Buck had fallen asleep with his head resting on Eddie's chest, his breathing slow and steady, accompanied by the occasional soft snore. Eddie smiled to himself, running his fingers gently through Buck's hair, listening to the peaceful rhythm of his breathing. The day had been long, and Buck had been holding in his discomfort for hours, but now, with the weight of exhaustion pulling him into sleep, he finally seemed to be at peace.

The house was quiet, the only sounds coming from the ticking clock in the living room and the faint hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Eddie, too, felt the pull of sleep as he rested his head against the back of the couch. He let out a soft sigh, his eyes fluttering closed as he continued to hold Buck close, his hand resting protectively on Buck's belly.

Time passed, though Eddie wasn't sure how long. He had dozed off in the comforting warmth of Buck's body, feeling the gentle rise and fall of his partner's chest against him. The peace of the moment made him feel like they were in their own little bubble, isolated from the world outside.

That peace, however, was abruptly shattered.

Buck stirred suddenly, a sharp intake of breath waking Eddie from his light sleep. Eddie's eyes snapped open, his senses immediately alert as he felt Buck tense against him. He glanced down, his heart pounding in his chest, and saw Buck's face twisted in pain, his brow furrowed and lips pressed tightly together.

"Buck?" Eddie asked, his voice thick with concern. He shifted slightly, loosening his arms around Buck so that he could sit up. "Buck, what's wrong?"

Buck didn't answer right away. His hands instinctively went to his belly, his fingers curling around the sides as another contraction tore through him. This one was sharp, almost like a punch to his gut, and it left him gasping for breath.

"Eddie…" Buck finally managed to gasp out, his voice strained. He blinked up at Eddie, his eyes wide and glassy with pain. "I think… it's happening…"

Eddie's heart dropped. He knew this was coming, but the reality of the moment hit him like a freight train. Buck had been in pain all evening, but he'd brushed it off, chalking it up to the usual discomforts of late pregnancy. Now, though, there was no mistaking it—this was different.

Another contraction hit, this one even stronger than the last, and Buck let out a strangled moan, his hand gripping Eddie's shirt tightly as he tried to ride out the pain.

Eddie sprang into action, his mind racing as he gently but firmly helped Buck sit up. "Okay, okay," he murmured, trying to keep his voice calm even though his heart was pounding in his chest. "Breathe through it, Buck. Just breathe. I'm right here."

Buck nodded weakly, sucking in a deep breath as he tried to follow Eddie's instructions. The contraction finally began to ease, leaving Buck trembling and breathless in its wake.

Eddie rubbed his back soothingly, his mind already moving to the next step. "We need to get you to the hospital," he said, his voice low and steady. He glanced at the clock on the wall—it was well past midnight, the house dark and quiet. "I'll get the car ready."

But before Eddie could move, Buck grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly. "Wait," he said, his voice rough but urgent. "Just… give me a minute."

Eddie paused, nodding as he sat back down on the couch beside Buck, his hand still resting on Buck's back. He could feel the tension in Buck's muscles, the way his entire body seemed to be bracing itself for the next wave of pain. Eddie hated seeing him like this—so vulnerable, so clearly in pain—but he knew that rushing Buck wasn't going to help.

They sat there for a few moments in silence, the weight of the situation settling over both of them. Buck's breathing was shallow, his eyes squeezed shut as he leaned forward slightly, trying to find some relief from the pain. Eddie watched him carefully, his mind racing as he mentally prepared for what was about to happen.

"I wasn't ready," Buck murmured after a moment, his voice barely audible. He opened his eyes, looking up at Eddie with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. "I thought we had more time."

Eddie's heart clenched at the sight of Buck's anxious expression. He reached out, gently cupping Buck's cheek with his hand. "Hey," he said softly, his thumb brushing over Buck's cheekbone. "We've got this. You've got this. I'm with you every step of the way, okay?"

Buck nodded, though he didn't look entirely convinced. "It's just… I don't know if I can do this," he admitted, his voice shaking slightly. "It hurts so much already, and I'm scared, Eddie."

Eddie's chest tightened with empathy. He hated seeing Buck like this—so vulnerable, so afraid—but he also knew that Buck was one of the strongest people he knew. He could do this. Eddie just needed to make sure he knew that.

"You can do this," Eddie said firmly, his voice filled with quiet confidence. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Buck's forehead. "You're the strongest person I know, Buck. And I'll be with you the whole time. We're going to do this together."

Buck swallowed hard, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He nodded, his hand trembling slightly as he reached out and took Eddie's hand. "Okay," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Together."

They sat in silence for another few moments, Buck leaning into Eddie's comforting touch, trying to gather his strength. The pain hadn't fully subsided, but the next contraction hadn't hit yet, giving Buck a brief moment of reprieve.

Eddie's mind was already working, thinking through the logistics of getting to the hospital. He needed to grab the hospital bag they had packed a week ago, make sure they had everything they needed, and get Buck into the car as quickly and as carefully as possible. But first, he needed to make sure Buck was okay to move.

"Do you think you're ready to go?" Eddie asked gently, brushing a strand of hair away from Buck's forehead. "I'll help you up. We'll take it slow."

Buck took a deep breath, nodding slightly. "Yeah," he said, though his voice still wavered with uncertainty. "I think so."

Eddie stood, offering his hand to Buck, who took it gratefully. With Eddie's help, Buck slowly pushed himself off the couch, wincing as another ripple of pain shot through his back. Eddie stayed close, his arm around Buck's waist, ready to support him if he needed it.

"Just lean on me," Eddie said softly, his voice full of quiet reassurance. "I've got you."

Buck nodded, gripping Eddie's hand tightly as they slowly made their way toward the front door. He was still trembling slightly, the pain and fear evident in every step, but with Eddie by his side, he knew he could do this.

They were about to embark on the most intense night of their lives—together.