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No, Evan ‘Buck’ Buckley was not planning on having his daughter on a Tuesday, she was supposed to come on a Friday. His water wasn’t supposed to break on his best friends and her wifes couch. Things were supposed to go smoothly, an easy, simple process, but birth is unpredictable, and entirely up to the baby. And currently, Buck was sitting in the passenger seat of his best friend's car, breathing through contractions that thankfully, weren’t too intense. Yet.
Karen was sitting in the backseat, trying to call anyone she could get into contact with. Unfortunately, the rest of the 118 seemed to be on a call, what a horrible time to get called. But she left multiple voice mails. “Bobby, it’s Karen, I really need you to call me back, like ASAP, Buck went into labor at mine and Hen’s, we’re currently driving him to First Presbyterian. Please call back.” Then she hung up. She moved onto Eddie next. “Hey, Eddie, please call me back, your fiancés in labor. We’re taking him to First Presbyterian, call me back plase, he really needs you.” She ended the call and dialed Chimney’s number. “Chim, Buck’s in labor, if you, by some miracle, listen to this before Bobby or Eddie, please tell them and tell Eddie to get his ass to First Presbyterian so he doesn’t miss his daughter's birth.” Karen, understandably, was getting more and more frantic.
“Karen, call Athena from my phone, she might answer.” Hen supplies as she stops at a light. She hands her phone to Karen and glances at Buck. “You doin okay, Buckaroo?”
“I-It fuckin hurts-” Buck cried out. “I-I want Eddie-” He whimpered pathetically, “I-I want my sister-” He was drawing in ragged breaths as he tried to breathe through it all.
“I know, I know, we’re trying to get into contact with them.” Hen tried to reassure as the light turned green and she started to drive. Karen fumbled with Hen’s phone, she pulled up Athenas contact and hit the ‘Call’ button and hoped she would answer, putting the call on speaker.
The phone rang three times before Athena picked up, her voice filling the car. “Hen? What’s up? Are you okay?” She asked, “I’m on patrol right n-” She was cut off by Buck crying out in the passenger seat. “Buck?! Buck, are you okay?”
“Hey Athena, Buck’s in labor right now, his water broke while he was at mine and Hen’s, we’re taking him to First Presbyterian, we’ve been trying to call Eddie, Bobby and Chim but they must be on call or something because they haven’t answered or called back.” Karen explained in a quick tone.
“Yes- I, yeah they’re on call right now, four alarm fire, they were called in for assistance. You said First Pres? Okay, I-I’ll meet ya’ll there, I’m gonna call Bobby, leave him an extra voicemail. Hang in there Buck!”
“We got him ‘Thena, and can you call Maddie? We’re about to pull up to the hospital.” Karen says, unbuckling her seatbelt to run in and grab a nurse.
“You got it, take care of our Buckaroo, okay?” Athena then hangs up right as Hen haphazardly parks in front of the ER doors.
Karen shoves Hens' phone into her pocket and scrambles out of the car to sprint into the ER. She runs up to the nurses station. “My best friend just went into labor, he’s in the car with my wife.” She rambles out, the nurse stands up.
“What’s the patient's name ma’am?” She askes as she motions for another nurse to grab a wheelchair.
“Evan Buckley.” Karen responds.
“Alright, I’m gonna page Mr. Buckleys obstetrician and get his room set up.” She picks up a phone to page the OB while the other nurse runs out to the car with the wheelchair, Karen hot on her tail. Hen was currently trying to help Buck out of the car.
“I know, I know, c’mon Buck.” Hen coaxed gently. Buck pushed himself out of the car, slamming his palm against the back passenger door to stablize himself as a contraction ripped through his body.
“God- Hen- It hurts-” Buck let out a whimper of pain, sweat beading against his forehead.
“Let’s get you in the wheelchair so we can get you to your room Mr. Buckley.” The nurse says as she makes her way over to them with the wheelchair. Buck took this as an excuse to all but let his body drop into the chair. His body, already delving into full aches, as another contraction was ripped through him. The nurse quickly wheeled him in and back to the labor and delivery unit, Hen and Karen quickly followed behind the nurse and Buck to his room.
A second nurse was waiting in the room to help get Buck into the bed. “My name is Maya, I’m going to be one of your labor and delivery nurses okay? Doctor Harley will be in soon okay hon? Once she's here we’re gonna take a look to see how dilated you are okay?” The nurse, Maya, starts to get an IV drip starting, just with some basic saline to keep Buck from getting dehydrated.
“Can- Can they stay? Please?” Buck looks up at the nurse, a desperate look on his face.
“They can stay until you start the actual delivery process, they aren’t on your list of people to be in the delivery room, a Bobby Nash is, I’m assuming your father? And then, an Eddie Diaz, who is listed here as your fiance?” Maya asks with a sympathetic look on her face.
“I- okay.” Buck nods, he hopes and prays to any god out there that Bobby or Eddie get here soon. He doesn;’t want to, no, he refuses to deliver his daughter alone, in this sterile hospital room. He looks over at Hen, who looks ready to fight Maya, but she doesn’t get the chance as his OB walks in.
“Ah, Buck! It’s nice to see you, I see that Miss Danielle is ready a few days early hm?” Doctor Haley says as she pulls on blue latex gloves and gets on her stool. “Here, let’s get you changed into a hospital gown, make you a bit more comfortable, yeah?” She holds up the gown. Hen takes it with a smile.
“Let’s get you changed Buckaroo.” Hen offered her hand to Buck, who took it gratefully and let Hen haul him up. Together they get to the bathroom while Karen tries calling Bobby and Eddie. Athena, having texted, saying she had just picked up Maddie and that they were on their way, both of them also still trying to get into contact with either Bobby, Eddie or Chim.
“Th-thanks for bein’ here Hen.” Buck mumbles as Hen helps him strip out of slightly sweat-dampened clothes.
“Nowhere I’d rather be Buck.” She says this with such a motherly tone that it almost brings Buck to tears. Hen takes the clothes and puts them in the bag Doctor Haley handed her on top of the gown. “Karen said that when Athena gets here, she’ll grab the baby bag from the car okay? Cause neither of us wanna leave you until we're forced. You’re not alone okay? You have a whole family here supporting you.” She presses a gentle kiss to his sweaty curls. “Now let’s get you back in the bed so your OB can check if you’re dilated yet.”
“Yeah- yeah, let’s g-go.” Buck bit back a whimper as another contraction wracked his body. Hen quickly guides Buck back to the bed and helps him get situated on the bed.
Doctor Haley puts the stirrups in place for Buck. “Alright Buck, you’re gonna put your feet up here, and I’m gonna check you okay?” Buck didn’t give a verbal response, he just nodded and did as she asked, lifting his legs up to the stirrups. Doctor Haley gave Buck a smile and sat infront of him, moving the gown so she could check him. “Alright Buck, you’re looking to be about four centimeters right now, only six more to go and you can start pushing.” She stands up, “I’ll be back to check on you in about thirty minutes, if you need anything don’t hesitate to press the call button. Once I’m back we can administer the Epidural if you’d like.” She offers, in which Buck, once again giving no verbal response, just nods. With that, the doctor walks out, nurse Maya following.
“Maddie and Athena just got here.” Karen pips up, looking up from her phone. “But still no words from any of the boys.” She sighed. “I’m gonna go out and meet them okay?” Karen got up and left the room. As soon as Karen left, Buck burst into tears.
“H-Hen- Hen I-I can’t do this without Eddie- I- Please, I need him here-” Buck sobbed out, he didn’t want to do this alone, without Eddie. Tears streamed down his face rapidly, a mix of emotional distress and physical pain.
“Oh Buck, honey, you’re not gonna be alone, if Bobby or Eddie can’t get here within a reasonable time, I will fight tooth and nail to make sure that one of us is with you the entire time okay? We will not leave you alone, do you understand me Evan Buckley?” Hen cupped Buck’s face, a determined look on her face.
“Okay- okay.” Buck nodded, he felt a stronger contraction rip through his body and screamed, unable to bite the exclamation of pain. He gripped the sides of the hospital bed, practically white-knuckling it as he tried to ride the contraction out. He was panting as the door opened, revealing…Karen, Athena and Maddie. All he wanted was Eddie, but Eddie wasn’t here, god he was gonna start crying again. But when he saw that Maddie had his baby bag, his shoulders relaxed slightly.
“Oh Buck,” Athena cooed in a motherly tone, she made her way over to him and ran a hand through his sweaty curls. “I’ve been trying to call them and still nothing, I’m so sorry.” Athena frowned a little, she leaned over and kissed his forehead. “But we’re here okay?”
“Yeah Evan, don’t worry, we’re here, I’m not going anywhere, none of us are.” Maddie said softly and went over to grab Buck’s hand, squeezing it gently.
“I-I know- Hen-Hen already told me-” Buck squeezed Maddies hand hard, his contractions getting closer, he screamed again. Hen quickly grabbed the remote and hit the ‘nurse call’ button. Nurse Maya and Doctor Haley came rushing, Maya holding the Epidural. Doctor Haley sat down in front of him.
“Let’s check you again alright?” Another pair of gloves on her hands as she lifted the gown again. “Ah! Okay! Six centimeters now! Maya’s gonna administer that Epidural okay? You need to stay perfectly still, okay?” She stood up and maneuvered Buck, making sure he stayed completely still as they gave him the epidural. They rolled him back over and glanced around the room. “Alright Buck, since you’re becoming this dilated this quickly, we need to talk about who else you would like in the room. I’ve met Eddie, you’ve both talked with me about how you’re firefighters, as well as your dad right? I’m assuming they’re out on a call and I really don’t want you alone.” Haley explained.
“Hen- Hen, please- I-I want her here with me, please.” Buck said instantly, he knew Maddie was here, but Hen and Karen had been with him from the start of his labor, and he wanted to leave a space in case Eddie got here. Doctor Haley nodded.
“Alright, that works, we’ll have Hen get scrubbed in and then once he gets more dilated we’ll have you three leave the room alright?” Doctor Haley wrote down a few things and stood up. “Hen, please come with Maya so you can get scrubbed in.” She says with a sweet smile. Hen nods and follows the nurse out of the room. Doctor Haley leaves to go get another nurse for the delivery.
“M-Mads- ‘m sorry- I-I just want Hen here.” Buck tries to explain.
“No, none of that.” Maddie shakes her head. “Your comfort is the most important thing right now, okay?” She kisses his forehead, “Hen is gonna give us the good news, and I’ll be able to greet Eddie and everyone.” She grinned, “You’re gonna be just fine okay?” Maddie reassures.
“I-I trust you.” Buck says shakily, he whimpered softly at the pain and screwed his eyes shut, he turned to look at Athena. “M-Mama- keep-keep trying Pops and Eddie, please.” He all but begged Athena
“Oh of course Buckaroo, anything for you okay honey?” Athena gave his shoulder a squeeze and kissed his sweaty curls again.
“You got this Buck!” Karen grinned, “I’m gonna spoil the hell out of her once she’s here.” She gave Buck a squeeze.
Doctor Haley re-entered the room with a Nurse Maya and a second nurse along with Hen, who was decked out in scrubs. “Alright, I’m going to check Buck and then I unfortunately have to kick the rest of you out. Buck, this is nurse Lee, he’s gonna be helping me and Maya out okay?” She got infront of Buck and checked him again. “Oh woah! Okay, you jumped from six to nine, you’re almost there okay?” She stood up and looked over at Athena, Karen and Maddie, “I’m gonna need you three to exit the room, if Bobby Nash or Eddie Diaz get here in the next, I’ll say ten minutes, we can scrub them in, but if not, they’ll have to wait.” She gave a sympathetic smile.
“Good luck Buck, Hen, take care of him alright? Buck, I’m gonna keep trying them okay?” Athena smiled and gave his shoulder a squeeze and walked out of the room. Karen came over to Buck and squeezed his hand.
“You’re gonna do amazing, we’ll all be waiting for you and Danielle okay?” Karen smiled and gave Hen a smile, knowing she can’t hug or kiss her. She then follows Athena out to the waiting room and tries Eddie's phone again. Maddie was next, she walked up to Buck’s bed and squeezed him tightly.
“You got this little brother, she’s gonna be here before you know it, okay?” She kissed his forehead and then she was gone.
Left in the room was Buck, Hen, Doctor Haley, Maya and Lee. He was nervous, glancing up at Hen for reassurance.
“You’re gonna be just fine.” Hen reassured.
“Alright, I’m gonna check you again okay? See if you’re ready to push.” Doctor Haley went back to her spot between Buck’s legs and checked. She popped her head up with a grin. “Alright Buck! You’re in the clear to start pushing okay? On the next contraction, I want you to push okay?”
“A-ah, already?” Buck asked with a nervous tone lacing his words. He looked up at Hen, he was terrified, and by god he wanted Eddie. But he wasn’t here. He could do this.
On the next contraction, Buck pushed hard, as hard as he could. He screamed as he did, grabbing blindly at Hens hand and squeezing the life out of it. He let out a sob. Something didn’t feel right, something was wrong. He didn’t know what, nor did he have the energy to voice it, he just carried on. Another contraction, he pushed, he screamed, loud, in agony, in pain, in frustration. It was a rinse and repeat situation.
“You’re doing so good, Buck!” Hen reassured, letting Buck squeeze her hand as hard as he needed to. She ran a thumb over the plae white hand from the grip he had on her hand. Buck just nodded his face a mess of tears and sweat.
“Hen- god, ‘M tired.” Buck complained, he looked up at her.
“That’s too damn bad! You’re doing so good, just push!” Hen said sternly.
And so that’s what Buck did, he pushed at every contraction, screaming at each one until he could feel her head. He had no idea how long he had been pushing for. If it had been five minutes or five hours. He didn’t know, he didn’t care either, he just wanted this to be over. He just wanted to hold his baby.
“You’re crowning! She’s got a head full of dark hair and little curls, now c’mon Buck! Just push her shoulders out and then you’ll be home free!” Haley called.
This spurred Buck on, he continued to push at every contraction, finally feeling her head slip through a searing pain ripping through him that did not feel normal. At the next contraction he pushed her shoulders out, another searing pain. He was dizzy, he could barely register the words of encouragement being said around him. Another contraction, another push, she was finally out.
He waited for cries to fill the air.
They don’t. He let out a panicked noise. “H-Hen- Hen- what’s wrong with her- why- why isn’t she crying? Hen-Hen please-” Buck begged, tears filling his eyes. His legs felt numb.
“She- it’s the umbilical cord, they’re cutting it right now, hold on Buckaroo.” Hen was quick to reassure him. The sound of nurses and his doctor filled the room, he could’ve sworn he heard Nurse Lee mumble something that sounded like ‘C’mon baby, breathe.’ And then the most beautiful noise filled the room.
Loud, strong cries, ricochetting off the walls. Dani was loud, and she was breathing, and god Buck was so tired. He heard Nurse Maya make a panicked sound.
“He has a tear, oh god- he’s bleeding, everywhere, we need to rush him to the OR!” She snapped. Doctor Haley said something, Buck didn’t know, it was becoming very jumbled to him. His eyes were fluttering, the last thing he heard was someone, Hen he’s pretty sure, beg him to stay awake for Danni and Chris and Eddie. But he just couldn’t anymore. Then it was darkness.
~~~
Hen burst into the waiting room, looking disheveled and panicked. She looked around, so damn glad that Bobby, Eddie and Chim were here, and by the looks of it Chris too.
“Well?” Athena looked up, “What happened?” She asked nervously. Eddie’s head snapped up at Athenas tone, it scared him.
“I- Everything was-was fine, Danielle- she came out, her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck, but they cut it off and she started screaming loud and so healthy, but they took her for some monitoring- She-she’s a big baby- uhm, 8.7 pounds and 20.5 inches long. So-so she’s- she’s a big one.” Hen explained in a frazzled tone.
“Hen…” Eddie said shakily, the idea that his daughter almost died made a heavy weight settle in his chest, but Hen hadn’t said a single thing about Buck. “What- what about Buck?”
“I- he- he had a tear, third degree, and on top of that, uh, post-partum hemorrhage- He- they rushed him off for emergency surgery to- to fix it-” Hen’s voice was beyond shaky. “God- he was so pale.” There were tears glossing over Hen’s eyes.
“A-are Dani and papa gonna be okay?” Asked Christophers soft, small voice, his eyes shining with tears.
“Of course he is Chris.” Bobby soothed quickly, “Your sister and your papa are gonna be just fine okay?” He ruffled his hair, even as his mind was running with ideas. The waiting room delving into silence, the occasional sniffle coming from Eddie, or Hen or Maddie.
Now, they just had to play the waiting game, waiting for a doctor to come and let them know that Buck was okay.
Two full hours had passed befor Doctor Haley came out with a smile on her face, she looked over at them, she knew who almost all of them were. “Buck is back in his room with Danielle, the surgery was a success, he’s expected to make a speedy recovery, now, I know you all must be itching to go and see him, but as of now, even with the strings I pulled, I can only let four of you in at a time.”
“Me and Chris.” Eddie spoke up immediately, his hands going around Chris’ shoulders as he looked at doctor Haley.
“Of course Eddie, anyone else?” She asked softly.
“I- Can me and Bobby go?” Maddie asked, Bobby gave her a little smile.
“Yes of course, the rest of you need to wait unfortunately.” She said with a gentle smile, she then turned around and gestured for the small group to follow her to Buck and Danielles room. There was silence between their group aside from the soft clacking from Christopher’s crutches.
Once they reached the room, Haley let them in, “I brought you some visitors, Buck.” She smiled.
And there Buck was in all his glory, still slightly pale, his curls plastered to his forehead, eyes bright as he looked down at a small bundle of blankets in his arms, the softest smile on his face. He looked up when he heard Haley and visibly relaxed. “Eddie, Chris.” He breathed out, that was all it took for Eddie to rush over to Buck.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you mi amor.” Eddie mumbled, pressing a kiss to Buck’s forehead. He looked down at the bundle in Buck’s arms and teared up.
Danielle Shannon Buckley-Diaz had a head full of dark, curly hair, slightly tanned skin, a bright pink birthmark above her left eye, and the most beautiful bright blue eyes Eddie Diaz has ever seen.
“Do you want to hold her Eddie…?” Buck asked softly. Eddie nodded immediately, rushing to wash his hands. He took the bundle from Buck carefully and held her close to his chest.
“Hi mija…” Eddie whispered, tears filling his eyes. “Buck…dios mio, she’s beautiful, we made her.” He looked at Buck who had this love sick expression on his face. He saw out of the corner of his eye, Maddie taking a picture of them, he’d have her send it to him later.
“She’s a beautiful mix of both of us.” Buck looked over at Chris, who was standing near Bobby. “Chris, come here baby, have Bobby help you wash your hands and you can hold your baby sister, okay?” Chris nodded eagerly and Bobby quickly moved to help Chris wash his hands. Bobby took the advantage to wash his as well so he could hold her.
“I’m glad you’re okay Papa.” Chris whispered, he sat down in the chait next to Buck. Eddie moved to bend down.
“Okay mijo, you gotta support her head.” Eddie placed the baby in his arms. Chris did as Eddie said and supported his baby sister's head. He looked down at her and smiled.
“She looks like dad and papa! That’s so cool!” Chris had the biggest smile on his face. Maddie took the opportunity to take a picture of the two, tears in her own eyes. “Can Bobby and Maddie get a turn now?” He asked curiously.
“Of course they can.” Eddie carefully lifted Danielle out of Chris’s arms and turned to Bobby. “C’mere Bobby.” He placed Danielle in Bobby’s arms gently.
“Oh she’s beautiful…” Bobby whispered, he looked at Buck. “I’m so proud of you kid.” He smiled, vaguely aware of Maddie taking his picture. “I think it’s time auntie Maddie got a turn.” Bobby smiled.
“Yeah- let me just wash my hands.” She quickly washed her hands and gently took the newborn from Bobby and held her close to her chest. “Oh…you’re absolutely gorgeous…” Maddie whispered. She held her for a few more minutes before bringing her to Buck. “I’m so unbelievably proud of you Evan.” Maddie kissed his head and handed him Danielle.
“I’m just so glad she’s okay, when Hen said that the umbilical cord- I didn’t let unconsciousness take me until I heard her cry, and damn was she loud. She has some lungs I swear.” Buck shook his head. “I think we should get a Buckley-Diaz family picture…Eddie, Chris, c’mere, Maddie’ll take it.”
Eddie nodded. “C’mere Chris.” He picked him up and got close to Buck, a huge smile on his face. He got as close to them as he could and Maddie took the picture.
Dannielle Shannon Buckley-Diaz was born at 4:34pm on July 8th, she weighed 8 pounds and 7 ounces. At 20.5 inches, she was born into the most loving family a baby could’ve ever been born into. The Buckley-Diaz family picture hung on the wall next to every other family picture they had. It was safe to say that she would grow up loved, not a day would pass that she wouldn’t be reminded of this.