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9-1-1

The Fireflight

The car door closed with a thud. "Well, here we are in our new home, sweetheart," the man said, gently rubbing his round belly. Just then, the door on the opposite side swung open, and a woman stepped out. "You didn’t have to come with me, Adrianna," he remarked.

"Come on, Eddie! You're six months pregnant with that jerk's child. It's the least I could do, and believe me, I curse that dragon's name every single day. A sick mother isn’t something you just abandon your boyfriend for and don’t give me that 'you did it first' nonsense," she replied firmly.

"Alright, alright," he conceded, moving toward the trunk.

"Stop right there," she said, raising her hand to stop her older brother. "No heavy lifting, how many times do I have to say it?" Eddie sighed and rolled his eyes.

"I was just grabbing the essentials," he explained as she handed him the bag he had originally reached for. "When does your flight leave?" he inquired as they made their way to the house.

"Not for a couple of days. I want to stay with you while you get settled," she said, but suddenly, a roar interrupted them. They both looked up to see a massive white dragon soaring overhead. "Wow, I’ve read about dragons in LA, but this is something else!" she exclaimed.

Eddie gazed at it in wonder. "Must be heading to a fire or something," he mused as a few more dragons flew by. "Come on," he said, glancing at her. "I need to rest my feet."

When they finally made it to the doorstep

Adrianna opened the door, and they stepped inside. "You've got a lovely little house here," she remarked with a smile. "Perfect for you and a baby." She closed the door gently as Eddie entered.

"The kitchen is right this way," Eddie said, leading the way. He placed his bag on the side. "I think I can manage without furniture for a bit; all I need for the next three months is a bed."

Adrianna glanced around. "I should call Abuela and Pepa to let them know we're in LA," she said. "They'll want to see us, especially me before I head out." She pulled out her phone while Eddie moved a chair and settled down.

Eddie leaned back and patted his stomach. "So, have you picked a name for the baby yet?" she asked, holding the phone to her ear.

"Not yet, that was his responsibility," he replied. "He mentioned he had a few in mind." He shrugged and grinned, "I kind of like Christopher. What do you think?"

"I think it's nice, but ultimately, it's your choice," she smiled back.

"You're right, but I'm leaning towards either Christopher or Ethan," he mentioned. "I think I'll know his name when I see him; he'll tell me," he added to her.

"Absolutely," Adrianna replied with a smile. "Alright then," she said, "I'll grab the rest of your bags so you won't have to worry about where everything is." With that, she headed back to the front door and stepped outside.

Eddie pulled out his phone to check a message: 'Hey, did you make it to LA okay? Adrianna didn't update me like she promised.' - Sophia.

' Yeah, we just arrived, and everything's fine. Don't take too long to visit, alright?' he replied.

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The white dragon landed gracefully in front of the burning building, transforming into a tall, muscular man with short curly hair and a red birthmark just above his left eye.

"Buck," the other dragons landed behind him, their wings folding neatly. "What did I say about rushing ahead?" the older man remarked.

"My bad, Cap," Buck replied, scratching the back of his head. "It seems like a minor fire, so it shouldn't take too long to handle, right?" A puff of smoke escaped from his nostrils unexpectedly. "Oops, sorry about that," he added, rubbing his nose.

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"Thank you so much," the woman expressed to them. "If it hadn't been for your swift response, things could have turned out much worse," she added.

"No need to thank us, ma'am," Buck replied. "We're just doing our job," he said with a smile. "If you start feeling lightheaded, please make sure to visit the hospital," he advised her.

"Could you step back a bit?" Buck asked her, observing as she complied. He then transformed, shaking his large head before leaping into the air. With his wings flapping, he turned and soared away, followed closely by the others.

"Wow," the woman exclaimed, her eyes filled with wonder. "Just wow."

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The top of the fire station opened up, and Buck landed, quickly transforming back into his usual self. He made his way to the door, opened it, and descended the short staircase until he reached another door, which he also opened. Stepping into the room, he was greeted by one of the other firefighters. "Hey, you're back! How did it go?"

"Just a small one," Buck replied as he headed to the kitchen. He opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and closed the door behind him. He then walked over to the sofa, sank into it, leaned back, and closed his eyes.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and three people entered: an older man, a woman, and another man. "I think I need a shower," The older one* announced.

"Not if I get there first, Cap," the guy grinned. "Oh, Buck, you're making the sofa all dirty! Get up!" he teased.

"Chimney?" Buck groaned, getting up with a sigh. "Fine, whatever." Evan 'Buck' Buckley stretched his arms overhead while Howard 'Chimney' Han placed his hands on his hips.

"Alright, I'm going. You're not exactly a bed of roses, brother-in-law," he said, turning to leave.

"We're all different from Buck," the woman named Henrietta 'Hen' Wilson said as she approached him.

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Eddie groaned as he lay in bed. "Is there anything I can get you before I settle in, Eddie?" Adrianne asked from the doorway. He turned to glance at her and shook his head. "If you're sure," she replied, then closed the door behind her.

Eddie let out a sigh and stared at the ceiling, wondering, 'How did I end up in this situation? Was I too trusting with him?'

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"Good morning!" Adrianna called out as Eddie strolled into the kitchen, rubbing his stomach. "I made you some oatmeal," she said, pointing to the bowl on the table across from her.

"Thanks! I'll grab that juice too," he replied, moving the chair and settling down. He picked up the spoon and started eating. "Just right, thanks."

"I was thinking we could go furniture shopping," she suggested. "You should do it before you start your job since you won't have much time once the baby arrives," she added with a grin. "And your big, strong alpha sister can help!" Eddie rolled his eyes at that.

"Yeah, whatever, but you’re right," he admitted, continuing to eat. "I'll get dressed, and then we can go, but I have no clue where any of the shops are," he confessed.

"That's what Google is for! Plus, Abuela and Pepa are coming over; they can help us too," she replied cheerfully. "So finish your breakfast, and we’ll head out."

"Alright, sounds good," he smiled

T.B.C.....

Chapter Text

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The Fireflight

Chapter 2

"Hello Eddie, I'm Sue," the older woman with curly hair said as she shook his hand. "I’d like to introduce you to Maddie. She’ll be shadowing you and assisting you as you get started," she added.

"Hi, that sounds wonderful," he replied with a smile. "Lead the way!" They began to walk together.

"If you don’t mind me asking, when is your due date?" Sue inquired.

"Oh, it’s in November, so I have about three more months of waddling like a duck," he joked as they arrived at a desk where a woman was seated.

"Maddie," Sue called out, and the woman turned around, greeting them with a warm smile. "Maddie, this is Eddie. Today is his first day, and you’ll be training him. I’ll leave him in your capable hands," Sue explained before departing.

Maddie stood up and said, "Hi, I’m Maddie Han. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Eddie." He shook her hand, and she continued, "Let me find you a chair, okay?" He nodded in agreement.

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"Alright," Maddie said to him, "are you prepared to make your first call?" She tilted her head slightly to the side.

"Uh, I think so," Eddie replied. Maddie offered him an encouraging smile, and he stepped closer to the computer, putting on the headset. It rang, and he answered, "9-1-1, what's your emergency?"

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"Ma'am, we can take over," Buck reassured the woman as Hen and Chimney got down to perform compressions. The other woman, visibly upset, stood up with tears in her eyes. "Ma'am," Buck approached her while Bobby observed Hen and Chimney in action.

She glanced up at him, wiping her nose. "I tried so hard," she confessed. "She was doing okay, and then she just collapsed. I was so scared." The phone dangled loosely in her hand.

"Let me take that," Buck said, gently taking the phone from her. He could hear a voice on the line and motioned for the woman to let Bobby take over. He brought the phone to her ear. "Hello," he said, and a male voice responded.

"Hi, who is this? Is Janice okay? How is her wife," the voice inquired.

"They're fine; we're working on the wife now. You didn't hang up," Buck replied into the phone.

"It just didn't feel right to hang up. I was still talking her through it. I'm glad you got there in time," Eddie's voice came through.

"Buck, and who am I speaking with?" Buck asked.

"Eddie. This is my first call," Eddie admitted, a smile evident in his tone. "So you can imagine how nervous I am," he chuckled.

"Well, you did great. That's all I can say. Thank you for staying on the line with her," Buck responded with a smile.

"Anytime," Eddie replied. "I have to go now. Thank you." The call ended, and Buck looked at the phone, a smile spreading across his face.

"Wow."

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"How did it go?" Maddie walked back over and took a seat in the chair. "Did the firefighters arrive?" she inquired, turning to Eddie, who shifted in his chair to face her.

"Yes, just in time. I spoke with one of them, and it seemed like they were working on her," he replied. "Oh, is this for me?" he asked as she handed him the cup. He took a sniff and grinned. "Honey and lemon! Thank you, just what I needed. These pregnancy cravings are hitting me hard."

"Do you know what you're having?" Maddie asked him.

"A boy. I didn't want to find out for a while, but I figured, why not? Not knowing wasn't going to change the sex of my child, and I want to be happy about it," he explained.

"That's a great observation," she said with a smile. "I must say, you’re radiating, Eddie! You have that soon-to-be-dad look. I used to work as a nurse, not in maternity, but I encountered parents every day."

Eddie grinned and replied, "Thanks! I do enjoy this glow."

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"The crib is here!" Adrianna exclaimed to Eddie as he entered the kitchen, where she was busy at the stove. "I believe that's the final delivery for today; the sofa should be coming tomorrow," she added.

"Got it," he replied, moving closer to see what she was preparing. "What are you cooking? It smells really good, oh..." He quickly covered his mouth and stepped out of the kitchen.

"Have your illnesses cleared up yet? I barely had mine for long," Rhianna inquired.

"It's not always the case," he replied.

"How did your first day go?" Rhianna inquired. "Did everything go smoothly? No errors, I hope."

Eddie's face lit up with a smile. "Yeah, it ended up being pretty good," he responded, his thoughts drifting to the enigmatic man on the other end of the line, and he gave his head a slight shake.

"I think I lost you in thought for a moment," she remarked as she began serving the food.

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Buck entered the living area, where the guy was glued to the TV. "Hey, did you bring dinner back?" he asked, glancing up as Buck walked in from just beneath the small staircase.

Buck shrugged off his jacket and leaned in to give him a quick kiss. "Nope! How was work today?" he replied. "Nice, and hello Tommy," the guy said, rolling his eyes. "I'm heading to the shower now."

"Evan, please tell me you didn't wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," Tommy remarked.

"Not, just a long day, and I didn't feel like picking anything up. But feel free to order something for us while I shower," Buck said as he made his way up the stairs.

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As Buck stood under the shower, he wiped his face and let out a soft "hmmm." He noticed a few white scales on his shoulders and down his spine, so he wiped his face again to clear the water streaming from the showerhead.

' Another long day done,' he thought, glancing down as he felt himself stirring. He slid his hand down his chest and wrapped it around himself, biting his bottom lip as he teased the tip with his thumb. With a sigh, he tilted his head back, letting the water cascade down his front.

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"Goodnight, big brother! I'll see you in the morning," Rhianna called out as Eddie headed to his room.

"Goodnight," he replied, opening the door with a sigh. Once inside, he yawned unexpectedly, realizing he was more tired than he had anticipated.

Eddie closed the bedroom door behind him, letting out a yawn as he made his way to the bed. He removed his shirt, leaving only his underwear on, and climbed under the covers, gently rubbing his round belly.

"Man, I’m so incredibly horny, this pregnancy is driving me wild," he muttered, turning his head with a sigh. Closing his eyes, a smile crept onto his face as he thought of Buck and that captivating voice. He began to play with his nipple, breathing deeply and letting out a contented sigh before shifting his hand to the other side.

He looked up at the ceiling, pausing in his actions. "Am I being such a creep, drawn to a voice and a face I've never encountered before? Am I that starved for human connection?" He shut his eyes tightly.

"I need to get some rest."

T.B.C.....

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9-1-1

The Fireflight

Chapter 3

"Eddie, I'm going to miss you," Rhianna said as she hugged him tightly, then released him with a smile. "Make sure to take care of my nephew, and I want a message when he’s ready to show off his little dragon snout, okay?" she added.

"I promise," Eddie replied with a grin. "Just call me when you get home." Adrianna nodded in agreement. "Alright, see you soon, and be careful on your way back," he said, smiling at her.

"I will, you know I will. Bye, Pepa, Abuela," he said as he embraced the older woman.

"Goodbye, Adrianna. Have a safe trip home," the eldest woman said to her. Abuela kissed Adrianna on the cheek, and she climbed into the Uber, waving goodbye as it drove off. Eddie let out a sigh and placed his hand on his back.

"Are you alright, Eddito?" Abuela asked him. He nodded. "It seems like you could use a seat," she said, gently placing her hand on his back as they walked back into the house, with Pepa following closely behind.

"This place is starting to feel like home, Eddie," Pepa remarked as they entered the kitchen, where Abuela helped Eddie sit down.

"Yeah, but I’m not sure how long it will take for it to truly feel like home," he replied, resting his hand on his stomach. "When is this pregnancy going to be over?" he wondered aloud.

"Don’t rush it, Eddito," Abuela said as she settled into another chair at the table. "Enjoy the journey," she advised.

"I know, Abuela," he said, smiling back at her.

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"Catch!" Hen exclaimed as he tossed the small ball, and Chimney skillfully caught it. "Great job!" he added with a grin.

"It's all about those dragon reflexes," Chimney replied, placing the ball on the table before turning to Bobby, who was busy by the oven. "What are we having for dinner, Captain?" he inquired.

Bobby hummed a tune as he worked. "I'm making tacos," he responded. "It's a recipe I've been trying to perfect because Athena enjoys them," he explained. "Dinner will be ready soon. By the way, where's Buck?" he asked.

Chimney pointed upwards. "He's up there stretching his wings," he said.

"Could you go get him?"

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The white dragon unfurled its wings, tilting its head skyward with its eyes closed, preparing for takeoff. Just then, the door swung open, and Chimney stepped outside. "Keep those claws on the ground, Buck," he instructed.

Buck paused, releasing a puff of smoke from his nostrils as he began to shift, leaving only his tail behind, which he swayed from side to side. "I’m not your hatchling, Buck," Chimney remarked.

"Apologies," Buck replied, fully transforming back. "Is dinner ready?" he inquired as they both descended from the roof, the door closing behind them as they made their way down the stairs and into the fire station.

"Glad to see you, Buck," Bobby greeted him as they entered, where all the firefighters were gathered around the table. Buck and Chimney took their seats.

Buck smiled, "What do we—" but before he could finish, the alarm blared. "Well, here we go," he said, and they all sprang up from the table.

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Buck closed the apartment door behind him and placed his keys on the small table by the entrance. "I'm home!" he called out, making his way toward the sound of the TV. Tommy was engrossed in a basketball game. "Hey, did you hear me?" Buck asked.

Tommy turned to face him. "Yeah, I heard you. Sorry about that," he replied, getting up to join Buck in the kitchen. "I put a pizza in about 20 minutes ago and completely forgot about it," he admitted, reaching into the cupboard for a plate.

"No worries, I enjoy cold pizza," Buck said with a grin. He leaned in to give Tommy a quick kiss on the cheek before heading upstairs. Once in the bedroom, he removed his shirt and gathered his things for a shower.

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Buck took a bite of the pizza and asked, "Is this the one I like from that shop?" Tommy nodded in response. "Awesome!" Buck beamed, though his smile faded slightly as he finished his slice. "I think I’ll hit the hay early tonight. When do you head back to work?" he inquired.

"I still have another week of medical leave," Tommy replied. "After that, I should be back in the air," he added, sipping from his glass of wine. Once he finished his meal, he stood up from the chair. "I think I’ll call it a night too," he said.

"Alright, I just need to wrap up a few things, and then I'll join you," Buck said, rising from his seat.

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Buck gazed at the ceiling, feeling lost. "What am I doing with my life?" he wondered. Turning his head, he noticed Tommy peacefully sleeping on his side at the foot of the bed. "I feel like my life is stuck," he thought, returning his gaze to the ceiling. "I need to find some excitement."

He shut his eyes and soon drifted off, letting out gentle snores.

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The doctor looked at Eddie and said, "Are you ready to take another peek at baby Diaz?" As Eddie climbed onto the examination table, the doctor grabbed the gel.

"Always ready," Eddie replied with a smile, lifting his shirt just above his belly.

"Alright," the doctor said as he spread the gel across Eddie's stomach. "You’ve got a few months left until the baby is ready for delivery." Eddie nodded in understanding. "I know we were uncertain at first whether baby Diaz would be a human, part dragon or full dragon," the doctor continued. Eddie let out a sigh.

"Yeah."

The scans revealed that we have a complete human baby, but that doesn't guarantee he will be entirely human or half or fully dragon, he explained, moving the wand over his belly. "Alright, here we go," he said as he turned the monitor around. "Would you like a picture?" he inquired.

"Sure, thanks!" Eddie replied with a smile.

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Eddie stepped out of the room with a sigh, making his way toward the door. He paused for a moment, taking in the scene around him. In the waiting area, several couples were chatting happily, and a woman near the entrance had her partner's ear pressed against her belly.

"They all seem so joyful together," he thought, placing a hand on his stomach and glancing down. "It's just you and me, little one." He closed his eyes for a second before heading to the reception desk, where the friendly woman looked up and greeted him with a smile.

"Mr. Diaz, are we all finished? Did everything go well?" Eddie returned her smile. "Yes, I’m all set. I’d appreciate it if you could schedule another appointment for me." She began typing on her keyboard, her eyes focused on the screen.

"Thank you so much."

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Eddie stepped out of the clinic and let out a big yawn as he began to stroll. Suddenly, he heard a roar and glanced up to see the white dragon from before soaring above him, accompanied by three others.

The wailing of sirens caught his attention, and he paused to watch a fire engine zoom past. 'I can't wait to get back to being a firefighter,' he sighed and rubbed his stomach 'Not that I am not excited to start my journey with you' he continued on his way.

T.B.C......

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The Fireflight

Chapter 4

Buck swung open the door and exclaimed, "Hey Mads, there you are! I hope I’m not interrupting anything." He approached Maddie, who had just exited the break room, balancing two mugs in her hands.

"Not at all, Evan," she replied with a warm smile as he drew closer. "What brings you here?" She leaned in to give him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I was hoping you and Chim could come over for dinner," he suggested. "I’ve got a nice piece of beef I thought I’d try cooking." Maddie nodded enthusiastically, her smile widening.

"Absolutely! I figured if you saw Chimney first, you’d be more likely to invite him," she teased.

"I’m not working this morning," he said, pausing to glance at the two cups she was holding. "Is that for Josh?" he inquired, peering into one. "Is that honey and lemon? Are you feeling under the weather?"

Maddie chuckled, "No, this is for a co-worker. he’s pregnant, and it’s the drink his baby loves," she explained. Buck nodded, understanding her point. "I need to get back to work, but listen, Buck," she continued, "this co-worker I mentioned doesn’t have anyone, and I’d like to introduce him to some people. He’s a firefighter."

"He is?" Buck asked, intrigued.

"Yes, but since he’s pregnant, he can’t socialize much," she added. "I thought it would be nice for him to meet Bobby and you. We’ve become really good friends."

Buck smiled and nodded. "That sounds fantastic. I need to run and grab a few things, but let’s plan for Saturday afternoon, okay?" he said, and she agreed.

"Sounds good!" she said before he headed out. Maddie beamed as he left, then turned back to her desk, placing her drink down. "Hey Eddie, I got your drink!" she called as she walked over to him, and he turned in his chair.

"Thanks, Maddie," he said, taking the cup from her and inhaling the aroma. "What took so long? Is everything alright?" he inquired.

"Yeah, my brother Evan just stopped by to chat with me. Sorry about that! By the way, what are your plans for Saturday?" she leaned against his desk.

"Not much, just me myself and I, which sounds pretty lonely," he replied, taking a small sip of his drink. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, my brother and his boyfriend are hosting a dinner, and they invited me and my husband, who you haven't met yet. I was wondering if you'd like to join us," she suggested.

"I'm not sure," Eddie shifted in his seat.

"Josh will probably be there too, so you'd know at least two people," she smiled at him. Eddie set his cup down on the desk. "Come on, Eddie, you need to meet new people," she encouraged.

"Um..."

"Okay, I promise I won't pressure you," she said. "I'll drop it for now, but I want you to think about it, alright? Plus, Athena will likely be there, and she knows what it's like to give birth to a half-dragon," she added as she moved back to her desk.

Eddie turned around and sighed, putting the headset on. "9-1-1, what's your emergency?" he said into the headset.

A man's voice broke through, saying, "I believe there's a fire in the apartment. I'm not sure where it started." His voice trembled as he spoke again.

"Don't worry, sir. I'm sending a fireflight your way right now," he replied, quickly pressing some keys on the keyboard. "Are you located on an upper floor?"

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"Is everything alright with Vaughn?" Eddie asked through the headset. "Hello?" He could hear the sound of a phone being picked up.

"Eddie, is that you again?" Buck's voice came through clearly on the other end, and Eddie couldn't help but smile a little.

"Yes, it's me, Buck. How's Vaughn? Did he make it out okay?" Eddie inquired, his concern evident in his tone. There was some rustling on the line.

"Yes, he made it. I'm watching him get treated right now," Buck replied, and Eddie let out a sigh of relief. "It's good of you to stay on the line like this. You wouldn't get in trouble, would you?" he asked.

Eddie leaned back in his chair. "I don't do this with everyone, just the ones where I don't have another call coming in," he explained. "So, he is okay?" he pressed.

"Yes," Buck chuckled lightly. "Well, Eddie, I have to go now. Take care, alright?"

"I should be the one saying that to you, Mr. Fireman," Eddie replied, and then the line went silent. He still wore a smile on his face.

Maddie stood up from her desk and walked over to him. "Is everything alright with that last call, Eddie?" she inquired as he turned in his chair to face her.

"Everything's fine; the fire flight made it to the building," he replied with a grin. "By the way, I was thinking about what you mentioned regarding your brother's dinner. I’d love to join you, as long as I’m not just tagging along," he added.

Maddie waved her hand dismissively. "No worries! Chimney's brother is coming with us, so you’re all good. I can’t wait for you to meet everyone!" she said, beaming at him.

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Eddie eased himself into the bath, closing his eyes as he leaned back, resting his arms on the edge of the tub. There was a door on the side that allowed him to exit without any effort. "Alright, I'm feeling relaxed now," he sighed, "it's been way too long." He then moved his hand to gently rub his stomach.

Just then, the phone began to ring. Eddie groaned, "There’s no way I’m getting out of this lovely bath, no way at all!" He felt a little kick and added, "Yeah, I know, kid," while continuing to massage his stomach.

When the phone finally stopped ringing, he thought, "It probably wasn’t anything important anyway." He settled back in, a smile spreading across his face.

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Tommy asked, "I'll see you when I return from my appointment. Will you be ready for me?" as he slipped on his jacket and grabbed some keys from the side table.

"I did promise I'd be ready, didn't I? It's been months, and I've missed us," he replied. Tommy nodded and headed out the door. Buck let out a groan, making his way to the sofa where he plopped down and picked up the remote to turn on the TV.

A basketball game flickered to life on the screen. "Why do I even pay for cable? I hardly watch TV anymore; it’s just work, work, and more work."

Buck switched the TV channel to a talk show where a woman declared, "An Alpha-Alpha relationship lacks depth." She sat at a table with a few others, discussing the topic. Another woman chimed in, "When was the last time you saw an Alpha-Alpha relationship succeed? It's just not feasible."

Buck felt a surge of frustration. "Who does Helen think she is, telling others how to live their lives? People fall in love with who they are, regardless of whether they're Alpha, Omega, or Beta. Love isn't bound by labels; it's not the dark ages anymore."

He muted the TV, watching the discussion unfold silently. "That second woman has a point," he thought, leaning back. "But is the first one right too? Is that kind of relationship worth it?" He sighed deeply, rubbing his face in exasperation.

"Don't let anyone dictate how you should live your life, Buck."

T.B.C......

Chapter Text

"" Speech
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9-1-1

The Fireflight

Chapter 5

The aroma filled the air as Buck turned off the oven, letting out a contented sigh. "It smells amazing! I'm proud of this," he said, turning to head towards the fridge. He opened the door and peeked inside, nodding with approval. "I think we have enough beers," he remarked, glancing over at Tommy, who was engrossed in the TV. "Tommy," he called out.

"Yeah, I heard you. It does smell great! I can't wait. So, who’s coming over again?" Tommy replied, returning his focus to the screen.

"Maddie and Chim, Josh, and Maddie's new coworker—he's coming solo, so she invited him. Plus, Bobby and Athena will be here," Buck explained. "So, it should be a good time." He added, "I'm going to hop in the shower; I won't be long," before heading up the stairs.

Once in the bathroom, Buck closed the door behind him, turned on the shower, and let out a deep sigh as he rubbed the back of his neck.

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Tommy greeted them with a smile, saying, "Bobby, Athena, it's wonderful to see you both again," as he shook Bobby's hand.

"It's great to see you too, Tommy! That smells amazing, Buckaroo," Athena replied, walking over to him while Buck hugged her. "I bet it tastes just as good," she added. "So, when are Maddie and Chimney arriving?" she asked, leaning against the counter with her arms crossed.

"They shouldn't be too long. Josh is on his way, along with someone else," Buck replied, as Bobby approached after Tommy returned to the sofa.

"Who’s coming?" Bobby inquired after they shared a hug.

"Just someone who works with Maddie. He recently started on his own, so she invited him. The more, the merrier, right?" Tommy said. Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Tommy, could you get that?" he called out.

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Chimney reassured Eddie, standing outside the door with Maddie and a guy with short dark hair. "Don't worry about it, Eddie. Buck is a great guy," he said.

Eddie raised an eyebrow. "What about his boyfriend?"

Chimney chuckled. "Oh, Tommy? That's a long story for another time." He knocked on the door, and after a moment, it swung open to reveal Tommy. "Hey, Tommy!" Chimney greeted.

Tommy glanced between Eddie and Chimney, then stepped aside to let them in, closing the door behind them as they entered.

"Evan!" Maddie called out. "We're here! Come on, I want you to meet my friend. Stop whatever you're doing!" Buck approached them. "Eddie, this is my brother Evan, but he goes by Buck. Buck, meet Eddie," she introduced.

The two men locked eyes, both surprised. "Buck," Eddie exclaimed, "finally putting a face to the name and voice!" He extended his hand, and Buck shook it with a grin.

"Wow, Eddie, the 9-1-1 dispatcher with a heart of gold!" Buck said as they continued to shake hands. "Welcome to my place! Let me introduce you to everyone. So, when are you due?" he asked while leading Eddie toward Bobby and Athena.

"Three months," Eddie replied.

"I can imagine how thrilled you must be! I love kids and can’t wait to have my own someday," Buck said. "Bobby, Athena, I want you to meet Eddie. He works with Maddie and Josh at the dispatch centre," he introduced them.

The husband and wife turned to face Eddie simultaneously. "Nice to meet you, Eddie! So, you're going to be a dad? When's the big day?" Athena asked with a warm smile.

"In three months," Eddie replied, rubbing his belly. "It feels like this little one will never arrive. I think it might be those dragon genes," he joked. "Could I possibly get a glass of water, Buck?" he asked, turning to him. Buck nodded and went to fetch a glass before returning.

"So, Maddie mentioned that you're a firefighter," Buck said, raising his eyebrows in curiosity.

"Yes, I'm back in El Paso, but I got pregnant with this little one," he said, gently rubbing his belly. "I had to give it up, but I’d love to return to it once my maternity leave is finished and find someone to look after him."

"Hey, you could always join us at the 118 with the dragons. We have some non-dragons too," Bobby suggested, and Eddie nodded in agreement.

"Let’s see how things unfold," Eddie replied, taking a sip of his water.

"Alright, we should go mingle," Bobby said to Buck, who nodded back at them as they watched Bobby and Athena walk away.

Buck grinned at him, saying, "It's nice to finally put a face to the name." He then added, "So, did you ever mention if it’s a boy or a girl?"

Eddie replied, "It's a boy. People kept asking if I wanted to know, and I was firm about being okay with knowing, but yeah, it's a boy. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves."

"Parenthood must be pretty daunting at first," Buck remarked. Eddie nodded and took another sip of his water. Just then, Tommy approached, wrapping his arm around Buck's shoulder and turning to Eddie. "Tommy, this is Eddie, Maddie's new coworker. Eddie, meet my boyfriend, Tommy," he introduced them.

"Hi," Eddie said, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "Um, excuse me, I think I need to sit down," he said, turning away and walking off. 'Well, my thoughts were leading me in the wrong direction,' he thought, his shoulders drooping as he finally found a seat.

"Here you go, Eddie," Maddie said, guiding him to a chair. "I hope Buck didn’t overwhelm you too much," she smiled. Eddie shook his head, chuckling. "Isn’t it funny how you’ve technically met, just through voices?" she added with a grin.

Eddie smiled back, taking a sip of his water.

Buck shifted out from under Tommy's arm and moved to the stove. "That was a bit rude, Tommy," he said, opening the oven. "You didn’t even acknowledge him."

"Why should I? I’ll probably never see him again, so what’s the point?" Tommy shrugged. "I’m off to the bathroom," he said before leaving.

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"You like beef, right, Eddie?" Buck set the plates down on the table.

"Yeah, it's fine, thanks," Eddie replied, placing his glass of water beside him. He glanced up to see Maddie smiling at him as she picked up her knife and fork, while Buck took a seat.

"Hope you enjoy it; I don’t usually cook beef," Buck said as they all began to eat. "So, Eddie," he continued, catching Eddie's attention, "do you have any family in LA?" He popped a roast potato into his mouth.

"Yeah, my Abuela, um, grandmother," Eddie replied. "And my Pepa, my aunt," he added. "I knew if I ever needed to leave El Paso, this would be the place to come." He smiled.

"I've never been to Texas," Josh Russo chimed in from across the table. "Is it really hot there?" he asked.

"Stifling! It's more about the humidity than the heat itself. You should check it out, Josh; you might enjoy it," Eddie said.

Josh grinned, and Buck glanced between them before looking down at his plate. "Maybe I will, next time I win the lottery," he joked, taking a bite of meat, which made Eddie chuckle.

"Excuse me, where's your restroom?" Eddie asked as he stood up.

"Just up the stairs, turn right, and it should be there," Tommy replied. Eddie nodded and headed up the stairs.

"Who would like some more wine" Chimney said as he picked up the bottle.

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The Fireflight

Chapter 6

That was great, Buck! Athena wrapped her arms around him and then stepped back. "Next time, dinner's on me and Bobby," she said, leaning closer. "Well, more on Bobby," she added with a smile.

"Thanks, Thena! I can't wait," Buck replied. "See you tomorrow, Bobby." Bobby nodded, and they both headed out. Buck closed the front door and turned around. "Whoa, you good, Eddie?" he asked. Eddie nodded in response.

"I'm heading out; I just ordered an Uber," he said, waving his phone. "And thanks again for the meal, Buck. It was delicious," he added, tucking his phone into his pocket.

"Isn't Maddie giving you a ride?" Buck inquired.

"No, I'm good with the Uber," Josh said as he approached, putting on his jacket. "You ready, Josh?" Eddie asked, and Josh nodded. "Cool, thanks again, Buck," he said as he opened the door.

"Um, yeah, see you both later," Buck replied, watching them leave. He closed the door and made his way back to the living room.

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"Could you drop me off first?" Eddie asked the Uber driver, who nodded in agreement. "Thanks!" Both he and Josh climbed into the car. "So, Tommy is quite the character," Eddie remarked.

Josh leaned against the door, saying, "He is something. I'm honestly surprised they're still together. They hardly do anything together and have nothing in common besides being firefighters." He shrugged.

"Oh?" Eddie responded, and Josh flashed a grin at him. Eddie raised an eyebrow, curious.

"Are you sweet on Mr. Buckley?" Josh teased. "I can’t blame you; he’s built like a tank." Eddie let out a sigh.

"I'm not sweet on anyone. Even if I were, I have an unborn child and an ex who left me," he replied. "I don’t have time for that."

"Well, your ex is a jerk," the Uber driver said, and both men turned to look at her. "Sorry," she added quickly.

"No, you’re right," Eddie agreed.

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Chimney stood up and said, "We should get going." Maddie quickly followed him out of her seat. "Can you see us out, Buck?" he asked, and Buck nodded, walking with them to the door. He opened it, and they stepped outside. "Catch you at the car, Maddie," he said, hugging Buck before heading off.

Maddie turned to Buck. "What?" he asked. She shook her head. "Maddie, I dislike it when you do that. Just tell me what's on your mind," he urged.

"You know exactly what I'm going to say, Buck," she replied. "He’s living with you, right? Doesn’t he still have his place?" she continued. "And he hardly interacts with any of us, not even acknowledging Eddie," she added. "He was rude. What’s going on with both of you?"

Buck let out a sigh and placed his hands on his hips. "Look, he’s just recovering from the accident. He’s not living with me, and as for our relationship, I want to make it work. Remember what happened with Taylor? I don’t want a repeat of that with Tommy," he explained.

"So your happiness doesn’t matter to you, then? Fine, I’ll drop it. What do you think about Eddie?" she asked with a smile.

"Yeah, I like him. I’m glad you’ve made another friend," Buck said, nodding in agreement.

Maddie smiled and said, "I was hoping you'd become friends with him as well. I have to head out now." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and added, "Take care at work, alright?" He nodded in response. "Catch you later," she said as she walked away. He let out a sigh, turned around, and went back into the apartment.

Buck shut and locked the front door before heading to the kitchen to tidy up. "Hey Tommy, I was thinking we haven't gone out for dinner in a while. What do you think?" he asked.

"Well, it depends on the day. I'm busy at work now that I'm back," Tommy replied.

"Oh, I get it," Buck said as he loaded the plates into the dishwasher, added a tablet, and turned it on. He then headed towards the stairs. "I'm off to bed," he announced as he climbed up.

Once in his room, he sat on the bed for a moment before lying back and closing his eyes. 'I dislike it when Maddie's right.'

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Eddie closed the door behind him and strolled into the kitchen. He opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and headed to his bedroom. Once there, he sat down on the bed, placed the water bottle beside him, and took off his shirt. Looking down, he chuckled, "Are you kidding me? He's not even here yet, and he doesn't need milk." With that, he opened the drawer, pulled out a towel, and wiped his chest.

Just then, his phone buzzed. He reached for it on the side table and answered, 'Hello? Oh, hey! Yeah, I got back just fine. It was nice to get out and meet some new people. Sure, Maddie, see you at work in two days. Bye!" He ended the call.

Moments later, his phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen.

'Maddie gave me your number, hope that’s okay! It was great meeting you tonight. I’ll let you get some sleep but have a good one. This is Buck, by the way.'

Eddie grinned and began typing a response.

'It was great to meet you too, along with your friends and family. And yes, it’s fine. Thanks!' - Eddie

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A car door swung open, and a tall man with short, mousy brown hair stepped out. He retrieved something from the back seat and handed the driver some cash. "Thanks," he said before making his way to the house, where he knocked on the door.

After a moment, the door creaked open. "Thaks for—" Eddie's eyes widened in surprise. "Shayne," he exclaimed, gripping the door tightly.

"Eddie, you look amazing," Shayne Waller beamed at him. "Are you going to let me in?" he asked.

"What brings you here, Shayne?" Eddie replied, still rooted in place. "it's been five months?" he added, placing a hand on his visibly pregnant belly.

"Can I come in so we can talk?" Shayne requested. Eddie stepped aside, allowing Shayne to enter, and then closed the door behind him. "This place is lovely," Shayne remarked as he strolled into the kitchen and took a seat.

"Alright, explain yourself," Eddie said, settling into the chair across from him. "Let me see, I’m a month pregnant, and you just up and left with nothing but a note—just a note," he pressed.

"Eddie, my mum passed away. I thought she would recover, but she didn’t," Shayne explained. "I want to try again; that’s my baby in there," he added, gesturing toward Eddie's belly.

"Yeah, I know it’s your baby, but when you left, it became just my baby," Eddie replied firmly.

Shayne looked at him and said, "Our baby, please let me show you how much I care. I have so much to apologize for, and I need some time to make things right. You're not seeing anyone, are you?" he inquired.

Eddie replied, "You really shouldn't be asking me that, Shayne. And no, I'm not. I'm almost seven months pregnant, so I don't have the time or energy to date anyone," he explained.

"Yeah, I messed up, but Eddie, please let me prove myself," Shayne pleaded, locking eyes with him.

"Alright," Eddie said. "I don't think we'll ever get back together, but let's try to be friends and co-parents." Shayne nodded and reached out to him, but Eddie stepped back.

"Sorry," Shayne said. "I'm really happy we're doing this, and I agree—friends and co-parents it is."

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The Fireflight

Chapter 7

The dragon soared over the blazing structure, unleashing a torrent of water from its mouth that extinguished the flames. "Great job, Tommy!" a voice called out. "We're finished here."

As the dragon descended and transformed upon landing, Tommy remarked, "I believe that's the fourth fire we've tackled today. There must be something unusual happening." They made their way to the fire truck.

"Sure, let's keep our fingers crossed that we’re not dealing with an arsonist," the captain said, looking over the drenched remains of the house. "So, are you and Buck planning to join us for drinks to celebrate Gary's birthday?" he inquired.

"I'll need to confirm with Buck, but I think we can swing it," Tommy replied as he hopped into the truck.

"Awesome! It’s been too long since we last saw him," the captain said, climbing in after Tommy.

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Buck entered the apartment and greeted Tommy, who was lounging on the sofa, engrossed in the TV. "Hey, you beat me home!" Buck remarked. "What do you feel like for dinner?" he inquired.

"Anything works for me," Tommy replied, standing up. "A few coworkers invited me out, so I might skip dinner," he added, heading to the fridge to grab a beer, which he promptly opened.

"Alright, no problem," Buck responded. "I'm going to hop in the shower and then probably head over to Mads' place," he said as he made his way up the stairs, with Tommy watching him leave.

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Maddie handed Eddie a cup with a smile. "Here you go! I made This mango smoothie yesterday, and I had a lot left over. Let me know what you think!" She sat while Eddie sat in the kitchen chair, rubbing his stomach. "Come on, take a look at it! It’s not poisoned," she teased.

"Sorry," he replied with a shy grin, taking a small sip. "It’s fruity and tangy," he said, smiling. Maddie beamed at him as he took a bigger sip. "Hmm, yeah, it’s okay." Just then, the doorbell rang.

"I wonder who that could be," she said, getting up from her chair and heading to the front door. She opened it to find Buck standing there. "Buck! Hey, come on in!" She welcomed her brother with a smile and closed the door behind him.

"Eddie, hi!" Buck waved and smiled as he walked over to take a seat. "Sorry for dropping by unexpectedly, Maddie," he said, glancing at Eddie's drink. "Is that mango?" Eddie nodded. Buck looked at his sister. "Can I have one of those?" he asked eagerly, rubbing his hands together. Maddie sighed and went to the fridge.

Buck turned to Eddie. "So, Eddie, I haven’t seen you since the meal. How’s everything going? How’s the baby?" he inquired.

"Yeah, everything’s good," Eddie replied.

"Don’t lie! I heard your ex showed up," Buck raised an eyebrow, glancing between Eddie and his stomach.

"Maddie, I knew I shouldn’t have told you," Eddie sighed. "Yeah, he came by and apologized for leaving."

"And I can’t believe you accepted that right away! I would have made him work for it. He abandoned you!" Maddie exclaimed. Eddie sighed again. "Sorry, I’ll stop," she said, pouting slightly.

Eddie glanced to his right and said, "I know I agreed to it pretty quickly, but I want my child to have their dad, you know?" He took another sip of his smoothie. "It's strictly friends and co-parents, nothing more. If he messes up again, that's it for me."

"I hope you're right," Maddie replied, then turned to her brother, folding her arms and leaning in slightly. "So, what brings you here at this time of day?" she asked.

Buck shrugged. "Just a quiet night. Tommy went out with some work colleagues, and I didn't have anything else to do," he explained. "I'm glad I came by," he added, then turned to Eddie. "So, tell me more about your ex," he said, resting his chin on his fist.

Eddie let out a sigh. "We met in school, but he moved away when his mom got sick. We didn't see each other again until we were 18," he shared. "We started dating, and everything was great. Then I got pregnant," he continued, sighing again. "You can imagine how our parents reacted."

Buck and Maddie listened closely as Eddie went on. "We decided to keep the baby, and everything seemed fine until I lost the baby. We were both devastated because we were so excited to become parents. I fell into a bit of a depression and ended up signing up for the military without telling him."

"I returned to find that he had already gone. He left a note expressing how much it meant to have me there with our baby and the pain of losing both of us. I tried to move on, even though I was still in love with him and aware that I had made mistakes. Then I was deployed again. About two years later, he came back, and we started dating again. We got engaged, and nearly seven months ago, I found out I was pregnant," he explained.

"Is that one of the reasons you found it easy to forgive him since you had already done it once?" Maddie inquired. Eddie simply shrugged.

"Maybe I felt guilty for leaving him first," Eddie replied as he finished his drink. "Then, just a month into my pregnancy, when it was still early for me to lose the baby, his mom fell ill again. He said he would be gone for just a month while she underwent chemotherapy, but he never returned."

Eddie's phone rang, and he said, "Oh, excuse me." He started to get up, but Buck was quick to assist him. Eddie smiled and said, "Thanks, Buck," giving his arm a friendly pat before heading out of the kitchen. Buck then took a seat.

"Wow," Maddie remarked, catching Buck's attention. "Why do I get the feeling that I still dislike the ex?" Buck laughed lightly. "What?" she asked, looking at him. "It's just that he seemed down; he could have harmed himself. But he left because of his mother, and if what he mentioned earlier is true, she didn't last long after he left," she explained.

"You're right," Buck replied just as Eddie returned, tucking his phone into his pocket. "Everything okay?" he inquired.

"Yeah, Shayne is on his way to pick me up. We're supposed to go to the baby store," Eddie informed them. "Thanks for having me again, Maddie," he added, and she waved at him with a smile. "Great to see you again, Buck," Eddie said, turning to him.

"I'll wait with you," Buck said as he stood up. "See you later, Maddie. Please say hi to Chimney for me, and I'll catch him at work." Buck hugged her, and he and Eddie headed out together.

Eddie told him, "You don’t have to," as they started to leave, while Maddie observed them departing.

"He honestly doesn’t care," she yelled, rolling her eyes. "What on earth are you up to, Evan?"

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They were standing outside the house when Eddie remarked, "You didn’t have to come. I would have been fine on my own; you came to see your sister."

Buck replied, "No, it’s fine really," just as a car pulled up and Shayne stepped out. He waved at Eddie and said, "See you later, Eddie."

Eddie turned to him with a smile, "Yeah, I hope we can catch up later. I’d suggest grabbing a few beers, but..." he gestured toward his stomach.

Buck nodded in agreement, "Yeah, sounds good. See you later." He watched as Eddie walked over, and Shayne helped him into the car before getting in on his side.

'So, that’s the baby daddy,' Buck thought to himself.

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The Fireflight

Chapter 8

Eddie closed the car door, and Shayne turned to him, asking, "Who was that guy?"

"He's the brother of one of my coworkers, Maddie. He came by to see her, and I just happened to be there. It doesn't concern you," Eddie replied.

"Yeah, you're right. Sorry about that. He's pretty attractive," Shayne admitted. Eddie rolled his eyes. "What? I can't look. I'm sure you did," he teased as the car began to move. "Just remember, Eddie, we were friends first," Shayne reminded him. "So, where's the closest store?" he inquired.

"Not too far from here," Eddie said, quickly giving him an address.

"Awesome, let's go!"

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Bobby shifted into his dragon form, spreading his massive wings and soaring into the sky. As he took flight, Buck gazed upward and remarked, "You don't see Cap spread his wings every day," glancing over at Chimney, who was holding a mop.

"That's right, it's nice to do something different now and then," Chimney replied. "And with L.A. making such progress, we can." He placed the mop back in the basket. "Alright, it's clear up here. On to the next task," he said, gathering his things and heading to the door. "You coming?" he asked, turning slightly to Buck.

"Yeah, just a minute," Buck replied as Chimney stepped out. Buck let out a sigh, imagining what it would be like to live in a place filled with nothing but open roads and sky, where they could truly be free. He shook his head and turned toward the door.

'Perhaps when I have my little dragons, my partner and I can relocate to the countryside.' He opened the door and stepped inside, thinking, 'Hmm, why did I say 'partner' instead of 'Tommy'?'

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Buck lounged on the sofa, resting his arms on the backrest, and closed his eyes. "What’s on your mind, Buckaroo?" Hen asked as she settled beside him, grabbing the TV remote. He opened his eyes and turned to her.

"Not much," he replied with a smile. "What’s on?" She shook her head. "Oh, nothing. It’s been a slow morning," he said, crossing his arms and focusing on whatever Hen had chosen to play on the screen.

"Don’t count on it being quiet for long," Hen warned. "By the way, Chimney mentioned that Maddie and Josh made a new friend at the centre—Eddie, right?" Buck nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, he’s a firefighter, but he’s working at dispatch since his are pregnant," he explained. "She wanted him to meet some people since he only has family in L.A."

"Got it," Hen said just as the alarms blared. "Here we go!" They both sprang up and rushed toward the stairs. Buck slid down the pole while Hen dashed down the steps. "Where’s Cap?" she called out.

"He probably followed us from above," Buck replied.

As the fire engine began to pull away from the station, Buck peered out the window, spotting Bobby soaring above them. "There he is!" Buck exclaimed.

Hen smiled and let out a yawn. "You okay, Hen?" Chimney inquired. "You've been yawning a lot lately."

"I'm fine. Denny's just having some trouble sleeping; I think he's reaching that age," she explained. "But everything's good! How are you and Maddie doing?" she asked.

"We're doing well," Chimney replied, glancing over at Buck. "Hey, Buck." Buck looked up and grinned. "I have to ask, how are things with you and Tommy?" he inquired.

"Pretty okay, I guess," both Hen and Chimney exchanged glances.

"That's good to hear," he said.

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Shayne grabbed Eddie and urged, "We need to get out of here." He assisted him as they joined the crowd fleeing the scene. "Just our luck," he added, glancing around. "Eddie, are you alright?" Shayne inquired.

"Yeah, I think I'm okay," Eddie replied, wincing as he pressed his hand against his stomach. Just then, the fire engines arrived, and Bobby swooped down, transforming as he landed. The doors swung open, revealing Hen, Chimney, and Buck stepping out.

"Eddie, what are you doing here?" Buck asked concern etched on his face. Eddie responded with a reassuring nod and a smile.

"I'm fine, really," he insisted. "You should get back to work." Buck acknowledged him with a nod.

Shayne placed a comforting hand on Eddie's back. "We should get going," he said. Eddie agreed, and they made their way to the car parked by the roadside. Once inside, Eddie glanced over at Shayne. "You miss it, don’t you?" Shayne asked.

"Every single day."

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Shayne gazed at the sonogram, exclaiming, "Wow, I can't believe how big he looks!" He shook his head in amazement. "It won't be long now until he's out in the world. Incredible!" He set the sonogram aside.

"Yeah, it really won't be long now," he replied, making a thoughtful expression.

"Is everything alright?" Shayne inquired. "Do you need anything? Water?" He stood up, walked to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and returned to the table to sit down.

Eddie said, "I'm doing alright, Shayne. Just trying to feel something." Shayne nodded in understanding as Eddie took his hand and placed it on his stomach. "Can you feel it?" he asked.

Shayne grinned, "Wow, I've missed this so much." He looked up at Eddie and added, "I'm sorry, Eddie. I can't believe I was foolish enough to leave you both by yourselves." He then pulled his hand away.

Eddie reassured him, "I told you, that's in the past. We're starting fresh, okay?" Shayne nodded in agreement.

Eddie asked, "What are you in the mood for?" as he started to rise from his seat. Shayne waved him off.

"I got this," he replied, standing up and heading to the counter. "What do you have to choose from?" Shayne inquired, turning around and leaning against the counter.

"Maybe you should have let me handle it," Eddie chuckled.

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'We were able to save the majority of the building, and I’m really glad you weren’t inside, Eddie - Buck'.

Eddie glanced at his phone, a smile spreading across his face as he started to type. Sitting up in bed, he rubbed the back of his neck and placed the phone on his stomach, still smiling.

'Absolutely, I’m relieved too! Thanks for reaching out. I hope everyone is doing alright, and it was nice to see you again, even if the situation wasn’t ideal - Eddie.'

Eddie's phone buzzed again after a bit, prompting him to open his eyes. He picked it up from his stomach and glanced at the screen, a smile spreading across his face once more.

"It was great to see you again, Eddie. Take care! Bobby and Athena are throwing a barbecue this weekend for Athena's daughter's birthday. Are you and unborn baby dragon interested in coming? I suppose you could bring your 'Dragon Daddy'—Buck."

"Dragon Daddy? Is that really what you call him? Anyway, that sounds fun! Just let me know the time and place. Thanks again, Buck!"

'That's awesome! I'm looking forward to seeing you. I should let you catch some sleep since it's getting late. Make sure to get plenty of rest. Goodnight, Eddie! Don't let the bed bugs bite! - Buck

'I won't, goodnight Buck.'

Eddie set his phone on the nightstand, turned off the light, and settled into bed. He closed his eyes and smiled.

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The Fireflight

Chapter 9

The sunlight streamed in through the drawn curtains, illuminating the room. Buck lay on his back, his head tilted to the side, peacefully asleep. Suddenly, the phone on the bedside table buzzed, displaying the name Eddie on the screen. Buck's lips curled slightly as he stirred, opening his eyes and letting out a big yawn. He sat up and stretched his arms high above his head.

Buck uncovered himself and sat on the edge of the bed, letting out a yawn. Tommy was curled up on his side, facing away from him. Running his fingers through his messy hair, Buck reached for his phone and glanced at it, a smile spreading across his face.

'Good morning, Buck! It's a beautiful day, don’t you think? - Eddie'

With a small grin, Buck began typing a response before finally hitting send.

'I haven't checked outside yet, but if you say it's sunny, I believe you. Pregnant people don’t lie! - Buck'

He set the phone back on the bedside table, picked up a pair of pants from the floor, and stood up to put them on. After grabbing a t-shirt, he slipped it over his head just as his phone buzzed again. He picked it up and looked at the screen while heading down the stairs, eventually entering the kitchen where he leaned against the counter after starting the coffee machine.

Eddie asked, 'Where did you get that information? As far as I know, I have lied in the last six months, but I might not be lying now.'

Buck typed a message, then reached for a coffee cup, setting it aside before pouring himself a fresh brew.

'I don't believe you anyway. What are your plans for today? I heard through the grapevine that you have the day off,' Buck replied.

Just as he added sugar to his steaming cup, the phone buzzed.

'Yep, I'm guessing that grapevine is Maddie. Why do you ask?' Eddie responded.

'I have a few things to take care of and wanted to check if you need anything, assuming your ex isn't around to lend a hand. If he is, then wow, I am a fool - Buck.'

Buck rubbed his forehead and let out a small sigh as he picked up his cup and took a sip. Tommy came down the stairs and said, "I thought you’d still be in bed," before grabbing a mug for himself and pouring some coffee.

"Nope, I want to tackle the day and all the tasks I have lined up," Buck replied, finishing his coffee just as his phone buzzed.

"Who’s that?" Tommy inquired.

"Maddie wants to meet for lunch," Buck said. "I’m going to hop in the shower and then head out," he added, making his way back up the stairs.

'I’d be happy to join you if you don’t mind a pregnant person taking things a bit slower, and you’re not a fool - Eddie.'

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Eddie stretched and yawned, rubbing his stomach as he announced, "Alright, we're heading out today, sweetheart." He strolled into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and grabbed a bottle of water. After taking a sip, he remarked, "Looks like it's going to be a long day."

He stepped outside, closing the door behind him and locking it. Glancing at his watch, he walked over to the side of the road and waited.

Eddie glanced at his watch, rubbed his stomach, and let out a sigh. Just then, a jeep rolled up, and Buck popped his head out with a cheerful "Hey!" Eddie returned the smile and walked over. Buck opened the other door, and Eddie climbed in. "Did you manage to get the tin?" Buck inquired.

"Yeah, it was a bit tricky, but I got it," Eddie replied with a grin as he fastened his seatbelt.

"Oh, I need to redecorate my bathroom, so that's on my list, and I just wanted to find something to keep me busy today," Buck said, beaming at him.

Eddie smiled and said, "I'm glad to be out and about instead of just lounging at home watching TV on my day off."

Buck began driving and replied, "That's awesome! By the way, how's everything going at the dispatch centre? I can't remember if I've asked you that before."

Eddie chuckled, "If you did, I must have forgotten! But to answer your question, yes, I'm enjoying it, even if it's just for a little while longer." He shrugged and added, "At least for another year."

Buck nodded in agreement.

Eddie turned to Buck and asked, "So, how's Tommy how is he doing?" Buck gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter.

"Yeah, it's Tommy, and he's doing well," Buck replied with a smile. "What about that guy... what was his name again?"

Eddie said, "Shayne." Buck nodded in acknowledgement. "Right, he's trying to find a place to live. He can't crash on my couch forever," he added.

"That's good to hear," Buck responded. "And you're right; you don't want an ex you’re becoming friends with to be underfoot. That could get pretty stressful."

Eddie expressed, "I need to minimize my stress." With a grin, he turned to look out the side window. "So, where are you headed?" he inquired, crossing his arms. "If you're working on your bathroom, I assume you're off to the hardware store."

Buck returned the smile. "You got it!" he replied cheerfully. "We should arrive shortly, and this is a perfect opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with the streets of L.A."

"Awesome," Eddie beamed.

Buck turned to him a little later and said, "We should be almost there. By the way, what are you in the mood for lunch? There's a spot I enjoy that I think you might like too. What do you think?"

"That sounds great, Buck. I trust your taste," Eddie replied with a smile. "Especially for someone I just met not too long ago."

"You know my sister, so that counts for something," Buck said with a grin. "Ah, we’ve arrived!" He parked the car, opened his door, and walked around to Eddie's side.

Buck opened the door and assisted Eddie out, then closed it behind him as they started walking toward their destination.

"You didn't have to help me, Buck, but I appreciate it," Eddie said. Suddenly, he paused, prompting Buck to stop and turn to him.

"Are you alright? Is it the baby?" Buck asked, raising his hands in concern. Eddie smiled and waved his hand dismissively.

"He's kicking," Eddie's face brightened. "I know he's done it before, but..." He took Buck's hand and placed it on his stomach, locking eyes with him. "Can you feel that?"

Buck beamed and glanced down at their hands. "Wow, I can't wait to have my own," he said, shaking his head. "I just need to find the right partner," he whispered, looking up at Eddie, who blinked and smiled back.

Eddie smiled brightly at Buck, who stood up straight and cleared his throat.

"You’re right, it has stopped," Buck said, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Let’s grab what I need, and then we can figure out our next steps." They began heading toward the store, with Buck taking hold of a shopping cart as they walked.

"Sounds good!"

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The Fireflight

Chapter 10

Edie gazed at the food on his plate, licking his lips as his stomach rumbled. "Excuse me," he said, blushing and shaking his head. "Oh," he added, picking up the fork and taking a bite.

Buck watched him with a grin. "How is it?" he asked. Eddie nodded and continued eating, glancing at Buck's meal.

"Nice, aren't you going to start?" Eddie teased. "You don't want your salad to get cold," he chuckled, looking back at his plate. Buck shook his head, still smiling, and speared a piece of chicken with his fork.

Suddenly, a phone began to ring, and they exchanged glances. "I think that's you," Eddie remarked. Buck made a face, pulled the phone from his pocket, and checked the screen.

"Unknown number," he noted, seeing the name Tommy on the caller ID. He silenced it and tucked it back away. "Sorry about that. So, I heard about your move to L.A. Was there a particular reason you chose it?" Buck inquired.

"Honestly," Eddie set down his utensils, "it was mainly for my Abuela and Pepa, and the last I heard, Shayne was living here."

"Oh," Buck replied.

Eddie sighed, "Honestly, I want my son to have his other dad, you know?" Buck nodded in agreement. "I know he left, but it’s always worth trying, right?" Buck nodded again, taking another bite of his meal before swallowing.

"I get that," Buck replied. "If it were the love of my life, I would have done the same thing."

"Hm," Eddie grunted. "I used to think he was the one, but not anymore." He glanced at Buck, who was focused on his food. Eddie sighed and picked up his glass of water, prompting Buck to look up.

"Is everything alright?" Buck asked.

"Yeah," Eddie waved him off. "I just need to use the restroom; Christopher is pushing on my bladder." With that, he stood up and headed toward the toilets.

Buck pulled out his phone and opened a message.

'Where are you, Evan? Maddie showed up here asking about you. You said you were together, but she lied to me. I believed her when she said she forgot she was coming for you - Tommy.'

'Great,' Buck thought, leaning back and crossing his arms. 'This is why lying is a bad idea.' He uncrossed his arms and looked back at his phone.

'I'm sorry for not being honest. I had a doctor's appointment and didn’t want to worry you or anyone else. Let me make it up to you with your favourite dinner and a couple of beers - Buck.'

"We'll discuss it later - Tommy"

"I don't think I want to head home today," Buck sighed as Eddie approached and took a seat.

"What's making you feel that way?" Eddie inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"Ah, it's nothing, just ignore me," Buck replied, finally finishing his meal. "Are you ready to go? I can give you a ride home," he offered. Eddie gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his heart.

"Are you trying to get rid of me? I can't believe it!" he teased, fluttering his eyelashes. Buck chuckled.

"You're quite the comedian, aren't you? Who would have thought?"

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The car came to a halt, and Eddie smiled, saying, "Thanks again for today, Buck. I need more friends." He unbuckled his seatbelt and added, "It felt great to get out and not have to worry about this one." He rubbed his stomach and groaned, "Oh, there he goes again." Buck moved his hand but then paused, saying, "No, you can't be serious," with a grin.

Buck placed his hand on Eddie's stomach, exclaiming, "Wow, wow, I just..." Eddie covered Buck's hand with his own, and they shared a meaningful look.

"I should probably head out," Eddie said, swallowing hard and licking his lips.

"Yeah, I should too," Buck replied, clearing his throat. He moved his hand away, turned to face the front, and placed both hands on the steering wheel. "Bye, Buck. Thanks for today." Eddie opened the door and stepped out slowly, grabbing his bag. "Get home safe; it’s getting late," he added.

"Yeah, you're right," Buck said, glancing out the front window at the setting sun. "Bye, Eddie," he called, watching as Eddie walked into his house. He turned back to the front and muttered, "Damn."

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Eddie looked at the calendar and said, "The seventh month is here." He was seated in front of his computer when Maddie turned in her chair, raising an eyebrow. "Just two months left," he remarked. "I can’t wait for him to arrive, you know." Maddie nodded and took a sip from her coffee cup.

"I get it," Maddie replied, setting her mug down. "We should probably get to work, right?" She turned back to her screen and put on her headset. "By the way, did you have a good time with Buck yesterday?" she asked.

"Yeah, I suppose so. I’m guessing he didn’t tell his boyfriend the whole truth," Eddie said as he adjusted his headset.

"He didn’t. I just wish he had given me a heads-up about it," Maddie sighed.

Eddie exclaimed, "Oh my gosh, am I the other man?" He quickly spun his chair to gaze at the back of her head.

Maddie chuckled, "You're his friend now, so there's no escaping my brother—you're in for the long haul!" Without turning around, she added, "By the way, Karen and I are meeting up for drinks this weekend. I know you might not be able to make it, but it would be great to see you there."

"Sure, just tell me the time and place," he replied.

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There was a knock at the door, prompting Eddie to rise from his chair. He made his way down the hallway to the front door and opened it to find Shayne holding a small bag. "I brought you a sub," he said, and Eddie welcomed him inside.

After shutting the door, Eddie smiled and said, "Thanks," as they walked into the kitchen. He took a seat while Shayne placed the bag in front of him and sat down as well.

"I hope this is okay; I wasn't sure what you liked right now," Shayne admitted, and Eddie returned his smile.

"It's all good, Shayne, really," Eddie replied as he opened the sandwich and lifted the top slice. "This looks perfect; I haven't gone off all food," he added before taking a bite. Shayne watched him closely, and Eddie's expression suddenly changed. "Oh," he exclaimed, getting up and heading toward the bathroom, with Shayne trailing behind.

"Eddie," he called out just as Eddie rushed in and got sick.

"I don't think I can eat tuna anymore," Eddie said, standing up straight and wiping his mouth with his hand.

Shayne looked at Eddie with concern. "I'm sorry, Eddie," he said, gently rubbing his back. "Let me grab you a glass of water." He headed into the kitchen, but just then, he heard Eddie being sick again. Shayne winced, thinking to himself, "Great job, Shayne. He let you back into his life, and now you’ve made him sick." He opened the fridge door.

Eddie soon returned to the kitchen and took a seat. Shayne approached him and handed over the bottle of water. "Thanks," Eddie replied, opening it and taking a sip. "I know you didn’t just come over to bring me food," he remarked, placing the bottle on the table.

He pulled something from his pocket and said, "I got you this." He handed over a small envelope, and Eddie took it, opening it with curiosity. "A spa? Really? Why?" he inquired. Shayne shrugged with one arm.

"I got you two so you can take Maddie, right?" he asked, and Eddie nodded. "It's up to you, but I think you deserve it, don’t you?" Eddie nodded again.

"Thanks, Shay," Eddie replied with a smile.

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The Fireflight

Chapter 11

"Have you ever felt like you're in a bit of a rut, Dr. Copeland?" Buck settled into a cosy chair across from a woman who gave a slight nod. "That's how I feel about my relationship," he continued. "I used to care deeply, but now it seems like we're growing apart."

"You mentioned growing apart," Dr. Copeland replied. "Can you elaborate on that?" He shrugged. "I want to know: You've been together for two years and share a home. What initially attracted you to him?" she inquired.

"Bobby, our captain, and his wife were on their honeymoon when their cruise ship was hijacked by terrorists during a storm. I’m sure you heard about it on the news," he recounted. Dr. Copeland nodded in understanding. "Well, he was there to help us, and that’s how we got to know each other. He kissed me, and that led us to where we are now," he shared.

"Do you believe that's why you agreed to the relationship? Because he rescued the two people you consider family?" she inquired. "Do you think you feel some sort of debt to him for that?" she added, glancing at her watch. "That's all the time we have for today. Do me a favour—get out of the house together and let me know how it goes," she advised him.

"Got it, Doctor. Thank you," he replied with a smile.

"See you next week, Buck," she said, closing the folder that was resting on her lap.

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Maddie smiled as she handed Eddie a bottle. "Since you can't drink, I got you this. They say it's great for pregnancy," she explained. Eddie took the bottle from her and examined it.

"Pregnacare Liquid, packed with 18 vitamins and minerals. Sounds fun," he remarked, unscrewing the cap to peek inside. "I think I'll pass for now, but thanks! I'll take it home and check it out," he said, setting it aside. "Water or juice would be perfect, thanks! When is Karen arriving?" he inquired.

"Soon," Maddie replied, getting up to grab a jug from the fridge. She returned to the table and sat down. "Can I see those tickets again?" she asked. Eddie pulled them from his pocket and slid them over to her. She picked them up and examined them closely.

She exclaimed, flipping the items over to inspect them. "So, he just bought these?" she inquired, and Eddie nodded in response. "Do you think he’s trying to get back with you?" she teased.

Eddie chuckled, "Maddie, I don’t think that’s the case. But if it is..." he shrugged nonchalantly.

"Eddie!" she exclaimed.

"What? I haven’t had any action in seven months! At this point, I’d consider anything," he admitted, and Maddie rolled her eyes.

"You’re just feeling horny," she laughed. Just then, the doorbell rang. "That must be Karen," she said, getting up to answer it. She opened the door to find Karen holding a bag.

"I brought more wine like you asked, and some mangoes for Eddie," Maddie said, nodding. They all headed into the kitchen and took a seat. "Hey, Eddie," Karen greeted him. "How have you been? It’s been a while."

"I’m doing alright, considering I’m seven months pregnant and feel like a house," he groaned, rubbing his belly.

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Karen exclaimed, "We're all out!" as she glanced at the empty bottle. Maddie pouted, "And we bought more! How did it run out so fast with just the two of us drinking?" Just then, a phone rang. "Whose is that?" Maddie asked, looking around.

"It's mine, Maddie," Eddie replied with a grin, pulling it from his pocket. "It's Shayne," he added.

"Oh, Shayne!" both Maddie and Karen chimed in, bursting into giggles. Eddie rolled his eyes and picked up the call.

"Hey, yeah, I'm still here with Maddie. Looks like they've had their fill," he said, as both women made playful kissy faces at him. He responded by giving them a cheeky finger gesture.

Karen exclaimed, "We're all out!" as she glanced at the empty bottle. Maddie pouted, "And we bought more! How did it run out so fast with just the two of us drinking?" Just then, a phone rang. "Whose is that?" Maddie asked, looking around.

"It's mine, Maddie," Eddie replied with a grin, pulling it from his pocket. "It's Shayne," he added.

"Oh, Shayne!" both Maddie and Karen chimed in, bursting into giggles. Eddie rolled his eyes and picked up the call.

"Hey, yeah, I'm still here with Maddie. Looks like they've had their fill," he said, as both women made playful kissy faces at him. He responded by giving them a cheeky finger gesture.

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The doorbell rang, prompting Eddie to rise and open the front door for Shayne. "Thanks for coming," he greeted. "You didn’t have to," he added as they made their way to the kitchen.

"Hey, Shayne!" Karen waved enthusiastically. "You’re quite the handsome one, but too bad I’m a lesbian," she joked. "But Maddie isn’t," Shayne replied with a grin.

"I’m married, though," Maddie chimed in, waving her hand. Shayne raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"You’re right, they’ve had a bit too much to drink," he remarked, turning to Eddie. "Are you ready to head out?" he asked. Eddie stood up and motioned to Maddie.

"Come on, Maddie, let’s get you settled on the sofa while we take Karen home, okay? I’ll also borrow your phone to text Chimney," he explained, and she nodded as Shayne assisted her. "It’s just through there," he directed.

They disappeared into the living room, and Eddie began typing on the phone. "It’s okay, Eddie," Karen suddenly said, catching his attention. "It’s fine to sleep with an ex, especially one who looks like that," she shrugged.

"It could get complicated, Karen," he replied.

"How complicated can it be? You’re already having his baby," Shayne said as he returned.

"Ready to go?" he asked, and Eddie nodded. "I’ll wait in the car," Shayne said before stepping outside.

Eddie took Karen by the elbow. "Let’s get you back to Hen, yeah?" Karen nodded in agreement.

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Eddie tapped on the door, and they stood there for a moment. Karen was right beside him when the door swung open. Hen greeted them with a smile, "Hey, you home! How was it?" Karen laughed and wrapped her arms around her. "Oh!" Hen turned to Eddie, curious.

"Yeah, they were completely out of it, sorry about that," he replied. "I'm passing your wife back to you now, Hen. Have a great night, alright?" he added with a friendly nod. "Thanks, Eddie! Be careful on your way back," she responded.

"I love you, Henrietta," Karen said warmly as Eddie made his way back to the car.

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Shayne walked into the house and asked, "Everything alright?" Eddie yawned and nodded, then inquired, "Did you enjoy yourself?"

"Yeah, it was fun," he replied, glancing at Shayne. Shayne raised an eyebrow and asked, "So, Shayne, do you want to sleep with me?"

"Um, where's this coming from? I'm getting mixed signals, and I don't think it's a good idea," Shayne responded.

"I'm just really horny, okay?" Eddie groaned. "I feel so incredibly horny; you wouldn't believe I'm human. I think it might be the baby’s DNA messing with me," he admitted as he sat at the table, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm sorry, Shayne. You're right; it would just complicate things."

Shayne paused for a moment, glancing at him. "I didn't say no, Eddie," he clarified as he took a seat. "But we need to approach this with a clear mindset, alright?" Eddie nodded in agreement. "Got it," he replied, then added, "So, just how horny are we talking about here?"

Eddie grinned

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The Fireflight

Chapter 12

Eddie let out a thoughtful sigh as Shayne kissed his way down to his stomach, resting both hands on his rounded belly.

"I can't believe there's a little one in there," Shayne remarked, his eyes wide with wonder. "It's amazing how close we are to meeting him in person." He pressed another kiss to Eddie's belly. "Feeling less horny now?" he teased, and Eddie nodded, propping his arm behind his head with a content smile and a sigh.

"Yeah, I'm feeling less horny, which is a relief, but I have to admit, it was nice," he replied with a grin. Just then, his phone buzzed. Shayne quickly grabbed it and handed it to him. "Thanks," Eddie said as Shayne helped him sit up to check the screen.

"Who is it?" he inquired.

"No one important," Shayne asked as Eddie placed the phone on the bedside with a sigh. Shayne raised an eyebrow at him. "Alright, it was Buck," Eddie confessed.

"Oh, the attractive firefighter?"

"Yeah, he's turned into a really good friend," Eddie shared. "And I could use some friends right now."

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Tommy mentioned, "Restaurant," and Buck gave a nod. "Tonight?" he inquired, and Buck nodded once more. "Yeah, sounds good," Buck smiled.

"That's awesome! It's been a while since it was just the two of us," he added. "see you later, alright?" He leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. "And don’t worry, you’re going to have a great time."

"I’m aware we will," Tommy replied.

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Eddie looked at Shayne and said, "A date? Remember, that wasn’t the plan when we spent the night together."

Shayne replied, "It’s not a romantic date, Eddie. It’s just dinner with two best friends who happen to be having a baby and just slept together again after seven months. So, do you want to go?"

Eddie chuckled, "Alright, you got me there." He smiled and rubbed his stomach. "I need to use the restroom," he said, getting up and walking away. Shayne leaned back and closed his eyes.

Eddie closed the door behind him, muttering to himself, "What am I getting into this time?" He sighed and walked over to the mirror to examine his reflection. Turning on the tap, he cupped some water in his hands and splashed it on his face.

"Alright, I'm good," he reassured himself.

When Eddie returned to the room, Shayne looked up and asked, "Everything okay? You were in there for a while."

"I had a little trouble getting up, don’t laugh," Eddie replied, pointing at him. Shayne shook his head in response.

"I promise I wasn’t going to laugh," he said earnestly, "cross my heart and hope to die."

Eddie placed a hand on his stomach and said, "Oh, give me your hand." He extended his hand, and Shayne placed his on Eddie's belly. Shayne's eyes widened as he looked up at him. "What do you think?" Eddie asked.

"Wow, he’s got quite the kick! Seriously, Eddie, that’s amazing!"

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Tommy and Buck approached a table. "This is where we had our first date," he said. He thanked the waiter as they settled in, then picked up the menu. "So, what are you thinking of eating?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," Buck replied, glancing at his menu. "Maybe spaghetti," he said with a sigh.

"It's not that difficult, Evan," Tommy encouraged.

Just then, a voice called out, "Buck!" He turned slightly to see Eddie and Shayne standing a little behind them. "What a surprise to see you here!" he said with a grin.

"Oh, hey Eddie! And, um, Shayne, right?" Shayne nodded and smiled, extending his hand for a shake. "This is Tommy," Buck introduced.

Tommy raised his hand. "Tommy. You remember Eddie, and this is Shayne, who is..."

"I'm the baby daddy," Shayne interjected, raising his hand and then wrapping an arm around Eddie's shoulders. "Well, we should get to our table. It was great meeting you, and nice to finally meet you, Buck!" He smiled. "Come on, Eddie, you really should sit down now."

"Take care, Buck! Enjoy your evening," Eddie called as they headed to their table. Buck turned back in his chair.

Shayne and Eddie settled into their seats. "Just let me know if you need anything, alright?" the waiter said, and Eddie nodded as he picked up the menu.

"What are you thinking of getting, Eddie?" Shayne inquired. "I'm eyeing this barbecue chicken with chips," he said, placing the menu back down. "What about you?" he asked.

"That sounds delicious! Let's order two of those," Eddie suggested with a smile as he set the menu aside and poured himself some water.

"Better call the waiter over," Shayne advised. "We don’t want to be here too late. I have to get up early for work," he added. "They’re changing my hours, so I might be on earlier shifts," he explained.

"Sounds good," Eddie smiled back.

The waiter approached with a friendly smile and asked, "Are you ready to order?" while holding an iPad.

"Yes, we are," Shayne replied, listing the dishes they wanted. "Could we also get some water for the table, please?" he added with a smile, and the waiter nodded in agreement.

"I'll be back shortly," the waiter said before leaving them to enjoy their time together.

"This is nice," Shayne remarked. "Don't you think?" Eddie nodded in agreement. "Is everything okay, Eddie?" Shayne asked, and Eddie gave a quick nod. "Alright," Shayne smiled. "So, that's Buck's boyfriend, huh?" Eddie nodded again.

"I think that's only the second time I've seen him since I met Buck," Eddie mentioned, glancing at his phone. "Oh, look at this!" he said, showing Shayne a picture. "Abuela found this in a store. What do you think?"

Shayne looked at the image of a onesie. "That is adorable! Did she buy it?" he asked. "What a cute picture of a little dragon!"

Eddie glanced back at his phone. "Yeah, she did! She wants it to be the first one he wears when he comes to visit," he said with a smile.

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Buck picked up the burger and took a bite. "This is pretty good," he said, setting it down. He glanced over at Tommy. "How's yours?" he asked, motioning toward Tommy's meal.

"Yeah, it's tasty," Tommy replied, grabbing a napkin to wipe his mouth. "Would you order that one again?" Buck looked down at his half-eaten burger.

"Next time, I might try something different," he smiled. "I was thinking," he continued, "that we could make this a weekly dinner. What do you think? I feel like we should spend more time together; things have been a bit off since your accident, and I just..." he trailed off.

"You're right; it has been a bit strange," Tommy agreed. "I think we should make this a regular thing."

Buck announced, "I need to use the restroom," as he stood up and walked away from the table. Tommy observed him leave, and just then, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket to check the notification.

Buck stuffed his hands into his pockets when Eddie called out, "Hey Buck!" Buck paused in his tracks.

"Hey there, Eddie," he replied, glancing at the vacant chair. "Is Shayne still around?" he inquired. Eddie confirmed with a nod.

"He stepped out to make a call. You alright, Buck? You seem a bit off," Eddie asked with concern.

"I'm fine, just didn't get much sleep," Buck replied. "But how about you? You doing okay?" He gestured toward Eddie's stomach.

"Yeah, I'm good, really," Eddie assured him.

"Alright, I should get going. See you soon," Buck said, and Eddie nodded. "And let me know when you're free for that thing we talked about," he added as he watched Buck walk away.

Eddie sighed and lowered his head.

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The Fireflight

Chapter 13

Eddie glanced at his stomach and asked, "You've been quite restless lately. Are you feeling okay?" He then looked down at his stomach, giving it a gentle rub. "Please, Chris, let me catch a break. I'm trying to get some sleep here." Turning his head to check the clock, he groaned, "It's way too early for me to be up." With a sigh, he pulled the covers over his face, hoping for some pe
"Daddy is supposed to come to the scan tomorrow to check on how you're doing, which should be fun, right? it would be the second one he's attended." He then closed his eyes, gazed at the ceiling, and sighed, 'Time to sleep, Eddie.'

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Bobby extended his hand and said, "Could you pass me that cheese plate?" Buck walked over, picked it up, and handed it to him. "Thanks, Buck," Bobby replied as he placed it into the saucepan. Then he looked at Buck and asked, "Are you alright? You've been really quiet since you got here."

Buck replied, "I'm fine, Bobby." Bobby raised an eyebrow, clearly sceptical.

"Why don't I believe you?" Bobby stirred the contents of the pot with a wooden spoon. "I've known you long enough to sense when something's bothering you. So, what's going on?"

Buck sighed and said, "I'm back in therapy. It's been a month now." He continued, "I was talking to my therapist and realized some things I want to work on before I lose the motivation. Other than that, I'm doing well," he added with a smile.

"I know exactly who to turn to if things aren't going well," Buck said with a nod.

When the alarm rang, Bobby grimaced at his meal. "Great, now that's ruined," he remarked as he switched it off and covered it with a lid. They both left the kitchen and headed towards the fire trucks, climbing inside.

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"Hello! You must be the baby's father," the doctor said with a warm smile directed at Shayne and then at Eddie. "Please come in; you know what to do, Eddie," she added cheerfully. Eddie made his way to the chair and settled in. "This is just a quick checkup to ensure the little one is doing well," she explained as she took her seat.

Shayne joined Eddie in the adjacent chair while the doctor lifted Eddie's shirt and applied the gel before starting the machine. "I won't say it's cold," she joked with a grin.

Eddie leaned back as the machine whirred to life, filling the room with sound. They both focused on the screen. "Is everything okay?" Eddie asked. "He's been really active lately, kicking a lot. Should I be concerned?" he inquired.

She told him, "He's just reminding you that he's around," while she pressed a few buttons.

"I don’t need him to keep reminding me; I’m not going to forget," he replied with a smile, gesturing to his stomach. "Could you possibly get some photos? My family has been asking," he inquired.

"Of course! Just hang on for a moment," she responded, continuing to press more buttons.

"Here you are, all set! I’ll catch up with you in about a month unless you need anything from me," she mentioned. "A temp will be filling in while I’m off on holiday," she added.

"Well, have fun!" Eddie grinned, patting his stomach as he stood up from the chair.

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Shayne opened the door and stepped outside, with Eddie right behind him. "Am I dropping you off at work?" he inquired. Eddie pulled out his phone to check the time.

"Yeah, that would be awesome. I should make it just after lunch," Eddie replied as they headed toward the car. Shayne unlocked the door, and they both climbed in. "Are you still taking one of these?" Eddie asked, holding the sonograms.

"Yeah, please just toss it in the glove compartment for now. I’ll put it in my wallet later," Shayne said with a smile. "Are you buckled up and ready to roll?" he asked as he started the engine.

"Yep, thanks again for giving me a ride today," Eddie said, gazing out the window.

"I’ve missed so much already. I’m not going to miss anything else, Eddie. Nothing could keep me away from my child."

A loud car horn blared unexpectedly, causing Shayne to turn his head just in time to see the approaching vehicle collide with the side of their car. "Edddddie!" Shayne yelled, and then everything went dark.

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"Captain Nash, this is dispatch," Maddie's voice came through. "There's been a car accident not too far from your location. From what I understand, one car was speeding and collided with another. The driver of the speeding car reported it."

Bobby pressed the button and brought the radio closer to his mouth. "We're en route, dispatch," he replied as the sirens blared to life. "You heard her, let’s move," he said to the driver. "Car accident, not sure how serious."

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Shayne let out a groan as he opened his eyes. Turning his head, he noticed Eddie with his head drooped forward, one hand resting on his stomach. "Eddie, are you okay?" Shayne asked, concern in his voice. Eddie groaned in response.

"What the hell happened?" Eddie mumbled, blinking as he regained his senses. "The baby," he said, glancing down anxiously. "Is the baby okay?" he asked, wincing as he shifted one hand to the back of his neck.

"You’re fine, you’re fine," Shayne reassured him, looking down at himself. "I’m stuck too; we’re wedged against the wall because of that car that hit us," he explained.

Shayne tugged at the car door. "I think it's jammed," he muttered, adding a frustrated "jerk" under his breath. He then attempted to roll down the window, but all he could hear was the blaring horn from the other vehicle.

"Hey, can you hear me?" a voice called out. "I saw what happened. Are you both alright?" A knock on the window followed. "It seems like the person who hit you took off. I can hear a fire truck coming, just hang tight," the man reassured Shayne.

"Thanks," Shayne replied, trying the door once more. "It is stuck. My partner's pregnant," he explained, glancing at Eddie, who had his eyes shut. "Eddie, are you still with me?" Shayne urged. "Please talk to me; I'd rather hear your voice than nothing at all."

"I'm okay, I promise. Just a bit worried about the baby, that's all."

The fire truck pulled up and came to a halt, and the crew jumped out. "We need to get the car out of the way and use the jaws for the other one," one of the men said as he approached them.

"I think there are two people inside; one of them is pregnant," he pointed towards the vehicle. "And that driver over there left," he added.

"I recognize that car, but I can't quite place it," Buyck said, stopping and squinting. "Where on earth have I seen it?" He grabbed the jaws of life, and Chimney followed him over to the car, peering inside to find the keys still in the ignition.

"The keys are still here," he noted. "I can back it up so you can access the door. Looks like we might need a neck brace, Hen," he said to her, and she nodded in agreement.

Buck approached the car, exclaiming, "Oh no, I recognize the car!" He hurried over and peered through the window, saying, "It's Eddie!"

T.B.C......