Chapter Text
Heather looked at Chimney, who was dressed in dress pants, a dress shirt, and a suit jacket, "Are you taking me out on a dress-up date?" Heather asked.
Chimney shook his head, "My colleague Buck and his wife are getting their four-month-old triplets baptized today."
Maddie perked up, "Buck?" Maddie asked.
"Evan Buckley. He's a 27-year-old former US Navy SEAL, he's been married for over three years to a sweet private elementary school teacher he's been in a relationship for five years, and a father to a five-year-old girl he and his wife adopted, a one-year-old girl, and four-month-old boy\boy\girl triplets," said Chimney.
"Can I come? We've been together for three months now, and I'm ready to meet your coworkers before I start at Dispatch," said Heather.
"You can come because Buck and Vivian said I could bring my girlfriend," said Chimney.
"Let me go get dressed nicer," said Heather.
A few minutes later, Heather was in her apartment putting on one of her dresses as she called her mother.
"Hello, Maddie," said Margaret.
"Hi, Mom. I found out some interesting news about Evan from my boyfriend, Howie," said Heather/Maddie.
"What did you learn, Maddie?" Margaret asked.
Evan's been married for over three years to an elementary school teacher and is a father to five kids. A five year old girl he and his wife adopted, a one-year-old daughter, and four-month-old girl/boy/boy triplets," said Maddie.
"Evan doesn't deserve to fall in love, get married, be trusted to adopt a child, or spread his defective genes after he couldn't do his one job of saving Daniel. He's irresponsible and reckless," snapped Margaret.
"I agree, and I'll sue for custody of my nieces and nephews," said Maddie before hanging up. And then made sure to make an anonymous complaint to CPS. She told the person who answered the call that she didn't know where Evan Buckley lived, but she saw Evan go skateboarding with a one-year-old toddler in a carrier on his back at the skate park an hour ago. She then contacted her lawyer about suing for custody of her brother's five kids.
During the baptism ceremony at the Episcopal church, Heather took pictures of her brother, three nieces, and two nephews.
When the ceremony was over, Buck studied the dark-burnette and brown-eyed woman who Chimney brought over to them. He then realized who Chimney's girlfriend was, "What are you doing here when you told me you never wanted to see or hear from me again, Maddie?" Buck asked, with anger lacing through his tone.
"No, this is my girlfriend Heather Johnson," said Chimney.
"No, Chimney. This is my older sister Maddie," said Buck.
Maddie looked at her boyfriend, "Evan is telling the truth, Howie. I'm Evan's sister, Maddie Buckley Kendall. I'm in the process of legally changing my name to Heather Johnson after my husband Doug was murdered because I didn't want Evan to realize I moved to LA. The hearing to officially change my name was going to happen on Monday due to the wait time for the process."
Chimney looked at Maddie with hurt and anger showing on his face, "You lied to me about who you were and didn't want to meet anyone I worked with until I told you about Buck having his three youngest children baptized today?" Chimney asked.
"Yes," said Maddie.
"Did you only agree to date me when you realized I worked with your brother?" Chimney asked.
"Yes," said Maddie. She looked at everyone watching her, "Evan doesn't deserve to fall in love, get married, or have children because he couldn't save Daniel's life. He shouldn't be working as a firefighter or be a husband and father because he's immature, reckless, and impulsive."
"Buck's one of my best firefighters, Ms. Kendall," said Bobby.
"A wonderful husband and father, too," said Vivian.
Betsy glared at Maddie, "You witch, Daddy is a great Dad. He plays and reads to me, cooks the best pancakes, spaghetti, and lasagna. He takes my siblings and me to fun places and treats me better than my first Mom and Dad did."
"You need to leave, Maddie. After you told me it's my fault Daniel died, you wished that Mom and Dad never had me, and told me you never want to see or hear from me again, I decided you had no right to be near my family or even me," said Buck.
Maddie started crying, "Doug told me to tell you that when social services contacted me about becoming your guardian."
"Either way, those words caused me to lose my trust in you," said Buck.
Vivian looked at Maddie, "If you find our address and show up at the house, we'll be calling the police."
"I already told Mom that you're married and a father, and she's not happy about you getting married and having children," said Maddie.
"Good thing a restraining order has been issued against our mother because she'll end up in prison if she approaches my children or me. Lawyers and even a judge have agreed that Mom and Dad don't have a right to be around my kids and me after they abandoned me at boarding school when I was 14," said Buck.
Vivian then looked at her husband, "Let's go and file a restraining order against Maddie before we head home and celebrate Joan, Andy, and Theo's baptisms."
Athena rested a hand on Buck's and Vivian's shoulders, "I'll ask to get a restraining order filed so you two can spend time with your sweet babies."
"Thanks, Thena," said Buck.
Athena hugged Buck, "You became one of mine to protect after you saved my life in January, Sweet Boy. You, Vivan, Betsy, Tilly, Joan, Andy, and Theo are all mine to protect."
Buck looked at Maddie, "I'll be letting Dispatch know I'm aware that they hired you and ask that you can't access my phone number or address because I've already had to deal with one Dispatcher stealing my number from a report."
Athena looked at Chimney, "Did you know you were dating Buck's sister, Han?" Athena asked.
Chimney shook his head, "I swear I didn't know I was dating Maddie. She told me her name was Heather Johnson, and she told me she was an only child and her father died this past January. If I knew your sister was my neighbor from the start, I wouldn't have asked her out within minutes of meeting her and warned you that Maddie's in LA instead, Buck."
"You would have?" Buck asked.
Chimney nodded, "I swear on my dead mother that I wouldn't have asked her out your sister."
Buck nodded.
Chimney looked at Maddie, "Let's go because we need to talk about our relationship."
"You're going to dump me?" Maddie asked.
Chimney nodded, "As someone who lied to a previous girlfriend, I would never date someone who's lying to me about who they are. I also can't date someone who wishes their little brother had never been born and blames their brother for the death of another sibling."
Hen looked at Maddie, "I'm Buck's older sister instead of you now."
"Buck's my little brother, now, and I'm not going to let you hurt him again," said Chimney as he pulled out his phone and blocked Maddie's number before deleting the contact and texting the landlord about an emergency lock change because he broke up Heather Johnson/Maddie Kendall. "I blocked your number, and the locks to my apartment are going to be changed."
Bobby looked at Maddie, "You're banned from showing up at the 118. If you show up, the police will be called about you trespassing."
Athena looked at Maddie, "Have you been introducing yourself as Heather Johnson before the legal name change goes through?" Athena asked.
"I've introduced myself as Maddie Kendall to Sue from Dispatch, the dentist I got into last month, wherever I have to show my driver's license, and the doctor I went to for a physical."
"You shouldn't be introducing yourself as Heather before the legal name change goes through," said Athena sternly.
"Does Dispatch know you're related to me?" Buck asked.
"I swore Sue to secrecy when telling her I wanted to surprise Evan," said Maddie.
"Stop acting sweet when talking about me to other people because everyone around us are aware about what you told me when I was 14," said Buck before walking away with his wife and children.
Chimney looked at Maddie, "Since we're over, you can find your own way home, Ms. Kendall. I'll be getting my locks changed and even file a restraining order against you so you can't use me to break the restraining order your brother is filing against you," said Chimney before he left to head to the police department.
When Maddie returned home, she got a phone call from Sue telling her that she heard about her crashing the baptism of her brother's three youngest children, and that she's blocked from looking up information on her brother and sister-in-law in the system, be professional with Buck and Chimney if she ends up interacting with the 118. She'll be required to attend therapy twice a week. She then got a visit from a police officer and the landlord where she was presented a restraining order that orders her to stay 500 feet away from Howard Han, Evan Buckley, Vivian Buckley, Elizabeth Buckley, Matilda Buckley, Joanne Buckley, Andrew Buckley, and Theodore Buckley and the landlord told her that she needs to take her valuables and vacate her apartment within the next hour since she's being evicted immediately due to the restraing order Howard Han filed against her. She'll be told when she can come by to remove her furniture that needs to be removed by September 30th. When Maddie was packing up her essentials, she then got a call from her lawyer stating that the judge is rejecting her request to change her name to Heather Johnson because the judge was alerted that she has been already introducing herself as Heather Johnson to multiple people who don't need to see her ID before the legal name change can go through, she's about to start a job as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher, and she just heard that restraining orders are in the process of being issued against her to keep her away from multiple people.
After returning home with the kids, Buck sent a message to Dr. Copeland's emergency line, and Dr. Copeland quickly called him.
Following the emergency appointment, Buck found Betsy playing with Tilly while Vivian, Julia, and Carina gave Joan, Andy, and Theo their bottles.
"Doing better after your emergency session with Dr. Copeland, honey?" Vivian asked.
Buck nodded, "I am, and Dr. Copeland is grateful I instantly gave boundaries and everyone stood by my side."
"I don't like your sister, Daddy. You're a great father to Tilly, Joan, Andy, Theo, and me," said Betsy.
Buck smiled, "I know I'm a good father."
Buck's phone vibrated, causing him to see a text message from Chimney.
EVEN IF I APOLOGIZED BEFORE YOU, VIVIAN, AND THE KIDS LEFT, I'M SORRY AGAIN. I PROMISE YOU I WOULDN'T HAVE ASKED HER OUT AND WARNED YOU THAT MADDIE'S IN LA IF I KNEW SHE WAS YOUR SISTER. I SWEAR SHE TOLD ME SHE WAS AN ONLY CHILD AND HER FATHER WAS DEAD.
Buck sent a reply.
I KNOW YOU'RE SORRY, CHIMNEY. YOU'VE BEEN LEARNING YOUR LESSON AFTER TATIANA DUMPED YOU, AND YOU WERE MANDATED THERAPY.
Buck grinned when he saw a text message from Eddie.
I'M GETTING PLACED ON YOUR SHIFT AT THE 118 INSTEAD OF STATION 6.
Buck quickly replied.
THAT'S GREAT. WANT TO HELP ME PLAY A PRANK ON A FEW OF MY COWORKERS?
WHAT TYPE OF PRANK?
SINCE YOU HAVEN'T MET ANYONE BUT BOBBY, I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO PRETEND I HATE YOU.
Buck looked at Bobby, "I hope it'd be alright for Eddie and me to have some fun and play a prank on Hen and Chimney."
"What type of prank?" Bobby asked.
"It won't cause any damage to the station, but I'm going to pretend I dislike the idea of Eddie being my work partner for a minimum of two working shifts," said Buck.
"I'll let you pull that prank so you can have some much-needed fun after learning about your sister being in town," said Bobby.
"Thanks, and I promise I won't allow the prank to affect calls," said Buck.
A few minutes later, Hen and Chimney came up to the loft, and Chimney handed him a cup of coffee and a chocolate-filled croissant from his favorite coffee shop.
"Even if you've told me to stop texting apologies to you, I'm sorry for dating your sister the past couple of months, Buck. I promise you I never mentioned Vivian or the kids until I told her I had to attend the Christenings of your triplets," said Chimney.
"I understand, but how are you doing?" Buck asked.
"I'm devastated that I was dating someone who was lying about who they really are. Maddie's quite the actor if she managed to hide who she really is until the other day," said Chimney.
"Have you heard her sing?" Buck asked.
Chimney nodded, "We've done karaoke together."
"She was in the drama club when she was in high school. She'd participate in plays and musicals, so she knows how to act," said Buck.
When Bobby introduced Eddie, Buck glared at Bobby, "I thought you were going to hire someone who was in the Navy instead of an Army grunt?" Buck asked.
Bobby, who knew there was a rivalry with the Army and Navy due to Buck telling him he'd watch those football games and cheer for the Navy, spoke up, "Other Captains had already claimed other veterans from the Navy, Buck."
At the end of Eddie's first day at the 118, Buck looked at Eddie, "Are you ready to reveal we've known each other for a while?" Buck asked.
"Yes," said Eddie.
Buck and Eddie then approached Hen and Chimney as Buck looked at Eddie, "Do you think Vivian and Shannon are plotting a slumber party at my house the next Friday night we have off?" Buck asked.
"I won't be surprised, Buck. Shannon and Vivian have been thick as thieves ever since both of us reunited, and Gabby quickly became friends with Tilly and Chris and Betsy are causing mischief together."
"Reunited, Shannon, Gabby, and Chris?" Hen asked.
Buck grinned, "Eddie and I first met when we were came across each other in Afghanistan."
"Shannon is my wife, and Chris and Gabby are my children. I patched Buck up a few times, and he saved my life during my final tour in Afghanistan," said Eddie.
"We didn't see each other again until at the park in March," said Buck.
"And you pretended to hate Eddie?" Chimney asked.
Buck nodded, "After Maddie crashed Andy, Joan, and Theo's baptisms, I asked Bobby and Eddie if I could have some fun when Eddie told me he's going to be my field partner," said Buck.
"I agreed to the prank as long as no damage was caused to the station and Buck remained professional to Eddie during calls," said Bobby.
"And I didn't mind playing along because I owe Buck my life," said Eddie.
"So we'll have to worry about you being a little shit like Buck," grumbled Chimney.
Buck's phone then rang, causing him to see a call from Vivian. He quickly answered, "Need me to pick anything up on the way home, Viv?" Buck asked.
"The kids and I are safe, but you need to get home now, Evan," said Vivian.
Buck knew his wife was serious if she called him Evan instead of Buck, "I'll leave work now."
"Drive safely," said Vivian before hanging up.
Buck entered his home to find Vivian sitting with Betsy's former social worker, Diedra, seated with a cup of tea. "What's going on, Diedra?" Buck asked.
"The other day, CPS got an anonymous phone call from a woman claiming she saw you skateboarding with a one-year-old toddler on your back this past Sunday, Evan."
Buck shook his head, "I haven't been on a skateboard since I was a teenager, Diedra. Plus, this past Sunday, Vivian and I were at home eating breakfast before we got the kids ready for Joan, Andy, and Theo's baptisms at church."
Vivian got up, grabbed her tablet, and pulled up the Ring Camera footage from Sunday, "Here's proof if you need it."
Diedra then watched the camera footage and looked at Buck, "I believe you, and I have already talked to Elizabeth and inspected the house, and am pleased with everything I saw. You have everything that's required to be locked up. The kitchen is fully stocked. The kids' bedrooms are safe with furniture tethered to the walls. The kids are being well taken care of when you two are at work, too."
"Even if you said an anmonyous complaint was made, I think I know who made it," said Buck.
"You're thinking your sister Maddie Kendall or your mother Margaret Buckley made the complaints?" Vivian asked.
Buck nodded, "You heard Maddie said I don't deserve to get married and have children. She even called me impulsive, reckless, and immature."
"I know," said Vivian. She looked at Diedra, "Evan's mother and older sister hate my husband for being unable to save his older brother Daniel Buckley."
"I remember learning about Evan being a savior sibling, Vivian," said Diedra. She looked between Buck and Vivian, "Don't worry, I'm not going to be taking away your children. You two are doing a wonderful job as parents ever since I placed Elizabeth with you two."
The next morning at work, Buck was going at the punching bag when Eddie and Chimney approached him.
"What did that bag do to you, Buck?" Chimney asked.
"Apparently, Maddie called CPS as an anonymous caller to complain that she saw me skateboarding with Tilly on my back on Sunday morning," said Buck.
"You were at home getting ready for church due to the triplets getting baptized," said Chimney.
Buck nodded, "I was, and Vivian showed Ring camera and security camera footage from the cameras we have outside the house to prove I didn't leave home with Tilly until it was time to head to church."
"Your sister is a psycho, Buck," said Eddie.
Buck nodded, "I know because I can tell she never got therapy over Daniel's death. I wouldn't be surprised if she never got therapy after her scumbag of a husband was killed."
"What are you going to do?" Eddie asked.
"Thankfully CPS are on our side, but I don't want to track down Maddie to confront her or ask you for her number, Chim," said Buck.
"You can always file a lawsuit because your reputation could have been ruined if CPS didn't believe you," said Chimney.
"If she pulls anymore crap, I'll see what legal action I can take outside of the restraining order that's filed against her," said Buck.
Buck looked at all the military equipment on the walls as he made a mental note to report it to the bomb squad. He then turned to Bobby and asked, "Mind if I take a peek to get an idea of what we're dealing with?" Buck asked.
"Since you were a Navy SEAL, go ahead," said Bobby.
A few seconds later, Buck was looking at the grenade before he switched into SEAL mode and looked at Bobby, "We need to call either the bomb squad or military before taking Charlie somewhere far away from the rest of Charlie's collection, now ."
"What do you mean?" Bobby asked.
"The cap is gold, so it's a live grenade and not a practice one," said Buck.
"Are you sure?" Bobby asked.
"Even if I specialized in infiltration, I did use explosives when I was a SEAL," said Buck grimly.
A while later, Buck and Eddie worked on getting the remains of the grenade out of Charlie's leg, even if the ambulance ended up exploding two minutes after Charlie was placed in a secondary ambulance that was called.
Buck looked at Eddie as he saw Bobby looking up at the sky, praying for guidance, "I think Bobby's regretting his life choices when he accepted my request to hire you."
"I think he is," said Eddie.
When Bobby and Athena revealed their relationship, Buck grinned at them, who both looked shocked at everyone passing Hen money. "Don't worry, I didn't participate in Hen's bet."
"Thank you for being professional and not betting whether Athena and I are dating or not, Buck," said Bobby.
Buck and Vivian had just tucked the kids into bed when their doorbell rang. They answered the door and got pissed off when a paralegal showed up with paperwork involving Maddie Kendall suing them for custody of their nieces and nephews.
When the paralegal left, Vivian looked at her husband, "Your sister is a total bitch."
"Don't I know it, and I'm going to make sure Dispatch knows how much of a bitch my sister can be and let her dig her own grave with her behavior," said Buck, as he messaged Josh to tell him what his sister just did so he can spread what their soon-to-be coworker just did.