Eddie couldn't let go. He had spent all night debating back and forth whether or not he should come to the station today. He had twisted and turned in his sleep, waking up several times as he wrestled with his decision. Finally, seeing the flashing red lights on his alarm signalling it was already 6AM, Eddie got up, called Carla to come watch Chris, and headed out the door. He had been so determined to make an appearance….and now...now he couldn't let go of the damn steering wheel.

Eddie closed his eyes, feeling the stitching along the leather steering wheel underneath his hands, and took a few deep breaths to try to calm his nerves. Not for the first time, Eddie briefly wished for more supportive and understanding parents. He remembered hearing his parents gossip late at night, about so and so's husband being caught with another man, and how unnatural that was. Or how two women shouldn't be allowed to raise a child, because all children need a mother and a father to grow up properly. He knew now that his parents were wrong, but when he was a child growing up, it had been confusing hearing that hatred come from people that loved him, that he trusted, only to witness same-sex pairings that were beautiful and loving and the complete opposite of everything that his parents said.

So he made sure to do his best not to repeat the cycle. Eddie prided himself on teaching Christopher that he could do whatever he wanted to do when he grew up, be whoever he wanted to be, and love whoever he wanted to. He didn't want Christopher to feel the shame that he did when he was growing up.

That's why today was important, he reminded himself, as he slowly loosened his grip on the steering wheel. Wiping his sweaty palms on his lap, he climbed out of his truck and shut the door. Eddie headed towards the station, preparing himself for what he was about to announce. Taking one last pause at the door, he reminded himself once more that he was allowed to love whoever he wanted to, and took a step inside.

XXXXX

He could barely believe his eyes. He had never seen the 118 ladder truck look so clean, and so, well...gay. The bright red of the truck gleamed with a shine that was rarely seen during shifts, and decoration-wise, it looked like a rainbow came and threw up all over it. There were multi-coloured streamers, balloons, and what appeared to be rainbow coloured cactus lights attached to every nook and cranny.

This was the first year that the LAFD was allowing a couple of their rigs into the Pride Parade, their excuse for the delay was their concern over how 'family-friendly' the events were, which Eddie had rolled his eyes about. Buck begged and Hen commented about how many of their team and family were members of the LGBTQ+ community, and Bobby reluctantly signed the 118, still slightly concerned about the condition of the truck after the party.

"Hey Eddie! Didn't know that you were coming today!" Buck said with a smile, polishing the last bit of chrome along the front bumper. He was wearing their basic fire fighter uniform, but with the addition of a bi-sexual flag pin, which had also been approved by the LAFD. Buck had officially come out about a year ago, and it was partially the acceptance that had been given by their station that helped give Eddie the courage to do what he was about to do.

Eddie could see Buck's smile falter slightly as he took in Eddie's appearance. Buck could read him like the back of his hand, and could likely see how nervous Eddie was. Eddie motioned Hen, Chim, and Bobby over, pulling their team slightly to the side of the garage. He was only going to say this once, for now, once was enough.

"I-I have something to say," Eddie said, pausing for a moment as he gathered his thoughts, shifting his weight back and forth. He wanted to reconfirm with himself that he wasn't just doing this for Christopher, that it was important for him to share his truth with his family. Everyone looked at him patiently; it wasn't often that Eddie announced his thoughts this way.

"I'm a member of the LGBTQ+ community," Eddie said, looking at each of his team, his family and not feeling one ounce of shame or embarrassment and so pushed on. "I consider myself to be demisexual, and bi, " he announced proudly, pulling two pins from his pocket, clipping both to his uniform. He had barely been able to secure the last pin when he was suddenly buried in a group hug from his team. Relaxing into the hug, knowing that he wasn't going to be able to escape right away, Eddie kept smiling. This was his family.

XXXXX

Barely an hour later, he was walking with Buck next to their ladder truck in his first Pride parade, waving to the crowds that had gathered. He felt a lightness in his body that was difficult to explain, but he was happy, incredibly happy to be there with his family. He felt Buck bump into his shoulder and so Eddie turned to focus on Buck, who looked like he wanted to say something.

"I'm proud of you Eddie," Buck said with a grin, his cheeks flushed, whether from the heat or embarrassment, Eddie wasn't sure. But faced with Buck's vocal support, Eddie couldn't help but smile back, throwing his arm around his friend's shoulders. "I couldn't have done it without you man," Eddie said honestly.

Buck stopped abruptly, shaking his head back and forth. "No Eddie, this was all you. Like I'm glad that we helped you feel comfortable in coming out to us, but please don't minimize your own strength and courage."

Eddie was surprised at the seriousness of Buck's words, but took them to heart as his arms wrapped around his best friend for another grateful hug. The two of them stood there, as the sounds of cheering and celebration faded into the background. Wrapped in each other's arms, the rest of the world on pause, Eddie realized that in sharing his truth, he was free. He was free.