It had been a long night for Eddie, once they got back from the shop Abuela was in full baking mode declaring she was making cookies for Chris but also cakes and cookies for Buck and his firehouse. Stating that it was the least she could do for saving Eddie, but that didn't stop her quizzing Eddie on how cute Buck was and how they would make a nice couple.
Eddie had bitten his tongue as he knew he needed her take him to work which is how he finds himself this morning ready for work with his bag and lunch and five boxes of treats one for him and the office the other four for the firehouse with one clearly marked for Buck, he had explained that Buck or anyone from the firehouse may not appear today.
He sat on the sofa waiting for Abuela to be ready, he couldn't wait to be able drive himself; he hated having to rely on others. Soon enough they were on the way.
"How do you feel about your first day back?" She questions.
"I'm nervous but that's to be expected, but it's all secure so I think the nerves will go after the first hour." He explains.
"Well they have a lot of security, and the firehouse is around the corner." She smirks at him.
"Really, again, look he's just friendly, you shouldn't read into it." Eddie replies.
"Fine, but just remember what I said about you two." She chuckles.
"You're so embarrassing sometimes, god help Chris when he tells us about his first crush." Eddie says, deep down he was dreading that day, meaning his little boy wasn't so little anymore.
"That's a fair few years away. Just remember to drop the cakes off if no one from the station comes in, or we can drop them off after your shift?" She says.
"No, it's fine, I'll drop them on my lunch if no one comes in beforehand." Eddie quickly interjects, if they did go after work she would make it her mission to ask awkward questions.
"Are you sure? I don't mind." She says.
"No, just focus on Chris coming home, need everything to be perfect, the first few days I know he's going to be extra clingy." Eddie explains.
"Well, are you surprised if he is, you did nearly die." She states, "perra, ¿realmente acabas de empujar?"
"Abuela did you really just curse?" Eddie asks, trying not to laugh, he knew his language would have been more colorful if it was him driving and the car cut him up.
"Bastardo, he cut me up." She snarks, glaring at the man in the car.
"Eyes on the road, I hope you don't speak like that with Chris around." He jokes.
"Never, and we mention this to no one." The glare she gave him after it made him realize he best not mess with her.
Eventually they arrive at the carpark opposite the post office and Eddie stares his stomach was turning like crazy, he wasn't one to get nervous but the nerves were there as he looked at the front of the office, the queue wasn't too bad out front, but he knew it most likely was worse when they opened at 9.
"If you're not ready I'm sure they will understand, it is still too early in my eyes to be going back." Abuela says.
"I know and it will be fine, just nerves with it being a different office I will see you later." He explains.
"Just let me know what time and I will pick you up." She explains.
He smiles at her and gets out of the car making sure to collect the boxes of cakes off the back seat and heads towards the office. Once at the main door he explains to the guard who he is and they radio through and let him in. Walking through the door he is met by Nick.
"Eddie, great you're here, hope you are ready for a busy day?" Nick jokes.
"It will make the shift go quickly, bring it on, what am I doing? Here's my note." Eddie says juggling the boxes of cakes round to grab the note.
"True, so what's with the cakes?" Nick questions as he signals to head towards the back office.
"My Abuela, swear if it wasn't for the gym I'd be the size of a house, but one box is for the firehouse, when they come in, as a thank you for saving me." Eddie explains.
"Ah yes, they maybe it depends if they have many calls, you will get to meet them all, they do come in but not as much as Buck, to which I'm sure Ruth will love you to take him." Nick chuckles.
'Take him out on a date, yes.' Eddie thinks before realizing he can't say that to his boss.
"I'd gladly take him, he seems harmless." Eddie explains, already knowing how sweet Buck is and he couldn't wait to talk to him more.
After a brief run through of everything and putting his stuff away, he finds himself on the counter next to Ruth, he could feel the nerves build but knew they would go after his first few customers. Sure enough after the first three customers he felt like he was back, customers were in and out and the stupid questions were coming quick and fast and his list he wrote of them was filling up. Quickly he looks at his list.
Can I post mail here?
Is this where I buy stamps?
Where do I stick the stamp?
Can you wrap my parcel?
Eddie had to chuckle; they might seem valid questions to people who don't work there but when you hear it day in and out it's either laugh or give a sarcastic comment. He attempts to talk to Ruth but she was having none of it and Eddie couldn't be bothered to try anymore so decides to subtly annoy her by being over friendly to every customer.
After the first few hours he felt like taking five minutes, since starting there hadn't really been a moment for him to relax and soak in the fact he was working.
"Would you like a drink Ruth? I'm going to quickly make coffee." Eddie asks.
"No." She sharply replies not even looking at him.
Eddie doesn't even wait and walks off into the back flicking the coffee machine on and grabbing a cup. Taking his phone out he quickly texts Louise asking how she's doing and explaining how his day was going. Finishing up his coffee he can hear Ruth banging draws and then appear in the back which Eddie finds annoying as she knew he was there which meant no one was on the counter, but guessed she wouldn't come in the back unless it was important.
"Everything ok?" He questions.
"No that bloody Buck is here again, well now he can wait." She snarks as she disappears towards the restroom.
Eddie rolls his eyes, but smiles as he was hoping to see Buck, quickly grabbing his coffee and the boxes of cakes he heads out to the front and surely enough he can see Buck standing at the front of the queue in his firefighter uniform.
As Eddie heads to his counter trying not to stare too much, he quickly presses the call button and places down everything.
"Hi sorry for your wait. How can I help you today?" Eddie says.
"Oh so formal, no need for that, you know me Eddie." Buck jokes.
"True, but the bosses don't, so what brings you in today?" Eddies asks, they both look to the side when they hear Ruth call and she looks at Eddie and smirks.
"I see she made you come serve, can I send this please, only to Texas, mainly cookie's and some cakes." Buck explains.
"No bother to me who I serve, and certainly, how would you like it to be sent? Standard or express?" Eddie asks.
"You know what, let's break the bank and send it express." Buck says with a wink.
Eddie chuckles to himself as he gets the parcel through the hatch and starts processing it.
"How's the first day going?" Buck asks and it throws Eddie that he would even ask that.
"Yeah it's ok at the moment, it feels like I haven't been away from the job. What about you? How's your day?" Eddie questions.
"Been good thanks, my team is out and I'm the man behind on this call. I was feeling a bit tired, so I got some chores done." Buck explains, but Eddie could tell there was something Buck wasn't saying.
"So instead of resting you came out? That's all done, anything else today?" Eddie asks, moving the box to the side and moving the boxes of Abuelas treats to the side.
"Not today, I best head back, how much I owe you?" Buck smiles.
"$21.59, cash or card?" Eddie asks.
"Card, so you working week?" Buck asks as he pays.
"Yeh, only doing short hours though till I fully heal. Thanks, that's all gone through." Eddie replies as he starts pulling the receipts to the side, he can feel the nerves build and he doesn't know why.
"Well I'll be in again soon and have some more international parcels to send again, maybe when I come I'll fetch you a coffee or whatever hot drink you want as a thank you for all the help." Buck says.
"There's no need Buck plus you won't know if I'm In, here's your receipt." Eddie explains passing the receipt circling the info.
"Maybe I can have your number and text you in advance, you know save me wasting my and your time and the poor barista." Buck chuckles.
Eddie has to think as it was his policy never to give out his number to customers, but this was a firefighter and from all accounts of the other staff he was in a lot, but it would be nice to chat to someone who didn't really know his past. So before his head can think logically his hand writes it down.
"Here, but any dodgy stuff I'll block you and bar you from here, but also here these are from my Abulea, to say thank you for you know saving me." Eddie explains passing the boxes of treats through
"No dodgy stuff I promise, and she didn't have to, but tell thank you. Look I best go, I'll message later just so you have my number, cya." Buck says with a grins as he takes the boxes.
"Cool, and I'll tell her I hope your day goes well, enjoy the treats." Eddie says.
"Estoy seguro de que disfrutaremos las golosinas, dile a Abuela gracias de mi parte." (I'm sure we will enjoy the treats, tell Abuela thank you from me.) Buck winks as he walks off.
Eddie sits there in shock at what just happened. Buck knew Spanish, which meant he understood what Abuela had said at the store.
Buck knew Spanish, is all he could think.
Fuck, Buck knew Spanish.