Evan Buckley

Chapter 9: Recovery

Chapter 9

Buck has been sitting in the same chair for three days, his body growing stiff and weary from the hours of immobility. Bobby, understanding the toll the situation has taken on him, granted Buck some time off to be with Maddie. He's been shuttling between Maddie's room and Chimney's, trying to be present for both of them, but the constant up and down has left his head spinning.

The rest of the 118 returned to their shifts two days ago, which Buck had anticipated. Despite their busy schedules, they've made it a point to stop by the hospital after every shift, checking in and offering support. Their visits are a small comfort, but they also serve as a reminder of how life outside these hospital walls continues to move forward.

Buck found himself seeing the most of Eddie during his time at the hospital—not necessarily because Eddie visited more frequently than the others, but because he often chose to spend his time in Maddie's room. Eddie would pull up a chair beside Buck and fill him in on everything happening at the station, recounting the chaotic days he was missing. He shared stories of out-of-control patients, heart-pounding fires, and dramatic car accidents, bringing a sense of normalcy to Buck's otherwise turbulent days.

Today, Eddie had a particularly juicy tidbit to share. Apparently, there was a scandal brewing back at the station involving Marcus from B shift. Buck's eyebrows shot up in surprise as Eddie leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "You won't believe this, Buck," he began, his tone dripping with intrigue. "Marcus is cheating on his wife—and get this—it's with another guy from B shift."

Buck couldn't help but let out a low whistle, his curiosity piqued. Eddie continued, relishing the drama, explaining how the news had sent shockwaves through their tight-knit crew. Just then, Christopher, entered the room along with Carla, brightening the somber atmosphere. Buck welcomed the distraction, happy to see Eddie in dad mode.

"Superman!" Buck exclaimed, a broad smile spreading across his face as he swooped the boy into a warm hug. "What are you doing here?" It had been a while since he'd seen Christopher, and in the midst of all the chaos, Buck would be lying if he said he didn't miss the kid's infectious energy.

Eddie stood back, watching with a mix of admiration and pride. "He insisted that he wanted to come see you," he explained, chuckling softly. "I tried to tell him to wait until Maddie gets out, but he wouldn't hear of it. He said he had a way to cure her." Eddie raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Christopher's determination.

As Buck set Christopher down, they both turned their attention to the little boy, who was rummaging through his pocket with purpose. After a moment, he triumphantly pulled out a piece of candy—a colorful chocolate bar wrapped in shiny foil. "Reese's always makes me feel better," he said earnestly, placing the bar gently on the bedside table. "So I figured it'd help her too."

Buck felt a swell of warmth at the thoughtfulness behind Christopher's gesture. . He exchanged a glance with Eddie, who looked equally moved, and in that moment, the hospital room felt a little brighter. Buck ruffled Christopher's hair, grateful for the boy's unwavering spirit. "I think Maddie will love that," he said, his heart feeling a bit lighter.

As the evening deepened, the sun began to set, casting a warm glow through the hospital room. Buck noticed the soft hues of orange and pink filtering in, a stark contrast to the sterile white walls. Carla had left hours ago, taking Christopher to Eddie's Abuela.

Eddie and Buck were crammed into the small loveseat in the room, the sofa barely big enough for the two grown men. Despite the tight fit, there was a comforting camaraderie in their shared space. As the night wore on, their conversation gradually shifted from animated tales of the station to quieter reflections. Buck could sense the fatigue creeping into Eddie; he watched as Eddie's eyelids grew heavy, his head bobbing slightly as he fought to stay awake. Buck, on the other hand, felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He hadn't even attempted to catch up on sleep, knowing he'd barely gotten two hours in the last three days. Yet, there was something soothing about the sight of Eddie slowly dozing off beside him. The lines of stress on Eddie's face seemed to soften in slumber, and Buck couldn't help but smile at how peaceful he looked. As he settled into the moment, Buck felt his own eyes grow heavy. The rhythmic sound of Eddie's breathing and the gentle ambiance of the hospital room created a serene atmosphere that tugged at Buck's consciousness. He fought it for a moment, wanting to stay alert, but the comforting presence made it hard to resist. He leaned back against the cushion, letting the fatigue pull him into a light doze.
__
Buck blinked his eyes open, disoriented for a moment as he took in the dimly lit hospital room. He scanned the walls until he found a clock, its glowing numbers reading 2:07 AM. He fought against the pull of exhaustion. Glancing to his right, he saw Eddie still sleeping soundly, his leg draped over Buck's own. A warmth spread through Buck at the realization that Eddie found comfort in his presence, or at least he hoped that was the case.