Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 143

Scene: Buck and Eddie’s Bedroom – Late Morning 

The soft golden light streaming through the curtains bathed the room in warmth, signaling the late hour. It was nearly 11 a.m., but Buck and Eddie, still exhausted from the night before, remained comfortably tangled in bed. The remnants of laughter, dancing, and love from their wedding lingered in the air, wrapping them in a serene cocoon of happiness. 

The quiet was broken by the sound of their bedroom door creaking open. 

Christopher (whispering excitedly): 
"Dads? Are you awake?"

Buck stirred first, his eyes fluttering open at the sound of Christopher’s voice. He felt the warmth of Eddie’s arm draped over his waist and shifted slightly, trying not to disturb him. But Eddie groaned anyway, burying his face into Buck’s shoulder as Christopher padded into the room, the familiar envelope clutched tightly in his hands. 

Buck (groggy, his voice muffled by the pillow): "Hey, Chris. What’s up, buddy? What time is it?"

Christopher (grinning, climbing up onto the bed): "Late! Almost lunchtime. But there’s something you have to do first!"

Buck blinked and slowly sat up, his hair a mess of blond curls. Eddie groaned dramatically and shifted, one eye barely opening as he glared playfully at their son. 

Eddie (teasing, his voice hoarse from sleep): "Something more important than your dads catching up on sleep?" 

Christopher (giggling, holding up the envelope like a trophy): "Way more important! Buck has to sign the papers now! I want it to be official. Please?"

Buck’s heart swelled as he took in the sight of Christopher’s hopeful face. He exchanged a sleepy but soft smile with Eddie, who reached out to tousle Christopher’s hair. 

Buck (pretending to think, tilting his head dramatically): "Hmm… I don’t know. Should I sign them, Eddie? What do you think?"

Eddie (chuckling, giving Buck a nudge): "I think if you don’t, Christopher might never let us sleep again."

Christopher (bouncing on the bed): "Exactly! So come on, Buck. Pleeeease?"

Buck laughed, leaning forward to pull Christopher into his arms. He kissed his forehead before lying back down and pulling the blankets around all three of them. 

Buck: "Alright, alright. But first, I think we need some morning cuddles. Official or not, I’ve been your dad for a while now, haven’t I?"

Christopher’s face lit up with a big grin as he nodded enthusiastically. 

Christopher: "Yeah, but now it’ll be really real!" 

Eddie shifted closer, wrapping an arm around both of them. 

Eddie (kissing Christopher’s head): "It’s always been real, Chris. Buck’s been your dad from the start."

Christopher snuggled deeper into Buck’s chest, letting out a contented sigh. 

Christopher (quietly): "I knew you were my dad the first time Dad brought you home after one of your shifts, before you even became a couple."

Buck’s throat tightened as he looked down at Christopher, his heart so full it ached. He glanced at Eddie, who was watching them both with the kind of love in his eyes that made Buck feel invincible. 

Buck (softly, his voice thick with emotion): "You knew, huh? Well, I guess I always knew you were my kid, too. It just felt… right."

Eddie (with a tender smile): "That’s because you are his dad, Buck. The paperwork is just catching up to what we’ve always known."