Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 100

Scene: In the Kitchen

Christopher (excitedly): “You guys are going to work today, right?”

His wide eyes sparkled with excitement as he bounced on the balls of his feet, barely able to contain his enthusiasm. There was something almost infectious about the way he lit up at the mere mention of it. To Christopher, the idea of his dads going back to Station 118 wasn’t just about them returning to their jobs—it was about heroes going off to save the day, and he couldn’t have been prouder.

Buck grinned down at him, the sight of his son’s bright smile easing some of the tension that had been building in his chest all morning. He reached out, gently ruffling Christopher’s already tousled hair, his fingers lingering as if to ground himself in this moment, where things were still calm and safe.

Buck: “Yep, today’s the day.”

The words came out in a soft, almost playful tone, but there was something heavier behind them, a quiet acknowledgment of everything that had led them to this point. Still, Buck kept his focus on Christopher, whose joy seemed to fill the room, brightening the early morning atmosphere in a way that only a child’s innocence could.

Christopher’s grin widened, his eyes darting between Buck and Eddie like he couldn’t decide which of his dads to focus on. He was practically vibrating with excitement, his small body unable to stay still as he bounced around the kitchen, eager to help in any way he could. To him, this was an important day, and he wanted to be a part of it.

With an eager expression, Christopher reached for the lunchbox sitting on the counter, dragging it toward him with all the seriousness of a much older kid. He stood on his tiptoes, stretching to help Buck and Eddie pack his lunch, carefully picking out the pieces of fruit and snacks that Eddie had laid out.

Christopher (proudly): “I’m gonna help you pack today!”

Eddie, who had been quietly watching the scene unfold with a soft smile, stepped forward to guide Christopher, his larger hands gently steering the little boy’s as they packed each item into the lunchbox. There was something tender about the way Eddie interacted with his son, a softness that Buck never grew tired of seeing. Eddie’s love for Christopher was like a quiet, steady force—always there, always strong.

As they worked together, Christopher’s pride became more and more evident. Every time he placed a snack into the lunchbox, his little face lit up, like he was contributing to something big, something important. In his mind, he wasn’t just getting ready for school—he was helping his dads get ready for their big day, too.

Christopher (beaming): “I’m gonna tell everyone at school that my dads are firefighters again!”

Buck’s heart swelled at the words, a mix of pride and affection coursing through him. He shared a quick glance with Eddie, their eyes meeting in a brief but meaningful moment of connection. They didn’t need words to understand the significance of what Christopher had just said. This was more than just a return to work for them—it was about showing their son what it meant to be brave, to come back stronger after facing something hard.

And in that moment, standing in their kitchen with Christopher happily packing his lunch between them, everything felt right.

Scene: In the Car

After a quick breakfast, they all piled into the car, the gentle hum of the engine blending with the early morning sounds of the neighborhood. The streets were quiet, still waking up to the day, but inside the car, it was anything but. Christopher sat in the backseat, bubbling with energy, his excitement filling the space as he swung his legs back and forth, his small hands gripping the straps of his backpack.

Christopher (curiously): “Do you think you’ll have a big fire today? Or maybe you’ll save a cat? Or someone stuck in an elevator!”

He fired off questions one after the other, barely taking a breath between them. His wide eyes sparkled as he imagined all the heroic scenarios his dads might face. Buck, sitting in the passenger seat, turned slightly to look at him, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

Buck: “It’s hard to say, buddy. We never know what kind of calls we’ll get, but we’ll be ready for anything.”

Christopher nodded eagerly, as if the unpredictability of their day made it even more exciting.

Christopher (grinning): “I bet you’ll save a hundred people today!”

Eddie, driving with one hand casually on the wheel, chuckled softly, glancing in the rearview mirror at his son.

Eddie: “Let’s hope we don’t need to save that many, but we’ll do our best.”

The car ride continued, filled with Christopher’s endless stream of questions about the firehouse, the engines, and the “cool” equipment Buck and Eddie got to use. Every time he asked something new, both Buck and Eddie exchanged glances, their faces softening as they tried to keep up with his enthusiasm. His curiosity was boundless, and it was a small reminder of why they did what they did—to make the world a safer place for him and others like him.

Soon, the familiar sight of Christopher’s school appeared around the corner. As they pulled up to the entrance, Christopher bounced in his seat, excitement building as he prepared to see his friends. Eddie parked the car, and before they could even fully stop, Christopher was already reaching for the door, his small hand pushing it open with more force than his size would suggest.

Christopher (enthusiastically): “I’m gonna tell everyone that you’re going back to work! They’re gonna think it’s so cool!”

Buck and Eddie smiled at his excitement, watching as he scrambled out of the car with his backpack slung over one shoulder. Standing outside, he turned to wave, his little face beaming with pride.

Christopher (shouting): "Be safe, okay? Love you, Dad! Love you, Buck!”

His voice echoed across the parking lot as he took a few quick steps toward the school building, his backpack bouncing behind him. Buck and Eddie, still seated in the car, exchanged a glance, their hearts swelling with warmth.

Buck and Eddie (in unison, calling back): “Love you too, buddy!”

Christopher lingered for a moment, grinning from ear to ear, before dashing off toward the entrance where his friends were already gathered. They watched him go, standing a little taller, his pride in them radiating in every step.

As they drove away, the car fell into a comfortable silence. The excitement of the morning seemed to quiet now, and with Christopher safely at school, Buck and Eddie were left alone with their thoughts. The hum of the engine was the only sound as they made their way toward Station 118, the firehouse that had been both a second home and a place of immense challenges.

Buck’s eyes wandered out the window, the familiar streets rolling by, but his mind was already elsewhere. His thoughts drifted back to the accident, the fire that had almost taken everything from him. His heart tightened in his chest for a moment, but before the panic could take hold, he glanced at Eddie, who was focused on the road. Eddie’s presence, steady and unwavering, had always been his anchor.

Eddie must have sensed the shift in the air because he glanced over at Buck, offering a quiet nod of reassurance. No words were needed. They had been through so much together, and today was another step forward—a reminder that no matter what, they faced everything as a team.

When they finally pulled into the parking lot of Station 118, the sight of the red brick walls and towering bay doors greeted them like an old friend. Buck took a deep breath, the nostalgia washing over him. Memories rushed back—some good, filled with laughter and camaraderie, and others painful, shadowed by moments of fear and loss.

As they sat there for a beat longer, taking in the familiar scene, Buck felt Eddie’s hand briefly squeeze his shoulder, a quiet gesture of support. With that, they both stepped out of the car, ready to face the day ahead.

Together.