Work Text:
Buck sighed running a hand over his face as he sat at the counter of the 118s kitchen. He held his coffee cup as he looked at his phone.
Hen and Chimney shared a look from where they sat on the couch before heading over towards him. “What’s got you so down Buckaroo?”
Buck startled a little as he looked over at Hen and sighed. “Nothing, I’m just waiting on a call.”
“Is something the matter with Chris?” Chimney concern lacing his voice.
“No, no. He’s fine I promise.” He said shaking his head. “Just…a personal call.” He said shrugging.
Hen looked at him and hummed. “Ahh, I know what this is.” She said leaning on the counter across from him. “You’re waiting to hear from Eddie to see when he’s coming home.”
Buck looked at her blushing a little and nodding. “Yeah, I am.” he said softly. “He was going to call for our anniversary.”
Chimney nodded and put a hand on Buck’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s play a few rounds of Mario Cart. If you’re not paying attention to the phone it’ll ring.”
“As much as I would love to beat you. I’m going to have to pass. I don’t think I’m up to it right now.”
“That’s alright.” Hen said shrugging. “I’ll beat him, and you can watch.”
Buck chuckled at them happy to have found his little family. He smiled and followed them over to the living room area to watch them play a few rounds.
Two hours later after a few normal calls. A cat stuck in a tree, a small kitchen fire, and a little fender bender. Buck’s phone finally rings as he changing into a new uniform.
Buck puts it on speaker, as he continued to change. “Hello?”
“Buck?” Eddie calls over the phone.
Buck quickly whips around bumping into the door of his locker. “Shit.” He muttered before picking up the phone. “Eddie?”
“Are you okay?” Eddie asked furrowing his brows as he heard what his husband said.
“Huh? Oh yeah, I’m fine. Just…didn’t realize it was you.”
Eddie chuckled a bit, smiling fondly. “You’re never doing just one thing, are you?”
“You knew I had ADHD when you married me. Don’t pretend like this is something new.”
“Yeah, I know.” Eddie said as the phone cut out. “I don’t have much time. But I wanted to call you. Touch base. Let you know how much I love you.”
Buck furrowed his brows. “You, okay?”
“Yeah, baby we are. Just…needed to hear your voice. I’m going out on the next scouting mission. Won’t be able to call for a while.”
Buck furrowed his brows as he fixed his shirt as he sat down. “Which means you probably won’t be able to video chat next week.”
“I know it sucks.” Was Eddie’s response as he sighed. “I’ll be home soon though I promise. We have a few weeks left then we’re rotating home.”
“I know.” Buck said letting out a breath. “I know, I just miss you. So does Chris.”
“I miss you guys too. I wish I could be home sooner. I’ll be home as soon as I can. Give Chris my love, alright? Always know I have you and Chris by my heart.”
Buck closed his eyes and sniffled. “You better come home. This sounds too much like a goodbye. We love you too. I’ll tell Chris you called.”
“I’ll talk to you later Buck.” Eddie said before hanging up.
Buck let out a breath as he set his phone down and put his face in his hands. He swallowed a bit as he tried to control the tears.
Bobby came into the locker room and cleared his throat. “You want to talk about it?” He asked moving to sit next to him.
Buck sighed scrubbing a hand over his face. “I just got off the phone with Eddie. He’s going on a scouting mission. Probably won’t be able to video chat next week. I just hope it’s not goodbye.”
“Did he say it was?” Bobby asked gently, placing his hand on Buck’s shoulder.
“No, but it sounded like one. He was talking about how much he loved us.” He said sighing. “I just…it’s been over a year since we saw him. I just want him home.”
Bobby nodded, squeezing his shoulder. “I know you do, and he’ll come home to you.”
Buck sighed softly as he leaned into Bobby. They both knew that one way or another Eddie would come home. He just hoped he came home alive.
“Why don’t you take the rest of the day off?” Bobby offered. “We only have about an hour left and we get the next two days off. Go home and spend some time with your kid.”
“Are you sure?” he asked furrowing his brows.
“Yeah. One of the B shift guys came in a bit earlier. If anything arises, we got it handled.”
Buck sniffled running his hand over his face as he nodded. “Yeah, alright. Thanks Bobby.” He said smiling.
“Anytime kid. You still coming over this weekend?” he asked as they stood up. “Mays coming into town, and she’d love to see her big brother and nephew.”
Buck chuckled and nodded. “Yes, we will definitely be there. Chris wants to see everyone.”
“Alright, we look forward to it. Don’t be late.” He said pointedly. “Three pm sharp.”
“Yes, I’ll make sure we’re there.” He said, smiling as he grabbed his things and started to head out of the station.
~*~
Two days later Buck sighed as he was packing their bag. “Chris, come on. We don’t want to be late.” Buck said as he checked his watch.
“I’m coming pops!” The thirteen-year-old called finally getting off his game and heading out towards him. The sound of his crutches tapping against the floor.
“You’re the one who was so excited to see your cousins.” he said, looking at him as he made sure he had the games the boys wanted to play before grabbing the cupcakes he’d made.
“I know and I do.” he said, heading to open the door for him.
“Then we need to hurry up before we’re late. We don’t want Grandma Thena to me mad at us.”
“She’ll be mad at you. Not me.” He said taking the keys that were given to him so he could open the car.
Buck rolled his eyes as he made sure the door was shut and locked. “If you’re the one that holds us up, she’ll be mad.”
“I’m the baby and her favorite.” Chris said rolling his eyes as he got in the car and grabbed the bag and food from Buck.
Buck looked at him and sighed. “Whether or not that’s true you need to work on being more punctual.”
“Half the time I’m waiting on you.” He said in that playfully snarky way a 13 could speak.
Buck chuckled and shut the door as he headed over to the driver’s seat.
Chris looked out the window and sighed. “I wish dad could be here.” he said softly, leaning his head against the window.
“I know bud.” Buck said as he started backing out of the driveway. “I do too.” He said before driving over to the Grant-Nash house.
They arrived thirty minutes later, just before 3 o’clock.
“Go ahead and take the bag. I’ll grab the cupcakes.” Buck said as they parked in front of the house.
“Okay.” Chris said, grabbing the bag after getting out of the car, heading up to the door.
Buck smiled watching him as he grabbed the cupcakes.
Christopher was halfway up the driveway when the door opened. “Christopher!” Athena called, smiling at him as she walked out and pulled him into a hug.
“Grandma Thena.” He said smiling widely.
“It feels like forever since I’ve seen you.” She said looking down at him. “Alright, go ahead and drop your things off in the just room. Harry and Denny are out back.”
“Okay.” He said as he hurried off into the house.
Buck sighed as he came up next to her. “Hey, mom.” He said softly as he kissed her cheek.
“Hi baby.” She said hugging him close. “You didn’t have to bring anything.”
“I wanted too. Besides I made those chocolate cupcakes you like.” He said holding up the container.
“You spoil me.” she said, smiling at him as she took his arm and headed inside. “How you holding up?”
“I take it Pops told you about Eddie?”
“Yes, but he didn’t have to. I know you and I can tell you’re not exactly yourself.” she said guiding him into the house.
“Yeah.” he said, sighing as they headed into the kitchen. “I’m doing alright. We just miss him. But that hasn’t changed for the last year.”
“I know baby.” she said gently rubbing his arm. “But you’ll see him soon and then he’s retiring right?”
“Yeah.” he said nodding as he set the cupcakes on the counter. “May here yet?”
“Yes, she got in a few hours ago. She’s out back talking with Maddie and Chim.” she said, nodding towards the backyard. “You go out I’ll put these out.”
“You sure?” he asked, looking at her.
“Yes, now go.” She said, ushering him out of the kitchen.
Buck chuckled a bit as he held up his hands and stepped out into the yard. He saw the boys playing off in a corner before spotting the others.
He hurried over to her and smiled as Maddie nodded towards him. May turned around and smiled hugging him close. “Hey!” she said brightly.
“I’ve missed you.” Buck said as he squeezed her.
“I’ve missed you too. It’s so good to be home. Even if it is only for the weekend.” She said letting out a breath as they pulled back. “Chris has gotten so big.”
“Oh, don’t remind me.” he said smiling at her. “How are you? How’s school?”
“I’m good, school is great. Though my roommates leave something to be desired.”
“That’s why I dropped out of college.” He said making Maddie laugh.
“You went to a community college back in Hershey. You dropped out because it wasn’t right.”
He shrugged as Chim chuckled a bit. “You better not let Athena ear you talk about dropping out.”
“As much as I dislike my roommates the classes are great, and I’ve even made a few really good friends.”
“That’s good.” Buck said smiling as he kissed her head.
“So, how are things here?” she asked looking up at Buck with a raised eyebrow.
“I talked to him the other day I still don’t know when he’s coming home.”
“I can’t wait to meet him.” May said smiling as Chimney tilted his head.
“Wait…have none of us met him?” Chimney asked furrowing his brows.
“We got married a year before I was at the 118. Been married for three years now.” Buck said shrugging.
“He was deployed while we were in El Paso came home. We moved to L.A. and while I was looking for a job he got deployed again.”
“Right.” Maddie said nodding. “So, he’s been pretty much out of the country for most of the time you’ve all known each other.”
“Which also means you haven’t met him.” Chimney said looking to Maddie.
“I have not. The only thing that hasn’t made me too upset about missing the wedding is the fact that they went to a courthouse in El Paso before he was shipped out again.”
Chimney chuckled a bit. “Right, I think we’d all be a little upset even if we didn’t know them then.”
“Well, it’s possible we might have a little bit of a redo.” Buck said smiling softly. “If we do then you are definitely all invited.”
“We better be.” Hen said as she walked over to them. “We’ve already had one courthouse wedding that no one new about.”
Buck laughed at that relaxing as he talked with his family.
A few hours went by as they laughed and talked. Bobby was just finishing up the dinner as there was a knock on the door.
Athena furrowed her brows. “Who could that be?”
Bobby smiled at her softly. “I’ll get the door. Can you make sure everything’s the table?”
She looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “Bobby Nash what have you done?”
“Nothing.” He said holding up his hands. “I only helped arrange things.”
“Well, I have an idea of what’s happening so give me a few minutes then come out.” She said grabbing the last dish as she headed out to the big table out back.
The kids had their own table deemed the boy’s table. No longer wanting it to be called the kid’s table. Buck was sitting at one end of the table as Athena brought out the last dish.
“Alright, I think that should do it. Bobby just wanted to clean up a few things.” She said as she looked over at the table. “Everyone got what they need?”
Everyone looked around and nodded. Athena smiled and moved to take her seat as Bobby came back out. “Sorry, just wanted to make sure everything out here.”
Buck looked around the table and furrowed his brows. “Is someone else coming?” He asked, noticing there was an empty spot.
Bobby looked at the spot before looking back at Buck. “We have a special guest.” He said as he sat down.
There were a few quiet murmurs among the table as Buck looked at Bobby confused.
A few seconds later two hands where placed on Buck’s shoulders. “Hola, mi amor.”
Buck tensed as he felt the hands on his shoulders. He closed his eyes for a moment hearing the voice.
Everyone was silent as they waited for Buck’s reaction. “You don’t get to make me cry.” He said in response as he got up and turned around to look at him.
“Happy tears I hope.” Eddie said, smiling at him as he kept his hands on his waist.
Buck chuckled a bit as he wrapped his arms around him and pulled him into a hug. “I can’t believe you’re here.” he said softly, nuzzling into him.
“I am.” he said softly. “I’m home.” he said as he squeezed him gently.
Buck sniffled as he buried his face in his neck. They stayed like that for a moment before they felt a pair of arms around their waists.
Buck chuckled a little as he pulled back. Eddie smiled as he knelt, putting his hands on Chris. “Hi mijo.” He said softly tears in his eyes.
Chris smiled his own tears in his eyes as he wrapped his arms around his father’s neck.
There were soft ‘awes’ coming from the table around them as the small family reunited.
They shifted the plates down so Eddie could sit next to Buck and left room for Chris as well.
Buck was crying as he hugged his husband and son as they embraced. After a moment Eddie pulled back keeping Chris closed as he looked up at Buck. “Care to introduce me?”
Buck cleared his throat and nodded as he wiped his tears. “Yeah, yeah, right of course.” He said as he stood next to Eddie. “Everyone this is Eddie, my husband.” He said gesturing to him,
They all chuckled at that as Bobby smiled at him. “Well, you know Bobby, I take it.” He said gesturing to him. “Next to him is Athena, his wife, then we have May and Harry.” He said gesturing to those in turn.
They all waved at him and smiled softly. “Then there’s Hen and her wife Karen, there son Denny is over there.” He said pointing to him. “Then there’s Chimney.” He said as Eddie smiled, putting the names he had to the faces.
“He’s Maddie’s husband though you know that already.” he said, smiling at the little girl in Maddie’s arms.
“This is Jee-Yun.” Maddie said smiling as she held the toddler out towards Buck when she started reaching for him.
Buck smiled as he took her and held her close. “Hi Jee, wanna say hi to Uncle Eddie?” he asked, showing her Eddie.
She looked up at him for a moment. “Eddy!” She said smiling.
Eddie looked at her and smiled. “It’s nice to meet you all.” Eddie said as he looked around at the table. “I can’t believe I’m finally able to meet you.”
Bobby smiled at him. “I think I speak for everyone here when we I say we share that same sentiment. Buck has told us a lot about you.”
“Like wise.” Eddie said smiling at them. “This food smells amazing. Especially after I’ve been on a plane for the last fourteen hours.”
“Well, then go ahead and take a seat.” Bobby said gesturing to the open seat.
Buck smiled holding Eddie’s hand as he sat down with Eddie sitting next to him and Chris sitting on his knee.
The tears had stopped though the smiles never left their faces.
The group talked and told stories regaling everyone about the time before they knew each other and what had been missed over the last year.
They talked throughout dinner and into the night before people started to head home.
Everyone was happy to finally meet Eddie and they made promises to get to know him as much as they could.
Soon everyone was in their respective homes content with the way things had gone.
Chris had gone to bed with the promise of pancakes in the morning. Buck and Eddie were in their living room. Soft music was playing from Buck’s phone as the two of them swayed together.
Buck smiled as he looked at Eddie who was smiling back at him. “What?” he asked softly.
“Nothing, just happy to have you home in my arms.” He said softly running his hand through his hair. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Eddie responded gently pressing his lips against Buck’s.
“Welcome home.” Buck said softly against his lips as they held each other.