There in the hospital for another hour, Eddie doesn't really reply, just listens but only picks up bits, the main ones being surgery and after that course of chemotherapy. He can feel Buck squeezing his hand as he fires questions at the doctor.
Eddie shifts a bit to look at the doctor who hands him a tissue.
"Mr Diaz, I know this is a lot to take in, my advice would be go home and have a read of the information I will give you. I will also give you your appointment for the surgery that needs to be done sooner rather than later." The doctor explains.
"Thanks doc, sorry for breaking down." Eddie says feeling embarrassed.
"I'd be more concerned if you didn't, but we are here if you need to talk, and will give you a counselors number, but also for you Mr Buckley." The doctor says.
"Im ok doctor, my main focus is Eddie, he will be on a strict regime." Which earns a chuckle from Eddie.
"I can see that, look head home and we will see you for your first session." The doctor says.
Eventually they get up and make their way out with Eddie's first appointment and prescription of meds he would have to take as well, he was relieved in one way he finally knew what it was but now the future was so uncertain. The car drive home was quiet and sobre, Eddie notices how quiet Buck was he felt so bad that he had put this on Buck. He continued to look out the window and he couldn't face the man.
"I messaged Abuela, she will have Chris a few nights, but she wants a full rundown of everything the doctor said." Buck says.
"Thanks." Eddie mumbles out, he felt bad but he couldn't face anyone at the moment.
"You can be as quiet as you want, but Eds please don't shut me out. I'm here." Buck explains and Eddie feels the warmth of his hand on his leg.
"I know, it's just a lot, and you know how I can get."
"It will be ok, Eddie we can.."
"Don't say it Buck, I just can't hear that just yet. I want you to be positive but right now I can't." Eddie explains.
There's a huff and Eddie knows Buck will be rolling his eyes but in the same way he knows Buck gets it. As he looks out the window they pass a firetruck and his mind goes back to work, there was no way he could work, once he started the meds and treatment he would be useless and a risk.
"What do I tell work, about this?." He asks and finally turns to Buck.
"Whatever you want, we can go into full detail or none at all, but Bobby will have to know to sign you off." Buck says, glancing over to Eddie and smiling.
"I don't want to talk to Bobby, after the way he was I can't face him, it's just too much stress." Eddie explains.
"He won't bother you, I'll make sure of it. I pulled him on how he was so no doubt he will call to apologize."
Eddie just nods and smiles at his boyfriend, taking his hand and linking their fingers. He enjoys the warmth until they arrive at Eddies and see Bobby's truck outside it. Eddie can feel the nerves rattling around in his stomach, this is something he didn't want right now.
"Wait here." Buck states, sounding pissed.
Eddie let their hands go and Buck got out of the truck, the door closing behind, Eddie watched as Buck aproclached Bobby who was standing by his truck. He could see Buck was angry and saying something to Bobby but couldn't make it out there was finger pointing and Bobby trying to calm Buck, but eventually Bobby gets in his truck and disappears.
Getting out of the car Eddie can see Buck breathing hard, no doubt trying to calm himself down, when he looks at Eddie he smiles.
"Sorted l, told Bobby don't expect us in for the rest of the week and that you will talk to him when you're ready." Buck explains.
"Buck you're going to get into trouble."
"I doubt it, Bobby knows he is in the wrong. After a few days it will be all calmed down and we can all discuss. Now if you go inside, we will get you rested and sort food for you."
"Buck there's no need to fuss." Eddie says as he walks into the house, and walks to the kitchen stops when he sees the table.
He hears the car door close and then Buck charging in the door closing shut. Once he arrives in the kitchen he stops next to Eddie.
"Who?." Buck questions.
"I'm going to guess Abuela, it's all my favorites." Eddie says as he walks over and looks over the food.
"How is she even?"
"Trust me, that woman is a machine when it comes to food making. I'm guessing she knew we wouldn't want to cook and she didn't want us ordering takeaways." He chuckles as he grabs a sandwich.
"She didn't have to do it." Buck explains.
"Well Buck, it's what families do, you best get used to it, as once the rest of my family knows that door won't stop opening."
"Great army of Diaz's." Buck chickles picking a sandwich.
"Damn right." Eddie says, putting his arm round Bucks waist.
"Talking of which, how do we explain this to your parents?" Buck asks, hinting at their relationship.
"Trust me they will moan, but Abuela will put them in their place."
"Note to self don't piss off Abuela." Buck chuckles which makes Eddie laugh too.
They settle into chairs and snack on the food, they eat quietly for a while but Eddie can tell Buck wants to talk, he's been pushing the food round the plate for a while and glancing at him.
"Spit it out?" Eddie says.
"What?"
"Buck I can see you glancing and the fact that a piece of bread has been rolled round the plate several times I'm guessing you want to say something." Eddie says, looking directly at Buck.
"It's just… you haven't even looked at the appointment card or spoke about it." Buck says dropping the bread.
Eddie felt guilty, he could see Buck was struggling, he always wanted help and now this was something he couldn't control.
"Buck, look at me." Eddie says and waits for Buck to look at him. "We knew surgery would happen if it was diagnosed, I don't want to look at it just yet, I want to feel normal for one night where we don't talk about it."
"Eddie, I'm sorry, I didn't think about that. I'm such an idiot." Buck says.
Eddie gets up and walks slowly over towards Buck and pulls at his arm to make him stand, once he's stood Eddie pulls him in for a deep hug.
"Buck you are not an idiot, I should have stated that's what I wantedI wanted to do, I'm sorry for not speaking up. So let's leave this behind us and enjoy a film night." Eddie says hugging tighter and feeling Buck squeeze.
Their night goes off to a great start they settle n the couch with beers, Eddie claims he might as well have them now as he wont be able to for a while, they pick a kid unfriendly film which has them cuddling up on the sofa, Buck feels Eddie's head slip on to his shoulder and shortly followed by the snoring, Buck turned the tv down so that Eddie wouldnt be disturbed he wanted to enjoy the happiness right now.
Eddie stirs and realizes they're still on the sofa, Buck is now asleep and the tv had obviously timed out as it was off. As much as he would love to stay on the sofa it was getting uncomfortable so slowly he nudges Buck to get him awake, once he is semi conscious Eddie guides him to the bedroom to which Buck falls in the bed and rolls over, Eddie heads back to the living room to quickly clean it up and give the kitchen a little tidy.
Once he stood in the kitchen and saw his prescription of painkillers and the appointment card, he knew he had to look at it sometime, but he also knew Buck wanted to be there when he did, but he needed to know how soon he was going to be carted away. Picking up the card felt heavy, he knew it shouldn't yet it still did, he turns it over and sees the appointment is the day after tomorrow, he gets one full day of being normal.
"I thought you might look." Buck's tired voice makes Eddie look over.
"Sorry, I know you wanted to find out at the same time." Eddie starts
"Hey it's fine I get you wanted to know, so when is it?." He questions.
"Day after tomorrow, so one last day of being a full man. Woohoo." Eddie says.
"Edmundo Diaz, do not speak like that, what they are doing is not going to make you less of a man, so drop that attitude right now. Yes it's scary and you will feel weird but it will never make you less of a man." Buck says, taking a firm grip of Eddie.
"I hear you Buck I do, but the voice in my head tells me otherwise."
"Look, you need to focus on getting better, for yourself and Chris, we will talk to the counselor and they will tell you the same."
"You forgot you, I need to fight for you too. You are a part of my life and I can't lose you." Eddie says, placing a kiss on Buck's cheek.
They stand in the kitchen holding each other, Eddie breathing in Buck's scent making the most of it. Eventually they head to bed holding each other close.
The morning comes quickly and Eddie doesn't want to move out the bed, being held close by Buck was a great feeling.
"So what do you want to do today?" Buck's soft voice echoes.
"I'm not sure, maybe a day out with Chris, sit him down tell him I'm having surgery so won't be around for a few days." Eddie says.
"Ok, we can sort something, just remember you can't eat after 8pm. I'll message Abuela while you go shower, let her know we are taking Chris" Buck says with a smile.
"Deal."
Eddie watches as Buck leaves the room, slowly getting up he heads and showers, he wants to break down and cry but he makes a promise to himself not to do it till at least later, he needs to be strong.
Soon enough they had picked Chris up and were on their way to Disneyland but didn't tell Chris they wanted it to be a surprise, Eddie wanted it to be a great day and this was something on their list to do.
"Disneyland! Omg dad this is gonna be the best day ever." Chris shouts from the backseat, he smiles at Chris and glances at Buck who gives him a sad smile, they were building up his day to shatter it later.
They make their way through the gates and walk up main street, Chris is on Buck's back and Eddie loves the sight of the two of them, he gets them to turn so the castle is behind them and takes a picture. Buck then stops an old couple and asks them to take a picture of the three of them which they do, Eddie sets it as his lock screen and once he shared it to Buck he's sure he did the same.
The day flies by and the day is magical. They ride so many rides, watch the shows and enjoy the parade and meet so many characters. Soon it's getting late and Chris wants to eat but Eddie notices the time, so they get him and Buck food and sit at a table, Eddie just nurses a bottle of over priced water.
"What's wrong dad? You aren't eating." Chris questions, he knew Chris would notice.
"There's something we need to discuss." Buck says. He was grateful Buck was here as he knew how to negotiate these tough talks, he had helped him when Shannon died.
"Are you two breaking up?" Chris asks.
"No, nothing like that, me and Buck are happy, we are a great little family, there's something I need to tell you, but I'm always gonna be here you need to remember that. Tomorrow I've got to go to the hospital to have some surgery, that's why you're staying with Abuela." Eddie explains and doesn't know how to explain he has cancer, he can see Chris is concerned.
"Are you going to die?" Chris asks and Eddie knew this would be one of the questions he asked.
"He isn't, buddy, he is going to need lots of rest and quiet time, but you will be able to visit loads." Buck says and Eddie loved how easy Buck made it sound.
"So he will be fine?."
"Yeh I will be, the doctor's are going to make me better." Eddie explains.
"Ok, can we watch the fireworks before we go?" Chris seemed happy enough with the explanation for now.
"Of course." Eddie says.
Eddie watches as Buck and Chris finish up eating, and then make their way back to main street and take a seat waiting for the fireworks to start and a prime view of the castle. The show is amazing and Chris loves every second Eddie notices Buck had his phone leaned against the fence obviously taking a video to share later, as it was late they had agreed to let Chris Stay with them and drop him on the way to the hospital after speaking to Abuela who understood.
When they eventually get in, Buck carries in Chris and places him in his bed getting him all tucked in, Eddie and Buck settle in to theirs and scroll through the pictures they had taken today. Eddie couldn't hold back the tears this time, seeing his happy little family unit made him dread leaving them.
"I'm going to fight this Evan, with everything I have, I don't want to leave you or Chris." Eddie says, looking at Buck.
"I know you will and I will be with you every step of the way, come the good and the bad days I won't leave you."
Eddie rolls and kisses Buck who kisses him back and they snuggle up together as Buck plays the video of the fireworks.
Eddie didn't remember falling asleep but the sound of the alarm made him think about what the day was. It was a slow morning as he packed a bag, Chris Was down the hall with Buck making something, Eddie's stomach rumbles knowing he can't eat.
Once Chris is fed they head to Abuela's and give her a quick run through as they need to get to the hospital, she gives them both hugs and sends them on their way. Once at the hospital Eddie is taken to a private room, Buck is allowed to stay until he is told he needs to leave so they can take Eddie but will call once it's done.
"I'll be waiting, come back to me." Buck says as he kisses him.
"I will see you in a few hours." Eddie says.
He watches as Buck disappears but he knows that all he would do is sit in the waiting room. Eddie smiled at the nurse as she signaled for him to lay down, much as he was in the bed. The nurse placed the needle in injecting the anesthesia and his eyes got heavy.