Chosen Family (Buddie)

Chapter 6

Buck is going to be sharing a bed with Eddie since Eddie said they could make the spare bedroom a nursery for Quinton.

"That's fine, Eddie, but I do tend to cuddle with the closest thing to me when I sleep," Buck says. "Ask Maddie. She slept in my bed with me for two weeks after the lightning strike."

"I don't mind," Eddie replies. "I get cold easily at night, no matter the temperature inside or out."

"Good thing you're putting me beside you then," Buck muses.
*****

"Hen, my dad and Buck are going to share a bed," Chris says. He's having a sleepover with Denny and Harry at Hen and Karen's house and Maddie has Quinton while Eddie and Buck  get the mover settled.

"Really?" Hen asks in amusement. "You want them together, don't you?"

"My dad is taking me to my mom's grave soon," Christopher says. "I'm going to tell him I want him with my Buck then."

"Your Buck?" Karen Wilson smiles. Karen is Hen's wife.

"My Buck!" Christopher confirms. "Aunt Maddie said she wants them to kiss at her and Chimney's wedding."

"Ooh, that'd be so sweet!" Hen gushes. "Now I'm gonna call Chim." She stands up and walks away, making Christopher laugh excitedly.
*****

Bobby and Athena are over at Maddie's because she called to say that she has Quinton and Buck gave the okay for them to meet him. Bobby easily ignores Margaret and Phillip because he knows about how they've treated Buck.

"He does have the birthmark, doesn't he?" Athena asks. "Eddie mentioned it to us."

"Same exact spot," Maddie replies as Bobby holds Quinton. "Buck's getting settled at Eddie's, so I have Quinton while Christopher is with Hen and Karen."

Bobby doesn't miss the grimace on Margaret and Phillip's faces when Maddie says 'Buck' instead of 'Evan'.

"Hey, Maddie!" Chimney comes hurrying inside. "Are we still releasing the butterflies at the wedding?"

"Yes, why?" Maddie replies.

"For Buck and Eddie," Chim replies. "

"That'd be beautiful," Margaret says genuinely. "Eddie... he's the best friend with the son, right?"

"Yeah," Athena replies. "He's your son's partner at work."

"He's had his back since the beginning," Bobby adds. "Their bond was so strong, so fast... I just knew it wasn't just friends."

"Buck didn't realize it until after the wildfires in Texas," Chim admits. "They had a cookout down there and one of his friends helped him realize his feelings."

"He's always been insecure," Maddie says softly. "For good reason." She glances at her parents and away. "Eddie helps him through that."

"You missing May at the Dispatch Center?" Athena asks.

"I do," Maddie replies. "She was a natural with keeping people calm."

"My girl, May, worked at the Metro Dispatch Center for a year during a break before she started college," Athena informs the Buckley parents. "She's in college now, though. She wants to go into the world of crime. She's still deciding between becoming a defense attorney and a lawyer."

"Ambitious," Phillip says. "I wish her luck. Those are both hard."

"Yeah, they are," Athena agrees. "Our Buckaroo made a beautiful baby."

"He certainly did," Margaret agrees. She fishes through her bag. W8th sad eyes, she shows Athena a picture. "This is our Daniel when he was that small. He has Evan's birthmark and his blonde hair, but everything else is Daniel."

"Oh, I definitely see it," Athena agrees genuinely. "I am sorry about your Daniel. I can't even imagine. I have my two babies... I almost lost May when she was fourteen. I got lucky I found her when I did."

"Losing a child..."

"It's the worst feeling," Bobby whispers as Chim takes Quinton and walks away. "I lost two. Bobby Jr. and Brooke Nash. Our apartment building caught on fire. Lost my first wife and my kids. Bobby was twelve, Brooke was about eleven."

"Yeah," Margaret murmurs. "I regret doing Evan the way I did after losing Daniel. I was just... I just lost myself."

Bobby remembers his alcoholism before he got sober. "Yeah," he replies. "I get that. I was lost after Marcy, Bobby Jr., and Brooke. But I turned to alcohol. I'm sober now."

"That's good," Phillip says. "Evan talks about you. A lot. I know I'll never be that father to him, not like I wish I was,  he that's my fault. I'm glad he has you, and I'm just glad he's willing to try."

"I am, too," Bobby says. "He's admittedly scared to try, but he wants to."

Margaret smiles and she hears Quinton crying.

"Maddie!" Chim whines. "He stinks! Oh, God..."

Everyone laughs as Athena picks up the diaper bag and she goes to find him.

"I have news I want to add into my vows," Maddie says, "but... I don't know how to add it."

"What is it?" Phillip asks.

"I'm pregnant again," Maddie says.

"I'll help you," Margaret says and they all lounge around.
*******

Eddie wakes up in the middle of the night, feeling warm for the first time since Shannon. Marisol wasn't into cuddling, neither was Ana. He slept on an air mattress beside Buck's bed during quarantine at Buck's old loft when Covid-19 first made its debut.

He turns his head and sees Buck's face right there, their legs tangled together, Buck's arm over Eddie's torso. Eddie watches him for a moment, listening to him snore a bit. Eddie's eyes droop closed and he falls back to sleep in Buck's arms, feeling at home.