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Buck wasn't used to the house being this quiet.

Not silent. It never really was anymore. Birds chattered outside the open kitchen window, and every so often the steady patter of small feet echoed from somewhere down the hall before disappearing again. But without Christopher reminding Theo not to jump on the sofa, and without Eddie pretending he wasn't encouraging half the chaos with a grin, the house felt strangely calm.

Buck stood at the kitchen counter with a mug of coffee warming his hands, letting himself take in the dining room.

Everything was laid out exactly where it needed to be.

His navy suit jacket hung over the back of one chair. His crisp white dress shirt was draped neatly beside it, sleeves carefully folded to stop them creasing. Across another chair hung Eddie's shirt and jacket. Their matching boutonnieres rested safely in their boxes near the centre of the table, ready to be pinned on later.

His phone buzzed again.

Another message.

Bobby: Don't forget your vows.

Buck laughed quietly.

That made three reminders.

He typed back a thumbs-up before setting the phone down again.

There were messages from everyone else too.

Maddie had somehow managed to check in three separate times before eight in the morning, despite knowing Buck had probably been awake long before the sun came up.

Hen had simply asked, How's the groom?

Less than a minute later, Chimney had replied underneath it.

Is he freaking out yet?

Buck's answer had been the same every time.

Nope.

He'd expected today to feel different. 

For years he'd assumed that if he ever got married, he'd spend the entire morning pacing. He'd imagined checking his pockets every five minutes to make sure the rings were still there, convincing himself he'd forgotten something important, or somehow finding a reason to panic over absolutely nothing.

Instead...

He felt good. Better than good.

There was a quiet certainty sitting somewhere in the middle of his chest that hadn't left him since he'd opened his eyes that morning. Maybe getting here had been the difficult part. The wedding itself almost felt easy.

The last year had changed everything. Connor and Kameron dying had shattered Buck's world in a matter of hours. One day he'd been mourning two people he'd genuinely cared about. The next, he'd been trying to become the person a frightened little boy needed most. Theo had arrived carrying far more grief than any four-year-old ever should have. Buck had never really thought of fostering him as temporary. Not in his heart. The paperwork might have said one thing, but almost immediately, Buck had known. Theo was home. Life had changed overnight.

Morning routines suddenly revolved around finding whichever dinosaur Theo absolutely couldn't leave the house without. The back seat of Buck's truck permanently contained colouring books, toy cars and enough snacks to survive a small apocalypse. Bedtime stories became negotiations over whether they could read one more chapter. There were preschool drop-offs, scraped knees, endless questions about absolutely everything, and an impressive collection of tiny socks that vanished every time Buck used the dryer. 

Somewhere along the way, Buck stopped noticing the changes. They'd simply become his life. Theodore Marcus Riley had become the centre of it. That hadn't stopped the doubts. 

There had been nights after Theo was asleep when Buck lay awake wondering if he was doing enough. Wondering if he was enough. He'd smiled through most of it. Made jokes. Pretended he wasn't carrying the weight of it.

Until one evening, after Theo had finally fallen asleep, everything had come spilling out in front of Eddie. Buck barely remembered half of what he'd said. Something about messing Theo up. Something about not knowing what he was doing. Something about wishing Connor and Kameron were still here because they'd have known how to help.

He remembered Eddie listening. He remembered Eddie stepping closer. He remembered Eddie cupping his face with both hands before kissing him right in the middle of another sentence. After that… Thinking had become surprisingly difficult.

They'd somehow managed to keep their relationship secret for almost two weeks. The secret finally died at one of Bobby and Athena's barbecues. Neither Buck nor Eddie had actually announced anything. They'd just forgotten there were other people in the garden for a few seconds. Apparently that had been enough. Athena admitted she'd worked it out after three days. Hen had figured it out by the end of the first week. Maddie had looked at both of them and said she'd been waiting for this since 2018. Christopher's response had simply been, "Finally." Theo hadn't understood why everybody suddenly looked so excited. He'd clapped anyway.

A month and a half later, Eddie and Christopher had moved in. Christopher had taken Buck's old bedroom because it gave him enough room for both his wheelchair and his walker, and meant getting to the bathroom during the night was easier. Buck and Eddie had converted the garage into their bedroom. Within weeks it no longer felt like anybody had moved into somebody else's home. It simply felt like theirs.

Two months after that, Eddie proposed. Buck still laughed whenever he remembered it. Apparently Eddie had spent nearly a week trying to ask at home before talking himself out of it every single time. Then one afternoon, halfway through cooking dinner at the station, he'd completely run out of patience.

"Marry me."

Just like that. In front of the entire 118. Buck had barely managed to say yes before Chimney and Ravi started handing money over to Hen.

"Dad!"

Buck smiled before he even turned around.

"I'm in here."

Theo appeared around the corner a second later at a full sprint, socks sliding across the hardwood as he skidded into the kitchen. Buck had only managed to convince him into half his outfit so far. The pastel pink dress pants were on, one leg twisted and the waistband crooked. At least the white tank top was still free of chocolate milk stains. Buck stared at him for a long second.

Theo stared right back.

"What?" he asked.

Buck couldn't stop himself from smiling brightly.

"Buddy..."

"What?" 

Buck crouched in front of him. "I've just got one question."

Theo nodded. "Okay."

"How did you manage to get your waistband all twisted?"

Theo looked down, frowning slightly.

“I don’t like buttons.” 

Buck snickered, straightening Theo’s waistband for him, before pulling the pant leg down.

“I know you don’t, Spider-Man.” 

“But I need to dress fancy, right?” Theo asked, raising his brows.

"You do. Eddie would want you looking handsome and all fancy today," he said, pushing Theo’s bangs out of his eyes. “We should’ve gotten your haircut for today.”

“No, I like my hair!” Theo pouted.

“I know Kiddo,” Buck laughed. “That’s why we didn’t get it chopped.”

Theo was quiet for a second, his mouth twisting to the side in contemplation. "Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think Eddie's gonna like his surprise?"

Buck looked up immediately.

"Of course I do."

Theo frowned just a little. "You really, really think so?"

"I really, really do."

"What if he doesn't?"

Buck rested a hand gently against Theo's shoulder.

"Hey."

Blue eyes met blue eyes.

"I know how important this is to you." Theo nodded. 

"And I know how much thought you've put into it." Another nod. 

"I think Eddie's gonna love it."

Theo searched Buck's face for a few seconds, making sure he believed what he was saying. "You do?"

Buck smiled, raising his pinky in front of his son. Theo looked at it for a second, before linking his pinky with his dad’s. "I do."

Theo's shoulders relaxed. "You think he'll smile?"

Buck chuckled. "I think there's a pretty good chance he might even cry."

Theo's eyes got huge. "Happy crying?"

"The happiest kind."

Theo's smile spread slowly until it completely took over his face. "Good."

Buck reached over and brushed a curl back from his forehead. "You know what I think?"

"What?"

"I think Eddie's already getting the best present today."

Theo tilted his head. "What?"

Buck gently poked him in the chest."You."

Theo dissolved into laughter, throwing his arms around Buck's neck without a second thought. Buck hugged him right back, closing his eyes for a second.

This. This was why he wasn't nervous.

Because by the end of the day he'd be married to the man he'd loved for years. Christopher would still be down the hall reminding everyone to charge their phones before they went anywhere. Theo would probably still leave toy dinosaurs in places they had absolutely no business being. The four of them would come home to this house tonight exactly the same family they'd woken up as every morning for the last 6 months. They'd just have matching rings and surnames.

Pepa’s house was rarely quiet. Much like Abuela’s house before it, Pepa’s house became the hub for the extended Diaz family. 

Pepa had decided that Eddie needed to eat, despite the anxiety, because she knew her nephew got cranky when he didn’t eat. She stood in the kitchen, working away on the breakfast she knew Eddie would be able to hold down. 

Eddie rushed around Pepa’s house, checking his cufflinks, checking his phone was charging properly and if Buck had text. 

“Eddito, stop spiralling,” Pepa teased from the stove. 

“Tia, I don’t spiral.”

“You absolutely spiral,” Shannon laughed, walking into the kitchen, her pastel pink dress sweeping slightly on the immaculately clean floor. “You’re panicking.”

“Shan, I do not panic.” Eddie said with a smirk. 

“Eddie, I love you,” Shannon started, putting her hands on Eddie’s biceps. “But that’s absolute bullshit. You have panicked more times than Buck’s been in hospital.”

Pepa and Christopher laughed from their respective places. Chris pushed himself carefully off the couch and moved slowly into the kitchen, holding onto the doorframe when he got there.

“Dad, you don’t need to worry,” Chris smiled. “You and Buck have basically been an old married couple since before you and Mom even divorced.” 

Shannon snickered. 

“Buck’s practically been my second dad since I was seven, and you’re basically Theo’s second, well I guess third, dad. The only thing that’s gonna change after today is your surnames and a piece of paper. Buck’s gonna keep making dinner and you’re gonna keep doing the dishes. You’re gonna keep doing the dumb voices when reading Theo’s bedtime stories and getting soaked when he tries to turn his bath into a tsunami. Buck’s still gonna hyperfixate on random stuff and you’ll still listen to every single word of it. You’re both still gonna fight to get me and Theo ready for school in the morning and get us in the car for school.” 

Shannon nodded in agreement. “Chris is right, Eds. You and Buck are so in love, nothing is gonna change that. Not even either of your moms.”

“I…” Eddie paused. “I need today to be perfect.”

Shannon’s eyebrows pinched together. “Why?”

“Because Buck deserves it. He’s been through so much over the last few years. Almost losing Bobby, Chris and I moving to Texas, Maddie getting her throat cut, him being kidnapped and his dependency. Kameron and Connor dying. Adopting Theo.”

“Eddie, you dealt with those things too.” Shannon reminded. “You lost Abuela. You almost lost Bobby and Buck. You literally got stabbed in a chapel!”

“I need this to be perfect for him,” Eddie said, looking in the mirror, straightening his tie. 

“I should probably be offended,” Shannon smirked. “I don’t remember you being this neurotic for our wedding.” 

“Yeah, well, I was 19, on the verge of being a father, with religious trauma and a glass closet I was banging at to get out.” Eddie laughed. He looked at his watch, checking the time. “Mom and Dad are gonna be here soon.”

“Great,” Shannon said with an eyeroll. 

“Eddito, even your mother can’t ruin today,” Pepa argued from the counter as she plated Eddie’s food. “You and Evancito are going to have a perfect wedding.”

“I know Mom won’t ruin it. Margaret on the other hand…”

“If she starts her bullshit, I’ll spill red wine all over her dress.” Shannon joked.

“I can take my chair and roll over her foot.” Chris added with a smirk. “She wasn’t too nice to Theo last night, and I was close to getting Athena.”

Eddie’s head snapped up. “She wasn’t nice to Theo? What? Why didn’t you tell me last night?”

“Because you were already stressing out.” Chris said with a shrug. “He was just being Theo and she told him to sit down and be quiet.”

Eddie’s brow furrowed. 

“Don’t worry,” Chris smiled. “Theo ignored her and then asked what her pet dinosaur was like.”

Shannon and Pepa started laughing and Eddie smiled. 

“Aunt Maddie said that she thinks Theo reminds Mrs Buckley of Buck as a kid.”

“I mean, he is Buck’s clone.” Shannon added with a smirk. 

“If either of the moms start today,” Tia said, sitting Eddie’s plate on the dining table. “I will personally throw them out.”

“I don’t doubt that, Tia.” Eddie smiled as he moved to the table. 

“You know Margaret has always been a bitch,” Shannon said, sitting down beside Eddie. “She’s just an eternally unhappy woman. Nothing is gonna change that.”

Eddie nodded, before looking at Chris. 

“Mijo, where’s your tie?”

Chris rolled his eyes. “Dad, it’s on the couch.”

Eddie nodded, his lips pursed. 

“How about I get Chris’ tie on him?” Shannon suggested. “You eat, I’ll help our son get ready and then we can call your other boys and see how they’re holding up?”

Eddie smiled. “Thanks Shan.”

Shannon slid out from her chair, and made her way to the couch, with Chris moving slowly behind her. 

Pepa stroked Eddie’s hair. “Eddie, I’ve never seen you as happy as you’ve been this last year. Today is going to be perfect, because you’re marrying the man you love. But Christopher’s right. Nothing is going to change. You two have always been perfect partners, and whether Margaret or Helena start, or Baby Buck eats too much cake, or Evancito stands on your toes during your first dance, today is going to be perfect.”

Eddie laughed and nodded. “Thanks Tia.” 

Buck got Theo settled on the couch, with an episode of Paw Patrol and a PB&J. Buck had tried to get Theo to eat something more substantial and less sticky, but Theo was determined that he wanted a PB&J and by that point, Buck knew it wasn’t an argument he was going to have with his son. He’d long since learned what battles to pick when it came to Theo. So Buck got Theo’s sandwich made, cut it into triangles and tied a beach towel around’s neck to try and minimize the damage his son would inevitably cause. 

Buck poured himself another coffee, just as the doorbell rang. Before Buck could even get out of the kitchen, he heard Theo’s feet thumping on the floor as he ran to the door.

“Theo, no running.” Buck called out. 

“Okay,” Theo said, as he continued running. Buck laughed as he reached the door. Theo was trying to reach the deadbolt but it was just slightly too high for him.

“I’ll get it.” Buck laughed, as Theo sighed, stepping aside. Buck opened the door, seeing Maddie and Jee standing there. 

Maddie’s hair had the perfect wave that Buck had grown used to over the last year, and a mint green dress that hit the ground perfectly, as it blew in the slight breeze. Jee on the other hand, had a pastel pink dress on, with a little deeper pink cardigan covering the dress to keep her warm, despite the LA heat. 

“Morning,” Buck smiled, as Maddie and Jee stepped in.

Theo and Jee threw their arms around each other, before starting to talk over each other in excitement. Theo, instantly, telling Jee about his new Lego set Grandpa Bobby had bought him. The two kids bolted to Theo’s room to see the Lego.

“No mess please Kiddos,” Maddie yelled after them. Neither acknowledged she’d even said anything. Maddie laughed, before turning to her brother. “Happy Wedding Day, baby brother.”

Buck smiled with his entire face. “That sounds so weird!”

“You’re calm,” Maddie said, furrowing her brow. “Why are you calm? How are you calm?” 

Buck chuckled. “I don’t always freak out.”

“No, but on your wedding day? That’d be the day I’d expect you to be freaking out.” 

“I thought I would be too,” Buck admitted. “But I’m just happy.”

Maddie looked at Buck’s outfit and pinched her eyebrows together. 

“Where’s your shirt?” She then looked down the hall towards Theo’s room. “Where’s Theo’s shirt?”

“Theo had chocolate milk and a PB&J.”

Maddie nodded in understanding. “Avoiding the mess, got it.” 

“I guess I should probably finish getting ready before Bobby and ‘Thena get here.” 

“Chimney’s gonna meet us at the hotel with Nash.” Maddie said, following Buck towards Buck and Eddie’s room.

Buck looked over his shoulder. “Theo, Jee, we’ll be in my room.”

“OKAY DAD!” Theo yelled, louder than necessary. Maddie chuckled, grabbing Buck’s shirt from the dining chair, before moving to the primary bedroom. 

Buck took the shirt from Maddie, slipping it on. Maddie stood, leaning on the doorframe, smiling gently.

Buck turned, raising his eyebrow.

“What?” He asked, buttoning his shirt slowly.

“You know, I used to worry about you so much.” Maddie admitted. 

“You still worry about me, Mads.” Buck smirked.

“I’ll always worry about you,” Maddie paused, stepping into the room, reaching up to help Buck with his cufflinks. “Evan, you’ve spent your whole life trying to find your place in the world. You’ve always given so much of yourself to people who don’t deserve it - our parents, Abby, Ali, Tommy.” The last one came with an eyeroll. “I’ve spent your entire life hoping you’d find someone who would do the same for you.”

“And then I found Eddie.” Buck smiled.

“And then you found Eddie. And Christopher. And Theo.”  Maddie smoothed Buck’s sleeves. “You found your family.”

Buck shook his head. 

“I didn’t find it. We made it.” 

Maddie smiled. “I don’t need to worry as much as before.”

Buck wrapped his arms around his sister’s frame. “I’d have never got this far with you, Mads.” 

Maddie laughed. “You would’ve.” Maddie pulled back a little, looking up at her brother with tears in her eyes and a happy smile on her face. “I’m so proud of you, Evan.” 

Buck smiled with his entire face again. Before he could answer, the doorbell rang.

“DAD! IT’S GRANDPA BOBBY AND NANA ‘THENA!” Theo yelled from down the hall. 

“He really is your son,” Maddie laughed as she and Buck walked out the room. “That voice comes from his toes.” 

By the time Buck and Maddie reached the door, Theo had already opened it, and was sitting on Bobby’s hip with his arms around Bobby’s neck.

“Theo, what’ve we said about opening the door?” Buck smirked.

Theo scrunched his face in thought for a second before breaking out in a big smile. “To do it?”

Bobby smirked, squeezing Theo. “You’ve gotta listen to your Dad, kiddo.”

Theo rested his head on Bobby’s shoulder. “Okay Grandpa.” 

Athena turned to Maddie. “I need a coffee.”

Maddie nodded in agreement. “Me too. Jee, come get a snack.”

“Okay Mama,” Jee said, rushing after Maddie and Athena. 

Bobby set Theo on the ground, then turned to Buck. 

“You want me to do your tie?”

Buck blushed and smiled softly. “I’d love that, Pops.” He turned to Theo. “Spider-man, go get your shirt and tie and I’ll get you ready after Grandpa does my tie, okay?”

Theo nodded, before bolting to the dining room. Bobby chuckled as he and Buck headed towards Buck’s bedroom. 

Buck stopped in front of the mirror, as Bobby picked the tie up from the bottom of the bed. He moved to behind Buck, looping the tie around Buck’s neck. 

“I always hoped I’d do this.” Bobby admitted.

“Do what?” Buck said, looking at Bobby in the mirror.

“Tie your tie on your wedding day.” He confirmed. “I remember your first date with Abby, and doing your tie in the locker room.”

“That feels like a lifetime ago!” Buck laughed, as Bobby did the knot. “The fact I ended up getting a tracheotomy by Abby that night should’ve been a sign that relationship was always gonna be doomed.”

“You weren’t right for each other,” Bobby shrugged. “But she helped you grow up.”

“I guess,” Buck conceded. 

“Can I tell you something?” Bobby asked, and Buck nodded. “When Eddie graduated the Academy, I didn’t just want him because he was a good firefighter.”

“What do you mean?”

“I thought he'd be good for you.” Bobby admitted. “You were lost, even before Abby left. And I knew Eddie would be the partner you’d need.”

“You knew we’d end up together?”

“No,” Bobby laughed. “Though, after you were a brat on his first shift, I had my suspicions. But I knew he’d be the perfect work partner for you, and that he’d be the perfect friend for you.” 

“You were right.”

“I was. And then spent the next 8 years giving you both vague advice in the hopes that you’d read between the lines and find your way to each other. Hell, I signed you up for the firefighter games to get you to get your heads out your asses.” 

Buck laughed. Bobby moved in front of Buck, straightening the tie out and fixing Buck’s collar. 

“There,” Bobby smiled.

“How do I look?” Buck asked, giving Bobby a soft smile.

“You look real handsome.” 

“Yeah?” Buck asked, raising his brow.

“Yeah.” 

“Thanks, Bobby.” Buck said. “Not just for the tie. You’ve spent years looking after me. You taught me how to be a good man.” 

“You were already a good man, Buck.” Bobby said, smiling.

“Maybe, but I wouldn’t be who I am without you.” Buck smiled softly. “I spent my entire childhood trying to get my parents to notice me - to love me. And I always thought I had to earn that love. But you never made me feel like I needed to earn anything.”

Bobby’s eyes softened. 

“You never needed to earn anything, Buck. You’ve always been enough.” 

Buck looked away for a moment before smiling. "I wish I'd known what having a dad like you felt like when I was a kid. I wish you’d been my dad."

Bobby rested a hand briefly against the side of Buck's neck before letting it fall again.

"I wish I was too, Kid."

Theo came bounding into the room, holding his shirt and his mint green tie trailing behind him. 

“Can you help me now, Dad?” Theo asked, looking up at Buck with a hopeful expression. 

“Of course, Spider-man!” Buck said, lifting Theo to stand him on the bed. Theo giggled when his feet bounced slightly. Buck slipped the shirt on to Theo, before buttoning it up carefully, Theo watching the entire time. Buck knew that expression - he’d seen it a lot in the last year. Hell, he’d seen it a lot over the last 36 years. It was the same face both he and Theo made when they were trying to learn something that seemed impossible. And for Theo, buttons practically were impossible.  

Once the shirt was buttoned, Buck tucked it into Theo’s pastel pink pants before pulling up Theo’s suspenders. 

“Almost ready,” Buck said, picking up Theo’s tie from where the kid dropped it on the bed. He held it out to Bobby. “You got it in you to do another Buckley’s tie today?”

Bobby laughed. “I think I might.” 

Bobby stepped forward looping the tie around Theo’s neck and quickly doing the tie while the boy stood still, watching Bobby in complete fascination and adoration. Buck understood that look - he felt the same way about Bobby. 

Once the tie was done, Bobby and Buck both stepped back and looked at Theo.

“Do I look okay?” Theo asked nervously.

Buck turned to Bobby and smiled. “You look very handsome.” 

“Just like your Dad.” Bobby added. 

After Theo’s tie was securely tied around his neck, Buck carried his son into the living room, with Bobby following right behind them. 

Maddie and Athena were sitting in the two arm chairs with their coffees, and Jee was sitting at the coffee table with a coloring book and crayons. Buck sat Theo on the couch and picked up Theo’s tiny brown dress shoes from beside the table. 

“Dad?” Theo said quietly, as Buck slid the shoe on his foot. 

“Yeah Spider-Man?” Buck asked as he tied the laces. 

“Is the mean lady with the yellow hair gonna be at the wedding today?”

Buck looked up at his son with confusion, before turning to Maddie and Athena, who shrugged.

“What lady, kiddo?” Bobby asked, sitting on the coffee table beside Buck. 

“The one that was arguing with the old man with glasses.”

Buck turned to Maddie again.

“Mom,” Maddie mouthed.

“Unfortunately she will, little man.” Buck said, as he slid the other show on Theo’s other foot. “That’s my mom.”

Theo frowned, his mouth pursing in thought, reminding Buck of Eddie. 

“So, does that mean she’s my grandma?”

Buck laughed. 

“Only if you want her to be.” Buck said softly. “And the old man with glasses? That’s my dad.” 

“I don’t think I want her to be my grandma.” Theo admitted. 

“Why?” Athena asked, before taking a sip of her coffee.

“She was mean to me at the big dinner last night.” Theo said with a shrug. 

Buck frowned. 

“What do you mean she was rude to you? W-what did she say?”

“I was running around before dinner and she told me to sit down and be quiet.” Theo said, his posture closing in on itself.

Seeing his son closing in on himself because of Margaret Buckley? No, Buck was not okay with that. 

“If she says anything at all to you today,” Buck started, taking Theo’s hand in his own. “You tell me, Eddie or any of the grown ups, okay?”

Theo nodded his head. “Okay Dad.” 

Buck stood up with a sigh. 

“Alright kiddo, go grab your jacket.” Bobby said, standing up too. “You too, Buck.” 

Buck smiled and saluted his former captain. 

Theo ran to his room, with Jee following closely behind him, while Buck wandered to the dining room.

Once the kids were out of earshot, Athena spoke up.

“I swear, if she says anything out of line to any of you, I’ll personally toss her out of there.” 

Buck laughed. 

“I refuse to let her make Theo feel as small as she made me feel.” Buck admitted, his voice tight. 

Maddie shook her head. 

“That won’t happen. You won’t let it.” 

“It can’t. Theo’s already been through so much, I can’t let her add to it.” 

“History won’t repeat itself Buck.” Bobby said, stepping into the dining room with Buck. “You and Theo are loved. You have family, and Margaret doesn’t need to be a part of that.” 

“And it’s not too late to uninvite her,” Maddie said with a shrug. 

Buck shook his head again. “No, she gets one chance. Then she’s done.”

“At least Margaret and Helena seemed to hate each other,” Athena said with a smirk. “Family Christmas won’t be boring.”

Theo and Jee came bounding back into the living room, Theo giggling again. His jacket was on, the collar slightly twisted. Buck laughed, shaking his head as he moved towards his son.  He knelt down in front of Theo and straightened the collar, before moving Theo’s bangs out of his face.

“I’m proud of you,” Buck said softly. “Eddie’s gonna be so happy with your gift.”

“Promise?” Theo whispered, holding his pinky up.

Buck linked his pinky with his son’s. “I pinky promise.”

The bridal suite of the hotel had been reserved for Eddie’s side of the family, but relaxing before the ceremony was not something that was on the cards for Eddie. Ramon sat on the couch beside Christopher, who was scrolling on his phone with one of his crutches resting on the arm of the couch. Pepa and Shannon had occupied the armchairs beside the window, while Helena was sitting uncomfortably on the small ottoman. 

Eddie on the other hand? He was pacing the floor over and over. As Eddie passed them for the 3rd time in 5 minutes, Pepa and Shannon shared a look, both smirking at each other. 

“Mijo,” Ramon spoke up as he fixed his own cuff.

Eddie stopped moving, looking up at his dad.

“Huh?”

“You’re going to wear a hole in the carpet if you keep pacing.”

“Dad, I’m not pacing.”

Christopher laughed, not looking up from his phone. “Liar.” 

“Christopher!” Eddie chastised, but he had no heat behind his voice, only affection. 

“Eddie, you know Buck’s probably sitting in the other suit, relaxing, right?” Shannon said with a smirk. She picked up her phone, sending off a quick text.

“Have you tried to relax while trying to keep Theo from getting messy?” Eddie joked.

“I have babysat him before,” Shannon laughed out. 

The door knocked, and Eddie turned his head towards the door. Shannon rolled her eyes, before pushing herself off the chair.

“I guess I’ll get it then.” She teased. She moved quickly, her pink dress billowing as she walked. She opened the door, and smiled, taking a step back. 

Maddie stepped inside, her green dress moving gently. Beside her was Theo, whose eyes lit up when he saw Eddie.

“Eddie!” Theo said excitedly, racing full speed towards Eddie. Eddie, without hesitation, scooped Theo into his arms, squeezing him in a tight hug.

“Hey Buddy!” Eddie said, pressing a kiss with an exaggerated “Mwah” on Theo’s head.

“We’re not interrupting, are we?” Maddie said, moving to Eddie and Theo. 

“Not at all!” Eddie said without hesitation. 

Maddie and Shannon shared a look, before Maddie smiled. “Shannon and I thought you might want to see him before the ceremony.”

Eddie looked at Shannon and laughed. 

“I’ll always want to see him,” Eddie said, looking at Theo on his hip. “Right buddy?” 

“Uh-huh!” Theo nodded. “I wanted to see you before it starts.” 

“I’m glad you did,” Eddie smiled. He turned, and motioned for Chris to come over. Chris rolled his eyes affectionately, before carefully pushed himself off the couch and moved carefully towards his dad and the 5 year old. 

When Chris got closer, Eddie wrapped his arm around Chris’s waist, letting his son put all his weight on Eddie. 

“My boys,” Eddie smiled, closing his eyes. He could feel himself physically relaxing, the tension almost completely left his body as he held his boys in his arms. “You both look so handsome!” 

Theo beamed. “Grandpa Bobby did my tie!” 

“He did?” Eddie said with an exaggerated gasp. “Well he did a great job! You look as handsome as your dad AND your big brother.” He squeezed Chris when he said “Big brother” and the teen laughed, tilting his head further onto his dad’s shoulder, as he reached up and squeezed Theo’s calf.

Maddie smiled, before pulling out her phone. She snapped a quick picture, of Buck’s boys together before they legally became a united front.

“Okay, I should probably get him back to Buck before the ceremony.” She smiled.

“Can I have another minute?” Theo asked, looking at his aunt, giving her the puppy dog eyes. 

Maddie rolled her eyes. “One minute.” 

“Weak,” Shannon teased. 

“You know I can never say no to the Buckley boys’ eyes.” 

Eddie laughed, setting Theo on the ground. “Right there with you, Mads.” 

Theo looked up at Eddie, smiling sweetly. 

“Are you excited, Eddie?” 

Eddie nodded his head. “I’m a bit nervous, but I’m super excited!” 

“Why are you nervous?” Theo asked, furrowing his brow.

“Because I want today to be perfect for you and your Dad.” 

“Dad said that even if he was hit by a firetruck, today would still be perfect ‘cause he’s marrying you.” 

Eddie laughed. “It wouldn’t be the first time a Buckley got married in a hospital room.” 

Maddie playfully smacked Eddie’s arm. “That’s just mean, Diaz.” 

Maddie’s phone pinged, and she looked down at it. “Okay Teddy, we better get back to your Dad.”

“But -” 

“Grandpa Bobby just messaged me saying your Dad was looking for you.” 

Theo smiled. “Okay.” He looked up at Eddie and smiled brighter. “See you soon?”

Eddie nodded, smiling. “Really soon!” 

Maddie and Theo left the room, but not before Theo made eye contact with Helena and scowled, making Maddie and Eddie laugh, as Helena was taken off-guard by the kindergartener. 

Chris noticed too, and when Maddie and Theo were out of the room, turned to Helena. 

“What did you do to piss off the puppy?” 

Helena frowned. “Christopher, language!” 

“Mom, he’s almost 17.” Eddie laughed. “He’s allowed to swear.” 

Helena’s frown deepened. “I don’t know why he glared at me.”

“He’s met you,” Shannon said with a shrug. “That’s usually enough.” 

The door knocked again, and Hen popped her head into the room. “Time to go, Diaz.” 

Eddie nodded, taking a deep breath.

The first notes of the string quartet drifted across the garden, and the conversations between guests gradually faded away. One by one, everyone rose from their seats.

Jee-Yun was the first to appear. She carried a small wicker basket in front of her with both hands, taking great care with every step. Every few paces she reached inside, gathered a handful of pale pink petals and scattered them across the white runner before continuing on her way.

By the time she reached the front, only a few petals remained in the basket.  She slipped into the front row beside Chimney, who smiled as she climbed into her seat.

Baby Nash sat happily on his lap, the small ivory cushion carrying the wedding rings resting safely beside him. Hen sat beside Chimney, with Karen, Denny and Mara completing the row.

Maddie appeared next with Theo. Theo walked beside her with quiet determination, his small hand wrapped around hers. His mint green tie sat neatly beneath his collar, exactly as Bobby had tied it earlier that morning.

Waiting with Bobby at the back of the aisle, Buck couldn't help smiling as Theo made his way steadily towards the front. There was something wonderfully earnest about the concentration on his face, as though he were determined not to put a foot wrong. Maddie kept an easy pace beside him, her attention fixed on the aisle ahead.

When they reached the ceremony space, Theo stepped into position on Buck's side. Maddie stopped a few steps behind him, taking her place as Buck's maid of honour.

A few moments later, Shannon appeared with Christopher. Christopher moved steadily with his crutches, his pace unhurried and confident. Shannon stayed beside him throughout the walk, matching his speed naturally. When they reached the front, Christopher took his place on Eddie's side of the ceremony space. Shannon stepped into position behind him, opposite Maddie.

The aisle stood empty once more. Bobby glanced towards Buck.

"Ready?"

Buck took a slow breath before nodding.

"Yeah."

Bobby offered his arm. Buck linked his own through it. Together, they stepped onto the aisle. The music filled the garden as they made their way towards the front. Buck recognised faces as they passed.

Harry smiled from the second row, with May beside him and Ravi on May’s other side.  In the front row, Athena watched quietly from her seat nearest the aisle. Margaret and Phillip sat beside her. Across the aisle, Ramon and Helena sat together, with Sophia and Adriana beside them. The walk seemed both impossibly short and much longer than Buck expected. 

When they reached the ceremony space, Bobby gave Buck's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Buck smiled back. Bobby stepped into place in front of the guests. Buck moved into position beside Theo. When he got into place, he reached over and raised his pinky with Theo, who beamed at his dad and linked his own with Buck’s, before letting go.

The music changed. Every head turned towards the entrance. Pepa appeared. Eddie walked beside her.

Buck felt his breath catch. 

They hadn't seen one another since the rehearsal dinner the evening before. After spending the night apart and getting ready separately that morning, seeing Eddie now made everything else seem to disappear. Their eyes met across the length of the aisle. Neither of them looked away. Pepa led Eddie towards the front, the music carrying them through the garden. When they reached the ceremony space, she gently straightened the sleeve of his jacket.

"There."

Eddie smiled.

"Thanks, Pepa."

She hugged him tightly before kissing his cheek.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

She squeezed his hand once before stepping into the front row beside Ramon. Only then did Eddie step into place opposite Buck. For a quiet moment, neither of them looked anywhere else. The quartet reached the final notes of the processional before allowing them to fade naturally into silence. Bobby waited until the last note had disappeared.

"Please be seated."

The guests settled back into their chairs. Theo, Christopher, Maddie and Shannon remained standing in their places beside Buck and Eddie. 

Bobby smiled as he looked between them.

"Good afternoon, everyone. On behalf of Buck and Eddie, thank you for being here today.” Bobby started, smiling out to the crowd. "Looking around, it's clear this isn't simply a gathering of family or a gathering of friends. For many of you, it's both. Every person here has helped shape the lives these two have built, and it means a great deal to them that you've chosen to share this day with them. Marriage isn't built in a single moment. It's built through ordinary days. Through laughter and patience. Through difficult conversations and quiet understanding. Through choosing one another, over and over again. Today isn't the beginning of Buck and Eddie's story. It's another chapter in a life they've already begun building together."

Bobby looked between them before smiling.

"Buck and Eddie have chosen to write their own vows." He looked towards Buck. "You’re up first, Kid.” 

Buck looked at Eddie for a long moment, his smile softening.

"I've spent the last few weeks trying to write something worthy of today. Every time I thought I'd finally got it right, I'd read it back and realise it didn't sound like me. Or us." A small laugh spread through the chairs. "The truth is, I don't think there are enough words to explain what you've given me. When we met, I wasn't looking for forever. Honestly, I wasn't sure forever was something I deserved. Then you walked into my life with Christopher, and without either of you realising it, you started changing it." Buck glanced briefly towards Christopher before looking back at Eddie. "You taught me that family isn't something you're born into. It's something you build. It's choosing each other every single day, even when life gets messy, even when things are difficult, even when you're scared." His smile returned. "You gave me a home long before we ever lived in the same house. You made me feel loved long before you ever said the words." Buck laughed quietly to himself. "And somewhere along the way, Chris decided I was family too.” Christopher ducked his head with a grin as a few people chuckled around him. "I don't think either of us realised just how much our lives were changing back then. Looking at us now..." Buck shook his head with a smile. "I'd say it worked out pretty well." He reached for Eddie's hands, holding them a little tighter. "I promise that no matter what life throws at us, you'll never have to face it alone. I promise to be the husband you deserve, to keep choosing you every single day, and to never stop reminding you how loved you are. I promise to be there for Christopher, for Theo, our boys, and for every chapter our family still has ahead of us. I promise to keep finding reasons to laugh with you, to stand beside you when things are hard, and to come home to you for the rest of my life." Buck's eyes glistened. "I've loved you for a long time, Eddie. I'll love you for the rest of my life."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Buck gave Eddie's hands a gentle squeeze before smiling through the emotion.

"Your turn, Eddie." Bobby said, his voice cracking, as his eyes glistened.  Eddie let out a quiet breath before smiling at Buck.

"You know..." He laughed softly, shaking his head. "I had this whole plan to keep it together." A few people smiled. "I figured if I just kept looking at the paper, I'd be fine. Then you started talking, and now..." He gestured vaguely towards his eyes. "Well, thanks for that." Another gentle ripple of laughter passed through the garden. Eddie looked down for a moment before meeting Buck's eyes again. "When I met you, I thought you were loud." More laughter followed. "Actually... I still think you're loud." Buck laughed, and Eddie smiled. "But underneath all that energy was someone who would do absolutely anything for the people he loved. I don't think you even realise how many lives you've changed just by being yourself." His expression softened. "I watched you become Christopher's best friend before either of you realised what was happening. You never expected anything from him. You never tried to replace anyone. You just... showed up. Again and again. Before I knew it, he wasn't asking if Buck was coming over. He was asking when." Christopher smiled to himself, blinking quickly as he looked towards the ground. "Somewhere along the way, I realised I was looking forward to seeing you just as much as he was." Eddie gave a quiet laugh. "I've spent a lot of my life trying to carry everything by myself. I thought that's what I was supposed to do. Then you came along and, somehow, without making a big deal out of it, you started carrying it with me." He reached up, brushing away the tears that had escaped despite his best efforts. "You've stood beside me through the happiest days of my life and the hardest. You've loved Christopher like he was your own son, and you've loved Theo from the moment he came into our lives. You've given our boys a home filled with laughter, patience and more love than I ever thought one family could hold." His thumb brushed gently across Buck's knuckles. "I promise I'll never stop choosing you. I promise to stand beside you, even when life feels impossible. I promise to remind you that you don't have to carry everything on your own anymore." His voice grew quieter. "I promise to laugh with you, grow old with you, annoy you by putting the coffee mugs in the wrong cupboard, and never let you question how deeply you're loved." Buck laughed through the tears gathering in his eyes. Eddie smiled back. "And no matter what happens, whether we fight or bicker, I hope you'll always know that I'll love you anyway." For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Buck lifted Eddie's hands to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss against his knuckles before resting their foreheads together. 

Neither of them seemed to notice the tears running freely down Bobby's face.

For several long moments, the garden remained completely silent. Buck and Eddie simply stood there, neither of them letting go of the other's hands.

Around them, more than one guest quietly brushed away a tear. Hen reached across and laced her fingers with Karen's, while Athena smiled through damp eyes beside Margaret and Phillip. Across the aisle, Ramon reached for Helena's hand as Sophia quietly passed Adriana a tissue. 

Christopher stood a little straighter beside Eddie, his eyes never leaving his parents. Theo looked proudly between Buck and Eddie, a smile slowly spreading across his face. Bobby gave them all a moment before clearing his throat.

"I think it's fair to say there isn't a dry eye left out here." A warm ripple of laughter spread through the garden. His smile lingered as he looked from Buck to Eddie. "You've spoken from the heart, and everyone here has been lucky enough to hear it. Those promises are the foundation of your marriage. Now it's time to make them official."

Buck and Eddie reluctantly loosened their grip on one another's hands. Bobby turned towards Buck.

"Evan William Buckley, do you take Edmundo Ramon Díaz to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour him and remain faithful to him for the rest of your lives together?"

Buck's smile never faltered.

"I do."

Bobby nodded before turning to Eddie.

"Edmundo Ramon Díaz, do you take Evan William Buckley to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour him and remain faithful to him for the rest of your lives together?"

Eddie looked into Buck's eyes.

"I do."

"The rings, please." 

Chimney smiled down at Nash before lifting him gently to his feet.

"You've got an important job, buddy." 

Nash looked down at the small ivory cushion in his hands before wrapping both arms around it.

"Okay."

Chimney steadied him for a moment before letting go.

With everyone's attention suddenly on him, Nash toddled carefully towards Bobby, taking slow, determined little steps across the grass.

A few quiet smiles spread through the guests as he concentrated on keeping hold of the cushion.

When he reached Bobby, he held it up proudly. Bobby crouched to his height, smiling warmly.

"There he is. Thank you, Nash."

He carefully lifted the two wedding bands from the cushion before gently patting Nash's shoulder.

"You did a great job, Kiddo." Nash beamed. Bobby looked towards Chimney. "I think somebody's earned a cuddle."

Chimney laughed softly as Nash happily toddled back into his waiting arms. 

Only once Nash was safely settled again did Bobby place one ring into Buck's hand.

"Buck."

Buck took Eddie's left hand, his thumb brushing gently across his knuckles.

"Repeat after me.

"'With this ring, I give you my heart.'"

Buck smiled.

"With this ring, I give you my heart."

"'My love.'"

"My love."

"'And my life.'"

"And my life."

"'For today, tomorrow, and every day we're given.'"

"For today, tomorrow, and every day we're given."

He gently slid the ring onto Eddie's finger.

Bobby placed the second ring into Eddie's hand.

"Eddie."

Eddie took Buck's hand with the same care.

"'With this ring, I give you my heart.'"

"With this ring, I give you my heart."

"'My love.'"

"My love."

"'And my life.'"

"And my life."

"'For today, tomorrow, and every day we're given.'"

"For today, tomorrow, and every day we're given."

He eased the ring onto Buck's finger, his thumb lingering for just a moment over the new wedding band.

Bobby looked from the rings now resting on their hands to the two men standing before him and his smile softened.

"Evan William Buckley and Edmundo Ramon Díaz..." For just a moment, emotion caught in his voice. "...by the power vested in me by the State of California and the Internet, it gives me the greatest pleasure to pronounce you husband and husband." His smile widened. "You may kiss your husband." 

Buck didn't hesitate. He closed the small distance between them, one hand settling against Eddie's cheek as the other rested gently at the back of his neck. Eddie's hand found Buck's waist as their lips met. The kiss was soft and unhurried, filled with every promise they'd made only moments before. 

When they finally drew apart, neither of them moved very far. Buck rested his forehead against Eddie's, both of them smiling through happy tears.

"I love you, husband," Buck whispered.

Eddie laughed quietly.

"I love you too, husband."

The applause broke almost immediately. Theo cheered loudly beside Buck before clapping as hard as he could, his excitement impossible to contain. Christopher laughed, joining in the applause beside Eddie. Maddie wiped tears from her eyes as she smiled harder than she had since the day Nash was born. Shannon cheered, clapping her hands, not even acknowledging the tears falling down her cheeks.

Around the garden, family and friends rose to their feet. Hen let out a proud whistle. Chimney applauded with Nash balanced on his hip, the toddler enthusiastically clapping along with everyone else. 

Bobby gave the newlyweds a moment before stepping towards them. He pulled Buck into a tight hug first.

"I'm proud of you, Kid."

Buck laughed through the tears.

"Love you, Bobby."

"Love you too."

Bobby turned to Eddie, wrapping him in an equally warm embrace.

"And you."

Eddie smiled.

"Thanks for everything."

Bobby rested a hand on Eddie's shoulder before stepping back to look at them both.

"You two deserve every bit of happiness that's waiting for you."

Buck reached for Eddie's hand once more.

Their fingers intertwined instinctively. Bobby turned back towards the guests, his grin returning.

"Ladies and gentlemen..." He waited just long enough for the applause to settle. "It is my absolute privilege to present, for the very first time..." He looked proudly at the couple. "...Evan William and Edmundo Ramon Buckley-Díaz." 

The garden erupted into cheers once again as Buck and Eddie looked at one another, both smiling so broadly that neither of them could even attempt to hide it. Hand in hand, they turned to begin the walk back up the aisle together.

By the time everyone found their seats again, the evening sun had begun to sink lower over the venue, bathing the gardens in warm golden light.

Dinner had come and gone beneath a steady hum of conversation, laughter and the occasional clink of glasses. Guests drifted easily between tables to catch up with friends and family they hadn't seen in years, while children darted across the dance floor whenever they thought nobody was looking.

Now, as coffee was poured and desserts disappeared from the tables, the garden gradually settled once more.

At the head table, Buck sat with Eddie on one side and Theo on the other. Theo swung his legs beneath his chair as he quietly coloured on the children's activity sheet one of the venue staff had thoughtfully left for him. Every so often he held it up for Buck or Eddie to admire before happily returning to his masterpiece.

Christopher sat beside Eddie, talking quietly with Shannon, while Maddie smiled at something Chimney had said from the neighbouring table.

Across the garden, Bobby and Athena shared an amused look as Hen unsuccessfully tried to convince Karen that she hadn't been the loudest person cheering during the ceremony.

Near the dance floor, Nash toddled determinedly between May and Harry, proudly carrying an unopened bread roll in both hands as though it were something enormously important. May crouched to his height just in time to rescue it before it reached the floor for the third time.

Ramon and Helena chatted uncomfortably with Margaret and Phillip, while Sophia and Adriana compared photographs from the ceremony on their phones, smiling every time another guest wandered over to admire them.

At the head table, Theo leaned gently against Buck's arm.

"Dad?"

Buck looked down.

"Yeah, buddy?"

Theo smiled sleepily.

"I had the best day."

Buck kissed the top of his head.

"So did I." 

Across the table, Eddie reached over and squeezed Buck's hand beneath the linen cloth. Before Buck could say anything, a spoon tapped gently against a glass.

The conversations gradually faded. Bobby stood from his chair, one hand resting lightly on the back of it as he looked around the garden.

"I hope everyone's saved a little room," he said with a smile. "Not for more dessert..." A few guests chuckled. "...For speeches."

As the last of the applause faded, Maddie stood from her seat, smoothing the skirt of her dress before reaching for her champagne flute. The warm evening breeze stirred gently through the reception space as she made her way to the microphone, the golden light of the setting sun stretching across the lawn.

She smiled at Buck and Eddie before looking out at the sea of familiar faces. "For anyone who doesn't know me, I'm Maddie. I'm Buck's big sister, which means I've had the privilege of watching him grow into the incredible man he is today. It also means I've spent nearly thirty-six years collecting stories that he'd probably prefer stayed between the two of us." 

Buck let out a quiet groan, earning a ripple of laughter from the guests. "I promise I’ll try not to embarrass you both too much," Maddie said with a grin. "Mostly try." 

She looked towards Eddie.

"I don't think either of you realised just how long this story had actually been unfolding. About nine years ago, Buck, Chimney and Eddie helped me move into my apartment. We'd only just met Eddie, and after we'd finished carrying boxes upstairs, I remember saying, 'He's cute.'" She paused as Buck covered his face with one hand. "Without missing a beat, Buck looked at me and said, 'You should see his son.'" Laughter spread through the reception. "The only problem was..." Maddie smiled. "...I wasn't talking about Eddie." She pointed towards Chimney. "I was talking about Chim." Even Chimney laughed at that. "But Buck had already decided I'd obviously meant Eddie. And remember, this was years before he came out as bisexual." She shook her head, smiling to herself. "So looking back now, I think my little brother accidentally told on himself long before he had any idea what he was actually feeling." She took a sip from her glass before continuing. "Then Eddie became friends with Tommy." She looked at Buck with mock disbelief. "Now, most people would probably stop for a second and ask themselves, 'Am I jealous?'" Buck smiled sheepishly. "Not my brother."

The laughter returned. "No, Buck somehow decided the only logical explanation was that he'd actually been trying to get Tommy's attention all along." She spread her hands innocently. "So he came out as bisexual... and dated the old man for six months." Buck dropped his head onto Eddie's shoulder as the garden erupted with laughter. "I still don't know how he convinced himself that made more sense than simply admitting he was in love with Eddie." She smiled warmly. "Then Eddie moved to Texas to be with Christopher." Her tone softened. "And Buck gave up his loft without a second thought." She looked at her brother. "I don't think you ever realised just how romantic that was, Buck. You packed up your life and moved into their house because the people who mattered most to you weren't there anymore. You told everyone you were just helping your best friend." 

She laughed quietly. "The rest of us knew better."

She glanced towards Eddie. "And even after all that, Buck spent months insisting he wasn't in love with Eddie because he refused to become the cliché bisexual guy hopelessly in love with his straight best friend." 

Maddie smiled. She then looked at Eddie. "Then came the firefighter auction."

A few members of the 118 were already smiling.

"Eddie decided there was absolutely no chance he was letting himself be won by a woman."

She grinned. "So he quietly transferred me two thousand dollars and asked me to bid on him instead." She raised an eyebrow. "You still insisted you were straight." Even Eddie laughed, shaking his head. "I have never been happier when somebody came out as gay." The guests laughed again. "Not just because Eddie had come out..." She looked fondly between the newlyweds. "...but because I thought, 'Finally. My little brother can stop pining.' I swear, the two of you could have written a masterclass on obliviousness."

The laughter gradually faded as Maddie's expression became gentler.

"Then came New Mexico." The reception fell quiet, the only sounds for a moment the breeze moving through the trees and the faint clink of glass somewhere among the tables.  "When that crash happened, Eddie was hurt. He had every reason to stop searching." She looked directly at him. "But you didn't. You kept looking for my brother. You refused to leave without him." Her voice caught slightly. "And I never doubted you would find him. Not for a single second. I knew you'd bring him home to me." 

She drew a slow breath before turning towards Buck.  "I've spent most of my life worrying about my little brother. I've watched him spend years looking for somewhere he belonged, wondering if he'd ever find people who chose him completely." Her smile returned as she looked at Eddie, then Christopher and Theo. "Today, I realised he isn't searching anymore. He's home. I can't imagine anyone better for Buck than you, Eddie. You love him with your whole heart, and together you've built a family that's overflowing with love." She looked back at Buck. "I know you'd give up your life in a heartbeat to keep Eddie, Christopher and Theo safe." She paused. "But there's one thing I don't think you've realised yet." She smiled through the tears gathering in her eyes.  "They aren't something you'd have to give up. They are your life. And you'll never have to lose that." 

Finally, she turned to Eddie. "So all I'm going to ask is this. Protect my brother's heart. Love him like he's the most important person in the world." Her smile widened. "But honestly, I don't think I need to ask. Because apart from Christopher and Theo..." She looked fondly at the two men sitting hand in hand. "...Buck already is." She lifted her glass. "To my little brother, to his wonderful husband, and to the beautiful family they've built together. To the Buckley-Díaz family." Around the lawn, glasses were raised. "Cheers."

As the applause for Maddie's speech faded, Bobby stepped back towards the microphone with a smile.

"I think our next speaker might just steal the show."

He looked towards the head table.

"Theo?"

Every pair of eyes turned towards the little boy. Theo looked up at Buck, who gave him an encouraging smile and a small thumbs up.

"You've got this, buddy." 

Theo nodded confidently before climbing down from his chair and making his way across the lawn. Bobby was already waiting for him at the microphone, smiling as Theo climbed onto the small wooden step that had been placed there earlier so he could reach it. Theo looked out at all the faces staring back at him and took the biggest breath his little lungs could manage.

"Hi." A chorus of gentle "Hi, Theo"s answered him, making him grin. "I'm Theo... and I'm gonna talk about my Dad and My Eddie." Buck reached for Eddie's hand beneath the table. "When I was littler, my balloon got stuck on a really, really, really tall tower." Theo stretched both arms high above his head to demonstrate. "Everybody says I didn't need my balloon..." He frowned stubbornly. "...but I did." Warm laughter drifted around the reception. "Then Mr. Poop came and got me down." Buck immediately hid his face in Eddie's shoulder as the laughter grew louder. Even Bobby had to bite back a laugh. "Mr. Poop gave me to Eddie so Eddie could make sure I wasn't hurt. Then Mr. Poop chased me all around the fire station until my Mommy and Daddy came to get me." Theo smiled at the memory. "It was really fun." His expression became quieter. "Then... my Mommy and Daddy went away." The laughter disappeared. "Dad came and got me."

Theo looked over at Buck, his whole face lighting up. "Then I got to live with him. He makes the best pancakes." A quiet chuckle spread through the guests. "He lets me help make cookies, even when I make a mess. I always make a mess" Buck laughed softly, already wiping tears from his eyes. "He reads stories when I'm sleepy. He gives really good hugs. And he always tells me he loves me." Theo beamed. "I'm really happy he became my dad." Buck swallowed hard, smiling through tears.

Theo turned towards Eddie. 

"And Eddie..." His smile somehow grew even wider. "Thank you for making my dad happy." Eddie's eyes glistened. "My dad smiles more when you're there." Theo nodded, completely certain of the fact. "I really like when he smiles." He pointed proudly towards Christopher. "And thank you for giving me my big brother." Christopher smiled, his cheeks turning pink. "I always wanted a big brother."

Theo paused, looking towards Bobby. Bobby smiled knowingly before reaching into his jacket pocket and taking out a white envelope. He walked over and crouched beside Theo, quietly placing it into his hands. Theo smiled.

"Thanks." He held the envelope carefully before looking back at Eddie.  "Eddie?" Eddie immediately stood. "Can you come here?"

Without hesitation, Eddie walked around the table and knelt in front of Theo. "What is it, buddy?"

Theo carefully held out the envelope. "I got you something."

Eddie opened it slowly. Inside was a folded letter. He unfolded it, his eyes moving across the page before stopping.

His breath caught. 

Theo watched him hopefully, twisting his fingers together. "Will you adopt me..." He hesitated for just a second. "...and be my dad too?"

A hush settled over the reception.  Theo looked between Eddie and Buck before returning his gaze to Eddie. "I already love you." His little voice was quiet but certain. "And I think you'd be the best dad."

For a long moment, Eddie couldn't find his voice.

He stared at the letter in his hands before looking back at Theo, his vision blurred with tears. A watery laugh escaped him as he shook his head in disbelief.

"Oh, Theo," He reached out, gently taking both of Theo's hands in his own. "You never have to ask me twice, buddy." His voice cracked into a smile. "Yes. Of course I'll adopt you. I would be honoured to be your dad."

Theo's eyes grew impossibly wide. "Really?"

Eddie nodded, laughing through the tears now spilling freely down his cheeks. "Really."

The little boy launched himself forwards, wrapping both arms around Eddie's neck. Eddie caught him without hesitation, holding him close as he buried his face against Theo's shoulder. "I love you so much," he whispered.

"I love you too." Theo pulled back just enough to look at him, his smile stretching from ear to ear. "Buck and Chris helped me practice my speech." He glanced proudly towards the head table before looking back at Eddie. "We practiced it for weeks, 'cause I wanted it to be perfect."

At that, Eddie's composure finally gave way completely. He laughed through happy tears, brushing a hand gently through Theo's hair. "Oh, Mijo" he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Anything you would've said would've been perfect." He smiled, giving Theo's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Because it was you saying it."

Theo beamed. Buck was already on his feet before Eddie had finished speaking. Christopher was right beside him, and together they crossed the lawn to join them. Buck rested a hand on Theo's back as Eddie stood, still holding the little boy securely on his hip. 

Without needing to say a word, Christopher stepped into Eddie's side, wrapping an arm around his waist. Buck closed the last of the distance, slipping one arm around Eddie and the other around Theo, who immediately reached across to hook an arm around Christopher's shoulders as well. For a long moment, the four of them simply held each other in the middle of the reception. Buck closed his eyes briefly, overwhelmed by the family gathered in his arms. Eddie rested his forehead against Buck's, smiling through tears neither of them bothered to hide, while Christopher and Theo stayed tucked safely between them, grinning just as widely. Around the reception, there wasn't a dry eye to be found. Bobby stood quietly beside the microphone, a warm smile on his face as he watched the family in front of him. He didn't say a word.

The applause that followed Theo's speech lingered for several long moments before gradually softening into warm conversation. Guests dabbed at their eyes, glasses were quietly refilled, and the reception slowly found its rhythm again as the band prepared for the next song. Overhead, strands of fairy lights had begun to glow against the deepening summer sky, casting a warm golden light across the lawn.

Buck glanced sideways at Eddie, unable to stop smiling. "I think we've kept everyone waiting long enough."

Eddie's answering smile was just as fond. "You think?"

"I know."

Buck held out his hand. Eddie looked at it for a second before slipping his own into it, their wedding bands catching the light as their fingers intertwined. A fresh round of applause followed them as they stepped onto the dance floor together, and somewhere behind them Buck heard Chimney wolf-whistle loudly enough to make Maddie laugh.

The opening guitar of Godlight drifted across the reception.

Buck rested one hand on Eddie's shoulder while Eddie settled his gently at the small of Buck's back. For a few seconds neither of them spoke. They simply swayed together, smiling at one another with the quiet disbelief of two people who had spent years imagining this moment without ever being certain it would come.

Buck was so busy looking at Eddie that he completely missed where his feet were going.

"Ow."

His eyes widened.

"Oh my God, did I just stand on your foot?"

Eddie bit back a grin. "You did."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay."

"No, seriously, I'm-"

"Buck." Eddie laughed, giving his waist a reassuring squeeze. "It's our first dance. I was expecting at least one."

Buck narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You had low expectations of me."

"I had realistic expectations."

That earned Eddie a playful shove with Buck's shoulder before they settled back into the music. Buck concentrated much harder this time, his tongue briefly poking against the inside of his cheek in determination. It lasted less than half a minute.

"Ow."

Buck froze again.

"Twice?"

"Twice."

"I cannot believe this."

"I can."

Buck groaned, dropping his forehead against Eddie's shoulder as laughter bubbled out of them both. "I'm never going to recover from this."

"Oh, I don't know," Eddie replied, unable to stop smiling. "You've recovered from lightning strikes, tsunamis, being crushed by a fire truck and dating Tommy."

Buck lifted his head with mock offence. "Low blow."

"It was."

"I married you anyway."

"You did."

"I've made questionable decisions before."

Eddie laughed, the sound warm and unrestrained, before leaning forward to steal a quick kiss that drew another cheer from somewhere near the bar.

For a little while they simply danced, the conversation fading into comfortable silence as the music wrapped around them. Around the edge of the dance floor, more couples gradually joined in until the lawn was filled with gentle movement beneath the lights.

Maddie rested her head against Chimney's shoulder as they swayed together, his free hand absently tracing circles against her back. A few feet away, Bobby and Athena moved with the easy familiarity of a couple who had danced together more times than either of them could count, Bobby quietly mouthing the lyrics whenever he happened to know them.

Hen and Karen barely seemed aware of anyone else, smiling at one another as though sharing a private conversation without needing words, while May accepted Ravi's offered hand with an amused smile after he admitted he wasn't much of a dancer.

On the opposite side of the floor, Helena slipped naturally into Ramon's arms. Decades of marriage showed in the effortless way they moved together, neither of them needing to think about the next step before taking it.

Nearby, Shannon smiled as Christopher wheeled himself towards her and Theo. She rested one hand lightly on Christopher's shoulder while Theo claimed the other, the three of them laughing as they found their own gentle rhythm. Christopher's wheelchair rolled slowly across the dance floor beside them, Theo occasionally spinning beneath Shannon's arm before hurrying straight back to his brother's side, determined that none of them would drift too far apart.

Watching them, Buck felt his chest tighten.

"They're happy," he said quietly.

Eddie followed his gaze before smiling to himself. "Yeah."

Buck looked back at him. "Really happy."

"So are we."

Buck nodded once. "Yeah," he whispered. "We really are."

They drifted through another slow turn before Eddie glanced at him curiously. "Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything."

"Why this song?"

Buck looked momentarily puzzled.

"I thought we'd end up dancing to Carry On Wayward Son. Or maybe What I Like About You. They both seemed like obvious choices."

"They were," Buck admitted with a laugh. "I actually had both of them on the shortlist. Along with Whatta Man, since it was playing on the radio the first time I saw you at the station."

"So what changed?" 

Buck's expression softened as he looked down at their joined hands. His thumb traced absent circles over Eddie's wedding band before he answered. "Chris." Eddie smiled immediately. "He introduced me to Noah Kahan a while ago. We were driving home one day and he put this album on. I'd never really listened to it before." Buck glanced back up, his smile growing almost shy. "Then this song came on." Eddie waited. "I don't really know how to explain it." Buck laughed quietly to himself. "I just remember listening to it and thinking... that's you."

"Me?" 

"You." Buck nodded. "Not because of any one lyric. Just... the feeling of it." He shrugged, searching for words that never seemed quite big enough. "It reminded me of the way you've always been. You spent so long just living for other people. For your parents, for Chris, and then finally, you started living for you," Eddie's eyes glistened. "So after that," Buck continued softly, "I couldn't picture us dancing to anything else. Every time I tried, I'd hear this instead."

For a long moment, Eddie simply looked at him. Then he smiled the same smile Buck had fallen in love with years before and rested their foreheads together, continuing to sway as the music carried on around them.

"I don't think anyone's ever given me a better reason for choosing a song."

Buck's smile turned impossibly fond. "I had years to think about it."

"I know."

"I wanted to get it right."

Eddie squeezed his hand gently.

"You did."

The excitement around the cake table had finally begun to die down.

With dinner finished, the speeches over and the first dance behind them, the reception had relaxed into the comfortable rhythm of a summer evening. Guests wandered between the dance floor and the tables beneath the fairy lights, children darted between clusters of relatives, and the band had traded slower songs for something a little livelier.

Theo waited until nobody was paying attention.

Buck and Eddie were talking with Bobby, Athena and Chimney near the bar. Christopher had been cornered by Hen and Karen, who seemed determined to show him every photograph they'd managed to take during the ceremony. Ramon was on the dancefloor with Pepa, the two of them laughing as they danced. Helena frowning at Margaret, who was simply talking at Helena. Phillip was with Jee and Nash. 

It was the perfect opportunity.

Theo carefully eased an impressively large slice of wedding cake onto a plate, glanced around once to make sure he hadn't been spotted, and wandered away from the crowd until the music became little more than a pleasant hum behind him.

He settled on a patch of grass overlooking the reception, crossed his legs and carefully balanced the plate in his lap. His tie, abandoned from around his neck hours ago after one too many enthusiastic dances, was now tied around his forehead instead. He gave it a quick adjustment before happily picking up the first piece of cake with his fingers.

"So that's where you've disappeared to."

Theo looked up immediately, a grin spreading across his face.

"Aunt Shannon."

"Mind if I join you?" Shannon smiled as she walked over. 

He shook his head. "There's loads of room."

"There is."

Gathering her skirt beneath her, Shannon lowered herself onto the grass beside him. For a moment they simply watched the reception together. Warm light spilled across the gardens, laughter drifted through the evening air, and every now and then one of the younger cousins tore across the lawn before being chased back towards the dance floor by an exhausted parent.

Shannon glanced sideways.

"I like the new look."

Theo reached up to the tie around his forehead and smiled.

"It was too hot round my neck."

"Fair enough."

"And this way I don't lose it."

"That's actually a pretty good plan."

"I know."

Shannon laughed quietly. She watched him take another bite of cake, carefully catching a blob of icing before it had a chance to fall back onto the plate.

"You managed to rescue quite a big slice."

Theo nodded.

"I thought if I was only getting one, I should make it a good one."

"I can't fault that logic."

"It's really nice."

"I had a feeling it would be."

Theo looked across the gardens towards the reception.

"Dad looked really happy when they were dancing."

"He did."

"And Eddie smiled the whole time."

"I noticed that too."

Theo smiled to himself before taking another bite.

"I like it when they're happy."

Shannon's expression softened.

"So do I."

"They laugh a lot together."

"They do."

Theo shrugged as though it were the simplest thing in the world.

"I think they make each other feel better."

Shannon looked at him for a moment before smiling.

"I think you've worked something out that takes some grown-ups a long time to understand."

Theo considered that while chewing thoughtfully before deciding he was much more interested in the cake. 

Another comfortable silence settled between them. Shannon eventually glanced down at his shirt, then back at the steadily disappearing slice of cake.

"I'm genuinely impressed."

Theo frowned.

"Why?"

"You've eaten nearly half that cake with your hands and your shirt's still spotless."

He instinctively looked down at himself before giving a satisfied nod.

"Dad said the only job I had today was to have fun and keep my shirt clean until the pictures were finished."

"I'd say you've managed both."

"I've been being extra extra careful."

"I can tell."

Theo smiled proudly before taking another careful bite, somehow managing to avoid getting so much as a speck of icing on his cuffs. For a little while neither of them spoke. They simply sat together on the grass, listening to the music and watching the people they loved celebrate just a little further down the lawn. Eventually Shannon glanced back towards the reception.

"We should probably head back before your dad starts wondering where you've gone."

Theo looked at the cake still sitting on his plate, then back at Shannon.

"Can we go after I finish please?"

She couldn't help smiling.

"Of course."

"I won't be long."

"I believe you."

Theo nodded, entirely satisfied by the arrangement, and picked up another piece of cake. Shannon leaned back on her hands, looking out across the gardens as the fairy lights shimmered overhead.

The reception no longer revolved around them.

That had happened gradually rather than all at once. Once the speeches had finished and the first dances were over, the guests had slipped back into their own conversations, moving easily between tables or finding their way onto the dance floor. Every now and then someone stopped to congratulate Buck or Eddie again, but there was no queue waiting for them, no photographer trying to gather people together and no wedding coordinator quietly reminding them where they needed to be next.

For the first time that day, they were simply guests at their own wedding. Buck was more than happy with that.

Theo had long since abandoned his own chair in favour of sitting beside Buck, leaning comfortably against him as he watched the garden with the endless curiosity that seemed to occupy most five-year-olds. Across the table, Christopher and Eddie had fallen into an easy conversation, Christopher occasionally glancing around the garden whenever someone they knew walked past to offer another congratulations before returning his attention to his dad.

Buck let himself watch them for a moment.

It was an ordinary family moment, almost laughably so given the day they'd had, and yet he couldn't remember the last time ordinary had felt quite so significant.

"Sorry to interrupt." Buck looked up. Margaret had stopped beside the table, her attention moving between him and Eddie before settling into a polite smile. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Not at all," Buck replied. "Everything okay?"

"Oh, yes." She rested a hand lightly against the back of an empty chair without sitting down. "I only wanted to congratulate you both properly. I don't think we've really had the chance to talk since the ceremony."

"Thank you."

"It was a beautiful wedding."

Buck smiled. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"I did." Her gaze drifted towards Theo. "And I wanted to tell you how wonderfully you spoke."

Theo looked up immediately. "Thank you."

"You were very confident."

The compliment earned another smile. "I practised."

"I could tell." Margaret's expression remained warm, though Buck noticed the brief pause before she spoke again. "There was only one thing I found myself wondering." Theo waited expectantly. "I wondered whether asking Eddie to adopt you might have been something better done privately." The smile slipped from Theo's face. Margaret continued before anyone else spoke, her tone still gentle. "It was such a personal question. I only thought perhaps it might have been nicer if it had been shared just between the two of you."

Theo frowned.

"But... I wanted everyone there."

"I'm sure you did."

"I wanted everybody to know."

"I understand that." She smiled kindly. "I simply think some family moments are so special that they're better kept within the family."

Buck felt Theo lean a little more firmly against his side.

The movement was almost imperceptible, but he recognised it immediately. Theo wasn't upset enough to cry or frightened enough to hide. He was simply trying to work out whether he'd done something wrong.

Buck rested a reassuring hand against the middle of his back. "Theo." The little boy tipped his head back to look at him. "I loved your speech."

"You did?"

"I did." Buck smiled at him. "I wouldn't change anything about it."

Theo studied him for another second before giving a small nod.

Only once he was satisfied that Theo had heard him did Buck lift his attention back to Margaret. "I know you weren't trying to upset him," he said quietly. "I genuinely believe that." Margaret nodded. "But he's five." Buck kept his voice calm, making no attempt to embarrass her in front of the rest of the reception. "He doesn't hear, 'I would have done it differently.' What he hears is, 'You should have done it differently.'"

"I wasn't saying he'd done anything wrong."

"I know." Buck nodded once. "I'm saying that's how it landed."

Margaret looked across at Theo, whose attention had dropped to the table in front of him.  "I hadn't intended that."

"I know you hadn't." Buck's hand remained where it was against Theo's back. "But today wasn't only about Eddie and me getting married." He glanced briefly towards Eddie before looking back at Margaret. "It was about our family." Theo looked up again. "When Theo asked Eddie to adopt him, he wasn't interrupting the wedding." Buck smiled gently at the little boy before returning his attention to his mother. "He was part of it."

Margaret drew a slow breath.

"I still think it was an incredibly private question."

"So do I." Buck's answer came without hesitation. "That's exactly why it belonged there."

He didn't raise his voice. He didn't sound defensive. He simply spoke with the quiet certainty that had come from knowing, beyond any doubt, what that moment had meant to Theo.

Margaret was quiet for a long moment.

"I only meant -"

Buck shook his head.

"I know what you meant." His voice remained calm. "But intent doesn't change what happened." Margaret looked at him expectantly, as though waiting for him to continue. "Theo is my son." The words came without hesitation. "I wanted him to be part of today. I wanted him to stand up there and give that speech. I wouldn't change a single word of it." He felt Theo shift slightly beside him. "It wasn't embarrassing. It wasn't inappropriate. It wasn't the wrong time. It was perfect."

Margaret opened her mouth.

"Evan-"

"No." He didn't raise his voice. "You've already had your turn." The words weren't angry. They were firm. "You don't have to agree with the way Eddie and I are raising our boys."

Margaret frowned.

"Our boys?" 

Buck nodded once. "Christopher." He looked across at the teenager for a moment before turning back to his mother. "Theo." His hand rested lightly against Theo's back. "And Eddie. They're my family. They come before everyone else."

Margaret's expression tightened.

"I never suggested otherwise."

"You just made my five-year-old son feel like one of the happiest moments of his life was something he should be ashamed of."

"I wasn't trying to shame him."

"But you did." Silence settled between them. Buck didn't look away. "I spent my entire childhood feeling like I was too much." His voice was quieter now. "Too loud. Too emotional. Too difficult. Never quite enough." Margaret lowered her eyes. "I'm not letting either of my sons grow up feeling that way."

She looked back at him.

"I would never - "

"I believe you think that." Buck's expression never changed. "But that's exactly what happened a few minutes ago." 

Margaret's shoulders sagged. "I only -"

"If you can't accept Theo for exactly who he is," he paused. "Or if you can't even be kind to him." Another beat. "Then you won't be part of our lives."

Margaret stared at him.

"Evan-" 

"I'm serious." There wasn't a trace of anger in his voice. "If you ever make Theo, Christopher or Eddie feel as small as you made me feel growing up," 

he held her gaze. "I won't hesitate. You'll lose all of us."

Before Margaret could answer, another voice cut across the silence.

"I think that's enough."

Everyone at the table turned. Athena stood beside Maddie, both of them having clearly heard enough of the conversation to understand what had happened. Maddie looked at Margaret, disappointment written plainly across her face. Athena's expression was far less forgiving.

"It's time for you to leave."

Margaret blinked.

"What?"

"You heard me." Athena folded her arms. "The wedding's over for you."

Margaret looked from Athena to Buck.

"I haven't done anything that warrants being thrown out."

Athena took a single step closer.

"You upset a five-year-old at his dads' wedding." Her tone remained perfectly even. "Then you kept arguing after his father told you to stop."

Margaret drew herself up. "I was trying to have a conversation."

"And now I'm having one with you." Athena didn't break eye contact. "You can leave with what's left of your dignity..." A brief pause. "...or I can personally escort you out."

Margaret's mouth opened. Nothing came out. She looked towards Buck. He didn't say a word. She looked at Maddie. Maddie simply shook her head.

After another few seconds, Margaret let out a slow breath. "Goodnight."

Nobody stopped her as she turned and walked away. Buck watched until she disappeared into the crowd.

Only then did he look down at Theo. Without a word, he slipped an arm around him and lifted him onto his lap. Theo settled there automatically, curling comfortably against his chest. Buck brushed a hand gently through his hair.

"I need you to listen to me, okay?" Theo nodded. "You never have to make yourself smaller for anybody." His voice was quiet enough that it stayed between the two of them. "Not for Margaret. Not for anybody." Theo looked up at him. "You belong with us." Buck smiled. "You're our boy. And nobody is ever going to make you feel small again while we've got anything to say about it."

Theo was quiet for a second before leaning into him properly.

"Okay."

Buck kissed the top of his head.

"What other people think about us doesn't matter."

"It doesn't?"

"No." Buck smiled. "The only people who get a say in this family…" He glanced towards Eddie and Christopher. "...are the people sitting right here."

Theo followed his gaze before looking back at Buck.

"I still think she's a mean old lady with yellow hair."

A surprised laugh escaped Christopher. Eddie ducked his head, smiling into his hand. Buck couldn't help smiling too.

"I know you do, buddy."

Theo nodded with complete certainty.

"She is."

By the time Buck pulled into the driveway, Theo had been asleep for most of the journey home. Buck waited until the engine had fallen silent before undoing his seatbelt.

"I've got him."

Eddie nodded and climbed out, waiting until Buck had lifted Theo carefully from his car seat before unlocking the front door.

Theo settled against Buck's shoulder without waking, his face tucked into Buck's neck, one small hand curled loosely against his chest. Christopher followed them inside, the rubber tips of his crutches muffled against the wooden floor. Eddie closed the front door behind them. The house felt different. Not because anything had changed. Simply because they were home.

Christopher broke the silence first. "I'm heading to bed."

Buck looked over. "Goodnight, buddy."

Christopher crossed the room, steady on his crutches. When he reached Buck, he stopped, balancing on one crutch long enough to wrap his free arm around him. Buck returned the hug as best he could without disturbing Theo.

Christopher smiled. "I'm happy you guys finally got married. You’re my stepdad now."

Buck felt himself smile. "I’m happy we’re married too."

Christopher looked at him for another moment.

"You've basically been my second dad since I was seven."

Buck swallowed. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of Christopher's head.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Christopher stepped back before turning to Eddie.

"Night, Dad."

"Night, mijo." Eddie squeezed his shoulder as he passed. "Sleep tight, Bud."

Christopher smiled once before disappearing down the hallway towards his bedroom.

Buck and Eddie waited until they heard his door close. Neither of them spoke. Buck carried Theo to his room and nudged the door open with his foot. The little boy stayed asleep as Buck laid him gently on the bed.

Buck knelt beside him, carefully unfastening the buttons on his shirt before easing it from beneath his shoulders. He lifted each arm in turn, guiding them into the sleeves of Theo's pyjama top before fastening the buttons again. His trousers were exchanged for soft pyjama bottoms just as carefully.

Theo gave a quiet sigh and curled instinctively onto his side. Behind them, Eddie switched on the nightlight. A warm amber glow settled over the room. Buck pulled the duvet over Theo, tucking it lightly beneath his shoulder before brushing a curl away from his forehead. Theo never woke.

They left the room as quietly as they'd entered, easing the door almost closed behind them.

Their bedroom was dark apart from the lamp on Buck's bedside table. Buck loosened his tie and draped it over the back of the chair. Eddie slipped his cufflinks onto the dresser before undoing the top button of his shirt. Buck crossed the room until he was standing in front of him.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other. Then Buck reached up, rested his hand against Eddie's cheek and kissed him. Slowly. Without hurry. When they drew apart, Eddie smiled. Buck smiled back.

Neither of them bothered changing. They climbed into bed still wearing their dress shirts and suit pants, exhaustion finally catching up with them. Buck rolled onto his side. Eddie did the same. Their eyes met.

A quiet laugh escaped Buck. Eddie laughed with him.

The sound faded as naturally as it had begun. Buck reached across the space between them and found Eddie's hand beneath the covers. Their fingers intertwined. Neither of them let go.