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“You agreed to be what?!” Maddie asks, eyebrows raised high up on her forehead.
“Their sperm donor.” Buck repeats fully knowing she understood the first time he said it.
They both have a day off so they have decided to grab brunch together so Buck could also spend time with his niece, who is currently too focused on her food to care about them.
“Wasn't that thing you were doing not about dramatic life changes?” She asks again underlining the 'not' by pointing her fork towards him, head tilted to side and a confused expression on her face.
“This isn't a dramatic life change, Maddie.” He says while avoiding her gaze by cleaning Jee-Yun's cheek. The baby nods at him as a thank you and goes back to her food.
“How is it not?” Maddie asks frowning at him.
“Okay, it is.” He admits rolling his eyes “But mostly for them. And for the better. I'm helping them get their happy ending.” He explains with a smile. But Maddie isn't laughing, her frown deeper than before. “And it will only take me a few minutes with my hand and my phone or magazines.” He adds in hope to change her expression.
She makes a gagging sound and laughs. “Eww, I don't need the mental image of my brother in a small clinic room touching himself.” She's says shaking her head like to send away the image.
“Mama funny.” Jee-Yun little voice calls their attention and they make some funny faces to make her feel included.
“Okay. Do I think what you are doing is a beautiful thing? Yes.” Maddie starts, serious again, putting her fork down. Buck does the same and waits for his sister to continue, bracing himself for whatever she's gonna throw his way. “Do I love you a lot for being so selfless and kind? More than I will ever be able to actually show you.” She continues, and Buck can't stop the shy smile that takes over his face.
“I love you too, Mads.” He says making her smile.
“Do I think it's gonna change your life too, no matter how much you say it won't and it'll hurt you to know there's a kid out there with your DNA that you won't being able to be the father of? Yes.” Maddie keeps talking.
You'd be also changing your life. Are you able to be a father and walk away? And Donor not dad replaying in his head like it had for the last couple of days since he had the conversation with Hen and said yes to Connor. He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes to send it away. Nothing will change his mind.
“But, will I support you and always be there for you whenever you will need? Absolutely.” She finishes with a fond smile, a hand stretched out on the table, palm up.
“Thank you, Maddie.” Buck smiles gratefully squeezing her hand.
“And maybe after you get them their happy ending we can focus on getting you yours, with a partner, kids and white fence, what do you think?” Maddie asks wiggling her eyebrows in a way that never fails to make him laugh.
“Yeah, yeah, okay.” He laughs.
He looks up from his plate and notice Jee-Yun eyeing his food, mouth open about to drool.
“Are you still hungry little miss?” He asks and Jee starts nodding so fast Maddie has to put an hand under her chin to avoid her to hit it on the table in front of her.
Buck gets up, picks her up and places her on his laps.
“Thank you, Uncle Buck.” Jee mumbles already picking his food with her little fork.
Buck focuses on her trying to ignore Maddie's gaze on him, too fond and worried for his likely.
They eat the rest of their brunch exchanging stories about the jobs and listening to Jee-Yun's appreciative noises as she picks what she likes from Buck's plate.
Once they finish and he has to leave, Maddie hugs him a little tighter than usual and it takes him a little longer to say goodbye to his niece, indulging in kisses and hugs as long as she lets him before she pushes his face away.