Chapter 90

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Scene: Buck and Eddie’s House

Back at the apartment, the warm afternoon light filtered through the curtains, casting a cozy glow around the living room as the three of them settled in. The earlier excitement of the park had worn them all out just a little, but Christopher seemed to have caught a second wind. After lunch, they decided to spend the rest of the day together—just the three of them, doing nothing particularly special, but everything that mattered.

After dinner, Buck and Eddie sprawled out on the couch, while Christopher sat on the floor, cross-legged, sorting through his collection of board games and movies.

Christopher (bright-eyed): "Can we watch a movie?"

Buck and Eddie exchanged a look, grinning at each other over Christopher’s head.

Buck: "Of course we can, buddy. What do you wanna watch?"

Christopher paused for a moment, then looked up with excitement twinkling in his eyes.

Christopher: "Cars! I wanna watch 'Cars'! It’s my favorite!"

Eddie chuckled softly as he stood up, stretching a little.

Eddie (teasing): "Cars again? We’ve watched it so many times, I think I could recite the whole movie by heart."

Christopher gave a sheepish grin, his small voice pleading.

Christopher: "Please, Dad? I love that movie. It’s the best!"

Buck, who had already started searching through the stack of DVDs, smiled fondly as he found the case for 'Cars' and held it up like a prize.

Buck (playfully): "Well, if 'Cars' is what the man wants, then 'Cars' it is."

Christopher beamed, his whole face lighting up as Buck popped the disc into the player and settled back down on the couch next to Eddie. The little boy scrambled up onto the couch between them, squeezing himself into the small space, his excitement contagious.

As the familiar opening scenes of 'Cars' began to play, Christopher leaned into Eddie’s side, his eyes glued to the screen. Lightning McQueen’s red race car zoomed across the desert landscape, and Christopher couldn’t help but narrate some of his favorite lines, his small voice bubbling with enthusiasm like : "Focus. Speed. I am speed" or the famous "Ka-chow".

Christopher (excitedly): "Look, Dad! This is the part where Lightning meets Mater! I love Mater, he’s so funny!"

Eddie smiled softly, placing an arm around Christopher’s shoulders, pulling him close.

Eddie (teasing): "Yeah? Mater’s your favorite, huh?"

Christopher (nodding): "Yep! He’s the funniest! And Lightning McQueen is the coolest racer ever!"

Buck glanced over at the two of them, his heart swelling at the sight of Christopher curled up against Eddie, his face alight with joy as he lost himself in the animated world on the screen. There was something incredibly special about these small, quiet moments—the kind that didn’t involve grand gestures or big plans. It was just... this. Family.

As the movie played on, the excitement in Christopher’s voice gradually faded, his energy beginning to wane as the day caught up with him. His narration became softer, his eyes blinking more frequently as he fought to keep them open. By the time Lightning McQueen was speeding toward the final race, Christopher’s head was resting against Eddie’s chest, his breathing slowing down, his eyelids growing heavier.

Buck noticed the way Christopher’s body relaxed against Eddie, and he glanced over with a soft smile.

Buck (quietly, nudging Eddie): "Looks like he’s not gonna make it to the end this time."

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