, he's happy for the time in his life.
He's in a steady relationship with his best friend, who is the love of his life, who is going to formally adopt Christopher once they decide to get married. Which was something Eddie didn't realize he had hang ups with, but with a couple therapy sessions, he explained to Buck why.
Now he wants to marry that man so hard. He wants to stand up in front of his friends and family to declare his undying love and devotion to Evan Buckley. Swear to never leave and always have his back.
There is a ring burning in his pocket, waiting for the right moment to propose to Buck.
Only, there is never to be a right moment, because Buck will say yes anytime, anywhere.
Like he sensed Eddie thinking about him, Buck grins at Eddie and strides toward him, kissing him.
"You looked deep in thought there, love," Buck says, cradling Eddie's face in his hands.
"Just looking at how happy everyone is, and thinking about what happened a year ago." Buck sombers for a minute before realizing where they are now.
"Yeah, but look at where we are now," Eddie says, fingering the ring. This is the perfect place, and Christopher has been begging Eddie to ask for ages now. "I, uh, wanted to ask you something."
"What do you want to… Oh my God." Buck breathes, as Eddie sinks down on one knee holding the tungsten ring in his palm.
"Evan Buckley, for years we have been through some crazy stuff, but every time we come out stronger. You are my angel, the love of my life and the other parents of our son. Bobby hired me to be your partner, in and out of work. Well, congrats Bobby, it worked. We are closer than ever," Eddie says, when everyone realizes what is going on. "Buck, you are the light that shines in every room. You have a heart of gold. You have given me so much love that sometimes I'm bursting with it. I can't bear to not be married to you because I want this love, you, for the rest of my life. I want more kids, Chris agrees, and I want you to adopt him. I want us to be the Buckley-Diazes, and drive everyone nuts with our sappines."
There are tears around the room, but Eddie continues, watching as their son wiggles happily on his crutches. "I want to wake up next to you, hold your hand while you’re sick.. I want everything with you, Evan Buckley. So, will you marry me?"
Buck is openly crying, "God yes. Always yes, Eds."
Eddie slips the ring on Buck's finger, "I love you so much, Evan."
Buck smiles through his happy tears, "And I love you so much, Eddie. I can't wait to be your husband and Christopher's legal dad."
Blocking out the cheers through the room, they kiss and kiss until they can't breathe. They pull apart, and look at each other.
"Hey Eds?"
"Yeah?"
"My life would suck without you."
Eddie smiles, "Our lives would suck without them." and they allow themselves to be engulfed by their family, wrapping themselves with the love filling the room.
And to think, Eddie wanted to leave all this behind.
Yeah, he is never letting this go, ever again.
The End