At the station.
2 hours later, a small kitchen fire and 4-car MVA-no fatalities fortunately- had the team more than ready to call it a day and go home, they were wiped. And none more so than Eddie as he flopped down on the couch in the loft with the rest of the team.
An incoming ding from a phone raised everyone from a light doze. Eddie who had felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, dug out the device and smiled when he saw the text was from his wife.
(Mi Amor)
Hey amor, tengo algo de movimiento re caso. Pídele a tu equipo que se reúnan en nuestra casa después del turno. Haré la cena.
(Hey love, I got some movement re case. Ask your team to meet at our house after shift. I'll make dinner.)
(You)
¿movimiento? ¿bueno o malo?
(movement? good or bad?)
(Mi Amor)
Bien... ¿tienes alguna preferencia para cenar esta noche?
(Well... do you have a preference for dinner tonight?)
Eddie looked at the team and said, " Buck has some news to share. Asked if you guys would like to join us for dinner and then she will update us on whatever she found. You guys in?"
"Well be there. And tell Buck thank you for dinner. Ask Buck if there is anything we should bring along?" Bobby answered for Chim and Hen.
"Okay. Anything in particular you would like to eat?"
After a round of head shakes, Eddie went back to his phone messages with Ev.
(You)
dijeron que estarían allí. Bobby preguntó si había algo que debían traer.
Y, no, ninguna preferencia. Haz lo que sea más fácil para ti, cariño.
( they said will be there. Bobby asked if there was anything they should bring.
And, no, no preference. Do what's easiest for you, honey.)
(Mi Amor)
Bien. Te veré esta noche. Cuídate y dile a Bobby y al resto que se traigan a sí mismos. Te quiero.
(Good. I'll see you tonight. Take care and tell Bobby and the rest to bring themselves. I love you.)
(You)
Te quiero. Hasta luego.
(Love you. See you later.)
Once Eddie put his phone away the team looked at him expectantly.
"Before you ask. I don't know what she found. She wouldn't have said on the phone."
"Why not?" Hen asked.
"Because the line is not secured. And she won't take the risk of a possible leak."
"Man. That seems paranoid. Don't you think?" Chim muttered.
"No, just cautious. Ev is operating under the same MO she used as an active duty officer. Never too cautious. And always expect trouble. That way you can better prepare for the fallout"
"Still seems unhealthy." this was uttered by the young paramedic, Trent.
"Maybe. But it's what's kept her alive and helped her complete her missions. I'm not going to question her or how she does things." Eddie said with a note of finality to his voice.
Diaz Residence
After speaking to Eddie, she made quick work of slicing up some apples and washing the grapes she would pair with the tubs of yogurt and cheese fingers to complete the light afternoon snack, Chris and Izzy would eat after they got home from school.
Once that was completed she got out the chicken breasts she would use for the chicken fajitas she would make for the team dinner she also pulled out the ingredients for the corn & black bean salsa and the Cheese & chilli melts she planned to make as the side dishes.
By the time the team arrived at Eddie's house, the others could see multiple cars lined in the street. Suggesting this would be a full house tonight.
Eddie was followed inside by Bobby, Chim, and Hen to find Athena, Maddie, and Karen in the house, they could also hear the laughter from the backyard as the kids all played.
The team saw that the dining table was covered with covered dishes being kept warm. And the glasses and plates were also neatly lined on the table.
"Hola," Eddie said as he moved through the people to reach his wife and kiss her softly.
Her return kiss and greeting was just as full of warmth and tender love as his.
"Hey. your home that's good. And I see you brought the rest. Good. Hey, guys. As soon as you are ready we can eat and go from there" Buck said as she looked at the team all standing by their respective spouses. Getting nods of agreement.
"Sounds good Buckaroo," Athena said and smiled at the couple.
"Well let's eat then? Why don't we get all the kids in here to grab their plates? Then we can dish up and eat ourselves. Eddie? Call the kids please."
"No problem. I'll get them." Eddie agreed and headed for the backdoor.
"Chris! Boys! Dinner! Come wash up, please?" Eddie said as he stood on the back porch, watching the boys frown and Chris started pouting,
"But…dad! We're still playing!" the boy said as he and the rest of the boys headed towards him.
"Later son. Mama is getting your's and Isabelle's plate ready, and Athena and Karen are getting Harry and Denny's food. Now, date prisa y lavate las manos jovencito. ya conoces las reglas
(hurry up and wash your hands young man. You know the rules)
"Alright, Daddy. Can we play after we finished eating though?"
"Si mijo, you boys can go play once you've finished your food."
"Yes!" the boys all cheered as they headed inside to wash their hands and get their plates to take to the living room.
That left Eddie with only one other task left. Getting his daughter and her two friends from her own room, where it seems the girls have run off too.
"Mija? Come on girls. Dinner is ready and you girls need to wash your hands."
"Daddy!" Isabelle yelled as she scrambled to reach her father and give him a tight hug and a wet toddler kiss too his cheek. The ones he would always cherish and adore. And sure as hell miss when she grew too old for such sweet things.
"Let's go, Nia, Jee-Yun. your food is with your moms." Eddie told the girls as he headed for the kitchen with his precious cargo snug in his arms. Fully intent on helping the girls wash their own hands so that they could all get to eat.
After 10 minutes of wrangling the kids, everyone was seated and started to dish up their own food. It was one of Eddie's favorite dishes and his wife knew it all too well, judging by her knowing smirk.
As they all started eating the mouth-watering food they all felt some of the constant tension of the last 2 weeks fade a little bit as the laughter flowed from adults and children alike.