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It was dark. That was the first thing Eddie noticed when he opened his eyes. The second thing was that Buck wasn’t beside him and that was infinitely worse. He flung a hand out but Buck’s side of the bed was cool. Sitting up with an annoyed mumble, Eddie turned on the bedside lamp. He had a minor heart attack when he noticed a figure on the bed beside him but quickly calmed when he recognised his boyfriend’s form.
“Buck, cariño, come back to bed,” Eddie said and frowned when Buck quickly shushed him. Eddie crawled across the bed and hooked his chin over Buck’s shoulder. Buck was looking at his tablet and had a soft look on his face. “What are you looking at?”
Once they’d started dating, it had only been a matter of days before the Buckley boys moved in with the Diaz boys. After the team had found out (and ribbed them mercilessly), it was all hands-on deck to get Buck and Theo moved in. Maddie, Karen, Hen, and Athena had helped pack up Buck’s apartment while the men set about clearing out and turning Eddie’s spare room into a nursery for Theo. It had taken three weeks for the nursery to be completed but when it was done and Buck had seen it, he had promptly thrown himself at his boyfriend and kissed Eddie breathless.
“It’s perfect,” Buck had said as he looked around the room. It had been painted a soft blue-grey with a space motif (which had been Chris’ idea and the men had rolled with it). A star mobile hang above the crib and the ceiling even had glow in the dark star stickers all over it.
“Chris chose the theme, as you know, but he also helped with the layout and accessories,” Eddie had replied. “He’d been tossing up between dinosaurs and space but space won out. He might have a future in interior design.”
When Buck had put Theo down in the crib that night, Eddie had shown him the monitoring system Chimney had installed. It had a video camera that showed the entire room and connected to their tablets so they could monitor anytime they needed. It also recorded so they were able to watch the footage at a later date (and despite Eddie’s extreme aversion to technology, he had readily agreed to the system once Chimney explained that they could watch the baby in real time, even when they were on shift). Buck would freely admit he loved watching Theo sleep in real time but he also loved watching back moments like Eddie feeding the baby throughout the night while singing soft lullabies to him in Spanish.
“Just watching our boys,” Buck murmured and Eddie finally noticed Christopher was in the room. “I heard Theo making noise and I was about to go check on him but Chris beat me to it.”
“Its ok Theo,” Christopher was saying as he made his way to the crib. Theo was whimpering slightly and Eddie watched as his son stuck his hand through the crib bars and rested a hand on the baby’s tummy. “Its ok. Big brother is here. You’re ok.”
“¡Dios mío!” Eddie said softly and Buck nodded. “That is gorgeous.”
“I cry too sometimes. But we’ve got daddy and Bucky. They will keep us safe,” Chris was saying and both Buck and Eddie melted. “I wonder what you’ll call them. I call dad, dad, obviously. And I kind of want to call Bucky something else but I don’t know if he’d like it. Will you call them dad? That might get confusing.”
“What does he want to call me?” Buck whispered and Eddie pressed a kiss to his boyfriend’s cheek. Buck was probably the only person unaware of Christopher’s true feelings towards the man.
“Do you think Bucky would mind if I called him Papa?” Christopher said softly and Buck let out a wet gasp. Eddie felt Buck’s cheek grow damp as a few tears slipped down from his eyes and the older man squeezed his partner’s waist gently. “I really want to call him that. You know he saved me. Just like he saved you.”
“Oh Chris,” Buck whispered and Eddie smiled again. The two men watched as Chris rubbed Theo’s tummy and continued talking to him softly. It took about 5 minutes but eventually Theo fell back to sleep.
“Goodnight Theo. Remember, big brother will always be here for you,” Christopher said before the men watched him leave the room. They heard his bedroom door close behind him and Buck finally put the tablet down on the bedside table. Eddie pulled Buck back against the pillows and cuddled his boyfriend closer. He switched off the light and buried himself under the covers.
“Eds,” Buck whispered and Eddie let out a noise to let Buck know he was listening. “I love you. I love our boys.”
“We love you too baby. More than anything,” Eddie said. “Chris couldn’t ask for a better papa.”
----
“Buckaroo, there is no way you are getting out of this bed today,” Carla said exasperatedly as she removed the thermometer from his ear. Buck had woken up after a 24-hour shift and had promptly regretted it. His head was pounding, he was cycling between hot and cold, his throat felt like he’d swallowed glass, and his nose was running like a tap. Carla had come by to collect Chris for school and had found Eddie propping Buck up in the kitchen after he’d collapsed against the sink while trying to get a glass of water. Since they had the day off, Eddie had been sent on the school drop off trip while Carla bullied Buck back into bed.
“But I’ve got things to do,” Buck whimpered. Carla thrust the thermometer at him and after taking a moment for his eyes to settle, he realised he was currently sitting at 102.2 °F. “Oh.”
“Yeah. Oh,” Carla replied sarcastically. She handed Buck a couple of pills she had and a glass of water before staring at him with a firm look. “You will stay in this bed and sleep. I’ll keep an eye on your baby boy until Eddie gets home. I’m also going to make you guys some soup.”
“What would we do without you Carla?” Buck asked and Carla ran a cool hand over his forehead.
“You’ll never have to find out, Buckaroo,” she said fondly. Buck closed his eyes as she left the room and let himself drift off to sleep.
Sometime later, Buck woke up still feeling like death warmed up. He noticed a full bottle of water sitting on the bedside table and weakly downed half of it before slowly climbing out of bed. He made his way into the ensuite and by the time he was finished, he felt exhausted. Climbing back into bed, movement on the baby monitor feed had him picking up the tablet.
Eddie was sitting in the rocking chair with Theo in his arms. The baby was suckling on an almost empty bottle but what got Buck’s attention was the singing. Eddie never sang if people were listening but he’d been doing it more and more with Theo. Whenever Eddie thought no one was watching, he would sing to the baby. Buck would never mention it but it was extremely endearing and every time he witnessed it, he fell more and more in love with the man.
“My abuela used to sing that to me all the time, conejito,” Eddie said after finishing the song. Theo finished his bottle and Eddie lifted him up to burp him. “If you charm her with those big eyes of yours, she’ll probably sing it to you as well.”
Eddie stood and started walking back and forth, rubbing Theo’s back to encourage him to burp. Buck smiled weakly as the baby burped and Eddie let out an amused laugh.
“You need to sleep now, conejito. I need to check on your daddy,” Eddie said soothingly and Buck put the tablet back on the bedside table. Buck nuzzled back into the pillows and let the soft sound of Eddie’s voice through the baby monitor lull him back towards sleep.
A hand on his forehead had him opening his eyes and he smiled up at Eddie.
“Hola, mi corazón,” Eddie said softly. “You feel a bit cooler. How are you feeling?”
“Sick. But in love,” Buck whispered and Eddie raised an eyebrow at him. “Love watching you with our sons.”
“You been spying with the monitor cam again?” Eddie teased and Buck gave a one-armed shrug. “Just like his father, Theo is insanely easy to love. Go back to sleep baby. Carla is going to collect Chris from school and abuela plans to come over with some pozole later.”
“Love you,” Buck whispered and he felt Eddie’s lips press to his head as he drifted back to sleep.
----
Eddie was about to question why the women of his extended family were gathered around his tablet until Karen hushed him urgently and pointed to the screen. The team had gathered at Buck and Eddie’s home to celebrate Theo’s official adoption. Buck and Bobby had disappeared to put the now 8-month-old baby down for a nap so Eddie wasn’t sure what the girls were looking at.
“Want to show grandpa your new trick before you go to sleep?” Buck asked and Eddie smiled, knowing exactly what Buck was talking about. “Pops, sit on the floor. You’ll want to see this.”
Bobby did as Buck asked and the group watched as Buck placed Theo on the ground on his tummy. They watched as Theo pushed himself up into crawling position and Karen and Maddie let out squeals as Theo began crawling towards Bobby. The baby let out a loud giggle as Bobby picked him up and tickled his stomach once Theo had reached him.
“Aren’t you clever?” Bobby said and Athena was watching her husband with a look of utter love and devotion. “You’re getting so big. You need to cut that out.”
“I keep telling abuela to stop feeding him the growth hormone she obviously puts in his food,” Buck teased back and Bobby laughed. He moved to sit in the rocking chair and began rocking Theo back and forth. “She’s doing it to Chris as well. He’s had a spurt in the last month.”
“I am so proud of you, Buck,” Bobby said after a few minutes and the ladies all dispersed, realising they were about to witness something extremely personal. Athena and Eddie continued to watch however. Bobby was alternating looks between Buck and Theo but each look was filled with love. “I’ve watched you go from hothead, arrogant kid, to loving, strong, family man. I couldn’t be prouder of you.”
“It’s because of you,” Buck replied and Eddie could see the tears in Buck’s eyes. “I have had the best role model for the kind of man and father I want to be in you. Theo and I couldn’t ask for a better pops and grandpa.”
Buck crawled over to Bobby from his spot on the floor by the crib and wrapped his arms around Bobby. Bobby rested his hand on the back of Buck’s head and Athena and Eddie both wiped away tears as Bobby pressed a kiss to Buck’s head.
Eddie watched as Theo drifted off to sleep, safe in the arms of his father and grandfather.
----
“Buck, babe, Theo’s up. Could you go get him while Chris and I finish the dishes?” Eddie called out one day and Buck nodded. They’d just finished lunch with Isabel and Pepa and since Buck and Isabel had cooked, Eddie and Chris were on dish duty. Buck had noticed his partner had been slightly on edge all throughout the meal but he hadn’t had the chance to talk to him about it.
As Buck disappeared towards the nursery, Eddie turned his attention to th baby monitor feed. The now 11-month-old Theo was standing up in his crib, not crying or anything but clearly awake.
“Dad, your hands are shaking,” Chris commented and Eddie let out a shaky breath.
“I’m just nervous bud,” Eddie replied and Chris, Pepa, and Isabel all rolled their eyes. “What? I’m allowed.”
“You have nothing to be nervous about sobrino,” Pepa said and Eddie nodded reluctantly. The Diaz family watched as Buck entered the nursery.
“Hey little man. Did you have a good nap?” Buck said to Theo who positively lit up at the sight of his father. He let out a few happy giggles as Buck lifted him from the crib and placed him on the change table. “Abuela is here and she made you some… what the hell?”
Eddie noticed Buck was focused on reading what was written on the jumpsuit Theo was wearing. When Eddie had put Theo down, he had quickly changed him into the special outfit he’d had custom made for this very occasion. Eddie’s heartrate skyrocketed as Buck’s jaw dropped and he re-read the words. Shooting a stunned look at the camera, Buck scooped up Theo and raced out of the nursery. Eddie dried his hands off and turned just as Buck burst into the room.
“Eds?” Buck asked softly, staring at his partner intently.
“I think our boy asked you a question,” Eddie said hesitantly. Buck handed Theo to Pepa and moved over to Eddie. He grabbed Eddie’s face in his hands and swept him up into a deep, passionate kiss. As they broke apart, Eddie let out a breath. “Does that mean yes?”
“Oh my god. Yes Eddie. The answer is always yes!” Buck cried, tears streaming down his face. The two men shared another kiss and Isabel slipped a small black box into Eddie’s hand.
Pepa ran her hand over Theo’s jumpsuit, the words “Will you marry my Papa?” emblazoned on it. Cristopher was giggling as he filmed the scene for their FireFam and Eddie slipped the ring onto Buck’s finger. After inspecting the ring for a moment, Buck pulled his fiancé (his fiancé!) back into another passionate kiss.
----
Three years after Theo had entered their lives, the nursery camera was moved to a new home. The Diaz family moved to a larger home with five bedrooms to accommodate their growing family. 6 months after their wedding, Buck and Eddie had met with a surrogate who agreed to carry their child. While they would have been happy with just a healthy baby, both men had been secretly wishing for a little girl. On March 20, the spring equinox, their little girl came bursting into the world with a bang. Their surrogate, Josie, had been out with Maddie and Karen when she had gone into labour. The 118 had been the team to respond to the call and Buck and Eddie had both been present for the birth.
The nursery in the new Diaz home was painted soft grey with sunflowers and yellow accents. The furniture they’d used for Theo had been repainted and repurposed to fit the sunflower motif and that was where Buck was sitting. In the rocking chair he’d first rocked his son to sleep in, he was rocking his newborn baby girl.
“Sissy pwetty,” Theo said from where he sat at Buck’s feet. Buck smiled down at his son and nodded. Theo, much to everyone’s slight horror, was morphing into a mini-Buck. His fearlessness had led to many almost heart attacks and Buck knew that it would increase as he got older. He was just glad that his son wouldn’t need to resort to his destructive tendencies to get attention from his parents.
“She’s beautiful,” Buck said in agreement. He looked down at his son and smiled. “It will be yours and Chris’ job to keep her safe as she grows up.”
“Teep safe,” Theo said with a firm nod and a serious look (as serious as a three-year-old could get). A noise at the door had Buck looking up and smiling. Chris and Eddie were entering the room, Bobby and Athena just behind them. “Ganpa! Ganma!”
“Hello my little terror,” Athena said fondly as she scooped her grandson up. Eddie walked over to his husband and daughter and pressed a kiss to Buck’s lips. Chris sat down on the seat beside his papa and touched the baby’s hand gently. He smiled proudly when the bub’s little hand curled around his finger, gripping tightly. Athena passed Theo off to Bobby before walking over to Buck. “Hi baby. How are you?”
“I’m good mama,” Buck said as Athena pressed a kiss to his head. “Just don’t want to put her down.”
“I always figured you’d make beautiful children,” Athena said and Buck blushed. Eddie nodded in agreement and pressed another kiss to Buck’s head. “I was the same when May first came along. Michael used to always find me in her nursery after work. I’d sit there for hours just watching her.”
“She’s absolutely gorgeous boys,” Bobby said as he walked over, Theo resting on his hip. Bobby turned to his eldest grandson and smiled. “Chris, you and Eddie are going to be fighting the boys of with sticks.”
“No boyfriends until she’s thirty,” Eddie said firmly and while Chris nodded, Buck just rolled his eyes.
“She’s three days old baby. Let’s let her get to teenage years before the boyfriend discussions come. She may not even be into boys, what will you do then?” Buck teased and Eddie pondered that.
“Aunty Karen and Aunty Maddie,” Chris said with a shrug and the adults laughed. “And Grandma Thena of course.”
“Certainly,” Athena said. Buck and Eddie made eye contact and Eddie nodded. He took Theo from Bobby and nudged Chris with his foot.
“Come on. Let’s go get lunch ready,” Eddie said and Chris nodded. He kissed the baby on the head before following his father and brother out of the room. Athena and Bobby stared at Buck who stood with a smile.
“We just wanted to welcome you all home,” Bobby said, making to leave.
“Wait,” Buck interrupted and the older couple shared a glance. Buck stepped forward and tilted the baby so they could see her face. “Before you go, I’d like to properly introduce you to your granddaughter.”
Buck placed his daughter into Athena’s arms and watched as the woman practically melted. Bobby rested a hand on the baby’s tiny head and stared at her in awe.
“Mama, Pops, I’d like you to meet Freya Athena Diaz,” Buck said and Athena’s gaze shot to him. “Named after the Norse Goddess of Love and Beauty and after her incredible grandmother. The grandmother who without whom I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”
“Baby,” Athena said as tears filled her eyes. She looked down at the little girl and smiled tearily as her eyes opened. Crystal blue eyes peered back and Athena let out a soft sob. “Hello little Freya. I’m your grandma. Welcome to the world.”
After a minute, Athena handed Freya off to her husband and wrapped the young man in front of her in a tight hug. Buck buried his face in her neck and soaked in Athena’s love as the woman pressed kisses to his head.
“I am honoured baby. Truly honoured,” Athena murmured. “And you made my life so much better for being in it. I love you son.”
From the kitchen, Eddie watched the scene unfolding in the nursery. As Athena hugged his husband, Eddie felt his heart soar. Buck deserved all this love and more and to be able to be a part of his life was truly a gift. Eddie laughed as Athena took Freya back into her arms and shooed her husband and son out of the nursery. Their family was complete and Eddie was so pleased he could save the footage (even if he still didn’t fully trust technology!)