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“Cmon Buck, you’re never here for Christmas!”
Eddie could hear Christopher from the kitchen. Buck was telling him that he was a ‘personal thing’ that keeps him away at Christmas, like he has every year since they met.
“I'm sorry superman, it's a family thing.” Buck kept apologizing.
“But Maddie isn’t going! Why do you have to?” Christopher was yelling now.
“She is going, she just has to sort out bringing Chimney and Jee now, so she’s leaving a bit later.”
“Aren’t we your family too Buck? Why can’t me and dad come too?”
“Okay Chris that's enough.” Eddie left the kitchen to try and calm his son down. “Of course Buck is family, but there are some things he needs to go do on his own.”
“But if Maddie can bring Chimney and Jee, why can’t he bring us?”
Eddie looked at Buck and quickly turned away. “It's different, kiddo. They’re engaged, they’re gonna get married.” He put his hand over his face in attempts to hide the reddening of his cheeks.
“You two are basically married.” Chris muttered.
“What? I wouldn’t say that.” Now Buck’s face was red too.
“You’re here all the time, you cook us dinner, you take of me, you—“
“Chris, enough. Buck will be back for New Years, just like every year.” Eddie did not want to keep hearing his son imply he is already in a relationship with his best friend. As much as he’d like it to be true.
“It's only for a few days Superman, i'll be back on the 28th okay?”
“Fine. Bye Buck.” Chris was clearly still upset, but that didn’t stop him from hugging Buck. Once he had, Eddie came over to say goodbye.
“You sure you don’t want me to drive you to the airport?”
Buck shook his head. “Nah, then you’d have to pick me up too, and I get in at like 1am the 28th.”
“I wouldn’t mind.”
“Don’t worry Eds, its all good.” Buck patted his shoulder. “Ill see you guys when I get back!” He waved at them from the door before closing it.
Once they heard Buck’s jeep pull out if the driveway, Chris turned over to his dad.
“How come he never tells us where he goes every Christmas?”
“It’s personal stuff kiddo, he doesn’t have to.”
“I get that, but he and Maddie never even say where they go. Like, not even what state. Why do you think they never talk about it?”
Eddie had thought of a million ridiculous theories as to why Buck was so secretive about Christmas over the years he’s known him. The first year he just assumed it was painful or traumatic, something ge wasn’t ready to talk about. But as the years went on, he got more and more curious about it. He lnew Buck well enough to know that had it been something painful or traumatic, he would have told him. They told each other everything, except where the Buckley’s went for Christmas (and that Eddie most definitely was in love with his best friend, but what he doesn’t know can’t hurt him).
The difference between his feelings and the annual Buckley Christmas trip was that they knew it existed. Eddie and Christopher knew they went somewhere every year, but for some reason they never felt comfortable telling anyone. Only once they got engaged did Chimney get to go. Does he have to get engaged to Buck to find out what he’s hiding? He tries not to think about being engaged to Buck. Best not to dwell on dreams and all that.
“I’m not sure bud, but we can’t force him to tell us. It's up to him.”
“But we’re supposed to be a family, and family doesn’t keep secrets.” Chris huffed.
Eddie knelt down and pulled his son into a hug. “I’m sure he’ll tell us when he’s ready.”
As they embraced, Eddie heard the sound of the doorknob turning.
“Sorry guys, but I got two minutes down the road and realized I really need to use the bathroom. Do you mind?” Buck came, car keys in hand.
“Yeah, no problem man.” Eddie stood up to clear the way. Buck smiled as he entered the home and made his way to the bathroom. Eddie watched him as he turned the corner.
He really did hope Buck would tell them one day. He knew he and Chris considered Buck family, and he really wants to think Buck feels the same. But if he did, why would he hide this? Is it personal, or is there some other factor keeping him from sharing?
As Eddie pondered over the details of Buck’s great secret, he failed to notice Chris quietly opening the front door. It was only when he closed it did Eddie process his son's absence. He rushed out the door to find Chris pulling his crutches into the back of Buck’s jeep.
“Christopher! What are you doing?” Eddie ran up to the jeep. “How did you open the back?”
“Buck always leaves the car unlocked for quick stops.” He shrugs.
“That doesn’t answer my first question. Why are you in the back of Buck’s jeep?”
“I want to know where he goes every Christmas! Even if it's just to the airport, he’ll have to tell us something!”
“Absolutely not! Get out of there rig—“ Eddie started to scold his son, but was cut off by the faint sound of Buck’s voice in the house.
“Dad, get in!” Chris yanked Eddie’s arm, causing him to lose balance and fall into the trunk as well. Chris quickly reached across his father and pulled the hatch of the jeep shut.
“Chris we can’t do this!” Eddie tried to fight him ro open the door again, but his son smacked his hand away.
“You can’t tell me you aren’t dying to know dad! He’s never gonna tell us!”
Eddie hated this. He hated sneaking behind Buck’s back and breaking his trust like this. But he also couldn’t deny his son was right. We really did want to know what this big secret was.
So when he heard Buck open the driver side door and get in the jeep, he kept quiet.
“Wonder where those two went.” Buck shrugged to himself. Eddie and Chris ducked under the cover of the back seats so he couldn’t see them.
He didn’t start up the jeep right away. Instead, he propped his phone up against the console and opened FaceTime. He went to his recents and hit the third contact on his call list: Maddie. The first and second spots were taken by Chris and Eddie respectively.
It rang a few times before she picked up.
“Hey Mads! How goes the trip prep?” Buck smiled. “Jee all packed yet?”
“Well, we haven’t made too much progress. I told Chim the full story an hour ago, and he’s still processing everything.” Maddie laughed. In the distance, Eddie could hear Chimney yelling.
“OH MY GOD.”
“Yikes, that bad?” Buck laughed.
“I’m a little worried, to be honest. I love him, but you know how bad he is at keeping secrets. Not sure he’s gonna be able to keep this one to himself.”
“HOW IS THIS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.” Eddie put a hand over Chris’ mouth to stop him from laughing.
“Yeah, it’s gonna kill him to keep this from Hen.”
Maddie smirked. “The same way it kills you to keep it from Eddie?”
“I—“ Buck cut off for a moment. “Yeah. It's really hard keeping this from Chris and Eddie.”
“Well, maybe it's time we stopped keeping it a secret?” Maddie suggested.
“But Mads, you know the rules. Fam—“
“Yes, Evan. Family only. I know. But let's be honest here, the 118 is family. Ever since you found them. You haven’t been this happy since you were a kid. I haven’t either, not since before I married Doug.”
“Eddie peered over the seat. He saw Buck’s clenched fist at the mention of his sister’s abuser.
“I’m glad you never told him. I can't imagine what he would have done with that information.”
“Me too. I never felt I could. I just.. didn’t think he would understand.”
“He wouldn’t have.” Buck agreed. He unclenched his fist. “I’m really glad you have Chim now Mads. I’m really glad you have someone you trust.”
“Me too. I’ve never been happier.”
“WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO PACK FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS?” Chimney’s yelling could be heard once more.
Maddie laughed. “Looks like we’re making progress! I've gotta go help him. I'll see you when we land. Love you!” Maddie waves.
“Love you too Mads. Merry Christmas!” Buck waves back before ending the call. Eddie quickly ducks back down as Buck turns and puts his phone in one of the bags in the back seat.
“Maybe she’s right.” Eddie hears Buck sigh as he puts his keys in the ignition. “I'll bring it up to Dad when I land.”
Eddie jolts as Buck starts driving. He now realizes his son is in a vehicle with no seatbelt on, and no actual seat to sit on.
He needs to tell Buck. Ask him to pull over before someone gets hurt. He’s about to do just that, but as he pokes his head back up, he sees buck open the glovebox and press a small green button on the inside.
Something clicks.
The jeep starts to rumble.
He starts hearing something.
Bells?
Eddie grabs Chris as the jeep starts to change to the sound of the soft bells. The roof starts to sparkle and vanish, and the walls turn from plastic and fabric lining to solid red wood. Delicate golden patterns paint themselves along the edge. Eddie feels the sting of cold air on his face. He slowly raises his head up to look over the edge.
There’s no road.
Instead, he sees the small light of LA fading in the distance as they pass over clouds.
Clouds?
“We’re flying!” Christopher shouts, peering over the edge.
“Chris?” Buck whips his head around when he hears them. “Eddie? What the hell are you two doing here?” He yells.
“Why are we flying Buck?” Eddie yells back.
“Get up here! He ushers them to climb into the seats. Instead of the cushioned car seats he’s used to, it's all wooden. Buck clears some space and helps Chris climb over. Once he’s sat in an actual seat (though still lacking a seatbelt), Buck holds a hand out to Eddie.
Eddie reaches for it, still looking over the edge.
“Where’s your jeep? Where’s the road?” He looks back up at Buck as he climbs over the seat. “And keep your eyes on the road! On the sky?”
“It's fine. The sleigh has an autopilot.” Buck shrugs.
“The sleigh?” Chris asks.
“Buck, you have to explain what is happening right now.”
“Do I? You two are the stowaways here.”
“It’s my fault Buck. I made dad do it.” Chris grabs Buck’s arm. “I just hate that you’re keeping secrets from us. We’re family.”
Buck smiled softly. “Me too bud. Though this isn’t how I wanted you to find out about everything.”
“Where is this thing going Buck?” Eddie asks.
“Uhh,” Buck scratches the back of his head “The North Pole?”
“THE WHAT.”
“Please don’t yell Eddie, you’ll scare the reindeer.”
“The reindeer?” Chris looked over Buck’s head.
Sure enough, there were four reindeer pulling the sleigh that was once the jeep.
“When did they get there?” Eddie gawked.
“They connected to the sleigh once we took off. This bad boy has a pretty strong engine, so these guys just help steer us in the right direction.”
“Which ones are they?” Chris asked.
“None that you would know. The famous nine pull dad’s sleigh. I raised these four myself. Up front we’ve got Mistletoe and Cranberry, and behind them Eggnog and Tinsel.”
“Back up, did you say your dad’s sleigh?” Eddie furrowed his brows. “Are you saying—“
“Buck! Is your dad Santa?” Chris interrupted his father.
“I suppose that saves some explanation.” Buck laughed.
“You aren’t serious.” Eddie stared at him.
“Eds, you’re in a flying sleigh being pulled by reindeer. Is it really that impossible?”
“Oh my god. My best friend is Santa Clause’s son.” Eddie sat with his mouth agape. Chris raised a hand and pushed up his jaw while laughing.
“So this is your big secret Buck?”
“That’s right superman. I really did want to tell you guys. But it's a big no no to tell people. Maddie told Chimney because they’re getting married and have Jee. It's no question she’ll start manifesting some powers in a few years.”
“Powers! Do you have magic too Buck?”
“Of course I do! How do you think I decorate for Christmas so fast? Or how I always know what everyone wants?” He winked.
“That’s so cool! Dad, isn't that so cool?”
“It's unbelievable. I'm still not sure I believe it.” Eddie looked to Buck. “I can’t believe you never told us.”
Buck’s smile faded. “You have no idea how much I want to. But dad made the rules pretty clear when Maddie and I left. We could only tell someone if we uh..” he trailed off.
“If you what, Buck?” Chris asked.
“If we were going to marry them. To be with them forever.” He blushed, looking at Eddie. “But what Maddie said earlier, in that call I’m sure you were eavesdropping on,” He ruffled Chris’ hair. “Really stuck. I planned on telling my dad about how the 118 has become family to me, and that I can’t keep lying to any of you. Having you there might actually help drive my point home.”
“Wait, we get to meet Santa?” Chris beamed.
“I mean, unless your dad wants me to turn around and drop you off back home..”
“No! Please dad, we can go right? Please?” Chris begged.
Eddie looked between his son and his best friend. Buck was watching Chris with true love in his eyes.
He really does love that boy as if he’s his own.
At this point, he basically is.
“You said you’re only supposed to tell your family, right? Well that's what you are to us, Buck.” Eddie finally said.
“Really?”
“You think I’d have put you in my will if you weren’t?”
“I didn’t want to encroach or anything.”
“You could never Buck. You're basically my second dad.” Chris smiled.
Buck started to tear up. He climbed over to the back seats and hugged them both.
“Buck you’re strangling me!” Chris was squirming, but also laughing.
Eddie smiled. His family.
Who were on the way to the North Pole.
The North Pole where Buck grew up with his dad.
His dad, Santa Clause.
“Wait, back up. How is it that you and Maddie are Santa’s children?”
“Well Eds, when two people love each other very much—“
“Shut up. You know I mean. What was it like growing up there?”
Buck tells them about his childhood. How he grew up in a palace full of toys. His parents were usually busy in the months leading up to the big day, so the elves would keep an eye on him. His father taught him how to make toys, and how he got so good that he started working in the toy workshop when he was a teenager. He told about how his mom managed the departments of the North Pole, and organized everything from gift wrapping to the infamous naughty and nice list.
He told them about how cheery Maddie was before she went to college. That’s where she met Doug. He noticed how much of that joy he drained from her. She never really got it back until Chimney. He talked about how he went off to find himself, to establish who he was outside of Christmas. He loved the holiday, of course, but he wanted to be more than Santa’s son. When Maddie told him stories from the outside world, it fueled his curiosity. Once he turned eighteen, with the support of his parents, he went off to explore. And once he found the 118, he knew he found his calling.
He told them about his older brother Daniel. They knew of him, but Buck and Maddie only ever said he lived in their hometown and was excited to take over the family business. Now they know that Daniel was the next in line to be Santa, so he spent all his time at the North Pole learning the ins and outs. Eddie had asked him if he ever felt jealous of Daniel, but Buck said he never wanted to be Santa. Too much pressure. He was more than happy just helping.
He told them about the North Pole in general. The reindeer fields, the frozen lakes that were always perfect for skating, the town square, always brightly decorated with a giant tree in its center. Chris was wide eyed the whole flight, listening to Buck describe his childhood.
Eventually, once they passed into the arctic circle, bright lights began waving at them among the stars.
“Woah! It's the aurora borealis!” Chris cheered.
“The what?” Eddie asked.
“The northern lights, dad! Buck told me about them a while ago. I never thought I’d see them!”
“No better way to see them than from a sleigh.” Buck smiled. He had moved back to the front row of the sleigh. “We’re getting close now, I'll land us down there, right in the center of town.” He pointed at the ground nearby. It was twinking with the lights of the North Pole. Eddie could see a grand castle towering over the rest of the village.
As Buck lowered the sleigh closer to their destination, Chris leaned over the seat. Buck noticed and turned back to him.
“Do you wanna help me land?”
“Really? Could I?”
“Of course. C’mere.” Buck lifted Chris over the seat and onto his lap. He handed him the reins. “It’s easy. Pull left to turn left, pull right to turn right. Pull both sides up to go up, and release the tension to go down. But tug gently, or these guys will go fast enough to tour the globe in a minute.”
Chris eagerly took the reins.
“Can they really go that fast?” Eddie leaned over to look into the front.
“How do you think we get all those presents delivered in one night?”
“Fair point.” Eddie placed a hand on Buck’s shoulder. “Thank you for this, Buck. I am sorry we found out this way, but I’m glad you let us stay.”
“Me too. You and Chris are the most important people to me. I love you guys.”
“We love you too, Buck, so much.” Eddie wanted so much to tell him how much he loved him. How he wished they could be like Chimney and Maddie. But he didn’t want to ruin this moment. Chris was flying a sleigh pulled by reindeer for god’s sake. He could wait a while longer.
He kept his hand on Buck’s shoulder and simply enjoyed the moment.
Though the landing was a bit bumpy, Chris did a great job for his first time flying a sleigh. The second they landed, bells rang, and cheering voices greeted them.
“The prince has returned!” Eddie could hear from the crowd.
He laughed. “The prince? You’re a prince too, Buckley?”
“Technically, yes.” Buck blushed as he lifted Chris off his lap. “Let’s not get into that now.”
“Indeed, there is much to discuss, Evan.” A loud, booking voice came from beside the sleigh. Eddie turned to face its speaker. A tall man, with a snow white beard and bright red suit stood in front of them. “Who do we have here? I thought Maddie was the only one bringing guests this year.”
“Hey, dad.” Buck jumped out of the sled and hugged his father.
Santa Clause.
“Woah, you’re Santa Clause.” Chris stared in awe. “The Santa Clause.”
“And you must be Christopher.” Santa smiled.
“You know who I am?”
“Of course, I know every child, naughty or nice.” He gestured to some of the elves in the crowd, who quickly rushed to the sleigh. Some of them pulled Buck’s bags out of the back, and two of them helped Chris and of the sleigh.
“My son cares for you and your father very much.” Santa puts a hand on Chris’ shoulder.
“He’s the best. He’s basically my dad too.”
“Well, if that's the case, I suppose that makes me basically your grandfather, then.”
“I guess so!”
“Well then, basically grandson. How about a tour of the North Pole? I'll take you through the toy workshop and the palace, as long as it’s okay with you.” He looked towards Eddie.
“Is dad not coming too?”
“I believe he and Evan have something important to discuss. They can catch up later.” Santa winked at him.
Eddie gawked a moment before responding. How did he know?
He’s Santa, of course he knows.
“Yeah, you go ahead kiddo, we’ll catch up.” Eddie climbed out of the sleigh and stood beside Buck.
“Alright!” Chris excitedly walked off with Santa. Eddie watched them round the corner before looking around himself.
The North Pole was more beautiful than Buck had described. He spun around trying to take in all the lights and colors. He heard Buck laugh beside him.
“Want me to pinch you?”
“If this is a dream, I don’t ever wanna wake up.” Eddie turned to face Buck.
“What did my dad mean? About us having to talk.”
“He really does know everything, doesn’t he?” Eddie laughed.
“When it comes to wishes and gifts, anyways.”
“Well, it certainly is a big wish.” Eddie murmured.
“You can tell me anything, Eds. After today, no more secrets.”
No more secrets. Right. Eddie could do that. He started thinking up a speech. Something romantic and grand. But all he could manage to blurt out was “I’m in love with you.”
“You’re, really?”
“How could I not be Buck? You’re so kind, so beautiful. You love my son like you’re own. You give your whole heart to the people you care about.”
“But, I always thought you were straight.”
“It took me a while to come to terms with it, but I've never been attracted to women. I just did it because it was expected of me. I loved Shannon, but it was never romantic. The only person I’ve ever loved like that, is you.”
Buck didn’t say anything. He just stepped forward and captured Eddie’s lips in a warm kiss. Eddie placed his hand on Buck’s waist to steady himself. He tasted like hot chocolate and peppermint, because of course the son of Santa would taste like that. Buck’s hands cupped his face gently as they kissed. Eddie never wanted it to end.
Eventually, he did need to breathe, so he broke away, albeit reluctantly.
“I love you too, Eds, so much.” Buck pressed their foreheads together. “I want to share everything with you and Chris.”
“Good.” Eddie pulled away and knelt down, taking Buck’s hands.
“Marry me.”
Buck laughed. “What? Eddie, we just kissed. We haven’t even had our first date!”
“So? We’ve been basically dating this whole time, minus the kissing and, other stuff.” He blushed. “All the times we hung out, or took Chris places, those were like dates. You spend more time in our house than your loft. This is just making it official. Marry me. Break your lease, I’ll pay any fees myself, I don’t care. I’ll buy you a nice ring, and we’ll plan a big wedding with all our family and live happily ever after and all that junk. We’ll argue about laundry and taxes and grow old and gray together. I don’t want to waste anymore time. So please, marry me Evan Buckley.”
“Oh my god, you’re crazy.” Buck beamed. “But so am I.” He pulled Eddie onto his feet and kissed him again. “I’ll marry you, Edmundo Diaz.”
Eddie kissed Buck’s birthmark.
This day had been insane. He went from saying goodbye to his best friend to finding out his fiancé was Santa’s son.
His fiancé.
He liked the sound of that.
“Alright Buck, show me around the North Pole.” He took Buck’s hand and interlaced their fingers. Bucked smiled.
“Merry Christmas Eddie.”
“Merry Christmas Buck.”