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There was something terrifying about having to wait to receive exam results during the holidays.
Buck couldn’t relax, even when he was hanging out with his Diazes or at work. He was tense, checking his phone constantly for email, pacing when no answer came. He was focused on calls, of course, but during downtime Bobby had him doing as much busywork as possible so that he would spiral because of the weight
It had been a long and hard road to get him to this point. For many months, he’d kept the secret that he was taking classes towards getting his Paramedic 1 certification from most of his coworkers. In the case of Eddie, he didn’t want the man to get the (entirely correct) impression that he wanted his certs to save him if anything went wrong again. In the case of Chim, he didn’t want to hear about how he was sneaking around, trying to take his spot, and any number of complaints the man had been making towards him any time they were even remotely alone together.
His ever-growing cheering section had been with him every step of the way. Hen did her best to make herself available if he was ever completely stumped about something, which he had done his best to not abuse. Bobby’s help with keeping him focused and finding time for him to study when on the clock had been amazing. Athena checked in with him after some of his late classes, and gave him a space where he could debrief and destress when things seemed to get to be too much. Carla sent him daily good luck messages, sometimes including pictures of Christopher if they were together. As for the pre-teen, he made it a point to give Buck a new card wishing him luck every time they crossed paths.
(Buck was of the opinion that Christopher had made hundreds of those cards and kept a handful in his bag to make sure he was always prepared. It was touching, to put it lightly.)
Eddie had been amazing, from the moment he found out that Buck was taking another step in his career. His home became a study-safe place, with plenty of snacks waiting if he needed it. Even the days following the exams, he kept his home open to Buck, knowing that he needed a place to hide out.
Between everyone in his friend circle, he managed to make it to the end of the course. And when he’d arrived at the testing center that morning for his exams, he had been touched to see so many people texting him luck.
The exams had gone well, he decided afterwards. He didn’t finish first, but he always finished with time to spare. His answers for the free response questions were thorough. All of his multiple choice questions were answered and double checked with the extra time he had left. The practical was a bit different, but ended up being okay since some of the scenarios he had to run through were similar to emergencies he’d attended in the past year.
After the final exam, he’d been told that he would find out within two weeks the results of his testing. It was a longer period than normal, but that was on account of the large group of firefighters testing (and a few retesting).
His results were arranged to be sent to Bobby, with him only receiving notification that they were in and complete. It wasn’t exactly his idea, but he figured out why when he overheard whispers of a surprise party. Bobby must have called in a favor to make sure he had the results instead of anyone else.
It wasn’t entirely a coincidence that Bobby and Athena were having their annual Christmas party two weeks early. Buck figured that if he had passed, the party would serve dual purpose. And he was okay with that. It wasn’t a big deal that he was doing this… right?
The day before the party, most of A Shift was at the 118. Things had been pretty standard, nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, things were so ordinary that everyone was almost desperate to have something happen.
Buck had been in the middle of inventory when his phone dinged in his pocket. A quick glance showed that he had an email… from the LAFD. He’d never unlocked his phone faster.
His results were in.
It only took him a second to find Bobby once the words registered in his mind. His results were in. The result of months of studying, changing shifts, keeping details from certain people to avoid teasing; it was all over and done with.
After handing his clipboard off to Ravi, who he had been training, he sprinted up the stairs to the kitchen, seeing Bobby working on their lunch.
“Bobby-” He started, still half way across the room.
“Yes, your results are in.” The man didn’t turn from the pot he was currently stirring, completely focused on… whatever it was that he was cooking for them. “I got the email before you came up.”
“And?”
The captain glanced over his shoulder at his youngest firefighter. Buck was wringing his hands, nervousness bleeding through every part of him. It was then Bobby made a decision. Making Buck wait until the next day, well actually the next night since the party was in the evening, was needlessly cruel. So he made a compromise in his mind.
“I’ll tell you if you passed or failed, and give you your full results tomorrow. That work?” The tension bled out of Buck like the strings on a puppet being cut.
“I’m okay with that,” Buck agreed. Sure, he’d like to see the breakdown of everything, but that could wait. Just knowing if he’d made it… that was what was important right now.
Bobby waited another second before pulling out his phone. Pulling up the email, he eyed Buck for a moment with the most neutral face he could pull off.
At that moment, Buck’s worry came rushing back. Did he…
Bobby smiled. Buck froze.
That wasn’t just a smile on his captain’s face. That was happiness. That was… pride.
“I did it,” Buck whispered. Message received. It took him a second for that to even process. “I passed. I did it.” He kept whispering, still frozen in shock.
Bobby set down his phone and walked right up to Buck and pulled him into a tight hug. “I am so proud of you, Evan,” the man whispered, pride bleeding out of him. Because he was proud. So damn proud.
“It’s true? I did it?” Even now, even hearing his real name, he didn’t believe it.
He’d been successful his first time taking his test to become a firefighter, but no one had been there to celebrate. During his recertification, he’d felt excitement, but that was marred by the blood clot. But this accomplishment, one that he decided to do all on his own? Still couldn’t believe it.
“You did it.” Bobby squeezed him close once more before stepping back.
A brilliant smile carved across Buck’s face. With a quick glance to get permission, he rushed over to the railing and loudly shouted out, “I passed!”
Immediately, the firehouse burst into cheers and congratulations. Eddie and Hen sprinted up the stairs to grab Buck into tight hugs, neither one of them wanting to let go of the man. Ravi had followed at a slower pace, but was still full of congratulations for his mentor.
While they were caught up in their showering Buck with praise, Bobby stole away back into the kitchen. Once a quick text was sent off to Harry and May (along with the request to not pass it on the news yet, they were keeping it family only for the day), he made a more important phone call.
“Hey honey, he passed.” He turned away to quickly whisper something else, to make sure he wasn’t overheard, though it would probably take most of the animals escaping from the zoo to drown out the impromptu party that was going on.
Athena had been driving to the 118 for lunch, but hearing the great news had put her in a better mood. Once she’d parked, she made her way up to the loft and pulled the man that had become a surrogate son to herself and her husband into her arms. “You did good.”
The party the next night was in full swing when Chimney and Maddie arrived.
The Grant-Nash house was decorated to the nines as always. Tasteful Christmas decorations covered every surface, with a large and almost perfectly decorated Christmas tree in the corner already brimming with gifts. Everything was sparkling and beautiful.
The only thing that didn’t fit the Christmas theme was a table set up in the garden, with a large cake sitting in the middle, surrounded by cards. Balloons were tied to each leg, silver and gold and still perfect. When Maddie wandered over, she had to admit being shocked at what she saw what had been pipped onto the cake.
Breaking records again! Congrats Paramedic Buck!
She quickly spun around to see if she could spot her brother. He’d not only passed, but he broke a record? And she had thought he was just getting his certification. Why were they calling him a paramedic?
She found him on the couch, chatting away with Eddie and Karen, Christopher sitting on his lap with the biggest grin on his face. He was fully animated tonight, not exhausted like the last time she saw him, when he was storming out of their apartment after finding out that he had been lying to both of them. She wanted to go over and talk to him, but at the same time she didn’t want to interrupt him.
Howie’s hand found her shoulder. “I guess Buck passed. Bobby just told me, and told me to play nice. Nice? He lies and we’re the one warned?” The older paramedic grumbled under his breath, taking in the scene inside.
“Howie, don’t. We can talk to him later. Let’s just enjoy the real reason we’re all here, for Christmas.”
The couple split off then, joining in various conversations and easily talking around the whole “Buck” issue. It was clear where everyone at the party stood on the issue.
For his part, Buck wasn’t trying to seek them out. He was having too much fun being surrounded by his family that was so proud of him. He made it a point to not make the whole party about himself, instead easily spinning everything around to the holiday.
As they neared dinner time, Buck ended up in the kitchen with Bobby and Athena, helping finish up and plate most of the food (except for the grill, which Bobby wouldn’t let him near yet). Spending time with the two always made him feel good.
Once dinner was packed away and mingling started again, Buck found himself finally alone with Maddie and Chim. The two had managed to steer him into a corner to finally talk to him.
“Look, I know you’re mad at me for not saying anything,” Buck said, leaning against the wall. He was trying to act nonchalant, but he was worried that things might turn into a fight if they got annoyed.
“I wouldn’t say mad, Evan,” Maddie started.
“I would!” Chimney gave Buck a glare. “A little heads up, some warning, would be nice. You do realize that you leaving the team will break up this little family, right?”
A confused look settled over Buck’s face. “Leave the team? I’m not going anywhere. I just wanted to get my certification. I’m not planning on transferring anywhere.” He was met with blank stares. “You seriously thought I was doing this to leave this family? I just wanted to make sure that if something bad happened again, I could do more help besides just the physical. Which is a good thing.”
“Oh.” It wasn’t often that Buck caught Chimney speechless, but there was always a first time.
“Yeah.” Buck mentally rolled his eyes and moved to slip away, but Chim grabbed his arm before he took more than a step.
"Wait." Chim took a deep breath. "Look. We just wish you'd told us. I wouldn't have jumped to conclusions if you had."
Maddie shared a quick glance with her partner and continued. "We just worry about you, and yes, we jumped to conclusions. Knowing that you aren't planning on leaving, that this is just to better yourself, makes thanks better."
"And!" Chim said, slightly raising his voice to keep Buck from talking while also letting go of Buck's arm. "I'm sorry I got pissed. I just reacted."
Buck leaned back against the wall again. "I shouldn't have hid what I was doing. Telling everyone would have been a better idea, especially when people starting finding out." He held out a hand. "Truce?"
Without comment, Chim grabbed his hand and tugged him close.
A bit later, Eddie caught up with Buck when he slipped outside where the boys were hanging out and quietly moved to join him. The two men stood to the side of the patio out of sight silently for a few moments until one of them finally spoke.
“So. How are Maddie and Chim?” Eddie went for nonchalant, and missed by a mile.
“Everything is settled. It's fine Eds..”
They lapsed into a calm silence again. “What is your plan for Christmas?”
Buck blinked. “Figured I would hang out at my loft. Since everyone is busy. Why?”
“You’re coming with Christopher and I. No choice. Christmas is meant to be spent with family.”
The man leaned over and pulled Eddie into a tight hug. “Yes.” And he meant it.
With nothing else left to be said, they headed back into the party, both thinking the same thing. A line had been crossed, and they both were okay with that.