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Despite the fact that Buck absolutely misses having Bobby on shift with him, one of his favorite things since Bobby’s return from the horrible place that the government had stuck him in to study the virus is that Bobby has declared himself Theo’s official babysitter.
Which means that whenever he comes home, tired after a shift, it’s usually to the smells of some truly delicious breakfast and his giggling four-year-old (that he’s been taking care of now for more than a year) teasing Bobby about how he wants to put gummy bears in the pancakes despite the last time they actually tried that it was the grossest breakfast that they’ve had in a while.
“Gummy bears are awesome, Pops!” Theo states, excitedly. “Dad’ll love them.”
Buck freezes.
He knows that it’s been… a while. And – and Theo has called him dad before, but it’s still … a shock. He’s always wondering if he’s doing the right thing or accidentally erasing Connor in Theo’s life, which is something that he absolutely does not want.
Luckily, Bobby’s been great enough to point out that some kids have more than one dad (or in the case of Athena’s kids, three dads) and it’s okay as long as it’s what they’re both comfortable with.
It’s just… hard sometimes.
There’s a part of him, especially in recent years, that he’s always wanted to be a dad, but he’s still... floundering uncertainly a little bit. He knows that he loves Theo.
…and Theo loves him.
It’s just… babysitting is not the same thing as actually being a parent as he learned quite quickly after Theo joined his life.
And… it’s hard.
“Sorry, kiddo, but I think I remember your dad wasn’t exactly a fan the last time and neither were you,” Bobby teases.
“We can try again!” Theo yells, happily.
“We’ll see what your dad says when he gets home.”
“I’m home,” Buck offers as he moves and leans into the doorway of the kitchen. Bobby and Theo are standing in the kitchen, mixing bowl in front of them. Theo is standing on a chair in front of Bobby helping to mix the batter. “And we could try gummy bears again, but uh – they’re better off as a treat instead of in pancakes.”
Theo tries to give him puppy dog eyes and he begs, “Pleaseeee.”
He almost caves, but he sees Bobby’s slight shake of the head and he knows that it’s probably better to stick to his guns and say no.
“Maybe we can find a way to incorporate gummy bears into a dessert that we can have at dinner,” he offers.
“But this is breakfast!”
“Yeah, but we’ll be so busy at the park and the beach and everything in between that you won’t even think about dessert until dinner,” Buck offers.
Theo brightens, brilliant smile, eyes gleeful. “Promise?”
“Always.”
“Yay!” Theo says as he jumps down to come hug him.
Buck can see Bobby’s grin as he starts to cook the pancakes. “Does that mean you’re coming over for family dinner tonight?”
Buck looks up at him and smiles. “Haven’t I always?”
“Always.”
“Then, yes, I’ll be there.”
***
Family dinner is something Bobby (and Athena) have insisted on since Bobby’s return.
Maybe it comes from a little place of guilt, but most of it comes from wanting to make up for lost time.
There’s nothing like thinking that he wasn’t going to see his loved ones again to make him want to see them all the time.
So, it’s family dinner and babysitting, and cooking with one of his favorite people. Athena’s still working part-time because she, too, wants to make the most of this … extra… time together, but she always supports this insistence on family dinner. May, Harry and Buck playfully tease them about it, which confuses Theo, but Bobby doesn’t mind.
As long as they’re together and they’re happy.
“He’s going to be a great cook someday, just like his dad,” Bobby offers as he watches Buck easily work beside him. No words even necessary.
“Only because he started a lot younger than I did with a great teacher,” Buck says, looking at him with a smile. “Wouldn’t know anything about cooking without you.”
Bobby laughs. “You learn fast and part of being a dad is hoping your kid surpasses you at things.”
Buck grins. “Well, he definitely will, but only if he lets go of the gummy bear obsession.”
“He’s four, Buck,” Bobby states. “Little kids tend to think candy is a main food group. He’ll grow out of it. I’m sure you did the same thing at his age.”
He feels Buck freeze beside him and rushes to add, “And you were probably just as adorable as him even if they didn’t recognize it.”
Buck hums and returns to his task beside him. “You know… every time that I see Theo do something that I am fairly certain is something I did when I was younger, I think about how my parents reacted and do the opposite.” He glances at Bobby with a slightly sad look in his eyes. “I keep thinking… Theo came into this world so wanted and already loved, and Connor (and Kameron), but especially Connor loved him as his own regardless of DNA. And I – I was my parents’ flesh and blood and they just –”
He looks away back to the food on the counter.
“Hey, kid, look at me,” he states.
It takes a moment, but he does eventually look at him.
“Flesh and blood doesn’t mean squat, alright,” Bobby states. “I love you as much as I loved Brooke and Robby. I love May and Harry as much as I love you and as much as I loved them, too. Connor wanted Theo and he knew what it meant to be a dad – it’s not about blood or flesh; it’s about the bonds we form. I didn’t mean to become like a dad to you, just like you were doing a selfless thing so your friends could have a kid, but I’m glad we did.”
“I’m glad we did, too,” Buck says, soft smile. “You really – you were exactly what I needed even if I was a pain in your ass.”
“And I’m happy that you’ve been a pain in my ass because you were exactly what I needed, too,” Bobby assures him with a smile. “But my point is – just because your so-called parents couldn’t recognize the amazing kid that they had and that they couldn’t love you doesn’t mean that you’re not loved and wanted. It just … took a few years.”
“More like a whole lifetime.”
Bobby reaches over and squeezes his shoulder. “Sorry, I couldn’t find you sooner.”
Buck gives him a smile. “You found me exactly when you were meant to, and now – now, we get to enjoy a lot more time together.”
Bobby grins. “Yeah, we do.”
“And I couldn’t be happier for that.”
“Me either, Kid. Me either.”
Theo comes running into the kitchen with his big blue eyes and asks, “Can I help?”
“Always, kiddo,” Buck assures him, and shares a grin with Bobby.
And Bobby couldn’t be happier that he gets to do this with his family. He’s got everything that he wished for when he was stuck in that facility… and he’s so grateful.
“Love you, Kid.”
“Love you, too, Pops,” Buck says, smiling as he looks up from where he’s working with Theo.
“Good.”