Eddie woke and just lay there, looking at the ceiling. He was excited his son would be here today and he couldn't wait give him the biggest hug. He rolls over and sees it's 4 am, he hears movement outside and guesses Buck is up and getting ready. They had leave soon to get to the airport, he decides to get up and grabs some clothes. He heads to the bathroom for a quick shower once he is done he heads down the stairs. When he walks down he hears something slam down with a loud crack. He approaches the kitchen he see's Bucks phone on the counter and guesses that's what was slammed. He looks over and see's Buck in the fridge and he turns.
"For fucks sake Eddie!" Buck says and Eddie watches as Buck nearly drops the milk trying not to laugh.
"Sorry, guessing you got a bad message? I heard the phone get slammed down." Eddie says grinning.
"Something like that, sorry if I woke you, Brew?" Buck asks.
"I couldn't sleep. I'm all excited and yes please." Eddie said.
"I bet you are, I was thinking of going away for a few days. Maybe a week? I need to take care of some things, plus I was thinking it would give you some time with Chris and without me interrupting as you get him settled." Buck explains and passes Eddie a brew. Eddie couldn't help but think Buck was doing that because he realised he wouldn't be able deal with Chris which hurts.
"Oh ok. I mean that be good, but Chris was expecting see you, but I understand if you need time to you get comfortable with having a kid with CP around." Eddie says placing a hand on his neck and gently rubbing.
Eddie notices Buck grins
"No, you have it completely wrong Eddie. I don't mind Chris and his CP, definitely doesn't bother me, this time away is for me personally. I need to get my head right, something from my past creeped in and I want to get myself sorted that's all. I promise it has nothing to do with Chris, ok?" Buck says putting his cup down and Eddie feels like an idiot.
"My bad." he says rubbing his neck more.
"If I am being too nosy just say and I'll leave it, but your old team, did they really make it that weird and unconfutable for Chris and you when he came round? I ask because your first reaction to me when I said I needed some time away was to ask if it was to do with Chris's CP." Buck asks.
Eddie didn't know how to answer the question, he wanted to explain how bad it was but he also didn't want the pity look he knew he would get he opened and closed his mouth wanting answer but nothing came.
"Look I can see your struggling to explain so let's leave it, but like I said I just need some time for me that's all, I've already been researching how to help with Chris" Buck says
Eddie didn't know what say, Buck was been so kind explaining he would leave it and Eddie was glad he then saw Bucks hand sticking out waiting for his cup and passes Buck it.
"Come on, we need leave otherwise we will be late, I just thought I don't have a booster for him" Buck realises and Eddie finally clicks out of his thoughts
"Take the one out my car" Eddie finally says
Eddie walks off and heads to his car where he undoes the booster seat on the backseat and takes it closing and locking the car after him he then stands by Bucks jeep he sees Buck come out and Buck unlocks the jeep and Eddie makes quick work locking the booster in to the back and jumps in to the passenger side, Buck starts the engine and sets off, it quiet and no talking Eddie looked over and saw Buck focusing on the driving so didn't want say anything to distract him even though the roads were quiet, Eddie finally decides to let Buck know about some of his old team he figures Buck as put so much effort in to get to know Eddie and help him its worth the risk.
"My old team were unformattable with having Chris round, and some did not like him been round and made it very clear where they stood by saying it to me in front of him, I'm sorry I automatically assumed you were the same it is just hard you know when you build defences up to protect someone you love and to let the defences down" Eddie says
Eddie looks at Buck who is quiet and deep in thought and he starts to think the worse as he always does, and waits for Buck to finally speak
"I'm sorry to hear that Eddie, you shouldn't have had to put up with it especially Chris, what did your club say" Buck questions and Eddie is grateful and delighted that Buck wants to know more
"I never told them, no point the rest of the team would have stuck together and denied it all, I fell out with a few of them and when they did family events we just didn't turn up, was easier that way no awkward silences and stares, they felt like he would break if they touched him and I would sue them and all that, which when Athena said about the opportunity of playing over here I took it" Eddie sighs feeling some of the weight been lifted
"If you want stop you don't need explain anymore I get it, but understand were not the same here as you have seen already we will help" Buck explains
"I know just hard when you spent so long protecting you know" Eddie says "But can I ask why you never said you were from the states, Christian explained you were but to be honest I hadn't noticed the accent till this morning" Eddie asks
"It is a long story which involves my parents making decisions for themselves and not me and Maddie and when they decided they had enough they wanted to leave but me and Maddie were settled, that's the short version sorry I don't like talking about it" Buck explains, Eddie really wants to know more but he has respect what Buck wants after all Buck hadn't pushed him for answers
The rest of the journey was in silence bar the few times Eddie laughed as Buck was honking and flipping people off for cutting him up, they eventually pull up at the airport car park and get out Eddie see's Buck making sure he has his cap and glasses on not to draw attention and Eddie just laughs and shakes his head, they look at the long list of arrivals looking for which terminal Chris would arrive at and where to go wait for them, as they walk Eddie can feel the excitement it wont be long till his son is in his arms
They arrive at the terminal and stand waiting, the plane had landed but obviously they had clear through passport control and collect their bags before Buck or Eddie would see anyone, Eddie see's Buck taking a stand next to him as they waited watching people walk past and even though it was early in the morning it was hustle and bustle in there Eddie hated airports always busy no matter the time, eventually people started walking through the doors and Eddie made a move and started to look, eventually he clocked his sister and walking next to her using his crutches was Chris and the second Chris spotted him he smiled and Eddie had to fight back the tears as he heard his son shout for him
"Daddy" Chris shouts
Eddie kneels down and embraces Chris in a hug he feels the crutches hit him on the back but he didn't care, he placed a kiss on his cheek and hugged him again
"I've missed you so much" Eddie whispers
Eddie stands and looks at his sister and gives her a quick hug
"Was the flight ok? No one gave you any trouble did they?" Eddie asks
"No was all good we had fun" Isabella explains
Eddie was about to answer when he heard Chris speak
"Buck" Chris asks And Eddie watches as Buck kneels to talk to him, no one ever does that for Chris they always look down at him
"Yeah that's me, nice to meet you Christopher" Buck says
"Why are you wearing sunglasses indoors that's silly" Chris chuckles
"Ah you see, I have to hide my identity, so people don't pester me when I'm out" Buck explains
"Oh, like dad did when we went shopping at the supermarkets" Chris asks
"exactly, plus it makes me feel like a superhero hiding in plain sight" Buck chuckles
"Let us move out the way" Eddie says noticing more people coming "Buck this is Isabella my sister" Eddie continues
"Hi nice to meet you" Buck says
"Buck? That is a weird name is it not? But it's nice to meet you to and thanks for looking after them, it's nice to see there are actual nice players out there" Isabella says and Eddie wonders if Buck ever gets fed up of explaining
"My name is Evan Buckley but my nickname is Buck and it kind of stuck so everyone calls me that I rarely answer by my first name now, and I've heard some things about them players like that give the rest of us bad names, so when do you fly back" Buck asks
"Plane is at 9am so I can head through the gates soon" She explains
"We will walk you over, least I can do for bringing Chris" Eddie says
"He is my nephew of course I did it, I wasn't going let him travel alone, even though he sweet talked the flight attendant in to giving him extras" She chuckles giving Eddie a funny stare
They all slowly walk through the busy airport heading towards the terminal that Isabella needed to go to, as Chris wanted to walk instead of been carried as Eddie pulled his suitcase along, eventually it was getting to busy, as they walk a guy bumps in to Chris and Eddie rolls his eyes at the man he really wanted to punch him but thought better of it
"Come on ill carry you, people don't seem to watch where they are going" Eddie says he knew he sounded frustrated so he made sure it was loud enough for the guy to hear and to look back at him but carry on
"Can Buck carry me" Chris asks and Eddie watches as Buck head turns and he knows it's a good sign if Chris wants Buck to carry him and he trusted Buck but he had make sure Chris understood that even though Buck was ok with him been there he might not be ok carrying him
"Erm I'm not sure if Buck would be ok with that" Eddie explains
Eddie watches as Chris wanders over and pulls at Bucks shirt and Buck kneels down
"Yeah Buddy, don't you want your dad to carry you instead" Buck says
"Nope, can you, you're taller so people won't bump into you" Chris says, and it earns a chuckle from both Isabella and Buck and Eddie sighs dam his shortness he thinks
"Ok then, up we go" Buck says as he picks Chris up and Eddie moves to take hold of the crutches
"Not even met properly and he has your wrapped round his finger" Isabella jokes "He does it to anyone who's nice to him, just be careful he doesn't take advantage" She explains and hears Chris giggle and Eddie laughs to himself as he knows it's true
"Oh, I won't but you can't deny this cute little face really can you" Buck laughs as he turns to Eddie "Come on bag boy, you need see your sister off" Buck chuckles and Chris laughs and Eddie shrugs
"Don't give him ideas please" Eddie says rolling his eyes at Buck "Thanks for bringing him again, message me when you get back" Eddie says
"I will, now Chris look after you dad and be good" Isabella says, "Nice meeting you Buck" She says
"You to" Buck says
They stand and wave to her as she goes and once out of view they head out to the jeep and load Chris suitcase in and place Chris in the seat and Eddie takes a seat in the back whilst Buck starts driving, Eddie hears the radio go up slightly and smiles Buck was been so respectful giving Eddie time to enjoy talking to his son and the adventures on the plane he had eventually Eddie watches as Chris falls asleep the excitement of the plane flight taking its toll, they finally make it back and Eddie takes Chris out and sees Buck get the suitcase and opens the door, Eddie takes Chris to his temporary room and sees Buck had followed and placed the suitcase down quietly and then leaves as Eddie settles Chris in the bed under the new duvet set that had come he smiled and kissed his son on the forehead and left leaving the door slightly ajar as he headed to the kitchen where he could see Buck outside in the garden
"So, Chris is asleep, thanks for taking me to pick him up sorry he is a bit forward I don't know where he gets it from, where do you plan on planting your vegetables?" Eddie asks walking on to the grass, he had an idea of how he could thank Buck.
"Its fine honestly he is a little ray of sunshine, I was thinking most likely in that corner over there where that pile of rubbish that really needs go the tip is, was going get a raised bed so I can get some potatoes in there but I will sort it out when I get back from my trip" Buck says Eddie see's Buck kick the ball to him so he stops it with his foot and passes it between his two feet
"Do you have to go? I mean would it not be better sort your head out round family and mates" Eddie questions and starts doing some keepy ups with the ball
"I would but to be honest last time I ended up trashing my sisters spare room" Buck says looking down Eddie felt bad for Buck he was so kind so whatever it was must be big "And I don't want scare you're son when he's only just got here, with me moping round or worse smashing things" Buck continues as he looks up, Eddie again felt the kindness come from Buck not wanting to scare his son but at the same time he also wanted to help Buck, he passes the ball back to Buck
"Ah ok, I can understand that, my anger hasn't helped me either in the past but it's always good to talk you know I had to learn that the hard way, look you have had my back from the first day it only fair that I have yours, if you need go then go, just promise not to get arrested and also Chris is excited to build Lego with you when you get back" Eddie chuckles
"Part of the deal I have with Athena getting me the time is that I come back and if gaffer needs me back earlier for training I come straight back and that I must contact someone every day, so I said I would message my sister she will hate me when I tell her and I don't want to put her through it again but she is my only family I got" Buck says as he kicks the ball a bit too hard and smacks Eddies leg "Sorry" Buck mumbles, Eddie thinks for a second and decides if he can't help Buck with him staying he can offer to speak to him
"First ow and apology accepted, second why don't you contact me I mean I'm staying in your place so you can make sure Chris hasn't painted your clean white walls with god knows what, which by the way I apologise in advance for anything that may happen to them" Eddie chuckles "that way Athena is kept happy and you don't have worry your sister with you been away and you can explain it to her when you get back" Eddie says as he kicks the ball back
"You would do that for me?" Buck questions, Eddie guesses for all the kindness Buck gives he must not get much back
"We are teammates and it's what we do" Eddie says as he puts his hand on his neck and rubs
"Oh, using my words against me now I see" Buck laughs and Eddie watches as Buck kicks the ball up high, so he tries to head it but misses
"Well someone has to, just go get sorted come back and we can start our training to thrash teams in pre-season, I got hopefully someone coming to look after Chris while I'm out playing and training" Eddie says
"Let's head in, I need book my lodge and then ill pack and set off" Buck says
"Ok cool" Eddie says
Eddie watches as Buck goes upstairs, he moves round the kitchen getting some juice out to make Chris a drink as he knew he most likely would wake soon, he starts looking in the cupboards to get some cereal ready for Chris soon he hears Buck talking and looks round corner to see Chris and Buck talking he pours the cereal in to a bowl and some milk and he slowly wanders over to them catching the last bit of the conversation
"Ok, as long as you bring me something good back" Chris chuckles, Eddie sometimes hated the things Chris came out with as it puts him and the other person in a difficult position
"Christopher don't be so rude, sorry Buck he gets carried away sometimes" Eddie says walking over to them "Go on Chris your food is waiting for you" Eddie says
"Have fun Buck" Chris says as he waves
"You to buddy" Buck smiles "Thanks for this mate" Buck say looking at Eddie
"Well you are letting me, and my son stay till our place is sorted least I can do, I'll come to your jeep I need get his seat out before you leave" Eddie laughs
"Good point" Buck says
They start heading out and Eddie watches as Buck picks his case up and heads to his jeep while Buck loads the jeep Eddie goes and gets the seat out the back and places it on the floor, Buck closes the boot and heads round to the driver's door and Eddie is stood there
"Be safe and make sure you keep in contact and if you need anything call me, I may not be able get there but if you just want chat or someone just to listen as you ramble I'm here ok" Eddie says placing a hand on Bucks shoulder giving him a squeeze before letting go
"Thanks mate, right I best be off, ill message when I'm there and I'll see you next Monday night unless gaffer summons me back" Buck says smiling
Eddie watches as Buck leaves and he heads back in to the house where he hops on the phone to Athena he needed ask for some help
"Hey" Eddie says
"What can I do for you? Is Chris there safe and sound?" She asks
"Yeah he is here just eating and Buck has just left he will be in touch and ill let you know, but do you know any gardeners" Eddie questions
"I have a guys number why" She asks
"I want get a vegetable patch built for Buck as a thank you he said he was going get it sorted when he got back but I thought I would get it done as a thank you" he replies
"That's good of you and it will help distract him, ill call the guy and get him pop over in a bit" She says
"Thank you, ill see you tomorrow for the interviews, what time they start" Eddie asks
"There is three people one at ten, then one pm and three pm so they have time with Chris" She says
"Brilliant thank you, cya" He says
"Bye" she says as she hangs up
Eddie walks back in to the kitchen and grabs something eat and joins Chris who is explaining how much he loves his room, Eddie has to remind him its temporary but his room in the new house will be just as good, after they eat they sit on the sofa and watch films Eddie feels his phone vibrate and looks at the message
Buck: 'Just arrived all is good and look at the view, speak tomorrow'
Eddie smiled and sent a reply back, Eddie and Chris then spent the rest of the day playing in Chris room only to stop when Eddie met the gardener who agreed to get the vegetable patch built where Buck wanted it and take the rubbish too it would be done in a day and they agreed to start tomorrow so it was ready, he went back to Chris and they played with all the different toy he had eventually he was falling asleep and Eddie put him down and explained people were coming to meet Chris as they would care for him while he was working Chris nodded and Eddie read him a book till he fell asleep Eddie left him and went to his room leaving the door open just in case Chris needed him and fell asleep.
The next day the carers came over and Eddie did not like the first one he was moody and smelt like beer he voiced his concerns with Athena who was straight on the phone to the company about him the second one was ok but she didn't seem to want to spend time with Chris and just watch him from a far which Chris didn't like the last one her name was Carla and she interacted with Chris and made him smile and laugh after the time was up Eddie offered her the job he could see how much of a brilliant carer and he didn't want loose her to someone else she agreed and said she would gladly start tomorrow so they could get to know each other better and Eddie agreed. over the next couple of days Carla came round and bonded really well with Chris Eddie was able to go out and sort out collecting his box of clothes and getting some shopping in to so there was food in and so Buck didn't have worry when he came back he also picked up a load of seeds so Buck could start planting he had picked seeds where they could be planted so late on in the year, each day Eddie would send messages and pictures of Chris playing in his room, he would end up texting Buck more and more each day even though he knew he shouldn't as Buck was meant be taking time away but Eddie loved listening to Buck go on about random facts he didn't know why he just found Buck relaxing especially after training sessions.
It got to Sunday night and Eddie messaged Buck no reply straight away Eddie didn't think much of it as he knew Buck might be busy so he went on with cleaning the kitchen after him and Chris had made pizzas even though more dough ended up on the floor than in a pizza base. Eventually they head bed and Eddie falls asleep he is woken by his phone going off at 5am the gaffer called them in for training, and Eddie groaned he quickly messaged Carla and rolled over and fell back asleep he was woken by sounds downstairs and he ran down luckily he started sleeping in shorts and slid his phone in to his pocket and as he got to the hallway he saw Chris in the living room he gently kissed him on the forehead and headed in to the kitchen to make a brew he fished his phone out and saw it was nearly 8am and no message off Buck which was weird he text him and went on with making food for him and Chris after they ate and he cleaned up he sent Chris to go get changed he looked and saw it was now 9am and still no answer so he called and it was turned off Eddie started to worry abit maybe he was overreacting but he could feel something was up but though best leave him in case he slept in by time half 9 came Eddie was a nervous wreck and called again no answer so he googled the lodge park and rung them and asked for Bucks lodge number as it was an emergency he rung and no answer he looked at how long it would take and it said a few hours, he shouted to Chris to say they were going out in 5 minutes he ran up stairs and got changed and they set off to the lodge.
The whole way there Eddie was trying the lodge phone and Bucks but no answer eventually they pulled up at the lodge Eddie picks Chris up out the back and they walk to the door which Eddie tries and its locked he looked through the window and saw the mess so he started knocking again he turns when he hears a sound
"Eddie, Chris, what are you doing here?" Buck asks and the relief Eddie feels when he see's him, but as he looks at Buck he can tell he has had no sleep
"Where have you been? I text you at 8am and by nine when I had no answer I called your phone and it said it was switched off so I thought maybe you were asleep but when it got to half 9 I tried again and it was still off so I looked up the lodge and they gave me the number for the lodge and then you didn't answer so I came as I thought you needed someone and when I got here I saw the mess, are you ok?" Eddie asks
"Yeah something happened, and I smashed my phone and then the living room and then walked out, sorry I didn't mean worry you, you can go" Buck says Eddie see him turn his head
"Can we see the lake?" Chris says smiling
"Yeah buddy, but let your dad carry you as there a bit of mess" Buck says as he walks up and opens the door
They enter the building and Eddie looks at the mess Buck made keeping Chris eyes diverted and opens the patio door and puts Chris down on the decking and explains he will be inside and not to move, he walks in and sees Buck moving some of the broken bits and bobs and Eddie picks up a dust pan and brush and moves towards Buck, after ten minutes they have cleaned it all up and sort of made it look ok, they empty the shards and broken items in to the bin, Eddie watches as Buck drinks a bottle of water and notices Buck will not look at him he wants to ask questions but hears Chris
"Dad, come look at the fish" Chris shouts
"Coming, and you come to, I don't fancy picking up broken plates" Eddie says making sure Buck looks at him and sees him nod
"Buck, this place is awesome" Chris says
"It is, I tell you what maybe we can arrange for you and your dad come spend a week here before we start the season" Buck says smiling and Eddie can tell he is forcing it
"Really can we dad" Chris says jumping
"We will see, you know I have a lot of practicing and so does Buck if we want our team be the best" Eddie says
"I know dad" Chris groans as he looks out over their water
"Well we will leave in twenty minutes so take it all in, me and Buck will be in the kitchen ok" Eddie says
"ok" Chris replies
Eddie heads into the kitchen and watches as Buck eventually follows
"Eddie, I can .." Buck starts but is cut off, Eddie didn't need answers he just needed to know Buck was ok
"No need explain, you're ok well physically anyway and that's the main thing, also the gaffer messaged everyone this morning he wants us in later for training at 4pm but I'm guessing you haven't seen the message as your phone is broken and when get back if you want talk we can or if you want just sit and watch tv we can, but Carla will most likely will be there to" Eddie says
Eddie can see Buck thinking and laughs to himself
"She is Chris's carer you know the one you helped get well the club got her, but you told them so thank you, I could see the lost look in your eyes when I said her name" Eddie chuckled
"yeah I thought you were going tell me you had a hook up moved in" Buck laughed
"No, dating is off the menu, lets face it who wants a single dad with a kid with CP doesn't really scream prize catch" Eddie laughs "Go get your stuff so we can head off" Eddie continues
Buck just chuckles and heads off collecting his stuff and packing it up, with in twenty minutes the lodge is locked up Eddie sets off saying he will see Buck back at his place, Eddie gets back and they enter as he walks to the kitchen he sees Carla is on her way after a few minutes Eddie hears Chris moving down the hall way he looks and see's Buck and Carla walking in and heads over
"Carla you are here, come on we got make a fort today" Chris says as tugs on her shirt
"You wanna tag in Buck, I'm a bit to old be playing forts" Carla says
"Ah he can't he got come with me, we been called in for a training game before we have a friendly at the end of week, sorry" Eddie says
"Oh, Chris I have this for you, I found it in the water" Buck says as he fishes out the rock out of his pocket
"Wow, it so white and speckly" Chris says with a big grin
"Ok have fun, I'll be most likely passed out in the fort" Carla chuckles and disappears with Chris
Eddie watches as Buck hums and heads up, Eddie heads up to and Changes in to his training kit before heading back down, they head to the ground and once Buck hits the pitch he forgets everything but football they spend hours with the team doing drill and training exercises Eddie joins in making sure no one passes him whilst watching Buck show off what he has been practicing and pushing the others to perform better to keep up with him including Eddie who had push harder, he watches as Buck ends up banging balls in to the net scoring pretty much every time, after they finish they quickly shower and grab some food from the canteen they make excuses and head back as it was getting late and training had gone on longer than expected mainly as some players hadn't kept to their training regime during the off season so they all had do extra which made Eddie mad as they were meant be a team so they should put more effort in.
As they entered the house Eddie watched as Buck said hello and goodbye as he headed up the stairs, Eddie thanks Carla who had put Chris to bed and that she would see them soon, once she was gone he locked the door and checked in on Chris who was out like a light he headed up and jumped in to bed himself training had really tired him out and he falls asleep.
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DISCLAIMER: I have used real life football players and places, the comments and actions in this story are of my OWN imagination and NOT of the people I have used so please remember this when reading my story. Also I will be making a few surprises in this which again DO NOT reflect the real people.