Chapter 8
Buck had things squared away about a month later. He’d stay on Eddie’s couch until he either found his own place or the two men found a bigger house to accommodate everyone. He got a transfer from LA to El Paso for work which he was thankful for, he’d miss the 118 dearly though, they really were his found family. He was going to miss Maddie a lot too, but he would still come visit. He didn’t think he’d be able to go too long without seeing everyone he loved.
But right now, he was sitting with Maddie in the loft. It was the last night he’d be staying in the loft, he was turning his keys in tomorrow before he left for El Paso. He opted into driving so he could have his Jeep. “I’m sad you’re leaving.” Maddie pouts at her little brother, pouring them both a glass of wine. “But I understand why you’re doing it.”
Buck nods his head and picks up his glass, taking a sip and humming softly. “I’d love to stay here, but I can’t let Eddie take care of the baby alone.” He tells her. He knows she understands but he still feels like he has to explain himself. “I’ll come visit as much as I can, and you can visit too! You’ll have to meet your niece at some point anyways.”
“You better let me know when she’s on the way and I’ll be on the first flight out there.” Maddie laughs and takes a sip of her wine, raising an eyebrow when Buck’s phone starts ringing.
Buck holds up his index finger to signal one second and answers. “Hey Eddie, what’s up?” He asks.
“You’re busy, aren’t you?” Eddie groans, muttering something to himself that Buck can’t make out. “I’ll just talk to you later.”
“No, you won’t. What’s wrong?” Buck asks him and Maddie watches her brother intently. Buck puts the phone on speaker.
Eddie sighs heavily. “Something feels off.” He mutters. “Like there’s butterflies in my stomach and it just feels weird. Do you think something’s wrong with the baby?”
Maddie grins at Buck, getting the okay before she spoke. “Hey Eddie, there’s nothing wrong with the baby. She’s just moving around in there.” She tells him, taking another sip of her wine.
Eddie audibly exhales and calms down. “Okay. I was freaking out and was one step away from going to the emergency room, but I figured Buck would be able to talk me down. Thank you, Maddie.”
“No problem.” Maddie smiles and Buck lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.
“Alright Buck, I’m going to let you go now so you can spend time with Maddie. Let me know when you leave tomorrow. I love you.” He murmurs the last part before hanging up and Buck just about loses his god damn mind again.
“He said it again! I thought it was just an accident the first time he said it, but this is the second time.” He says exasperatedly, throwing his hands up in the air.
Maddie just shakes her head, rolling her eyes fondly at her brother. “Say it back next time.” She tells him and Buck knows he should, but what if Eddie doesn’t actually mean it the way he thinks it does?
“I think I will.” Buck says and takes another drink of his wine.
The two spend the rest of the night talking and drinking wine before Maddie orders an uber home, leaving Buck by himself.
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After waking up the next morning, Buck made sure he had everything he needed before dropping the keys to the loft off. He had said his goodbyes to everyone else the morning prior, so all he had to do was be on his way to El Paso to be with Eddie and their kids.
He connects his phone to the jeep and dials Eddie’s number as soon as he’s on the road. “Hey.” Eddie’s sleepy voice sounds through the phone, Buck feels bad now, he must have woke him up.
“Did I wake you?” Buck asks and he hears a faint no from the other man. “I’m pretty sure I did, but I’m on the road. I just wanted to let you know. You can go back to sleep.” He tells him.
“Okay, drive safe alright? Keep me updated when you can.” Eddie says and yawns.
Buck chuckles and nods his head even though Eddie can’t see him. “I will. Go back to sleep, I’ll see you soon, I’m taking the scenic route.” He says and before he hangs up the phone he adds “I love you.”
Buck’s been on the road for about four hours when it happens, a truck coming at him in his lane at full speed and he can’t swerve out of the way fast enough. The last thing he hears is the crunch of the front of his jeep before everything goes black.