Chapter Text
Buck was driving home from a rare shift without his husband, raindrops softly pattering on his windshield. Rainstorms weren’t a common occurrence in Los Angeles, and most of them were light and short-lived like this one. It was definitely tolerable for Buck, having grown up in Pennsylvania, and even if it weren’t, nothing could dampen his spirits tonight.
He and Eddie had been married exactly one year, and Buck still couldn’t believe everything that had transpired for them to get here. All he could do was thank his lucky stars for whatever higher power was responsible for bringing Eddie Diaz into his life, and for eventually pushing the two of them to come to their senses. Within hours of them finally deciding to pursue a relationship, Buck could see it all: Living together, sharing life’s big and little moments, adding to their family so Christopher could have siblings.
They had made plans for Friday, when they were next off for a stretch of 72 hours, but Buck still wanted to commemorate the occasion, even if it was some takeout and a movie. He had picked up a box of Eddie’s favorite chocolates from a local candy store, and a few…other surprises lying unwrapped in Buck’s sock drawer.
After parking his Jeep in the driveway, Buck draped his hood on and sped-walked to the front door. After closing the door, he headed to the living room, and his heart melted at the sight before him. Eddie was lying on the couch, seemingly having dosed off, with some reality show playing on low volume.
Buck sat down next to Eddie’s feet, not particularly wanting to wake him, since he had seemed tired and even a little under the weather lately, but knowing his husband well enough that he would regret sleeping in that position tomorrow. “Hey there, gorgeous,” he said softly, stroking Eddie’s leg and watching his eyelids flutter. Nightmares had been few and far between since they’d been together, and for that Buck was also grateful.
“Happy one year,” Eddie mumbled, sitting up leaning forward for a kiss. Buck couldn’t deny the warmth the spread throughout.
“Hey baby, you feeling okay?” Buck asked, frowning when he felt how warm Eddie’s face was.
Eddie sighed, closing his eyes. “Not really, I’m nauseous and don’t have an appetite. In fact, the only thing that sounds good right now is one of those grape slushies from Dairy Queen.”
“Then let’s do it, I haven’t had DQ since high school.”
“Really?” Eddie asked hopefully, and Buck swore he could see a sheen of tears in his husband’s eyes.
Buck laughed and leaned over to kiss his head, saying, “Yeah baby, that sounds good. Grill and Chill? We can also check out that new ‘revival of some 80s sitcom’ for a laugh.” He felt his body rumble as Eddie laughed into his chest, clinging tightly. Buck used his free hand to look up Dairy Queen on DoorDash. “Okay, gonna get you two misty slushes. You sure you don’t want anything else, like chicken bites? Probably a good idea to get some food into your system.”
Instead of answering, Eddie covered his mouth, extracted himself from under Buck’s arm, and stumbled a few feet to the nearest trash bin under an end table. Frantic, Buck followed him and crouched down, rubbing Eddie’s back while he gagged more so than retched.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know where that came from,” Eddie gasped, trying to catch his breath. “For some reason, when you said chick-“ his face contorted and he didn’t even finish the word. “I’ve never felt this kind of sick before.”
“Don’t be sorry, it’s not your fault you’re feeling sick,” Buck reassured, had pushing back Eddie’s sweaty hair from his forehead. “But I’m worried now, maybe we should take you to urgent care.”
“But it’s our anniversary,” Eddie whispered, shutting his eyes, but not before tear slipped out of each.
Buck’s heart squeezed, and he pulled Eddie against his chest once again. “There will be plenty of anniversaries, right now your health matters more to me.”
“I don’t want to move,” Eddie whined into Buck’s shirt.”
“Come on, I gotcha,” Buck said gently, slowly helping Eddie to his feet, keeping a stable arm around his waist as he steered them toward the front door. It was still raining, which was something they would both remember over the years on a night that changed their lives.
Eddie still looked in a daze as they pulled back into the driveway. He was clutching a tissue from the doctor’s office, having calmed down for the most part but still breathing raggedly. Buck turned off the engine and looked over at his husband, patiently waiting in case he was ready to talk.
“I still don’t believe it,” Eddie spoke in barely a whisper. “I-I didn’t even know this was a possibility. My parents never got me tested, and I never had a reason to after marrying Shannon.” Eddie turned to Buck, he eyes wide with shock that had not worn off since the diagnosis. “I’m sorry, Buck, I didn’t know! Believe me, that’s one of the first things I would’ve told you when we started dating! I wasn’t trying to keep anything from you. I-“
“Eddie, Eddie, hey, it’s okay,” Buck interrupted soothingly. “I know you didn’t know, how would you? Most don’t know they have the carrier gene. Good thing that doctor knew of a male pregnancy specialist in town. I’m not upset, baby, I’m actually thrilled! All that aside, how do you feel right now?”
Eddie broke eye contact with Buck and stared ahead. “I don’t know,” he admitted sounding small. “Overwhelmed, mostly, I think?” Buck nodded understandingly, even though Eddie wasn’t looking at him. “I mean, I love my son more than life itself, and of course I want to have kids with you, I just never dreamed of it happening this way.” Eddie covered his mouth with his right hand. Buck gently picked up the left hand, pressed a kiss to the knuckles. This prompted Eddie to look back at his husband, and for the first time there was a hint of joy and small smile. “This baby’s going to come from both of us.”
Buck didn’t think he had felt this much ecstasy since Eddie had said ‘I do’ to him. He just hadn’t wanted to overwhelm Eddie further. “Both of us, baby,” he echoed.
“I’m scared,” Eddie admitted. “But I have you.”
“I’m right here,” Buck promised, never having been more sure of anything in his life. “We’re going to get you the best specialist to make sure your as healthy and comfortable as possible. I promise, sweetheart, I don’t want you to worry.”
“Okay. We’re gonna have a baby, Buck.”
Buck took Eddie’s face in his hands, covering his face with kisses, before finally pressing one to his lips. He didn’t think he could possibly be filled with more love for this man, and vowed for the millionth time to always take care of this little family that included Eddie, Christopher, and now their unborn child. He would carry it through the next several months, starting with the following morning when he helped Eddie off the bathroom floor and fed him dry toast and a grape slushy.