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"Are you sure this is the best idea?" Eddie asks, sounding just a little apprehensive.
Buck shrugs, "Maybe not the best, but it's fine."
The idea?
That would be giving Chris a Nerf Gun so that he can shoot after Theo, who is running around the backyard at a speed that is genuinely impressive for someone with such sort legs. Buck and Eddie have been doing what they can to make sure that Theo spends his energy in a good way, one that won't get him hurt. It's just that no one in their little family is able to keep up with Theo for too long, especially not when Buck and Eddie have just come off a 24-hour shift.
Seeing as Carla hadn't been able to take Theo, they'd had to find someone else. Luckily, Carla suggested someone. A mid-twenties woman, Maggie, who was somehow both bouncing with energy and calm. She's been a good match, keeping up with Theo, but also making sure that he doesn't get overstimulated and comes down off the energy slowly, so he doesn't 'explode' or throw a tantrum. But it's their day off, and a Saturday, so they are trying their best to do it themselves.
After the adoption papers came through, Buck decided to follow up on Cameron and Connor's concerns and theories. Which ended up with Theo getting an ADHD diagnosis, but also left Buck with a lot of questions, so he's going through the process himself now. It's been an adjustment, for everyone, not just Buck.
Buck had barely had Theo for two months before it happened. Eddie had insisted on helping Buck, making sure Buck doesn't overdo it, so Eddie has been around Buck's a lot, Chris too. Buck had been chasing Theo around the yard when Theo had run straight for Eddie, shouting, "Dad is safe," as he wrapped himself around Eddie's legs.
Both Buck and Eddie had frozen, standing there staring at each other like idiots. Neither of them moved for so long that Chris got up and distracted Theo for them. It was an interesting conversation later that night, which - apparently unsurprisingly for everyone else - ended up with them kissing.
They haven't moved in together yet, not wanting too much to change for Theo all at once, but Buck and Eddie decided that they wanted Chris and Theo to bond, hence the Nerf Gun. It seems to be working. Theo is laughing that adorable laugh of his, burning all his energy, and Chris appears to be having fun, too. It's a balance, trying to make an overly energetic child and a disabled one to do activities together. But this one seems to work.
Now, one of the things they've been told is that they can't stop high energy activity immediately. Play needs to slow down slowly, because tiring him out is not always the best option, nor is it a viable one in the long run.
So, Buck and Eddie start setting things up in the backyard, telling Chris and Theo that Chris can only shoot when Theo runs between cover, but Theo has to stay put for fifteen seconds at a time behind every obstacle spread through the yard. Eddie counts out the seconds, pretending to be back in the military. Without Theo noticing, Eddie starts counting a little slower after a while every time Theo hides somewhere new.
One thing they've discovered helps Theo transition from activities is food. He lives for snack-time. The latest favorite food is grapes for some reason, he'll devour them by the pound if they don't watch him. So, he gets a small bowl, sometimes Buck will throw them for Theo to catch with his mouth to ensure that he doesn't eat them faster than he can handle. Today, though, he takes it a slow pace.
Cooking has been an interesting experience, because he does not enjoy doing that, so he needs to be entertained. With Chris they used to put on video games or play them with him, but Theo is a little too young for that. For some reason, though, if you give him a jigsaw puzzle he'll not move an inch until it's finished. It also seems like Chris is enjoying it.
So, Buck and Eddie are in the kitchen getting dinner ready as Chris and Theo are doing the puzzle.
Eddie finished chopping and walks up behind Buck wrapping his arms around his waist. His chin hooks over Buck's shoulder before he tilts his head to be able to look at Buck's side profile. Buck doesn't look back, but he feels his cheeks heat at the attention.
Buck remembers - as he so often does in moments like this - Harry saying that everyone either is a kid or has one. Adopting Theo is what has given Buck the family that he's always wanted. Sure, it's hard sometimes, Buck feels like a failure more often than not, but then his boyfriend, his partner, wraps around him as their kids have fun together, and non of the difficulties matter.
There's only one thing missing.
"I wish Bobby was here to see it," Buck whispers low, even if neither kid can hear them.
Eddie presses a kiss to the side of Buck's neck, whispering back, "I know, me too. But he'd be proud of us. Of you."
"Thank you," Buck knows that Eddie isn't giving him anything, but he doesn't know how else to express what that statement made him feel.
Eddie doesn't respond. He just holds Buck with the promise that he gave him when he went through withdrawal.
I'm not going anywhere. I'm here with you.
Buck believes it.