Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Buck was a little shocked at first. Surprised that he didn't burn himself when it was asked. Shocked he didn't drop anything. Really thinking about it, he understands it's not a big deal. Just a simple request. But here he is, in his kitchen, well his and Eddies but the other man barely steps foot in here so it's his, looking at Chris who is no longer the seven year old boy who looked at him with no much wonder and admiration. Now stands a teen who is growing too fast if you ask him and is proving to Buck just how much of a good dd Eddie is.

Chris asked for a story.

Chris has not asked Buck for a story in a long time. He can't remember what the lasty story he told was. He hopes it was good. Hopes it was a good one to end on. But here he is, getting another chance just in case.

"Please. I'm bored and none of my friends can play anything right now." The teen begs, but starts to show some hesitation, "Unless you're too busy?"

Buck would stop everything if Chris asked. He shakes his head. "Never. Just shocked you want me to tell you a story. You are always on about how you are fifteen now, basically an adult" Buck teases. He doesn't need to be looking at Chris to know the teen rolled his eyes. "What kind of story?"

Chris shrugs.

"I need something bud. Want romance? Horror, though you should know I'm not very good with that. Or mystery. I get to excited" Buck says. Chris laughs. " I know. I heard you and Dad when you tried to watch that show the other day, it's really not your thing"

"Come on. Give me an idea"

Chris takes a moment, Buck takes that as a chance to go back to focusing on not burning dinner, really not wanting to pull an Eddie. He would never hear the end of it.

"Something sad, but hopeful" Chris says. Buck turns to look at him. Gives him a look. "What? Sometimes being sad is fun when you know you'll be ok in the end"

Buck laughs. "That is an interesting way to put that. Never thought someone would enjoy being sad"

Chris shrugs. "I just want something that I know will end up ok in the end, but I still want to question it. I want to forget the fact that I know everything will end up ok, and be stuck on the fact that maybe it will end so badly" He explains, "It's the best part of stories, not knowing even when you are told in the beginning"

Buck nods, and tries to think.

He comes up with nothing.

But he still starts the story.

"There once was a man who met a woman, and because life had always told them to, they fell in love"

Chris put all his focus on Buck.

"They grew up fairly happy, a man who had an example of a marriage and life with kids. A woman who saw how a man should treat a woman, and how a woman could so easily turn into a mother like there was no other choice. That the love of the child would just appear"

"How did they meet?" Chris asked. Buck doesn't have an answer to it.

"They just suddenly appeared together. Made their friends and family forget the time they weren't. In their eyes and mind, it made sense. He wasn't who he was without her, and she wasn't her without him. They because each others life, and they both helped the other complete the goals the world had set on their shoulders" Buck says. "Was it love at first sight? Like fairy tales?"

Buck shakes his head.

"This isn't a fairy tale, and if it was, I don't think it would fit this man or woman. They don't work with it. If that makes sense" Buck says. Chris makes no comment, so it must mean something. Buck continues. "Soon, to no ones surprise, they got married. It was simple and had nothing new. It was like every other wedding anyone has ever been to. Very neat, formal, and even had it's own rules"

"Rules at a wedding?"

Buck nods. "Must be in a clean suit or dress, don't wear white, be respectful, give the bride and groom their space and wait for them to come to you. And no kids"

"They didn't want kids at the wedding?"

"Some people don't. The man and woman thought it would be to messy and the focus would be on the wrong things. So, they set the no kids rule" Buck says. He finishes the last thing for dinner and starts grabbing plates. "What happened next? After the wedding?" Chris asked.

Buck started making everyone's plates, and called for Eddie. "They started their life, as husband and wife. And some time after, not long. They got pregnant with their first child. A girl. They of course didn't know that until the woman had given birth. But the woman had felt it. She was right. And as she held her daughter, her first born, she created plans along side her husband. Planned their child's days, even with her not being a day old. Their life had become hers, and hers was all about them. She was the first born, she was there for reasons they didn't know yet, but they felt that she was someone special" Buck smiled.

"Is she the main character? The daughter? What's her name?" Chris asked.

"Who?" Eddie asks as he walks in and steals the plate from Buck with a kiss. Chris fake gags but still tries to get Buck to answer. "Buck?"

Buck sets a plate down in front of Chris. "No, she's not. At least not in the way you think. There isn't just one main character in this. Everyone has a story"

Chris groans. "Her name?"

Buck shakes his head, and sits down to eat his own food. "She is just called the first daughter. Now eat."

Chris stares at his plate, then back at Buck. "It's not the end right? There's more, it's not ending there?"

Buck nods, Eddie still looks confused.

"There is more. I'll tell more later. Now eat"

Buck isn't able to continue the story after dinner.

He gets a text an hour later, from Chim saying Maddie had gone into labor. He went with Eddie to pick up Jee, and a few hours after that, he went alone to the hospital to meet his nephew.

He stared at him with love, and cried when Chim told him the name. Already being told how happy Bobby was, and how honored he was.

He stared at his nephew, Robert Nash Han a little bit longer, then he stared at Chim, then at Maddie.

The first daughter really did end up being so special.

Chapter Text

Maddie and Chim go home two days after she gives birth.

Eddie and him offer them one more day before they drop Jee off at home, telling them to get settled and let Robert get used to his home. The offer is accepted and Jee shows no signs of wanting to go home right away or being upset about not getting to meet baby brother right away. It's one more sleepover with Uncle Buck and Uncle Eddie, and add Chris to it, well everything else in the world doesn't seem to matter to the young girl. She seems to be in a happy place and doesn't care about much else.

Buck is fixing the air mattress again when both Chris and Jee just show up and stare at him.

"What did you two do?" Buck asks. They both shake their head. "What are you planning on doing? I think Eddie might have a heart attack if you try to scare him again" he says it but smiles and hopes they are planning another one. It's funny and in the end causes no one harm. And again it is funny watching Eddie get scared by a teenager and a toddler.

"I told Jee the beginning of the story, but I don't know the rest. We need to know more" the teen begs. "Yeah. More" Jee adds.

Buck laughs. Picks up Jee and sets her on the bed. Chris moves to sit next to her. "Fine, but not to much. It's almost bed time" and yeah the comment is mostly towards Jee, but he also finds it funny to watch Chris roll his eyes when he hears it.

“Alright alright. Where was I?” Buck asks.

Chris says the first born daughter.

“So. The daughter was born. And she brought some kind of light to their lives. No longer were they referred to as the husband and wife. They had upgraded to mom and dad. People looked at them differently and they felt it. There was more expectations. The daughter was looked at and the wife had noticed that any mistake the daughter made, she would be judged for it.”

“Why?” Chris asks. Jee copies the question. Buck shrugs. “People tend to get weird when someone becomes a parent. I mean you become responsible for another life. You have to teach someone how to be a person. A good one and some don’t believe you can put all the blame on a young child so they put it all on the parents.”

“Mean” Jee says. Buck laughs. “Sometimes yeah. It’s a difficult job. Being a parent.” Buck can only assume. “But there can be times the parent is allowed to be blamed.”

“What this that time?” Chris asks.

Buck shrugs. “I don’t know.”

Jee tells him to continue. So he does.

“Some time passes. The daughter grows and she does become a good person. Though still at a young age the parents put more pressure on her. Things that even at her age she shouldn’t worry about. But after a while, something changes. The daughter is told amazing news. That parents and help their smile.”

Jee giggles. Chris waits.

“What?” Jee yells when she feels like Buck is taking to long. He smiles. “The mother, with a sweet loving smile. Places a hand on her stomach and announces to the daughter that she will be getting a brother or sister soon”

“The mom got pregnant again?” Chris asks. At the same time Jee yells out just like me.

Buck nods. “The daughter was excited. Any time she went out and talked to people. Whether it be her family friends or family. She had to announce it. She would just say I get a sibling. I think I want a brother. Though her mood would change at times. Other times she would say she would want a sister. So she could share her toys”

Jee giggles again.

“What was it? Did she get a brother or sister?”

“She got a brother. The first son”

Jee turns into a giggling mess.

“Alright. I think that’s enough. This little things needs to sleep. Big day tomorrow. Meeting baby brother” Buck says.

It takes ten minutes to get her to calm down. Once she does, she’s out like nothing.

As Buck walks to his room to past out as well, Chris stops him.

“I thought the story was suppose to be sad? It seems really happy.”

Buck just says goodnight and he’ll tell him more later.

Buck goes to bed without checking his phone. He misses a text from Maddie.

Mom and dad are coming to meet the baby. They’re almost in California. Thought you would like a heads up

Chapter Text

After Buck looks at the text, he starts to stress clean. After thirty minutes, Eddie has to actually wrestle a rag out of his hand. When he tries to take the spray bottle, Buck sprays him with it.

He was stressed and trying to come up with ways to avoid his parents for this entire visit.

He came up with nothing.

“Uh Buck?” Chris says.

He had watched Buck go from stress cleaning to stress baking for a family dinner that night.

A family dinner with Bucks parents.

“Yeah bud?”

“You ok?”

“Of course. Fantastic. Just trying to get this done for tonight. Want it to be perfect” Buck whispers the last part. Chris smiles. “It always is”

“Thanks kid. Where did your dad go?”

“Uh the store. You had a mini freak out twenty minutes ago about not having enough flour.”

“Right. I should apologize for that when he gets back.”

He’s mostly talking to himself. He smiles at Chris. “You ok?”

Chris nods and moves to sit at a chair. “Yeah. Just wondering”

“Wondering what?”

“If you would maybe-only if you can- you know. The story?”

Buck laughs. “You want more of the story?”

“Yeah." The teen says, "I mean you said it was gonna get sad and didn't know if we could maybe get to that part, if you have time"

"What is with you and sad stories?" Buck laughs. Chris shrugs. "So can you? We don't have to be at Maddie until later so..." the teen smiles again. Buck nods. "Alright alright. Let's see if we can get to your sad part."

He thinks about the part he left off on.

The birth of the first son.

"So the first son was born. And the mother and father felt this type of calm and felt at peace. Almost as if the universe was telling them this is it. This is your life and how it was always meant to be. The simple saying always coming to their mind, if it ain't broke don't fix it. They had their daughter, growing up to be a sweet and caring young girl who was beautiful. Never compared to her mother, though she was also a lovely lady, the daughter had her own face. Later on I think she became grateful for that, but at that age you don't understand. The first son, he was handsome and kind as well. With sister like the first daughter, how could you be anything else. They of course had their moments like any siblings did. No one is perfect and they didn't care to pretend" Buck says.

"Like you and Maddie?" Chris asks. "Yeah. Like me and Maddie. The family was set and they lived their lives." Buck stopped talking. Chris waited, until he felt like he needed to say something. "Buck?"

Buck didn't answer.

There was no turning back if he continued. He could lie and say this story wasn't meant to be sad so why add it. He could end it here. Rewrite the ending.

"What happened?" Chris asks.

"The first son got sick. A type of sick where simple medicine doesn't cure. This sick was constant hospital visits and hating to wait for anything" he says. "The type of sick that makes you lose your patience because it doesn't matter. It doesn't care if your patient. The mother couldn't say what she had said so often before. Good things come to those who wait"

Chris just stares at him. "Did he get better?"

Buck shakes his head. "They needed something, from someone else in order to help him. To have any chance of him getting better. A transplant of something. But there was no one alive that was a match. So they had three options"

"Which were?"

"Option one, keep waiting and hoping someone comes forward. Keep looking at family members to find a match. Hope they find someone in time. The mother and father didn't like that. The waiting and still not being one hundred percent certain that they would have a match right away. So they asked for the second"

It was silent for a moment.

"Watch their son die. Enjoy the time they had left, create good memories and make sure he knows he is loved to the very end. The mother didn't stay in the room to hear the rest of option two. She had to leave to cry. The idea of her losing her son making her break, hearing the words shattered her. Changed her a bit, no one noticed at first though. So it was only the father in the room to hear option three" Buck stares at the bowl of his forgotten ingredients. Just knowing he still doesn't have enough flour to continue. "Option three was make a match."

"What did they do?"

Buck looked up at Chris. "They loved their son Chris. They wanted him to have a life and they wanted to know what kind of man he would be in the future. They needed him alive and a small part of them wanted to see how he would turn out to see if they did a good job. So they made a match. The mother got pregnant for a third time. With the second son"

Chris is about to ask something. But Eddie gets home. So he doesn't, but still stays close by Buck, even offering help. Buck is thankful to stop telling the story for a moment. He bakes a cake, a couple cupcakes. And even has time to bake two loaves before they have to leave.

Eddie stops him before they make it out the front door.

"Breath" he whispers. Buck listens. "I got you ok. The second we need to leave you say it ok. I'm on your side. All you got to do is give me a look and I'll drag you to the car and come up with an excuse myself ok. Just talk to me. Can you promise me that?"

Buck nods. Eddie kisses him. "I love you. You are amazing and anyone who thinks otherwise is stupid. You ready?"

"Ready. But maybe one more good luck kiss?" Buck smiles.

They end up being ten minutes late, but that's mostly because Buck was driving a bit slower then normal.

"Oh Evan you brought to much" It's the first thing his mother says to him. Not hi, not how are you. Buck would've thought his mom was being funny or saying that he really didn't need to do all this for a simple dinner but she kept going. "I mean really you expect everyone to eat all this. A cake and cupcakes. This will be to many leftovers"

Chim walks up to him and takes the cupcakes, "This is perfect actually. Jee has been in a mood lately and will only eat cupcakes for a dessert. Had some something against cakes for some reason" he laughs. Margaret hums. "And loaves?" she points to Eddie. "That's actually just for Chim." Buck answers. Chim smiles and takes them out of Eddie's hands. "Haha. If you will excuse me I need to find a new hiding place for these." He lets out a sign, " Maddie found my other one" he walks away.

Eddie chuckles and greets Margaret. "Hello Eddie. And Christopher" she smiles at the teen.

Buck still doesn't get an hello.

"I'm gonna put this in the kitchen" Buck lifts the cake up a bit and starts walking. "Don't move anything in the fridge" his mom calls out. He just nods.

He finds Maddie in the kitchen. "You aren't cooking anything right?" he asks her. She laughs. "No. I am getting water and going back to sit outside. Dad has Robert so I'm just keeping him company" she hugs Buck. " Did I see my husband run off with two loaves by the way?"

Buck shrugs.

She shakes her head and looks at the cake. "Looks amazing. Thanks for the cupcakes as well. Didn't know you were aware of Jee's hatred for cake"

"I didn't" he sets it on the counter, avoiding the fridge. "Just thought it would be nice to have options"

Maddie nods. "Well Mom is cooking everything with Chim. Eddie won't be allowed to touch anything in here I assume?" she waits for Bucks nod and laugh. "So would you like to sit outside with me and Dad. I'm sure I can steal my child for you"

Buck nods. "Oh god that would be amazing"

They go outside, and thankfully Maddie is able to steal Robert and immediately hand him to Buck.

"There's my boy" Buck mutters and smiles to his nephew. "You shouldn't be calling your sisters son yours Buck. It's a bit weird" his dad says.

"Dad" Maddie says. Philip shrugs and whispers something Buck doesn't even bother listening to.

The night goes on, and it stays pretty much the same. Margaret has comments about the food that Buck brought, how Buck talks to Chris and Jee. How he's holding Robert wrong. He stands there and deals with it all. By the end of the night, with his parents planning another dinner before they leave, this time with the whole station, saying they must talk to the man that their grandson is named after. Need to really meet him.

Buck zones out of the drive home, thankful that Eddie offered to drive.

He walks into their kitchen when they get home, Eddie doesn't follow. Gives him a minute. Chris on the other hand, only gives him ten seconds.

"You ok?"

Buck nods.

"Tired?"

Buck nods again.

"I love you Buck" the teen says. Buck smiles. "Love you too kid"

He thinks that the teen will ask for more of the story, but just says goodnight and walks away. Eddie shows up with a smile. "You survived"

Buck laughs. "But I made to much. I held a baby wrong and I talk to the kids like they are mine"

Eddie walks over to him, grabs his hand. "You made some pretty good dessert. I had both, so did Chris. You know how to hold a baby. You looked adorable doing it might I add" he kisses Buck cheek. "And you talk to the kids just fine. Jee is your niece and Chris is your kid. You were perfectly fine all night"

Buck nods.

"One more dinner" he whispers. Eddie shrugs. "I mean maybe. Or you could fake being sick and be stuck with me for an entire night"

Buck laughs. "Poor me"

"Ready for bed?" Eddie asks. "Yeah, ready to sleep for a year"

They walk towards their room, Buck stops again in front of Chris' room and knocks.

"Come in"

"Just saying night kid"

He goes to close the door again, but Chris stops him.

"The first son" the teen starts, "He doesn't make it does he?"

"No. He doesn't" Buck says, "Goodnight Chris"

Chapter Text

One more dinner.

It was just suppose to be a easy dinner, once again at Maddie's because her house is a nicer spot for it. Easier with the kids, and better kitchen.

Somehow it turns into a dinner party at Bobby's and his parents getting the invite as well.

The only reason Buck doesn't stress clean or bake, is Eddie hid all the stuff he could use. It's not a big house, so he's not proud that he can't find anything.

So he sits on the couch, and thinks about how all of this can go wrong. Thinks of every mistake he could make, what the result could be and imagines everything his parents could say to him.

"Buck?"

"I haven't baked anything yet" he says right away. " I know" Chris laughs, "I don't think you've moved for twenty minutes"

Buck shrugs. That sounds about right. The teen sits next to him. "Can you tell me the rest? Of the story"

"Bud-" "It might not be the best distraction but it is one. Please?"

Buck lets out a sign.

"The first son died. Whatever hope they had, whatever ideas they had and any kind of chance they saw after looking at the second son. It went away. Because he died. And they had a reminder of it. They weren't able to get rid of it. Couldn't ignore it. It had to be cared for, needed to be taught how to survive such a unfair world. Where kids died and adults didn't know how to understand their feelings."

"What did they tell him? The second son?" Chris asks.

"Nothing."

There isn't another question.

"The second son grew up feeling so confused and unloved and he could never understand why. But it was because of that. He didn't know he failed at something before he lived a full day. He didn't save the first person he was meant to save. The first son died because the second was so broken and useless. And his parents saw that. The sister maybe too. But if she felt that, she hid it well. Still raising him more then the parents. Being more of a mother, showing more love and making the second son believe he could be someone. Even with the fear that he wasn't going to be anything. "

"Did it get better?"

"No" Buck says. "He grew up, left as soon as he could. And never had a moment where he didn't feel so alone. Holding on to anything he could to claim as his, but pushing it all away in the end. Chasing the small signs of love or at least what he thought was love. Changing dream jobs one after another. Never being able to figure out what he was born to be"

"Did he find it?"

Buck shrugs. "I don't know"

"What happened to him?"

"I don't know"

"Buck-"

"Story's done bud. Sorry I didn't pick one with a happy ending"

Buck stay's quiet until they leave. Only muttering ok to Eddie anything he is asked if he's ok. Chris stays quiet too. Until they walk into Bobby's house and he politely says hello to Buck's parents.

Buck once again, doesn't get a greeting. Instead is told how rude he is being for not bringing anything.

Holding a baby doesn't comfort him this time. He doesn't even reach for his nephew. Just sits outside, thinking he should breath. Doing his best to listen to Karen talking about work. Eddie rubbing his back.

"Sounds like a very interesting job Karen" Margaret smiles. "Much easier then these guys" she laughs again. Karen nods. "Most of the time, until that explosion"

Hen nods. "Never again"

"I must say, you all have to be stressed constantly. I know we are just thinking about everything" Philip says. "Having each other's back help" Chims shrugs.

"Still. I don't know how your wives can do it. I would never be able to sleep" his mom shakes her head. She's about to say something else, but the kids runs outside. "Uncle Buck! Uncle Buck!" Jee screams.

"Jee. What's up?" he says, tries to sounds happy and excited. Which he is, a little. Hoping this is something that gets him an out for a bit. "You told Chris the rest of the story" she pouts. Well shit. Guess not. "I did-" "A story" Maddie asks.

Denny nods. "It's really interesting. Kind of sad. You don't know whether to feel bad or really mad at some characters."

Buck goes pale.

"Tell me! Tell me!" Jee screams again.

"Jee-"

"I guess it's story time" Chim laughs. "I'll tell you later ok" Buck tries to tell Jee. But she keep pouting. "But I need to know" she begs.

Buck looks at Maddie. She raises an eyebrow but still nods. "Jee honey. Let Uncle Buck enjoy a break ok. I'm sure he'll finish the story later" Maddie tries. It does not work. The small child points at Chris, "He doesn't know the ending mommy. I need to know"

"I said there isn't an ending" Chris says.

"Is this the story you've been telling Chris for the past week?" Eddie asks. Buck doesn't answer.

"How long is this story?" Hen asks. "Did you tell my child a depressing story?" Chim jokes.

"It's just a stupid story ok. No big deal. Jee there isn't an ending" Buck tries to explain. Of course the small child doesn't like that. "All stories have an ending. Right mommy?"

Maddie shrugs. 'I mean yes but-"

"Just tell her the story Evan." his mom says.

He looks at his mom.

"I don't think-" "What's the harm? I'm also interested" his dad says.

Buck doesn't tell it.

Chris does though.

"It all started cause two people fell in love"

That gets everyone to smile. By the time it gets to the point where the first son gets sick, everyone looks at the Buckley's.

Chris stops talking when Eddie just says his name.

"What's wrong?" Chris asks.

"You told that to a child!" Margaret shouts. "To my granddaughter!?"

Buck just stares.

"Buck" Bobby says. "You ok?"

"Do not ask him if he is ok. He shared our business. Why would you do that?" his mom asks. "Did I do something wrong?" Chris asks.

"No" Buck says. "I did. I told you the story"

"Your business?" Chris asks. "Kids let's go inside" Karen tries to gather all the kids.

"Mom I don't think he meant anything bad" Maddie attempt to calm their mother down. "What other reason could there be. My goodness Evan no child needs to hear any of that."

"It's still some of my story. I have a right to talk about it" Buck says. His father laughs. "Why would you want to share anything about you failing"

"Dad!"

"Hey that's not on him!"

"Kids inside!"

Buck runs inside. To many voices. To much yelling. To many questions.

He locks himself in the bathroom. Tries to calm his breathing.

He knows Eddie is knocking on the door before he speaks.

He lets him in after two minutes. Eddie doesn't need to be told to close and lock the door again.

"Hey" he says. Buck smiles.

"I think I messed up a bit" Buck says. Eddie shakes his head. "You didn't. Like you said, still your story as well."

"But I failed"

Eddie shakes his head. "I told you before. That is not on you. Can never be on you. They should not have put all of that on a baby. Never should have raised you making you think you failed at anything. It's not on you"

Buck feels the tears.

"He died Eddie. I was born to save him, and I couldn't"

Eddie nods. "You did what you could. And I know for a fact he loved you anyway. Didn't matter what happened."

"How?"

How could Eddie know any of that? How could he believe it?

"Because I know you. I love you. Everyone out there loves you. Sees you live your life wanting to save so many people. Gets to see you actually do that. You were born to save. But you are never gonna save everyone."

Buck knows that. Knows not everyone will go home. But Daniel was the first person he failed.

"God I'm such an ass. I have to apologize to them don't I?"

Eddie laughs. "Good luck. You aren't going back out there until someone knocks on this door and tells me they left"

"What?"

"I'm not gonna let them talk to you like that. You don't deserve it and the kids don't need to see it. And they also agree. Maddie is setting some boundaries and I want you to do the same. You don't get to apologize for this because you don't need to. You told a story that happened to be true. But it was your story Buck. One that I hate you had to live through, but thankful it got you to me in the end"

Eddie wipes some of Buck's tears.

"I love you. And your damn right there isn't an ending yet. Not even close to one. And again I hate your parents. But god am I grateful two horrible people fell in love and created someone so loving and kind hearted. That is also a little stupid for looking at me and thinking I'm someone good to spend the rest of his life with"

Buck laughs. "Rest of my life?"

"What I'm hoping for"

Someone knocks on the door.

"Guess we can go out now" Buck says. Eddie nods. "Yeah. You have more of the story to tell. You missed a good chunk of it" Eddie says.

Buck gives him a look.

"You left out the part where the second son found his dream job, learned he was amazing at it. And all the people that got to meet him because of it. Can't leave the kid hanging"

He unlocks the bathroom door, and they walk out.

Buck tells the part of the story he missed.

They go home after, Eddie giving Chris and Buck a moment.

"I'm sorry" Chris says. Buck shakes his head. "You didn't do anything wrong. I should have told a better story"

Chris shakes his head. And smiles. "I liked this one. A lot. And it kind of makes sense. The second son was my favorite"

Buck laughs.

"Any more stories?"

Buck walks to his room. "Goodnight Chris"

"Night Buck"