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Evan Buckley was adjusting little Theo’s new shirt. The one that he bought for today.
Since Kameron and Connor passed away, Theo’s curly and precious hair has been a mess. He tries to replicate the “style” that Kameron's used with him, fluffy and perfect. But he can't, he's so clumsy with it, and Theo has been really clear that he doesn’t like it.
With a really, really loud and heartbreaking cry.
“I miss my mommy.” Taking Buck’s hands out of his hair.
So yeah, he called for Maddie's help. She has better hands, and hopefully, she won't make him cry. Yeah, only for that. Oh, and also because he called their parents to meet Theo. His little, precious, perfect boy.
Theo has been around for only a couple of months, but he was already part of the family. The Buckley and 118 Family. At first, he wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. But the relationship with Margaret and Phillip has grown for the better after the divorce, so he thought, why not?
“All done,” Buck said to Theo, buttoning up the last button. “So handsome, baby.” He coos with such love in his voice. Theo’s little nose scrunches, looking up for Maddie. Auntie Maddie. and Eddie, waiting for the same reaction Buck had.
“Precious, Teddy.” Maddie reapplies, looking at his big, blue, so alike eyes, just like Buck's. His little giggle filled the air. He looked so much like Buck. Not Only Buck. The picture came to her mind, but rapidly she erased it.
“Date la vuelta,” Eddie said. Theo’s head tilted, not understanding spanish. But only for a second, because he saw Eddie’s finger spin. Oh, spin. And the little kid spun too much faster than a toddler should have. Another set of giggles. “Yes, so handsome.”
And after he reapplied, a knock on the door. Oh God. Maddie could feel how her baby brother was feeling pressure even before opening the door.
“Everything's gonna be fine, Evan.” She whispered to him, taking his hand to do their usual pinky promise. He really needed it. “They will love him.”
“How can they not?” Buck smirked, looking at Theo, who was miraculously quiet.
Maddie took Theo’s little hand to prevent him from running behind Buck. Theo was moving around so much, so Eddie took his other hand and kneeled to his height. “Everything all right, buddy?” Just talking to him, giving time to Buck to prepare? his parents. But this kid can't be content so much.
Buck let out a sigh and opened his door. There they were. Mom and Dad. Both of them gave him a hug, and were about to let out a word when-
“Buck!” a tiny, baby voice came from behind Buck’s thighs.
Not Jee-Yun’s. That was not a girl's voice.
He could see the color escaping from his mother's face. She looked like she was about to pass away. And so does his dad. This should not be like this. He should have talked to them first. Explained what happened. Prepared them for this surprise, if you can call it that. He doesn’t even have a second to think because there's a little hand trying to grab him.
Maddie and Eddie were just behind. It was a second. They only let him go for a second. But of course, that child was Buck’s. He could have done more in that second.
Maddie helped his mom to take a seat, taking one of her hands. She was graving her chest with the other, in complete shock. Who. Is. Him.
And why does he look like Daniel?
This can't be the real world.
“Buck, up!” Theo didn’t even give him a second because he didn’t care. Why would he? How do you explain to a toddler that he will meet his grandparents, who neglected their son, but also suffered a lot more than any normal person? Easy, you don’t explain.
“Who’s-” Margaret tried to formulate a phrase. But she can’t. He looks so much like her Daniel. Those strawberry blonde curls. Those cheeks. Not a single Buck thought but Daniel.
Buck scooped Theo up, his little hands grabbing his shirt, giggling in his neck. Buck didn’t even know where to start. So, yeah, this is my son. Do y'all remember that I donated sperm four years ago? Well, here he is! Say hi to Theo!
Eddie stayed out, watching but not saying or doing anything. It was not his place, for much as he wanted to help. This was between Buck, Maddie, and their parents.
Phillip was doing better. Not good, but better. Taking a seat next to her ex-wife, he tried to talk. “So, Evan…” But he looked up just to see the same pair of blue eyes. They were so similar.
“Hi.” The tiniest voice came from Buck’s arms, who was taking a seat in front of his parents. His sister is next to him. Theo was grabbing one of Maddie's fingers with his whole hand. “He’s Buck.” Not Evan, that sounded weird. So silly.
Margaret was still in shock. Her hand covered her mouth, letting tears run from her eyes. She tried hard, but it was impossible to contain. Staring in complete awe of that little bundle of pure cuteness.
“So, this is Theo.” Buck tried to start, avoiding his mom's eyes, focusing on Theo. The toddler decided that it was a good moment to start running, so he got out of Buck’s arms and went out. More little giggles in the house. “Four years ago, I told you that I donated sperm for my friends. He is their -my- son.” Buck took a minute to let air go and continued, “Both of his parents died in an accident. Since then, he’s been staying here. For good.” It sounded so easy. He made it sound like it was all good.
But no. Try to hear Theo’s little cries all night because he misses his mommy and daddy. Because Buck doesn’t do his hair like his mama used to. Because he doesn’t read using the voices like his dada used to.
He stayed still, expecting any movements from his parents, for the yelling to start.
But no.
Only the softest whisper from his mother.
“Can you bring him here?”
Buck nods fast. That was not the answer he was waiting for. He stands up, looking for Theo, who's playing with Eddie in his room, his favorite game, Firefighters and Superheroes. “Hi buddy, can you come with me for a sec?” He kneels, and the next thing he knows is that Theo is grabbing his hand, following him through the house, back to the living room.
Theo doesn’t understand why there are two pairs of new eyes looking at him so much. The only thing he knows is that there's a lady whose arms are open. And he just melts into a hug. Yup, a big, bear hug for him.
“Oh.” Margaret hugs him back. Feeling his tiny body melting into her. Just like her Daniel. He was around the age Daniel was when he got sick. He was so, so tiny. And Theo let her grab him, hug him hard. Like he knew that she needed that. “Hi, Theo”. Her voice was less broken.
It was like having him back for a few moments. Just before everything turned horrible. Just before that sickness came. When he was in her arms. Just like Theo was in the moment.
It felt like recovering and, at the same time, falling again.