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“Are you sure you’ve got everything organised?” May asked for the thousandth time as she and Buck drank their coffee. May had just finished a 16-hour shift and Buck had the day off from the station so the two had met up to finalise the details for the anniversary present they were preparing for Bobby and Athena’s surprise anniversary party.
“Yes May. I’ve even scheduled the court date,” Buck replied and May nodded eagerly.
Buck was finally going ahead with the adult adoption process. All those months ago on what was probably one of the worst days of his life, May had floated the idea of adult adoption to Buck as a way to try and prevent him from ending his life. Since then, it had been a constant, niggling thought in the back of his mind. So, Buck did what he did best – he researched. He discovered that the process wasn’t actually too complicated. He printed out all the necessary forms (one set for Bobby and one set for Athena) and had even spoken to a lawyer regarding a hearing date to confirm the adoption in the eyes of the law. All that was needed now were the signatures on the documents.
“They are both going to freak,” May said excitedly and Buck nodded his head. As he gazed down at the table, May leant over and squeezed his hand. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“What if they don’t want to do this?” Buck asked and May’s gaze softened. “What if they are just, I don’t know, paying lip service to me?”
“Buck, they want you,” May replied comfortingly. She then smirked and raised an eyebrow. “Besides, if by some odd chance mom and Bobby had a lapse in judgement, Grandma would set them straight. You know you’re her favourite.”
Everyone knew that when Beatrice Carter had first met Buck, she’d practically the claimed the boy as her own after their first conversation. They had spent the afternoon together baking and she had promptly interrogated her daughter as to why she hadn’t been informed of her third grandchild. Since then, Buck and Beatrice had kept up steady contact and were constantly Face Timing and sharing recipes (recipes that even Athena couldn’t get out of her mother).
“Nah I’m really not,” Buck replied and May just rolled her eyes at him. “Anyway, should we get them something else as well? Abuela and Nana Lydia have both said they will provide the catering and Grandma Bea and Grandpa Sam are flying in from Florida. Did you and Harry want to get them something from just you guys?”
For the rest of the day, Buck and May planned the anniversary party. They’d conspired with Hen to get Bobby and Athena out of the house so that they could set up (her and Karen were taking them to lunch and an open-air movie that day and playing it up as a double date/anniversary gift). The grandmas were all coming to help prepare the food and Eddie, Maddie, Chimney, Michael, David, Charles, Sam, and the kids were on decoration set up. Buck had Ravi and Albert assisting him and May with cleaning and organising the house so that everything would be perfect for the parents of the 118.
After dropping May home, Buck drove home (and if he felt giddy and let out a content laugh at that thought, no one was going to call him on it). He let himself in and smiled at the sounds and smells that hit him as he opened the door. Abuela was in the kitchen laughing at something Eddie had said and Christopher and Pepa could be heard giggling as well. Buck entered the kitchen and leant against the door, grinning as he watched the Diaz family. Christopher noticed him first and shot him a huge smile.
“Bucky!” Chris cried before getting to his feet and walking over to Buck. Buck knelt down and wrapped the boy in one of his infamous “Buckley Bear Hugs” (as named by Denny) and Chris let out an elated giggle. Standing up with the boy in his arms, Buck noticed Eddie staring at him with a soft smile and he couldn’t help but smile back.
“Hola Evanito,” Pepa said as Buck walked further into the kitchen. He kissed her on the cheek and grinned as Isabel swept him into a hug before moving over to Eddie. The other man greeted him with a soft kiss and Buck felt his heart melt slightly.
“Smells amazing in here abuela,” Buck said, sitting down at the table with Chris in his lap.
“It’s just enchiladas mi nieto,” Isabel replied. “I will teach you the recipe next time we have a cooking day.”
“Oh, so you’ll teach him but when I ask, you say that it’s a secret,” Eddie teased and Isabel waved the spoon at him. “I see how it is.”
“Eddito, you are many things, but a cook is not one of them,” Isabel teased back and Eddie pouted. Buck, Chris and Pepa all laughed at the look Eddie shot his grandmother. “At least if I teach Evanito, I know that the recipe, and Christopher, will be safe.”
“Don’t pout babe,” Buck teased and Eddie turned the look to him. “Nope. Put it away. I’ve seen what you do to food.”
“Not you too Christopher. My own son,” Eddie cried as Chris giggled into his hand.
“Daddy, pancakes aren’t meant to resemble hockey pucks,” Christopher added and the adults besides Eddie all burst out laughing.
“Once you’ve all finished,” Eddie said and the others took a moment to compose themselves. Eddie then turned to Buck again and smiled. “How was your afternoon with May?”
“Good, we’ve got pretty much everything sorted for the party. We are just finalising the last of the details but everything will be good to go for Saturday,” Buck replied and Eddie raised an eyebrow. “And no, Eddie, I won’t tell you what we are getting them. Just that hopefully they will like it.”
“Harry, Denny, and I made cards on the weekend for them,” Chris said proudly and Buck nodded. Chris turned to Eddie and patted his hand. “It’s ok Daddy. Harry knows as well but he won’t tell us.”
Buck kissed Christopher on the head and smiled across at his boyfriend. Eddie was staring at him with affection and love in his gaze and Buck felt his heartbeat increase as he stared back at his partner. On his worst days, Buck could always count on Eddie and Christopher to raise his spirits and remind him that all was right with his world.
After Isabel and Pepa had left that night and once they’d eaten, Buck, Eddie, and Christopher all curled up on the couch together to watch a movie. Christopher had fallen asleep on Buck’s lap and Eddie would freely admit to having taken a bunch of photos of the two (some of which were sent to the 118 group chat).
“He’s completely dead to the world,” Buck commented after he put Chris to bed. Eddie had started on the dishes while Buck tucked the boy in and he let out a soft noise of contentment as the blonde’s strong arms wrapped around his waist. Pressing a kiss to Eddie’s temple, Buck nuzzled into his throat. “Love you.”
“Love you too mi amor,” Eddie replied and Buck kissed his neck. The two men fell silent as Eddie finished the dishes and once he was done, he spun in Buck’s arms and pressed a kiss to his partner’s lips. “You alright baby? You seem quiet.”
“Hmm. Just thinking,” Buck said, his eyes closed and forehead resting against Eddie’s. “Nothing too important. Promise.”
Eddie raised an eyebrow and he knew Buck could feel it but the taller man just shook his head. He dropped his forehead to Eddie’s shoulder and the Latino man pressed a gentle kiss to his partner’s temple. Dishes done, Eddie led his compliant boyfriend out of the kitchen and up to their bedroom. Slowly stripping Buck of his clothes, Eddie pressed gentle kisses to the skin that was revealed.
“Shh,” Eddie said as Buck tried to reciprocate. “I’m not riling you up. Just getting you comfortable then I’ll go and lock up.”
Evan didn’t complain as Eddie led him into the bathroom so they could both brush their teeth. Once that was done, Eddie led Buck back into the bedroom and tucked him into bed. Buck let out a soft noise and Eddie leant down to press a fond kiss to Buck’s cheek.
“Be right back cariño,” Eddie murmured. After locking up the house, Eddie walked back to his bedroom to find his partner dead to the world, his face buried into Eddie’s pillow.
The rest of the week was spent splitting their time between shifts, Christopher, and prepping for Bobby and Athena’s anniversary party. The day of the party came quickly and Buck was a flurry of movement the morning of. Once he’d gotten the confirmation that Athena and Bobby had left, Buck had all but dragged Eddie and Christopher over to the Grant-Nash house. The rest of the 118 family arrived and Clipboard Buck made his appearance (much to the horror of Chimney who made his concerns known).
“Tell me Eddie,” Beatrice asked as Eddie ducked into the kitchen to grab some water for the decorations crew. The grandmas were all knee deep in cooking and Eddie couldn’t wait for the meal to be served. “Do you know what my grandchildren have gotten Athena and Bobby for their gift. All three have been quite tight lipped.”
“Buck hasn’t let anything slip,” Eddie answered honestly and Beatrice frowned. “He’s just told me that they will hopefully love it. He’s worried about it though, even if May keeps trying to reassure him.”
“Hmm. I hope they haven’t gone overboard,” Beatrice commented and Eddie could only shrug before grabbing the water and carrying it back out to the others.
At 4pm, Buck received the message that Hen was bringing the couple back and everyone tidied up and grabbed drinks, ready to surprise the couple. Eddie squeezed Buck’s hand reassuringly as the front door opened and Hen could be heard leading the couple inside. As they descended the stairs, the entire group started cheering.
“HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!” they all yelled and Buck laughed as both Athena and Bobby jumped and grabbed their chests.
“Henrietta,” Athena said, turning to glare at her best friend while Karen pulled Bobby into a hug.
“Don’t look at me. We were just the distraction,” Hen replied, pulled Athena into a hug. Hen winked at Buck over Athena’s shoulder and kissed her friend on the cheek. “This was all your eldest child’s doing.”
Once Athena had hugged Karen and Bobby had hugged Hen, the couple walked down the stairs and approached May, Harry, and Buck. The Grant kids swarmed their mother while Bobby walked straight to Buck and pulled him into a hug.
“Happy anniversary,” Buck murmured and Bobby squeezed him tightly. The older man pulled Buck to his wife and the 118 watched as the small family all hugged tightly. Buck ducked his head so Athena could kiss him on the cheek and cup his face in her hands.
“Thank you, baby,” Athena murmured and Buck grinned. When the group broke apart, the others all approached to greet the couple and wish them a happy anniversary. Bobby and Athena were led to the patio and were placed in seats before Harry and May brought over plates of food for them. The rest of the team grabbed their food and joined the couple at the large table.
“How did you plan all this without us knowing?” Bobby asked and Buck just smirked.
“Pops, I conspired with Heidi Shatsky to get photos of you from your figure skating days, of course I can organise a party without you knowing,” Buck teased and the 118 team all laughed at their captain’s face. When Karen pressed him for more information, Buck turned to her. “I’ll send you the pictures. They are pretty amazing.”
Once the remnants of the meal had been cleared away, Athena noticed Buck awkwardly fidgeting with his hands. Sharing a glance with her husband, Athena leant over and grabbed Buck’s large hand in her smaller one. The young man stopped fidgeting but Athena could still see the worry in his eyes.
“Baby, tonight has been amazing,” Athena murmured and Buck nodded. “So why do you look terrified.”
“Time for presents!” May yelled, getting the attention off of Buck for a second. Buck, Harry, and May all ducked back inside to grab the presents and May took a moment to grab Buck in a hug. “You need to stop stressing. They are going to love this. I know it.”
“I just… I can’t lose them,” Buck admitted and both May and Harry wrapped their arms around him.
“You won’t,” Harry said firmly and Buck shrugged.
“He’s right. Mom and Bobby adore you. There is no way they will reject this,” May added. Buck hugged the Grant kids tighter for a second before taking a deep breath and shaking himself off. “Now, lets go surprise the pants off them.”
The trio walked back out of the house carrying piles of presents and both Bobby and Athena let out confused noises.
“Happy anniversary guys,” May said excitedly as the trip dropped the presents on the table in front of them. The entire group noticed May extract one present from the pile and step away and while they were confused, they knew things would be explained soon.
Bobby and Athena set about opening the gifts, thanking each guest as they went. As the couple opened their gifts, Eddie could see his partner growing more and more concerned. Leaning over, Eddie rested a comforting hand on the back of Buck’s neck and the younger man relaxed slightly. Once all the presents were opened and the wrapping paper was cleared away, May cleared her throat and both Harry and Buck stood beside her. Harry pulled his phone out and began filming the scene, much to the confusion of everyone.
“So, we really had no idea what to get you initially,” May said and both Bobby and Athena shared a glance. “We kind of floated a few ideas, like a holiday or spa day.”
“But then May came up the most awesome idea ever!” Harry said excitedly and May blushed slightly. She handed the two boxes she was holding to Buck and the man took a deep breath before stepping over to hand them to Bobby and Athena.
Bobby opened his first and time seemed to stand still for Buck. The man frowned as he pulled the stapled document out of the box. Bobby’s eyes widened and he had to read the heading three times before he looked up at Buck. The younger man was shaking as he watched Bobby stand, almost robotically, and approach him.
“What is going on?” Buck could hear Chimney whispering loudly but his focus was completely on Bobby. Bobby looked between Buck and the documents and Buck was just getting ready to tell Bobby to forget it when Bobby pulled him into the tightest hug imaginable. One hand came up to cup the back of Buck’s head while the other gripped the back of the young man’s shirt, giving him nowhere to go (not that Buck would move if he wasn’t forced too).
“Evan,” Bobby let out a soft sob and Buck felt tears welling up in his own eyes. Burying his face in Bobby’s shoulder, Buck decided to let the tears fall. He heard a gasp from Athena’s direction and soon Buck felt two small arms wrap firmly around his waist.
“Oh baby,” Athena’s voice was muffled slightly by Buck’s side but he didn’t mind. He extracted one arm from around Bobby and wrapped it around Athena.
“Evan,” Bobby said after a moment, not even trying to hide the tears streaming down his face. Buck looked into Bobby’s eyes and smiled hopefully. “Nothing, I repeat, nothing would make me prouder than to sign this.”
“Evan, baby,” Athena added and Buck looked down at her. She cupped his cheeks in her hands and pulled him down to kiss his forehead. “I am so honoured.”
The trio joined together in a hug again and Buck could hear May explaining the gift to the others. The group started cheering as Buck buried his face in Athena’s shoulder and accepted to affection from his parents.
“I need a pen,” Bobby cried excitedly, breaking the hug and turning to the others. He didn’t even care that his face was red and covered in tears, he had papers to sign. May pulled a pen out of her pocket and handed it to Bobby with a giggle. Athena pulled Buck over to stand in between her and Bobby while they both signed the adoption papers with a flourish. Once the papers were signed, Buck let out a happy sob and accepted the hugs from his new parents.
“One more thing,” May said and Buck turned to watch as she walked into the kitchen. Harry was still filming them and Buck raised an eyebrow. May returned with a cake and when Buck read what was written in icing, he let out an almost hysterical giggle. “What? I told you they’d accept. I was just hedging my bets.”
Harry zoomed the camera in on the cake that Buck now held, giggling the whole time at the “IT’S A BOY!” writing on the cake. Bobby and Athena were smiling proudly through their tears and Buck. Well Buck was just revelling in the love he felt.
The court date was still to come but at this point, that was just a formality. Buck was a Grant-Nash in all the ways that mattered and no one would ever take that away from him. He looked around at the excited 118 family and when he made eye contact with his boyfriend, he smiled. Piece by piece these people had built him up and made him into the type of person he’d dreamed about being when he was a kid.
For the first time in a long time, Buck was excited to see what the future had to hold for him.