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Evan Buckley was fast asleep after a 24-hour shift. It was 11 pm when Buck had gotten home; the firefighter had stripped off his uniform, thrown it into his laundry basket, then climbed up the stairs of the loft to his bed. The moment Buck’s head had hit the cool pillow, it whisked him in a much needed slumber.
It had been almost 5 hours since Buck had fallen asleep. His snores echoed in the loft as he dreamed of things that could be. He had long given up trying to maintain a relationship when his heart longed for something else, when his heart craved someone else.
Taylor was amazing. The first few dates they had gone on after Eddie was out of the hospital and home went great. They just didn’t feel like a date . It was more like two friends hanging out, grabbing dinner. It didn’t help that Buck had spent most of the time talking about Christopher and what the two had been up to when Eddie was hospitalized. Mutually they both decided it would be best if they stayed friends.
Evan Buckley needed a woman in his life that wasn’t a girlfriend, his sister, his co-worker, or his captain’s family. He needed someone in his life that wasn’t his family.
Taylor and Maddie, yes Maddie , had made his loft their girls’ night. They would cook some wired concoction in his kitchen and sit down on his couch, complaining about Buck. The man in question would sit between them as they teased the man in his undying love for his best friend, which he had long stopped denying.
The epiphany his mind had brought was earth shattering, his heart was ripped out of his chest when Eddie was shot, and was forced in when Eddie had informed him he, Evan Buckley, was written as Christopher’s legal guardian, if god forbid, anything ever happened to Christopher.
Evan Buckley wasn’t expecting Edmundo Diaz’s will to come into play 6 months after Eddie had been shot.
The ringing of his phone brought Evan Buckley out of his dreamland. He groaned as he blindly found his phone, which was connected to his charger. “Ello,” He spoke sleepily. “Hello, Am I speaking to Evan Buckley?” A professional voice spoke into the phone. Buck’s eyebrows scrunched up in confusion as he sat up in his bed, his eyes catching his clock. 4:26 am, who was calling him?
“This is he, is everything okay” Buck spoke as he scrambled off his bed, grabbing his sweats and pulling them on. “You are listed at Mr. Edmundo Diaz’s emergency contact here,” as the words left the woman’s mouth Evan Buckley’s world stopped all around him. “Is Eddie okay?” He rushed out as he ran down his stairs, grabbing his keys. “Mr. Diaz was caught in an accident. He is currently in surgery at Cedars-Sinai ‘’ were the only words that the nurse could get out as Buck hung up the phone, rushing to his Jeep. His mind scrambled as he drove.
The drive to the hospital was all a blur in Buck’s mind, his hands shaking and eyes filled with tears as he drove. He hastily parked his car, running in through the front doors, his mask covering his face, hiding away his worried frown. “Hi, I received a call for Edmundo Diaz. He was brought in a while ago” He rushed out, a few tears falling from his eyes.
The man at the reception gave Buck a small smile. “Are you Mr. Buckley? Can I see an ID” Buck nodded, pulling his licence open on his phone. The receptionist nodded “A nurse will be with you in a while. Please have a seat, sir.”
Buck numbly nodded as he made his way to the hospital’s waiting room. He all but fell into the chair. His hands shook as his mind played back all the memories he and Eddie had shared. Buck wasn’t ready to live a life without Eddie Diaz. He refused to.
He sniffled as he pulled his phone out, dialing an all too familiar phone number. “Buck? Is everything okay?” The familiar voice grounded Buck, his heart feeling a little at ease. “Bobby,” he all but sobbed out.
He can imagine Bobby’s worried look. “I’m at Cedars-Sinai. Eddie was in an accident,” Buck softly mumbled into his phone. He remembers Bobby telling him he’ll be there and that he’ll inform the rest of the team.
Evan didn’t know how long he sat in the plastic chairs of the waiting room, but when he stood up his legs were jelly. He walked over to the nurse, who called out his name. “Hello, Mr. Buckley” Buck smiled at her, his mask off, so he could speak to the woman. “Mr. Diaz is currently in surgery. Our best doctors are with him. Mr. Diaz was crushed between two cars on the highway, and he is in critical condition.” she smiled sadly at him as all air left Buck’s body. He was so engrossed in what the woman was saying, he didn’t notice Bobby’s arrival.
Bobby’s arms around Buck prevented the man from falling, “Thank you, please keep us updated as soon as you have some news on Eddie” Bobby spoke to the nurse who nodded, while Buck numbly stared at the ground, “Come on, Buckaroo, Eddie’s going to be okay.” Athena spoke as she helped her husband sit Buck down. She grabbed Buck’s shaking hands, kneeling in front of him. It was all it took for Buck to completely break down.
Seconds had turned into minutes, minutes into hours. Soon the sun had risen and the darkness of the night was gone. The entire team had made their way to the hospital. Maddie was sitting on Buck’s left, while Hen had taken his right side. Bobby was pacing the floor, asking the nurse for updates every often. Chimney and Karen had left to grab coffee and breakfast for the team. Athena was sitting in front of buck, her hands gripped into the youngest of their family. Buck hadn’t spoken a single word as his family arrived at the hospital, his mind blank, unable to think of a single thing.
“May I speak to Evan Buckley?” Buck’s head snapped up as he rushed to the doctor, the team following right behind, “Is he okay?” the firefighter breathed out, eyes red from the crying he had done.
“The surgery was successful, but the next few days are very critical. Mr. Diaz needs to wake up in the next 74 hours. Only then we will know if Mr. Diaz is actually okay.” He smiled sympathetically at the family in front of him “Mr. Diaz may not wake up.”
Buck bursted into tears before the doctor’s words set in, falling into Bobby’s arms, sobs rocking through his body as he mumbled nos into his captain’s chest. The team had gone stiff. Eddie may not wake up.
The doctor let the words sink before he spoke up again, “if worse comes to worse, Mr. Buckley, are you aware that you hold Power of Attorney for Mr. Diaz?” The team looked at Buck in shock. Except for Bobby. When Buck nodded, the doctor continued, “they also listed that you are the legal guardian of Mr. Diaz’s minor son, Christopher.” Buck nodded again.
“I’ll bend some rules to have Mr. Diaz's son come in.” He nodded, placing his hand on Buck’s shoulder. “We will try our best to make sure your partner comes back to you and your son.”
The family from 118 watched the doctor walk away as they wrapped Buck up in a warm hug. “I need to tell Christopher. How do I- Last time I had completely lost it? I-‘’
Hen rubbed her hand on his back, trying to help calm the man down. “I’ll come with you, Chris is legally my nephew so I may be there” Maddie smiled at Buck, her smiling widening when a small smile slipped on her brother’s face
Maddie’s nephew, my son. The thought felt so warm to Buck as he wiped his tears and handed his keys to his sister.
“Abuela and Pepa need to be in-informed too,” Buck croaked out. “I’ll call them,” Bobby smiled at Buck, ruffling his hair, “we’ll also take the house off call for today”
“We’ll let you know the second there is some change in Eddie’s condition, go make sure you son is okay” Athena kissed his forehead as the Buckley siblings made their way out of the hospital.
The drive to the Diaz house was quiet. Maddie clutched onto her brother’s shaking hand as she drove. Looking helplessly at Buck every time they stopped for a traffic signal. It didn’t take long for them to pull into Eddie’s driveway. “I wasn’t really shocked when Eddie told me I would be Chris’s legal guardian,” Buck finally said, “But I felt the floor collapse beneath me when Eddie told me I would be his POA.” Buck looked at Maddie, “Maddie, he made me his POA after the shooting, how do I explain that to his-”
Maddie looked at her brother with a small smile, “She must know where you stand in Eddie and Christopher’s life.” She placed a hand on his shoulder. “Because everyone that knows you three knows that there is no power in the world that can take your place in the life of the Diaz boys.” She kissed his cheek, wiping his tears away.
Ana Flores hadn’t slept a wink. Her mind was all over the place. She did not know where her boyfriend was; he wasn’t accepting his calls. He should have been home hours ago. She knew his shift ended at 11, and it only takes 15 minutes from the station to the house. So why wasn’t he home? Did he have some plans that he didn’t tell her? Yeah, she showed up unannounced. Carla had let her in. She didn’t let it get to her that everyone in Eddie’s life had a key to his house except her.
She let out a sigh of relief when she heard the door unlocking. Standing up from where she sat on the sofa, she raced to the front door. “Edmundo. I was-” Her words got caught in her throat as she saw Evan Buckley and a beautiful woman beside him. Evan’s eyes were red, as if she were crying all night long. Both he and the woman were wearing pajamas.
“Evan, I wasn’t expecting to see you.” Evan blankly looked at her at the mention of his first name, which Ana ignored. “Is Chris awake?” The woman asked her. Ana stared at the woman in confusion as both she and Evan made their way into the house. Once again, ignoring Ana’s presence.
“Go see if Chris is awake, yeah, I’ll whip something up for both of you” The woman rubbed her hands on Evan’s back and kissed his cheeks as she made her way to the kitchen.
Ana followed Evan to Christopher’s room. The child had refused to come out the moment Ana had entered the house. She didn’t understand why. Everything seemed to be great before Edmundo’s shooting, but she felt as if everything had changed once her boyfriend was shot. At that moment she understood why Evan had to stay with Chris, she wasn’t at the stage to act like his mother, but now, her and Eddie had celebrated, kind of, Eddie was busy at work that day, so they had breakfast at the cafe from their first date, for their one-year anniversary. It was Ana who had planned it. She didn’t let it get to her. It was a while since the man had been romantic towards someone, so she let it slide.
Now, she feels she can step up as Chris’s mom. She was Eddie’s girlfriend, and the way they were going, no fights. She felt comfortable in saying that one day she won’t be Ana Flores, rather she would be known as Ana Diaz.
Evan slowly opened the door to Chris’s bedroom. He knocked as he entered, which Ana noticed both Eddie and Buck did. She never understood why, as she was used to just entering her nephew’s and niece’s bedroom. Ana still understood that she can’t just enter Chris’s room, not yet.
Before Ana could enter the room, Evan had closed the door behind him, locking it as well. This time Ana took offence. She stood by the door, feeling completely baffled. She huffed as she made her way to the kitchen, where the woman had made French toasts and frittata. The woman worked so efficiently in Edmundo’s kitchen, Ana didn’t even know her boyfriend owned a cast-iron skillet.
Ana watched the woman quietly, neither of them introducing themselves. Ana nibbled on her thumb as she tried to figure out what Evan could spoke about to Christopher.
“Aunt Maddie” the boy cried out, startling both Ana and the woman, Maddie. Christopher’s face twisted in pain. His eyes and nose were red as Maddie huddled him into a hug. “Hey sweetheart” Ana watched as the woman kissed Chris’s forehead as the child cried into her shoulder. “Daddy got into an accident, Aunt Maddie,” the boy spoke as she pulled away from the woman.
Accident? Ana’s heart stopped at the word’s that left Christopher's mouth. “Accident? Why wasn’t I informed” Ana exclaimed, looking at Evan and Maddie?
Looking at them in rage, Ana reached to take Chris away from Maddie’s embrace, eyes widening as the boy let out a shriek. The woman immediately comforted him, sending Ana a glare as she cuddled Chris closer into her.
“I’m sorry, Ana,” Evan spoke, Ana’s attention turning to him. “I got the call from the hospital at 4. Everything else was a blur. I only remember calling Bobby, who called everyone else,” He smiled sadly at Ana. “My sister and I came here the moment Eddie was out of surgery”
Ana was vibrating in terror and anger. Her boyfriend had been in surgery since 4 am, and no one had informed her. Why did Evan get a call from the hospital, not her? She swallowed her anger; she had to think about Edmundo.
This was the perfect time to show Eddie’s friends the importance she held in Eddie and Christopher’s lives.
“Sweetheart, I’ve whipped the red velvet French toast you like, and some frittatas, how about we get some food into your and Bucky’s belly, then we can all go see Daddy.” Maddie scooped Chris up in her arms, bringing him to the dining table. Evan followed her, Ana stood where she was. She always has a feeling that Evan Buckley was more to the Diaz boys than what it seemed. Ana would not let a friend get the better of her, or get in between the beautiful relationship was trying to build with Eddie, and of course Christopher.
Breakfast was quiet. Everyone ate their meal as fast as they could. The sooner they eat, the faster they can get to the hospital. Ana was glad she bought some clothes with her, so she made her way to Edmundo’s bedroom, changing into her skirt and grey blouse. Evan and Maddie were helping Chris get ready, refusing Ana when she said she could help the boy out. As Ana left the bathroom, where she was fixing her makeup, Evan entered her boyfriend’s room, coming out a moment later in Edmundo’s army sweater and some jeans. Evan also held Edmundo’s bag. Ana assumed it had some things for Edmundo when he woke up.
Why was this man doing this? This was her job, Edmundo was her boyfriend, she could do these little things. Ana kept her mouth shut, not saying a single word to Evan or Maddie, anger just building in her as the two of them worked effortlessly in Edmundo’s house. In a way she knows she can never.
Evan’s sister Maddie knew her boyfriend’s house better than she did. If that wasn’t a blow to Ana’s pride, Ana didn’t think it would get worse than that.
Ana noticed when she reached the hospital before Buck that not only were Edmundo’s co-workers and their partners present, so were Edmundo’s abuela and pepa. Two people that were Edmundo’s family, two people who were closest and dearest to Edmundo’s heart. She had only met them once, which was during Edmundo’s welcome home party. After that Edmundo never took her to meet them.
She smiled brightly at them and leaned in to hug them. Both women gave her a small smile. “Ojalá nos volvamos a encontrar de otra manera, Sra. Díaz y Josephina.” (I wish we meeting again differently, Mrs. Diaz and Josephina) Ana felt awkward when neither woman spoke to her. She truly felt disappointed. She had hoped she would have gotten the privilege to call Edmundo’s grandmother by her name, the way his Tia had asked her to call her Josephina.
Ana sat down quietly on the hospital chair, none of Edmundo’s co-worker acknowledging her, all lost in their worries. Biting her lip, she looked around. All of Edmundo’s coworker were dressed in their nightwear, including their spouses. Ana felt like the odd one out, dressed professionally, unlike everyone who was dressed in comfort.
As Ana waited for some news on Eddie, her mind made a mental list of the things she will have to grab from her house, and meal plans, taking care of Christopher will be hard, but Ana will make it work, she will prove it to Edmundo that she deserves to be in their lives.
Ana was brought out of her thoughts when Evan walked in without Chris. She scrunched her brows. When they had left Edmundo’s house, Chris was in his car with his sister, Maddie.
“Mírate mi pobre chico” (Look at you, my poor boy), Edmundo’s grandmother walked over to him, grabbing his cheeks so looked over at the man. “has dormido, hijo” (have you slept, son?) When Evan shook his head, Isabel gathered the man in her arms as he cried into her shoulder, “Abuela, they’re saying he won’t wake up” Evan spoke as he pulled away from Edmundo’s grandmother.
If Ana wasn’t shocked at the fact that Evan had called Isabel Abuela, she might have registered what Evan had said.
Josephina wrapped her arms around the man as he sat down, each the Diaz’s woman on one side of Evan, “You listen to me Evan, nothing is going to prevent that boy from coming home,” Edmundo’s tia spoke. “Pepa .” The man sobbed out as the women wrapped him up, “Now, hijo , where is my bisnieto ?” Abuela spoke about the question that was on Ana’s mind.
“We drove to Maddie’s when we left home, Chris said he’d come to the hospital once Eddie woke up, and he wanted to play with his cousin.” He smiled at the women, who nodded, pulling the man into another hug.
Ana was livid. She should be the one being comforted by Isabel and Josephina. Yet they had barely spoken a word to her. Ana remained on her spot, as everyone that Edmundo considered important surrounded Evan. Ana let the bitterness remain in her heart. This wasn’t the place or time to bring up her annoyance. Once Edmundo was awake and healed, she would make sure she mentioned this to him. She was his girlfriend. Dammit, she should receive some sort of comfort.
“Family of Edmundo Diaz?” A male voice brought Ana out of her thoughts. She, as well as the team, rushed up to the doctor. “I’m his girlfriend, Ana Flores.” She spoke before anyone else could. The man scanned people in front of him in confusion, then looked down on the paper he was holding, “I’m sorry, Ms. Flores, we’re only allowed to give information to Mr. Diaz’s family and Power of Attorney.”
He smiled at her sadly, then looked at the group, leaving Ana completely baffled, was she not listed as POA of Edmundo, they had been dating for more than a year, so why wasn’t she listed as someone allowed to see the man,
“I have Isabel and Josephina Diaz listed as family.” Both women nodded, stepping forward. Ana wanted to join them, but before she could take a step forward, the nurse spoke again, “and Mr. Diaz, power of attorney, Evan Buckley.” The man nodded, stepping next to Edmundo’s grandmother and aunt. The nurse smiled, “please follow me.”
The three walked away, leaving Ana behind completely hurt and angered. She watched as no one else was confused or shocked that Evan was Edmundo’s POA. Athena, the woman who was married to Edmundo’s captain, gave her a sympathetic smile that told her everything.
Ana was stubborn. She didn’t spend a year with Edmundo to feel like the outsiders, maybe Edmundo forgot to change his will. He had been busy.
Yeah, Edmundo probably forgot.
It was half an hour later when the three walked back out, a relieved smile on their faces, “Eddie’s awake.” Evan spoke, which made the team cheer and pull Evan into a hug as Isabel and Josephina laughed. “The doctors said that they will have to keep Eddie under watch in the ICU for the night, so only after that everyone will meet him.” He spoke to his team, Ana again, forgotten.
“Can I see him?” Ana spoke, her voice filled with annoyance and anger, “I would like to see my boyfriend, who has been in an accident that they did not inform me about!” She snapped, looking at Evan.
“I’m sorry, Ana, but Eddie won’t be seeing anyone until he sees Christopher.” He smiled at her apologetically. All the worry and pain was off his face.
“He can see Edmundo with me, after all Chris will be in my care.” Ana snared at Evan. He looked at her with a nervous look, biting his lips. He turned to his captain and whispered something to him. Without a word, Bobby nodded and Evan left the hospital room.
“Josephina and I will be with mi nieto, until Buck returns with Chris, Captain I hope you can clear the confusion” Isabel spoke, not looking at Ana at all as she made her way back from where she came from, Josephina following her mother.
“What is going on?!” Ana snapped at Edmundo’s friends, “Why was Evan allowed to see Edmundo, not me when I’m his girlfriend” she threw her hands in the air. “Why is he the one that will take Christopher to see his father?” Everyone looked at Ana with difficulty. A few of Edmundo’s friends walked away, saying they were grabbing coffee or something to eat.
Ana looked at the captain and his wife.
“As you heard, Ms. Flores, Buck is Eddie’s power of attorney and Buck is also Christopher’s legal guardian if something happens to Eddie.” Ana felt anger rush through her as Athena spoke to her.
“Edmundo didn’t have time to change his will, if he had then I would be in there with Isabel and Josephina not him ” The captain looked at Ana with sad eyes, and spoke his next words, words that were nailed to Ana and her relationship with Edmundo.
“Eddie changed his will a month after he was shot, he changed his POA from me to Buck then.” The man licked his lips as he continued, “After an incident including a well and Eddie nearly dying last year, he changed Chris’s legal guardian from his parents to Buck”
Ana looked at the man in disbelief. “I-” she didn’t say a word as she stormed away with her things.
That was the last time Bobby and Athena saw her.
It was two months later when Eddie saw Ana.
The woman had sent him a beautiful arrangement of flowers with a note while he was at the hospital, “I’m sorry Edmundo, I was at the hospital the day of your accident, it was made very apparent that I don’t belong in your life - Ana”
Eddie had expected to feel some sort of hurt and pain over the breakup, but he didn’t. He felt relieved.
It relieved him that this time he woke up, Buck was next to him, his firm hands holding his. He was glad Ana wasn’t there.
Make sure you’re following your heart, not Christopher’s
Carla’s words echoed in his head as he watched Buck ramble about things they could do for Christopher’s art project, when Chris claimed only his Bucky can help him with. Finally, after a month of building up courage, a push from his family, and Maddie throwing one of Jee’s toys towards Eddie, had gotten him to ask Buck out.
The man had blushed so adorably when Eddie had asked him out. Eddie was expecting their night to go uncomfortably. Moving from friends to a couple would be weird, but it wasn’t, everything just fit. For the first time in his life, he felt happy. He felt content.
“We were thinking of using some of your wedding pictures in the collage. I reached out to Helena. She said she would have the album somewhere in the attic, she said she’ll bring it when they are visiting for Easter.”
That was another surprise. Eddie’s parents loved Buck. They were ready to fly out the moment Eddie told them they were dating to meet their soon to be son-in-law.
“Edmundo.” A familiar voice brought Eddie and Buck out of their bubble, Buck went to move his hand away from Eddie’s grip, but the man just tightened his grip, “Ana, hi” Eddie smiled, Buck gave a small wave which went ignored by the woman. “I saw you and just wanted to come by and say I’m glad you’re okay.” Eddie nodded his head. “I’m great, better than ever before.” She smiled at him. But there was some sort of fire behind her eyes as she nodded as she walked away.
There was silence between the men for a second.
“So mom has the album, what charm did you pull on her?” Eddie spoke, which made Buck smile. “What can I say Edmundo, I just have a charm on the Diazs.”
Eddie laughed as he leaned over pressing a kiss onto Buck’s lips, “I love you”
Buck’s smile widened as his eyes lit up beautifully, “I love you, too” then the man smirked, “Helena said she’s going to bring your baby and prom pictures” Letting out a laugh when Eddie exclaimed, “No, absolutely not”
A week later, after Easter dinner, Helena, Sophia and Adrianna had pulled Buck onto a floor that was covered with Eddie’s pictures. Hen, Karen and Maddie had joined his sisters as they teased Eddie about having chubby cheeks and wearing glasses.
And if by the end of the night Evan Buckley was wearing Eddie’s grandfather’s wedding ring on his left hand, that was given to Eddie by his father, well, it was the perfect beginning of their story to forever.