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It's the first day of the rest of Buck's life.
Buck frowns as he holds up two separate ties as he observes his reflection. One is maroon with a glossy sheen; the other is navy blue with a pinstripe pattern.
"You're overthinking it," Bobby says behind him.
Buck looks from the ties to his former captain. He stays in front of the mirror. "I just want to look nice, that's all."
"It's just Eddie, kid. You're gonna be fine."
"There's nothing just about Eddie," Buck argues. He sets the maroon tie down on the edge of the bed and drapes the navy over his shoulders. "I don't look like I'm going for a job interview, do I?"
Bobby chuckled as Buck began to set the tie. "This reminds me of another first date. You were just as nervous. You didn't know how to tie a tie then."
Maybe people were right when they said that Abby was Buck's first true relationship. That sort of connection was something he had been looking for his whole life. One day she was there, the next she was boarding a plane and never looked back.
Eddie looked back. He left twice, first to dispatch and then to Texas, but he came back both times. Maybe Buck didn't need someone who would come back for him; maybe he just needed someone who wouldn't let distance keep them apart.
Buck looked himself up and down. He reminded himself of that night, that Valentine's Day. He felt a bundle of nerves crawling under his skin that day, feeling like he wasn't ready for such a real step.
There was a knock on the door of the room.
"Come in," Buck said, running his fingers through his hair.
Maddie entered the room, a small smile on her face. "You ready?"
Buck stood a little straighter. He smiled. "Yes. I am.
They both turned to leave the room. Before he closed the door, Buck turned once more to the room, seeing the discarded and rejected clothes laid out on Maddie and Chim's guest room bed. He smiled and whispered, "Thanks, Bobby." Then he turned and closed the door, now completely devoid of people.
There was a knock on the bathroom door.
"Dad?"
"In a minute," Eddie called back. He turned his head this way and that, trying to see if he missed a spot while shaving.
"Buck's gonna be here soon," Chris's voice from the other side of the door said.
"I'll be right out, I just need to... need to touch up." He felt awkward explaining this to his son, but he needed to make sure he was fine.
"Just hurry," Chris called out. Eddie waited as his crutches sounded far as he once again turned his head to the left, right, then up, exposing his neck.
"I don't think you were ever this nervous about looking nice for me," Shannon said. She had her back pressed against the wall, her arms crossed as she observed him with a raised eyebrow.
Eddie swallowed. "I'm sorry, Shannon. For everything."
Shannon shook her head. "You still don't get do you? This isn't about me. Not really. This is about your reluctance to move on. From your mistakes, your traumas, your parents. Those things don't get to control your life. If you keep thinking about them, you're going to ruin the best night of your life." She smiled woefully. "It's okay to move on, Eddie. It's okay to be happy. What makes you happy?"
Eddie closed his eyes, inhaling deeply and exhaling shallowly. He thought back to accessible skateboards and surprise Christmases. He thought of nights in and cooking and drinking together, of zoo trips and school meetings, or rent agreements and bed sharing. He thought of phone calls and Facetime over long distances, of talking over meaningless nothings and meaningful topics.
When he opened his eyes again, Shannon was gone.
There was a knock on the door. Eddie opened his front door to see Buck, perfect, handsome, amazing Buck with a bouquet of flowers and a bashful smile. "Hi," he said.
"Hi," Eddie said back. He took the flowers, letting Buck in as he filled the vase with water. Sunflowers. Bright, big, and resilient. Just like Buck.
"You ready for our first date?" Buck asked, offering his arm. For a moment, he seemed to think this was unwanted.
Eddie hooked their arms together as they stepped outside towards Buck's car. "I'm always ready to go with you," he said.
They headed off together, two souls finding each other in the mess of life, united at last.