Archive of Our Own

The drive back to Eddie’s house (because Buck decided that he spent way too much time in his loft this week —aka last night and one other day in the entire week— so he deserves to go home with his boys) was filled with the kind of soft chatter that felt like home.

Buck was behind the wheel, Chris in the backseat, and Eddie riding shotgun, idly scrolling through his phone. The baby shower had left them all full, in more ways than one. Laughter lingered in the air, and Chris’s sugar-fueled energy showed no signs of wearing off anytime soon.

“You know,” Chris started, his voice carrying a familiar sass, “if you two keep eating like that at parties, I’m gonna have to roll you home next time.”

Eddie turned in his seat to look at his son, eyebrows raised. “Big words for someone who ate half the dessert table.”

“Hey, that was for science,” Chris shot back. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Buck snorted, glancing at them in the rearview mirror. “Science, huh? Pretty sure you were testing how many cookies a single person could eat before passing out.”

Chris crossed his arms, leaning back in his seat. “Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Buck.”

“Yeah? Well, good thing I’m too busy looking fantastic anyway.” Buck grinned, winking at Eddie as they pulled into the driveway.

Eddie rolled his eyes, muttering as he unbuckled his seatbelt, “Fantastic at being annoying, maybe.”

“And yet,” Buck retorted, following him out of the Jeep, “you still decided to date me. So, what does that say about you?”

Chris snickered from behind them as he hopped out of the car. “It says Dad’s a sucker for bad decisions but I’m glad he is.”

“Oh, so this is how it is now?” Eddie teased, pointing at Buck with a smirk. “Interesting. Guess I’ll just leave you two here while I enjoy some peace and quiet inside.”

“Don’t worry,” Buck shot back, throwing an arm around Eddie’s shoulders as they walked to the door. “Chris and I can can have a great time without you, Mr. Grumpy Pants .”

“Don’t test me, human golden retriever. ” Eddie pushed the door open, shaking his head.

Chris rolled his eyes at their banter but smiled, clearly used to it. The house greeted them with its familiar warmth, the scent of cinnamon lingering in the air. Chris immediately kicked off his shoes and made a beeline for the couch, leaving Buck and Eddie to trail behind, still elbowing and teasing each other like two kids on a playground.

As they settled in, the topic shifted, their laughter softening into something more reflective. “You know,” Buck began, leaning back against the couch, “Karen’s little speech about chosen family earlier? Got me thinking.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow, nudging Chris to sit up a little straighter. “About what?”

“Just… how lucky we are,” Buck said, gesturing between the three of them. “I mean, yeah, life threw us some weird curveballs, but I wouldn’t trade any of it. Not for anything.”

“Even the weird part where you and Shannon…” Eddie started, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

Buck groaned, throwing a pillow at him. “Oh, shut up.”

Chris giggled, chiming in. “He’s right, though. It’s kind of funny.”

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up,” Buck said, but his grin betrayed him. He turned to Eddie, voice softer now. “Seriously, though. You and Chris—you’re my family. And I love that we’ve got this messy, complicated, perfect thing going on. Even if it took a while to get here.”

Eddie’s teasing expression faded, replaced by something deeper, warmer. “Same here, Buck. You’re not just part of this family—you are this family.”

Chris, never one to let a serious moment linger too long, threw a pillow at Buck and then Eddie. “Okay, okay, enough of the mushy stuff. Who’s making popcorn? I’m picking the movie.”

Buck and Eddie both laughed, their earlier teasing forgotten as they rose to fulfill Chris’s demands.

As the evening melted into laughter and bad jokes during the movie, Buck found himself smiling, a quiet sense of peace settling over him. This was his family—not just by choice, but by love. By fate, maybe. And no matter how unconventional their story was, it was theirs.

The credits rolled, the movie’s soundtrack fading into the background as Chris yawned and stretched out on the couch. Eddie reached for the remote, lowering the volume, while Buck collected the empty popcorn bowls scattered across the coffee table.

As they tidied up, a quiet tension lingered in the air—both men had been turning over the same thought all evening, hesitant to bring it up. Finally, Eddie broke the silence.

“You think we should tell our parents?” he asked softly, glancing at Buck.

Buck hesitated, placing the bowls in the sink before leaning against the counter. “I don’t know. Your family… I mean, they might have some strong opinions.”

Eddie snorted. “You mean like calling Shannon a—” He stopped, shaking his head. “Yeah, they’d blow it way out of proportion. They don’t need to know. They’ll just… complicate things.”

Buck nodded in agreement, his lips pressed into a thin line. “And my parents? Forget it. They’d make it all about them. Somehow, I’d end up apologizing for existing.”

“Exactly.” Eddie gave him a knowing look. “So, we don’t tell them. Simple as that.”

Chris, who had been half-listening while scrolling on his phone, suddenly perked up. “Well, you still have to deal with me, and I’ve got some thoughts.”

Buck arched an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh yeah? Let’s hear it.”

Chris sat up straighter, folding his arms with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “We’ve got a lot of families to keep happy here. There’s the Latino side to cover, so Buck, if you want to be acknowledged as my dad, you’re gonna be papá. ”

Buck blinked, caught off guard. “Papá?”

“Yeah.” Chris grinned. “You already know Spanish, so that part of the family will be happy. Dad can still be ‘dad,’ and your parents don’t even have to find out about anything else.”

Buck scratched the back of his head, unsure. “You sure you want to call me that? I told you, nothing has to change.”

Chris rolled his eyes dramatically. “I’m giving you the option here, Buck. Take it or leave it, I don’t care. You went from kind-of-stepdad to bio dad, and dad went from bio dad to dad that stepped up. You cancel each other out. So, technically, you should both be ‘dad,’ but if it makes you uncomfortable, then you’re just Buck. It’s no big deal.”

Buck’s jaw dropped, a flurry of emotions crossing his face—shock, amusement, and finally, overwhelming affection. “Wow. That’s… that’s a lot to process, kid.”

Eddie chuckled, leaning back against the couch. “He’s got you there.”

Chris smirked, clearly pleased with himself. “You always say we’re a team, right? This is just me being a good teammate.”

Buck couldn’t stop the grin spreading across his face. “You’re unbelievable, you know that?”

Chris shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “I try.”

Buck crossed the room and crouched in front of him, his voice soft but firm. “You’re giving me more than I ever thought I’d have, Chris. If you want me to be Papá, then that’s what I’ll be. But only because it’s what you want.”

Chris’s eyes lit up, his sass momentarily giving way to genuine warmth. “Good. Now you just have to work on your accent. I don’t need you embarrassing me at family gatherings.”

Eddie laughed outright, throwing a pillow at Chris. “Alright, enough. Don’t give him a complex.”

Buck ruffled Chris’s hair, grinning. “You’re lucky I love you, kid.”

Chris rolled his eyes again but leaned into the touch. “I know.”

And just like that, they settled back into the rhythm of their little family, each step forward feeling more natural than the last.

After Chris went to bed, Eddie found himself on the couch, legs stretched out, staring blankly at the muted TV. Buck walked in, carrying two mugs of tea, and handed one to Eddie before sitting under his legs, lifting them up only to sit and then placing them back down.

“Thanks,” Eddie murmured, taking a sip.

Buck was quiet for a moment, fiddling with the edge of his mug. Finally, he spoke. “You okay?”

Eddie glanced at him, one brow raised. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Buck shrugged, but his gaze was steady. “I mean, after today. With Chris calling me papá .”

Eddie blinked, surprised. “Why would I have a problem with that?”

Buck hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know. I guess I just— I want to make sure you’re okay with it. I’m not trying to take your place or—”

“Buck,” Eddie interrupted, his voice firm but soft. “You’re not ‘taking’ anything. You’re his papá . He chose to call you that, and I’m good with it. Really.”

Buck nodded slowly, though he still seemed uneasy. “Okay, but…if you ever feel like you’re being pushed aside or—”

“I won’t,” Eddie said immediately.

“But if you do ,” Buck pressed, “I want you to tell me. I mean it, Eddie. I don’t want to mess this up. For Chris. For you.”

Eddie reached out, resting a hand on Buck’s knee. “I promise, I’ll tell you. But that’s not going to happen. Chris is lucky to have both of us. There’s no ‘aside’ to be pushed to. We’re doing this together.”

Buck nodded again, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. “Okay.” 

“But same goes for you. If it ever feels like too much—” Eddie said, smiling now.

“It won’t,” Buck relented, chuckling. “But if it does, I’ll tell you. Deal?”

“Deal.”

They sat in companionable silence for a moment before Buck leaned back, resting his head on the couch. “You know, I always thought the big family conversations would be about things like curfews or report cards, not…explaining why I’m suddenly papá to a 14-year-old.”

Eddie laughed quietly. “Yeah, but we’re Buckley-Diaz. We don’t do anything the normal way.”

Buck grinned. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Eddie clinked his mug against Buck’s. “Me neither.”

And just like that, things went on, with little changes but everything remaining the same. It wasn’t a big deal, really, to be a family.

But Eddie sure hadn’t anticipated a confrontation at the grocery store because of it. 

Eddie hated grocery shopping alone. Well, maybe “hated” was a strong word—but it was definitely not his idea of fun right now. Normally, Buck handled these trips with him, somehow managing to turn them into something bearable, to the point he no longer knows how to be alone at this. 

But today, Buck had other plans, and Eddie was on his own with Chris.

His first mistake was underestimating how much Buck’s seemingly random detours actually kept their shopping trips efficient.

Standing in the frozen foods aisle, Eddie glanced at the list on his phone, noticing flour glaring back at him. He sighed. Flour was always near the entrance, a spot Buck magically remembered every time. Eddie, on the other hand, was halfway through the store and not about to trek back.

“Chris, can you grab the flour?” Eddie asked, pointing toward the entrance. “It’s two packs. I’ll finish grabbing the frozen stuff, and we’ll meet back here.”

Chris gave a small nod and maneuvered his crutches toward the front of the store, his steps steady. Eddie watched for a moment before focusing back on their shopping.

But a few minutes later, as he tossed a bag of frozen peas into the cart, Eddie glanced up and froze. Chris was returning with the flour—but he wasn’t alone. A middle-aged woman followed closely behind, her expression overly cheerful, one of her hands hovering like she wanted to “assist” him with his crutches, flour bags in between the other and her chest.

Chris looked visibly uncomfortable, his brow furrowed as he held his crutches with far more strength than necessary.

Eddie abandoned the cart and strode toward them, his protective instincts kicking in.

“Everything okay?” He asked, as calmly as he could manage, his eyes darting to the woman. 

The woman interjected before Chris could speak. “This poor boy was struggling with these bags, so I offered to help. You, on the other hand, came charging over here like some lunatic—”

“I wasn’t struggling,” Chris cut in, his voice sharp.

Eddie rested a steadying hand on his son’s shoulder. “He’s fine. You don’t need to follow him around the store.”

The woman’s face tightened, her voice rising. “Who do you think you are to say that? I’m just trying to find his father so if you don’t let him go immediately I will go to the police if I have to!”

Eddie froze, anger bubbling up at her insinuation. He tried to keep calm, but his tone came out sharper than he intended. “I am his father.”

The woman blinked, her mouth opening and closing as if processing this information. “Oh,” she said, visibly flustered, looking at Chris for confirmation and him nodding back. “I didn’t know—he doesn’t look much like you.”

Chris frowned, stepping in before Eddie could respond. “I told you he was my dad,” he snapped, his tone dripping with annoyance. “And that’s really rude to say, adoptive parents exist, you know?”

The woman flushed deeper, clearly embarrassed. “I—uh—sorry, I didn’t think about that.” She hesitated, wringing her hands. “You’re right, I shouldn’t have assumed. I didn’t even think you might be adopted.”

Eddie forced himself to breathe, feeling a swirl of emotions he couldn’t quite name. He knew this wasn’t the first time someone questioned his relationship with Chris; it was just the first time since they’d learned the truth. Rationally, he knew this wasn’t about biology—adoption didn’t make any parent less valid.

But irrationally? The comment stung.

Chris, however, didn’t let it go. “I’m not adopted,” he stated matter-of-factly, his voice steady.

Eddie’s eyes widened slightly. They’d never talked about how to handle these kinds of situations because they rarely happened. Usually, people didn’t pry.

Chris didn’t falter. “He’s my dad—birth certificate and everything. But I don’t think that’s any of your business, honestly. This feels a little too invasive.”

The woman’s embarrassment deepened. “You’re right,” she muttered, backing away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep.”

She finally hurried off after handing the flour bags, leaving Eddie standing there, momentarily speechless.

Chris tilted his head, looking up at him. “You okay, Dad?”

Eddie blinked, the tension in his chest softening at the casual way Chris took care of the situation and then checked up on him like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Yeah, mijo,” Eddie said, his voice quieter now. “I’m good. Thanks for standing up for us.”

Chris shrugged. “Of course. It’s true, isn’t it?”

Eddie didn’t trust himself to speak, so he just smiled, his throat tight with gratitude. As they returned to their cart, he realized that no amount of societal bias or assumptions could ever shake the foundation of their family. Chris knew where Eddie stood in his life, and that was enough.

It was everything.

The drive back from the store was quiet, Chris tapping away on his phone while Eddie kept his eyes on the road. Neither of them seemed out of the ordinary; Eddie hummed along to the radio, and Chris occasionally pointed out random things he found interesting to share on his phone. It was the same as any other trip home, yet the tension from the encounter at the store lingered unspoken between them.

When they pulled into the driveway, Eddie parked the truck and turned to Chris. "You good?"

Chris nodded, his tone light. "Yeah, I’m fine."

Eddie studied him for a second longer before deciding to let it drop. "Alright. Let’s get these inside."

As they carried the bags through the front door, Buck’s voice greeted them from the kitchen. "Hey, you’re back!"

Eddie set the bags down on the counter, glancing over to see Buck leaning against the counter, a glass of water in hand. His eyes flicked between Eddie and Chris, sharp and perceptive.

"You didn’t get into too much trouble without me, did you?" Buck teased, his tone easy but his gaze lingering on Eddie.

Chris laughed. "Only Dad forgot half the stuff on the list, so I had to save the day."

Eddie snorted. "One thing. I forgot one thing ."

Chris grinned as he grabbed his bag of snacks and headed toward his room. "Sure, if you say so."

Buck chuckled but didn’t look away from Eddie, who busied himself with unpacking the groceries. The moment Chris disappeared down the hall, Buck’s casual smile dropped.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice quiet but firm.

Eddie didn’t even flinch, though his shoulders stiffened slightly. He didn’t turn around, just kept unpacking. "Nothing happened."

Buck’s brow furrowed. "Eddie, come on. I know you. Something’s off."

Eddie paused, gripping a can of black beans a little too tightly before setting it down. He sighed, finally meeting Buck’s eyes, knowing he wouldn’t get away with brushing it off. Buck’s ability to read him like an open book was as infuriating as it was comforting.

"It’s nothing. Chris is fine," Eddie said, almost defensively. "We’re fine."

Buck crossed his arms, his expression softening but still probing. "And you?"

Eddie’s jaw tightened, his silence saying more than words ever could. Buck nodded slightly, understanding he’d have to wait, but his gaze never wavered.

"Whenever you’re ready," he said gently.

Eddie gave a small nod, grateful but still steeling himself for the conversation he knew was coming. For now, he turned back to the bags, focusing on the task at hand, hoping it would distract him from the weight of everything he was feeling.

But they promised to talk.

Finally, he sighed and started stacking boxes of cereal on the counter, more for something to do with his hands than out of necessity.

“It was just…some lady at the store,” Eddie started, his tone clipped. “Chris was getting something I forgot—flour, from the front of the store. She saw him carrying it, decided he needed help even though he told her he didn’t.”

Buck’s frown deepened, his body stiffening as Eddie unpacked the last groceries from the bag. "What do you mean 'decided he needed help'? Did she not listen to him?"

Eddie shook his head, trying to stay calm. "Nope. Took the things out of his hands and followed him back to me."

Buck set his glass down a little too firmly, the soft clink echoing in the kitchen. "She followed him?"

Eddie’s voice grew tighter as he continued, the frustration bubbling up now that he’d started. “Wouldn’t leave him alone." He nodded, "Chris looked uncomfortable, so I stepped in, told her to back off. Then she had the nerve to tell me to leave him alone.”

Buck’s eyebrows shot up. “What?”

“She didn’t believe I was his dad at first,” Eddie bit out, his hands gripping the edge of the counter. “She said if she couldn’t find his parents, she’d call the cops.”

Buck let out a low whistle, setting down his glass. “You’re kidding me.”

Eddie shook his head, his jaw tight. “I told her I was his dad, but she didn’t believe me. Said Chris doesn’t look like me. And then…” He hesitated, his gaze dropping.

Buck’s expression softened. “And then?”

Eddie let out a short, humorless laugh. “She apologized. Said she didn’t know. But then she said something about Chris being adopted, like that made it make sense.”

Buck straightened. “Oh.”

“It’s not even the first time someone has assumed that,” Eddie admitted, his voice quieter now. “And I shouldn’t care, you know? Adoption doesn’t mean less love, less family. But…” He trailed off, shaking his head.

“But it’s not your story,” Buck finished gently.

Eddie met his eyes, surprised. “Yeah.”

Buck reached out, placing a hand on Eddie’s shoulder. “It’s okay to feel like that, Eddie. It doesn’t make you a bad person. It just…is what it is.”

Eddie’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “Chris shut her down, though. Told her I was his dad, birth certificate and everything. You’d have been proud.”

Buck grinned. “I’m always proud of our kid.”

Eddie nodded, his tension easing. “Me too. Even when he’s sassy.”

Buck chuckled. “Especially when he’s sassy.”

Eddie rolled his eyes but felt lighter. Buck’s steady presence grounded him, as always. With a nod of gratitude, Eddie turned back to the remaining full bags. “Now, help me unpack before Chris realizes we didn’t buy any ice cream.”

“Wait,” Buck said, mock horror in his voice. “You didn’t buy any ice cream?”

“Don’t start,” Eddie warned, but he couldn’t help the smile tugging at his lips.

It was probably too domestic for a 2-weeks relationship but it also wasn't. 

The loft felt like an afterthought these days. Buck still insisted on keeping it, justifying the expense with claims that it gave them all some breathing room after long shifts. But in truth, it was barely more than a storage unit he occasionally slept in.

He’d joked once to Eddie, "I’m basically your houseplant. Low maintenance, but you still gotta water me." And Eddie, shaking his head, had muttered, "You’re more like a stray dog that moved in and refuses to leave."  

But the teasing always ended the same—with Buck sprawled on the couch, Chris laughing beside him, and Eddie grumbling in the kitchen about how "if you’re gonna stay, you’re gonna help with dinner."

It was good, though, the rhythm they’d found. Their space. Their family.

But then, the Buckleys were in town for the week, officially to celebrate Maddie’s second pregnancy. 

The dinner was small, family only: just Maddie, Chimney, Buck, and their parents. Eddie and Chris had stayed home, as per Buck’s request, leaving him to brave the evening solo but without the whole truth hanging in front of their faces.

The dinner had started tense, as most Buckley family gatherings did, but it had somehow grown tighter with each passing course. Buck sat across from his parents, forcing a polite smile while Chimney did his best to keep the conversation light. Maddie, bless her, had been steering the dialogue away from dangerous waters all night.

But then, halfway through dessert, Margaret, ever the sharpshooter, landed her bombshell.

“So, Evan,” she began, her tone casual but her words anything but. “When are you going to give us grandchildren?”

The room froze.

Maddie’s fork clattered against her plate, Chimney’s lips pressed together tightly, and Buck just stared, wide-eyed, caught completely off guard.

"Mom," Maddie said quickly, her voice tense. "Maybe let's not—"

"Oh, come on, it’s a reasonable question," Margaret pressed, looking between Buck and Maddie. "Your sister’s doing her part. I just want to know if we can expect the same from you, Evan."

Buck opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting from this dinner, but this wasn’t it.

“Please tell me you didn’t get someone pregnant,” Margaret added, her tone sharp with disappointment when she got nothing, noticing that the three of them were acting weird.

"Not recently, at least," Chimney muttered under his breath, low enough to be missed by the Buckleys but not by Buck, who shot him a half-hearted glare.

"Are you in a relationship, at least, to be having kids with someone?" Phillip asked, cutting straight to the point, his voice tinged with an odd mixture of curiosity and disapproval.

Buck let out a breath, his mind scrambling for the safest way to navigate this minefield. He really didn’t want to answer, but maybe it was time.

“I am, actually," he said carefully, keeping his tone steady. "And there are no babies on the way, so you don’t need to worry about it."

Margaret’s eyes narrowed, her suspicion practically radiating across the table. "Then why did everyone freeze like that when I asked? Is there something you’re not telling us, Evan?"

Maddie jumped in again, her voice tight. "Mom, maybe it’s just a touchy subject—"

"It’s not a touchy subject," Margaret interrupted, clearly not ready to let it go.

Buck sighed, glancing briefly at Maddie, who gave him a look that screamed, Are you sure about this?

Taking another deep breath, Buck straightened in his seat. "It’s just that… well, there’s already a kid in the picture. But it’s not what you think."

The silence that followed was deafening.

"What do you mean, there’s already a kid?" Margaret asked, her voice a strange mix of shock and accusation.

"I mean," Buck said, his voice calm but firm, "I’ve been in a relationship for a little while now, and my partner has a son. He’s 14. And, well… I’m part of his life. It’s not exactly conventional, but it works for us."

Maddie looked like she wanted to crawl under the table, while Chimney was clearly fighting a smirk.

"A teenager?" Phillip finally said, blinking. "You’re serious?"

Buck nodded. "Dead serious. He’s a great kid. Smart, funny, kind. And, honestly, being part of his life is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me."

Margaret looked stunned, her mouth opening and closing like she was trying to form words but failing miserably.

"That’s… unexpected," Phillip said at last, his tone hesitant.

"Yeah, well, life’s full of surprises," Buck replied, his voice light but resolute.

Chimney finally broke the tension with a chuckle, clapping Buck on the back. "Well, I, for one, think you’re doing great, buddy."

Maddie shot him a look but didn’t argue, giving Buck a small, supportive smile.

The rest of the dinner was quieter, Margaret and Phillip clearly still processing the revelation. But Buck felt a weight lift from his shoulders, knowing that at least part of the truth was out—and that he’d handled it on his terms.

The relief Buck had been riding as he walked his parents to the door evaporated the moment Margaret turned to him with a deceptively sweet smile.

"This was nice, Evan," she said, adjusting her purse. "We’re so proud of your sister and thrilled to see her doing well. And now that we know you’re in a relationship and helping to raise a child…"

Buck’s grin faltered. Something about her tone set off alarm bells in his head.

“…we thought,” Margaret continued, oblivious to his growing panic, “that we’d stay in town for another week. Give us all some time to catch up properly. And, of course, we’d love to meet your partner and this child you’re helping raise."

All the blood drained from Buck’s face. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. Maddie, standing behind him, visibly winced but didn’t step in.

"Uh…" Buck managed to choke out, his voice slightly higher-pitched than usual.

Phillip clapped a hand on Buck’s shoulder, the gesture almost affectionate. "We’ll work around your schedule, of course. Just let us know when’s convenient."

"Convenient," Buck repeated weakly, as if the word had suddenly lost all meaning.

"Yes, Evan," Margaret added, patting his arm. "We’d love to meet them properly. You’ve always been so private about your life, and it’s such a big step. It’s important to us."

Buck swallowed hard. Important to them? Oh, this was bad. This was very, very bad.

“Of course,” he said automatically, the words coming out before his brain caught up.

Margaret beamed, Phillip nodded approvingly, and just like that, they were out the door.

As soon as it clicked shut, Buck turned to Maddie, his face pale and stricken. "Maddie," he hissed, his voice bordering on frantic, "what do I do?"

Maddie sighed, rubbing her temples. "You tell Eddie, and you brace yourself for whatever chaos this is about to unleash."

"Chaos?" Buck repeated, pacing in tight circles. "This isn’t chaos. This is… this is disaster ! My parents and Eddie in the same room? And Chris? What if they say something weird? What if they realize Chris looks more like me than Eddie? What if—"

"Chim," Maddie said, cutting him off. "Can you take over before he spirals into another dimension?"

Chimney, leaning casually against the counter, smirked. "Relax, Buckaroo. You’ll handle it. And hey, if all else fails, Chris will probably out-sass your parents before they even know what hit them."

Buck stopped mid-pace, his eyes darting between Maddie and Chimney. "You think?"

Maddie gave him a tired but encouraging smile. "I know. You’ve got a good thing with Eddie and Chris. You’ll figure it out, Buck."

"Yeah," Buck mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sure. Totally. I’ll… figure it out."

He wasn’t sure how, but for his family—his real family—he’d find a way.

Although he had hoped— desperately hoped —that his parents would leave the subject alone after their initial insistence. That hope was, predictably, misplaced.

"Friday night," Margaret had announced on the phone two days later, her tone leaving no room for argument. "We’ve made a reservation. It’s all set."

Buck pinched the bridge of his nose, leaning against the counter in the firehouse kitchen. "Mom, we have a shift that night. We can’t make it."

There was a beat of silence, then Margaret asked, “You’re working? Both of you?”

“Yes,” Buck replied cautiously, bracing for whatever was coming.

"And your partner works with you at the firehouse?" she asked, her tone tight.

"Yes," Buck said again, not even trying to soften it.

There was a long pause before Phillip cut in, his disapproving voice bleeding through the speaker. "Evan, don’t you think it’s… impractical to date someone in such a dangerous line of work? Shouldn’t at least one of you have a more stable career?"

Buck bit back the urge to groan. "It’s not impractical, Dad. It’s how we met, and it works for us."

Before he could get further into it, Margaret pressed on. “Well, who’s looking after the boy while both of you are at work? That poor child must feel so neglected.”

Buck felt his blood pressure spike. "Chris is fine. He’s a teenager, not a toddler. And we have a system in place."

"Well, we’re here,” Margaret said brightly, as if this was a reasonable solution. “We can look after him. We’re both teachers. We know how to manage kids his age."

"No," Buck said firmly, the edge in his voice sharpening. "Thank you, but no."

"But why not?" Margaret protested.

"Because it’s a no, Mom!" Buck snapped, feeling his patience fray.

Her indignant sigh told him this wasn’t over. After a few more back-and-forths that drained him of the will to continue, he ended the call as soon as he could.

But then, they started texting and texting and texting, arguing back or proposing another time and date for their meeting, and so he blocked their numbers for the rest of the shift.

That didn’t stop them from calling Maddie.

By the time Saturday afternoon rolled around, Buck thought they’d finally reached a semblance of peace, they were meeting them at night in a place he really hoped didn’t end up like a warzone. He should have known better.

The shift had just ended, and Buck was halfway through stowing his gear when a familiar voice rang out across the bay.

“Evan!” Margaret called, her heels clicking against the concrete as she walked toward him, Phillip trailing behind.

Buck froze, his stomach sinking as he turned to see his parents scanning the firehouse, their expressions critical as they assessed everyone in sight.

"Oh, no," he muttered under his breath.

Margaret stopped a few feet away, glancing around with a suspicious squint. “We thought we’d come early to… get acquainted with your family.”

"And maybe guess who your partner is," Phillip added.

Buck stared at them, slack-jawed. "You thought you’d what ?"

Margaret ignored him, her eyes landing on Hen, who was walking by with her own bag towards her car. She scrutinized her for a moment, then turned to Phillip. "Could it be her? I swear she was at Maddie’s wedding" she whispered, not quite quietly enough.

Buck wanted the ground to swallow him whole. "Mom, seriously?"

"Well," Margaret said defensively, "how are we supposed to know if you won’t tell us?"

From the other side of the bay, Eddie appeared, raising an eyebrow as he noticed the scene unfolding. He walked over, stopping beside Buck and crossing his arms.

"Everything okay here?" Eddie asked casually, his eyes flicking between Buck and his parents.

Margaret’s gaze darted to Eddie, then back to Buck. She hesitated, clearly thrown off by his presence.

“This is Eddie, my partner,” Buck said flatly, his voice laced with resignation.

"Hi," Eddie said with a polite nod.

Buck was no stranger to the way his parents seemed to suck the air out of a room. Standing in the firehouse bay, Eddie now had firsthand experience of what that felt like. He watched Buck run a hand through his hair, the tension visible in his clenched jaw as he braced for whatever came next.

Eddie shifted closer, the subtle brush of their arms intentional. A reminder that Buck wasn’t in this alone.

Margaret’s eyes lingered on Eddie, a flicker of recognition sparking. "Wait a moment. Eddie?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Eddie said politely, though his shoulders straightened defensively. “Nice to meet you again.”

Margaret tilted her head, scrutinizing him as if trying to place where she’d seen him. Her eyes widened slightly in realization. "Oh, you were at the wedding!”

Eddie nodded, hoping to leave it at that.

Phillip’s expression morphed into one of distasteful amusement. "You’re the guy who showed up to the reception with an open shirt… and vomit, wasn’t it?”

Eddie sighed internally. Of course, they remembered that. "It was a rough night,” he said, forcing a tight smile.

Margaret waved a dismissive hand. “Well, you’re much better looking than that other man who came after you. What was his name?”

“Tommy,” Buck said through gritted teeth, his voice low.

“Right! Tommy.” Margaret wrinkled her nose. “Eddie’s a definite improvement.”

Eddie could feel Buck vibrating with frustration beside him. "Thanks?" he managed, not sure what to do with the backhanded compliment.

"And what about the boy?" Margaret asked, her gaze darting around again. "We’d like to meet him."

Buck stiffened, his expression hardening. “Chris is at home.”

“Well, perfect then,” Margaret said brightly. “We were planning to visit anyway, but without your address, we thought it’d be better to come here and follow you instead.”

Buck’s head snapped up. “You what? ”

“We asked Maddie when Howard’s shift ended,” Phillip said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Didn’t want to show up at a bad time.”

Buck rubbed his temples, the start of a headache forming. "That’s… incredibly invasive," he muttered under his breath, Eddie being the only person that managed to hear him.

Eddie’s eyes narrowed, but his voice remained steady. "You planned to follow us home?”

“Well, you didn’t invite us,” Margaret said with a shrug. “We just wanted to meet the boy. He’s our grandson, after all.”

Eddie glanced at Buck, silently asking if he wanted him to step in. Buck’s exhausted expression told him everything.

"Fine," Buck said finally, his tone resigned. "We’ll head home, and you can meet him. But if you upset him—"

“We would never, ” Margaret interrupted, placing a hand over her heart dramatically as if making a kid feel miserable just by existing wasn’t something they ever did, as if Buck didn’t grow up with them.

Buck exchanged a weary look with Eddie, who simply nodded. Whatever was about to happen, they’d face it together.

With a sigh, Buck motioned toward the door. “Let’s get this over with.”

Eddie fell into step beside him, his hand brushing against Buck’s back in silent solidarity as they led the Buckleys toward the parking lot. Whatever chaos lay ahead, they’d deal with it as a team.

The ride was quiet, except for the sound of Buck’s fingers drumming on the steering wheel. Eddie could see the tension in his shoulders, the tight grip he had on the wheel. The Buckleys’ car followed close behind, its headlights a constant reminder of the impending confrontation.

Eddie didn’t wait for Buck to ask. He pulled out his phone and hit Maddie’s contact. As soon as she picked up, he put her on speaker.

"Hey," Maddie greeted, her tone already cautious. “What’s going on? You never call during a shift.”

Buck exhaled heavily. "It’s not shift stuff. It’s Mom and Dad. They showed up at the firehouse.”

"What?” Maddie’s surprise was genuine, but not shocked enough. “Why?”

"They wanted to find out who my partner is,” Buck said, his voice strained.

“And meet Chris,” Eddie added.

“Oh, for God’s sake,” Maddie groaned. "Wait… they knew when your shift ended?”

"Yeah,” Buck said bitterly. “They asked you, didn’t they?”

Maddie hesitated. “They might’ve asked something like, ‘When does Chimney’s shift end? Just to make sure we don’t keep them too long.’ I thought they were being considerate. I should’ve known better.”

Eddie shot Buck a pointed look. “Told you.”

Buck huffed, his grip on the wheel tightening. "You didn’t tell me. You just gave me that look like you always do when I’m about to regret something.”

“Because I knew you’d regret it,” Eddie quipped, though his tone was light.

Maddie sighed on the other end of the line. “Do you want me to come over? Run interference or something?”

Buck shook his head slightly, then remembered Maddie couldn’t see him. “We’ll be fine. It’s not necessary. We’ve got this.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow. “Do we?”

“Totally,” Buck replied, though his words were less convincing when paired with how slowly he was driving. Eddie hadn’t seen him stick so strictly to the speed limit since he got his license back.

Maddie snorted. “You’re driving slower than Chim in traffic court, aren’t you?”

"No!” Buck protested. “I’m driving responsibly. Big difference.”

“Sure,” Maddie teased. “Listen, if it gets bad, call me. Or better yet, let them know I’ll call them if they don’t behave.”

Buck chuckled at that, but it was weak. “Thanks, Maddie.”

“Good luck,” she said sincerely. “You’re gonna need it.”

The call ended, and silence filled the car again. Eddie glanced at Buck, whose jaw was set in determination, but his eyes betrayed his anxiety.

"You know I’m joking, right? We can handle this” Eddie said softly.

Buck let out a breath, nodding. “Yeah. I just… I hate putting Chris in the middle of their nonsense without a warning.”

Eddie reached over, resting a hand on Buck’s knee. “We won’t. I already warned him and we’ll shield him from the worst of it. Together.”

Buck finally smiled, albeit faintly, as he accelerated slightly. “Together,” he echoed.

When their car pulled into the driveway, the Buckleys parked behind them. Buck sat for a moment, gripping the steering wheel, while Eddie glanced at him with quiet reassurance. "Ready?" Eddie asked.

"As I'll ever be," Buck muttered before stepping out.

Inside, Chris was on the couch, his tablet propped up on a pillow. He glanced up as the door opened and frowned. “You’re late.”

Carla had to go already, probably, or else she wouldn't be on time for her check in with another patient, Chris being alone a few minutes or an hour tops is not new anyway, he can take care of himself, so it’s not a surprise for him to be the only voice in the house.

"Yeah, sorry about that, kid," Buck said, ruffling Chris’s hair as he walked past. "Long shift, long day.”

The Buckleys entered, taking in the Diaz household with mild curiosity. "So this is where you live," Margaret remarked as she stepped inside.

“It’s cozy,” Phillip added, clearly unsure what else to say.

Chris glanced at them before moving his eyes to his tablet again. “It’s home,” he said, his tone a bit sharper than necessary.

Margaret smiled tightly. “Of course, dear. Lovely home.”

Buck cleared his throat, shooting Chris a glance before putting on his best host smile. “Can I get you anything? Water? Tea? We’ve got… lemonade, I think.”

Margaret looked at her son. “Water is fine, thank you, Evan.”

Phillip glanced at Chris and offered a tight smile. “So, you must be—”

“Christopher,” the teenager said flatly. “Yeah. I know who I am.”

Eddie shot Chris a sharp look, but his son was still looking back at his tablet, clearly uninterested in continuing the conversation. Margaret opened her mouth to say something, but Eddie stepped in.

Eddie sighed, his hand gently pointing toward the hallway. "Excuse us for a moment," he said to the Buckleys. "Chris, come with me for a second."

Margaret waved dismissively. “Teenagers, we understand,” she said with a forced smile. “It’s no problem.”

Chris groaned but set the tablet down and followed his dad into the hallway.

Once they were out of earshot, Eddie turned to face him, crouching slightly to meet Chris’s eyes. “What was that about?”

“They’re not nice people, Dad,” Chris said, crossing his arms. “You told me they didn’t make Buck a baby box. He would’ve loved one. They made one for Maddie. Why should I be nice to people who aren’t nice?”

Eddie pinched the bridge of his nose. He’d forgotten about that conversation. “I get it, mijo. But this isn’t about them. This is about Buck.”

Chris frowned. “Buck doesn’t care what they think.”

“No, but he does care about keeping the peace. And tonight, we’re here to support him. Not them. Can you do that for me?”

Chris huffed, but the defiance in his eyes softened. “Fine. For Buck. But if they say something mean, I’m not letting it slide and I’m not calling them grandma or grandpa.”

Eddie smiled, ruffling his son’s hair. “Deal. Just be civil, okay?

Chris nodded begrudgingly.

They stepped into the living room, finding Margaret and Phillip Buckley standing by the shelves, scanning the neatly framed photos of family moments. Margaret’s hand hovered near a picture of Buck, Eddie, and Chris grinning by the firehouse, the caption underneath reading "Family BBQ."

When they noticed Eddie and Chris enter, Margaret straightened, an almost-curious smile on her lips. “I didn’t realize you two were so settled,” she remarked. “There are so many photos of Evan here.”

Eddie tilted his head, already mentally preparing himself for where this might lead. “Buck’s been my best friend for seven years, even before we started dating. He was family long before we figured out what that meant for us.”

Phillip nodded thoughtfully but then pointed at a small framed photo of baby Chris sitting in the park, his first time alone in the sandbox. “And this? Is this a baby photo of Evan? I don’t even remember when that could’ve been taken.”

Eddie stiffened, his heart skipping a beat. Before he could respond, Buck walked in from the kitchen, balancing glasses of water and a plate of cookies. His easy smile froze the second he registered which photo Phillip was pointing to.

“That’s not Evan,” Margaret interjected, squinting at the picture. “He doesn’t have the birthmark.”

Phillip leaned in closer. “No, that has to be him. Look at the nose. And the ears. It’s uncanny.” His gaze shifted from the photo to Buck, who looked like a deer caught in headlights, then flicked to Chris. Margaret followed her husband’s line of sight, her eyes widening slightly. 

And then Margaret’s eyes trailed past Buck and landed on Chris, standing beside Eddie with a tense expression. Her lips parted slightly as her mind raced to connect the dots. 

“I thought you said he was your partner’s kid,” she said, her voice low but laced with realization.

Eddie opened his mouth, scrambling for an answer that wouldn’t further complicate things. “He is,” he said firmly, because it was the truth. Chris was his kid.

But Margaret scoffed, her disbelieving laugh cutting through the tension. “Come on, Edward. The resemblance is… overwhelming. Are we supposed to believe that when—”

“Mom,” Buck interrupted, his voice tight and panicked, not really knowing what mistake to point out first, “he is Eddie’s son.”

Eddie and Chris barely had time to exchange a glance before Margaret Buckley’s face hardened, a mixture of disapproval and certainty overtaking her features.

“Well, I suppose it all makes sense now,” she said coldly, her eyes flicking between Buck and Chris. “We should have known something like this would happen.”

Phillip shook his head, disappointment etched into every line of his expression. “Evan, how could you? You had a child —our grandchild —and you never told us? Not when he was born, not at any point since?”

Buck froze, caught entirely off guard. “Wait—what? I—”

Margaret cut him off, her voice rising with indignation. “We knew you were impulsive, Evan, but this? It’s not just about you! You have responsibilities, a child, and instead of stepping up, you let someone else raise him? You befriended the man who had to do your job, and now you’re dating him? Honestly, it’s shameless.”

Buck’s face paled as the words hit him like bricks, each more brutal than the last. “That’s not— I didn’t—” He fumbled, searching for words to still deny it but failing. “I didn’t know.”

“Of course you didn’t,” Phillip said, a bitter edge to his tone. “How could you? You’ve always been reckless, Evan. This is just another example of how you throw yourself into things without thinking.”

“I didn’t know!” Buck repeated, louder this time, his frustration boiling over. “I didn’t know about Chris until years later, and by then—”

“And by then, you just… what?” Margaret pressed. “Decided it wasn’t worth being involved? That it was easier to let someone else handle the hard work?”

That was when Eddie snapped. “Enough!” His voice rang through the room, sharp and commanding. Both Buckleys turned to him, startled by the steel in his tone.

“Don’t you dare talk about Buck like that,” Eddie said, stepping closer, his posture firm. “You don’t know a damn thing about what happened or the kind of man he is.”

Margaret opened her mouth to argue, but Eddie pressed on, his voice unwavering. “Buck didn’t walk away from anything. Chris has always been my son— mine. Buck didn’t know the truth because I didn’t either. And when we found out, he didn’t back down or run away. He stepped up, like he always had. He’s been there for Chris, for us, every single day since we met, even more so lately.”

Chris, who had been standing quietly beside Eddie, chimed in, his tone sharp with teenage defiance. “And he’s a great dad, by the way. Better than most people get.”

The room went silent, the weight of Chris’s words hanging heavily in the air. Buck, standing to the side, looked torn between gratitude and heartbreak, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

Margaret’s mouth opened and closed as if searching for something to say, but for once, she seemed at a loss.

Phillip cleared his throat awkwardly. “Well, I… suppose we didn’t know the full story,” he muttered.

“No, you didn’t,” Eddie said firmly. “But if you’re planning to sit here and make assumptions, you can leave right now. Because Buck and Chris? They’re my family. And I won’t let anyone tear them down.”

Buck’s eyes darted to Eddie, filled with a mixture of gratitude and awe.

Margaret shifted uncomfortably, but she didn’t argue further. Instead, she sat down stiffly, avoiding anyone’s gaze.

Eddie turned to Chris and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze before looking back at Buck. “You okay?” he asked softly.

Buck nodded, though his eyes still glimmered with unshed emotions. “Yeah,” he said hoarsely, his voice barely audible.

Eddie gave him a small, encouraging smile. “Good. Then let’s get this over with.”

The air in the living room was thick with tension, every word exchanged like a careful step over a minefield. 

Buck sat stiffly on the couch, his knee bouncing with barely contained energy, while Eddie perched on the armrest beside him, his hand resting lightly on Buck’s shoulder—a grounding presence. Chris sat on the opposite couch, arms crossed and glaring at the Buckleys with the full force of his teenage indignation, his disdain for them practically radiating from his small frame.

Margaret Buckley, trying to be oblivious to the storm brewing in the room, clasped her hands in her lap and smiled tightly. “Well, Evan, I think it’s good that we’re finally having these conversations as a family. Communication is so important, especially now that there’s a child involved.”

Eddie’s grip on Buck’s shoulder tightened subtly. Buck didn’t respond immediately, his jaw clenching as he stared at the floor.

Phillip chimed in, trying to sound conciliatory. “We understand that it’s been...a lot to process, but we’re here to help however we can. That’s what family does, after all.”

Buck’s head snapped up, his eyes blazing. “Help?” he said, his voice sharper than intended. “Like how you ‘helped’ by showing up uninvited, questioning every decision Eddie and I have made, and treating Chris like he’s some kind of scandal to be managed?”

“Evan, that’s not fair,” Margaret said, her tone icy. “We’re just trying to understand.”

Eddie finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. “With all due respect, understanding would’ve started with listening instead of making assumptions. You didn’t ask us anything—you decided for us.”

Margaret bristled. “Well, maybe if we’d been told sooner—”

Chris scoffed loudly, interrupting her. “Told what? That you didn’t make a baby box for Buck? We already know.”

Buck winced, muttering, “Chris...”

Margaret’s face froze in shock. “I—I don’t know what that has to do with anything.”

“Everything,” Chris snapped. “You didn’t treat him like family before, so why do you think you get to now?”

“Alright,” Eddie said, standing up and clapping his hands once, his tone decisive. “I think that’s enough for right now.”

Margaret looked taken aback. “What do you mean?”

“We’ve all had a long day,” Eddie said, his voice firm but polite. “I think it’s best if we take some time to cool off if you still want us for dinner tonight.”

Buck nodded, his voice quieter but resolute. “Eddie’s right. We still need to get some things ready before the reservation is due.”

Phillip hesitated, his expression conflicted, but Margaret opened her mouth to argue.

“Margaret,” Phillip said softly, placing a hand on her arm. “Let’s go.”

Margaret closed her mouth, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Fine. But we’ll talk about this.”

Buck forced a tight smile as he stood, leading them to the door. Eddie stayed close, his presence solid and steady, while Chris lingered behind, his expression set in defiance.

“Drive safe,” Eddie said as they left, his tone neutral but final.

As soon as the door shut, Buck let out a long, shaky exhale, his shoulders slumping. Eddie turned to him, concern etched into his face, while Chris piped up from the couch, “So...are you gonna cry?”

“What? No, I—” Buck started, but the lump in his throat betrayed him, cutting off the words halfway. He swallowed hard and tried again. “No. I’m fine.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow as he pushed off the door. “You sure about that?”

“I’m fine!” Buck insisted, though his voice cracked slightly.

“Uh-huh,” Eddie said, unimpressed. “Want me to call Maddie?”

“What? No!” Buck said, his tone jumping an octave.

Chris snorted, his lips twitching into a smirk. For him, while growing up, crying has always been encouraged when needed, and they all can tell that Buck needs and deserves it, they just have to get them there without making him feel embarrassed about it. 

“No, I’m fine. I promise,” Buck said, his voice wobbly but determined.

Eddie crossed his arms, a small smirk playing at his lips. “Baby.”

Buck whipped his head up, his expression part confusion, part indignation. “Don’t call me pet names! I don’t need Maddie, and you don’t need to call her!”

Eddie’s smirk widened. “It’s not a pet name. I’m calling you a baby. You’re like a toddler who needs a nap but refuses to go to sleep. You need comfort, and I’m calling Maddie. This isn’t a question anymore.”

Chris outright laughed at that, unable to contain himself. “Good one, Dad,” he said, clearly proud.

Buck groaned, running his hands over his face. “You’re both the worst,” he muttered, but the corners of his mouth twitched, betraying the tiniest smile.

Eddie walked over and squeezed Buck’s shoulder gently. “We’re the worst because we care about you. Now, sit down, and let’s get you what you need—whether it’s Maddie, me, or just a few deep breaths.”

Buck sighed, finally sitting on the couch. “Fine. But I’m still not crying.”

Chris rolled his eyes affectionately. “Sure, Buck.”

Eddie just patted his shoulder, leaving the room to grab his phone. “We’ll see what Maddie has to say about that.”

Buck groaned again, but this time, it was with a little more warmth and a little less frustration.

And just a few minutes later, Buck sat on the couch, phone pressed to his ear, his knee bouncing nervously as Eddie and Chris watched him from the other side of the room. Maddie’s voice came through the speaker, sharp and laced with concern.

“They said what ?” Maddie asked, incredulous.

Buck sighed, scrubbing a hand down his face. “Maddie, it’s fine—”

“It is not fine!” she snapped. “Do you want me to call them? I’ll call them right now. No, better, I’ll drive over there and—”

“Maddie,” Buck interrupted, his voice strained but firm. “Please don’t. Just...don’t.”

“They showed up at your house uninvited, tried to ambush you into admitting some wild version of events they made up in their heads, and then had the audacity to call you irresponsible? You? ” Maddie’s voice cracked with frustration.

Eddie leaned over, gently squeezing Buck’s knee to ground him. Buck shot him a quick, grateful look before responding. “I know, Maddie. But canceling dinner won’t help anything. They’ll just make it worse.”

Maddie was quiet for a moment, then sighed heavily. “You shouldn’t have to put up with this.”

Buck’s voice softened. “I don’t want you to have to deal with it either. Please, just...let us handle it.”

There was another pause, and then Maddie relented, though reluctantly. “Alright. But the second they say something out of place, I’m calling it all off. And I’m not letting them ruin this for you, Evan.”

“I know,” Buck whispered. “Thank you.”

After he hung up, the room fell into silence. Buck leaned back against the couch, exhaling slowly, trying to steady himself. Chris was the first to speak, his tone firm.

“They’re wrong, you know.”

Buck’s head turned toward his son, his eyes widening slightly. “Chris—”

“No,” Chris interrupted, sliding closer. “I mean it. They don’t know anything about you. You’re an amazing dad, and I wouldn’t trade you for the world.”

Buck’s breath hitched, his throat tightening as he tried to speak. “I—Chris—”

Chris continued, his voice steady but full of conviction. “You’ve always been there for me. Always. And yeah, maybe they’re your parents, but...it sounds like they weren’t there for you the way you are for me. That’s their loss.”

Eddie sat down on Buck’s other side, resting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Chris is right. You’ve been more of a parent to him than they could even dream of being to you.”

Buck’s defenses crumbled as his chest heaved with a broken sob. “It’s just not fair,” he choked out, tears spilling freely now. “They...they accused me of being a bad parent, them . And I’ve tried so hard—I try every day to be good enough for Chris, to be better than they were for me. But it still feels like—”

“You are good enough,” Eddie said firmly, gripping Buck’s shoulder tighter. “More than good enough. You’re everything Chris needs.”

Chris nodded, reaching for Buck’s hand. “And you’re everything I could ever want. I love you, papá.”

The word hit Buck like a wave, breaking through the last of his resolve. He pulled Chris into a tight hug, holding on as if his life depended on it, while Eddie wrapped an arm around both of them.

“I love you too,” Buck whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I love you both so much.”

Eddie pressed a kiss to Buck’s birthmark, his voice soft but steady. “We’re a team, Buck. Always.”

In that moment, surrounded by his family, Buck allowed himself to let go, knowing he didn’t have to face any of it alone.

The Buckley-Diaz household was unusually tense as they got ready for the dinner. Buck paced the living room, muttering under his breath as he buttoned up his shirt for what felt like the fourth time. Eddie, on the other hand, was focused on Chris, kneeling in front of him in the bathroom as he straightened his son's shirt.

“Okay, listen,” Eddie began in a low voice, glancing toward the living room to make sure Buck was out of earshot. “I know how you feel about Buck’s parents, and honestly, I get it. But tonight, I need you to be on your best behavior. No sass, no snarky comments, nothing that’s going to make things harder for Buck. Got it?”

Chris frowned, crossing his arms. “This again? Why do I have to be nice after that happened?”

“Because Buck deserves it,” Eddie said gently. “You know how much he wants to make this work, even if they don’t always deserve the chance. This isn’t about them, mijo. It’s about him.”

Chris sighed but eventually nodded. “Fine.”

Eddie smiled, ruffling his hair. “That’s my boy.”

Buck’s voice called out from the living room, breaking the moment. “Eds, are you ready yet? I feel like I’m going to have to referee a boxing match tonight, and I need backup!”

“Coming!” Eddie called back, giving Chris one last pointed look before standing up and heading toward the living room.

As Buck fidgeted with his sleeves, Eddie came up behind him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Hey, relax. It’s just dinner.”

Buck shot him a look. “Yeah, with my parents. At a restaurant. What could possibly go wrong?”

“Exactly,” Eddie said dryly, earning a weak laugh from Buck.

Meanwhile, Chris pulled out his phone, grinning slightly as he sent Maddie a quick text: "You guys gonna be there first, right? Dad says I have to behave but I don’t trust those people."

Later, as they all piled into the truck, Eddie checked his phone for what felt like the hundredth time. He and Buck had both messaged Maddie and Chimney a few times throughout the last hour, confirming and reconfirming the plan.

“You’re sure you’re going to get there before us?” Eddie asked, holding the phone between himself and Buck as they backed out of the driveway.

“Eddie, for the last time, yes,” Maddie’s exasperated voice came through the speaker. “Chim and I are leaving now . We’ll be there a good fifteen minutes before you even park. You need to breathe.”

“Maddie,” Buck interjected, glancing nervously at Eddie. “You know what they’re like. If we get there before you—”

“You won’t,” Maddie interrupted firmly. “We’ve got this, Evan. Trust us.”

Chimney’s voice chimed in from the background. “And if they try to pull anything, I’ll spill a drink on them. Problem solved.”

“Maddie,” Eddie said, ignoring Chimney, “I mean it. If anything feels off, you call us. We’ll turn around and find another way to do this.”

“I will,” Maddie promised. “Now stop stressing. It’s going to be fine.”

As the call ended, Eddie looked over at Buck, who was gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly.

“You okay?” Eddie asked.

Buck exhaled slowly. “Not really. But I will be. As long as you’re there.”

Eddie smiled softly. “Always.”

From the backseat, Chris chimed in with a muttered, “You guys are so mushy.”

The tension broke with a round of laughter, and for the first time that day, Buck felt like maybe, just maybe, they’d make it through the night.

The restaurant was fancy, the kind of place Margaret Buckley picked to make an impression—and to silently remind everyone that appearances mattered. 

Buck shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing over at Eddie and Chris, who sat to his left. Eddie gave him a subtle nod of encouragement, and Chris, trying to be oblivious to the tension simmering in the air, focused on the menu, quietly asking Buck for recommendations.

On Buck’s right, Maddie smiled tightly as their parents fawned over her. Margaret was positively glowing, asking detailed questions about her pregnancy while Phillip nodded along, adding the occasional comment about how proud they were. Jee-Yun sat between Maddie and Chimney, babbling happily over her crayons, completely unbothered by the strained atmosphere.

The atmosphere at the table was deceptively calm as the server arrived to take their orders. Margaret, seated at one end, quickly took charge, asking the server about every detail of the menu.

"I'll have the salmon," she finally decided, folding her menu with precision. "No butter, please. It’s too rich.” She glanced briefly at Buck as if her dietary preference was a life lesson he ought to learn.

Phillip followed with a simple steak order, medium rare. “Nothing too complicated,” he remarked, his tone suggesting others should follow his lead.

Maddie, visibly trying to maintain peace, ordered a salad with grilled chicken, avoiding eye contact with her mother, and some chicken nuggets for Jee. Chimney ordered the restaurant’s special, his voice carrying a tinge of forced cheerfulness, clearly meant to ease the tension.

“A quinoa burger and fries for me, please,” Buck said easily when it was his turn.

Margaret raised a sharp brow. “Still eating like a teenager, I see.”

“Mom, it’s a burger, not a bowl of candy,” Maddie interjected, her tone light but firm.

Margaret’s smile tightened, but she didn’t respond.

Eddie, seated next to Buck, glanced at the menu and shrugged. “I’ll have the same as him.”

The server nodded and turned to Chris, who confidently ordered chicken tenders and a side of broccoli, clearly practiced at handling restaurant orders.

“He’s very independent,” Phillip noted, nodding toward Chris.

“He gets it from his dads,” Chimney said smoothly, shooting a pointed glance at Margaret before taking a sip of water.

Margaret stiffened but let the comment slide, focusing instead on folding her napkin into an impossibly neat triangle.

As they waited for their meals, the conversation revolved around safe topics. Margaret asked Jee-Yun about her favorite colors, the little girl proudly showing off her crayon masterpiece. Phillip leaned toward Maddie, reminiscing about her childhood, carefully avoiding any mention of Buck.

Margaret and Phillip’s comments remained painfully polite but barbed for the rest of the meal as Maddie tried to steer the conversation toward lighter territory, asking about Chris’s latest school project. Chris happily explained his science fair idea, earning genuine praise from Chimney and Eddie.

“It’s wonderful that Christopher is doing so well,” Margaret said. “It must be challenging, though, juggling all of that with… your situation.”

“ Our situation ?” Eddie asked, his voice calm but his gaze sharp.

Margaret waved a hand dismissively. “I just mean, with both of you working such unpredictable hours. It must be difficult to provide him with the stability he needs.”

“Chris has all the stability he could ever need,” Buck replied smoothly, reaching over to give Chris’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

Phillip chuckled awkwardly. “Of course. No one’s doubting that.”

The table fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by Jee-Yun’s happy exclamations as she discovered a new color in her crayon box.

By the time the server brought dessert menus, the tension had become almost unbearable. 

“So, Evan,” Margaret began, barely sparing him a glance as she sipped her wine. "It’s nice to see you settling down. You’ve always been so… impulsive."

Buck’s jaw tightened, but he forced a smile. "Yeah, well, I’ve got a great family now." He glanced meaningfully at Eddie and Chris.

Margaret hummed noncommittally, her gaze shifting to Chris. "And this is Christopher. Such a sweet boy."

Chris smiled politely, but there was something in the way Margaret looked at him—like she was trying to piece him together. 

"I must be easy, helping his father raise him," she added, her tone saccharine.

Chris frowned slightly. "I’m his son," he corrected firmly.

Margaret blinked, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Of course," she said, recovering quickly. "And you must be doing a wonderful job balancing everything, right, Eddie?"

Eddie’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded. "I try. Buck’s been a big help."

"Well," Phillip interjected, his tone light but pointed, "it’s good that Evan finally found something he’s good at. Took him long enough."

The jab landed, and Buck felt his ears burn. Eddie stiffened beside him, and even Maddie shot their parents a sharp look.

"Dad," Maddie said warningly, "don’t start."

"I’m not starting anything," Phillip said, raising his hands defensively. "Just making an observation."

Chris, who had been quietly observing the exchange, suddenly piped up. "Buck’s good at a lot of things."

Everyone turned to look at him, and Chris didn’t flinch.

"He’s a great firefighter, and he helps me with my math homework," Chris continued, his tone matter-of-fact. "And he’s really good at making pancakes."

Buck’s heart swelled, and he reached over to ruffle Chris’s hair. "Thanks, buddy."

Margaret’s smile tightened. "That’s… wonderful. But it must be a lot for you, Eddie, having to rely on someone so—"

"So reliable?" Eddie cut in, his voice cold. "Yeah, it’s been great. I don’t know what we’d do without Buck."

The tension at the table was palpable now, and Maddie finally intervened, her voice sharp. "Can we not do this? We’re here to have a nice time, remember?"

"Of course, dear," Margaret said smoothly, her eyes flicking between Buck and Eddie with barely concealed disdain.

For a moment, silence reigned, broken only by Jee-Yun’s cheerful chatter.

Then Chris, clearly tired of the adults’ antics, leaned toward his papá’s mother. "You know, my bisabuela says Buck is part of our family. She likes him a lot."

The table froze at Chris’s words, and Buck could feel the weight of Margaret’s gaze shift sharply to him. Her expression, which had been strained at best, now hardened into something cold and calculating.

"Part of your family?" Margaret echoed, her voice tight. "Does that mean they also know about this... biological connection?"

Buck stiffened, but before he could speak, Eddie leaned forward, his jaw set. "It’s not like that. We only found out a few months ago—"

"But they’re okay with it?" Margaret interrupted, her tone disbelieving. "How could they be okay with something so… irresponsible?"

Eddie’s hand clenched around his fork, but before he could respond, Chris leaned forward, calm but firm. "They don’t know but it doesn’t matter," he said, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

"Excuse me?" Margaret asked, clearly trying to pretend she didn’t hear.

Chris didn’t waver. "They didn’t need to know because blood doesn’t make a family. Love does and they loved them before we knew this, they loved him anyway." He tilted his head slightly, his gaze unwavering. "And if the only reason you are here is because you are biologically related to Buck and not because he’s an amazing person and you love him, then maybe you shouldn’t be here at all."

The table went silent. Maddie’s eyes widened, her lips twitching as if she were trying not to laugh. Chimney coughed into his napkin, but his shoulders shook with barely contained amusement.

Margaret looked stunned, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. Phillip, for his part, sat frozen, clearly unsure of how to respond.

Buck turned to Chris, his heart swelling with pride, though panic lingered at the edges—this could get ugly fast.

"Chris," Maddie interjected smoothly, her voice light, "why don’t we go check out the dessert display? I heard they’ve got some amazing cakes. Maybe you and Jee can pick something for the table."

Chris hesitated, glancing at Eddie for confirmation. Eddie gave him a small nod, and Chris slid out of his chair, still holding his head high.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Maddie’s voice could be heard softly praising him. "That was amazing, kiddo. You’ve got guts, just like your dad."

Back at the table, the mood remained tense. Eddie leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "He’s right, you know," he said quietly but firmly. "If you’re only here to critique our family, maybe it’s better if we cut this dinner short."

Margaret bristled, but Phillip held up a hand, his expression weary. "Let’s not make a scene," he said. "We’re here to understand, not to fight."

"Are you, though?" Buck finally spoke, his voice steady despite the anger simmering underneath. "Because it feels like every time I turn around, you’re questioning whether I’m good enough—whether we’re good enough. I’m not going to sit here and let you make Chris feel like he’s anything less than loved."

Phillip took a slow breath, clearly preparing to defend their actions. Margaret, however, jumped in first, her voice low but sharp. "We do love our grandson. How could you even suggest otherwise?"

"Do you?" Eddie countered immediately, his tone calm but cold. "Because you found out about his existence less than a week ago and you have caused nothing but discomfort."

Margaret bristled, her lips pressing into a tight line. "Evan, are you pushing us away again? Is that what this is? Every time we try to connect, you find some reason to shut us out."

Buck’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "Are you serious right now? You shut me out for years! You only come around when you want something—or when it suits you."

Phillip frowned, his voice carefully measured. "That’s not fair, Evan. We’re here, aren’t we? We’re trying."

Chimney, who had been quietly observing, suddenly leaned forward, his expression unusually serious. "Trying to do what? Pretend you care while judging everyone at this table? If that’s your idea of family, then maybe it’s better if my kids don’t grow up with you around either."

Margaret gasped softly, her hand clutching her pearls in true dramatic fashion. "How dare you!"

"I’m just saying," Chimney continued, his voice steady, "Jee-Yun deserves better, and so does the new baby. You don’t get to keep showing up, tearing people down, and calling it love."

Phillip tried to regain control of the conversation, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Let’s not escalate this. We’re family—"

"No, we’re not," Chris’s voice interrupted, walking back from wherever Maddie took him to.

Everyone turned to see him standing there, his expression serious as he looked directly at the Buckley parents. Maddie and Jee-Yun stood a few feet behind him, wide-eyed.

Chris stepped closer, his tone steady but unwavering. "You’re not my grandparents, and I don’t want you to be. Grandparents love you, and they don’t make you or your parents feel bad for being themselves or for loving the people they love. So, no, you’re not my family."

The silence was deafening.

"Chris—" Margaret started, but Buck held up a hand, cutting her off.

"Don’t," Buck said sharply. He turned to Chris, his expression softening. "You okay, bud?"

Chris nodded, and Maddie gently walked towards him, putting a hand on his shoulder to tell his parents that she’s got him.

Buck’s attention snapped back to his parents. "That’s it. I’m done. I’ve spent my whole life trying to make things work with you—trying to be good enough, trying to make you happy. But it’s never enough, is it?"

"Evan—" Phillip began, but Buck shook his head.

"No. I’m done. You don’t get to treat me like this anymore. And you don’t get to treat my family like this, either. We’re happy, we’re whole, and we don’t need you trying to tear us apart because we don’t fit whatever perfect picture you have in your head."

Margaret sat back, her face pale, while Phillip looked like he was searching for something to say but couldn’t find the words.

"I think it’s time for us to go," Maddie said quietly but firmly, her eyes meeting Buck’s in solidarity. She reached into her bag, pulled out a few bills, and set them on the table. Chimney followed her lead.

Buck hesitated, glancing at Eddie, who nodded in quiet agreement. Without another word, Buck fished his wallet from his pocket, added his share, and stood as well.

Chris’s words still echoed in his mind: “You’re not my family.” And as painful as it had been to hear, it felt freeing now.

Eddie put a steadying hand on Buck’s back as they moved away from the table. Chimney glanced over his shoulder at the stunned expressions of Margaret and Phillip.

"Thanks for saying all that," Chimney murmured to Buck as they walked toward the exit. "I don’t think I could survive another visit from them. You saved me, man."

Buck huffed a quiet laugh, but his heart was still racing. "You and me both."

Maddie was already in front of their car with Jee-Yun and Chris, both of them trying to distract Jee to lighten the mood. When the rest of them joined, Chris immediately brightened.

"Can we get ice cream?" Chris asked, his tone hopeful.

Maddie grinned, ruffling his hair. "Ice cream sounds perfect."

Buck glanced at Eddie, who gave him a soft smile. "I think we all deserve it," Eddie said.

"Agreed," Buck replied, leaning in just enough to nudge Eddie’s shoulder with his own.

The ice cream parlor was lively and buzzing, a stark contrast to the tension they’d left behind at the restaurant. Maddie, with Jee-Yun balanced on her hip, was already pointing out the most colorful options to Chris. He nodded along enthusiastically, his eyes lighting up when he saw the giant sundae options.

"Chris, if you eat one of those, you might actually turn into ice cream," Buck teased, ruffling his hair as they stepped into the queue.

Chris rolled his eyes with exaggerated drama. "You just don’t want me to finish mine before you finish yours."

"Bold of you to assume I’ll share," Buck quipped, earning a laugh from Maddie.

"Don’t listen to him, Chris," Maddie said, leaning down a little closer to her nephew. "Aunt Maddie always has your back. You get the sundae if you want it, and I’ll help you fight Buck for it if it comes to that."

Chris beamed at her, his grin wide and mischievous. "Deal!"

Eddie chuckled softly, his hand lightly brushing Chris’s shoulder. "Just remember who has to deal with your sugar crash later, bud."

"That sounds like a you problem," Chimney chimed in, smirking at Eddie. "Maybe you should’ve thought of that before letting him order dessert with Maddie in the mix."

Eddie shot him a mock glare. "Right, because you’re setting such a great example letting Jee smear whipped cream all over herself."

Chim looked at his daughter, who was now happily swiping whipped cream off her sundae with her fingers. "Hey, Jee-Yun’s an artist. Let her express herself."

"More like a chaos gremlin," Maddie muttered affectionately, grabbing a napkin to clean her daughter’s hands.

Buck leaned into Eddie, his voice low but teasing. "Guess we’re not the only ones who have to deal with sugar crashes tonight."

Eddie smirked but didn’t answer, instead handing Chris the sundae he’d ordered, complete with extra whipped cream and sprinkles. Chris looked at him with genuine delight. "Thanks, Dad. You’re the best."

"I know," Eddie replied, deadpan, before sitting beside Chris and sneaking a bite from his own cone.

As they settled into their table, the conversation flowed easily, the earlier tension now a distant memory. Chim and Maddie bantered about who was the better ice cream decorator while Buck made a show of stealing one of Chris’s cherries.

"Papá! That’s mine!" Chris protested, laughing as he tried to block Buck’s spoon with his hand.

"I’m quality-checking," Buck argued, though he handed the cherry back with a grin. "Just making sure it’s good enough for you."

"Sure you are," Chris replied with a mock glare.

By the time their treats were finished, Jee-Yun had whipped cream in her hair, Chris was giggling non-stop at something Buck had said, and Eddie looked more relaxed than he had all evening.

"See? This is how you handle family drama," Maddie said as they gathered their things. "Ice cream and good company."

"And no Buckley parents," Chim added, earning a laugh from the table.

Eddie clapped Buck on the shoulder as they stepped back into the cool night air. "I’m so proud of you for pulling the ripcord back there. I think we all needed this."

Buck smiled, his gaze flicking between Eddie, Chris, and the rest of their little group. "Yeah, well, I’ve got a pretty great family to escape with."

It didn’t take long for the Buckley parents to double down on their unwelcome persistence. The morning after the disastrous dinner, they began their campaign of calls and texts, first to Buck and Maddie directly, then to Eddie and Chimney when their own children ignored them.

"Do they really think I’m going to answer after that stunt?" Maddie huffed, glaring at her vibrating phone. She swiped the notification away, tossing it onto the couch as Chimney fed Jee-Yun breakfast.

"Maybe if we just ignore them, they’ll get bored and move on," Chim suggested hopefully, though the doubtful tone in his voice betrayed him.

"Chim, they’ve been at this for years," Maddie muttered. "Ignoring them never works."

She would have been proven right because Buck’s phone began buzzing incessantly not long after, not that she was in the same place as him to notice that. 

Buck groaned, setting down his cup of coffee and grabbing his phone.

"Blocked them yesterday," he said, staring at the notification from a random number. "Guess they’re trying new ones."

The texts started pouring in next, guilt-laden messages riddled with passive-aggressive accusations.

"We love you both so much, and we just want to fix this. Why won’t you let us? Is this how you want to teach your children to treat family?"

"You’re overreacting. No one’s perfect, but you’re being cruel. This is breaking our hearts."

"You’re making a mistake. One day you’ll realize what you’ve done."

Buck clenched his jaw, deleting the messages without reading more. "They don’t stop, do they?"

Chris noticed his papá’s tense expression as he walked into the kitchen. "You okay?"

"Yeah, buddy," Buck said, mustering a smile. "Just annoying grown-up stuff."

Of course, it didn’t stop there. Two days later, Eddie came home from work to find the Buckley parents sitting in their car outside his house. They didn’t approach, but their presence alone was enough to unnerve him.

"Great," Eddie muttered as he pulled into the driveway.

Chris, sitting in the passenger seat, spotted them. "Are they seriously going to keep showing up just like that?"

"God I hope not. But you don’t need to worry about this, they are probably going to leave soon," Eddie replied, squeezing his son’s shoulder reassuringly before they both headed inside.

By the time Buck arrived later that evening, they were still there. He was supposed to spend the night in the loft, his frustration with his parent’s leaving him extra irritable and wanting some time alone.

"You’ve got to be kidding me," Buck groaned when Eddie called him a few hours after arriving home, the car still waiting for something to happen. "I’ll handle it."

When Buck approached the window, his mother rolled it down with a tight smile. "We just want to talk."

"We’ve already said all there is to say," Buck replied firmly. "You need to leave."

"Not until you stop being so unreasonable," she retorted.

"Leave, or I’m calling the police," Buck snapped. His tone brooked no argument, and after a moment, his parents reluctantly started the car and drove off.

It wasn’t the last of them. A few days later, they showed up at the firehouse while Buck was on shift.

Buck had been in the middle of cleaning one of the rigs when Bobby’s sharp intake of breath caught his attention.

"Stay here," Bobby said, his voice firm but not unkind.

Buck followed Bobby’s gaze toward the bay doors, where his parents were standing, scanning the firehouse as if they owned the place. His chest tightened.

"Cap, I can—"

"No, Buck." Bobby’s tone softened as he stepped closer, his hand resting on Buck’s shoulder. "You don’t need to deal with this. Not right now."

Buck hesitated. He knew Bobby had his back—always had—but a part of him still felt like he should handle it, like he owed it to everyone not to drag them into his mess.

"I’ll take care of it," Bobby said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Buck nodded reluctantly, stepping back as Bobby walked toward the Buckleys.

The calm and steady presence Bobby carried was undeniable, but when he spoke to Margaret and Phillip, there was a distinct edge beneath his composed tone.

"You’re trespassing," Bobby said, his voice firm. "You need to leave. Now."

"We just want to talk to our son," Margaret said, lifting her chin in defiance.

"Your son is at work, and he doesn’t want to talk to you," Bobby replied. "This is a firehouse, not a family counseling center."

"We’re his parents," Phillip argued. "We have every right—"

"You have no rights here," Bobby cut in smoothly, his voice taking on an unmistakable authority. "If you don’t leave immediately, I’ll call the police. And I won’t hesitate."

Buck watched from the shadows of the bay, his fists clenched. He couldn’t hear every word, but the way Bobby stood his ground without flinching made something in his chest ache.

After a moment of tense silence, Margaret huffed and turned on her heel, dragging Phillip behind her. As their car pulled away, Bobby lingered, making sure they were gone before turning back to Buck.

When Bobby approached, Buck was still rooted to the spot, his hands gripping the edge of a compartment door on the engine. Bobby stopped in front of him, his expression softening.

"You okay?" Bobby asked, his tone quieter now.

Buck nodded, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed him.

"You didn’t have to do that, Cap," he said, his voice tight.

"Yeah, I did," Bobby said simply. "Because that’s what family does."

Buck blinked, his throat tightening. Bobby’s words hit harder than he expected, stirring emotions he hadn’t prepared for.

"You’ve been carrying a lot on your shoulders for a long time, Buck," Bobby continued. "You don’t have to face every fight alone."

"I know," Buck murmured, though he wasn’t sure he fully believed it until now.

Bobby gave him a small, reassuring smile, patting his shoulder. "Let me know if they come back, okay? We’ll deal with it together."

Buck nodded, feeling a warmth he learned to associate with his captain—the kind of unwavering support that had always seemed just out of reach until Bobby had come into his life.

"Thanks, Bobby," he said softly, his voice heavy with gratitude.

"Anytime, kid," Bobby replied, giving his shoulder one last squeeze before walking away.

As Buck watched him go, the weight of the day felt just a little lighter. 

But then, just a few hours later, the Buckley parents marched into the dispatch building with an air of authority they hadn't earned, heads high and postures stiff. Phillip was the first to approach the front desk, where a young security guard sat.

“We’re here to see Maddie Buckley,” he announced, voice crisp and authoritative.

The guard, Eric, squinted at them, his hand hovering over the visitor log. “Maddie Buckley?”

“Yes,” Phillip added impatiently. “She works here, we are her parents.”

Eric frowned. Maddie didn’t get many visitors, but ever since her wedding, they always called her "Maddie Han." Even her brother had come in a few times, referring to her by her married name. Something about this felt... off.

“I’ll have to check on that,” Eric said, his tone neutral. He picked up the phone and dialed Sue’s extension.

Inside dispatch, Sue stood near Maddie, who had just finished taking a call. Maddie was about to reach for her water bottle when Sue’s phone buzzed.

“Yes?” Sue answered, her gaze flicking to check nobody needed her before engaging in conversation.

“There are two people here asking for ‘Maddie Buckley,’” Eric informed her.

Sue’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Did they say who they were?”

“They claim to be her parents.”

Sue’s expression shifted, her usual calm replaced with a trace of concern. She glanced at Maddie, who had caught enough of the conversation to tense visibly.

“Hang on,” Sue said into the phone, lowering it as she addressed Maddie. “Your parents are at the front desk.”

Maddie’s heart sank. She’d spent so much time avoiding their calls and texts, hoping they’d give up and leave. Now they were here?

“I’ll... I’ll take care of it,” Maddie said, her voice wavering slightly as she stood.

But Sue held up a hand, stopping her. “No. You keep working. I’ll deal with it.”

Maddie hesitated, then nodded, grateful but still uneasy.

Sue walked to the front desk with purpose, her calm professionalism masking the irritation bubbling beneath the surface. When she arrived, she found Margaret and Phillip waiting, their postures impatient.

“Can I help you?” Sue asked, her tone polite but firm.

“We’re Maddie Buckley’s parents,” Margaret said. “We’re here to see her.”

Sue raised an eyebrow as she said, only half-lying. “I’m sorry, but there’s no ‘Maddie Buckley’ in our system.”

Margaret blinked, confusion flashing across her face. “What do you mean? Of course there is. Maddie works here.”

“Perhaps you’re mistaken,” Sue insisted evenly, doing her best not to burst out laughing. “We don’t have anyone by that name listed.”

Phillip frowned, stepping forward. “This is ridiculous. We know our own daughter works here. Can you just let us in?”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” Sue replied, her voice still calm but now with an edge of finality. “This is a working facility. We can’t have visitors roaming around unescorted.”

Margaret opened her mouth to argue, but Sue didn’t give her the chance.

“Now, I suggest you leave on your own or else we will have to escort you out. Have a good day.”

Without waiting for a response, Sue turned and walked away, leaving the Buckley parents standing there, flustered and increasingly frustrated.

Maddie watched from her desk as Sue returned, her expression unreadable but her calm demeanor reassuring.

“They’re gone,” Sue said quietly, leaning over Maddie’s station.

Maddie let out a shaky breath. “Thank you.”

Sue smiled gently. “Don’t mention it. You’re here to work, not to deal with bad distractions.”

As Sue walked away, Maddie sat back, her relief mingling with gratitude. She didn’t need to face her parents’ relentless attempts to barge into her life—not today, and hopefully not ever again.

By the end of the week, after being turned away from Maddie and Chim’s home, Eddie’s house, and Buck’s place, the Buckley parents finally returned to Pennsylvania. But not before leaving one last message, written in Margaret’s precise handwriting and left taped to Buck’s loft door:

"You’re making a terrible mistake. One day, you’ll regret breaking this family apart, especially when your children ask about their grandparents. But by then, it’ll be too late."

Buck stared at the note, crumpling it in his fist. "Good riddance," he muttered, throwing it into the trash.

Eddie arrived at the loft with some bubbly champagne minutes after Buck told him about the note, some kids alcohol free cider so Chris could toast and celebrate with them.

Maddie and Chim came over as soon as Maddie was out of work, Eddie having called them to join their impromptu celebratory party, the kids running around while the adults sat on the kitchen island.

"You think they’re gone for good this time?" Maddie asked.

"They’ll try again," Buck said. "But they’re blocked everywhere. They can’t guilt us if we don’t listen."

"Good," Chim said firmly, leaning back with Jee-Yun climbing onto his lap, but she was clearly using him as a bridge to not get caught by Chris and she immediately climbed down the other way.

Eddie, seated beside Buck, rested a hand on his knee. "You did the right thing," he said.

Buck sighed, his gaze softening as he looked at Chris and Jee-Yun playing together. "Yeah. Our kids deserve better than that."

"And they’ve got better," Maddie said, extending her pinky towards her brother, Buck linking them without a second thought. "They’ve got us."

As Maddie squeezed Buck’s hand and reassured him, Chris, who had been listening from his spot nearby, chimed in with a casual shrug.

“This is, like, the third time in the seven years I’ve known Buck that they’ve shown up,” Chris said, his tone light but pointed. “They’re not going to be missed.”

The bluntness of his words startled everyone for a moment, but Chris wasn’t done.

“Plus, we’ve already got grandparents,” he added firmly. “Bobby and Athena are way better anyway.”

Maddie smiled softly at him, pride clear in her eyes, while Buck tried to mask the way his emotions threatened to choke him.

“And maybe Buck’s right,” Chris continued, his voice thoughtful now as he looked between Eddie and Maddie. “Maybe we should keep just the Diaz. Or... I don’t know, maybe even change it to Diaz-Nash, because those people don’t deserve to have a tie to us.”

Eddie froze for a beat, caught off guard by the suggestion. “Diaz-Nash, huh?” he asked, his voice light but his heart heavy with gratitude for his son’s loyalty.

Chris nodded earnestly. “Yeah. Buck’s more of a dad than they’ve ever been family. And Bobby? He’s like the best grandpa ever.”

Maddie chuckled, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “You’re not wrong, Chris.”

Buck looked at his family—Eddie, Chris, Maddie, Chimney, Jee-Yun—and for the first time that day, a genuine smile broke across his face.

“Diaz-Nash, huh?” he repeated, his voice soft with wonder.

Chris grinned at him. “It sounds pretty cool, don’t you think?”

Eddie clapped Buck on the back, pulling him into a one-armed hug. “It does.”

Buck laughed softly, the warmth of their little family moment settling into him. But later, when everyone left the loft, all of them going to the house that was their own home, and Chris was tucked into bed, Buck found himself sitting alone on the couch, turning the idea over in his mind.

Diaz-Nash.

It wasn’t bad. In fact, it felt kind of... nice, in a way he didn’t expect. The idea of being part of the Nash family, officially, wasn’t something he hated. Bobby was more of a father to him than Phillip Buckley had ever been. Bobby was kind, steady, and proud of Buck in a way his own parents never seemed to be.

But there was a weight to it, too. A name carried history, identity. It was more than just a label—it was his . And, honestly, he wasn’t sure what “his” even meant anymore.

He didn’t feel like Evan Buckley or Evan Nash, hell, not even Evan Diaz-Nash. He was just Buck, and that was the most him he ever felt.

His parents’ name felt heavy with judgment and expectations he could never meet, but it was still his name, tied to a past he couldn’t erase, no matter how much he’d grown. Bobby’s name, though warm and welcoming, still felt borrowed.

And then there was Chris.

Changing Chris’s name to include his—whatever his name might be—felt bigger than anything else. He knew Chris wanted to carry something of Buck’s, but he wasn’t even sure he could carry it himself. 

Chris was a Diaz through and through, and Buck loved that about him. Eddie had built their family name on strength and love, and Buck didn’t want to take even a piece of that away by imposing something that felt... unfinished.

When Eddie joined him on the couch, freshly showered and relaxed, he gave Buck a curious look. “You’ve got that look,” Eddie said, nudging him gently.

“What look?”

“The one you get when you’re stuck in your own head.”

Buck huffed a soft laugh, then sighed. “It’s just... what Chris said earlier, about the name.”

Eddie leaned back, waiting patiently for Buck to go on.

“‘Diaz-Nash’ doesn’t sound bad,” Buck admitted. “It’s just... I don’t know who I am, name-wise. I mean, I’ve always been a Buckley, but that name doesn’t feel like me anymore. Nash... it’s Bobby’s name, and I love him, but it’s not mine . And if I don’t even know what my name is, how can I even think about changing Chris’s? He’s already got a name that’s his. He doesn’t need me messing with that.”

Eddie’s eyes softened, and he reached out, clasping Buck’s hand. “Buck,” he said gently, “you’re not messing with anything. Chris loves you, and he wanted to include you because you’re his dad, no matter what your last name is. But if you’re not ready to figure that out yet, that’s okay. He doesn’t need your name to know you’re his.”

Buck nodded, his grip tightening briefly around Eddie’s hand. “I just don’t want him to feel like I’m not all in because of this. I am. I just... I need to figure it out for me first.”

“And you will,” Eddie assured him. “We’ve got time, Buck. You don’t have to have all the answers right now.”

Buck exhaled, a small, grateful smile tugging at his lips. “Thanks.”

Eddie grinned. “What are partners for?”

As they sat together, Buck felt the knot in his chest loosen just a bit. Whatever his name ended up being, he knew who he was to this family—and that was what mattered most.