FIRE & BLOOD • EVAN 'BUCK' BUCKLEY / 9-1-1

65.

Gigi

Stella, Evan, and I had stayed in the living room for hours after the detectives left. We all agreed that we will constantly check on each other, including the girls. Evan wants Stella to move into his loft with him while this case gets solved but Stella being Stella refused. Said she wasn't going to be driven out of her home. Instead, Evan will be staying with Stella. I was barely present in any of the conversations due to the fact of learning I have a twin sister I have never met until today. Which means I have been lied to my entire life. I plan to call my parents tomorrow because I needed the rest of the day to regroup with my own self but first, there was one phone I did need to make before getting home. I sat in my car outside of Stella's house for a few moments as I pulled out the card the detective that Jay Halstead had left on the kitchen counter and dialed the number. It rang twice before the line was answered.

"Detective Halstead"

"Detective, Hi. This is Gigi calling, Stella's friend..."

"Oh, hey Gigi. Everything okay?"

I looked towards Stella's living room window. The curtains were drawn but I could see shadows moving about. Something told me that Stella wasn't being completely truthful when she promised Evan she wasn't going to do anything. I love my best friend but I know her, better than she probably believes I do. I knew she felt that everything is her fault. She is putting the blame all on herself for every event that has occured over the months. When I saw the look in her eyes as she laid her head on Evan's chest, I just knew she was scheming in that little head of hers.

"Yeah, everything is fine. Listen, I have a favor to ask."

"Okay?"

"I know Stella very well. She has this tendency to say one thing and do another. I have a bad feeling that she will try and do something to handle this on her own, especially if it is her ex boyfriend who is stalking her...I don't know I just don't have a good feeling and I'm worried."

"No, of course. You have every right to be worried. Are you still at her house?"

"I'm sitting outside of her house in my car."

"Alright. Look, me and Ayla will take care of it. Make sure you watch your surroundings everywhere you go. I will be having some men posted outside of everyone's house, okay? Just to be safe."

I stuck my key into the ignition and turned it over. "Okay, thank you."

"No problem. Call if you need anything."

"Will do. Have a good night, detective."

"You too, Gigi." The line went dead. I glanced towards the window one last time before driving off to Eddie's. This whole thing with us was still new and fresh and I wanted to keep it private for a little while longer to see where things go between us before we announce it to our friends. We immediately clicked on Halloween night and Eddie planned a date for us the following weekend and we have been pretty inseparable since then. Only a month has passed since then but it feels like I have known Eddie longer. It is the first time in a very long time that I have felt this happy and at peace. This new thing has been so refreshing and exciting, thrilling and adventerous. And I desperately needed to talk about this whole twin thing with him. I just needed him right now. I made sure to check that no one was following me as I made my way to my two new joys of my life. I smile to myself as I thought about what movie Christopher was going to make me and his father watch tonight.

Stella

The hot shower that I just took was desperately needed. Evan placed a few kisses along my neck as I wrapped the towel around my body. I smiled as he trailed them down to my shoulder.

"Mmm. We definitely needed that" He says, smiling as he landed a kiss on my forehead.

"Absolutely, and I am definitely ready for bed now." I walk towards my dresser and pull out a big tee shirt. I grabb a pair of Evan's boxers from the top drawer because they were the most comfortable things to sleep in and slip them on. Evan came out of the bathroom with only his boxers on and smiled at me as he threw himself on the bed.

"Come here" his eyes were heavy as he slipped underneath the sheets, patting the empty spot of the bed next to him. I lean forward and plant a kiss on his forehead, down to his cheek, and then one lingering kiss on his lips before sliding into the bed. He wrapped his arms around me as I flipped over to my right side, shoving my ass slightly against him. Evan chuckled against my ear as he drew small circles on my stomach. "I swear I would be fine if we never left this bed again."

"Let's do it. Stay here and never ever step foot out into the world again. We have everything we need right here" I placed my hand over his. Then the guilt flooded in. I was about to break my promise to him in a few hours once I knew he was deep asleep. I will slip out and make my way back home. Back to Siesta Key. While Evan started making dinner after Gigi left, I snuck into the room and quietly prepared a bag and shoved it underneath the bed. It would be a long drive, an exhausting day and some hours on the road. I wasn't sure where I would stop to rest. I'd have to figure out the safest place to get a few hours in before finishing the trip to my hometown. I haven't called my mother to let her know I was planning to be back in Florida in two days. I didn't want to involve her just yet, especially because she will be the first point of contact once everyone realizes I'm gone. I had managed to write some letters and sneak them into my bag that I will leave on the night stand for Evan. There was one adressed to him and the other was adressed to Gigi and the girls. I didn't want them to worry about me. This is something I needed to do on my own. I shut my eyes and took this moment in, saying a silent prayer. Everything in me was screaming to not leave, to stay here in Evan's arms. Let the professionals deal with this but I can't let anyone else get hurt because of me. We didn't even know for sure if it was my ex Dylan but deep down my gut told me it is. The only way to find out is to draw him away from here, make him follow me back home. Make him chase after me and me alone.

I listened to Evan's breathing, waiting until they became more even and slow. I slowly twisted my body around, facing him. The pain hit me hard as I looked at the man who owns my heart. The most beautiful man to walk this earth and he was all mine. The love of my life. My vision started to become blurry as I placed a gentle kiss on his lips, holding back my tears. I love him so, so much and only prayed he understood why I need to do what I'm about to do. I was doing this for him, for Gigi, for Amanda, for Mazzey. For everyone who has become an important part of my life here. I pray they all forgive me once it was all over. I sniffled back my tears as I slipped out from the safety of Evan's arms. I froze as I heard him shift. He let out a sigh and his snoring picked back up. I waited another minute before bending down to reach for the bag underneath my bed, making sure to be quiet as I dragged it from under. I double checked my belongings to make sure I packed enough clothes, enough snacks, and tampons. My period hasn't arrived yet but I knew it was late because of all the stress I have been under lately. At the bottom of my bag was a red box. I fished for it, taking out the necklace Buck had gotten me for my birthday. I put it around my neck, clasping it in the back, toying with the pendant in my fingers. It's not coming off once I leave here.

Once I was sure I had everything I needed in my bag, I grabbed a pair of sweats from my dresser. I put my socks on over my feet and put on the first pair of sneakers I could reach from the closet. I shoved my phone into my bag along with a charger and my headphones and slung my bag over my shoulder. I took one last look towards Evan as I stood in the doorway. He was in a deep sleep, his chest rising and falling slowly. His arm still remained over the now empty spot. My eyes slid over to the alarm on the nightstand. It was 3:30 in the morning.

"I love you" I whisper before heading out of the room.