Black And Blue-E.Buckley (9-1-1)

FortyTwo

I'm a lost cause

Baby, don't waste your time on me

**Two Weeks Later**

"Hey, do you wanna go out tonight? We're all getting together for Chim's birthday." Buck leaned against the counter opposite Eleanor.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

"I just know you haven't felt that great." 

"I'm okay, I'll be okay for the night." Eleanor moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. 

"Are you sure?" Eleanor nodded. 

"Should I change? Can you see the bump a lot?" Buck gave her a confused look. "I don't wanna tell anyone yet. I read it's bad luck to announce it before the second trimester." Buck smiled at her.

"You're gorgeous. And no, it's not super noticeable. You not drinking will be though." 

****

Eleanor was sitting at a tall table with Eddie watching Hen and Albert attempt to sing while they waited for Buck to come back over with drinks. He handed Eddie a beer and Eleanor a glass of water. Eddie noticed and looked between the two. "You're not drinking?"

"I haven't felt good, probably not a good idea to drink." Eddie just nodded. Buck threw an arm around Eleanor's shoulders, pulling her a little closer.

After Maddie and Chim finally arrived the group decided to move over to the pool table and play a little. Eleanor held Buck's beer while he took his turn. 

"I get it, you know? Sometimes you gotta put a little mileage between yourself and home so you can figure out what you want and who you are." Buck said as he hit the ball he was aiming for.

"If I hadn't enlisted I'd still be working with my pops." Eddie chimed in.

"Eddie, don't encourage him to go off to war." Maddie scoffed.

"What's wrong with fighting for something you love? They pretty much do it every day as firefighters." Eleanor snapped back. Buck turned to her slightly. The mood swings had started a few days ago. Maybe that's why Buck had asked if she was okay with coming out.

"There is as much virtue to the noble warrior as there is to the most enlightened of scholars." Albert spoke, breaking the slight tension.

"Listen, everyone has their own path. You just do you Albert." Hen spoke before taking her turn. Eleanor nodded her head in agreement at the wise words of Hen.

"I will. I will do me." Albert smiled.

"Yeah, might wanna watch how you phrase that one buddy."

"I just need a little of my brother's courage. You know, he did not let father dictate his life. He took a stand, got out. Came to America to follow his dreams." 

"There was no stand. I didn't get out. I was left behind." Apparently, Eleanor wasn't the only testy one tonight. "See, most of my life, all I wanted was for him to see me, to be proud of me, be proud to call me his son but no matter what I did, I was always invisible. Because you are the only son that he cares about. You have all his attention, all his love, and you just walked away from it all. Which I guess is easy for you because you've never had to work for it. No, everybody.. everybody loves Albert. This entire table is proof of that." Chim looked around at everyone.

"You do not know what my life was like at home." The whole group stopped what they were doing and watched the scene in front of them unfold. 

"I know you have always had a family and I have always been trying to piece one together. Well, these people are all that I have. You don't get to take them too." 

"I do not wish to take anything from you Howard. I'm your brother." 

"You are not my brother. I had a brother. His name was Kevin. And he died. Do you see Albert? You didn't come to me because you wanted to be my brother. You came to me because you needed something from me." Albert glared at Chim before walking away. Buck followed after him to make sure he was okay. "I know, I suck." Chim swung his arms and knocked over his beer.

Everyone else just looked around at each other before looking back at Chim. "I need another drink," Maddie sighed and got up. As she headed toward the bar Eleanor speed-walked to catch up with her.

"Hey, I just wanted you to know I didn't mean for that comment to sound so harsh earlier."

"I know, it's all good," Maddie ordered her drink then turned to Eleanor for her order. 

"Just a water please and a lemon slice." Maddie gave her the same confused look that Eddie did.

"We're at a bar and you're not drinking?" Eleanor just shrugged. "No way. Something's up. Plus Buck has been weird all night."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Oh my god.. You're, oh my god."

"Shh.." Eleanor tried to cover Maddie's mouth.

"You're pregnant," Maddie whispered.

Eleanor sighed. "Fine. But sh, we're not telling anyone yet."

"Oh my god, I'm gonna be an aunt. How long?"

"Twelve weeks." Maddie smiled brightly at Eleanor.

"I'm so happy for you guys."

****

Eleanor grabbed some blankets and carried them downstairs. She set them on the couch and then headed to the kitchen. "Okay, there is about four blankets on the couch. I don't know how many you need."

"You may need to put one down first for some padding," Buck laughed.

"Thank you again. For letting me stay."

"It's no problem. You are technically family and I'm sure Chim will come around eventually." Eleanor offered Albert a smile. "There's water, juice, and milk in the fridge. Snack cabinet is that one, help yourself."

"Do you need anything else?" Albert shook his head. "We'll just be upstairs if you do. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Albert waved as he got up and made his way to the living room.

"We need a bigger place," Eleanor said as she walked past Buck and up the stairs. Buck just smiled to himself. He had a few things up his sleeve.