Chapter Text
Shannon Diaz walked into the courtroom like she owned the air everyone else was using to breathe.
She had papers in hand, hair perfect, and the self-righteous confidence of someone who believed that abandoning her family meant nothing as long as she returned looking repentant enough. She offered the bailiff a bright “Good morning” in the tone of someone greeting employees she assumed she outranked.
Eddie sat at the opposite table with Buck beside him, calm and focused, shoulders squared. Their lawyer shuffled through the last of the paperwork, steady and prepared. Christopher wasn’t present—his choice, supported by every adult who actually loved him.
When the judge entered, Shannon lifted her chin, already smiling. She didn’t see the judge’s flat expression—an expression belonging to someone who had read the entire case file, every painful detail, and come away unimpressed and unmoved.
The judge began with the standard questions, and when asked to make her statement, Shannon launched straight into her performance.
“Your honor, I’m simply trying to reclaim my place as Christopher’s mother. I’ve worked so hard to grow, and Eddie has kept my son away from me. That’s not fair. I deserve full custody.”
Buck nearly choked on air. Eddie didn’t react—but the muscle in his jaw twitched, a tiny betrayal of the storm inside him. Their lawyer stood. “Your honor, Ms. Diaz has not been present in Christopher’s life for years. Not by restriction—by choice. With just a note in your wake"
'I can’t do this.
I can’t take care of a child who needs more than I can give,
and now you come home like… this.
I’m tired. I’m disappointed.
I thought you’d come back stronger, not broken.
I need space.
I need a life that isn’t this.
—Shannon”
Shannon scoffed loudly. “Because Eddie made me feel unsafe—he never was a good husband, he le—”
The judge cut her off, stern and unimpressed. “Ms. Diaz. You disappeared for four years. You left without warning. You provided no contact information. No emergency number. You made no attempt to reach your child—not a single call, not a single letter. You sent no financial support. You did not attend school meetings, medical appointments, holidays, or birthdays. And now you file for full custody immediately upon discovering that Mr. Diaz has a stable household with a supportive co-parent.”
Buck’s hand slid over Eddie’s under the table, grounding him. Eddie let himself breathe through the echo of memories he’d fought to bury.
Because he remembered the note she left.
“He’s not Christopher’s father!” she snapped suddenly, pointing at Buck. “He’s just—”
The judge shut it down instantly.
“Mr. Buckley appears to be more involved in your son’s life than you have been in nearly a decade.” Murmurs rippled across the courtroom. Someone even whispered, “Oof.”
The judge continued, flipping through the file. “You missed Christopher’s physical therapy sessions, even when you were still living in the same city. You refused to attend his school evaluation meetings. You told Mr. Diaz you were ‘too overwhelmed’ to watch him for even a few hours when Christopher was sick. You left him with Eddie for days at a time without checking in. ” Eddie’s lawyer also gives the note she left
Shannon’s voice hitched as the judge finished reading the note. “Your honor, that… that was forever ago. I was overwhelmed, I was practically alone—”
The judge raised a brow. “You were not alone. You were married. Your husband had returned injured from service. That was when your family needed you most.”
Shannon scoffed—scoffed.
“Well, yes, but Eddie wasn’t exactly easy to deal with. He was clingy. Emotional. He slept a lot. He couldn’t even take care of himself, let alone Christopher. Someone had to keep the house going, and it definitely wasn’t him.”
Buck’s grip on Eddie’s hand tightened.
Eddie stared ahead, expression unreadable but jaw clenched so tight the muscle jumped.
Their lawyer blinked slowly, as if absorbing the sheer stupidity radiating from Shannon.
The judge set the note down and steepled his fingers. “Ms. Diaz. Your husband was recovering from deployment injuries while caring for a disabled child. Your complaint is that he… slept?”
Shannon lifted her chin. “I just mean I didn’t sign up for being a nurse. Or a therapist. Or whatever Christopher needed. It was too much.”
The courtroom let out a collective breath.
Someone muttered, “Oh my God…”
Shannon kept going.
“And frankly,” she continued, “Buck being around constantly now? That’s weird. He’s not family. He shouldn’t be playing daddy. Christopher doesn’t even need all that attention.”
Buck blinked. Eddie inhaled sharply.
The judge stared at Shannon like she’d just confessed to thinking gravity was optional.
“Ms. Diaz,” he said slowly, “Christopher is a child with cerebral palsy. He does need attention. Consistent attention. Loving attention. Which, according to every piece of evidence here, Mr. Diaz and Mr. Buckley have provided without fail.”
Shannon waved a dismissive hand. “Yeah, well, Buck just inserts himself everywhere. He’s overbearing. It's almost pathetic, honestly.”
The judge closed his eyes for a full second.
When he opened them, he spoke with the tone of a man recalculating his entire worldview.
“Ms. Diaz… it is genuinely unfortunate that Mr. Diaz once believed you were an appropriate partner.”
The courtroom froze.
Buck’s eyebrows flew up.
Eddie blinked hard, caught between surprise and disbelief.
Shannon sputtered, “Excuse me?!”
“No,” the judge said, voice level and deadly. “Excuse me. Because it is clear from your testimony—and this note—that you lacked the emotional capacity to support your husband or your child.”
Shannon’s mouth snapped shut.
The judge continued, each word an elegant verbal slap.
“Your attitude today demonstrates a profound lack of empathy, accountability, and maturity. You have insulted your child, your ex-husband, and a man who has done nothing but support your son where you chose not to.”
The room was silent except for Shannon’s faint, indignant breathing.
“For you to suggest Mr. Buckley is ‘overbearing’ for caring,” the judge added, “when you abandoned your family because you found them ‘too much,’ is… astonishing.”
Shannon glared. “This is biased. This is—this is character assassination!”
The judge leaned forward. “Ms. Diaz, you are assassinating your own character. I’m simply observing.”
Even Buck let out a tiny, involuntary snort.
Eddie looked down at the table, shoulders trembling—not with sadness, but with the effort not to laugh or cry from sheer relief.
Finally, the judge gave his ruling again, now sharper, firmer.
“Your petition is denied.
You will have supervised visitation only.
One hour per week. Behave improperly even once, and it ends. ”He paused, then added—with brutal sincerity: “And Mr. Diaz? I am genuinely sorry for what you went through.”Shannon made a strangled noise of outrage.
Eddie swallowed hard, eyes burning.Buck squeezed his hand again, whispering, “It’s over.”And for the first time in years, it really was. Shannon stiffened, eyes narrowing. “That’s not—Christopher doesn’t need—” The judge leaned forward with finality silence slammed into the room.
Shannon opened and closed her mouth . For the first time, she looked small. Not repentant—just shocked that the world did not bend for her. Buck’s hand squeezed Eddie’s; Eddie exhaled slowly, shoulders finally dropping, the weight he’d carried for years easing just a fraction.The truth was on record now.
The damage she caused was no longer something Eddie had to silently carry. And Shannon, for once, had to face the reality she spent years running from. She didn’t notice the judge’s flat expression—an expression belonging to someone who had read her entire case file and was unimpressed.
“Your honor, I’m simply trying to reclaim my place as Christopher’s mother. I’ve worked so hard to grow, and Eddie has kept my son away from me. That’s not fair. I deserve full custody.”
Buck nearly choked on air. Eddie didn’t react, but the muscle in his jaw Shannon froze. Then snapped. “This is UNFAIR! He already has cerebral palsy! He doesn’t need two dads confusing him like some kind of—!” “Ms. Diaz!” the judge thundered. “One more word, and you will be held in contempt.”
Eddie stood protectively. Buck moved closer without thinking.Shannon lunged toward the opposite table. She grabbed Eddie’s arm first, but when he pulled back, she reached toward Buck— he blocked her.
And that’s when she screamed: “I want my son! You psychotic freaks don’t get to replace me!” Chaos erupted. Security rushed forward. Shannon was dragged away shouting insults even she couldn’t justify. Shannon Diaz left the courtroom not with custody, not with sympathy but with a warning that the next outburst would land her in jail.
The next morning
Shannon made her next move. She stormed into Christopher’s school with the confidence of someone who assumed being “the mother” meant she could go anywhere she wanted.The front desk receptionist, Mrs. Hanley, blinked. “Can I help you?”
“I’m here to pick up my son. Christopher Diaz.” Mrs. Hanley checked the system. “You’re… not on the authorized list.” Shannon scoffed. “I’m his *mother*.” “That may be true,” Mrs. Hanley said calmly, “but that doesn’t change the safety protocols.”
Shannon stepped forward. “Listen, sweetheart—” Mrs. Hanley pressed a speed dial 2 on her desk. Within minutes, Athena Grant - nash strode through the front doors like justice wearing sunglasses.
“Ms. Diaz,” Athena said. “Step away from the desk.” Shannon slapped on her fake smile. “Sargent Grant! Perfect timing. I’m here to get my son.” “No,” Athena said simply. “You’re not.” Shannon blinked. “I have rights!" Athena lowered her sunglasses. “And the school has a copy of the restraining order you were served six hours ago.”
The color drained from Shannon’s face. Mrs. Hanley looked relieved. Athena continued, voice firm but calm. “Christopher is safe in class. And he will remain there. Staff did the right thing by calling before letting you anywhere near him.” Shannon sputtered. “You’re all overreacting!” Athena’s voice sharpened. “Christopher asked for this restraining order himself. Because you frightened him. Badly.” Shannon’s fury spiked. “That little—” Athena stepped forward, expression lethal. “Finish that sentence. I dare you.” Shannon swallowed her words. The school staff suddenly understood exactly why Eddie and Buck trusted Athena with everything.