Stronger Together

Part 6

The truck's engine hummed in the quiet of the night as Eddie drove down the empty streets, one hand gripping the wheel while the other kept sneaking glances toward Buck. Every few seconds, Buck let out a strained breath, eyes squeezed shut, knuckles white as he clutched the armrest, bracing himself for the next wave of pain. The quiet tension between them was palpable, the air thick with worry and the sheer force of what was happening.

“Eddie…” Buck’s voice cracked, raw and full of desperation, pulling Eddie’s focus fully back to him. “It hurts so bad.”

Eddie’s heart clenched. Buck’s voice was usually so steady, confident, but now it wavered, shaky from the strain of holding back his fear and pain. Eddie reached over, gently squeezing Buck’s thigh as he tried to offer comfort despite the fact that there was little he could do to ease Buck’s agony.

“I know, I know,” Eddie murmured, his voice steady even though his mind was racing. “I’m getting you to the hospital as fast as I can. You’re almost there, Buck. Just hang on.”

But Buck let out another low moan, his hand moving to grip his belly as if he could somehow hold the pain at bay with sheer willpower. His head fell back against the seat, and he gritted his teeth as another contraction tore through him, this one stronger than the last. His breath came in short, ragged gasps, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he fought to keep control.

“It’s getting worse,” Buck gasped, his voice barely a whisper as the contraction reached its peak. “They’re coming so fast now, Eddie… I don’t… I don’t know if I can do this.”

Eddie’s heart pounded in his chest, his pulse roaring in his ears as he pressed down harder on the gas pedal. The hospital was still a few miles away, but it felt like they were racing against time. He glanced over at Buck again, the pain etched deeply into his features. His usually bright eyes were clouded with discomfort, and Eddie felt that helplessness claw at him again, the one thing he hated more than anything—watching someone he loved in pain and not being able to stop it.

“You can do this, Buck,” Eddie said firmly, keeping his voice calm even though he felt anything but. “You’re the strongest person I know. We’re almost there.”

Another contraction hit, cutting off any response Buck might have had. His entire body tensed, his back arching slightly as he let out a long, guttural moan. He gripped the armrest so hard that his fingers turned white, his other hand clinging desperately to the seatbelt across his chest. The pain was unbearable, radiating through his abdomen, his back, and down his legs, leaving him breathless.

“Eddie…” Buck panted, tears forming at the corners of his eyes as the pain intensified. “I… I can’t… I can’t do this.”

Eddie's heart broke at the sight of Buck, tears glistening in his eyes as he fought to endure the unrelenting pain. He could see the fear creeping into Buck's expression, the realization that this was happening fast—too fast—and they might not make it to the hospital in time.

Eddie reached out again, this time gripping Buck’s hand tightly. “You can, Buck. You’ve got this. You’re not alone, okay? I’m right here with you.”

Buck nodded weakly, but he couldn’t speak. Another contraction tore through him, the pain crashing down on him like a tidal wave. His entire body shook, his breath coming in short, shallow bursts as he tried to ride it out. He moaned loudly, the sound raw and pained, his head falling forward as if the weight of it all was too much.

The truck was moving faster now, Eddie pushing the limits as he navigated the quiet streets, but even that felt too slow. The hospital wasn’t far, but every minute felt like an eternity with Buck in this much pain beside him. Eddie’s mind raced, calculating the distance, the time, and praying they’d make it before the baby decided to come.

Buck let out another cry, his hand flying to his belly as if to hold back the pain. “Eddie… they’re too close,” he gasped, his eyes wide with fear now. “I don’t… I don’t think I can wait.”

Eddie’s stomach twisted at Buck’s words. They weren’t even close to the hospital, and Buck was right. The contractions were coming fast, almost back-to-back now. He could see it in the way Buck’s body tensed, barely relaxing before the next wave hit. They had reached the point of no return.

“I know, Buck,” Eddie said softly, his voice filled with as much reassurance as he could muster. “But we’re almost there. Just focus on breathing, okay? We’ll get through this.”

Buck let out a choked sob, his breath hitching as another contraction rippled through him. He couldn’t even speak, couldn’t do anything but ride out the waves of pain that seemed to crash over him with brutal intensity. His whole body trembled, his hands gripping whatever they could find—Eddie’s hand, the seatbelt, the door handle—as he tried to hold on.

Eddie kept his focus on the road, but every now and then, he’d steal a glance at Buck, his heart pounding with worry. The hospital lights were in sight now, just down the street, but it still felt too far, too out of reach.

“We’re almost there,” Eddie repeated, his voice filled with determination as he pulled into the hospital parking lot. “I’m going to get you there, Buck. You’re almost safe.”

The contractions didn’t let up, though, and as Eddie parked the truck, Buck let out a sharp cry, his body doubling over as another contraction gripped him. “Eddie, I—” he gasped, his eyes wide with panic now. “I think the baby’s coming. Right now.”

Eddie froze for a second, fear and adrenaline spiking through him. They were so close, but the urgency in Buck’s voice made his stomach twist. Eddie wasted no time, scrambling out of the driver’s seat and rushing around to the passenger side. He threw open the door, and his heart sank at the sight of Buck, his face pale and drawn, his body trembling with the strain of the contractions.

“It’s okay, I’ve got you,” Eddie said quickly, his voice steady despite the panic he felt. He carefully helped Buck out of the truck, one arm wrapped around his waist as he supported him. “We’re getting you inside.”

Buck whimpered, his legs wobbling as he tried to take a step, but another contraction hit, and he collapsed against Eddie, moaning in pain. “Eddie, I can’t… I can’t do this anymore,” he gasped, tears streaming down his face.

Eddie tightened his grip on Buck, his heart aching as he saw how much Buck was struggling. But they were almost there. He could see the entrance to the ER just a few feet away.

“You’re almost there, Buck,” Eddie whispered, pressing a quick kiss to Buck’s temple. “We’re going to get you through this.”

Together, they made their way toward the hospital, each step feeling like an eternity, but with Eddie’s steady support and Buck’s determination, they would make it. The moment was fast approaching, but Eddie wasn’t about to let Buck go through it alone—not for a second.