Work Text:
Daniela age: 11 (and a half) years old
Daniela walks into the kitchen that morning and Buck and Eddie instantly know something is wrong.
“Good morning, honey, are you okay?” Buck asks, placing a plate with a sandwich in front of her at the table before kissing the top of her head.
“I didn’t sleep well.” she says rubbing her eyes with one hand and reaching for the sandwich with the other.
“Bad dreams or are you feeling unwell?” Eddie asks leaning on the table so he can press the back of his hand on her forehead to check for a temperature.
“I felt like I was hungry so I came to eat a piece of bread, but it still took me a while to fall asleep after.” she says greedily biting on her sandwich.
Buck and Eddie exchange a look over her head.
“Do you want to skip school?” Eddie asks, squinting at their daughter. They don’t remember her having any tests today.
Daniela shakes her head, “No, I can go, Ms. McHill said she will explain something that sounded interesting. I want to see if it really is.” she informs them with a smile. “You are driving me, right? Or is Alice coming?”
“We are driving you, Alice will pick you up and stay with you until nine when our shift ends.” Buck reminds her, filling her glass with some orange juice. She uhms in answers and keeps eating her breakfast.
Buck and Eddie shrug at each other; everyone can have a bad night of sleep and if she wanted to really skip school she would’ve told them. Still they make sure to ask her if she is hundred percent sure she is okay while they are dropping her off and it gets them an annoyed “I’m fine Dads!” from her.
~
It’s a little past eleven, the team scattered around the firehouse during various chores after having an early lunch because a call made them skip breakfast.
Buck and Eddie are washing the last of their plates when their radio comes alive, “Buckley-Diaz, come downstairs, you have visitors!” Chimney announces.
The two exchange a confused look but dry their hands and make their way down to the bay.
“Daniela.” They say at the same time when they notice their daughter standing there with Chimney and May behind her.
“Are you okay, honey?” Eddie says walking faster to reach her and check her for a temperature with a hand behind her neck and one on her forehead.
“I don’t have a fever, Dad.” she mumbled, pushing his hand away.
“But you are not okay, right? Or you would be at school.” Buck supplies trying to get their daughter to look at them instead of the floor.
“Is it because you didn’t sleep well tonight?” Eddie asks, trying to get more context to work with.
Daniela shakes her head no, still without looking at them.
“Sweetheart, you have to tell us whatever is wrong so we can help you.” Buck says. He has never been patient when his family didn’t want to talk, “And why didn’t the school call us first?” he wonders looking over to Eddie that shrugs, obviously he knows as much as Buck does.
Daniela looks at May then and she smiles and gives her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Daniela made them call me because she knew you were at work and I could leave. I was asked to bring her a change of clothes but I wasn’t told why. When I got there and Dani told why she needed a change, I thought it was best if I brought her to you so I signed her off. I hope that’s okay.” she says handing them a bag with clothes she probably had at her place for the times Daniela spends there.
Buck accepts the beg and nods. This still doesn’t give them an answer as to why their daughter needed a change of clothes and why that was urgent enough that May signed her off four hours earlier.
“That’s okay, but we would like to know the reason.” Eddie says, voicing Buck’s question.
Daniela looks to the people around her, stopping to Chimney and the rest follow her in looking at him. The man frowns but then he gets the message, “I think I will have a cup of juice, do you want some, Dani?” he says making his exit and running up the stairs as soon as the kid nods at him.
May gives Daniela’s shoulder another squeeze, “I have to get back to work now. Text me if you need me to pick her up and bring her home until Alice gets there.” she says kissing the three of them and whispering something to Daniela that nods and hugs her before letting her go. Buck and Eddie thank her again as she walks away.
Daniela looks up to the loft and when Buck and Eddie turn to look too they see Chimney and Ravi leaning on the rail, badly pretending not to be listening. Most likely they are worried about their niece.
“What about we go to the locker room?” Eddie proposes pointing to the room in question.
“It has glass walls.” Dani points out unimpressed, but she is already moving anyway.
“But when you close all the doors people outside can barely hear you and you can tell us what is wrong and we can help you.” Buck says closing the doors once they are inside. Daniela sits on the bench, Buck sits next to her and Eddie crouches in front of her, holding her hands in his.
“IgotmyperiodndIstainedmyunderwear.” Daniela confesses all in one single breath, words barely understandable after Buck pokes her side to get her to talk.
Eddie and Buck raise an eyebrow at her. “Now slower, sweetie.” Buck encourages.
“I got my period and I stained my underwear.” Daniela repeats looking down.
Buck’s hand flies to curl on Eddie’s bicep in surprise. He is really proud of them for not gasping out loud considering Daniela seems uncomfortable even if they had talked about periods with her once she turned ten and had found a pad while snooping in Jee-Yun’s, now sixteen years old, bag for candies.
“Oh, honey.” Eddie says moving to sit on her other side to wrap her in a hug and kissing the top of her head. “That explains why you didn’t sleep well last night.” he adds and Daniela nods.
“Did anyone make fun of you?” Buck asks worried that was the reason she felt ashamed of telling them, but Daniela shakes her head.
“When I noticed I asked to go to the nurse hoping she would have pads, but she didn’t and I was worried I would stain my pants as well, and I love those pants and I’m still worried I’ll stain these pants I love even more because Mr. Trevor didn’t tell Aunt May to bring pads, only a full change of clothes so when I told her she helped me wrap a lot of toilet paper in my underwear and signed me off to come here to you.” Daniela explains ranting off in small details that weren’t actually needed. “And my lower belly hurts so much.” she adds, voice breaking.
Eddie and Buck hold her closer instantly. “It’s okay, sweetheart, you are here with us now, we will help.” Eddie says, voice calm and smoothing.
“What are you doing?” Daniela asks, noticing Buck taking out his phone and opening his messages app.
Neither Buck or Eddie have pads with them and they don’t want Daniela to stain the pants she loves so dearly so they need one and they both know there’s someone in the firehouse that has them. “Calling for backup. We personally don’t have pads.” he explains and one look at Eddie tells him that they will end up carrying pads in their bags or in the car just in case.
A few minutes later there’s a soft knock at the door, Daniela looking up startled only to relax when she sees Hen poking her head in. “Hi, Aunt Hen.” she greets and thankfully she doesn’t sound like she is about to cry anymore.
“Hey, kiddo, I heard there is a code red.” she greets getting a confused look from the Buckley-Diaz. “That’s what we call the period in the house with Mara when it comes unexpectedly.” she explains with a laugh. “There you go, Dani.” she says handing her a pad, the kid accepting it with big wide eyes. “I’ll go upstairs, if the alarm goes off you guys can be men behind.” she finishes before walking out of the locker room and closing the door again.
“Thank you!” The three Buckley-Diaz shout to her at the same time.
“Let’s go to the bathroom, shall we?” Buck says, nudging Daniela’s shoulder with his gently.
Daniela looks down at the pad in her hand one more time and then nods determinedly.
“So, this is a pad.” Eddie says seriously, taking the object from their daughter's hands and turning it over on his own. Daniela rolls her eyes all in a pre-teen in her period manner that they saw happening with Jee and Mara before.
Buck can’t help but chuckle next to him, “That we all know, Eds.” he teases making him pout as he passes the pad to him to explain instead.
“It’s easy, you open it, unstuck it from the paper, you place the longer part right in the middle part of your underwear then you peel off the paper from the wings and you fold them out to stick to your underwear.” He explains mimicking the movements without actually opening the pad, Daniela nodding along – even Eddie is nodding along. “Use the paper to wrap it around the used pad or toilet paper in this case and drop it in the bin.” he finishes passing the pad back to Daniela. “Do you want one of us to come in with you or leave the door open in case you need help?” He asks.
Daniela shakes her head, “No, it’s okay Dad, I think I got it.” she says with a grateful smile, marching towards the stall. “But you are staying out here, yeah?” she asks, watching them through the little space she left open.
Buck and Eddie smile at her fondly, “We are not going anywhere.” Buck says leaning on the sink behind and pulling Eddie towards him in between his legs hugging him.
“We are here if you need anything.” Eddie confirms getting comfortable in his husband's hold.
Daniela smiles satisfied and closes the stall’s door, leaving it unlocked.
They fall silent, listening to Daniela moving around. They hear the noise of the pad getting opened, followed by the bin opening and closing.
“Wow.” their daughter says, making them frown.
“Everything okay?” Buck asks.
“Yes, actually, it feels better sitting here. So much is coming out.” Daniela explains giggling a little at the end and they follow suit.
“It’s normal, sweetheart. And I’ve read online that many women say the same thing about feeling better while sitting on the toilet.” Buck says with an easy smile. “Take your time.”
“You read that, huh?” Eddie teases, turning just a little to look at his husband.
“Yeah, first when Mara got hers and again when Jee-Yun got it.” Buck answers proudly.
“Of course you did.” Eddie says, leaning to kiss his cheek. “Will you share some of your knowledge with me later?” he asks genuinely so he can be better for Daniela.
“Sure.” Buck answers with a short kiss.
“I can’t believe she already got her period.” Eddie comments after a few minutes of silence.
“She is eleven-” Buck smiles, hooking his chin on Eddie’s shoulder.
“And a half!” Daniela yells above the sound of water flashing.
“And a half.” Buck repeats chuckling. “That is a perfectly normal age for young women to get their period for the first time.”
“I know, it just feels like yesterday she was small and now she is all grown up.” Eddie says melancholic.
The stall’s door opens revealing a slightly more smiley Daniela. “All done.” she announces skipping towards them.
“Feeling better?” Eddie asks, caressing her cheek and pinching her chin in the same way he used to do to Christopher. Daniela nods and smiles reassuringly at both of them.
“I better call Alice and tell her she has to come here and not to your school.” Buck says fishing out his phone as they walk towards the loft’s stairs to join the rest of the team.
“Can’t I stay here until your shift ends?” Daniela asks, looking up to them with hopeful eyes.
Their shift ends at nine, she will probably get bored and ask to call Alice anyway so they may as well indulge her in letting her stay for a few hours.
“You will have to ask Cap that.” Buck says seriously and Daniela nods back with determination.
“Hey Cap,” she says as soon as they reach the loft.
Hen turns on the spot where she’s standing a bit surprised by her niece calling her that but she recovers quickly “Yes, Buckley-Diaz.”
“Could I please stay here until the end of Dad and Daddy’s shift?” Daniela asks with confidence but matching it with her best puppy eyes.
Hen looks at her, then moves her eyes to Buck and Eddie behind her, that nod in approval. “Okay, youngest Buckley-Diaz you can stay, but you might end up having to stay alone if a big call arrives because I’ll need both your dads with me.” she declares.
Daniela smiles happily towards her dads, “I’ll go and hide in your office while you are out.” she says rushing to sit down in one of the chairs around the table. “Daddy, can you bring my bag up so I can do my homework, please?” she asks, smiling from ear to ear.
“Sure thing, my love.” Buck says letting go of Eddie's hand and going down the stairs to collect the bag from the locker room.
Eddie kisses the top of Daniela’s head on his way to join Hen and Chimney by the kitchen island.
“Do you think we can give her some ibuprofen for the cramps?” he asks to the paramedics for confirmation.
“Give her a hot chamomile and see if that works first and then you can try with medicine.” Chimney suggests passing him an already filled mug with a smile.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Eddie smiles at him and turns to deliver the mug to his daughter, “There you go, sweetheart, drink this, it will help with your cramps.” he says placing it in front of her at the same time Buck places her bag next to her with a happy “Here’s your bag, my lady.”
They grin at each other and Daniela rolls her eyes as she takes a sip of the chamomile before fishing out her notebook.
“Hey, Dani,” Ravi calls from the couch, “You know a good way to distract yourself from cramps?” Everyone gives him a confused look. “You play video games.” he announces waving the controller happily.
Daniela's entire face lights up, “Can I play? I promise I’ll do my homeworks later.” she asks, looking between her Dads.
“Fine,” Buck says and Daniela cheers loudly, “but you also have to drink your chamomile.” he instructs tucking her strawberry blond hair behind her ear.
Daniela nods, collects her mug and carefully makes her way towards the couch to place the mug on the coffee table and join Ravi.
“Make sure to beat him.” Eddie jokes and ducks to avoid the pillow Ravi throws his way.
“I will, Dad.” Daniela laughs.
~
Two hours go by and they get a few calls. Buck, Eddie and Ravi rotated as the man behind to keep Daniela company since the calls were all minor ones. Even Chimney stays behind the third time they get called out for a kid stuck in a tree.
Buck and Ravi are still bickering about what type of tree the kid was on when they get shushed by Chimney when they reach the top of the loft’s stairs. They follow his finger and notice Daniela asleep, curled up on the couch.
“She fell asleep not long after you left.” Chimney informs them with a soft smile.
“We should call Alice to pick her up and bring her home.” Eddie says, turning to Buck who is already nodding and taking out his phone.
“About that.” Hen says placing a hand on Buck’s arm to stop him. “There is no need to call anyone, your shift ends now. Go buy some pads and bring your daughter home.” she instructs in her Captain Wilson tone.
Buck and Eddie exchange a wide eyed look. “But there are still four hours left.” Buck says, showing her the clock on the phone.
“I know, I already called Castillo and Jackson to cover the rest of this shift, they should be here any minute, go change.” Hen says taking a seat at the table and collecting Daniela’s stuff scattered around it.
“Hen,” Buck pleads and Hen raises an eyebrow unimpressed, “Cap, are you sure?” he asks.
“Yes, I’m sure Buckley-Diaz. I’ll send you both your new shifts to make up for the four hours you are skipping today.” she says as she packs Daniela’s stuff. “Now go change, you have a grocery trip to make.”
Buck feels like he could cry right now. “We can never thank you enough.” he says in all honesty.
“We owe you big time.” Eddie says doing a little curtsy.
“Just follow your new schedule and we’ll be even.” Hen laughs, waving them to go downstairs.
By the time they are changed, Castillo and Jackson are walking into the locker room already in uniform to leave their bags and Buck and Eddie make sure to thank them profusely.
When they walk back upstairs Eddie goes to collect their daughter's bag while Buck takes care of waking her up
“Dani,” he says gently, caressing her cheek, “wake up, we are going home.”
Daniela turns on her back and stretches, “Really?” she asks, opening only one of her honey brown eyes to look at him.
“Yeah, Captain Wilson really kindly cut your Dad’s and mine shift short so we can all go to the shop and then home together.” he informs beaming up to Hen that smiles back softly. Don’t tell anyone, but she has always been Buck’s favorite. And she is an awesome Captain, too.
Daniela gives everyone a kiss and hug before following her Dads outside.
~
“Why did your Dad leave me to do this alone?”
Eddie is confused and intimidated.
Daniela and him are standing in front of the large displays of pads and he has no idea what the differences between all the packages are.
Daniela chuckles next to him - little traitor, “Dad, he left you a photo of the brand he found online. We just have to find it between all of those.” she says smartly pointing to the phone in his hand and waving wildly in front of them.
Eddie sighs, “Look, do you see these here? Maybe just the name, they might have changed the bag.” he says, letting Dani see the photo Buck found on his phone before leaving them for his own personal secret mission with their cart.
“Over there.” Dani says pointing to the item.
Eddie pinches her cheek, “Well done, let’s take two packages of each type.” he says, giving her two to hold herself until they can throw them into the cart. “Let’s find your father before he buys the whole store.”
Like he knew they were talking about him, Buck rounds the corner of the aisle, a satisfied smile and a full cart. “Hey, you two.” he greets.
“Oh wow, what’s all this?” Daniela asks, rushing to the side of the cart to lean to see its content.
“I got all your comfort food, a heating pad for your cramps, all the ingredients to make your favorite pasta for dinner and I got us a new bin for the bathroom since the one we have doesn’t close.” Buck’s smile is bright as he speaks, pointing to the items.
“Carbonara pasta?” Daniela says excitedly, and cheers when Buck nods with just as much enthusiasm.
Eddie is still hugging the pack of pads, looking at them with a fond smile when Buck finally looks at him. God, he loves his family so much.
“Did you check the expiration date?” his husband asks, picking up one of the packages Daniela threw in the cart.
Eddie’s eyes go wide, “Pads have an expiration date?” he asks, inspecting every side of the package he is still holding until he finds the small printed date, “Since when?”
Buck chuckles, “Since always, baby.” he says taking the package from him, reading the date himself and throwing it into the cart.
Before Eddie can say anything else, Daniela is coming back from wandering off down the aisle on her own with a package of something in her hands, “Dads can we buy those too?” she asks, showing them a pack of tampons.
Something clicks in Eddie’s mind about an article Buck read online a few days during some downtime at the firehouse about how studies had found lead, arsenic and potentially toxic heavy metals in those things their daughter wants to buy for some reason, “No.” he says a little too harshly and Daniela gives him a hurt look. “You are never using these things.” he adds putting the package back on the shelf and at a safe distance from Dani.
“But I saw Jee and Mara with these in their bags.” she complains before they can explain to her the reason, not understanding why her cousins can use tampons while she can’t.
“Honey, scientists found out that tampons contain very dangerous stuff that would hurt your body. I’m sure your Aunts and Uncle Chimney stopped Jee and Mara from using them too and if not we will advise them to do so.” Buck interjects with a calm tone.
Daniela looks between the two of them for a minute, “You could have just said that, Dad.” she says, rolling her eyes at Eddie.
“You are right, sorry for how I reacted, mija.” he says bending to kiss the top of her head.
“You are forgiven. Can we go home now? My belly is starting to hurt again.” she says holding to the side of the cart and pulling so Buck gets the message to start walking.
Later that evening after a full plate and half of Carbonara and a facetime call with Christopher, Daniela demands them to cuddle her on the couch, exactly like she did when she was little and sick, with the exception that now she holds her heating pad close to her belly.
The next day she proudly gives the school nurse a pack of pads in case any other girls may need them so no one else has to roll toilet paper in their underwear; and when she goes home later that day there’s a bouquet of flowers from Christopher to celebrate this new chapter of her life. The Love you hermanita in the note makes both Buck and Eddie get tears in their eyes.