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

FortyThree

I'm so damaged beyond repair

Life has shattered my hopes and my dreams

"Oh, I know that smile." Buck put more chips in the pile and threw down his cards. "Pair of aces." 

Maddie dramatically set down her cards. "Flush." Buck booed and Maddie cheered.

"He falls for it every time." Chim shook his head.

"How does this keep on happening?" 

"Because you suck at poker. Spoken by someone who also sucks at poker. No judgment but maybe you should quit while you're behind." Josh laughed.

"Who needs more wine?" Maddie asked as she grabbed the bottle.

"I'm gonna need something stronger." 

"Thanks again for having me. This was fun," Josh smiled.

"For some of us," Buck sighed.

"Why don't you play?" Josh asked Eleanor.

"Because I know I suck and I don't like to embarrass myself," she laughed.

"She's a sore loser when she loses at trouble." Buck turned to Eleanor with a smile.

"He's not wrong," she shrugs. Maddie, Chim, and Josh all laugh as well.

"At least you can admit it," Chim chimed in.

****

Eleanor looked out the window as Buck drove, trying to figure out where they were going. "Why won't you tell me?" Eleanor whined.

"I told you it was a surprise," Buck smiled at the pouty face she made. "Don't worry, we'll be there soon."

He wasn't lying when he said that. Fifteen minutes later they pulled into a quiet neighborhood with about ten 'for sale' signs in the yards. Eleanor turned to Buck, her jaw on the ground, as he parked. "You're buying me a house?" Buck just smiled at her. 

Eleanor sat in shock for a moment as Buck came around to open the door for her. He grabbed her hand, holding it as he led her to the house. "What do you think so far?"

"I love the porch." The door was slightly ajar. Buck pushed it open, the realtor stood in the kitchen.

"Hi, you guys made it."

"Eleanor this is Grace, Grace this is my fiance Eleanor."

Grace stuck her hand out for Eleanor to shake. "It's so nice to meet you." Eleanor offered her a smile. "Evan here gave me a very detailed list of things you were looking for so hopefully I found something for you."

"A list? We haven't talked about houses yet," Eleanor looked at Buck with a confused expression.

"I listen when you talk," Buck smiled.

"We can start with this house and then there are a few others on this street so just let me know which ones you wanna look at. There are booklets on the counter for each of them. We can also look in other neighborhoods as well." Grace gave them a smile and let them look through the booklets. 

They flipped through each one, looking at the pictures, and reading the descriptions. Eleanor found four that she liked. They handed the booklets to Grace and fished the keys out of her purse for each one. They did a walk-through of the house they were already in before moving on to the next one. Three houses in and Eleanor was convinced she had found the perfect house. They looked at the rest of them and parted ways with Grace. 

"So.. what do you think?" Buck asked as they drove to a nearby restaurant.

"I think you are absolutely amazing. I swear you were sent straight from heaven." Buck's smile grew. "I really really liked that third one. The wrap-around porch, the stained glass windows, the kitchen. Did you see how big the kitchen was? There were two ovens."

"The kitchen really sold you, huh?"

"Definitely a strong point. I know it's kind of big, there are five bedrooms but I just loved everything else. And the yard.. we could get a pool."

"A pool would be nice. We could fit a nice grill on the deck too. There was a big deck. And the basement was already finished."

Eleanor smiled at him, "You just wanna use it for a weight room."

"Yes ma'am," Buck smiled. "I get a weight room and you get your kitchen. It's a win-win. I say we go for it. What do you think?"

"Let's do it," Eleanor smiled brightly at him.

****

Eleanor stared at Buck in awe as he moved around the kitchen. He had told her to sit, relax, and be pretty, he had everything else handled. She obeyed this time. As she sat and watched him she couldn't help but wonder how she got so lucky. This man was a godsend, someone every girl dreamed of. Of course, he had some flaws as does everyone but overall he was an amazing man. How had her life changed so much in this little time? 

Her life was completely different just a year ago. Living in constant fear, giving up hope, and going through severe depression on her own. Now she was experiencing those very things that she had given up on. And found someone who would drop everything for her, someone who cared so deeply for her. And on top of that, a family. She finally found someplace where she felt she belonged.

"What're you thinking about?" Buck asked as he leaned against the counter.

"Just how happy I am." 

"I'm glad to hear that." Buck walked over to her. He bent slightly and leaned in to kiss her. Eleanor turned her face and a look of hurt flashed over Buck's face. When Eleanor turned back toward him she had her nose plugged.

"I am so sorry," she spoke in a weird tone since she was pinching her nose closed. "Did you have a beer?" Buck nodded. Eleanor gave him an apologetic look.

"Ah, sensitivity to smell. Sorry, I wasn't even thinking about it. It's okay," Buck smiled.

"I really do wanna kiss you, I swear." She was still pinching her nose. Buck angled his face so that he could kiss her with her nose still plugged. He pulled away and the pair shared a laugh. "I guess that's one way to do it."

"I'll buy you some nose plugs tomorrow."

"Oh my god. I'd look so silly if I walked around with nose plugs. I'm sure it'll pass soon, hopefully."

"I'll love you either way. Even if you have to plug your nose to kiss me. That little nose scrunch you do is kind of cute anyway."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better."

"Not at all. If you want, if it makes you feel better, I can plug my nose too." Eleanor playfully hit his arm and the pair shared another laugh.