Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 130

Scene: Buck’s Room

Maddie stood back for a moment, her eyes scanning over Buck with the kind of care only a big sister could give. She tilted her head slightly, her lips curling into a soft smile as she spotted a tiny wrinkle on his lapel. Without a word, she stepped forward, smoothing it out with quick, gentle hands. Then, as if catching something invisible to everyone else, she brushed away an imaginary speck of lint from his shoulder.

Maddie (teasing, but full of affection): “You look perfect, Buck. Absolutely perfect.”

Buck couldn’t help but chuckle, his nerves tingling beneath his skin. He stood tall, but there was a restlessness in the way he shifted on his feet, his hands twitching slightly as if they needed something to hold onto. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror one last time, taking in the sight of himself in his wedding suit—a sharp, charcoal-gray tuxedo that hugged his broad frame. But as much as he looked the part, his mind was racing. His thoughts weren’t on the suit, or even the day’s details; they were entirely on Eddie.

The idea of standing at the altar, of locking eyes with Eddie, made his pulse race. In that moment, he felt both weightless and grounded all at once. His grin widened as he thought about how Eddie would look in his suit, waiting for him at the end of the aisle.

Buck (grinning, taking a deep breath to steady himself): “Thanks, Maddie.”

Maddie caught his grin and smiled back, but there was something more in her eyes—something tender, something that spoke of how far they had come together. She wasn’t just proud; she was overwhelmed with emotion. Her little brother was about to marry the man he loved, and the gravity of that moment wasn’t lost on her.

Buck turned toward the door, feeling the weight of the day settle over him, but in the best way possible. His heart pounded in his chest, but it wasn’t out of fear. It was out of excitement, anticipation. This was the moment he’d been waiting for, the moment they both had been waiting for. He could almost feel the energy building in the room, buzzing in the air around him.

Maddie, sensing his thoughts, stepped forward and took his hand in hers, squeezing it gently. Buck glanced down at her hand, feeling the warmth of her support. He looked up, meeting her gaze, and saw that same warmth reflected in her eyes—along with something deeper, something that spoke to the bond they shared.

Maddie (softly, her voice filled with emotion): “You ready?”

Buck swallowed hard, nodding. But as he opened his mouth to answer, he realized words weren’t enough to capture the whirlwind of feelings inside him. He wasn’t just ready; he was more than ready. He had been ready for this moment for what felt like his entire life. All the waiting, all the wondering if he’d ever find this kind of love, this kind of happiness—it was all leading to today.

He squeezed Maddie’s hand back, his voice barely a whisper but filled with a quiet certainty.

Buck (his voice steady, filled with anticipation): “More than ready.”

Maddie’s eyes shimmered, and for a moment, Buck thought she might cry again. But instead, she smiled wider, giving him one last encouraging squeeze before letting go. She stepped back, taking a deep breath herself as if to steady her own emotions.

Maddie (with a soft laugh, wiping at the corner of her eye): “Alright, no more tears. We’re saving those for the ceremony.”

Buck laughed, the sound light but full of emotion. He felt the nerves bubbling up again, but this time they weren’t the kind that made him doubt or second-guess anything. They were the kind that made him feel alive. The kind that reminded him this was real—he was about to marry Eddie Diaz.

Buck turned back to the mirror for a brief second, running his hands through his hair, which Maddie had insisted on styling perfectly earlier. He chuckled softly to himself as he thought about how little the details mattered to him now. He’d been so caught up in trying to make sure everything was perfect for Eddie, but at the end of the day, it wasn’t about the suit or the ceremony. It was about the love they shared, the life they’d built together. That was the only thing that truly mattered.

Buck (talking more to himself now, but with a grin): “I just want to see him already.”

Maddie caught that and smiled knowingly. She stepped forward again, lightly brushing her hand over his back as if to give him that final push of reassurance.

Maddie (with a grin, her voice soft): “You will. Soon enough. And when you do, everything else will fade away.”

Buck turned toward her, his heart swelling with love for his sister. She had always known exactly what to say, how to calm him, how to remind him of what was important. He gave her a grateful nod, his emotions now firmly in check, the anticipation of seeing Eddie again rising within him like a tidal wave.

Buck (with a deep breath, his grin growing): “Yeah… yeah, you’re right.”

Maddie stepped back, her eyes lingering on her brother for a moment longer before nodding toward the door.

Maddie (softly): “Let’s go, Buck. It’s time.”

The two of them walked toward the door, the weight of the moment hanging in the air. Buck’s heart was racing, but it wasn’t out of anxiety or fear. It was pure, unfiltered joy. He was about to take the next step in his life with Eddie, and nothing in the world felt more right.

As they approached the door, Buck paused for a split second, his hand hovering over the doorknob. He turned to Maddie, his eyes filled with emotion.

Buck (quietly, his voice soft): “Thanks, Maddie. For being here. For everything.”

Maddie blinked, her eyes glistening again, but she smiled brightly, pushing back any more tears.

Maddie (smiling, with a soft laugh): “Anytime, little brother. Anytime.”

With that, Buck opened the door, stepping out into the hallway, his heart pounding with excitement. Every step brought him closer to Eddie, closer to the moment that would change everything. And as he walked, he couldn’t help but smile, knowing that in just a few short minutes, he would be standing at the altar, looking into Eddie’s eyes, ready to say the words that would bind them together forever.

Nothing else mattered. Not the nerves, not the details, not the butterflies in his stomach. All that mattered was Eddie. And he was ready—more than ready—to take that step forward into their future together.