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Buck sighed as he felt Eddie roll out of bed to get the twins, they were once again crying. They'd only been put down for 30 minutes yet they seemed restless, Buck was trying to get more sleep today because they would be going to Bobby and Athena's lunch today in the noon, and nobody would want to see a sleep deprived Buck with an attitude. Buck carefully sat up, mindful of his C-section scar, as Eddie handed him both of their girls while he prepared their milk bottles.
"Morning my girls, you couldn't wait until 8am to eat could you?" Buck cooed to the little girls who had a strong grip on his shirt.
Eddie soon came back with two warm bottles, grabbing one of their girls, Angelita to feed her. While Buck fed Isabella, they were both greedy and had a big appetite so they finished their bottle in 10 minutes. They soon dozed off, Eddie carefully laid them down on their cribs before putting on his slippers and sweater.
They needed groceries because they hadn't went shopping in the last 6 weeks, and they were running out of Chris safe food and low on formula. Eddie kissed Buck on the cheek before leaving the room to check on Chris, when he opened the door he found Chris safely sleeping. He quickly readjusted his blankets since it was slipping from his bed, before closing his door. Eddie soon left the house and getting into his truck to leave to the nearest store. ______________________________________________________ By the time Buck awoke again it was 8:30, great only 30 minutes again. Knowing Eddie he probably went to the nearest store but the nearest is almost 20, and they probably don't even sell formula so he'd have to go to another store to get any formula. Which left Buck alone for almost half an hour, he got up slowly before unlocking the girls crib wheels and slowly moving them out the room. A week after the girls were born they learned it wasn't safe for Eddie or Buck to be in a different room and have the twins alone, and they couldn't lay the twins on the couch or they'd roll off. So they bought two small cribs that were able to move around when unlocking the wheels, Buck moved the cribs out the room and into the living room.
The view of the living room and kitchen was visible so he could cook and watch the girls, he locked the wheels before walking over to Chris room. With Chris having autism and CP he struggles with finding his own clothes because everything he puts on makes him feel uncomfortable, Buck looked through Chris drawers to find anything Chris would be happy with. Buck pulled out a wool sweater and some loose jeans, Buck didn't know if Chris would like the feeling of wool, but he wore and felt comfortable with every sweater he wore so he didn't think much of it. When Chris awoke he found Buck cleaning his desk. "Buck, I need to brush my teeth now." Chris announced, he had a habit of demanding to brush or shower the moment he woke up, he said he felt sticky in the morning and Buck can relate with that.
So he helped Chris get his crutches before helping him to the bathroom, he grabbed his toothbrush and poured toothpaste and started brushing Chris teeth. Most kids would complain about the hotness of the paste, but Chris liked it. He said it reminded him of peppermints. He helped rinse out Chris mouth before wiping the corners of his mouth, Buck walked with Chris back to his room to change him into his clothes, he helped pry off his shirt and pants and helped him into a white shirt with his wool sweater and zip up his pants. "Okay superman, I'm going to get started on your breakfast, you can stay here or come out to the living room with the girls. "Okay." Chris said reluctantly, Buck didn't know what was wrong but he knew not to push. He nodded and left the room to get started on breakfast, there wasn't much in the fridge, only eggs and a few vegetables and fruits. Buck knew Chris hated eggs, but it was the only thing that they had at the moment. So he cooked up a fried egg and prayed for the best, he transferred the egg from the pan to a plate and placed it onto the kitchen island. When Chris came out he looked stressed.
"Buck, I don't like this sweater, it's itchy." Chris said it straight forward with a frown, Buck sighed. He knew how uncomfortable it must be for him but he was under a lot of stress lately, and he still hadn't recovered from preeclampsia. "Bud can you just please wear it for the day? Only for a few hours until we go to Bobby's and leave." Buck pleaded, but Chris wouldn't budge. He just shook his head. "No I need another sweater now." Chris demanded, Buck knew Chris wasn't being mean, Chris probably felt so overstimulated. But as if that wasn't enough the girls started crying in sync, at the same time, loudly. Buck took a deep breath walking over to the cribs to try and rock them, they wouldn't stop. "Chris I'll figure that out later, just go eat. I'll find another one." Chris walked to the kitchen slowly before looking at the plate from a distance, eggs. Chris immediately shook his head. "No, I don't want to eat that." Chris shoved the plate farther away, Buck was trying to go from telling Chris to eat and getting the girls to stop crying "Bud just eat, that's all we have and your dad is going to be back soon with more food, I just don't want you to feel hungry right now." Buck's voice sounded more stern, that made Chris made and he was already angry at his sweater. "No! I won't eat this I already told you!" Chris shouted, scaring the girls. "Christopher Diaz! You do not scream at me!" Buck yelled back, he knew Chris felt so overstimulated but Buck couldn't handle it.
And as soon as he said that Eddie walked in. "Hey what's happening, why did I hear screaming-" Before Eddie could continue he was met with Chris shoving his plate onto the floor, the glass shattering and the egg making a mess everywhere was the last straw for Buck before he immediately started crying from the frustration, the girls still kept crying. Eddie threw the bags onto the ground and screamed at Chris. "What do you think you are doing?! Why would you do that, in what universe are you on that you think throwing a plate on the floor is okay!" Eddie yelled, it made Chris flinched and for a moment Eddie felt guilt, but he shouldn't baby Chris just because he looked sad.
"Buck, gave me, itchy, sweater." Chris said slowly and pausing in between his words, he was shaking a bit, from trying to keep balance with his crutches and from the scare of eddie yelling. Eddie looked over at Buck who was sniffling. "That doesn't give you a reason! He's trying his best and if you don't like the sweater then you can change yourself. Go to your room, if you don't like the sweater find your own or deal with it. We leave in 30 minutes."
Eddie demanded and Chris just huffed mumbling something that sounded like a complaint before he walked away to his room, slamming the door. Eddie looked over at Buck, who was holding both the twins. "I'm so sorry Eddie, it's my fault, I gave him a sweater he didn't like. Didn't cook him his safe food, and I didn't even have time to find another sweater for him." Buck said as more tears started flowing, Eddie felt miserable. He walked over to Buck before embracing him in a hug, letting Buck rest his head on his chest. "No, you don't need to apologize. You tried your best and even though Chris will be mad at us for the next few days doesn't mean you did what you could, you protected him during the tsunami. That's something not everyone can do on a daily, so instead of crying how about we get ready? You can get ready and I'll get the girls ready, how about that?" Eddie said, kissing Buck on his mole. Buck thought before nodding. "Okay then, let's get ready."
Eddie said standing up and helping Buck up, they moved to the bedroom where Buck grabbed his clothes and went into the bathroom to change, do his hygiene, and get his hair ready. Eddie carefully looked through the baby's closet, finding matching shirts with overalls. It was going to be sunny so he found them something they would feel warm but not too hot, he changed their diapers first before getting their shirts on and overalls. He carefully put on their little huaraches and a headband before laying them down on their bed, he went to go change with Buck too. Buck was already ready, he was only finishing his hair and putting on a few drops of cologne. Eddie quickly got his clothes on so Buck could do his hair, after they got the diaper bag ready before getting the girls in their baby carrier.
They got out their room and Eddie yelled out. "Chris come out now!" Eddie yelled, a few seconds later Chris came out, looking mad and ignoring Buck. "Because you have an attitude Buck won't help you onto the truck, you want to act all grown up and boss Buck, well in my house not. Let's go mijo." Eddie opened the door and held it for Chris before locking it, Eddie helped Buck get the girls car seat in before they went into their own seats. Buck watched through the passenger seat as Chris struggled to get in, he desperately wanted to step in and help but Eddie just shook his head, whispering how he needed to learn his lesson. Chris managed after a while before closing the door and looking out the window mad, Eddie didn't care and started to drive to Bobby and Athena's house.
When they arrived once again Eddie and Buck got the girls out their carrier, but Eddie told Buck to once again not help Chris as he got out. Having trouble between standing and getting his crutches before finally getting out.
Athena and Bobby came out the house to greet them, they gave a warm hug to both Eddie and Buck before cooing at the twins. Then they tried to hug Chris but he pushed past both of them and just walked to the door.
"What happened to Chris? Is he okay?" Athena asked with worry on her face, it wasn't common for Chris to avoid hugs unless something was bugging him.
"Chris decided to throw a tantrum today when Buck was already trying his best." Eddie said sternly, scowling at Chris.
"Well what did Chris do to throw a tantrum, that kid is an angel, I've never seen him act like that." Bobby said looking at both Eddie and Buck.
"Sorry, I just didn't have time to prepare his safe food, and find him another sweater since the one he's wearing is itchy on him." buck looked guilty, he should've done more even if he was tired.
"Hey buck don't worry, you just had twins, it's normal to feel worn out. How about we go inside and get these little girls out their carriers, they're starting to look a bit fussy." Athena suggested as she started leading them inside the house.
When they got inside Eddie and Buck placed the carriers down on the couch and got the girls out, Angelita let out a sigh as she was finally on her placed on her daddy's chest, once Eddie got Isabella out she also let out a sigh and look content.
Athena smiled warmly at that and started walking out the backyard where everyone was at.
Maddie and Chim were sitting together with their toddler Jee, who was trying to play with Denny and Christopher, but her little legs made her slower. Hen and Karen were also at the table, they seemed to be in deep conversations because they didn't notice Buck until he sat down by Maddie, with Eddie by his side.
"Your 10 minutes late, what's your excuse now?" Maddie teased, bumping her shoulder onto Buck who chuckled.
"Hey, I just had twins, I'm going to be late to every event now." Buck said as he gave Angelita to Maddie, Maddie cradled her carefully, as if she were a glass doll.
Maddie was an amazing aunt, after Buck had a C-section everything became impossible, even breathing felt like it took hours. She was there every moment, helping him change his pads when he bleed heavily, talking to him when he felt lonely, holding him when he was scared of postpartum depression. Maddie was a superhero to him, she never let him down. And even though he had Eddie, Maddie just felt different. More comforting.
Maddie played with Angelita before Eddie asked Chim if he wanted to hold Isabella, to which he excitedly said yes.
The moment Isabella was placed in Chim's arms he started playing with her, making Isabella giggle and give out that gummy smile she had. It was adorable that even Hen and Karen couldn't resist taking photos.
Meanwhile Bobby and Athena were busy arguing about which recipe was the best for the bbq and why they should use this seasoning, it felt like a dream to Buck.
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Soon Denny came over looking a bit sad, he just sat down by Karen and didn't say anything. "What's wrong my sweet boy?" Karen asked ruffling his hair. "Christopher won't play with me, he keeps ignoring me too." Denny said with a sad expression, Eddie immediately got up and walked over to Chris.
"Christopher, why aren't you playing properly with Denny, your making him upset and you know that we don't like making people upset." Eddie scolded sternly, Chris seemed unbothered, as if he didn't care.
"Do you understand me? You do not make other people upset, am I clear!" Eddie yelled back, everyone was staring. Even the twins started crying, noticing the tension in the air.
Chris finally snapped , "it's not fair, you never pay attention to me ever since the twins arrived. When I ask for my safe food you never give it to me and instead give me something you know I can't handle, I don't get help anymore on my homework, I can't play with you anymore on my games, and nobody seems to understand!" Chris yelled out, he was out of breath by that and just walked back inside, all red and mad.
Eddie was shocked form Chris outburst, bobby soon came over. "Wanna explain what all that was about?" Bobby asked. Eddie just ran a hand over his face, Buck stood up fast, wincing a bit from the stitches. Before Maddie could get him to sit back down he walked fast over to Eddie, looking more guilty now. "I am so sorry Eddie, I've been so inconsiderate and Chris has been holding in all his emotions. It's unfair to him." Buck said looking terribly sorry.
Athena walked over patting Buck shoulder, "you don't have to apologize Buck, you mister Eddie need to get your ass over inside and apologize to the boy. That poor baby doesn't deserve to get ignored just because you think the twins aren't going to be okay for a few minutes alone." Athena scolded, Eddie just look guilty and sighed.
"You're right, I've just been so scared ever since the twins arrived, I haven't been around in Chris life since he was a baby so I have no idea how to take care of a baby. I know it's not an excuse but it's just so much work." Eddie said, pushing back his hair.
"You need to go inside and apologize, and if he doesn't accept your apology then call us and we'll try to get him to accept your apology." Bobby said before pushing Eddie inside.
Chris was inside sitting down on the couch, curled up and watching the tv. Trying to ignore Eddie as he sat by him. "Chris, mijo i'm sorry. I should've never yelled at you, you're my first baby. My first child, I could never replace you. It's just that, I'm worried for the twins and Buck. I know it's not an excuse but I will try to make time for you know, you don't have to accept my apology but please try to understand." Eddie pleaded holding Chris hand, Chris held it tightly. Sitting up and hugging his dad, "I'm sorry too dad, I was being mean to you and Buck and I shouldn't because you guys take care of me, and I love my sisters. It's just sometimes I wish you and Buck would spend more time with me instead of them" Chris said sniffling a bit, wiping his nose with his sleeve of his sweater.
"Don't worry Chris, I promise from now on until you get tired of me, I will shower you in attention, you'll probably be tired of me." Eddie said, Chris chuckled at that and hugged him tighter. "Now, ready to go back outside and play fairly?" Eddie asked looking down at Chris.
Chris nodded and got up fast, running as fast as his crutches allowed him outside to find Denny on the grass playing with Jee, "Denny! Can we play now?" Chris asked, Denny looked up happy and nodded before making space for Chris to play.
Eddie came out later and sat by Buck, "everything's fine now, let's try having Maddie or Hen babysit more often so we could go out with Chris now" Eddie suggested, to which Buck nodded to. "Sure, it's great for them to bond with their aunts, isn't that right my angels?" Buck cooed to his girls to which they reply with a giggle. Everything was fine now.