Chapter 5
2021 - Eddie's house
"So, Texas is still on the table, then?" Carina asked, noting the slight set to Eddie's jaw.
"Absolutely," Eddie replied, the enthusiasm in his voice sounding a little too bright. "You should definitely go."
Carina's gaze remained fixed on him. "Your face doesn't match your words."
Eddie's shoulders seemed to slump almost imperceptibly. "Just... be safe. Please."
"We're off to see TK!" Buck announced, stepping into the room, his smile briefly including Eddie. "He's really looking forward to us coming. Gave him a call, and he's planning to make sure we have everything we need to be comfortable, especially with Carina's legs needing extra care." Buck then chuckled slightly. "Anyway, get this... why did TK think I was coming on to him?"
Outside the Airport
Eddie hugged Carina tightly, a lingering embrace. "Call me when you land, okay, kiddo? And text me updates." He helped her carefully into her wheelchair.
Carina squeezed his hand. "I will, Eddie. Don't worry so much." She leaned over and kissed Christopher on the head. "Be good for your dad, Chris."
Christopher nodded solemnly. Eddie looked at Buck, a clear concern in his eyes as Buck positioned himself to push Carina's wheelchair. "Take care of her, Buck. It's a long trip for her."
Buck placed a reassuring hand on Eddie's shoulder. "Always, Diaz. She's my girl. And TK's waiting, so she'll be in good hands there too." He started pushing Carina towards the terminal entrance. Eddie watched them go, a deep furrow in his brow.
At the Security Line and Gate
The airport was its usual bustling chaos. Buck carefully navigated Carina's wheelchair through the security line, ensuring she was comfortable. TSA agents were helpful in accommodating her. At the gate, Buck found a spot where Carina could sit comfortably in her wheelchair near a window.
"Excited, sweetheart?" Buck asked, kneeling beside her chair. "Seeing TK and Carlos?"
Carina managed a smile. "Yeah, Dad. It'll be good to see them."
On the Plane
Carina had transferred to an aisle seat with assistance from Buck and the flight attendant. Her legs were carefully positioned for comfort. Buck made sure she had pillows and blankets. The flight was smooth, and Carina dozed off for a while.
Arrival in Austin - Baggage Claim
The Texas heat hit them as Buck pushed Carina's wheelchair off the plane. Austin's airport was busy. They collected their luggage, Buck managing the bags while pushing Carina.
"He should be here any minute," Buck said, checking his phone. "TK said he'd be right at arrivals."
Standing near the arrivals gate, TK Strand spotted Buck pushing a wheelchair with a young woman in it. A wide smile spread across his face, tinged with relief.
"Buck!" TK called out, waving enthusiastically.
Buck grinned and waved back. "TK!" He pushed Carina forward. "TK, this is my daughter, Carina."
TK rushed over, shaking Buck's hand warmly. "Buck, great to see you again! Carina, it's so good to finally meet you. Buck has told me a little about everything you've been through." He knelt beside her wheelchair, his expression full of warmth and genuine concern. "Welcome to Texas. How was your flight?"
Carina smiled. "It's great to meet you too, TK. The flight was okay, a little long."
"I can only imagine," TK said sympathetically, his gaze briefly going to her legs. "Carlos is waiting just outside with the car. We've made sure there's plenty of room for the wheelchair."
Buck nodded. "Great. Looking forward to finally meeting him."
TK gestured towards the exit. "He's eager to meet you both. Let's get your bags." He kept a careful eye on Carina as Buck maneuvered the wheelchair.
As they stepped outside, a friendly-looking man with a warm smile leaned against a spacious SUV.
"Carlos!" TK called out, waving.
Carlos turned, his smile broadening as he saw them. He walked over and shook Buck's hand warmly. "Buck, it's an honor to finally meet you. TK has told me so much about how you helped during the fires." He then turned to Carina, his expression gentle and welcoming as he noticed her wheelchair. "Carina, welcome to Austin. It's wonderful to finally meet you. TK has been so happy about you both visiting."
Carina smiled from her wheelchair. "Thank you, Carlos. It's lovely to be here."
TK put a hand on Buck's shoulder. "Alright, let's get these two settled. Carina, we've got a comfortable place for you, and Carlos made sure there's easy wheelchair access."
Carlos nodded, already opening the back door of the SUV. "Plenty of room. Let's get you both out of this heat." He waited to assist Carina as Buck positioned the wheelchair.
Carlos expertly navigated the Austin traffic. TK turned in his seat to face Buck and Carina.
"So, Buck," TK began, a genuine smile on his face, "it's really great to have you back in Texas, and awesome to finally meet your daughter, Carina."
"Thanks, TK," Buck replied, leaning back comfortably. "Good to be back. Carina's been hearing a lot about you and Carlos." He glanced at Carina, who offered a slightly shy smile from her wheelchair to TK.
Carlos chimed in from the front, glancing in the rearview mirror. "We've been looking forward to having you both. TK hasn't stopped talking about your help during the fires, Buck. You and your friends were a real asset."
"Just doing what needed to be done," Buck said modestly. "Your team was incredible out there too. It was… intense."
TK nodded, his expression turning slightly more serious. "It was. And I'm still incredibly grateful for everything you did. It meant a lot to all of us." He then brightened. "But enough about the past! You're here for a visit. We've got some great Tex-Mex planned, and Carlos knows all the best spots that are easy to get to, right?" He winked at Carina in the rearview mirror.
Carina giggled softly from her wheelchair. "I'm really looking forward to trying some authentic Texan food."
"You won't be disappointed," Carlos assured her with a warm smile. "We'll start you off with something delicious but maybe not too spicy, and we can see what you think. And please, Carina, let us know if you need anything at all to be more comfortable." He glanced at her again in the mirror.
"Thank you," Carina said gratefully from her wheelchair.
Buck added, "Yeah, we're on her schedule. We're not doing anything that's not wheelchair accessible." He looked at TK. "So, where are we headed first?"
"We're going to take you back to our place to get settled," TK explained. "We've got a guest room all ready for you, Carina. It's got a comfy bed, and we made sure there's plenty of space to maneuver your chair." He exchanged a look with Carlos. "We figured you'd probably want to chill for a bit after the flight."
"That sounds perfect, thank you," Carina said, a hint of relief in her voice from her wheelchair.
Carlos turned onto a tree-lined street. "We're not too far now. It's a pretty chill neighborhood, Carina, and we know all the best spots that are easy to get around in."
TK and Carlos's House
Carlos pulled up to a charming bungalow with a wide front porch. TK hopped out and opened the back door of the SUV, making sure the way was clear for Carina's wheelchair. He offered her a hand. "Welcome to our humble abode, Carina. We've made sure it's easy to get around."
Carina carefully maneuvered her wheelchair out of the car with Buck's assistance. "It looks lovely, thank you."
Buck got out and surveyed the house with a grin. "Nice place, guys! Very welcoming."
"We like it," Carlos said, smiling as he grabbed their luggage. "Come on in. Let's get you settled."
TK cleared the way as Buck pushed Carina up the ramp onto the porch and into the house. The interior was bright and open. TK pointed to a doorway with a wider-than-usual frame. "Your room is just down the hall, Carina. It's got a comfy queen-sized bed, and the bathroom right next door has a roll-in shower and plenty of space."
Carina looked around, a genuine smile on her face. "It's perfect, thank you so much."
Buck followed them in, taking in the thoughtful adaptations. "You guys really thought of everything."
"We wanted to make sure you both felt at home," Carlos said, placing the luggage down.
TK led the way, ensuring Carina had a clear path. Buck pushed her into the guest room. "Make yourself comfortable, kiddo. Let us know if you need anything at all."
"I will, Dad," Carina replied, looking around the cozy room.
Buck rejoined TK and Carlos in the living room. "You guys are lifesavers. I was a little worried about how she'd manage after the flight."
"We were happy to help," TK said sincerely. "We wanted to make this as easy as possible for her."
"So, what's the plan for tonight?" Buck asked, settling onto the sofa.
"We were thinking we'd order in some Tex-Mex," Carlos replied, scrolling through his phone. "Nothing too crazy. Just a chance to relax and catch up. And then tomorrow, we can see how Carina's feeling and maybe do something low-key."
TK nodded. "Sounds good. Carina seemed pretty tired, but excited to be here."
As they waited for the food to arrive, they talked about life back in Los Angeles, the 118, and Buck's stories about Eddie and Christopher. TK and Carlos made sure to include Carina in the conversation whenever she was in the living room, asking her about school and her interests. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, a comfortable start to their Texas visit despite the challenges Carina faced with her mobility. The focus was on making her feel welcome and ensuring she had everything she needed.
The next morning, after a leisurely breakfast of breakfast tacos (mild, as per Carlos's suggestion for Carina), TK turned to Buck. "So, Buck, how would you and Carina feel about meeting some of the rest of the 126 today?"
Buck's face lit up. "Really? That would be great! Carina's heard me talk about you guys non-stop since the wildfires." He looked at Carina, who nodded enthusiastically from her wheelchair.
"Yeah, that sounds awesome!" Carina said, a genuine excitement in her voice.
"Great!" TK said, smiling. "We figured it would be a good way for you to get a feel for our little family down here. We can swing by the firehouse, and then maybe grab some lunch afterwards at a place with good accessibility."
Carlos nodded in agreement.
"Everyone's been asking about you both. They're eager to finally meet Carina and her dad." He winked at Carina.
A little later, TK and Carlos helped Buck get Carina and her wheelchair into their spacious SUV. The drive to Firehouse 126 was filled with TK pointing out local landmarks and sharing anecdotes about his team.
At the 126
As they pulled up to the firehouse, the familiar sight of a gleaming fire truck brought a smile to Buck's face.
"Hey, son! Buck!" Captain Owen Strand called out warmly.
Owen approached, shaking Buck's hand. "Good to see you back, Buck. And this must be Carina. It's truly an honor to meet you." He knelt beside Carina's wheelchair, his expression showing a deep respect. "We've heard you're quite the brave young woman, Carina."
Carina blushed slightly, looking a little surprised. "Oh?"
Marjan stepped forward, her eyes conveying admiration. "Buck's told us you're pretty amazing, Carina. Welcome!"
Mateo, a bit awestruck, added, "Yeah! Mr. Buckley said you're really… something else!"
Paul nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. We understand you've been through quite an ordeal recently, Carina. It's good to see you here.
Nancy leaned down, her tone gentle and caring. "We're so glad you're here in Texas, Carina. Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything at all we can do to make you more comfortable during your visit." Her eyes held a knowing kindness.
TK, standing close to Carina, offered a reassuring smile. "They've heard you're pretty special, Carina."
Buck beamed with pride. "She is that."
Throughout the tour, there were subtle nods and considerate glances towards Carina, with phrases like, "We admire your spirit," or "Glad you're doing okay enough to travel."
By the time they were leaving for lunch, Carina had a thoughtful smile. "They're all really nice, Dad," she said. "It's like they already know me a little bit."
Buck squeezed her hand. "They do, kiddo. They know you're one of the good ones."
Barton Springs Pool
Buck, TK, and Carlos helped navigate Carina's wheelchair to a spot near the accessible ramp leading into Barton Springs Pool.
"Cari, if you need anything don't hesitate to ask, okay?" Buck said, adjusting the umbrella to provide more shade.
"Dad, what have I been doing all day since lunch?" Carina replied with an appreciative smile, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"I'm just saying," Buck replied, a little defensively, as they finally arrived at a comfortable spot with a table.
Wyatt, who had noticed Carina and her group arriving, approached their table.
"Hey, I’m Wyatt. you're not from around here, are you?" he said, directing his question at Carina.
"Hi Wyatt, I’m Carina, yeah, I'm from LA," Carina replied, smiling up at him.
"You're from Hollywood! What brings you to Austin?" Wyatt asked, leaning slightly on the table.
"Wanted to travel after my injury, and my dad said he wanted to meet up with his new friend that he met when he was here last month to help with the wildfires," Carina explained, gesturing towards Buck.
"Well! Welcome to Austin, I hope you like it here," Wyatt said with a genuine smile.
"Thanks," Carina replied warmly.
"Actually… would you mind helping me get closer to the pool?"
Just as Carina asked, Buck stood up. "Alright, who wants some refreshments? TK, Carlos, you guys want anything?"
TK nodded. "Yeah, I'll take a water."
Carlos added, "Same for me."
Buck looked at Carina. "Cari, you want a lemonade?"
"Sure, Dad," Carina replied, her eyes briefly meeting Wyatt's with a hopeful glance.
As Buck headed towards the refreshment stand, TK and Carlos follow, Wyatt turned back to Carina. "So, you want to check out the water?"
"Yeah," Carina said, "but it's a little tricky for me to get down there by myself."
"No problem," Wyatt said with a reassuring smile. "Let's do it." He carefully started to maneuver Carina's wheelchair towards the accessible ramp, just as Buck, TK, and Carlos were getting in line for drinks, their attention focused on the task at hand and their conversation about what to order. They didn't notice Carina and Wyatt heading towards the pool access.
He made sure she was comfortable and the path was clear, offering a steady hand on the chair but allowing her to guide the way.
As they reached the water's edge, Wyatt helped Carina transfer from her wheelchair to a floating pool chair that was available there. He ensured she was securely seated and comfortable before gently guiding her into the cool, clear water.
The spring water felt wonderful against Carina's skin, and a wave of relief washed over her. She looked up at Wyatt, a genuine smile gracing her features. "This is amazing. Thank you, Wyatt."
Wyatt grinned back. "No problem. I'm glad you're enjoying it." He stayed close by, making sure she felt safe and supported in the water. They spent some time floating and chatting, the shared experience creating a deeper connection between them.
Buck, TK, and Carlos were still deep in their conversation about firefighting adventures, their laughter echoing under the shade trees. They had just reached the punchline of a particularly amusing anecdote involving a cat stuck in a tree.
Back under the shade trees, Buck had just finished his story, and TK and Carlos were still chuckling. Buck, feeling a sudden pang of parental instinct, glanced over towards where he had left Carina. His eyes widened slightly when he didn't immediately see her by the table. A flicker of panic crossed his face.
"Wait a minute, where's Cari?" Buck said, his voice a little louder, cutting through the remnants of their laughter. He scanned the area, his gaze darting around.
TK and Carlos looked up, their amusement fading as they noticed Carina's empty spot. "Huh? I thought she was right here," TK said, a hint of concern creeping into his voice.
Just then, Buck's eyes landed on the pool. He saw Carina, floating comfortably in the water, a relaxed smile on her face. Standing beside her, keeping a watchful eye, was Wyatt.
Buck watched for a moment as Wyatt adjusted Carina's floating chair slightly, ensuring she was still shaded from the sun. He saw Wyatt offer her a friendly smile, which Carina returned.
A wave of relief washed over Buck. He chuckled softly, a little embarrassed by his momentary panic. "Oh, there she is," he said, pointing towards the pool. "Looks like she made a new friend."
TK and Carlos followed his gaze. "Oh, that's that kid who came over earlier," TK said. "He seems nice."
Carlos nodded. "Looks like he's taking good care of her." They watched for a moment longer, observing Wyatt's considerate actions and Carina's comfortable demeanor.
Buck leaned back in his chair, a warm feeling spreading through him. He was glad Carina had found someone her age to connect with, and he felt a sense of gratitude towards Wyatt for looking out for her. The initial worry had been replaced by a quiet contentment, knowing his daughter was in good company and enjoying her time in Austin.