Chapter 14: The Life We Choose
Los Angeles was in chaos after 2 consecutive mail bombings occurred as the serial bomber was still at large. There was a warning issued to the public and all departments were busy for the next couple of weeks. LAFD stations were busy going around with the LAPD for false alarms, including the 911 Dispatch Center receiving nuisance calls on top of their daily emergencies. The calls were just getting crazier and crazier as bomb scares were rising and no one had any idea who was the next victim but LA's finest needed to function as if it was any other day.
LINE BREAK
Diaz Residence
"Eddie," Alisa rubbed her eyes as she went down to the basement where she could hear Eddie taking swings at the punching bag, "Eddie." he didn't notice her call him.
The auburn-haired girl sighed and slowly approached the brunette who kept punching the bag. Each punch was getting stronger and stronger and he was hyper focused on the bag. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and braced herself when he whirled around, "Hey, it's me." she gently said, cupping his cheek.
"Alisa?" he gasped out, sweat pouring down his forehead.
"Wanna tell me what's keeping you up at this hour?" she gently asked.
"I…" he bit his lip, "... I can't sleep…"
"That's alright, I'll stay up with you." she held his hand and removed his gloves, waiting for him to continue.
"All I see is her leaving all over again… I don't understand…" an angered gleam in his eyes began to shine, "I don't understand why but it's just so unfair… seeing her again for her to just die…"
"No one knows when we do." she unwrapped the bandages from his hands and frowned at the raw knuckles, "I'm sorry you're feeling this way and I understand."
"It's just not fair!" He yelled, "It's not fair for her to just leave like that again! I don't know why I'm feeling like this at all… I don't love her, not anymore… or if I ever did… but damn it!"
Alisa guided him to the bench in the corner of the basement gym and sat him there before pulling out a first-aid kit from the cubby, "You loved her in one way or another. She was your high school sweetheart, best friend, your first wife, and the one who gave you Christopher, no matter how much your parents hated her and she ultimately lost herself in the process."
Eddie felt angry tears well up in his eyes, not liking the negative emotions coursing through him. The anger, pain, and grief he felt was eating him alive since they got home a few days ago but hid it well from Christopher and he tried and failed to do so with Alisa but she never pressed. Things may have ended between him and Shannon when she filed for divorce but their final parting was bittersweet as she passed in the ambulance. "... Why didn't you go with me to the morgue in the hospital?"
"Because you needed closure." she replied while putting antiseptic on his knuckles, "You needed to do that alone."
"But I wanted you there…" he whispered.
She shook her head, "You needed to say your peace to your past by yourself."
"..." he frowned, "... how do you know that?"
"Because if it was me, I would have wanted that moment with her one last time." she finished treating his knuckles then looked up at him from her spot, "You're gonna be okay, kid."
"I'm older than you." he scoffed before pulling her into a hug, "Thank you for being my pillar all the time."
"I'm here for you and I love you." she stroked his back and listened as he quietly sobbed on her shoulder, "For all the good, the bad, and the worst… you'll always have me, Eddie."
LINE BREAK
A few days after Shannon's funeral, the rest of the Diaz family flew in from El Paso, Austin, and drove in from Orange County for Eddie's upcoming shield ceremony. Shannon's funeral was organized by close friends as she didn't have any family left, the only ones she had was Eddie and Christopher. Her friends were surprised to see them along with Alisa, Pepa, and Abuela but were so thankful that they showed up for the funeral as they heard about all of them from Shannon. Christopher enjoyed hearing about her through their stories and concluded that she was a wonderful person even if he couldn't really remember her and only knew her through her letter to him. "Do you think she's taking care of Peanut up there?" Christopher asked.
"I'm sure she is, mijo." Eddie replied quietly and hugged him close, "Peanut might even have grown from the size of a peanut to a little baby, whatever gender Peanut might have been."
"Then she's in good hands… they can take care of each other until then." he smiled brightly, "We take care of mommy."
"That's right." Eddie kissed his forehead, "I'm so glad you're my kid, Christopher. Don't let that light dim."
"You're so weird, daddy." he giggled.
LINE BREAK
Isabel and Josephina Diaz Residence
Alisa helped Pepa place the food they made on the buffet table set up in the backyard. The Diaz kids were running amuck and Eddie was watching them with his older sisters, Adrianna and Sofia. Abuela was seated beside Helena and Ramon, Eddie's parents, as they caught up with each other. Alisa, though still hurting from their last encounter, was still kind to them but was still cautious. Their relationship with her had yet to be fixed and they weren't taking any initiative to ask for forgiveness, Alisa knew her worth and she wouldn't grovel. "Thank you for helping, mija." Pepa patted her back.
"You're welcome, tia. It's the least I could do." Alisa smiled, "Besides, it's nice to see everyone here. Christopher looks so happy playing with his cousins and vice versa."
"Excited for Eddito's shield ceremony?" she asked, watching her nephew getting dogpiled by his older siblings.
"I am. He worked so hard for this and well, saving people is in his blood." Alisa giggled when the kids joined the pile.
"Just like yours is. I'm glad you were able to find your way back in one form or another. Giving me grey hairs though but what can we do." Pepa chuckled, "How is he?"
"As well as he can be." she replied, "He was able to find closure, both of them did. Shannon said her peace as she passed. It's just… took a little bit more for Eddie."
"That's all I ask then. My nephew is such a saint." she sighed, "Bottled up things until he met you. I remember when the 2 of you fought for the first time." Pepa started to smile fondly, "I've never seen him lose control like that, crying and telling you what he felt while you pushed him to talk to you because you were both hurting."
"Someone else had to tell him that it's okay to lose control of things or it'll eat us up." Alisa sighed, "He tends to forget it from time to time but he has us to remind him. He's strong, tia, but sometimes, his mind tells him otherwise. It is toxic how it was drilled into him… that emotions are a sign of weakness."
"Now, what are you 2 talking about over there?" came Abuela's voice.
"Oh nothing, mama. Just letting our mija know that our Eddito is still a pollito." Pepa replied with a smirk causing Alisa and Abuela to laugh heartily.
"That is very true." Abuela agreed.
After escaping the dog pile, Eddie made his way to sit with his parents at the table with the intent to talk to them without starting a fight. He was still hurting from what they did but like Alisa said, they were still his parents. Christopher rarely seeing and talking to them was a punishment they served together. "Finally, you remembered us." Helena jokes, "I see you and your sisters haven't outgrown your rough housing."
"The kids love it. It's nice to show them that no matter how old their parents are, their siblings stick together." Eddie replied, drinking from his can of soda.
"Shouldn't it be the same for parents and their children?" Ramon raised an eyebrow, "You barely contacted us since you left."
Ramon frowned, "Since coming here, he's barely reached out. It's a miracle that Christopher even knows we exist."
"Papa," Eddie warned, glaring at his dad, "this topic ended when we left El Paso."
"Eddie, look at it from our point of view. Come home. You're out here alone with Christo–" Helena was cut off by Eddie's gaze towards her, "Come home, Eddie."
"Papa, Mor," he calmly started, "In case you didn't notice. We aren't alone. I have my wife, Abuela, and Tia Pepa here. They're family."
"But with your job and your… wife's job," Ramon sneered, "You can't take care of Christopher. Just like how she can't seem to give you a child."
"HE is doing just fine and WE are waiting to try to have another child." came Alisa's voice behind them.
"This is a private conversation. Why are you butting in?" hissed Helena.
"Pardon me but if it is private, why are you out on this patio ganging up on Eddie?" she asked, face neutral, "Helena, Ramon, I respect that you are Eddie's parents but I am not going to let you walk over us again. I learned my hardest lesson after losing Peanut."
"We already apologized for that. It was an accident!" Ramon said.
"You only apologized because you were caught." she whispered, patience running thin, "What was it you said to me before in the hospital? That God was punishing me because I took Eddie and Christopher from you? That I was never going to be granted a child? That… that I was a harlot for getting together with him and marrying him within a year and was taking advantage of him? That I was going to break your family because mine was broken?"
Eddie and the rest of their family gasped in horror at her revelation.
"Papa, mor, you… you told her those things?" Eddie looked so furious, his eyes reflected how he felt.
"We never said that! You're lying!" Helena pointed at Alisa.
Alisa didn't back down, "I never told them you said those things, you know? I only told Eddie that you weren't bad people, that it was an accident. Adrianna and Sofia knew better… they witnessed it."
"Papa, mor, thank you for coming here for my upcoming shield ceremony but after that, until we feel comfortable and safe with the both of you despite the distance, I am barring you from contacting us after that." Eddie declared.
"You can't do that!" Ramon protested.
"Eddie, please don't." Helena begged before looking at Alisa, "This is all your fault! You ruined our family again! I knew you were a bad seed! And the two of you are dragging Christopher down with you!"
"Mor, if you don't stop, I'm going to file a restraining order against you and papa." Adrianna glared.
"I'm going to do the same." Sofia added, "You didn't respect their wishes before. I suggest you do so now."
"You see!? This is all your doing!" Ramon roared, "You're just like that Shannon!"
"I am not going to let you disrespect her again, especially when she can no longer defend herself!" Alisa exclaimed, "She was a wonderful woman and left so that her family could be happier! Christopher may barely remember her but she gave birth to such a precious boy and she was Eddie's first wife! You burned her!"
"¡Fuera de aquí!" Eddie pointed towards the door, "Papa, mor… ¡Fuera de aquí!"
Eddie's parents looked around them and could feel that they weren't welcomed anymore. Their pride finally caught up to them when even Adrianna and Sofia's husbands, Antonio Hernandez and Luka Ström, looked at them in disdain and disappointment. Abuela and Pepa had ushered the children inside their home earlier before it got heated. They left without another word and the adults were left to deal with the aftermath.
LINE BREAK
Dream
"Are you feeling okay, mijo?" Alisa asked, wiping the 5-year-old Christopher's sweaty forehead.
"Much better than earlier, mommy." he coughed a little bit, "The soup gave me a power-up!"
"That's great!" she smiled, "Your temperature went down so that's a good sign. Medicine and more rest will do the trick"
"Then I can play with my cousins again?" he asked.
"You certainly can!" she nodded, "They miss you, too."
Alisa was taking care of Christopher for a couple of days now. He had developed a fever due to the drastic changes in weather along with it being flu season. He might have been vaccinated but that didn't mean he was immune. Eddie was finishing up his tour when they spoke earlier but was cut off due to bad reception. "Mommy?" Christopher yawned.
"Yes, mijo?" she stroked his curls.
"I miss daddy." he said.
"I miss him, too." she kissed his forehead, "But he'll come home soon and will give you the biggest hug! We'll plan a hero's welcome with everyone, how does that sound?"
"Can I make his card?" he asked, falling asleep.
"Of course you can. I wouldn't have it any other way." She fixed his blanket and her ears perked up when she heard a sound, "What the…"
SLAM!
The auburn-haired girl left Christopher's room and walked towards the stairs. There, she saw Ramon and Helena entering her home and racing up the stairs while Adrianna and Sofia were trying to stop them. "Papa, mor, just because you have a key doesn't mean you just enter someone's home without permission!" Adrianna angrily said, trying to stop them.
"You can't stop us from seeing Christopher. He's sick and that's bad when you have CP!" Helena pushed past her eldest child.
"Be reasonable. Alisa is a registered nurse and a former paramedic. She knows what she's doing!" Sofia hissed.
"Obviously not when Christopher got sick!" Ramon scoffed.
"Helena, Ramon," Alisa tried to keep the peace as she was halfway down, "I'm sorry I wasn't able to clean up. I would have kept Christopher up if I knew you were coming."
"Don't bother or Christopher might feel even worse." Helena glared.
"Wait, he just fell asleep after taking his medication." Alisa pleaded, "Helena, Ramon, please!"
"How could you let our grandson fall ill!?" Ramon accused, "You must not care about your patients either!"
"That's not true! This happens to any child, especially during the flu season." Alisa tried to calm them down, "Ah!"
"Out of our way!" they aggressively pushed past her and she lost her balance.
"Alisa!" Adrianna and Sofia watched in horror as they couldn't reach her in time when she tumbled down the stairs.
The Diaz siblings ran to their sister-in-law's motionless body after she fell and hit her head on the banister. "Soph, call 9-1-1!" Adrianna looked for any visible injuries, "She hit her head and it's bleeding and… oh no…"
"What is it, Adri?" Sofia asked as she started to call.
"She's miscarrying!" Adrianna saw the blood dripping down her legs.
"Dios mio… she was…" Sofia gasped, "Hello, this is Sofia Ström. Please send help! My sister-in-law… she's bleeding!"
"Alisa, wake up!" Adriana called, "Alisa!"
LINE BREAK
"Alisa!"
"No!" Alisa woke up in cold sweat and looked around her, feeling lost.
"Mi amor, it's just a dream… it's just a dream." Eddie pulled her in his arms.
"I dreamt of the day…" she clung to him, "I dreamt of that dreadful day again…" she started to sob, "I can't believe it… I still can't…"
Eddie held her close to him and stroked her hair. After what happened at Abuela's house, she's been reliving that day over and over again. She went to a couple of therapy sessions and Carla would watch over her while she watched Christopher for the week because she felt emotionally exhausted but multiple calls from her family helped them, too. Eddie, though, still felt helpless about how to help her. "Just hold me…" she said as if reading his mind, "Just hold and love me…"
"Siempre." he kissed her temple, "Te amo…"
"Te amo…" she managed to say in between sobs.
To their surprise a few minutes later, Christopher came trotting into their room and joining the hug. He mentioned that he felt them sad again and decided to go and make them feel better with his hugs. Their sweet and precious boy was a literal ray of sunshine. "Te amo, papa, mama."
"Te amo, Christopher."
LINE BREAK
"Good morning!" Christopher greeted his parents as he trotted into the den, "The day looks good and I'm ready for stretches!" his smile was as bright as the sun.
"Good morning, Christopher!" Alisa greeted back and hugged him, "And you're right, The day does look good!"
"Good morning, mijo!" Eddie ruffled his hair, "Breakfast is already prepped and ready for when we finish. Are you up for this?"
"Let's do this!" the boy enthusiastically cheered and led his parents to their mats.
The family started their morning stretches and enjoyed the morning together. Eddie and Alisa's shift was still later in the afternoon so they wanted to spend as much time with Christopher as they could that morning. After the stretches, Alisa massaged Christopher's muscles a bit so he feels more comfortable while Eddie started to set up the table so they could eat. "So, what do you want to do before we leave for shift today?" Alisa asked.
"Hmmm… well, can we have a Studio Ghibli marathon?" Christopher tilted his head.
"A what?" Eddie looked confused.
"Oh! I thought this day was never going to arrive!" Alisa's eyes sparkled, "We can certainly do that! Oh, Eddie, be prepared to watch movies from Japan's Disney!"
"It's the best thing ever, daddy! Mommy and I started watching their movies when I got sick last month." Christopher took a bite out of his waffle, "And my favorite is My Neighbor Totoro."
"What's a Totoro?" Eddie blinked and tilted his head.
"He's a forest spirit." he replied.
"No time like the present to learn who he is, mi amor." Alisa grinned.
Eddie was in for a treat after breakfast when they started the marathon. Alisa promised him that she had only shown about 3 movies so far and when he was ready, they'd watch the other films. Some, she believed, had themes that Christopher wasn't ready yet and their son understood when she explained the premise of those movies. "Mommy, do you know where we could buy Totoro merchandise?" Christopher asked.
"Well, Boxed Lunch has, also Hot Topic." Alisa replied, "Why?"
"Just wondering… maybe we can get a Totoro plushie or something…" Christopher asked shyly.
"Sure we can. We can see if you'd like something." she kissed his curls, "Or… we can get matching Totoro pajamas." she grinned conspirationly with him.
"With the Totoro ears?" his eyes sparkled and she nodded, "Can we, daddy?"
"Um…" Eddie bit his lip, "Uh…" he looked at his son who had his puppy eyes ready, "Mi amor…" he also looked at his wife who had the same look at Christopher.
"Pleeeeease? I need new pajamas anyway. Mommy said I got a bit taller!" Christopher informed him.
"What am I going to do with the both of you?" Eddie sighed and they squealed in delight, knowing he agreed before pouncing on him, "Woah!"
Alisa and Christopher managed to make Eddie fall on the floor when they pounced on him and trapped him in their arms. The family of 3 burst out laughing with the movie playing in the background and Eddie hugging them close to his person. "Can we watch Spirited Away next?" Christopher asked, "I think Kohaku is really cool! He turns into a dragon!"
"Of course, mijo." Alisa nodded, "Then we can watch Howl's Moving Castle."
"Awww I wanted to watch Ponyo." Christopher pouted, "But I guess mommy just wants to watch it for Howl."
"Howl?" Eddie raised an eyebrow, "Should I be concerned?"
"Unless you're a powerful wizard… no." she teased.
"Mommy told me she had a crush on Howl when she was younger." their son explained.
"Christopher, that was a secret!" she staged-whispered, causing the boy to laugh.
"Hey… I'm the only man you should be crushing on." Eddie pouted and they laughed even louder.
LINE BREAK
911, what's your emergency?
My husband! His car, it's eating him alive! I think this bitch is finally getting her revenge!
LINE BREAK
Race Track - Rust-Bucket Roy Stunt Driver Performance
The 118 arrived at the race track and Chimney was met by the wife, Maude, of the driver, Roy. She let him know that her husband was caught up in the engine and told them that she tried to free him while they waited for them to arrive. "Buck, Eddie, get to work." Chimney instructed, "Hen, Alisa, stop the bleeding and be ready to treat him."
"You got it, cap!" they nodded.
"Please, please save him!" Maude pleaded.
"Don't worry, ma'am. We'll get him out. Please step back a bit so we have room to work with." Chimney said.
When they burst into action, starting with disassembling the engine of the car because Roy refused to cut his hair, the injured man still had the energy to yell at them for touching his car. Maude ended up hitting him for being an idiot causing him to move in retaliation, opening his wound up even more. "Sir, please do not move! You're going to make it worse!" Alisa said.
"I almost got the screw loose, prepare for it!" Hen said from underneath the engine.
Once freed, they placed Roy on the gurney with the fan on his torso. Maude followed them to the ambulance with Hen supporting his head, "I promise this'll be the last time!" Roy screamed.
"Promise?" Maude looked relieved.
Unfortunately, that sweet moment between the married couple was short-lived when Roy ended up with a new hair-brained promotional idea causing Maude to yell at him again.
"Hey, do you think we're going to be like that couple when we're old?" Eddie jokingly asked Alisa as he helped her in the ambulance driver's seat.
"If you suddenly look like that? Yes, yes we will. Are you insinuating something?" Alisa raised an amused brow as she secured her seatbelt.
"Nope. Never going to look like that, that's for sure." Eddie shrugged, "See you at the station."
"See you." she winked and drove off.
LINE BREAK
"Thanks for coming to my crib, guys!" Buck cheerily greeted the Diaz family upon opening his front door.
"Well, thanks for inviting us for dinner. Christopher couldn't wait to see his Bucky" Eddie replied with a grin as they entered the blonde's apartment, "We brought dessert."
"You guys didn't have too." Buck shook his head and got the box from Eddie and placed it in his fridge, "But thank you!... wait… is this…"
"Mommy's special honey crunch cake - Buck version? Yes, yes it is." Christopher stated as a matter of factly, "Hello, Buck!"
"Hey, Superman!" Buck brought him in a hug, "Oh, man, wait til everyone gets jealous… again!"
"Oh dear." Alisa giggled as she placed their things on the coffee table, "Well, I had to warn Taylor that you were going to do that. She demanded she get cupcakes next time."
"No! Not the cupcakes!" Buck gasped while hugging Christopher, "I thought I was your favorite person to bake for!"
"No, I'm her favorite person to bake for." Eddie shook his head, raiding Buck's refrigerator.
"No, you're both wrong. I'm her favorite person to bake for!" Christopher declared.
Alisa giggled from her spot as she watched the 3 debate on who's her favorite person to bake for. She still doesn't understand what the issue was but it was a funny site to see them do something so normal instead of talking about their calls. "Mommy, tell daddy and Bucky that I'm your favorite person to bake for, right?" Christopher pouted from Buck's arms.
"Oh my, oh my." Alisa giggled some more, "What to do?" she walked towards them and sat at the table, "Who knows?" she teasingly smiled.
"Mooooommmy~" Christopher whined.
"Cariñoooooooo~" Eddie followed.
"Alisaaaaaaaaaa~" Buck wasn't far behind.
LINE BREAK
Siri, call 911!
LINE BREAK
"Hey there, wanna tell us what hurts and what happened?" Chimney asked when they entered the room that was opened by an elderly woman and saw a younger woman on the floor.
"My arm… I can feel it but I can't move it…" she moaned.
"Alright, team. Clear the way and start assessing." Chimney ordered.
Eddie and Buck pushed her vanity back, not paying attention to her phone that was recording, while Hen and Alisa began to check on the woman, Becca. "Alright, so can you tell us what happened?" Hen asked, putting Becca's arm in a sling after they sat her up.
"Dispatch said that there was an animal involved?" Alisa asked.
"Uh, yeah… it came out of my face." Becca replied.
"Do you know what it was?" Alisa asked again, inspecting the wound, "I'm guessing it came out from this wound?"
"Yeah. I was making a pimple popping video…" Becca stared at Alisa, "Wow… your skin is really clear and there's barely a speck of make-up on you…"
"Oh, dear. I don't think that's a good idea at all. Please don't do that." Alisa shook her head, "I can't really wear make-up lest it'll burn my face during a fire. At any rate, what came out of your face?"
"It looked like a grub or a worm. I'm not sure what exactly." Becca replied thoughtfully.
"Like a maggot?" Hen raised an eyebrow.
"Oh please don't say 'maggot'!" Becca looked green by this point.
"MAGGOT!" Buck's excited voice echoed in the room.
"Put it here, Buck." Eddie opened the sample bottle.
"It's really fat." Buck looked amazed by the size of it, "And it really came out of your face?" Becca nodded, "That's really cool though! Creepy but like Ghostbusters kind of cool~"
"You're really invested in this, huh?" Eddie chuckled.
"Have you been out of the country recently?" Chimney asked.
"I do a lot of traveling for work." Becca replied.
"What do you do and where did you travel last?" Hen asked, "South or Central America perhaps?"
"I'm a content creator and influencer. I traveled to Belize recently…" Becca was carefully placed on the gurney, "I'm sure I didn't travel to South or Central America."
"Belize is in South America." Eddie pointed out.
"Are you sure?" Becca asked.
"Yes, I'm pretty sure." he nodded.
"Botfly. Parasite indigenous to Central and South America, including Belize. They reproduce by trapping mosquitoes and laying their eggs on them." Hen explained as they watched Buck observe the maggot some more in the container. "And then when the mosquito lands on you, the egg hatches and crawls right into the feeding site."
Alisa patted Becca's hand, "The hospital will remove the rest."
"The rest!?" Becca cried out.
"Think of them as new followers." Chimney winked.
It was safe to say that the live stream garnered Alisa, Eddie, and Buck some admirers and possibly, followers, when they retrieved Becca's phone upon her request to bring it with her.
LINE BREAK
TK: Hey, sis! Are you okay over there? We're worried over here with a serial bomber on the loose!
Alisa: We're okay, in general. Nothing to note so far.
Alisa: But, TK, I think they're connected cases.
Alisa: They targeted an attorney, an insurance agent, and Athena.
TK: Thanks for letting me know. Well, I think you should follow your gut.
TK: Don't hesitate to share an idea with them.
Alisa: I did. I let Bobby and Athena know what I thought. The 3 of us thought correctly.
TK: Good. I'll let the folks know that you and the family are safe!
Alisa: I can't wait to see you all again! Christopher is super excited!
TK: Awesome! By the way, Gramps and Nana are arranging a party!
Alisa: Nooooooo! I hate big social gatherings!
TK: Whelp, you got no choice~ we're all gonna be stateside and it is sort of the social season.
Alisa: Fine. Fine. Well, I gotta go. We just got another call before shift ends. Love you!
TK: Stay safe! Love you too!
LINE BREAK
The 118 was driving to their destination as a whole company towards a five-alarm they were dispatched to. After passing through the tunnel, dispatch was trying to inform them that Bobby was trying to get a hold of them but the signal was unfortunately choppy. When Chimney asked for them to repeat, all they heard was an explosion. "Oh no…" Alisa stuck her head out the window, "Stop! Stop the rig!"
Ladder 118 had exploded and tipped over causing the ladder team to fly out of the vehicle. Engine 118 and EMS 118 had immediately stopped while Chimney radioed that they were out of commission due to the explosion and called for back-up. Alisa and Eddie were about to run to the ladder with a jump bag but were pulled back by the others when a figure approached the fallen blonde firefighter whose leg was trapped under the ladder rig. "Let go! The rig is crushing Buck's leg and the others are hurt!" Alisa snapped, "He's going to have a crush injury. The longer we wait, the worse it'll be for all of them!"
"We can't. It's too dangerous." Hen shook her head.
"Eddie, Eddie, calm down!" Chimney wrestled the male Diaz while talking on his radio, "Dispatch, what's the plan!? I got firefighters down!"
LINE BREAK
Meanwhile, Buck was in and out of consciousness. His whole body was hurting and could see the rest of the ladder team on the street, injured but thankfully moving. He was gasping for air when he noticed a figure of a teenage boy approached him. "You're new." the teenager said before looking around, "Where's the captain!?" he demanded, showing he had a bomb strapped to his person along with the switch in his hand.
The first responders on the scene, including the SWAT and bomb squad who arrived a few minutes prior, watched in horror as the boy kicked Jameson on the torso causing him to cry out in pain. Chimney took a deep breath and raised his arms as he came into the teenager's view. "I'm the captain of the 118!" he declared.
"No! You're not the captain I want!" he yelled back, "I want Capt. Nash of the 118!"
"Freddie!" the boy turned to the owner of the voice.
To everyone's surprise, it was the 118's captain.
LINE BREAK
The female Strand noticed everyone was distracted by Bobby who appeared with his hands up. She wasn't really listening to the conversation but she took the opportunity to slip away stealthily. Her jump bag was secure on her person and she used the rigs and smoke as a barrier to shield her from everyone. She sprinted to the fallen ladder rig and was able to treat Jones who was hidden in the back, opposite of where everyone was. "Diaz?" he whimpered.
"Shh… I got you." Alisa whispered, "I've started a line and here…" she placed a c-collar around his neck, "to stabilize you. I'll be back…"
"Surely, you didn't think I wouldn't notice you slipping away, mi amor?" Eddie suddenly appeared beside her.
"I thought I could but I'm glad you're here." She whispered back, relieved she now had back up.
"So, what are you scheming now?" Eddie asked as he made sure Jones was stable.
After Alisa explained her plan, Eddie had deemed it reckless but doable. When all was said and done, they left the unconscious Jones and headed towards the middle of the fallen rig. Eddie hoisted up Alisa on his shoulders, allowing her to access the compartment where the airbags were easily and quietly. "I got it." She mouth and Eddie nodded as he put her down.
LINE BREAK
"So, what's next?" Bobby asked, "It's what you wanted."
"I wanted you dead!" Freddie yelled, coldly glaring at Bobby.
"I get that but what about the others? We were all doing our jobs, Freddie." Bobby noticed Alisa and Eddie crawling by the windshield and putting a line on Buck who whimpered quietly, "We were all just doing our jobs."
"You ruined everything! We lost everything because of you!" Freddie lifted up his hand and looked ready to pull the trigger.
"No, you don't get to play the victim anymore, Freddie. Your dad burned down that restaurant." Bobby shook his head, "The moment you sent those bombs, you've stopped being the victim."
"Then I'll take all of you with me!" Freddie declared.
"Freddie, no! Don't!"
"Mom!?"
The teenager heard his mom from behind Bobby and he was distracted just enough for Eddie to grab Freddie and secure his hand that had the trigger. "Game's over, Freddie." Alisa whispered as the bomb squad and SWAT team took him away from her husband.
"That was reckless and ballsy, I give you that." Bobby said to the firefighter couple and went to Buck, "How are you feeling, Buck?"
"Numb but the line Alisa placed helped…" the blonde moaned, "Thanks by the way… I think Eddie might murder you though…" he said when he noticed the others appearing behind them.
"Honestly, I was part of that plan." Eddie confessed, "We're going to get you out of here, Buck."
"I was able to get these out of the compartment. The airbags are still functioning." Alisa pointed to the bags on the ground, "It's the fastest way. Chimney, make sure Cedar-Sinai has a team on standby. Hen, Jones is behind the rig, I gave him a line and secured his neck." she looked around, "125, I need you to treat Jameson and Louis over there."
"Roger that!"Everyone followed the medic's instructions.
The crowd and other first responders watched as the firefighters burst into action. Eddie and Bobby kept Buck stable as Alisa and the other 118 crew set up the airbags to lift the ladder rig off of him with the help of the 136. "We got you, Buck."
LINE BREAK
Gwen: ALISA KAYLEIGH DIAZ! EDMUNDO DIAZ!
Owen: ARE THE BOTH OF YOU INSANE!?
TK: YOU GUYS ARE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE!
The couple winced when the Strand's faces popped up on Facetime on her iPad Pro as she accepted the group call. She didn't realize that word of the incident reached New York but she had a gut feeling that Bobby called them directly. "In our defense, Buck didn't have time. We saw an opportunity and took it. We backed each other up and Eddie approved of it. He's a former Army Ranger medic, remember?" she replied.
Owen: Guys, you're going to give me even more grey hair!
Gwen: We're proud of the two of you but that was just… it was reckless. What if it had gone wrong?
TK: I thought I was supposed to be the reckless one. Come on.
"We apologize but we were just doing our jobs." Eddie said, "We didn't do it without a plan and we couldn't wait any longer or Buck would have lost his leg."
"How is it any different from dad and TK deciding to jump over the Brooklyn Bridge on a rescue gone wrong?" she sighed, "But, we apologize for scaring all of you. I just… I…"
Owen: We understand, sweetheart but try not be so reckless again. After all, you're the behaved child. I thought Eddie was the more disciplined one, too.
TK: Hey, I'm well behaved!
Gwen: While your brother and father decide to be weirdos… are the both of you alright though? Physically and mentally?
"Physically, I'm fine. Mentally, after all that's happened, I'll get there, mom." Alisa felt Eddie pull her closer to him, "I got the best husband and partner to help me and Christopher's hugs are the best kind of therapy."
"Same." Eddie replied, "With my family here and then what happened to Buck, we'll get there, Gwen. Alisa and I have each other. Christopher already gave us a thorough scolding." He chuckled.
Gwen: That's good. Christopher's got it right. Watch out for each other?
"Of course." she nodded. "I love you, guys."
Gwen: See you next week then. We love you!
TK: We'll call Buck tomorrow!
Owen: You might give him another concussion if you do, TK.
The call ended with Gwen hanging up when Owen and TK bid their goodbyes. Alisa bit her lip as she looked at Eddie who looked at her with a blank expression. "Alisa," he started, "I thought we weren't going to make it but I'm glad the plan worked."
"I know, I feel the same way." she took a deep breath, "We couldn't have pulled it off if we were alone. "
"I know… that's why next time, make sure to let me know as soon as possible if you have a plan. I didn't even realize you were gone until I turned around." Eddie pulled her in a hug, "I can't lose you. Christopher can't lose his mom."
"And he can't lose his dad, either." She hugged him back, "I'm sorry for scaring you. I'll do better." she breathed in his scent, "But you're not going to lose me. We're going to be together until we're old and wrinkly. We're a team."
"Si, si, mi amor." Eddie kissed her temple, "Buck woke up by the way. Maddie sent me a text when the group call was answered."
"That's good. I'm guessing he'll be in a cast for 3 months." Alisa leaned into him some more and felt him nod, "Oh no, how is he going to stay in his loft?"
"I might have offered up our guest room." Eddie grinned, "And our home is crutch-friendly." she pulled away to smile up at him, "Good idea, right?"
LINE BREAK
Station 118
The 118 and their loved ones were gathered at the garage floor and sat at the round tables with a buffet table in the back and a tarpaulin congratulating Eddie for earning his shield. Bobby stood at the podium with Eddie standing beside him. The firefighters wore their dress uniforms for the celebration. "People assume we choose this life. I'm not so sure. Sometimes I think this life chooses us. For those that answer the call, there can be no doubt, no equivocation. It's not just the lives of those we serve that depend on us, but our own. The lives of our fellow firefighters and first responders." Bobby spoke as he addressed everyone.
"Today we welcome into those ranks a new brother. After a year of hard work and dedication, I am proud to officially declare your probationary period is at an end." Bobby smiled proudly at Eddie "Welcome to the Los Angeles Fire Department, Firefighter Diaz."
"Thank you, sir." Eddie bowed and smiled back before smiling at his family.
Applause echoed in the station as firefighters and guests alike cheered and celebrated the new firefighter. Alisa gently patted Christopher's back to let him know that he could walk towards Eddie with his helmet in hand, she couldn't help but coo at the big smiles on their faces. "You got something for me over there, superman?" Eddie met him halfway and kneeled before him.
"I got your helmet." Christopher replied and lifted his helmet.
"You got my helmet?" Eddie scooped him up, "Thanks, Christopher." He gave him a kiss on his temple while his son wrapped his arms around his neck to hug him.
"Congratulations, Firefighter Diaz." Alisa went up to him and smiled brightly, "I knew you could do it!"
"Thank you, Mrs. Diaz!" Eddie grinned before using his free arm and pulling her close, "Now, where's my congratulatory kiss?"
"Oh you…" Alisa giggled before kissing him and it was caught on camera, including Christopher covering his eyes.
A while later, everyone mingled with each other, and Christopher, Denny, Harry, and May, along with Christopher's cousins, decided that Buck's cast was too plain and boring before drawing on it with the markers Christopher had in his bag. "I knew I needed to pack these today!" He declared, making a drawing of himself as Superman.
"Bless you, Christopher. Buck's cast is really boring." May grinned, making a flower field.
"Hey, I got you guys to make it look cool! I am never throwing this away." Buck winked.
"Since you put it that way… I'm going to decorate your cast too!" Maddie declared with a mischievous smile.
Alisa and Eddie were with his sisters and their husbands, Abuela, and Tia Pepa congratulated Eddie. They were so proud of what he had accomplished and even had the time to scold Alisa and him about their heroics, although Antonio and Luka were mostly amazed. "Eddie," a voice called him.
"Mor, Papa." Eddie turned around to greet his parents, slightly bowing his head.
"Congratulations on becoming a firefighter." Ramon shook his hand.
"We're very proud of you." Helena hugged him.
"Gracias." He hugged her back briefly, "Thank you for coming to the ceremony." Eddie had placed a wall between them again.
"And as discussed, we will listen to your wishes. We're flying out this evening." Helena nodded.
"But thank you for letting Christopher contact us." Ramon added.
"That wasn't my idea. Alisa didn't want him to cut connections with you even further." Eddie wrapped an arm around her and she simply smiled at them, "He contacts you first, not the other way around, but don't expect him to do so soon. He's still hurting from the way you've treated Alisa."
"That's fine…" Helena whispered, "Thank you…"
"It will take a while for all the hurt to go away but I wish the 2 of you nothing but the best." Alisa said, sincerity in her voice.
"Mor, Papa, we'll eventually get there but things will not go back to normal when we do." Eddie added, "This is my final warning and I am not going to forgive you… not with this, ever." He gave both of them kisses on their cheeks, "I'm not going to warn you when something happens again."
With that, the couple bowed and walked away towards their chosen family who were gathered around Buck.
LINE BREAK
Los Angeles Airport - Domestic Terminal
"Thanks for dropping us at the airport, Toni." Eddie hugged his brother-in-law.
"Ay, Eddie, no hay problema." Antonio patted the younger man's back, "It's my absolute pleasure on my day." He pulled away before giving Alisa a hug, "Hermana, make sure to keep this one in your line of sight. Who knows what trouble he'll cause in New York again."
Alisa hugged him back as she burst into giggles, "Oh, I'll be sure to. Who knows what trouble he'll get into at the New York subway."
"Hey, that was one time and I was pushed into the car of the wrong train." Eddie pouted and Christopher giggled in his hands, "Awe man, not you too, mijo."
"Lo siento, daddy but you in the Big Apple is fun!" Christopher teased.
"He's really your son." Antonio stage whispered.
"Of course he is!" Alisa proudly grinned before pulling away, "His teasing doesn't come from Eddie."
Antonio gave his favorite nephew a hug, "Have fun for me in New York and eat a pizza for me, will you?"
"Si, Tio Tonio!" Christopher hugged him back.
"Well, this is where I leave you." Antonio stood up and waved, "Take care and let us know when you're back. We can pick you up upon your return."
"Oh! Can we have a sleepover at your house?" Christopher asked, "I miss Camillo and Luciana."
"Sure, Chris. That sounds like a plan. Maybe we can all go to Disneyland, too." Antonio grinned.
"Can we? Can we?" Christopher gave Alisa and Eddie his puppy eyes.
"Si. We'll coordinate with each other." Alisa nodded, "Adri's kids are going to be so jealous though." she giggled.
"Can't help it if they had to get back to Austin." Antonio chuckles, "Now, shoo! Enjoy your trip!"
"Gracias, Tonio." Eddie nodded, "See you when we get back."
Antonio watched them from his spot in the terminal before the security line. The family of 3 waved back at him as they got through and were directed to the special lane due to Christopher's PWD status. The eldest Diaz in-law was relieved that they were finally going on a vacation after a tumultuous yet fruitful 3 years since they moved to Los Angeles.
A/N: And that's it for now, my loves! We've reached the season finale! Stay tuned for the next season! Thank you for joining me on this journey! I'll be updating the story, here as well. Until next time! Love you, all!
Translations:
¡Fuera de aquí! - Get out of here!