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Buck has been a bit of a mess ever since the call they'd had at the lab, since Chimney and Bobby's brush with death. How close he had come to losing someone who was as good as a brother, another who was his father in all but blood.
It looped over in Buck's dreams, had nausea twisting his stomach each time he woke with the memory of his team stuck behind the sealed doors seared in his brain. It rose up again any other time the memory decided to make an appearance.
They had come far too close to losing them and Buck was certainly emotionally aware enough to admit that he wasn't quite over it all.
He knew that the second he asked, the pack would be there, except that he didn’t want to ask. He wouldn't ask, not outright. Not when it was Maddie who could have lost her husband. Jee-Yun and Baby Boy Han who would have lost their dad.
It was Athena who would have had to face losing another man that she loved, to tell May and Harry that their step-dad was gone.
Yes, Buck was a part of the pack, but he wasn't about to intrude on the smaller direct family units when they were all still trying to find their footing in the aftermath as well.
They had all checked on him in the beginning, right after everything happened, but Buck intentionally let himself fall slightly off of the radar as things started picking up and moving forward.
Bobby had barely been out of the hospital for a week, needing to be monitored a bit longer due to a few concerns over his cardio results which ultimately—and very thankfully—ended up alright. Him and Athena had only just overseen the final stages of the new Grant-Nash house being completed.
Chimney was released from the hospital only days before Bobby and now he and Maddie’s hands were full with settling back in and trying to find some calm and normalcy while juggling a newborn and a four year old.
Hen had healed well but now the Wilson family were focused on their own little unit after Mara’s adoption had gone through.
Eddie was a whirlwind of his own, getting him and Chris ready to move back to L.A. has been no small feat, something that had left Buck scrambling to find a new place to stay to let them have their space and home ready for their return.
He'd been lucky enough to have had help from Ravi to get into a pretty decent apartment in one of the buildings the younger firefighter owned.
Which left Buck where he currently was. In his new apartment that didn't feel like home no matter how he decorated, no matter what he baked, no matter how he tried. Something felt missing and he couldn’t put his finger on it, something that made him think of home and safety and warmth.
It was only when Maddie had forgotten her sweater after visiting him, insisting on stopping by and seeing his new place and checking that he was alright that it clicked.
His old loft had been practically soaked in the scents of his pack and family from various dinners, be it with the whole team or just smaller get-togethers. From movie and wine nights, throws and pillows in the living room, the seats at his dinner table that each person preferred.
The scents had been a bit different at Eddie's house when Buck had moved in. Some stronger than others, the same as when they would visit any of the others houses. But it had been there.
Those scents hadn't found their way to his new apartment yet and it left him feeling empty in a way he hadn't since before he'd become a firefighter. Maddie’s sweater sitting over the back of his couch helped, and there were stray lingering scents that he would catch just in his furniture and belongings, but nothing fresh and saturated like before.
There was another scent, though, that Buck missed more deeply than the rest.
Tommy’s.
He'd been trying to ignore it, but the scent of the Alpha was fading away from his sheets and towels, from his hoodies and that one woven throw he'd loved to use when they watched movies together.
He itched to grab his phone and text the other man and ask him to come over for dinner and to talk.
Instead he reached for a bowl and whisk.
He really wanted chocolate pudding.
—
The next evening found Buck dishing out the last helpings of the mousse he'd made, settling on his couch with Hen and Karen on the loveseat across from him.
“Not that we're complaining, but I hope you didn't go through the effort of making this just for us.” Karen hummed, dipping her spoon back in her bowl.
“Not entirely,” Buck admitted. “I really wanted some myself, the fact that you two asked to visit just changed the amount that I ended up making.”
He grinned slightly at the look the two women shared. “You can ask, I know you've been wanting to.”
Karen's head tilted, her expression soft but curious. “Is it still because of Tommy?”
Buck shook his head, ignoring the pang at hearing the Alpha's name. “No. I mean, a few months ago, in the beginning? Yeah. But I enjoy it and I don't just bake whenever I want to talk to him again. Though there are still a few moments I have to fight it off, I'll admit.”
“So, why don't you?” Hen questioned.
“I- what? What do you mean why don't I?” He leant forward, setting his bowl down on the coffee table. “I thought you—and everyone else by the way—thought I was better off without him.”
Hen pressed her lips together, gaze dropping to her lap, a light scent of guilt and shame flooding out. Karen nudged her and she sighed and looked back at him.
“I owe you an apology. At first, I kind of thought it was just another break up, you know? I didn't realise just how deeply you cared for him. I didn’t want to see you putting so much into a relationship that had hit a dead end and draining yourself like you had before.”
The like with Abby was left unsaid but heard all the same.
Buck frowned. “What made you change your mind?”
“We saw how much you missed him, actually missed him. As a person, a partner. Someone there for you . We realised how much he showed up and supported you.” Karen was the one to speak this time.
Hen continued. “We saw how different he was as well. The lightness and joy he didn't let himself have, even after how he grew once we all got out from under Gerrard's leadership. Tommy always held a part of himself back, but he was learning that he didn’t have to do that with you.”
“Yeah, well. He still broke up with me.” Buck huffed.
Karen snorted. “And then stole a helicopter for you which led to us being able to save Chim and Bobby's lives. After you slept together and both acted like assholes, I might add.“ She arched a brow, smirking. “If that doesn't scream besotted Alpha, I don't know what does.”
Her smirk softened and she gestured to his phone. “Call him. Text him. But talk, somehow. Don't let something good slip away because of fear and stubbornness, on either side.”
She stared him down until he nodded. “Yeah, okay. I will.” He promised
“Good. Now, update us on how you're actually doing, we see those bags under your eyes. And pass us a blanket, we should have had this place smothered in pack scents ages ago.”
-
Buck stares at his phone, fingers hovering over the screen. He’d typed and re-typed the message what felt like a million times. Nothing was right, feeling like he was either saying too much or too little. But how exactly do you ask your ex for another chance, especially after you had blown the last one that had come up, intentional or not.
Deciding he was getting nowhere just staring at the screen, he typed again, leaving any explanation and spilled feelings for when if Tommy replied.
Hey
Can we talk?
I owe you an explanation as
well as an apology
And maybe a coffee too?
He pressed send on the add on before he could talk himself out of it, Hen’s words from earlier circling in his brain.
It was only a few minutes before his phone buzzed where he set it down to rest on his leg.
Sure
The reply sits there, the word short and unassuming of the weight it carries. His phone buzzes with another message.
Our cafe on Oak?
Something like hope blooms in his chest.
-
Buck didn’t even try suppressing his smile when Tommy sat down across from him, hand reaching for the cup as it was pushed closer to him.
“I’m getting some pretty major deja vu here.” Tommy arched his brow, smirking even as he lifted the lavender latte to take a sip, humming the same way he always did at the first sip.
“At least you can enjoy it this time.”
Tommy nodded. “What's the latest drink of choice?” He asked, dipping his head in gesture to Buck’s own cup.
“Salted caramel hot chocolate. It’s good.”
“I’m glad.”
There’s a brief silence, not uncomfortable, just undeniably loaded.
“I do owe you an apology, you know.” He turned the cup slowly in his hand, staring earnestly at Tommy, “For what I said that morning because I sure as hell didn’t mean it, and for just calling and expecting you to be there.”
“Hey, whoa now,” Tommy leant forward in his seat, his scent growing slightly stronger just by being those few inches closer. “Hang on to that first one, we’re circling back to that. Let’s make one thing clear, you call me?” He gestured between them with a pointed finger, “I will be there. I care about you, even with romantic entanglements set aside. You call me and I will be there. That, I promise you.”
“I didn’t mean you when I said I don’t have to have feelings for everyone that I sleep with. Because I do have feelings for you, pretty fucking strong ones in case there was any doubt.” The words spill out along with a wave of relief at finally being able to say them.
“Thank you for flying to the rescue. Again. And for being there when I needed you.”
Tommy reached out and took his hand, their fingers twisting together all familiar and muscle memory.
“Can I be there for you always, again?”
“Please.”
—
They’ve been back together for a week when Tommy first starts noticing something different about Buck’s scent. It isn’t anything major, at least not to start off with, there's just something softer to it than the usual hints of peaches, sandalwood, and Evan .
He can’t pinpoint it but whatever it is, it has his head almost buried where it rests in the neck of the hoodie Evan is wearing, the two of them cozied up together after a late dinner. It’s the most content and peaceful that Tommy has felt in a while.
Dipping his head forward, he presses a soft kiss just below Evan’s jaw, just because he can but also because it makes Evan smile. He breathes in again, something niggling in the back of his mind but Tommy just pulls Evan closer, lifting his head to rest his chin back on his shoulder, forcing his attention back on the TV and Hugh Grant and with his prescription goggles.
—
Tommy sets down his mug at the knock at the door. Evan was supposed to be coming over but not for at least another twenty.
He makes his way from the kitchen to the hall and pulls the door open. He comes face to face with Evan, brown paper bags almost spilling from his arms. The Omega tilts his head to peer at Tommy around the bags.
“Little help?” He asks and Tommy immediately reaches for a few of the bags, carrying them inside with Evan trailing behind him with the last two, kicking off his shoes and dumping his keys in the little bowl as if it was second nature.
“What’s all this for?” Tommy asks, indulging his curiosity and peeking through the bags now littering his kitchen counter. He catches sight of bell peppers, self raising flour, and a tub of yoghurt before he’s nudged out of the way and Evan is unpacking it all.
“We never agreed on lunch plans so I,” Evan pauses to give him a smug grin, “am spoiling us with a homemade lunch date, dessert included. And you’re going to be my sous chef and listen to everything I tell you.”
Nothing has ever sounded better to Tommy. He says as much and it earns him a flood of Evan’s happy scent and apron that he's pretty sure he didn’t own before now being shoved against his chest.
They get to work and it's not long until the kitchen is filled with the sound of pasta boiling and music playing at just the right level for them to keep up an easy flow of chatter, catching up on the week between last seeing each other.
The red pepper sauce is simmering on the stove as Tommy watches it, leaning away to give Evan space to slide the chocolate cupcakes into the oven. He straightens, stirring absentmindedly as he recounts a call that he and Lucy had responded to recently when Evan drapes himself over Tommy’s back, wrapping himself around him.
“It was the third hiker at that same stretch of trail in two weeks! You would think—” Tommy freezes as Evan’s scent floods his nose, a switch flicking as the recognition hits.
“Tommy?”
He sets the wooden spoon down next to the stove and turns in Evan’s arms, guiding them away from the stove. He ignores the concern from his boyfriend, instead gently grabbing and tilting his chin to the side and breathing in deep and almost clinical.
The slight scent of milk was still there.
He steps back and meets Evan’s eyes.
“I think you need to take a pregnancy test.”
-
Their next steps happen as following:
Evan freezes just like Tommy had, brain whirring as he registers the heat that he had missed during the chaos of the last weeks.
They set the sauce and pasta aside, both mercifully ready, though they have to wait for the cupcakes.
They are both quiet, neither knowing what to say until they know for sure.
They go out and buy what feels like one of every test that the pharmacy stocked.
Each and every one is positive.
-
“This is not a good time for this.” Buck paces back and forth across Tommy's living room.
“Everyone is only just getting settled again.” He rakes a hand through his hair. “We've been back together again for less than a month, I'm still trying to get comfortable in my apartment, A-shift have finally gotten everyone back on rotation–”
Tommy steps in front of him, resting his hands on his shoulders. “Ev, take a breath.” The Alpha guides him closer, arms drifting as they warp around him to rest on the back of his neck and his waist.
Sinking into the embrace, Buck focuses on calming the anxiety coursing through him, breathing in deep lung-fulls of Tommy's scent.
They stand there, Buck leaning his weight into Tommy, the other man taking it without complaint.
“What do you want to do?” Tommy asks and Buck could cry at how careful and gentle his tone is. “This is your choice, and whatever you decide I will support you.”
“And if I want you to make this choice with me?”
“Then we sit down and we talk it through.” Tommy steps back and Buck can't help but lean towards him, mourning the loss of his warmth and the comfort of his scent.
He grabs Tommy’s hand, twisting their fingers together and pulling the Alpha with him to the couch where he shuffles them until they're sitting cross legged and facing each other.
“Cards on the proverbial table?” Tommy tilts his head. “I want everything and anything with you. I know we've spoken about things a few times since we've gotten together but I'm saying it all again and more. The whole pack, face up for you to read.” Tommy let go of his hand long enough to splay his own out like a deck of cards spread out between them. “I want a family with you, I want to continue building our relationship and life together. I want anything that you'll give me the privilege of having with you.”
Buck's grin, that had only been stretching further as Tommy spoke, had to be almost blinding at this point.
“I want all of that with you, too, and I want to keep our Pup. Having a Pup at all is something I've wanted for a long time, having one with you? It feels right. I can't imagine sharing a life and a family with anyone but you.”
“So we're doing this? We're having a baby?” Tommy’s grin is wide and breathless as Buck's own.
“We're having a baby.” Buck surges forward, knocking Tommy backwards into the couch cushions, pressing delighted kisses across his cheeks, chin, nose until their lips meet.
He pours as much of his love, excitement, and awe as he can into the kiss, their joint scents flooded with the same emotions blooming out around them.
Tommy pulls back and Buck whines, chasing him for more.
“We should probably talk more about what we're going to do moving forward.”
Buck hums leaning back in. “We definitely should, but not right now. What we are going to do is make out some more and you are going to cuddle with me and scent me. After that, we can finish off the pasta and talk more over our food.”
Tommy gives him a dorky salute and does as he says.
—
“I still don't know how I didn’t realise.” Buck admits to Tommy as they leave the doctor's office. “The nausea and chocolate craving and some of the other symptoms make a hell of a lot more sense now, though.”
Tommy snorts. “Ev, you had a crap load going on, everyone did. I'm not surprised it slipped under your radar. Three months is not the longest that someone has gone before discovering that they're pregnant.”
“But what if I'd hurt the Pup? What if–”
Tommy opened the door to his truck, letting Buck climb in before leaning against the frame of it. “You heard the doc, the both of you are healthy. We know now and we can stay on top of things and make sure you both stay safe. Don't borrow trouble just yet, Love.” Tommy kisses his cheek and waits for him to settle before he closes the door and makes his way around to climb into the driver's seat.
Buck sighs. “I hate it when you're logical.”
Tommy grins at him, starting the truck and pulling out of the parking lot. “No you don't. Now, pastries and a drink?”
“Duh. I also need to get some more scent patches, Bobby was looking at me suspiciously yesterday when I was changing after shift. He's going to notice the scent pretty soon.”
“One hot chocolate, one croissant, and scent patches coming up.”
—
They hold off on telling anyone for a few days, first of all wanting to make sure that Buck and their Pup are safe, and then just taking the time to soak in the reality of it all; luxuriating in the bubble that exists around the two, now three, of them and not quite ready to let the world in yet.
They agree that their bubble can last as long as their days off, but Bobby needs to be told as soon as they are back on shift, both as the Captain and as the head Omega of the pack. Neither Tommy nor Buck are willing to compromise Buck and the Pup's safety, even though it will mean the Omega being put on lighter work around the station.
Buck has freshly baked cinnamon buns in a container on the passenger seat next to him as he drives, the results from the doctor's visit in his duffle.
He's just crossing an intersection, minutes away from the station when he see's the truck coming from the right. He slams on the breaks but it's already too late and the truck slams into the front side of his Jeep.
-
Tommy pulled to a stop outside harbour, slipping his phone from the holder before reaching back and grabbing his duffle bag. He unlocks his phone as he gets out, strolling towards the hangar doors. He just has the one missed call from while he was driving, an unknown number that he hadn't bothered pulling over for.
It's something that Evan gives him shit for, his aversion to answering calls from unknown numbers and people he doesn't know. Tommy never can hide his grin at the teasing.
He's just about to copy the number over to his true caller app so he can debate if it's worth it to call the number back or not when another incoming call from Captain Nash - 118 pops up on the screen.
Surely Evan couldn't have spoken to Bobby and gone through the paperwork to be put on light duty already?
He swipes to answer it.
“Hey, Bobby–”
“Tommy, it's Buck. He's been in an accident.”
-
The floor number ticks up far too slowly for Tommy’s liking. His throat clicks as he tries to swallow around the lump in his throat, all the different ways that Evan could be injured playing through his brain.
The doors slide open and he's striding forward, only stopping when Bobby appears and guides him towards a nearby waiting area.
“Where– how is he? Is he–”
“Tommy, hey. Stop, take a breath.” The older Omega cuts him off. “He's okay. They wouldn’t give me more information over the phone but one of the nurses was able to tell me that he didn’t have any broken bones or major injury. He hit his head pretty good so they're running tests and keeping an eye on that. I'm waiting for an update from his doctor.”
Tommy’s heart is beating so hard he can feel it thumping through his chest.
“They need to check–” His breath hitches. “He's pregnant, they need to check on our Pup too.”
Bobby blinks but takes the news in stride. “I'll flag down a nurse, get them to pass it along. Wait here.” He says and then he's gone.
Tommy turns and paces up and down but all it does is start working him back up so he collapses down into one of the uncomfortable waiting room chairs instead. He leans forward, elbows resting on his knees with his hands clasped between them.
They had just found out. Evan was healthy, the baby was healthy, things were so good between them since getting back together. They laughed as much as argued, finally baring all of themselves to each other, flawed and pristine parts on full display.
If he lost it again, after everything? Tommy didn't know how he would cope with it. If he would.
He's pulled from his thoughts by Bobby's return, the Captain settling in the chair next to him.
“They're letting the doctor know, they'll make sure both Buck and the Pup are okay.”
“He was going to tell you this morning.” Tommy says in turn. Bobby hasn't asked, hasn't pushed, but Tommy wants him to know.
“We only just found out but we wanted him, them , to be safe so he was going to ask you to be put on light duty. He had the information from the prenatal appointment and some fresh cinnamon rolls that he'd made, he was going to give you one with the forms and make a joke about a bun in the oven.” Tommy looked up at Bobby, a look of amusement shared between them despite the circumstances.
“I would say that I'm surprised he would ask to be put on light duty but I’m not. He would do anything for the children of our pack, for any child. It's no surprise that as soon as he found out, that he would be doing whatever is best for his own Pup.”
They're interrupted by Hen, Chimney, Eddie, and Ravi scrambling towards them from the direction of the elevator.
“Maddie’s on her way, she's just dropping Jee and Kwan with the Lee's. Have you heard anything?” Chimney asks as they all find seats around Tommy and Bobby.
“No broken bones, he had a pretty good hit to the head so they're running tests on that. The doctor will be out as soon as there's an update.” Bobby recited, catching Tommy’s eyes briefly, giving him a slight nod.
Everyone gets comfy for the wait, unfortunately all too used to the walls of a hospital waiting room. Though considering that all of them are first responders, it's not necessarily unsurprising.
By the time the doctor comes out, Maddie has arrived, followed not longer after by Athena who had just gotten off shift.
Everyone sits up as Dr Morrison steps towards them recognising them easily after the many times she's seen them.
“I know it's all of you but I do have to follow protocol. Family of Buck?” She asks, already looking towards Bobby and Tommy darts up, Bobby right alongside him. Maddie isn't far behind.
“How is he?” Bobby asks immediately but not unkindly, inclining his head in greeting.
“He's a little banged up but overall fine. He has a lower grade concussion, a head laceration which he received stitches for, and some bruising from the seatbelt catching. He'll have a light case of whiplash at the least.” Dr Morrison lists it promptly. “The tests were ordered due to concern at head injury when the dizziness and nausea persisted and increased but all scans came back clean.”
There's a collective breath of relief from everyone present.
Tommy steps forward, lowering his voice for a slight semblance of privacy. “And the baby?”
It doesn't work and he ignores the sharp intakes behind him as well as Maddie’s gasp from next to him.
“The baby is perfectly safe and healthy, their heartbeat is strong and there was nothing of concern found on the ultrasound.”
He tunes out for anything else she has to say, relief washing over him. They're both safe and alright and he can finally let go of some of the tension that's been sitting in his shoulders since he'd picked up Bobby's call.
“He's in room 208 and can take a few visitors. Do try not to overwhelm him, though. I'll have his discharge papers sent up in another half hour.”
Tommy is down the hall before she's even finished speaking. He stops in front of the door to Evan’s room, taking a breath and making a conscious effort to push it open slowly and as quietly as possible.
Evan is propped partially sitting up on the bed, too thin and scratchy hospital blanket half falling from where it's dropped around his shoulders. He's pale and still has blood on his face from the cut on his head but he's there and he's breathing and mostly alright.
Tears are welling in Tommy's eyes at the sheer relief of having the proof that Evan is okay in front of him. “Hey,” He exhales shakily, lowering himself into the chair beside the bed and carefully threading their fingers together, “You're okay.”
Evan hums, wincing when he rolls his head slowly to look at Tommy more easily. “Gonna be pretty sore in a few hours. We're okay, though, I promise. How are you doing?”
Tommy laughs, the sound choked and slightly tearful. “Only you would be asking me how I feel when you were the one in an accident.”
Evan gives him a dopey grin, the pain relief obviously having not worn off all the way yet. “Duh, I'm okay, our Pup is okay, so now I have to check up on my Alpha.”
Tommy freezes, just for a moment. It's the first time that Evan has addressed him as such aven though he was well aware that Evan thought of him as his .
“I've been better,” he admits, meeting Evan's gaze directly. “I'm just– I'm really, really glad you're both fine. We all are. The whole pack is out in the waiting room, I didn’t stick around once I was allowed back here but I scented a lot of relief from everyone.”
He grimaces now. “They also might… have all overheard me asking Dr Morrison about the baby when she came back to update us on how you were doing?”
Evan blinks. “Well, that's one way to tell them.”
-
“Tommy. Babe. Tommy.”
Something jabs hard at his ribs and Tommy jerks up, freezing while he's half sat up to not jostle the bed and aggravate any of Evan’s injuries.
“What? Are you okay? What do you need? Do you need to go back to the hospital–”
Evan tilts his head innocently, just visible in the dark of the room. “Babe. I want fries and chocolate sauce. And maybe some more pain meds.”
Tommy’s brain takes a second to catch up. “You want fries?” He glances at the alarm clock on his bedside table, 02:48 displayed in glowing numbers. “At almost three in the morning?”
Evan nods, expression serious. “And chocolate sauce.”
“Okay. Okay, I can do that. I'll go get a helping started in the airfryer and grab your meds for once you’ve eaten.” He throws his legs over the side of the bed when Evan’s hand shoots and curls around his wrist.
“I want McDonald's fries. Their chocolate sundae sauce, too.”
And, look, driving out to McDonald's at this time isn't what Tommy would like to be doing but for Evan? And their Pup? He couldn’t fake being upset over it if he tried.
“I’ll go out and get you fries and sauce. Do you need anything before I go? Do you want a heat pad for your neck? Meds have to wait ‘til after you've had food.” Tommy asked, muffling a yawn as he got up, switching the dim side lamp to start searching for a hoodie to throw on with the sweat pants he'd slept in.
“No, only that. I'll need the meds by the time I've eaten but I'm comfy enough for now. Thank you.” Evan answers.
Tommy kneels over the bed towards Evan after he's pulled his hoodie on, kissing him softly.
“Anything for you.”
—
Everyone has only barely arrived at Bobby and Athena's new house for a combined house warming/unofficial celebration when Chimney cracks.
“So, can we ask about the elephant in the room? Or rather, the baby?” He asks, yelping when Maddie elbows him.
“Howie!”
“What?” He flails, “A guy can't ask his brother-in-law and friend about the baby they're apparently having?”
“We said we'd wait for them to bring it up!”
“I couldn't wait anymore, the curiosity was killing me!”
Buck starts snickering, turning to his boyfriend and holding his hand out. “Pay up, T.”
Tommy just sighs, shaking his head and pulling a scrunched up 20 dollar bill from his pocket. “Thanks, Howard.”
Back snatches it from him and turns back to everyone, the two of them still standing near the entryway with everyone else crowded just where it opens to the rest of the house.
“In all seriousness, you can ask. We don't mind. We were going to tell you soon, anyway, I just wanted to tell Bobby and get the work side of things figured out. Things obviously didn't work that way.”
Ravi is just opening his mouth, when Athena's voice cuts through.
“I know you all aren't questioning them just after they walked through the door. Let them sit down and get some food before you start. Or I'll have Bobby hide the potato salad.” She says sternly, and everyone scatters with sheepish expressions.
She nods, satisfied, before she strides up and pulls Buck into a strong but gentle hug, mindful of his still healing bruises and stiffness. “How are you doing, Buckaroo?”
Buck sinks into the hug, inhaling the warm and familiar spice of the Alpha. “I'm good. Almost healed up, Tommy’s been taking good care of me.”
“He better be. And your Pup?”
Buck flushes. “Healthy and growing.”
“Good. That's all I need to know for now, give you some breathing space until the hoards descend once we've eaten.” Athena pulls back from the hug, grinning at him as she steps back to greet Tommy, allowing Bobby to pull Buck into his own hug.
-
“How far along are you?” Hen asks curiously, reaching for a bread roll.
“A little over three months. We only found out a few days before the accident.” Buck replies, leaning back in his chair and wiping his hands on a napkin.
Bobby gives a considering hum, nodding.
“Wait, hold on,” Buck drops the napkin, turning to Bobby with an incredulous expression. “Did you know? I didn't even know!”
The older Omega chuckles, shaking his head fondly. “No, I didn’t know. I suspected, but I didn't know for sure.”
“How? Was it my scent changeing?” Buck tilts his head to Tommy, who had been listening contentedly to the conversations going on around the table. “I knew I should have gotten the stronger patches.”
Bobby quirks his brow, expression amused. “Ah, you forget that I've been through it too. I know pregnancy symptoms when I see them, Buck. Though, the milk scent starting to come in was a big clue as well.”
“You know, so many things make sense now.” Chimney muses. “There were things that just felt really familiar and I couldn't put my finger on it. Crying at that dish soap commercial should have clued me in, especially considering that it was something that set Maddie off all through the pregnancy with Kwan.” He dipped his chin down to the baby strapped to his chest.
Maddie, sitting with Jee on her lap next to them, raised her hand with a laugh. “I figured it out. I thought you knew and were just waiting till you were farther along to say anything. The chocolate is what clued me in, honestly. The only time I've seen someone get so obsessed with it was when I was craving it.”
Hen whips her hand up, gesturing so widely with her half eaten bread roll that it almost goes flying down the table as she suddenly starts snickering. “It was because of Tommy!”
The table quiets, everyone's attention shifting to her.
“Huh?” Said man blinks, eyes dancing between everyone only to be met with equally confused looks.
“The mousse!” Hen points at Buck and the Omega loses it, cackling along with Hen.
Tommy tightens the arm around him when he leans forward, chair wobbling a bit and shoulders shaking with laughter.
“Oh!” Karen gasps before she's giggling along with them, leaning into Hen
The rest of the table just stare at them in bewildered amusement, a few light chuckles fluttering through the group, the amusement of the three turning almost contagious.
Their laughter winds down, and Buck just knows he's flushed from it. Oh, how he loves his pack.
Chimney raises his hand with a grin. “Any of you want to let the rest of us in on the joke? ‘Cause I have to say, I'm feeling a smidge left out.”
“Well, before these two,” Hen waves her hand towards Buck and Tommy, “Got back together, Karen and I visited Buck and he'd made a chocolate mousse. We were worried he was channeling all of the stress of the last six months and missing Tommy into the baking again. We asked, and Buck's answer was that ‘he enjoys it now, not just when he's thinking of Tommy’ and that ‘he just really felt like having mousse.”
“Yeah, I think we all know by now that chocolate is definitely one of my cravings. One of the normal ones, at least.” He shrugged and turned to meet Maddie’s eyes.
“By the way, spicy pickles mixed in with chocolate ice cream? I get it now. The sweet and spicy? Freaking transcendental, Mads.”
She grins at him, eyes sparkling. “Isn't it just? It didn't stick around quite as long as some of the others but it's the one I enjoyed the most.”
They both ignore the fond look of exaggerated disgust that Tommy and Chimney share.
“Hey, no judging my cravings. This is your fault.” He elbows Tommy, who winces and lifts his hands in surrender before wrapping his arm back around him.
“I'm not judging, Baby. I'll get you whatever foods and drinks that you want, whenever.”
Buck nods, satisfied. “Those fries with chocolate sauce were amazing.”
—
Light chatter floats around the fire station loft, A-shift scattered around as they all take advantage of a much calmer than usual shift.
Buck is leaning with his hip against the counter, sipping from a bottle of water that Bobby had pressed into his hand as soon as the older Omega had noticed the flush starting to bloom across his cheeks, ushering him away from the stovetop despite Buck’s protests.
“It’s just a hot flush, Bobby, I’m fine.” He grumbles, watching as Bobby goes back to tending to their half made stir-fry which had been Buck’s job until a few moments ago.
“Humor me, Kid. Cool down, get one of the ice packs from the freezer if you need it. Then maybe I’ll let you in on one of my stir-fry tricks.”
Buck huffs but twists the cap back onto the bottle and sets it down. He’s just pushed away from the counter towards the freezer when he feels it, a strangle rippling feeling low in his abdomen. He pauses, hand drifting to where he’d felt it.
“Buck? You alright?” Chimney asks and in seconds everyone’s attention is on him.
Buck frowns, hand hovering where he left it. He can’t feel anything from the outside but the sensation is still there, fluttering and almost like bubbles.
Oh.
A smile spreads across his face, a sudden rush of pure awe filling his chest.
“Kid?” Bobby is next to him, eyes as concerned as his scent is.
“They moved.” Buck grins, watching the realisation fill everyone’s expressions.
Chimney crashes into him with a hug, strong but mindful and gentle even in his excitement. Hen and Eddie follow, voices and scents of joy overlapping with each other.
Bobby waits until they all pull away to get his own hug, folding him in closely and Buck sinks into it. Bobby eventually steps back, resting his hands on Buck’s shoulders, smiling at him with so much pride and warmth it almost makes Buck tear up.
He feels another bubbling-rippling sensation and this time he does tear up, even as he keeps grinning.
The awe and wonder mixed in with the kind of freaked-out-ness he’s feeling must be written across his face and scent because Bobby chuckles at him.
“Feels strange, doesn’t it?”
“ So freaking strange .”
“It's the first time you've felt them?” Hen asks and Buck nods in affirmation.
“Dr Elis told us last week at my appointment that I should start feeling them soon, I didn’t know it was this soon though. It feels so strange but so incredible.” He rests his hand at the barely there curve, feeling another little flutter. “I was a little worried since I thought I'd be showing more thanks to my shorter torso but the Pup’s just sitting a bit further back. My core is also pretty strong so that added to it. I apparently should pop a bit more sometime soon.”
Eddie shakes his head. “I still kinda can't believe you're going to have a Pup. I'm gonna be the best Tio ever. Chris is really pumped, too, says he can't wait to spoil his cousin.”
Chimney scoffs. “Excuse you, I will be the best uncle here. Don't try and take my spot.”
There's the sound of a throat clearing and they turn to look at Ravi. “I think you'll find the position of best uncle has already been filled. By me.”
Almost instantly the three start arguing and jabbing at each other.
Buck only looks at Bobby and grins.
-
He texts Tommy about it, their Pup kicking as well as the Uncle Argument and the Alpha calls him almost immediately.
“They moved! What did it feel like? Also please tell those three knuckleheads that they need to learn to get along if any of them want to be uncles, I'm already dealing with Lucy and Sal arguing about it, we can't have them adding to it too.”
Buck snorts. “At least we'll have practice with mediating meltdowns by the time the Pup gets here.”
Tommy laughs so hard the sound distorts over the speaker.
—
Tommy’s low murmurs pull Buck from the nap he'd taken in celebration of the last of his boxes being moved and unpacked into Tommy's (and now his) house, and he blinks sleep from his eyes as he lifts his head.
The Alpha is sprawled on his stomach next to him, propped with his head on one hand as the other rests over the swell of Buck's bump where his t-shirt had ridden up, his thumb rubbing back and forth as he talks.
“You are going to be so damn loved, I promise. You'll have the whole pack wrapped around your finger, you already do and we haven't even met you yet. We have so many people in our corner, Buba.” Tommy pressed a feather light kiss to the ever growing bump, his eyes bright and full of happiness and awe.
“Hmm,” Buck rolls his head to the side so I can look at Tommy more comfortably. “You chatting again?”
The Alpha gazes at him and nods his head seriously. “Yes. I'm telling her about all the love she'll have around her, the people and pack. She'll never run out of Uncle's and Aunt's to spoil her and cherish her, that's for sure.”
Buck's belly jumps as he laughs. “I love that she'll get to experience the chaos and love of such a full family.”
“The whole Pack is going to be wrapped around her finger.” Tommy's thumb still caressed back and forth and Buck felt the now familiar fluttering of her shifting and moving.
“She's moving a lot, I told you she knew your voice.”
Tommy quirks a brow, ducking in to whisper to the bump like it wasn't attached to Buck all while staring right at him. “Your Daddy's being silly, we both know you like his voice and stories more, huh?”
Buck feels her shift again and the familiar sensation of her kicking, practically right under Tommy’s palm.
The Alpha gasps, head whipping between the bump and Buck, his hand pressing slightly closer. The pressure is rewarded by more kicks.
“Hi, Buba. You're so strong. Oh, I can't wait to meet you.” Tommy’s voice trails off to more murmurs and Buck lays there soaking in the familiar timbre of his voice paired with the occasional fluttering and kicks from their Pup.
—
Buck sits down, melting into the couch up in the loft dropping his head to the back of it with a groan.
There's movement behind him and then Bobby is standing there looking down at him. “You doing okay? Are you sure I can't convince you to take a day off?” The older man asks, the furrow between his brows showing his concern.
Buck sighs. “Yes, I'm sure. Tommy’s on shift and I'd rather be stuck as the man behind doing paperwork here than sitting at home with nothing to do.”
He had just hit thirty two weeks and like the doctors had said, he finally popped. Not quite as round as some pregnancies that Buck had seen but enough that he was certainly feeling it in his hips and back.
Today in particular had him feeling pretty uncomfortable, his ankles swollen and his body aching. Not to mention the fatigue.
“Okay,” Bobby raises his hands, “I trust you. Can I do anything for you? Grab a heating pack for your back and hips?”
“Yeah, actually. And ah, could I ask you to grab my smoothie I made?”
“It's getting harder to get up, huh?”
Buck grins sheepishly at the older Omega. “Yeah.”
“Sit tight, I'll be back now.”
It's only a few minutes before Bobby is back and helping to situate the heating pad and pass him his smoothie. He sits down on the couch next to Buck, having brought the reports that he would usually work on in his office out with him.
A comfortable quiet falls on the loft, chatter from the rest of the shift going about their chores drifting around the station.
“I wanted to thank you, you know, for all the support you always give me. Especially now.” Buck eventually cuts into the silence. “Tommy is incredible through all of it but I don't think I'd be able to do this without you.”
Bobby pulls off his reading glasses, setting them and the reports on the coffee table. “Thank you, Buck, but I don't think you give yourself nearly enough credit. You're an amazing firefighter and man and you'll be an amazing parent, too. You already are.”
Buck shakes his head. “You're the reason I know what a good parent should look like. You took me under your wing and I don't think I'll ever be able to tell you how much that has meant to me. I…” He hesitates just slightly. “I can't ask for a better Pops or grandpa for my Pup.”
Bobby's expression melts. “Oh, Kid. Are you sure? Your parents–”
“I'm not telling them. I don't want my kid to feel half of what they made me feel growing up. Maybe they've changed and maybe they're good for Maddie and her kids, but I don't want that for me and my family. You and Athena have stepped up for me in so many ways, I can't imagine you not being grandparents to my child.”
Bobby leans in and cradles him close. “We'd be so honoured.”
—
Tommy stands with his arms crossed, frown firmly fixed.
If Buck wasn't so frustrated he'd probably be drooling over the way his arms flexed but he was frustrated and was determinedly ignoring exactly how attractive his Alpha was.
“Tommy.”
“No.”
“Tommy.”
“ No , Evan.”
“C'mon, please.” Buck all but whined. “I'm so bored. If I have to watch another documentary or a cheaply made drama series I think I'll go insane.”
Tommy took a visible breath, expression softening. “I know, I'm sorry. I see how stir crazy you are but, Baby, if I let you move the crib even an inch it will turn to you rearranging the whole room, heavy chest of drawers included.”
The annoying thing was that Tommy was right and Buck knew it. He knew he was being unreasonable and snappy, but he was just so frustrated .
He sighed, shuffling forward and slumping into Tommy. At least as much as his now very pregnant stomach allowed. He felt Tommy’s arms wrap around him, lips pressing to the birthmark over his brow.
“I'm so frustrated, and tired, and hot ,and uncomfortable. More than any other time throughout the last months, I just need something. ”
“I know it doesn't help and that I can't understand exactly what you've gone through but I see you, Ev. How this has been equally as hard and wonderful for you. I'm so proud of you. We just need to hang in a little bit more. There's only a few weeks left, and then our Pup will be here with us.”
Buck groaned into Tommy's shoulder, turning his head to breathe in the Alpha's scent, letting it soothe him. “I love her so much but I want her out .”
“Soon, I promise. In the meantime, do you want to go have a soak in the jacuzzi? I can grab you the orange juice popsicles you froze the other day?”
Buck nods furiously, not even bothering to lift his head. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
“Pretty often, but I wouldn't mind the remainder.”
“Well I love you. Like so much.”
“I love you too.” Tommy steps back, hand trailing down his arm to slip their fingers together. “Come, let’s get changed and get to soaking.”
“Will you rub my bump with that shea butter stuff after?”
“Duh.”
—
Buck's due date comes and goes with no appearance from their Pup.
“I don't get why we had to have this in common with our pregnancies, too!” He complains to Maddie over the phone, pacing around the kitchen while Tommy packs the dishwasher, the Alpha shooing him away every time I tried to help.
To his sister's benefit, she does sound truly sympathetic, listening patiently as he grumbles. “Nothing yet?”
“Not a single thing. They're kicking up a storm, practically tap dancing on my kidneys, but staying firmly where they are.” As if on cue, she kicked again, pain flashing through his back and he winced.
“Why do their tiny feet hurt so much? It's unnatural.” He leans back into Tommy when he steps up behind him, stopping his pacing.
“I don't want to intrude on your space, especially so close to the birth,” Chimney’s voice echoes through the speaker, “But I remember how rough this was for Maddie, Buck. If there's anything at all that I can do, you and Tommy call. I don't care what it's for or what time.”
“Thanks, Chim. Really.” Buck answers, grateful beyond words for the way their Pack has rallied around him and Tommy.
“Anytime. It is story time for our munchkins now, though, but we'll check in soon.”
“Bye, guys. Keep me updated, Evan.” Maddie says.
“Will do.” Buck ends the call, still leaning tiredly back into Tommy. He all but melts to the floor when Tommy oh so carefully and slowly cradles his hands beneath his bump and lifts just slightly, taking some of the weight from him. The relief is almost instant.
“Oh, please don't move. I think I might cry if you do.”
“Not going anywhere.”
—
“I'm not ready!” The panic surges through him. It had been months and weeks but now that it was happening, Buck was terrified .
“What– what if I mess up? What if I hurt her or screw her up or–”
Tommy’s eyes glance away from the road for barely a second before he's looking back, his free hand gripping Buck's in a strong and steady hold. “Then we learn and we do better. We ask for help and we love her.”
Another contraction ripples through him and Buck groans, hand tightening around Tommy’s until his knuckles turn white. The Alpha doesn't even wince.
“Don't leave me?” He pants.
“Never.” Tommy answers.
—
Ismay “Mia” Kinard is born loudly, lungs full and strong.
She is born to parents who love her with their whole being, to a pack who will move the earth and tame the sky.
Beloved and esteemed, as is her name.