Chapter Text
It had been a long, boring shift, and everyone was ready to go home. Their 24 hours were almost done, and everyone was sitting at the table, eating breakfast and clock-watching (but pretending not to), when Bobby strolled up to them with a pile of papers. Buck was the first to clock him, and he let out a low moan, asking if this could possibly be left for their next shift. After all, it was fifteen minutes until they finished, and from the look of the stapled together booklets in his Captain’s hands, this was not a fifteen-minute kind of task.
“Sorry guys, this is important. I got an email first thing from the Chief, we are to be the first station in the state to be given a Safe Haven Baby Box, and it’s being installed today. I need you all to be familiar with the protocol by your next shift.” Bobby announced, handing everyone their booklets in turn. “The short version is that parents in the state of California have 72 hours after birth to give their baby up, no questions asked, and they can place them in a box that’s attached to the building. Once they do and close the door, it’ll trigger an alarm. If this happens on your shift, especially if you’re alone, you should check the baby over and call the number on the front of this booklet for DCFS to take the baby away.” He explained. “We cannot keep any babies that are left.” He said pointedly, knowing that any one of the four sitting in front of him would go gooey over a newborn. “And if anyone who leaves a baby comes and says that they changed their mind, we direct them to DCFS as they have fourteen days to do so. If this happens, do not say anything other than to give them the phone number.” Buck would be the first to argue with a mother if that scenario did happen, and Bobby did not want the headache of having to deal with it. “Now read over those before your next shift, and if you have any questions, there’s a number on the back.” He finished before walking off. Buck’s mind was swimming with thoughts. What if someone dropped off a baby while he was there? He didn’t have much experience with newborns, not like the others did. How would he cope if he was alone? What kind of person would give up their newborn child?
“Buck, you’re thinking too hard.” Eddie’s tired voice came from beside him. “Let’s just go home, get some sleep and read these later.” He suggested, to raised eyebrows from the other side of the table.
“You mean like your own homes, right?” Chimney was the first to ask, and Eddie gave him a wide smile.
“Nah, he’s coming home with me, aren’t you?” Buck nodded, still in his own head, oblivious to the fact that his boyfriend had just revealed their relationship to the rest of the team. “We’ve been together for eight months now, surprised you hadn’t figured it out already.” Chimney looked at Hen, who muttered something about getting the book and sorting it out later.
“Yeah, but I guessed September, so that means I won, right?” Chimney grinned, rubbing his hands with glee. “Thanks guys, I really needed those five hundred bucks.” Eddie was about to say something, but before he could, the B-shift strode upstairs, and Buck took his hand, practically dragging him downstairs and out to his truck. A warm bed with a warm body beside him sounded good right now, and the sooner he was in it, the better.
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It was two weeks before a strange alarm started to ring, and Buck looked confused for a few moments before remembering about the baby box. Hoping it was a false alarm, mainly because he was there alone, having been put on light duties after spraining his ankle, he moved to the baby box as fast as his feet would let him and pulled the handle. A silent, pink bundle stared up at him with beautiful blue eyes, and immediately, he scooped it into his arms, grabbing the letter that had been left with her. Although he didn’t have much experience with a newborn, he remembered what Bobby had told him. That the baby had to be less than 72 hours old (which, if he was honest, this baby looked a bit older), and he was immediately to call DCFS to come and pick her up. But maybe, just maybe, he could wait until the others came back? They’d been out for around an hour, and it was a simple rescue, they should be on their way by then. And if it meant that Buck got baby cuddles for a little while, then what was the harm? It wasn’t as if he wasn’t going to call them, just...not right now. Settling down gently in a chair, still cradling the baby girl, he glanced at the envelope that he’d almost forgotten was in his hand. Reading his name on the front, he looked at it confused. Why would someone write his name on a letter about a baby? And why did that writing look so familiar? It was almost as if he’d seen it before. But he didn’t know anyone that was pregnant, let alone given birth recently...
Opening the envelope carefully, he saw his name again, and he quickly scanned through the words scrawled on the page.
Dear Buck,
I know you thought you’d never hear from me again, and I’m sorry for the way we left things. I had a lot going on, and then I found out I was pregnant. I came to the firehouse to tell you and I saw you with Eddie and I couldn’t do it. You looked so happy with him, and I wish you both the best. You deserve each other.
Ava was born on the 15 th of April. I just can’t do this anymore. I’m really sick – I have stage four breast cancer and I’m not going to be here much longer. But I know she’ll be safe with you. I’m sorry to drop this on you, especially when you knew nothing about her, but please take care of her. I know you’ll be a great father. I’ve left what she needs for now in the bag at the front door, along with a car seat, and everything else is in a storage locker. All the details are attached to this letter along with details on her routine. The key is in the front pocket of the diaper bag. I’ve filled out all the legal paperwork, and it’s in an envelope in the locker too.
Please, when she grows up, tell her that I loved her with all my heart, and that I’m sorry for leaving her behind.
Love Natalia
Buck looked from the letter to the now asleep baby in his arms, and started to freak out a little. This had to be some kind of joke, right? This wasn’t his baby. But holding Ava tight, he felt something, like a connection to her. He had to admit that she looked a little like him, had the same nose, blue eyes... and that was Natalia’s handwriting, no doubt about it. The firetrucks pulled into the firehouse, making so much noise that Ava started to wail, and Buck stood up with her, making soothing noises as he headed to the locker room, which would be a lot quieter than out there.
“Ssh, baby, ssh, dada’s here. Yes, I am. It’s OK, Ava, don’t cry.” He whispered, but still she screamed. “Ssh, let’s get your sorted once these silly trucks are parked. Clean diaper and a bottle sound good?” Those were the only things he could think of to help, but he was willing to give it a shot. After all, this was his baby girl, and she needed him now.