Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 139

Scene: The Dance Floor 

Buck carried Christopher onto the dance floor, his steps light, as if he were floating. The room buzzed with energy, laughter and conversation filling the space, but as Buck reached the center, all eyes slowly turned toward him. The DJ, sensing something significant, gradually lowered the music until it faded into silence. 

Buck adjusted Christopher in his arms, holding him close, and grabbed the microphone from its stand. His heart pounded in his chest, but his smile was steady, his excitement impossible to contain. 

Buck (clearing his throat, his voice amplified): "Hey, everyone. Sorry to interrupt your dancing, but I have an announcement to make!"

The room stilled, the chatter stopping entirely as guests turned their attention to him. Faces lit up with curiosity and affection, their expressions ranging from amused to deeply interested. 

Maddie (from her table, already teary-eyed): "Oh, Buck."

Buck’s gaze swept over the crowd, finding Maddie, Bobby, Athena, Chimney, and the rest of the 118 and his friends. All of them were watching him with warmth and anticipation. 

Buck (beaming as he looked at Christopher, his voice strong but laced with emotion): "Today has already been the best day of my life. I married the love of my life, which is more than I ever dreamed of. But somehow, today just got even better. Because I’m officially going to be a dad!"

The announcement hung in the air for a moment before the room erupted into cheers and applause. Glasses clinked, chairs scraped as people stood to clap, and laughter bubbled up from all corners of the room. 

At their table, Maddie dabbed at her eyes, smiling through her tears as Chimney leaned over to whisper something that made her laugh. Bobby lifted his glass high in a silent toast, while Athena gave Buck a knowing nod. 

Chimney (shouting over the noise, his grin mischievous): "Wait, hold on. Eddie’s pregnant?!"

The crowd roared with laughter, a ripple of amusement passing through them. Buck rolled his eyes, laughing along as Christopher giggled into his shoulder. 

Buck (shaking his head, speaking into the microphone with a mock exasperated tone): "No, Chim. Eddie’s not pregnant."

Athena (calling out, smirking): "Well, that clears up a lot of questions!" 

Buck let the laughter settle, then turned his attention back to Christopher, his voice softening. 

Buck: "But I am officially gonna be the dad of the best kid in the world. (pauses, watches Christopher, his voice catching) This kid. And honestly, it feels like I’ve been his dad all along."

Christopher’s arms tightened around Buck’s neck, his face glowing with joy as he nestled into Buck’s shoulder. 

The room applauded again, but this time it was quieter, more emotional, the cheers underpinned by sniffles and murmured "awws" from guests moved by the moment. 

Eddie stepped onto the dance floor, his smile wide and his eyes misty as he joined them. He wrapped an arm around Buck’s waist, his other hand resting gently on Christopher’s back. Leaning into the microphone that Buck still held, Eddie added his voice to the moment. 

Eddie (his tone firm but full of warmth): "He’s right. Buck’s always been Christopher’s dad. With the adoption papers, we’re just making it official." 

The room erupted again, cheers and applause ringing out louder than before. People stood, clapping and whistling, their joy for the little family palpable.