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

66.

One week earlier

BUCK

Eddie peers over my shoulder, letting out a low whistle. "Damn Buckley, how much have you been saving up for this?"

All the extra shifts I have been picking up were starting to catch up with me, in every aspect but it was definitely worth it. "A fucking lot!"

"She's going to love it, brother." Eddie gripped my shoulder tightly, giving me a small shake. "And I can't wait to be your best man! You are making me your best man, right?"

I waved him off, too distracted by how beautiful the ring was. The oval cut, the double gold band, the halo. Perfect. And yet I felt my girl deserves much more. I know a ring doesn't define anything, it doesn't define us and she wouldn't give a shit if I gave her a ring pop but I still wanted her to have one. Especially since it was her grandmothers. I had reached out to Stella's mother a few weeks back and told her I plan to propose to Stella soon and she was thrilled to say the least, said I must use her grandmothers wedding ring, even gave me permission to have some touches done if I wanted to. I told her I'll only add a band and a halo. She didn't care as long as I sent her a photo once I pick it up. Her mother wanted to know when the proposal will happen and I told her she'll be the first to know. Maybe around Christmas time. Hell, I want to do it as soon as possible but with everything that's been going on I thought it best to wait for things to roll over. Everything has been extremely hectic, so, maybe the holidays will be perfect, holiday spirit will be through the roof and Stella will be less stressed out and at fucking peace for once. Hopefully, we all are.

"You know there's no one else I'd want by my side when I marry the love of my life. Don't tell Chimney that. Or captain. Or my sister..."

Eddie grinned ear to ear. "Ahh, I can't believe it. The Evan Buckley is getting married!!"

I shot him an offended look. Did everyone seriously think the day I get married would never see the day of light? I mean, is my track record the best? No. But I knew Stella was different. She made me want to be a better man. For myself, for her. I knew I needed to make great changes and become the man she deserves, and she deserves the whole world and more and then some. She is the light of my life, the reason I wake up in the morning and make sure I make it back home to her. She is that fresh breath of air I had been needing to come up for, for so long. Every heartbreak I been through was worth it and I'm glad for them because meeting her made me understand why nothing ever worked out for me. They weren't meant to work out for me and I couldn't be more grateful for that.

I look towards my best friend and can't help but feel overwhelmed with emotions. He will be by my side, along with my crew who have watched me go through the toughest times of my life, and I can't wait for that day to come.

"Why do you sound so surprised?"
"Nothing, buddy. Nothing at all" his smile said otherwise but I ignored it and brought my attention back to the man who crafted this beauty.

"Julio, you're the best. I truly cannot" I struggle to find the words to express my gratitude to the jeweler Eddie recommend me to, Julio Ramos. The man who made the vision I had in my head come to reality. "Wow. Eddie was not lying about you, man. Thank you." I hand the ring back to Julio so he can inspect it one last time, give it one last clean, and place it into the red velvet box I picked out. Julio flashes me a smile full of white teeth as he hands me the box. I place it into the left pocket of my jacket, tapping over it.

"No problem man! When my hermano called me up to expect you I knew I had to put in some real good work for you. Glad you like it." Julio extends his hand out and I give him a firm shake.

"Alright J, I'll see ya around. Aye, tell abuelita bendicion for me" Eddie gave Julio a hug, patting his back loudly.

"I will. Take care brother."

Eddie and I walk out of Julio's jewelry, heading towards my Jeep.

"Don't lose the ring" Eddie says to me.
"Wouldn't even dare."

I pull out of the small parking lot that leads onto the main road with the biggest smile on my face.

***
Present day

GIGI

I never made it home after finishing our movie last night. Christopher wanted to have a Transformers marathon and we called it quits after the second one. Eddie suggested I could spend the night since it was late and I wouldn't have to worry about driving home. Plus, I may already have a bag and tooth brush here...

My body was completely worn out that I didn't decline staying over. I don't allow anything to happen when Christopher is here, and Eddie does everything in his power to make it impossible for me to keep my hands to myself. The first time anything happened between us was two weeks ago. I will not deny the fact that within the first week of us seeing each other I was ready to jump this man but I wanted to do it differently this time around. I have a horrible history of sleeping with guys on the first date and I am not proud of that. Words fall short to explain how grateful I am for Eddie and how respectful he was. We didn't even discuss sex, it just happened and I don't regret it one bit. Matter of fact, I am glad I waited. He absolutely blew my mind.

I felt Eddie's lips on my forehead, pressing a kiss against my skin. My eyes fluttered opened, a smile growing on my lips as I look up to him. He leaned towards my lips. "I'll be back, I have to take Christopher to school. And then we'll have breakfast."

"Hurry back to me" I say to him. He brings his lips onto mine, lingering a little too long. I smile in between the kiss. "Alright, go before you make Christopher late to school."

"Be back in 30!" Suddenly the room turns cold as Eddie walks out the bedroom, as if taking all the warmth with him. I pull the covers over me and find a comfortable spot again. The front door closes, a silence falling over the house. After a couple minutes I feel myself dozing off to sleep until I hear the front door open. I chuckle to myself under the sheets. He must've forgotten something. My eyes were closed when I heard soft footsteps enter the bedroom.

"What did you forget?" I ask, but Eddie didn't respond. I was too groggy still to open my eyes so I kept them closed and groaned. "Eddie?" Nothing. Before I could uncover myself, the sheets came flying off and a pair of gloved hands cover my nose and mouth with a small rag. I immediately start kicking at the man towering over me, trying to scream but he had the towel pressed so tight against my face. His face was hidden by a mask, a pair of brown eyes the only visible thing I can see. I try to scratch at his hands but it was pointless with the leather gloves protecting them. My head started to feel fuzzy and I couldn't think straight. I was suffocating, the edges of my vision going black.

"We're going for a little trip, Gigi." The man says. It was the last thing I heard before darkness consumed me.