The Family We Choose

Chapter 62

Buck has already put on a pot of tea when he leaves Emelia to take a shower and wind down in the living room. Giving her his fluffiest towels and his most comfy sweater for when she was out. Her favourite blanket is sitting ready for her in the living room.

He waits to hear the water turn on before he picks up the phone to call Eddie.

"Is she okay?" Eddie asks as soon as he answers. Buck can hear the rushed tone in his voice and doesn't waste much time in a response.

"Yeah, I got her." He says, resisting the urge to remind him to take a breath. "She wants to stay the night, that okay?"

Buck doesn't have to wait long for an answer.

"Yeah, just. Keep an eye on her? I missed the signs last time and I..." Eddie trails off and Buck can practically hear Eddie thinking through the phone. The fear clearly seeping through where he is trying to hide it. Terrible, horrible, bone crushing fear. It wasn't that Emelia was a flight risk, she just had a lot of trauma that Eddie, no matter how hard he tried, couldn't forget about. Even with Buck, the person he trusts most with his kids, watching over her. There was still something there, poking at his anxiety.

And Buck would be lying if he said he thought differently after seeing the fight she got into with her car.

"I got her Eds. Promise." He says without hesitation. Looking over his shoulder to hear the water shutting off, Eddie doesn't have to but he thanks Buck before hanging up.

Emelia emerges a minute later, her damp hair in twists. The pigtail look gave her a childlike look that made Buck want to wrap her in a blanket and never let anything hurt her ever again. She wears the PJ pants she keeps "forgetting" to take home but it's Bucks sweater swallowing her whole that makes his heart melt.

"Thanks Buck." She says, meeting him in the kitchen to grab her tea. He nods towards the couch where he has her bed set up for the night. He catches the small smile on her lips as she takes the cup from him.

Following her to the living room, Buck can't help but smile when she lets him get her settled. Despite her age, Emelie lets Buck bring the covers over her legs while she finishes her tea. He takes the cup from her when she is finished and tucks her in the rest of the way.

"Hey Buck, do you think I'm a good person?" She asks, just as he's about to leave her. He immediately takes a seat on the couch and places a hand on her knee in comfort.

"Of course I do." Buck can see right through her question. 'Am I the worst daughter ever for lashing out at my dad's girlfriend?' Is what he knows she is thinking. "Emelia Diaz, you are the most kind and considerate person I have ever met. You put every single person you care about above your every need and want. Just because you lashed out at Ana doesn't erase all the amazing things about you."

Emelia shakes her head and wipes the few tears that managed to slip past her defense's. "I'm sorry, I don't know what's gotten into me today."

"Nothing is wrong with you." Buck says, wrapping her up in a tight hug until she is ready to let go. "How about you get some sleep and we can talk more in the morning?"

She nods her head, letting Buck lay her back down and tucking the hair from her face behind her ear. Taking the biggest chance ever, she blinks up at him with a smile.

"You are a great parent, Buck." She can see the words getting caught in this throat.

"I-" he has no clue what to say, simply staring at the girl who has put her whole life into his hands and is trusting him with every piece. "I love you Buck."

She says for him when the words stay stuck in his throat.

"I love you too kid." he manages when she closes her eyes.