Sideways

Chapter 26 Something Something

Thursday, May 25th

It's a hot and sunny day in LA as Eddie leans side by side with Buck against the Jeep outside the JetBlue Terminal of LAX. Buck has his head leaning on Eddie's shoulder with Eddie's arm around Buck's waist. Even here, doing something as simple as picking up Eddie's sisters, they find their way into each other's arms.

Eddie's phone pings, and his right hand brushes his blue t-shirt as he pushes it into the pocket of his jeans and pulls his phone out. He lifts his phone to read the message, then slides his left hand off Buck's hip and uses it to lift off his sunglasses, Buck groaning at the lack of contact.

"Are they here yet?" Buck asks as he lifts himself off Eddie's chest, now both groaning at the lack of contact this time. Eddie doesn't respond; instead, he leans close to Buck, so Buck can read his messages as he types out his response to his sister.

Adri: Your ass better be outside. These bags are heavy!

Eddie: Outside? Outside where?

Adri: I swear, Eddie! If you aren't outside this airport waiting for your poor sisters, I'm telling Mami you married Buck!

Eddie: No doubt. I'll just tell her what you did prom night...

"What did she do prom night?" Buck chuckles and asks while looking curiously from his husband's phone to his face. Eddie laughs, and as Buck stands up off of him, there is a loud shriek. They both turn to see two young women running toward them, dragging rolling suitcases behind them wildly.

The taller and older of the two, Adriana Diaz, has long curly dark hair flowing behind her as she runs. She has a pair of worn faded blue jeans and a red hoodie with an El Paso graphic. She lets go of her suitcase ten feet away from Eddie, runs full speed, and launches herself into his arms.

Eddie catches her and spins her around. Buck loves seeing the happy look on Eddie's face. He knows firsthand how complicated family relationships are and that upcoming conversations with Helena and Ramon will not be easy on Eddie, or any of the Diazs for that matter, Buck included.

But Buck is determined to have Eddie's back just as much as Eddie had his at the Thanksgiving dinner from hell and then again while Buck was in the Coma. Realistically, Eddie has had his back since they met. Buck is more than ready to be anything and everything that Eddie needs him to be.

But Buck is getting ahead of himself; Helena and Roman are coming to LA for the 4th of July Barbeque. They still have to get through June, which is already a jam-packed month between Memorial Day, Maddie and Chim's engagement party, the Pride Parade, the Pride party they are having, and whatever Maddie and Eddie have been cooking up for Buck's 30th Birthday. Well, no rest for the wicked, Buck smiles to himself.

Eddie releases Adriana and scoops Sophia, the smallest of the three, into his arms. Eddie puts her on the ground. She is by far the smallest of the three Diaz siblings—Eddie, six foot one; Adri, around five foot seven; and Sophia, around five foot three. Buck looks Sophia over; she's dressed in khaki-colored capris and a matching El Paso hoodie with her long dark hair braided, pink stripe entwined.

"Did you guys buy your wardrobe from the gift shop at the airport?" Buck teases.

"Hi to you too, asshole!" Sophia exclaims as Buck pulls her into a hug. Adriana starts poking him in the side, "It's cold on the plane." She mutters with each prod of her finger.

"Can you stop abusing my husband? I am the only Diaz allowed to bruise him, and that's not even the fun way to do it." Eddie teases as he pulls Buck away from his sisters.