Sideways

Chapter 36 Lines In The Sand

                                                                              TRIGGER WARNING...

I know this is in the tags, but calling it out here. This chapter, in particular, will discuss anxiety attacks, child abuse, physical and emotional neglect, and other themes. There is no sexual abuse or anything like that.

Monday, July 3rd

It's just after 3 pm when Cole's Hummer pulls up outside of the 118's firehouse, and Buck, Eddie and Chimney get out. They all grab their duffels from the back, and Chim jumps up to grab and close the door. Buck walks around to the driver's side, leaning in against the open window while Eddie and Chim head inside.

"You guys are off at 4 am, right?" Cole asks, and Buck nods in confirmation. "Ok, either Wes or I will be out here to pick you three up. Wes has Chris, Maddie and Jee covered, and Albert has the rest of the Diaz family. We are all good until you guys are off the clock."

"The food." Buck starts to ask. "Isabel, Athena and Wes have it covered. Go, save lives, Buck." Cole says, waving Buck off.

"It's just..."

"Buck, I get it. Our family situations are all fucked up. But trust me, if I can live through not killing Wes' dad, you can survive a BBQ with all of us and Eddie's asshole parents. Wes and I have yours and Eddie's backs, and so does your found family. Athena...like that doesn't even need to be vocalized."

"Didn't you break Wes' dad's jaw?" Buck asks, head tilting.

"Twice and his nose once. But on two different occasions." Cole chuckles before pulling away, leaving Buck smirking.

Buck walks into the firehouse and waves at Knox, Bosko and Ravi, who are all up on the loft looking down at the central bay. Buck heads over to the locker room, where Chim, Hen and Eddie are already in the middle of getting changed into their uniforms. Buck looks around again, and the only one missing is Bobby. He needs to talk to Bobby. He needs him to help settle his nerves.

"Karen and I will be at your house promptly at 10 am." Hen says, pulling Buck out of his surveillance.

"Hen, you don't have to..." Eddie starts and is cut off, "Eddie, stop that right now. We are going to be there to support you, the both of you. You guys are planning on having breakfast at 10:30, right?" she asks, and Eddie nods. "Then Karen and I will be there beforehand."

"Wes and Cole bought us a flat-top griddle for the backyard. Bobby and I are going to make breakfast on it. We are trying to keep his parents out of the house so we can tell them. The second they walk inside; they are going to know it's Eddie's house." Buck says.

"Our house," Eddie corrects, and Buck rolls his eyes. "Pepa is picking them up and bringing them. It's going to be awkward as fuck as soon as they get there."

"You are going just to sit them down and talk to them?" Chim asks.

"That's the plan. Try to sit, have a nice and civil breakfast and talk." Eddie says.

"Right now, it's just the core 118, our immediate families, and Cole and Wes. Everyone else is not coming until later in the day." Buck says.

"Still, that is a large group. After the going to feel set up?" Hen asks.

"I don't care. I am not hiding anything about my life anymore. Not Buck, not this family we chose and not this." Eddie says, holding his left hand up and tapping his wedding band. Buck smiles at him, but the smile doesn't reach his eyes. Eddie knows Buck is taking his lead from Eddie, and while he is confident in them and their relationship, Eddie is a mess of emotions right now. But none of that anxiety is based on what they are to each other. They know each other so well that Eddie easily picks up on what Buck needs right now.