The Family
Buck pulled into his usual spot at the station and turned the engine off, twisting to look at Eddie in the passenger seat. They had just got done with a doctor's appointment for Eddie, who was only a month out from being shot by a sniper. He was healing as well as the doctor's could hope after losing as much blood as he had. Today was the first time since he had been released from the hospital that Eddie had insisted they go somewhere that wasn't back home after one of his weekly doctor's appointments.
"You coming in with me?" Eddie asked as he turned to look at Buck. "Bobby said he just wanted to go over some paperwork about my medical leave. He doesn't know how long it'll take."
"Sure, I'll keep you company." Buck looked down at his watch. "I don't need to pick Chris up from Abuela's until before dinner anyway."
Eddie smiled and reached across his body to pop the door open, sliding out of the jeep. Buck followed suit on his side, grabbing the keys from the ignition as he went. He locked the jeep up from the key fob in hand after the doors were closed. They met at the back of the jeep as Buck shoved his keys into his pocket, moving to Eddie's other side in order to clasp Eddie's hand in his own. Eddie squeezed it as they headed towards the building.
Buck still couldn't believe this was his life now. He and Eddie had started dating shortly after Buck learned his family's secret - going on eight months together now. After Eddie had been shot, Buck had moved into the Diaz house to care for Christopher until Eddie was released from the hospital a week later. Buck meant to stay only long enough to help Eddie with everyday things - maybe two weeks, three at most. But one night after putting Christopher to bed, Eddie had asked Buck to stay permanently. It had been a few days since that night but Buck was already fully moved in and signing his lease over to Albert.
"What are you thinking of for dinner tonight?" Buck asked as they stepped through the open bay doors, the trucks were out so it looked like B-Shift was out on a call.
"My vote is for whatever Bobby's made," Eddie replied.
"Huh?" Buck asked, turning to look at his boyfriend in confusion. "What are you-?"
"Surprise!"
Buck jumped, his eyes widening as he and Eddie stopped walking. Buck looked up at the loft, seeing their team - their family, all of them, from Bobby and Athena with the kids, Michael and David; to Chimney, Maddie, Jee-Yun and Albert; to Hen and Karen, and Denny; to Pepa and Abuela with Christopher; and even Taylor. - all standing there looking over the glass balcony, smiling down at them.
"Happy Birthday, Buck!"
Buck watched as they all brought bubble wands up to their mouths and suddenly bubbles were raining down on him and Eddie. Buck laughed as one popped on the side of his face. He turned his attention to Eddie, who had dropped his hand, to find Carla standing next to Eddie with a wand held out for Eddie. Eddie blew bubbles into Buck's face with a hearty laugh.
"Not that I'm not grateful, but uh… it's not exactly my birthday yet."
"It will be on Sunday, but you're all working a twenty-four that day," Eddie shrugged with his good shoulder. "Since you're all off today, we thought we'd celebrate now."
Buck smiled before he leaned over and kissed Eddie on the lips, all the while bubbles still floating down around them from their family above.