Brave Enough

Seven

James sits nervously in front of her MacBook waiting to dial his number. She dressed up even though she knew it was only a video chat. Her heart raced thinking about Buck. She was excited for the surprise they were going to give him. Well it felt like it was more for her. But honestly this was the best feeling. Cleo was bouncing off the walls wanting to know when it was going to be seven o'clock.

      Buck sits at the kitchen table opening his laptop. He rubs at the collar of his button down Maddie insisted he wore tonight. The laptop rings. Her face lights up the screen making him smile. He answers and sees a mounds of thick curls across the screen. "Cleo back up sweet pea. Hey Buck. So this is kind of an exciting call. Cleo has been waiting all day for this," James smiles at him from her apartment. "Honestly I have as well," Buck smiles noticing the she had dressed up as well. "Alright Cleo go on."

"Evan Buckley. My birthday is tomorrow. We are going to have a pool party at our apartment. Will you come?" Cleo says sweetly. She's barely able to contain her excitement. Buck watches as James watches Cleo smiling clearly in love with her. The sisterly bond that could never be replaced.

"I'd love to Cleo but..." Buck starts but James cuts him off.

"Athena already approved. She just made us wait until the night before because she knew you would try to impulsively show up here," she laughs. "What do you say Buck?"

"Yes," He says. "I've missed you two so much. This also explains why everyone got awkward and silent when I mentioned having them over for the game tomorrow night." Buck laughs. Cleo rubs her little eyes and yawns. "Alright girls. I guess that's my cue. Go to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight beautiful," Buck says hitting end.

      He smiles to himself. He has to prove he won't be impulsive and won't show up tonight. So he heads to his room and goes to bed.

•••••

     Buck stands outside her door flowers in hand a gift for Cleo. His heart races as he stands there. He lifts his hand up to knock and the door opens. James is holding Cleo's hand. She stops when she realizes Buck is standing in front of her. "Buck," she says softly dropping Cleo's hand. She wraps her arms around his neck and hugs him tight. He wraps his own arms around her waist awkwardly Cleo snatching the items from his hands and placing them on the entry table. Cleo then squeezes between the two and hugs Buck.

      Buck lifts her up and James pull apart. "I've missed you too. Were you two leaving?" James nods.

     "Yeah. We still had some shopping to do. You are more than welcome to join us. We just need to get the food and some party supplies. I also need to buy the cake supplies. I'm trying to make today a little extra special since her first birthday without..." James stops and shakes her head. "Since we lost our mom," she finishes.

      "I'm sorry. Baby I promise it will get easier," Buck says as James locks the door. "So what kind of cake are you making?"

     "I'm doing a cotton candy cupcake thing. Cleo is obsessed with cotton candy. So why not? I can teach you how to bake," James smiles her red waves blow slightly in the wind. The sun dress she's wearing flows around her legs. He reaches to grasp her hand.

•••••

      Maddie reaches for her phone and dials Buck's number. It rings three times before an answer. "Maddie?" James's voice is thick with sleep.

   "Aless? Is Buck already at your apartment?" Maddie asks.

      "Buck came over this morning we've been prepping for Cleo's party. We fell asleep on the couch waiting for Cleo to wake up from her nap," James looks down at a sleeping Buck. She rubs his back lightly. "Baby you have to get up. You won't sleep tonight," she says gently.

      "Mm but I like sleeping next to you," he says in a raspy voice pulling her into him. "Is that my phone?" James nods and hands it to him.

      "It's Maddie. I think she was going to ask if you needed a ride. I'm going to go wake up Cleo and get the two of us dressed," James leans in and kisses his forehead just above his birthmark. "Yell if you need anything," she says walking out of the room.

      "Maddie I can explain," Buck says cautiously. Maddie laughs.

     "You really can't help yourself can you Buck? It's okay I had a feeling you would've already gone over. I was mostly calling to make sure you remembered your suit and to be calm and kind with her. Chim and I are on the way. I think Athena and Bobby are almost there as well. See you in a bit," Maddie says and clicks her phone off.

"He's already there isn't he?" Chim and but he already knows the answer to his question.

"He's been there all day. I accidentally woke them up from a nap. Ugh Chimney my baby brother is in love," Maddie laughs. "Mom and dad would be so proud. She's such a sweet girl. She's so responsible and hasn't purposely disappeared on him," Maddie says. "It's not like Abby or Ali. She makes the effort. While Abby made him into Buck 2.0 as he likes to call it Aless is making him the man everyone knows he always would be."

•••••

"May honey. Did you want to come with us? I know it's just a bunch of adults and a couple five year olds but it is a pool party. Aless said your and Harry were invited," Athena asks her daughter while packing up getting ready to leave. "Harry is coming. This could be a fun family thing," she says hopefully.

"I guess mom. I do like the pool. Let me go get changed," May says running off to her room. A couple minutes later she re-emerges wearing a cover up and a sun hat.

"Alright guys let's load up the car so we can get there a few minutes early. I want to help my girls set up," Athena says.

"Your girls. Mom what's with you?" May asks.

"They lost their mama. I'm stepping up. They are my girls just like you are my girl. Aless needs someone in her corner. She needs the support and I want to be that support. There is nothing wrong with that. Is there?"

"I guess not. So I guess Harry and I have two more sisters now?" May says jokingly.

"Yes. Now let's go. Bobby did you already grab the towels?"

"Of course I did baby. You know me," he responds.