after season seven

Chapter 12: Buck

Fuck. I think as I wake up the next morning on Eddie's couch. What the fuck was I thinking coming over here when he was at work!

I hear noises coming from the kitchen so I get up and slowly walk over to see what Eddie is doing.

"You're up!" He yells.

I rub my eyes and take in the arrays of food that has been placed on the dining room table. "What's all this?" I chuckle.

"I just wanted to make you a nice breakfast this morning. I know the past few days have been tough for you."

"You cooked this?" I ask suspiciously while pointing at the food.

"Oh, stop it." He playfully hits my shoulder with a dish towel before pulling out a chair for me and sitting down across from it. "Sit."

I'm sat without any argument and we both dig into the food in front of us. "This is actually pretty good." I comment.

Eddie laughs to himself. "Probably because I just ordered from a restaurant and put the food onto my own dishes."

"Ah, there's the Eddie I know and love."

Eddie glances up at me after I make that comment but quickly returns to eating when he sees me staring back at him. I wonder what that was all about.

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Eddie and I decided to hit the gym after the big breakfast we had so we don't have any trouble going back to work tomorrow.

He brings me to the new gym that he signed up for a few days ago and convinces me to sign up as well so we can start going together regularly.

Eddie is spotting me on the bench press when I notice him looking down at me more intensely than usual. After my reps I sit up on the bench and turn towards him. "Just ask."

"Ask what?"

"Whatever it is that's on your mind. I know you want answers from me so ask away."

Eddie looks lost in thought for a moment before he sits down beside me. "I was just curious about how things went when you ended things with Tommy but I didn't want to invade your privacy."

"I don't mind talking about it with you. You know there's no secrets between us. Anyway, it didn't go so well. Nothing bad happened or anything but he didn't take the news well and he was really pissed off."

Eddie glances at me with a worried gaze. "Did he do anything to hurt you? Because if he did-"

"No. I'm fine, man. Really."

"Alright, I'm trusting you.

I shake my head at him and I get up so I can spot Eddie for his reps.

"So do you want to go get lunch?" Eddie asks after a few hours at the gym.

"I'll have to pass today. I promised Maddie I would go get lunch with her the next time we both have a day off."

"Got it. I'll just take you back to my place so you can get your car then."

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Half an hour later, I enter the small deli and find Maddie sitting at a table near the window with my niece Jee-Yun.

"Jee!" I say excitedly as I go up to the table to greet her.

"Someone's excited to see Uncle Buck." Maddie says as I sit down at the table across from them.

I smile knowing that this peace will only last for a few seconds before Maddie starts interrogating me.

"So, Buck." She clasps her hands together with her elbows on the table. "Anything you'd like to tell me?"

"I'm sure you know by now that I broke up with Tommy."

"Yes..?"

"Well, what more is there to say?"

"What more is there to say? How about you explain why the sudden change of heart?"

"He's just not the right person for me."

"You sure that's it? You mean to tell me that there isn't anyone else that you're interested in?"

"What? That's crazy? Who else would I be interested in right now?"

Maddie shakes her head and looks over to Jee. "Can you believe your uncle is this dense, baby?"

"Dense? How am I dense?"

"Oh, don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll figure it out in time."

"O-K. Tell me what's going on with you then."

"Did Howie tell you?"

"Tell me what? I was just asking if there's anything new in your life."

"Well... there actually is something. I was planning on telling you in a more elaborate way but here goes. I'm pregnant!"

"Oh my god! Maddie!" I get out from my seat at the table and walk around to hug her and Jee. "I'm so happy for you guys! You're gonna be a big sister Jee! How long have you known?"

"I found out about 2 weeks ago but I only told Chim a few days ago because I wanted to be sure before he got too excited."

"When are you going to tell everyone else?"

"I'm not sure but I know Chim is losing his mind not telling Hen, so probably soon."