Chapter Text
Eddie squeezed Buck’s hand, chatting happily about the chores he wanted to get done when they got home. Christopher was chiming in with the people he wanted to see and the stories he was going to tell first. Buck smiled at his boys, nodding along happily. He knew his first stop.
Hen.
Not that he didn’t trust the tests Abuela got him, but he needed the doctor to say it out loud. The feeling of guilt about hiding something like this from Eddie hadn’t improved since he first got those positive tests. Eddie had definitely noticed something was off, but he must’ve been chalking it up to the stress of being in Texas (which certainly hadn’t helped). Athena was waiting at the gate for them, a bright smile on the Alpha's face.
“Hello, my boys.” Buck thought about how if they had a little girl, they wouldn’t be just Athena’s boys anymore. She hugged Christopher, then reached for Buck. “How are you?”
“I’m good.” Buck smiled, relaxing gratefully into her hold. He missed her scent greatly.
“You all smell like planes.” Athena wrinkled her nose for comedic effect. “Come along, let’s get your stuff and get you home.”
“That sounds perfect right about now.” Eddie chuckled. He took Buck’s hand again, guiding him along their family. Initially in Texas Buck had been reluctant about physical affection, not wanting to piss off Eddie's parents anymore than they already were.
Since he figured everything else out, he was selfish enough to want it more than he cared about their opinion.
Eddie stepped away from his side to grab the bag, something Buck wasn’t going to fight him on. He had to speak to Maddie and Hen asap about what he should be doing. He was going to do everything for this pup. He was going to protect them with everything he had, just like he did with Christopher. He glanced down to see the pup wincing a little.
“You want a piggy back ride to the car?” Buck offered. Sitting still in the changing pressures must be messing with his muscles a little. Chris hesitated, before nodding with a sigh.
“Yes please.” Buck gathered his crutches and passed them to Athena, who took them with a smile. He scooped Chris up, settling him onto his hips. How many more months did he have to carry around Chris before he was too big?
“You got that?” Athena checked with Eddie.
“Of course.” He playfully scoffed. “Big strong Alpha, remember?”
“How could I forget?” Athena rolled her eyes affectionately. “Come on. I brought the truck.” She led them out to the parking lot, Buck helping Christopher in, even doing up his seatbelt for him. It said something about the discomfort he must be in that he didn’t even argue with Buck. He seems to perk up on the drive back home, telling Athena about the candy he’d been eating the food Abuela was teaching Buck to make.
“Ah, you’ll have to help us make something delicious.” Athena winked at Buck in the rear view mirror.
“Of course.” Buck grinned. That, he was excited about. After being sworn to secrecy Abuela had taught him some of the Diaz family secret recipes. “We’re going to have so much fun.” Buck promised her and Christopher. Eddie’s hand stuck around the back of his chair, Buck clasping it gratefully.
It was so comforting just being in the car with his favourite people. The constant new scents and smells of Texas had been overwhelming some days.
“Here we are.” Athena announced, pulling down into the little parking lot. Bobby was standing there, a balloon hanging off one hand and a big smile. “And there he is.” The smile on Athena’s face made Buck’s chest feel full. He climbed out first, gratefully pulling Bobby into a hug.
“Hey kiddo.” Bobby whispered. “How are you?”
“I’m good. How are you?”
“I’m good.” Bobby held Buck by his shoulders, looking him over. Buck thought about how immediately Abuela picked the scent off him and tried to catch Bobby’s eye. Did he know? Why wouldn’t he say anything? He was met with the same proud smile Buck had seen for weeks.
“I uh- I gotta go get Chris. Muscles are sore.” He whispered the last couple words, trying not to embarrass the pup.
“Ah, I see.” Bobby nodded, before greeting his wife. Buck lifted Chris again, watching Eddie grab the bags.
“We’ll draw you a bath as soon as we get home.” Buck promised him, guiding them through the trees. There was another relief in knowing where he was going, with confidence. Stepping back into their home brought tears to his eyes (that he quickly dodged anyone from noticing).
A year ago he would’ve thought he was crazy for something like that. Eddie dragged the bag in, talking to Athena about patrolling. Buck started the bath, resting Christopher on the couch.
“Hey,” Buck interrupted softly. “I’m just going to duck over and say hello to Maddie, do you mind watching the bath?”
“Of course.” Eddie smiled, kissing Buck’s head. Buck slipped out of the cabin, moving along the row. He felt bad about lying, but he needed Hen asap. Karen answered the door with a kind smile.
“Well, look who’s back.” Karen gave him a hug. “What can I do for you?”
“Is your wife free?” Karen raised an eyebrow, giving him a once over. “I’m fine. I just want to follow up with her about something.”
“Of course. Just in her office.” Buck knocked on the closed door, waiting for Hen to call him in.
“Hey you.” She smiled as he stepped in, before probably registering the panicked expression on his face. “What is it?”
“I need another pregnancy test.” She nodded sharply, throwing the sample cup at him. “What brought this on?” She asked as she set up the test.
“I took a drug store test.” Hen hummed as she worked. “Three, actually.”
“And?”
“I think our first test was wrong but I can’t get too excited.”
“Well, it’s less likely but you know you can get pregnant anytime?” Did Buck know that? Yes. Had he forgotten that fact until right now? Also yes.
“Oh.” He whispered. “So it might not be the heat it might be-”
“I don’t need dates or times.” Hen chuckled, before pausing as she read the strip in her hand. “Or maybe I do.”
“Why?”
“It helps in these situations to know how big the fetus is.”
“The- so…” Buck trailed off. Hen turned, a big smile on her face.
“Congratulations Buck. You are officially-” Buck rushed out of his chair, pulling her into his arms with a laugh.
“Hen!” He cheered.
“Holding a test strip here.” She reminded him, as he blushed and stepped back. “It’s good news?”
“Yes.” Buck quickly agreed.
“Well then I think that’s pretty darn fantastic!” She agreed.
“Oh, I need to tell Eddie.” Of course the plan was always to tell Eddie, but now there was something to tell. How should he do it? He used to waste hours scrolling on instagram watching partners reveal pregnancies with onesies or cake. Buck could bake a cake!
“You haven’t told Eddie?”
“I wanted to make sure there was something to tell.” Buck explained. “I was nervous…” he looked at his feet. “That I would tell him, we’d get excited together and then disappointed together.” Hen nodded kindly. She was always kind.
“I get that.” She promised. “But yes, you have to tell him soon now. We have patient confidentiality, yes, but I’m going to get too excited.”
“As you should.” Buck grinned. “Okay, I’m going to make a cake.”
“A cake?”
“A cake.” Buck hugged her again, before heading straight out and towards the hall. No, he should get Bobby. Yes, this was a great plan. He knocked on their door, impatiently waiting for the Omega to answer.
“Hey kiddo. How’s Christopher?”
“Having a bath, it usually helps.” Buck reported. “Can you help me make a cake?”
“Of course.” Bobby grinned, grabbing his coat and stepping out. “‘Thena! Going to the hall!”
“Be safe!” Her voice echoed from somewhere else in the cabin.
“Is there an occasion?” Bobby asked conversationally. Buck held the door open so Bobby could slip in. Buck followed, toeing off his boots.
“I think you know.” They both stopped, staring at each other, waiting for the other to crack. Bobby eventually blinked, smiling softly.
“I have an ongoing theory.”
“How long have you known?”
“I have an ongoing theory.” Bobby reiterated. “Details are up to you.”
“I’m pregnant.” Buck whispered, for the first time out loud. Oh god, he was pregnant. He was going to grow a human.
“Kid.” Bobby had tears in his eyes as he pulled Buck in tight. He squeezed Buck gently, laughing. “Kiddo, you’re going to have another kiddo.”
“I am.” Buck laughed in agreement. “We’re making a cake to tell Eddie.”
“He doesn’t know?”
“I didn’t know for sure until about five minutes ago.”
“A cake it is.” Bobby laughed. The batter was simple, Eddie’s favourite was vanilla so that’s all they did. Then they added some sprinkles for Christopher. Sue him, he loved his pup dearly. Buck slid it into the over, wandering over to the dining table.
“Cards?”
“Always.”
“Can I join?” Ravi came in, smiling at Buck. “Welcome back, by the way.”
“Thank you.” Buck grinned. He dealt out their hands happily. He won the first round, Bobby stepping away (something about Chimney needing a hand). Buck and Ravi played another hand, before another with David and Micheal.
“Hey, is something burning?” Micheal asked, almost conversationally. Buck blinked, before his face dropped and he shot up. Oh no. No no no. Eddie won’t want to have a baby with him if Buck can’t even take care of a cake. And it’s too late. There is a baby on the way. Buck can’t do this alone. He doesn’t want to.
Oh no. If Eddie doesn’t want a baby with him he definitely won’t want to still be bonded to Buck. Breaking it with Maddie nearly killed him. What if breaking this one hurt his child? He couldn’t bare it-
“Hey.” Ravi was kneeling next to Buck. “Deep breaths. Come on Buck.” He shook his head. Ravi didn’t understand. Eddie was going to leave him and it might kill Buck. Without doubt it would wreck Buck’s life. All over a cake- “Come on Buck, stay with me.”
“Buck!” His eyes flicked up to Eddie, running over to them. “Hey, hey my love.” Eddie pulled Buck gently off his chair and into Eddie’s lap. “Hey, just breathe with me.”
“Please don’t leave me.” Buck cried, clinging onto Eddie’s shirt. “Please Eds I-”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Eddie scented Buck’s neck, kissing his head. “Rav, could you grab me a blanket and go tag Micheal? He’s with Chris.” Buck sniffled into Eddie’s neck as he felt a blanket drape over his back.
“Please.” Buck whispered. “I’m sorry, I did my best.”
“I’m not leaving.” Eddie insisted, his grip on Buck tight.
“You don’t know what I did.”
“Whatever it is, we will figure it out.” Eddie continued to assure him. He didn’t deserve this man. Not one bit.
“You don’t understand.” Buck didn’t loosen his grip on his Alpha.
“What happened?” Eddie prompted, kissing his head again. “Come on Buck, talk to me.”
“I burnt the cake.” Buck was crying again. Ugh, he was pathetic. Eddie would leave and-
“Buck.” Eddie cut in. “You think I’m leaving you because you burnt a cake?”
“No.” Buck leaned back, sitting upright to face Eddie. “You’re going to leave me because if I can’t bake a cake right there’s no way I’ll be able to look after a child.” The Alpha blinked a couple times, trying to find the connection.
“My love.” Eddie whispered softly, one hand planted on Buck’s hip and the other cupping his face. “I’m not leaving you because you burnt a cake. You know how to look after children. It’s okay-”
“What if I neglect the baby?” Buck blinked, the panic lifting slightly off his chest. Eddie was still holding him pretty tight.
“Buck?” Hen jogged over, smiling softly at him. “Hey bud, what’s going on.”
“I uh-” Buck hiccuped a little.
“We’re okay.” Eddie answered for him. “I think you might’ve had a panic attack.” The Omega shook his head. No. People who have panic attacks have valid and real issues. Buck’s just panicking over losing the love of his life and his found family and his life- oh okay. Yeah.
“Maybe.”
“You think I need to check anything over?” Hen asked softly, looking right at Buck.
“Maybe.” Buck repeated. “Eddie’s going to leave me and we’ll have to break the-” he had tears in his eyes by the time Eddie cut in.
“No.” The Alpha was stern. “Buck, listen to me. I am not leaving you. Never. No matter how many pastries you burn.”
“Oh, the cake.” Hen realised.
“I burnt it.” Buck looked over to Hen. She nodded a couple times, a kind smile on her face. He hated it. He was stupid, she should be looking at him like he’s stupid.
“We’ll uh, we’ll have a discussion about this at a later time.” Hen suggested.
“What?” Eddie prompted, looking between them. Hen looked at Buck instead, before shaking her head and smiling at Eddie now.
“I’ll talk to you too. I’m going to switch off the oven, I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.” Hen turned and walked away, Eddie focusing back on Buck. He was sending so much love and comfort down the bond, it made Buck feel worse.
“I burnt the cake, Eds.”
“I know.” Eddie agreed.
“I’m going to be a terrible Dad.”
“That- Buck I can’t cook to save my life. You reckon I’m an okay parent?”
“Of course you are.” Buck replied, mildly offended Eddie would think otherwise. “I’m a mess though, Eddie. And if I can’t look after a cake I certainly can’t look after our pup.”
“You look after Chris all the time.” Eddie argued. “We have time to figure that out. Christopher is big and strong enough-”
“No Eds, the baby.” Buck sniffled. “And now I only have a few months to figure out-”
“Hang on.”
“How to take care of a baby.” Buck continued, not realising the look on Eddie’s face. “My Dad never loved me and what if-”
“Buck, wait-”
“I’m a terrible Dad too. What if I can’t figure out-” Eddie hauled Buck closer into his lap, taking Buck’s face into his hands.
“Omega, breathe.” Buck took a directed breath in. “Did you say baby?” Oh no. Now he’s ruined the whole surprise. He nodded shakily. “Like, an actual baby? Or a theoretical baby?” Buck’s hands shook a little as he took one of Eddie’s hands in his, pressing it into his lower abdomen. “We’re-” Eddie sucked in a breath. “We’re having a baby?”
“Yeah.” Buck breathed.
“We’re having a baby.” Eddie laughed through tears in his eyes.
“Oh, please don’t cry.”
“Good tears.” Eddie leaned forward, kissing Buck and squeezing his waist in his hands. “Buck, we’re having a baby!”
“I know.” Buck laughed finally, tears in his eyes too. “I know!”
“Buck.” Eddie laughed again, before pulling Buck into a full hug, holding him as close as he physically could. “I love you, so, so much.”
“Even though I burnt the cake?”
“Every moment of every day.”
“Good. Because I love you too.”