Car Wrecks
"We have a John Doe, maybe early thirties. Was driving through the crossroads at a green light when a semi ran the red light crashing into him sending him spinning and the car rolled over twice. Has been unresponsive so far," the paramedic says as they hand off the patient to the emergency department. There was no ID on the man whatsoever and the phone had been destroyed on impact. There was a lot of blood coming from a small cut on the head and there were other injuries yet to be assessed. With the lead doctor's count the patient was transferred from the gurney he was brought in on to the bed with a slight moan. He was starting to come round a little bit.
"Sir, can you hear me?" the doctor asks, doing the sternum rub to try and get more of a response from him. After a few minutes the man managed to open his eyes and was more responsive to the stimulus the doctor had been doing on him and was responding to the pain he was in. He was lucky considering how severe the crash was that he was awake at this point and the injuries so far seemed minor. It was like the man had a guardian angel hanging over him protecting him. Sergeant Athena Grant was dropping off an inmate who had minor injuries whilst this was going on. She was curious about this John Doe as Bobby had messaged her saying one of his crew hadn't shown up for work and wasn't able to be contacted.
The nurse saw Athena as she was walking down toward the exit and flagged her down. "Sergeant Grant I was wondering if you could help us with our mysterious John Doe case that just got brought in," She says. The man in question had just been sent for scans to determine the extent of his injuries. Athena would be able to access the missing person database and with the knowledge Bobby had sent her it had sent a sinking feeling in her stomach. She did text Bobby quickly to let him know that a John Doe had been brought into the hospital she was at after being in a severe car accident. She didn't know the extent of the injuries, but she'd keep him informed if it was their missing friend.
"So what do you know about the accident so far?" Athena asks, and the nurse recited to her word for word what the paramedic had told him and that they had just gotten the male to respond before he was rushed off for the CT and MRI scans. As for description, he was a muscular build with blond hair and blue eyes, he was covered in his own blood so they couldn't determine if he had any features that would stand out to help identify him. Athena's stomach dropped further, and she had more of a gut instinct that she knew who this John Doe really is. Just as she was putting the pieces together before getting the chance to speak to John Doe Rick phones her.
"Hey Athena, you know someone who drives a jeep don't you?" he asks her. It didn't feel possible that her stomach could twist or turn any more than it already had. She did know someone who drove a Jeep and was very proud of his care of said Jeep. "Yes, what happened?" she replies, trying to pull herself together. She was not looking forward to the phone call she was going to have to make to her husband once everything was confirmed. She was already dreading talking to the patient about their latest accident. She was also waiting to see what Rick had to say, she was assuming that he was in charge of the case as she couldn't be due to the close relationship between her and the victim.
"Well, our victim was driving through the green light at the crossroads. A semi-truck ran the red light and went crashing to the Jeep, it is a complete write off and if he survives with minimal injury I swear he needs to buy a lottery ticket. No ID on the victim put you probably already knew that as he is at the hospital you're at. However we've traced the owner of the Jeep and you're not going to like it," Rick says, and it solidified in her mind everything she knew and had worked out so far. She did confirm that she was aware of the case and was waiting for them to bring the victim back from the scans he needed so that she could talk to him. At least she could tell Rick that he was conscious when she last checked in.
He was right about the guy involved needing a lottery ticket. She had lost count how many sleepless nights her husband has had as the victim seemed to frequently dance with death and win. She could hear Rick rapidly type on his keyboard as he filled in the details Athena had provided him with in terms of what she knew about the victim's current condition. He had also mentioned the driver was drunk and it meant that they couldn't interview him on what happened until he had sobered up some. It was frustrating but that had a lot of photos so far, but none of the victim. There was going to be an officer sent to get the victim's statement and photos once he was coherent enough.
Soon enough the John Doe was brought back to the bay and Athena took a deep breath. Rick had finished his conversation with Athena and said two officers would join her shortly to see if they could speak with the victim now. "He's asked to see you," the nurse from earlier tells Athena once she spots her. She hadn't seen the John Doe, but the nurse had probably made him aware of her being there. She updated Bobby that she was fairly sure it was his missing firefighter and he had asked to see her, so she was going to make sure he was okay. She took a big deep breath and opened the curtain enough for her to walk in. There on the bed was the John Doe in question.
They were still doing their assessments and fixing his various wounds, but they were happy enough to have the officer stay with him. They could see his vitals stabilized a little more and he wasn't as panicked. "Quite the mess you've gotten yourself into," Athena says. She immediately helped the nurses clean the blood off his face and it was one hundred percent confirmed who it was. The birthmark on the man's left eyebrow could only mean one person was lying on that bed and was the one who had given both Bobby and Athena quite a few gray hairs. Evan Buckley gave her a small smile; despite his current condition he was still the same.
"Sorry Moma 'Thena I tried to be more careful. I forgotten my wallet at home and went to go and get it when the truck came out of nowhere," Buck told her. She smiled as she hear him call her moma. It wasn't something that was new, he had been doing it ever since the Buckley parents had come into town and he thought it would be best that he cut of contact with them for now. They had a lot of therapy to do on both parts and Margret and Philip were nowhere near ready for family therapy. Athena cleaned her "adopted sons" face a little more so there was no blood. Well, there was a large cut on his forehead, but she knew the nurses and doctors would patch him right up.
"I know baby, these things have never been your fault. Especially from what I hear about the car accident," Athena tells him. She had sent a quick text to Bobby confirming that it was Evan, but he was doing alright. Bobby said he'd let the other's know that Evan had been in an accident, and he would come and see Evan himself once his shift was over. Even though his injuries seemed minor he was going to be spending at least one night in the hospital just for observation. They were having a doctor look at his scans and then come and let them know the findings. Once his injuries had been cleaned the doctors and nurses left the room leaving just Athena and Buck.
"How are you feeling? I heard it was quite the bump," Athena says, sitting down on the bed. Buck thought about it for a moment. He was doing fairly well considering that just forty minutes ago he was barely responsive and unconscious. He knew that they knew him well enough that he shouldn't feel the need to sugarcoat anything, but this was different. Margret was very bad at showing her motherly affection towards him unless it was a minor injury, but Athena was loving all of the time. Even now she was very gentle in her movements and comfort. Bobby was going to phone her the next time he had a free moment. He was less worried about Evan knowing he was in the hospital but his fatherly instinct over the boy was more powerful.
"A little banged up, my ribs hurt as well as my head but other than that it's not the worst," Evan says, she knew his leg that was crushed in the ladder engine explosion would be a little more sensitive than usual, so she opted for rubbing his arm instead. He was being honest with her, that she could tell, but he wasn't telling the whole truth. He was trying to be brave about the amount of pain he was in despite the medication he had already been given. He would eventually tell her when it became too much but for now she was happy he was awake and talking somewhat coherently. He was a little exhausted and struggling with his injuries, but he was not in a coma.
The police officers were quick with what they needed from him, and the doctor came in once they had left. "Evan you are quite the lucky man. The scans are clear for the most part, just three broken ribs and some internal bruising. No head injuries to report either just the initial period of unconsciousness which will mean we keep you overnight just to make sure there is no concussion but if all goes well you'll be going home tomorrow morning," The doctor says. Athena wasn't in the least bit surprised by any of it, she knew that her kid was one of the luckiest. At least they had good news to report to Bobby who was due to phone her any minute.
"Well aren't you just the luckiest, the semi mustn't have been traveling that fast when it hit you," Athena says. He was trying his best to remember what had happened before he woke up in the hospital, but it was all fuzzy. He knew the semi was headed for him, but he was unconscious on impact. Anything else was unclear to him and most likely to the driver who was drunk at the time. Athena had watched as he tried his best to remember whilst he was being asked by the kind police officers sent by Rick to ask the questions. He knew he could get the answers from Athena but she was worried about Evan in that given moment so it wouldn't have worked.
Bobby rang right on time and Athena gave him the low down on Evan's current injuries. Evan was getting pretty tired, but he was waiting for them to move him up to a ward. He knew it was coming but they hadn't given him a time frame. It all depended on when they could allocate him a bed in whatever ward they deemed fit for the level of observation he was going to need overnight. "He's pretty tired, but I think it will do you some good hearing his voice," Athena tells him. Athena passes Evan her phone and she lets him speak to Bobby so he could hear for himself that he was okay or well at least on the road to recovery. She watched as his eyes light up when he was talking to the man in his life who he saw as his father.
Once the phone call was over he shakily handed her phone back to her. He was exhausted, the adrenaline he woke up with had all disappeared. "You can go to sleep now baby, I'm going to be back later, and Bobby will be here too," Athena says. As much as she loved her son and wanted to spend the rest of her day with him she had to go back to work for the rest of her shift. He would be okay; Maddie had been notified by Rick that once again her brother was in the hospital, and she was on her way. He wasn't going to be on his own, which is good because he had more anxiety about being in hospital than being injured.
"Maddie is on her way right?" Evan asks. She was quick too soothe her son's anxieties as Maddie appeared behind her. Evan instantly relaxed and was back to that sleepy state he was in before Athena needed to leave. Maddie smiled as she hugged Athena who then kissed Evan on the forehead before she left promising she would be back with Bobby later. Maddie promised she would let Athena know if he had been moved to a ward and where he would be. "I am so buying you a whole suit made of bubble wrap for your birthday mister," Maddie says before she wraps her arms around him for the gentlest hug she could manage. She looked at Evan's chart.
"I'm sorry Maddie," Buck says, and she shushes him. She knows that none of his injuries since he joined the 118 were not his fault. There was nothing he could be sorry for as they knew he couldn't have done anything to prevent the semi smashing into him. Maddie sat on the edge of the bed and made sure Evan was as comfortable as he could be so he could get some rest. He was in safe hands here and Jee Yun was with Mrs Lee for the day, so she didn't need to worry. Her main concern for the moment was her baby brother. "Don't be sorry Evan, it's not like you told the semi to hit you," Maddie tells him as his eyes fluttered closed. He had done his best to stay awake.
Once he had fallen asleep Maddie moved to the plastic chair they had put next to his bed. She had put the safety rail back up so her little brother didn't get any ideas on how to escape his latest hospital visit. Though she knows that he knows better than that and it is only one night when either she'd be there, or he'd have company. Either way he wasn't going to be lonely as Chimney had texted her saying that any of them would stay with him throughout the night if they needed too. It had been a little over thirty minutes before they came to take him up to the ward he'd be observed on overnight, and he stayed asleep throughout the transfer. He was only awake after he had rolled over onto the side he had broken ribs.
"Oww," Buck says quietly as he wakes up. Maddie was in the middle of a phone call with Chimney when her little brother woke himself up. Buck felt Maddie's hand in his hair trying to keep him calm whilst also keeping her boyfriend calm. The pain meds have well and truly worn off by now. The nurse was due in about five minutes to check on his vital signs, so it wouldn't be long even though she hated seeing him in pain and distress like this. She didn't want to worry the rest of the 118 whilst she continued to comfort her brother as best she could. She wished the five minutes were up already so the nurse would walk in, and she could say he needed some more pain medication.
After minute Chimney had to rush off as the alarm rang and he still had a few hours of his shift left. "It's going to be alright Evan, the nurse will be here any minute and you can get some more pain medicine," She tells him. The shock and adrenaline had also gone by now and he was quite quickly and emotionally coming to terms with what happened that morning. It was affecting Maddie how quickly her brother was getting more and more worked up, but the nurse came in perfect time. There was so signs of concussion still so they might discharge him earlier but with how much pain he was in they could halt it until they had him on a good regimen with people to make sure he sticks with it.
"Ugh I feel like I was hit by a truck," Buck says, once everything was sorted and Maddie couldn't hold back her laughter. Even in his state he was still keeping up with his humor. He didn't have any signs of amnesia as far as they were aware. The nurse had asked if he knew where he was and if he knew how he came to be admitted into the hospital. He answered with the truth, and he remembered everything up until he passed out. Bobby was probably talking to Frank about getting Buck into yet more therapy sessions when he was out of hospital and ready for it. It is a good thing all of their therapy sessions were covered; they all dread to think of what the bill would be.
"Funny you say that Evan, it is almost like you were hit by one," Maddie says. She was happier knowing that he was with it enough to joke about. She never wanted to see him in a coma. It was enough to put her off for life. At least their parents were brave enough to go and see him that time. Speaking of the Buckley's, Margret had been trying to call her for the last five minutes and Maddie had been leaving it to ring. "Answer it Maddie, it's not like they're gonna rush to LA to see me at my apartment or whatever I'm allowed to do," Buck says. There was a good chance that he was having at least tomorrow off to see how he is doing before Bobby even thinks about putting him on light duties.
"They should care more, and we deserve better, it's not fair. They never cared about any of the shit we've been through all our lives," Maddie says. She was still ignoring the phone as it rang, this was the last straw for her. She had been meaning to have this conversation with Evan for a while and even though the hospital didn't seem like the best place to do it considering her brother's injuries it was more of a reminder that she should do it now. She answered the phone reluctantly after it started annoying the both of them. A doctor came in to do the concussion check on Evan whilst Maddie was on the phone to their mom who had already given Maddie an earful.
"Sorry I didn't pick up right away, I'm a little bit busy right now in hospital," Maddie says, before launching on a full on rant about how they don't care about either of their own surviving children unless it was something they needed from them. For instance Margret had only called to ask when she could see Jee-Yun again. Margret didn't even react when Maddie blew up at her and told her how a drunk semi-truck driver had crashed into Evan's Jeep this morning and he was lucky to get out of it with minor injuries. Evan just looked at Maddie in a state of shock and awe. It was a conversation he had been wanting to have with them for a while but didn't want to upset Maddie as the siblings had given it all into their second chance with their parents.
The doctor had left midway through Maddie's earful off Margret saying he was still showing no signs of concussion and they were to sort the pain medication throughout the afternoon into the evening so he had a plan and when his captain came to visit the doctor would talk to him about the possibility of work for Evan while he recovers. They already had the impression that once his pain was managed at a decent level that he was going to be harder to keep on bed rest. Right now they had him on morphine which was helping him stay on the bed and get the rest he needed. "I'm cutting contact with you and Evan will do the same. We don't need you we never have had you," Maddie says as she angrily hangs up.
She kept her composure for Evan although she knew he wouldn't mind if she screamed into one of the pillows. They had both lost patience with their parents a long time ago and today was the first time that Maddie had ever told them as much. Going no contact with them was a bold move but he was proud of her for being the one to make that move and let them know he was following. He had wanted to do it for a long time but didn't want to hurt his sister who he cared more for. "Wow Maddie, I know you said we deserve better, but I never imagined you'd cut contact like that," Evan tells her, in a mixture of impressed but fearful. Jee-Yun deserve grandparents on both sides.
Then again the people Evan had already considers his parents were currently in their respective jobs waiting for their shifts to finish so they could join their children in the hospital. Athena and Bobby saw both Maddie and Evan as their children from the day they had met. "I can't say it wasn't coming because it has taken a stupidly long time for me to come to this decision," Maddie says. Evan shakes his head and reaches out for her hand. She takes his hand and squeezes it and smiled when Evan squeezed back. She felt a weight had been lifted off her shoulders now she confessed to her mother that she wanted nothing to do with them anymore.
"It's not a stupidly long time. A decision like that is massive, you need to feel completely comfortable in that decision before you make it. I know I came to terms with it a long time ago but that never meant you had to," he tells her. She knew he had his full support in whatever she chose. If she wanted to have kept contact for the sake of Jee-Yun then he would have been there for her just not on the days they would be in town. Buckley siblings against the world as it always had been and always would be. That would never change despite how rocky the sea of life would get for them. It has never been a smooth road for them, but they survived it together.
"I know it just feels amazing but the worst at the same time. I kept thinking in my head one day they would change one day they would start loving us again, but they never did. Everything we ever went through with them was always somehow our fault. They could never accept any responsibility for what they had done, they could never accept what they had done was neglect," Maddie says. If she'd had reported it when they were kids then nothing would have really changed about their situation. Philip and Margret would have found some way to bullshit and lie their way through it all and smothered them in fake love until DCFS left them alone. Then it would be back to the hell they endured for so long. It would never have been sincere.
"Yeah, when they came to town when you were pregnant with Jee, and I got everything off my chest I thought when they came to tell me they were proud of me that things would be different this time. I wanted things to be better for you and for me because it would have been nice to know them like you did before I was born. All I wanted was for them to love me for who I am but I'm ready for them to be out of my life until they really want to change for good. They way I heard that she reacted when you told her about the car accident solidified it even more for me," Evan replied. It was nice that they were having this conversation, it was much needed for both of them.
"I wanted things to be different for you and for Jee. I have memories of them when I was little that I could hold onto, but it broke my heart knowing all your memories were going to be them being toxic and neglectful. Jee won't have memories of her whatsoever and that is just as horrible for me," Maddie says. It was very hard for Evan knowing she was only doing this for him and for Jee-Yun, but he knew that she was always like this always making sure he had all the love that he could ever need. All his best memories from his childhood were of her teaching him to ride a bike, and all of the best qualities he has. To him that was more than enough than trying to fake some memories as an adult with his parents.
"I don't need false memories of them trying to fake being my parents. I have memories of the best big sister teaching me all the things I know and Bobby and Athena being the best parents they could all though I am sure I didn't make it easy on them, not on purpose though," Evan replies. By now Maddie had lowered the safety rail and was back to sitting on his bed. Evan was sitting up with the support of the bed as he wasn't at his full strength, and they were holding each other's hands tightly. She smiled, although the tears in her eyes were threatening to spill out. Evan was worried as he couldn't tell if they were happy tears or not and he wasn't sure if he should ask.
"They know you didn't Evan and they did the one thing you always wanted. They love you anyway just like I do. I think we have both made the right decision though we are better off with Bobby and Athena," Maddie says, hugging her brother as gently as possible to not aggravate his ribs even further. He was just about sitting up with the comfort of the pillows on his back. The morphine was helping with the general pain that he was experiencing but any sudden movement caused a jolt of pain on his ribs which was too much for him. Athena had texted Maddie to let her know that they were on their way. Chimney sent a message to let her know he was picking Jee-Yun up from Mrs Lee and possibly bring her to the hospital to see her uncle Buck and mom if Maddie was going to stay with him overnight.
He knew that Bobby and Athena were on their way to the hospital as well and part of him wanted to go and see his future brother in law to make sure that he was okay. Eddie and Hen were going to visit tomorrow once Buck was home, so they didn't overwhelm the poor lad who was once again in hospital. It wasn't so life-threatening as it had been before now, so they didn't feel the need to rush and bombard him. His phone had been destroyed in the crash, but they could rely on Maddie or Bobby to keep them updated on how he was doing. Maddie had snuck them a photo whilst he was sleeping to let them know that he was okay and resting.
The hospital food was not the best and Evan tried his best to eat his dinner whilst they waited for Bobby and Athena to arrive. Maddie had some to help him and to eat something herself because there was no way Evan was going to finish all his food. "I think Bobby and Athena are almost here," Maddie tells him. Bobby would have made sure everyone on the 118 had something for dinner whilst they were on shift. Athena would have gotten something to eat as well when she had an opportunity to. Bobby was probably going to make one of Evan's favorite meals tomorrow so he could have something decent to eat whilst he is at home recovering.
The nurse came in once Evan and Maddie were done picking their way through the food and had checked Evan over again. The doctor was due again round the same time Bobby and Athena were due to get there. That was good so Bobby could get the conversation with the doctor over and done with so he could focus on his "adopted" children who will probably have to let them know that they decided to go no contact with their biological parents. It wasn't something Maddie wanted to talk about over the phone or by text message. Evan was being strong for Maddie's sake, and she could tell. Just as she was being strong for his sake and neither of them were wanting to break down in front of the other.
They might have told each other that they felt fine with the fact that they have taken the plunge and cut all contact with their parents. Maddie had blocked their numbers on her phone and Evan's phone was currently destroyed but once he got a new one tomorrow he would be doing the same. On the inside both of them were battling with the inner turmoil of the decision they had made. They would come to terms with it in time but for now they're just enjoying each other's company. Right now Maddie was carefully laying next to Evan and making sure he was comfortable against her. She was playing with his curls to help keep him relaxed until Bobby and Athena came.
It didn't take long for Athena and Bobby to walk onto the ward. Maddie and Evan were asleep with the doctor just walking in to wake Evan up to give him another check over. It was surprising that he had managed to fall asleep given how often either the doctor or a nurse were sent to check that he wasn't showing signs of concussion or anything like that. Bobby introduced himself to the doctor as Athena used the opportunity to snap a picture of the siblings sleeping before the doctor was about to wake them both up. Maddie would wake up with Evan's movement. Athena would talk with Maddie in private once the doctor finishes talking with Bobby about Evan's work options for the next few weeks.
The doctor had changed from earlier and marveled at how he had gotten off lightly with the injuries he has. Athena had been to see his Jeep to see if she could get any of his personal belongings that might have survived. His uniform duffle bag was the only thing as his Jeep was a total write off. They did get the remains of his phone so they could take it to the apple store for proof and get it replaced. "You've never met Buck before, he's the luckiest man I've ever met," Athena tells the doctor as he lets them know that Buck was still the same and on track to be discharged on the morning rounds tomorrow. With him being so stable they were going to reduce the amount of check ins that they do as he wouldn't be on his own throughout the night.
As the doctor took Bobby outside of the room to talk with him about the light duties Evan would be allowed to do whilst his ribs heal. Athena went to talk to the siblings; her motherly instincts were telling her something else was up with them and she had a fairly good idea on who was involved. "How are you two really feeling? I can tell something isn't right," Athena asks, and Evan starts fiddling with the blanket. He was avoiding eye contact with both of them as the feelings finally hit him. It had been a very overwhelming day for him and having the people he considered his parents there and not the ones who made him hurt. Maddie looked like she was about to cry.
"We both decided to fully cut off contact with Margret and Philip. She had phoned me asking to see Jee again and didn't even care that Evan had been in quite a serious accident this morning. It isn't fair that they don't even want to come to LA to see us or had any emotion about the fact they could have lost their other son if he wasn't so lucky," Maddie told her. Evan was painfully aware of just how lucky he was. He was still avoiding eye contact, but they could see tears rolling down his cheeks. He was just relieved that the people who actually cared about him were here. Bobby was done with his conversation with the doctor so Athena used it as an opportunity to quickly fill him in on the emotional state of the pair before taking Maddie to go and have a chat so she could let her emotions out.
"Hey kid, heard it's been a bit of a rough day," Bobby says, in his calming voice. It was like magic how Bobby knew exactly what to do and how to handle the situation. It was enough to break Evan's walls down and Bobby just carefully held him as he sobbed. Evan couldn't say anything for at least the first five minutes as he cried. All Bobby did was hold him and tell him to let all of his emotions out. He was sure a similar situation was going on with Athena and Maddie outside. His focus was on Evan as the sobs slowly subsided as he took in the comfort. It had definitely aggravated his broken ribs, but he was tired of bottling up his emotions and Bobby knew how to break through and release them in a non-destructive way.
"I thought they had changed for the better this time and that they actually gave a shit about me, but I was wrong again. I have walked through fire just to get the tiniest bit of attention from them and still they don't care," Evan says, as Bobby passes him a tissue to wipe the last few tears from his face and to blow his nose if he needed. Bobby had always loved Buck like a son so it broke his heart to hear how the people who should actually have been his parents just don't care about him. When Athena told him that their son was in the hospital again he needed a moment to compose himself as he was terrified. He didn't want to lose his kind and prayed and thanked the Lord that Evan had made it out with just a few broken ribs and cuts and bruises elsewhere.
"You have every right to feel hurt kid, it can't be easy to make the decision to cut contact with them. Just know that I think you made the right choice for you, and we are here for you like we always will be," Bobby tells him. He carefully rearranged them so that Evan was practically on the older man's lap so he could comfort him like he would if this was a small child he was talking to. He wasn't babying Evan by any means, he could feel that Evan needed some fatherly love and comfort, and this was the best way he could do it without causing any more pain. Bobby was proud of Evan and Maddie they had both made that big jump and they were on the road to inner healing.
It will take a while and it is not going to be a smooth road by any stretch of the imagination, but Athena and Bobby were committed to being by their side every step of the way. They can be the parents that Margret and Philip never were. The fact that Bobby would have taken the 118 offline for the day so they could have been with them the whole day was something that Philip would never have considered in a million years. Athena would have figured out a way to make her shift work around visits with him so that he wouldn't have been on his own if Maddie was unreachable. Evan held onto Bobby like his life depended on it and Bobby had his hand in the mess of his curls doing his best to comfort him.
After a while Evan had finally calmed down and loosened his grip on Bobby's arms. Athena and Maddie walked in after a few minutes and there was a big group hug between the four of them. Maddie looked like she had been crying but was quick to reassure her brother that she was okay. Evan did the same and Athena smiled at part of her little family. All that were missing was Harry and May but that would come with time. Once she felt it was an appropriate moment she took a photo of them all together. She'd put it on social media at some point with a caption about how they are part of her world. She would really rub it in Margret and Philip's faces that their children had parents that were better than they ever could be. She's not normally the petty type but she wanted them to feel the pain.
It really wasn't fair that Maddie and Evan were suffering through the emotional pain because of them. The lifetime of neglect has been hard on them. Now though they could finally move on and heal properly with the right help and support around them. No more stepping on eggshells and hiding their feelings as they wait for the parental approval that was never going to come. Now they are free to move on with their lives and stay in Los Angeles with the only true family that had ever cared about them. Evan was starting to get tired, and Chimney was on his way with Jee-Yun. Maddie had told Chimney about what they had done with their parents, so he wanted to go and offer his support.
He also figured his future brother-in-law could use the distraction from his favorite niece. That would be their secret weapon if they ever needed to start operation buck up Buck again. Get Christopher and Jee-Yun to go spend the day with him and to take them to the zoo or something. They both loved the endless amount of facts Evan managed to store in that brain of his. "We're here to crash the family party," Chimney says, announcing his and Jee-Yun's arrival half an hour later. Buck was relaxing as best he could on his hospital bed, Bobby went to get some decent coffee and Athena was telling them all about the funnier calls she had been on today.
"Hey Chim," Buck says, as he is passed his niece who was gentle in her hug when usually she was just as energetic as Buck was. They didn't know if Chimney had told the toddler anything about what had happened to her uncle, but it was like she instinctively knew to be careful. Chimney went over to his girlfriend to give her a hug and a kiss. They watched as Jee-Yun kissed Buck carefully on the top of his head where the dressing was. "Aww you kissing Uncle Buck's owies?" Chimney asks his daughter who nods. Evan definitely needed the toddler distraction. They could all see the remaining tension just melt away as he held the toddler in his arms.
"Owies go?" Jee asks, and all of the adults in the room could have melted into a puddle on the floor with how adorable she was. Maddie got some photos of the cuteness between her brother and her daughter. It could have been in better circumstances, but it could also serve as a reminder for Buck that even in his darkest moments his family was right where he needed them. "Owies all gone," Buck tells her. It wasn't the complete truth as his ribs ached with the movement he had been doing. His head was the least of his worries at the moment, and he was up to date on his current pain management regime. They had swapped the morphine for a combination of paracetamol with codeine and ibuprofen as he is allergic to naproxen so he couldn't have it.
It was working well but the pain was a little more noticeable for Evan as the Morphine was stronger. He knew he couldn't go home whilst he was on it and that was the one thing he wanted to do more than anything right now. Bobby had said he could go back to work on light duty after spending at least tomorrow off. Tomorrow when he was discharged he could go back to his loft and have people check on him from time to time to make sure he wasn't over doing it, or he could go to Bobby and Athena's until the pain was under control where Athena had at least tomorrow off to look after him if he wanted it. They weren't going to force it on him because they didn't want him to show that stubborn side to himself that would end up with him in the hospital until his ribs had healed and he'd hate that.
"Maddie why don't you, Chim and Jee go home for the night soon. Tomorrow we'll have Buck home at ours and we can have a big family sleepover," Athena says. Evan had been willing to go and spend some time with the Grant-Nash family when he got out of hospital tomorrow because they all knew he needed some family love and Athena would spend the day with him. They both need Athena and Bobby's love and support over the next few days. Maddie looked at Evan and Jee-Yun who were both falling asleep in the hospital bed. Chimney had his hands on her shoulder. "That sounds like a good idea, just let me know what time," Maddie says after she's thought about it for a minute.
Evan was in safe hands with their parents. She knew that now looking at them that they were her parents not the people sitting at their home in Hershey Pennsylvania, the ones who taught them to always run from their problems instead of facing them head on. Bobby wasn't ashamed of his past; he didn't run from it he confronted it and then went on to lead the best life with Athena and their now four children. Before Maddie knows it she will be visiting him at their parent's house and enjoying the smells of Bobby's cooking. It felt nice to think about her parents and not have an awful shudder down her spine. "I'll see you tomorrow Buck," Maddie says, kissing her brother on the top of his head as he falls asleep before gently lifting her sleeping daughter from his arms.
"Thank you for being here for us," Maddie tells Bobby and Athena as they hug her and the sleeping toddler gently. If someone had told her past self that in the short space of a few years she was going to leave Doug and he'd be dead, she would have a loving boyfriend and a daughter, she'd be back with her brother, and they would finally have the courage to abandon their parents and have Bobby and Athena be their parents instead she would have told them that they were insane. The future was definitely a lot brighter than she could ever have imagined. "You and Evan will always be our children from now on if that is what you want and that means we are here for whatever emergency happens," Bobby says, putting his hand on her back.
Chimney felt a little bit left out, but he knew Maddie needed this. He would be supporting her throughout the night and messaging her as usual throughout their shifts the following day. Athena would take Buck to get his phone sorted once he was out of hospital so they could keep up to date with how he was doing. Considering the photo Chimney and the others had saw of the remains of Buck's Jeep it was incredibly lucky that he was not currently in ICU in a medically induced coma right now. Chimney and Maddie left with Jee-Yun, and it was just Bobby and Athena left with the sleeping patient who only a few short hours ago was a John Doe.
"We have the luckiest children ever. I still can't believe they don't have a photo of Evan in all the hospitals in the area just in case," Bobby tells Athena after a while. They had just spent a few minutes after Maddie, Jee-Yun and Chimney left watching as Evan slept. Bobby had lowered the bed down, so he wasn't asleep sitting up the whole night and he didn't even stir once. The doctor was going to let him get some rest as he trusted that Bobby and Athena would alert them if there were any concussion symptoms. It was rare, as they were used to being bombarded with nurses and doctors throughout the night. It wasn't something Bobby thought needed the rosary beads.
"We do, I might have to start having his description and photo float around the ERs just in case. I still can't believe it all happened. My stomach was doing flips and all sorts," Athena says. Bobby reaches out and gently squeezes her hand in response. He felt the exact same as he had to break the news to the rest of A shift that Buck had been found but once again fate used him as a punching bag. It made him really upset to think about his son being hurt again and feeling helpless to do anything or even stop it from happening. He would have covered Buck's money for his turn to get them coffee from the local shop this morning if he had known.
Then again the rational part of his brain was telling him there was no way he could have known. Buck tries his best to sneak in earlier than his shift start time so that he could have the rest of the crew get their piping hot coffees the moment they walk in. He started off going in his uniform but by now most of the baristas knew his birthmark and him and would make the coffees extra hot so they could survive those first calls. They knew something was wrong when his Jeep wasn't in the parking lot when they arrived. They knew when each other were on coffee runs his Jeep would be there on his turn even if he wasn't. It would just be him caught up in a conversation with the barista about carrying 6 cups back to the firehouse with him or something.
When Athena texted him to say there had been a John Doe involved in a RTC with a semi-truck it was like his whole world came crashing down dramatically around him. He had that parental gut feeling that Evan was involved as he hadn't shown up to work and nobody could reach him on his phone, it went straight to voicemail which was very unlike Buck. He would always pick up his phone. Then Athena texted him again to confirm Evan had been hurt and was the John Doe Bobby would have collapsed right there and then if there weren't three pairs of curiously terrified eyes on him. He had to be strong and comfort them after he gave them the news.
They all said they would visit Buck once he was out of hospital, so he wasn't overwhelmed. The only thing that changed was Chimney bringing Jee-Yun to see them and to support Maddie. He was glad the Buckley parents weren't coming; he wouldn't be able to hold himself back from the anger he would feel watching them full of false concern and care for Evan when they had ignored him through some of the more dangerous things he went through. He didn't get a visit when he was in hospital recovering from the emergency tracheotomy Abby had to perform on him after he choked, the truck was blown up, when he had the pulmonary embolism because he pushed himself too far or when he got caught up in the tsunami. His parents didn't even call from his knowledge.
"Mine was doing the same, when you told me there was a John Doe in the ER after the RTC I had this overwhelming parental instinct that it was Evan. When you confirmed it was him if I was at home or somewhere by myself I would have fallen onto my knees and probably cried. I only didn't because I had to let Hen, Chim and Eddie know since they were staring at me," Bobby admits. She could imagine it, the expected eyes full of worry for their missing friend and it turning into panic as they watch Bobby's face change as he reads the message on his phone screen. They hugged briefly before a nurse interrupted them to bring in a cot so they could sleep if they wanted to.
It wouldn't be the most comfortable rest, but they would take shifts so one of them could be awake and around for Evan if he needed. They knew he wasn't concussed but they didn't know if he wasn't going to be awake due to being in pain or something like that. It had been one of the most emotionally challenging days of his life and they weren't sure how hard it had hit him or how much his brain had managed to process it all. Then Bobby's phone rang, and he quickly stepped out of the room to answer it. It was the chief of the LAFD. "Hello Bobby Nash speaking?" Bobby says. He didn't recognize them at first and then they asked about how Evan Buckley was doing.
He updated the chief honestly with the young man's condition and how the doctor had found him fit for light duties, but he was having a day or two off first once he was out of the hospital which would be in less than twelve hours' time. The chief wasn't even surprised that Evan had escaped relatively unharmed. What they were more concerned about was the fact that they had Philip and Margret on the phone asking about it. "Maddie, Evan's sister blew up on them big time about how they are never there for them when they need it, and they deserve better than the neglect they've had all of Evan's life and told them that she and Evan are going no contact with them from here on out and then blocked them. With Evan's phone being destroyed they can't get hold of them to gaslight them again, so they've gone straight to you as I refused to give them any of my crew's numbers when they were here before Jee-Yun was born" Bobby explains.
It was not something that Bobby wanted the chief being involved in as they didn't need to be part of the ever growing drama of Margret and Philip Buckley, but they had dragged the chief into it now, so his hands were tied. It did come with its perks, however. "Alright, well the neglect certainly explains a lot. I will make sure they cannot get in contact with either Evan, Maddie, or the rest of the one eighteen as I can imagine that is their wish right now. I will let them know Evan is fine and to leave them to it or I will get the police involved. I bet that would keep them quiet for a while," The chief says. Bobby sends a quick silent prayer up that he had such an understanding chief during all of this. It made things a lot easier.
He would have had to have a conversation with the chief about Buck's recent injuries tomorrow if they hadn't phoned him tonight. It would just be to make sure that they were okay with him being on light duties whilst his ribs healed, which seemed to be the worst of his injuries. The chief told Bobby to try and get some rest and let Maddie and Buck know in the morning that their parent's wouldn't be able to get hold of them whilst in work, which would be a huge relief. There was nothing stopping them from actually flying out to Los Angeles and try and ambush them in work, but the dispatch center security would have them blocked and for the 118 Eddie, Bobby and Chimney would act as Buck's security guard.
Having a minute to think about it Bobby and Chimney wouldn't need to be security guards when Eddie was around. That man would pounce the moment someone dared threaten a hair on Evan's head. When he heard about the accident he wanted to go and shake some sense into the man who caused the accident, but Bobby calmed him down and told him that Athena was on it. That made him feel a lot better about the whole situation and he was going to bring Christopher to visit Buck at the Grant-Nash household after school tomorrow. Bobby was happy to have the whole of the 118 over tomorrow evening after shift so they could have a family dinner.
It is whatever his team needs to keep themselves sane and happy during Evan's recovery. "Who was on the phone?" Athena asks. Bobby walked back into the room to see Evan still asleep, and Athena had finished her drink and was texting May and Harry most likely. Bobby walked over to Evan's bedside and took a moment to watch him as he slept and made sure that the mess of blond curls that was in his face were cleared. "It was the chief, Margret and Philip have been harassing them since Maddie told them they cut contact with them. The chief has promised to make sure that Margret and Philip aren't allowed to contact them at work," Bobby tells her.
"That is good, they would probably try and show up, but they aren't going to get very far. We would protect those kiddos with our lives if we had to, but I know it won't come to that. Right now we should probably get some rest because I can tell it will be a long day tomorrow," Athena says. The easiest bit would be dealing with her little family and the fire fam. She would take Buck to the apple store to get his phone replaced, then to the grocery store to get some food for Bobby to cook for dinner. Then they would relax at home until the 118 and Maddie finish their shifts and just have a relaxing evening. The only thing that would throw a spanner in the works would be if the Buckley parents were to try and show up to Buck's apartment when they go and get him some clothes so he can stay at Bobby and Athena's for a while.
She wouldn't put it past Rick who is now also aware of the situation regarding the biological parents to organize a cop to sit outside Buck's apartment whilst they are there and make sure they won't be bothered or harassed. Bobby made himself as comfortable as he could on the chair which left Athena to sleep on the cot next to Evan's bedside. They were going to take shifts keeping an eye on their boy. There was no way Athena would let him sleep on that chair all night though Bobby would find some way to try and convince her. She wasn't the one working a twelve hour shift in the morning. She would rather sleep in the chair because she could argue that she would take a nap with Evan once they got home.
They found a routine that worked through the night. Evan had only woken up twice during the night, once in pain and once in complete confusion. Athena woke up to his pain and soothed him enough to wait a couple of minutes for the nurse to come and check on him and give him another dose of the pain medication that had been working so far. Bobby was awake when he was confused and panicked and ended up cuddling Buck like a child on the bed until he had fallen asleep. Athena had woken up to the sound of Bobby's alarm and saw the pair sound asleep in the bed. Bobby cushioning Evan against him so the pain from his ribs wouldn't be so bad.
Of course she had to take a photo of it to send to the group chat. One that both Bobby and Buck weren't in as they were planning things for them. It was set up at some point during yesterday morning or afternoon as they firmly established that Bobby is basically Buck's father at this point and Athena wanted to plan them a holiday for some quality father and son time which didn't involve the possibility of being hurt or anything. Maddie was the first one to text back and say that her dad and brother looked super cute together. She asked if Athena wanted her to get anything for the family BBQ tonight, and all Athena said was enough of Evan's favorite desert to go around.
The nurse who had been there all night didn't want to wake either man when she came in to take his vitals. "I know they're so cute, but my husband has to go to work, and I am sure my son would like to go home soon," Athena tells her, letting her know it was okay to wake them and she'd deal with the groggy grown-ups. When they did wake up Bobby didn't want to go to work at first, but he knows he would be seeing his wife and eldest son in a few hours, so it wasn't all that bad. "Dad I'll be fine I promise. You know Athena is going to take good care of me," Evan tells him as he gets ready to leave. Evan and Athena weren't going to be too far behind, they just needed the doctor to make his rounds and then sort the discharge papers out.
"I know kid, but I'm never going to stop worrying about you," Bobby says. Evan smiled and hugged Bobby. This kid of his definitely gave him some new gray hairs but it was all worth it for the smile he saw. His kid was going to be alright, just like always and they were going to be back working together. Bobby had brought some of his clothes for Buck to wear for the meantime, they would be a bit baggier on him than his normal outfit choices, but he knew Buck wouldn't mind so much. "This reminds me, next time you forget your wallet. Please tell me and I can buy the coffees and you can pay me back the next day or whatever," Bobby says. Evan gives him a sheepish smile. He should have known that conversation was going to come at some point today.
"I swear next time Dad I promise to let you know and I won't try and drive back to go and get it," Evan says, and Bobby shakes his head trying to hide his laughter. They were all happy with how easily the words mom, dad, and son and daughter were coming out of their mouths. It was like it was meant to be from the day Buck showed up at the firehouse as a probational firefighter. It seemed like so long ago, but it was only about five years or so. The doctor was making his way through the ward as Bobby was on his way out. They had gotten Evan dressed with the minimum amount of assistance possible. They know how stubborn he usually is, so they didn't want to baby him in any way, but this time he seemed to accept the help. His ribs were probably giving him some problems.
It was probably the calmest morning Athena had had in a long time and she had to look after her fully grown son. Evan seemed to still be processing everything that happened the day before, but he wasn't giving anyone any problems. He got his new phone and was quick to block certain contacts before they realized his phone was back up and running. He was getting tired after they had picked up the few groceries Bobby said he needed for dinner. "Don't worry sweetheart, we're almost done then you can stay on the couch or in the guest bedroom for a while," Athena tells him. He would probably take a short nap on the way home. They were given his meds before they left the hospital so all that was left was to get his clothes and things he felt like he needed.
As predicted Rick had someone outside the apartment complex and Maddie had phoned to say that all was calm on the parent front so far. She had blocked them on all her social media accounts, but they had messaged Chim who told them Buck was recovering but wanted to be left alone. He was so grateful that everyone had his back and he had found his family. May was going to be stopping by after class as well. Buck loved that he had a little brother and sister for once. "They're really going all out on our security huh?" Evan says as he notices the guy. Athena had told him that it might be a possibility as they were going to be taking the no contact seriously.
"You're family and they don't want those people in Hershey to get any bright ideas. You and Maddie made it clear that you have gone no contact so that means no contact. It will only be for a couple of weeks at most then Eddie can be guard dog," Athena says as Buck laughs. It hurt his ribs, but he didn't mind too much. He hated all the seriousness of it all and just wanted to be comfortable and happy with his family. He wanted to forget everything that happened yesterday apart from Bobby and Athena basically adopting him and Maddie as their own children. They got all of the essentials they needed and were out of there pretty quickly. Evan did fall asleep on the way back and Athena smiled.
He woke up when they arrived and helped her carry everything into the house and put things away. He knew Athena was tired as was he, but they had a late lunch and made sure Evan was up to date with his pain medication before he made his way to the guest bedroom to take a nap. Athena was tempted to join him, but knew he needed some time to himself to process everything that had gone on in the last twenty four hours. She knew that he knew where she would likely be in the house if he needed anything before the others would come crashing through the doors. Well, not literally crashing through because Athena would make them pay for the repair or replacement costs.
Athena did check on him after a few minutes and saw him fast asleep on top of the blanket with his shoes still on. "Aw you silly kid," she tells him. Taking his shoes off and making him a little bit more comfortable on the bed. He didn't wake up during the whole thing, but Athena was being really gentle because she knew his ribs and his head were still bothering him even with the pain medication. The only thing it doesn't do is deal with the pain that comes with movement with his ribs, but the overall pain had gone down from a 9.5/10 to a 6.5/10 which was a good improvement. Athena went to hers and Bobby's room and went for a nap of her own.
Well this went on a lot longer than I intended but I was on a roll and the family BBQ will be a part two.
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