Chapter 5: Meeting the 118
Station 118
"I can't believe you didn't tell me your father-in-law was THE Owen Strand!" Buck exclaimed, "I'm your best friend." he pouted, "Better yet… how did I not know your wife was dual-certified AND the daughter of THE Owen Strand!?"
"Ay dios mio." Eddie chuckled and shook his head, "Buck, relax. Take a deep breath."
"Relax? How can I… okay wait…" Buck took a deep breath, "I'm cool. I'm cool."
The older firefighter patted him on the back while replaying Buck meeting Alisa's family. Buck will deny that he fainted in front of one of his idols if someone told the tale. Eddie and TK though were merciless in teasing while Alisa, Owen, and Christopher made sure he was alright since he fell pretty hard on the floor. In Buck's defense, he was in the presence of an actual national hero since Owen was one of the many firefighters present on ground zero and rebuilt Firehouse 252 from the ground up as the lone surviving member, his children joining him when they were old enough. "Honestly, Buck, he's really just a normal guy. He's from Santa Monica but moved to New York with his parents." Eddie said, "The Strands are really low-key, seriously, don't let the last name intimidate you."
"Yeah, yeah, I get that. Just surprised." Buck replied, "But man, I can't believe it."
"The Strands helped me decide to enroll in the Fire Academy here when I was discharged and something happened back home." Eddie frowned, "A year before I was deployed on my last tour, Alisa had quit being a paramedic and ER nurse so she could take care of Christopher full-time when he needed around-the-clock care while building her art empire." Eddie had a soft smile on his face, "That woman, bless her, Buck."
"She mentioned she became a mother when Christopher was 2." Buck commented.
"Yeah, when we first met in 2013, I knew she was THE one. She'd recently been transferred to El Paso when a firehouse needed a Squad-trained paramedic." Eddie replied, "At the time we met, I had just come back from my first deployment. Christopher literally brought her to me by getting lost in the mall. Lo and behold, there she was… coincidentally in matching colors as my son and I fell so hard." he laughed, "The most beautiful woman I've ever laid my eyes on."
"You're a sap, Eddie." Buck chuckled.
"Oh, I know I am. I was such a sap, I asked her then and there for a date, and a few months in, proposed to her, and when we married… she also gave a vow to Christopher. This all happened in 1 year and then on our first anniversary, Christopher formally asked her to adopt him. I honestly thought in our first few months, Owen and TK were going to kill me, especially when I asked for their blessing to marry her. Her mom liked me though since Day 1."
"Well…" Buck nervously cleared his throat, "I can tell they're very overprotective, especially TK."
"Oh, you have no idea, and those Twin senses? Scary." Eddie laughed again, "Oops, I got side-tracked, sorry, Buck. We were talking about Owen, huh?"
"Nah, it's all good, Eddie. Hearing you talk about your wife is nice. Sappy but nice." Buck patted his back, "Hopefully, I find someone like that too because, at this rate, I don't think Abby and I are a thing."
"LA's our new start." Eddie looked at him solemnly, "Outside perspective, I don't think you've been a thing when she left, Buck. What you're clinging to right now, is the closure she didn't give you."
"I guess…" he sighs. The two relaxed on the couch at the station's loft while nursing a cup of coffee each as the others cooked.
Alisa had parked in the visitors' parking spot of the 118 after touring her father and TK with Christopher around LA. The Strands had missed each other a lot since the last time they saw each other was a quick visit from the Diaz family before they moved to LA. It was safe to say that Owen and TK were still angry with what happened in El Paso 2 years ago when she called them sobbing her heart out. "Thanks for taking us out today, guys." Owen said from the passenger's seat.
"It's our pleasure. Isn't that right, mijo?" Alisa looked back at her son.
"It sure is and it's so nice to spend time with the both of you again." Christopher smiled brightly, "And now, you get to see where daddy works! It's too bad he couldn't join us at the pier today."
"Well, you got to spend the day with your awesome uncle and that's still a win, Christopher!" TK ruffled the boy's hair as he helped him out of the car, "And well, watching dad buy out a store's tea stock and hair care products."
"Watch it, kid." Owen playfully glared, "My hair is my signature look."
"Oh, please, dad," Alisa's eyes had some mischief in them, "You raided my storage in the basement and supply closet."
"Lies!" Owen looked offended, causing Christopher to giggle even more.
"I think I saw him sneaking with your skincare products too." TK added with a smirk, "And some of your merch."
"Dad!" Alisa glared at him, "Really? Christopher, what do we call people who take things without permission?"
"A thief!" Christopher replied, "Grandpa, you're supposed to ask for permission."
"You're a hypocrite, dad. You complain when we touch your things." the twins rolled their eyes.
"Don't do that." Owen glared.
"Do what?" the twins said in unison, Christopher holding his giggles.
"That!" Owen looked back and forth at his twins.
"That what?"
"That, that, that twin thing!" Owen sputtered.
"What twin thing?"
Owen stuck his head out of his daughter's Lexus RX through the passenger's side, "DIAZ, GET YOUR WIFE AND HER BROTHER!" everyone burst out laughing beside the car, "I'M KEEPING YOUR KID!"
Station 118
DIAZ, GET YOUR WIFE AND HER BROTHER! I'M KEEPING YOUR KID!
Eddie looked up from where he was doing inventory for the truck when his ears picked up his father-in-law's exasperated tone. He placed his clipboard down and ran towards the voice with Buck on his heels while the others stared at their young firefighters. "Hey guys, what are you doing here?"
"Hallå älskling." Alisa greeted her husband as he scooped their giggling son in his arms.
"Hallå älskling." Eddie pecked her lips.
"Nooooo! Eddie, don't fall for her Swedish now. This spawn of mine and her troll of a brother are being menaces!" Owen pointed at her and TK as he got out of the car.
"Jag tycker att du är vacker." Eddie grinned.
"Tack." Alisa smirkles, "Hi, Buck. How are you doing today?"
"Hi, I'm great. Uh, how are you?" he asked, "Did you guys raid the stores or something?"
"Raid? More like dad bought out the store." TK replied, "Nice to see you again, bro."
"You too, TK." they gave each other a bro hug.
"Anyway, what are you guys doing here?" Eddie asked again, "Not that I'm not happy to see you all at the station."
"Everything okay here?" Bobby came out to the parking lot.
"Hi, Bobby! Sorry, my dad was being dramatic." Alisa greeted.
"Dad?" Bobby looked at Owen, "My word, Owen?"
"Hi, Bobby. It's been too long." Owen gave him a hug.
"Uh, guys, what's happening?" Buck asked.
Sometime later, everyone was seated at the dining table at the loft and snacking on the caramel honey cake Alisa brought. Christopher was happily eating his slice while trying to keep his clothes clean but his face wasn't safe, Alisa thinks he looks adorable as always. Hen and Chim were still staring at Owen who cleared his throat as TK and Buck snickered. "So, how do you know Owen, Cap?" Eddie finally asked.
"We… worked on 9/11 together. My firehouse from Minnesota made a special deployment." Bobby replied.
"Oh, wow." Alisa and TK gasped, "Did you see each other again after?"
"He dropped by once when he got promoted to lieutenant." Owen reminisced.
"That's amazing…" the twins were in awe, "Dad, how come you didn't tell us you knew the captain of the 118?"
Bobby chuckled at Owen's exasperated expression, "They do this a lot?"
"Menaces, I tell you." Owen replied.
"We are not. We're complete angels. What menace looks like this?" they pointed to themselves.
"Honestly, the both of you are too pretty. Way too pretty. Are you sure you guys didn't come out of a Disney movie?" Hen looked more amused at the twins, "Your twin-ness is quite fascinating."
"Thank you, Hen!" they grinned, "But no, we aren't from a Disney movie."
"You should see them work together." Owen commented, "The 252 was in for a surprise when they started."
"Oh, they worked with you?" Bobby asked, intrigued.
"Buck, how come you don't seem surprised?" whispered Chimney.
"I met them last night." Buck replied and Chimney's jaw dropped.
"TK still works with me. Alisa, for obvious reasons now, doesn't." Owen replied, "Both of them are dual-certified but TK focused more on being a firefighter while Alisa was more of a paramedic. She was recruited to a Squad in El Paso though. Both are at the top of the class at the academy. Their records still hold."
"Alisa, you were a paramedic firefighter?" Chimney asked.
"Oh, yeah…" she placed her fork down, "About 3 years ago, I was still active and put my PhD in Nursing and Fire Science to good use over in El Paso after getting transferred from New York."
"She was the PIC, almost Paramedic Captain, in El Paso, actually." Eddie replied, "And worked in one of the busiest ERs over there."
"Why'd you stop?" Hen asked, "You don't have to answer if you aren't comfortable." the older woman noticed Alisa's expression slightly changed.
"Um, mijo needed around-the-clock care when he was 4 so I took a step back and focused on him and my small art business, Eddie was redeployed for his last tour and came back a hero." Alisa replied and looked at Eddie lovingly, "My art hobby helped with my current work which you are all familiar with." Eddie kissed the back of her hand in comfort, "Some stuff happened and here we are."
"Would you like to do this again though?" TK asked, "I know you. You miss this."
"We'll see." Alisa replied, "Maybe when we've settled everything here."
"Sounds like a plan, sis." TK kissed her temple, "Too bad we can't poach you back in New York."
"Not for all the treasures in the world." Alisa kissed his cheek, "Don't give dad grey hair… wait…"
"He already does have grey hair." they said in unison and burst out laughing and ended up talking with Buck, Chimney, and Hen.
"The 118's doors are open should she decide to recertify and rejoin the force." Bobby shared, "I think Chief Alonzo won't mind having a Strand in the station."
"Thanks, Bobby." Owen smiled, "But it's really good to see you again and meet your team."
"LA's finest if I do say so myself." He replied, "And I know the 252 is still standing strong, even with a Strand gone."
"Letting her go was hard, finding a replacement was even harder." Owen replied, "TK is a harsh 2IC when we were looking for new candidates."
"There's a legacy to uphold!" TK huffed.
"Well, I had to fight tooth and nail to get Mr. Silver Star here at the 118." Bobby grinned, "His credentials, academy scores, off the charts."
"Cap…" Eddie could feel himself blushing. The older firefighters chuckled at the normally composed male.
Los Angeles Airport
The Strands stayed with the Diaz family for 4 days before heading back to New York to work on things. Abuela Isabel and Tia Pepa were ecstatic to see them and TK was smothered to bits and pieces when they saw him again, he will deny he liked getting the attention even if Christopher kept laughing at the interaction. Owen will always confirm that they were his favorite in-laws, along with Sophia and Adrianna, Eddie's sisters; his parents were a different story. "Thanks again for having us." Owen hugged his daughter tight.
"You're always welcome, dad." she hugged back just as tight, "I'm going to miss you, guys."
"We're going to miss you too, sis." TK hugged her, "Thank you for everything. I needed this."
"You're most welcome, bro." she replied, hugging him back, "Let me know if I have to swat boys away from you, okay!?"
"Alisa!" he chuckled, "I think I'm going to take it slow for a bit."
"I know, I'm just teasing." she smiled at him, "Take it slow with them this time when you're ready. You'll never know, you might find someone like Eddie."
"I know. He is one beautiful man." TK nodded and wiggled his eyebrows causing her to laugh.
"Someone's out there for you. You just haven't met them yet." she kissed his cheek, "Take care of yourself, TK, along with dad. Take care of each other. Please say hi to the 252 for me."
"I will." he kissed her temple, "Take care, as well."
"Take care of them, Eddie." Owen gave him a quick hug.
"Always." Eddie smiled, "Let us know when you've arrived in New York."
"Yeah, yeah. We know the drill." Owen chuckled, "Do good during your probationary, yeah?"
"I am, don't worry." Eddie chuckled.
"And you, young man," Owen kneeled in front of Christopher and hugged him after he was smothered by TK, "Call or text us anytime you want, remember?"
"I will, grandpa!" Christopher hugged him, "I'm going to miss you a lot. Maybe we can visit you in New York when school is out!"
"Oh, when everything's fine and dandy, sure but let your mom and dad plan it with you. Our doors are always open. Also," he leaned in to whisper, "Have you asked for a sibling yet?"
"Not yet but I really want one." Christopher whispered back, "Maybe some day when I know mommy is okay…"
"Maybe Santa will grant you that if you asked." he replied, "You'll never know, it might make her happier if you asked."
"You really think so?" Christopher tilted his head and Owen kissed his forehead as confirmation.
"Dad, we gotta go and check-in." called TK.
With that, it was a new chapter for the Strands and the Diaz family as the doors to the airport closed.
"Fly safe! I love you!" Alisa's dad and brother gave her a nod and wave, indicating they heard her.
"Your brother's going to be just fine, Alisa." Eddie placed an arm around her, "Like Chris said, we can visit them when school's out."
"I like that plan." Alisa nodded, "It is an excellent plan."
"Hooray! I miss New York and the 252. Grandpa's station looks like a mall though." Christopher giggled, "And I miss grandma!"
A/N: Hi guys! Just wanted to say a big thank you to my readers! I've enjoyed writing this fic and have really thought long and hard about posting this. Just seeing notifications about y'all favorite-ing and following this brings me so much joy and confidence in posting! Wishing you all a wonderful day!
PS: Christopher is a national treasure!