Chapter 3 Results
Thursday dawned sunny over LA but for certain members of the 118, there was tension and uncertainty. Maddie and Buck had received notification that they could pick up their letters from the DNA center.
Both Eddie and Chim were quiet and in Chim's case nervous for their respective partners.
Everyone jumped in surprise when there was a ping from Eddie's phone, indicating a message.
Eddie was quick to whip out his phone and glance at the text.
FROM: Mi Vida.
Hola just got the envelope, cya sn. Maddie with me. Let Chim know I got his grl. ETA 10 min. Te amo.
Eddie read the message aloud so that the team and Chim in particular would know what was happening.
TO: Mi vida
Bien. We are waiting for you. See you soon. Te amo mi amor.
Eddie replied to Buck before looking up to see the team watching him intently.
"What?" Eddie asked with a raised brow.
"nothing. You just seem awfully calm, is all" Chim replied sounding really puzzled while he thinks back to the event that happened over the last few days. From his nervous excitement about Maddie meeting Buck to the startling revelation that the two might be related to the tension of waiting for the results. Not to mention Maddie's emotions being all over the place.
"Calm? " Eddie scoffed. "No just not freaking out. It would serve no purpose and accomplish nothing, Chim. Either the results are positive or negative. I know Buck wouldn't care to meet her biological parents regardless of whether or not Maddie happens to be her sister or not. I also know I would like very much to punch her old man and possibly even strangle her mother for what they did to her and what they let happen. Leaving her like they did changed her entire life and not for the better sometimes. My wife has had to fight for everything in her life because the system she was shoved into let her believe she was never good enough just as she is." Eddie started with a blank tone of voice.
"I'm sorry that sounds rough. And explains a lot about Buck." Hen said with sympathy.
"I'm sorry what is that supposed to mean?" Eddie asked with a frown and a slight growl in his voice.
Everyone immediately looked uncomfortable and paled at his tone.
"I'm sorry Eddie I meant no disrespect. But Buck can come across really intimidating and scary. I don't know anyone who can glare someone into submission or who doesn't even flinch at some of the stories we've told. She is a civilian. Most people cringe when we tell them our stories. And she is very protective and scarily good at reading people." Hen muttered quickly while keeping her head down to avoid Eddie's piercing stare.
Everyone gathered was startled when Eddie chuckled. " Hen she isn't a normal civilian. She's seen a lot of stuff while being deployed and it's made her tougher than normal. That and her childhood experiences made her quick to read other people and know when someone is lying or poses a danger. That skill simply carried over into her career as a SEAL."
Before anyone could respond, there were footsteps on the stairs. The 118 turned to the stairs and saw Maddie ascend the steps with a soundless Buck behind her, looking fierce and deadly in what Eddie recognized as Buck's 'protect and defend stance', body alert for any threat. With that simple glance at his wife, Eddie already suspected the results were positive and knew that he would have to be alert to his wife's emotions and that when the time came she would let her guard down, and then he would be there to catch her when she fell apart.
"Mads come here". Chim said as he stood up and met Maddie halfway, pulling her into his arms. Her muffled sobs caught in his shoulder and echoed faintly in the loft.
In contrast to the new couple, Eddie and Buck merely stood close, shoulders brushing and hands linked, silent communication flowing between the two giving the team a glimpse at how well connected these two truly were and how in tune they were.
Once everyone was seated, they waited as Maddie and Buck both pulled out the envelopes they were given, though Eddie noted that Buck's one seemed a little thicker than Maddie's.
Maddie took a deep breath, her shaking hands opened the letter, and read the words that everyone half expected.
"99.99% familial match" Maddie stuttered, looking up at Buck with tears simmering in her eyes.
When her eyes met Buck she saw no surprise or anger, just calm acceptance.
"You seem unsurprised," Maddie stated looking straight at Buck.
"I suspected as much. Our stories match up in a very convoluted way." Buck shrugged, looking at Maddie first before glancing at those present.
"I am happy to know the truth, I'll admit that, but I don't care about your parents Maddie. I made my peace with what my sperm and egg donor did a long time ago. I would however be open to building a relationship with my sister. If that was something she would be willing to attempt. But I won't push. I'll go at your pace or if you feel you can't, that's fine too. I can just be Buck- your man's co-worker's wife, and maybe a friend when you are ready.
Maddie looked at Buck for a moment, astonished by her calm acceptance of what had become a true nightmare in her eyes. Her only consolation it seemed was that Chim and the team seemed as horrified as she did, while it seemed Eddie was also simmering with barely controlled rage at what had happened. Though it seemed that Eddie was taking his lead from his wife.
It was however odd to see the normally nauseatingly cute couple be so cold and controlled, their faces seemed carved in stone, and had it not been for their hands entwined together, they would have seemed like total strangers.
It was in that moment that it seemed to truly sink in for Maddie that the beautiful blonde sitting in front of her with icy blue eyes and a port wine stain over her eye was in fact her baby sister, ripped from her life more than a decade ago and shoved into a cold, cruel and merciless world, and left to fend for herself. It also made her heart burn with pride at how her little sister grew into a strong independent woman that was brave enough to endure what life through her way. A woman who from what she could gather and from what she had seen was a formidable and courageous woman with honor and integrity.
"I think that Chim and Eddie should take the and take your repesctive partners home. Let this sink in and then you four can decide how to deal with this." Bobby said once silence settled over the table.
With a nod from all around, Chim gathered Maddie and ushered her out waving a subdued goodbye to his team.
¿Mi amor? ¿Volvemos a casa o hay algún sitio donde te gustaría estar en este momento?". Eddie asked.
("Mi amor? Shall we go home or is there somewhere you would like to be right this second?" )
Buck glanced briefly at the papers on the table and then at her husband. Her eyes flashed briefly with something, a change that Eddie saw but refrained from commenting on for the time being knowing that when she was ready she would tell him.
("A casa, por favor, cariño. Tenemos que hablar. Ha salido algo más en los análisis y tienes que saberlo".
("Home, please baby. We need to talk. Something else came up on the tests and you need to know." Buck said.
Eddie's eyes widened at her words face paling.
"Nada malo, lo prometo". Buck replied seeing Eddie's expression. (Nothing bad, I promise." ).
Eddie nodded at that and said "Let's go then. I'm sure you wanna get home."
With that, Eddie nodded and stood up grabbing the envelope with Buck's name on it and turning to take his wife's hand.
Eddie nodded at the 118 and with his wife left the station.
Diaz Residence 1 hour later
Once Eddie and Buck arrived back home they split off, Eddie went to their room to change into gray sweats and a black tank top, while Buck headed for the kitchen, grabbing them both a bottle of water. With waters in hand she headed to the living room where she sat and opened up both bottles and took a glance at the envelope Eddie had placed on the coffee table on his way to their room.
Eddie approached the sofa and took a seat next to his wife, noting the lack of beer bottles they would usually be sharing.
"okay mi amor, what going on? What else came up that you felt had to be said in the privacy of our home?" Eddie asked nervously.
"It's not bad…at least I don't think so," Buck replied with a slight flutter of nerves in her voice as she handed Eddie the envelope to read.
¿Querida?" Eddie replied confused as he heard her voice tremble slightly while he took the envelope from her outstretched hand. ("Sweetheart?")
Eddie opened the letter and read its contents, eyes widening as he read the letter.
"Ev? Are you sure?" Eddie asked his own voice trembling slightly.
"Yeah, Eds, I'm sure. The test is positive. I know we said we would talk about it first. But this is good right?" Buck asked.
"Sí, nena. Dios esto es mejor que bueno. Son noticias increíbles. Un bebé. Siempre dijimos que cuando fuera el momento adecuado ampliaríamos nuestra familia. Y contigo no desplegar más no hay razón para no tener un bebé. Sabes que siempre he dicho que quiero un mini tú correteando por esta casa". Eddie said with awe in is voice and tears shining in his chocolate-colored eyes.
"Yes, baby. God this is better than good. This is amazing news! A baby. We always said when the time was right we would expand our family. And with you not deploying anymore there is no reason not to have a baby. You know I always said that I want a mini you running around this house.")
As Buck listened to her husband talk, her own eyes shone filled with tears making her blue eyes shine. Her relief was palpable. Eddie leaned forward to wrap her in his arms. Kissing her softly and with a tenderness he could only ever feel and show to this wonderful woman in his arms.
When Eddie pulled back he placed his palm on Buck's still flat belly, where his child was growing. The mere thought that in 8 months there would be a child with both his and Ev's DNA was a dream come true for him in so many ways.
"Chris will be so excited to know about this. He always wanted to be a big brother." Eddie murmured as he pulled Buck down into a searing kiss filled with passion."
"He will indeed be thrilled to know he's gonna be a big brother" Buck said as she kissed Eddie back with just as much passion.
Maddie's apartment
While one pair celebrated their life and the precious gift growing within, Maddie sat sobbing in Howie's arms.
Chim could only sit there holding Maddie, and feeling guilty that this was somehow his fault. If only he hadn't been so insistent on Maddie and Buck meeting then maybe this could have been prevented.
"God Howie, what am I going to do? The people I call parents not only lied to me my whole life. They Abandoned my baby sister…no they threw her to the fucking wolves!" Maddie cried out in anger, jumping up to pace the floor as she thought of all the lies and deceit her parents told her.
"Maddie…" Chim was cut off by Maddie's glare.
"26 Years Chim, 26 Years I was robbed of a life with my sister! All because THEY couldn't be parents to her. All because they only needed her as a savior sibling for Daniel, and when that didn't work and he died, they treat her like shit!"
"I'm sorry Mads. I wish I could help you. What are you gonna do now?" Chim asked.
"What I want to do is strangle them both, or at the very least call them and yell at them that I know the truth, but that puts Buck at risk and I don't want to do something to put her in danger or at risk of being ambushed by those monsters." Maddie said with a sigh as new tears filled her eyes and a tear carved a bitter trail down her cheek.
"Maybe when you both had time to settle down you should sit down and talk to Buck, see what she has to say," Chim suggested.
"Yeah, that's a good idea. I need to know what Buck wants to do and I need to know what she wishes to do." Maddie agreed, settling down on the couch and snuggling into Chim's arms.
2 Weeks later
Maddie was nervous as she approached the outdoor café where she had agreed to meet Buck and talk to her.
"Hey, I got us some drinks, hope you don't mind," Buck said with a warm smile as Maddie sat down in the chair across from Buck.
"That's great thanks," Maddie said with a smile as she took a sip of her drink her eyes widening in surprise as she realized that it was her favorite iced drink.
With a look of surprise, she glanced at Buck and raised her eyebrow in question.
"Chim mentioned it in passing at a BBQ that you loved hazelnut iced coffee. Figured you might need a favorite drink as a comfort of sorts."
"Wow, I can't believe you actually remember something Howie probably mentioned once in a conversation a while back. That's actually impressive." Maddie said with a surprised yet pleased smile.
"Eh, that's not so hard to remember. I've always had a decent memory, and I am trained to observe details around me." Buck shrugged, taking a sip of her own iced smoothie.
"So, I um, well honestly I don't know what to say here, Buck. How do I apologize for letting you down like I did? For letting them get away with what they did to you?" Maddie asked.
"Hey, Hey, no! This was never on you Maddie. What your folks did was never something you had a say in or any control in."
"maybe not but I should have seen through their lies and looked for the truth. I let you down and I'm sorry."
"You don't owe me any apologies Maddie; you were a child. How were you to know what your parents were capable of? The very people you were supposed to trust used that trust against you." Buck told Maddie reaching across the table to briefly squeeze Maddie's hand, making the woman smile at her.
After a moment of silence, Maddie cleared her throat and said, "They need to pay Buck."
"What would that accomplish Maddie? It's been more than 20 years."
"That doesn't matter what they did is still a felony crime. You deserve justice, Buck."
"Maddie, they can rot in hell for all I care. I really don't care about them. I don't even remember them. This seems to be touching you harder and whatever you feel you need to do, so be it you've got the support of the whole 118, and Chim, and for what it's worth you've got my support. And if you need me to help then I'll help however I can." Buck told Maddie causing Maddie to give a tearful smile at Buck.
"Thank you, Buck. I can see you have already accepted what they did, but I haven't and I'm not sure I can forgive them for what they did." Maddie whispered as she swiped a tear off her cheek.
"I'll deal with them I just need to figure out what I'm gonna do. I do know that I want to know everything about you. I want to know who my sister is and I want to get to know my nephew and brother-in-law."
With a laugh, Buck began to talk about Eddie and Chris and her life leading up to her last deployment. Telling Maddie as much as she could.
Later that week
When the phone rang that night Maddie answered without glancing at the caller ID, her mind preoccupied with what to she wanted to wear for her date with Howie.
"Hello"
"Madeline, finally, why have you been avoiding my calls dear? Your father and I raised you better than that" Margret Buckley told her daughter.
Upon hearing her mother's voice, Maddie felt rage boil her blood.
"Excuse me? Is that what you did? Raise me or leave me to fend for myself? After abandoning your toddler at a fire station?" Maddie blurted, instantly regretting lashing out and showing her hand, thereby letting her parents know that she knew about her sister.
"Madeline! What are you talking about? You know your sister was killed a long time ago. Why would you even bring this up?" Margret screeched.
"killed?! I can't believe you think that lie still works!" Maddie yelled.
"What are you talking about Maddie there are no lies Maddie."
"I know what you did mother. I know you left Evelynn at Bellefonte fire station. There was no car accident and there was no funeral!" Maddie yelled as Chim came through the door.
"Maddie…please! Let me explain!"
"Nothing you say can justify your lies. And I have no desire to hear any more of your lies! Goodbye!" Maddie yelled back ending the call and tossing the phone on the table.
She turned Chim and stumbled into his arms, crying.
"Hey, it's okay. I've got you Mads. I've got you. We'll get through this." Chim said as he soothed his girlfriend.
"I need to let Buck know," Maddie murmured.
Maddie picked up her phone and opened up her text thread with Buck.
YOU: BUCK DIAZ
Hey Buck, u busy?
FROM: BUCK
Hey, Mads what's up? Nope I'm not busy, actually just got SPMN to settle down.
YOU: Buck Diaz
I messed up Buck.
FROM: BUCK DIAZ
?
YOU: BUCK DIAZ
My mother called and we got into a fight. I let it slip that I know about her lies.
That u know you are alive.
FROM: BUCK DIAZ
…
YOU: BUCK DIAZ
Buck, I'm so sorry! Please I didn't mean to, I swear. I was just so upset.
FROM: BUCK DIAZ
Hey no. Mads I get it. It's okay. We will deal with it. I'm not mad. I promise.
Maddie shook her head as she read her messages with Buck. She really did seem like a golden retriever in human form.
"Mads, what did Buck say?" Chim asked as he sat next to Maddie.
She said it's not a big deal and that we will take care of it" Maddie told Chim.
"Well, that's Buck for you it seems. She once told me if I needed any help, then all I had to do was ask and she would do what she could and that she was sure the 118 would help where they could in a heartbeat. She wasn't wrong Mads. The 118, me, and Buck have got your back all the way. Besides I really don't think your parents would win going up against someone like Buck, no offense." Chim chuckled as he thought back on previous times when her fierceness was very apparent.
Maddie smiled softly as she thought of what Chim said and recalled the stories of the fierce blonde-haired woman that had scared him so much.
With that thought in mind, Maddie and Chim put it on the back burner deciding to deal with the whole mess later and enjoy their time together as a couple
