Chosen Family (Buddie)

Chapter 4

Margaret Buckley gushes over her grandson while Buck sits on the floor and plays Patty Cake with Jee because the toddler was very excited to see her uncle Buck again.

The door opens, Phillip Buckley enters the house with Maddie, both holding bags of Panda Express.

"Oh, hello, Evan!" Phillip greets. "Maddie and I brought back Chinese food."

"And I brought your grandson," Buck says.

Phillip sees his wife holding a baby and he puts the bags down before walking over. Maddie smiles down at her daughter, who is laughing at the funny faces Buck's now making at her.

"Uncle Buck here, Mommy!" Jee-Yen cheers. She talks more and more every day.

"Yeah, I see that," Maddie replies. "You brought the baby?"

"I wanted Mom and Dad to meet him before I went to Eddie's," Buck replies. "Did you come up with a wedding date yet?"

"Four weeks," Maddie says. "I'm anxious, but I'm also excited. More excited to become Maddie Han." She hands Buck his official invite and another one. "That other one is for Eddie, and this one is Christopher's." She hands him a third invite. They are invited to the wedding."

"I'll get them the invites, Mads," Buck replies as Margaret and Phillip enter the room with Quinton.

"He looks like Daniel, just with Evan's birthmark and light colored hair," Phillip comments.

"Yeah, I thought so, too," Maddie replies. "Evan thought enough of your do-over to let you meet Quinton before you went back to Hershey."

"And I'm grateful," Margaret coos. "I meant what I said, Evan. I want to try."

"I'm willing to try if you guys are," Buck admits. He's reluctant about this because he's known nothing but disappointment when it comes to relying on his parents.

Margaret coos over her grandson some more before passing him over to Buck. "I want to try," she says.

"So do I, son," Phillip claims.

"I'll see you guys soon," Buck says.
******

Christopher is holding Quinton with Buck's while Eddie makes sure that the invites to the Han/Buckley wedding are put up and are safe.

"Buck?" Chris speaks up.

"What's up, Superman?" Buck asks as he smiles at Christopher gazing at the baby. He's already taken a bunch of pictures on his phone.

"Can Quinton be my brother?" Chris asks and Buck's heart warms up. "I always wanted to be a big brother."

"Then you are one," Buck insists, not noticing Eddie returning. "Quinton can be your baby brother if you want him to be."

Christopher grins. "Yay!"

"Well, isn't this a sight," Eddie muses as he walks over and makes his presence known.

"I'll send you pictures later," Buck promises.

"Isn't he cute, Dad?" Christopher asks excitedly.

"Absolutely." Eddie looks at Buck and back at the kids. "Adorable." He looks at Buck. "You know, this is a three bedroom. When he starts crawling, you two can - "

"Move in now!" Christopher exclaims, excited, cutting his father off. He gasps when Quinton's face screws up and he cries. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare him."

"It's okay, buddy."

Eddie takes the baby and Buck pulls Chris into a reassuring hug. Chris nuzzles into Buck's arms because he's missed him and he enjoys hugs from his Buck. Eddie grabs a bottle and goes to make it and feed Quinton while Christopher starts catching Buck up on his life and school while they cuddle on the couch.

Eddie misses cuddling  with Christopher. Chris always says he's getting too big for cuddles with him. But he likes how Christopher is willingly cuddling with Buck without feeling embarrassed. Eddie's made himself a promise to never go two weeks without Buck again. Their Buck, his and Christopher's.

"You want me to move in?" Buck murmurs to Christopher after about ten minutes of silence.

"I do," Chris says. "You and Quinton. I want you here forever."

Buck smirks. "You better go beg your dad."

"Dad! Dad!" Chris gets up and he goes to his dad's room.

"Shh, he's asleep," Eddie says.

Chris awes and walks over. "Can Buck move in? Please, please, please!!??"

Eddie smiles at him.