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The day Buck found out he was pregnant had been the best day of his life. Being a dad had been something he’s wanted for so long. 12 am diaper changes, 3 am feedings, and all the screaming in between. Buck couldn’t wait.
And when his doctor told him his due date was December 19th? Well, Buck bought all of the ‘My First Christmas’ memorabilia he could get his hands on.
“What do you want for Christmas?” Eddie had asked at some point in November.
“You’ve already given me the best Christmas present ever,” Buck grinned at him, rubbing his ready-to-pop belly.
Really, this was already the best Christmas ever, and his baby wasn’t even here yet.
The morning of December 19th, Buck woke up with the biggest smile on his face. Today was the day. Together, he and Eddie got ready, made sure Chris was ready for his last day of school, and dropped him off.
“You’ll let me know if the baby comes today, right?” He asks before getting out of the truck.
“Of course,” Buck smiles, both hands wrapped around his stomach, feeling his little elf kicking up a storm. “Have a good day.”
Buck watches as Christopher walks into the high school before turning to Eddie. “I still can’t believe he’s so grown.”
Eddie chuckles. “I know my love, I can’t believe it either.”
As they pull away from the school and into to the main road, Buck grabs Eddie’s right hand and brings it to rest of his belly.
“How are you feeling?” Eddie asks, looking at Buck as they stop at a red light.
“Good,” Buck grins. “Really good, actually.”
“Do you think it will be today?”
Buck shrugs. “Dr. James said I could go over since this is my first pregnancy. But I’m hopeful.”
Eddie nods and they continue their ride in silence, pulling into the station parking lot with time to spare. Buck’s been coming to work with Eddie even though he’s been on leave for six weeks now. He just can’t get away from this place.
But it’s okay, because if anything happens, he knows that Eddie will be right there and he'll get a ride to the hospital in the ambulance.
Eddie runs around the side of the truck and opens the door, helping Buck get out carefully. “Did you bring a book?”
Buck shakes his head. “I think I left it here yesterday.”
Eddie nods and wraps his arms around Buck's waist, and they walk very slowly into the station. Buck isn’t very quick-moving these days anyway, just quick enough to usually make it to the bathroom on time.
“Morning boys,” Hen says, looking up from where she’s doing pre-check on the ambulance. “Today the day?”
“Morning,” Buck says. “We shall see.”
“You’re in good spirits,” Chinney says, walking around the corner.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Buck asks. “I’m having a baby, Chim.”
Chim chuckles. “Yeah, yeah. You’ve only reminded us every day for the last 30 weeks.”
Buck just grins at him, undeterred. “Well, someone’s gotta keep the spirits up.”
Hen laughs softly, shaking her head. “You don’t need to do much of that, Buck. Everyone is very happy for you. And look at you, 40 weeks pregnant and glowing.”
Buck pats his belly proudly.
Eddie leans against the rig beside him and smiles fondly. “I just don’t want you to burn out before the baby even gets here.”
“Never,” Buck says with confidence.
But as the hours roll on, Buck starts to get antsy. The station bustles with calls and chatter, but Buck can’t help but think about when it’s going to happen. When he’s going to feel that first contraction, that first sign of labor. He’s feeling very anxious under his skin. Every time the baby kicks or he has a cramp, he freezes, just to have it fade into nothing.
By the time the sun sets over the horizon, he’s been walking laps around the stations for hours, hoping that gravity would help move things along.
“Still nothing?” Eddie asks, finding him by the open bay doors, watching the orange sunset, casting a glow over the city.
Buck sighs, rubbing at the spot where the baby just kicked. “Nope. Not even a twinge. I thought for sure it would be today.”
Eddie steps behind him, wrapping his arms around Buck’s middle, his hands resting where the baby gently presses back. “Due dates aren’t promises, just estimates.”
“I know,” Buck says quietly. “It’s just…I’ve been counting down to this day for months. I wanted them to be here. I wanted to hold them on the day they were supposed to come.”
Eddie kissed the back of his neck. “They’ll come when they’re ready. And when they do, it won’t matter if it’s the nineteenth or the twenty-third or Christmas morning. They’ll still be ours.”
Buck leans back against him, his eyes fluttering shut. “You’re right. I just…I’m so ready Eds.”
“I know, baby,” Eddie says softly. “But let’s take it one day at a time, yeah? Tonight we’ll go home, order the spiciest takeout, watch some Christmas movies with Chris, and wait. No pressure.”
Buck huffs a small laugh. “I’m holding you to that. And we’re watching The Santa Clause trilogy.”
Eddie chuckles, steering him gently towards the truck. “Deal.”
“And maybe we can-” Buck doesn’t finish his sentence but he wiggles his eyebrows and Eddie gets the hint.
“We’ll see,” He says with a shrug. “I’m super tired though.”
Buck groans, shaking his head. “You’re evil.”
“Yup,” Eddie says, helping him into the passenger seat. “And you love me.”
Buck smiles as he rests a hand on his belly, feeling a small flutter beneath his palm. “I really, really do.”
As the drive home through the twinkling Christmas lights, Buck can’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment that his baby hadn’t arrived yet, but it’s softened by the warmth of Eddie’s hand over his.
Because even if the day hadn’t gone the way he imagined, it was still one step closer to meeting the tiny human who had already made this Christmas the best one yet.
***
Still no baby. It’s December 21st, and Buck is still pregnant. It’s kind of pissing him off today.
“Buck,” Maddie says softly. “You need to relax, the baby will come when he or she is ready.”
Buck glares at his sister. “That’s easy for you to say. You already have your baby.”
He motions to Nash, asleep in his stroller. Maddie and Nash had shown up at his house early this morning to kidnap him. The three of them ended up at the mall, and they’ve been doing laps for a few hours now, with no change whatsoever.
“If you remember, I went past my due date with Jee,” Maddie points out.
“Like that makes any of this any better. I don’t want to be past my due date; I want my baby.”
Maddie sighs, pushing the stroller a little further as they wander past a row of holiday displays. “Trust me, I get it. I was miserable those last few days. But stressing isn’t going to make it happen faster.”
Buck huffs, folding his arms over his round belly. “Well, walking isn’t doing it either. I’ve done, like, ten miles today.”
“Eleven,” Maddie corrects, smirking a little.
“See? Eleven!” Buck exclaims, throwing one hand up in frustration. “ And all I’ve gotten for my effort is swollen ankles and a dirty mall Santa trying to flirt with me when I came out of the bathroom.”
Maddie tries, and fails, not to laugh. “You have to admit that last one was pretty funny.”
“I look like those giant Times Square ornaments. Why would anyone flirt with me right now?” Buck grumbles, rubbing a hand over his stomach. His little elf kicks in response, almost like a protest, and Buck frowns down at the movement. “Yeah, yeah, you think this is funny too, huh?”
Maddie softens. “Hey, you’re almost there, okay? Just a couple more days. Maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow.”
Buck gives her a side-eye. “You’ve been saying that for three days.”
Before Maddie can reply, Buck suddenly stops walking, gripping the railing beside the food court. “What? Is it happening?”
Buck inhales slowly…then groans. “No. Just a Braxton Hicks. Again.”
Maddie exhales in relief, then places a hand on his shoulder. “Okay, that’s still something. It means your body’s warming up, right?”
“Yeah,” Buck mutters. “Well, it can warm up faster.”
Maddie chuckles softly. “You sound exactly like mom did waiting for you to be born.”
“Yeah, well, she needed me for spare parts, of course, she was ready for me to come out as quickly as I could.”
“Evan,” Maddie sighs.
“Sorry, sorry,” He rumbles. “I’m in a mood.”
“Come on, let’s get you something to eat before you go all bah-humbug on me.”
Buck laughs. “Fine. But if I’m still pregnant tomorrow, I make no promises of not becoming the Grinch and stealing Christmas.”
Later that night, Buck is sitting on the couch with his feet in Eddie’s lap, getting the best foot rub he’s ever had in his life.
“Mile and miles worth of walking around the mall,” Buck says, throwing another piece of popcorn in his mouth as he watches Chris Evans trying to protect Santa…or something like that. He hasn’t really been paying attention.
Instead, he’s been looking at his phone, trying to find a way to get this baby out.
How to induce labor
Spicy foods… tried that and it didn't work
Curb walking….no change
Massaging trigger points on the feet…tbd
Exercise ball…still no baby
Castor oil…hmm?
Sex and nipple stimulation…it’s not going to hurt to try.
“Do we have any castor oil?” Buck asks, locking his phone and laying it on his lap. Eddie pauses his massage and looks up at Buck with a confused look on his face.
“Why on earth would we have castor oil?”
Buck just shrugs.
“Guess we gotta try number six,” Buck says with a grin.
“Number six?”
“Sex.”
***
After testing number six thoroughly…it’s safe to say that it also didn’t work. And now it’s Christmas Eve and Buck is looking at all the “My first Christmas” outfits laid out on the bed in front of him with a frown. They’re all in newborn size, there’s no way the baby is going to fit into them next year.
“Buck,” Eddie asks, walking into the room, buttoning up his shirt. “You about ready to go?”
They were supposed to be going to Bobby and Athena’s house to meet up with everyone else, but Buck really just wants to march into the hospital and demand that they give him some Pitocin.
“I guess so,” Buck sighs, grabbing his cardigan off the bed and wrapping it around his shoulders. “But if one person asks me how I'm doing, I’m going to lose it.”
Eddie nods and takes out his phone, presumably to warn ahead of time not to mention anything about the baby to Buck. “Okay, everyone’s been officially warned.”
Buck arches an eyebrow. “What’d you tell them?”
“That if anyone so much as says the words ‘labor' or 'baby,' you’re legally allowed to throw mashed potatoes at them.”
Buck snorts, the first real smile he’s had all day. “Tempting. I might do that anyway.”
Eddie chuckles, crossing the room to help him with his shoes. “C’mom, grumpy elf. We’ll stop for that spicy cocoa on the way. See if it’ll help.”
Buck sits down on the edge of the bed and lets Eddie slide his shoes on him with a sigh, resting his hand belly. “This kid has a sense of humor, I’ll give them that.”
“Must take after me then,” Eddie says, looking up at him with a grin.
Buck gives him a look, but there’s no bite to it. “If they really took after you, they’d have already made a dramatic entrance by now.”
Eddie grins and stands up, kissing Buck’s temple before leading him to the door. “Maybe they’re waiting for the perfect moment?”
“Yeah,” Buck mutters as they step outside into the cool night air, Chris already in the truck waiting for them. “Well, it better be a really perfect one.”
****
By the time they pull up to Bobby and Athena’s, the house is glowing with warm light, and the faint sound of Christmas music drifts through the front door. Buck steels himself as they walk up the steps, on hand in Eddie’s, the other resting protectively over his belly.
The door opens before they can knock.
“Merry Christmas Eve!” Hen beams, ushering them inside. “You made it!”
“Barely,” Buck says dryly, kicking off his shoes. “I’m one Christmas cookie away from toppling over.”
He laughs, giving him a gentle side hug. “Noted. Keep the cookies away from Buck.”
“Woah now,” Buck says, shaking his head. “I didn’t say that.”
Buck smiles tiredly, and he knows Eddie can see how much effort it takes him. He stays close, steering him toward the couch while everyone else walks around with drinks and laughing with each other. Bobby hands Buck a plate, Athena insists on bringing him the softest blanket in the house, and even Chim bites his tongue before asking anything baby-related. (That is, after Eddie gives him a warning glance)
It’s nice...comforting in a way Buck didn’t realize he needed.
But every so often, he catches himself staring at the tree, its twinkling lights reflecting off the tiny ‘Baby’s First Christmas’ ornament he’d brought over weeks ago. He’d written 2025 on the bottom in silver marker, so sure that the baby would be here by now.
Eddie notices, of course. He always does. He leans in, his hand finding Buck’s under the blanket. “Hey,” He murmurs. “You okay?”
Buck nods, though his eyes are a little glassy. “Yeah. Just…not how I pictured it, you know?”
Eddie squeezes his hand gently. “It will be.”
Buck gives a small, watery laugh. “You sound so sure.”
“I am,” Eddie says simply. “Because no matter when they get here, they’ll still be the best Christmas gift we could ever get.”
Buck looks at him for a long moment, then rests his head on Eddie’s shoulder, finally letting out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.
“Okay,” he whispers. “But I’m still filing a complaint with Mother Nature.”
Eddie chuckles quietly, “You can write her a strongly worded letter…after you take a nap.”
Buck hums in response, half asleep already, the sound of laughter and the scent of pine from the tree slowly lulling him.
And somewhere deep in his belly, just under Eddie’s hand, the baby gives on solid kick. Almost like a promise that maybe, just maybe, Christmas morning will bring more than presents under the tree.
The evening rolls on in that easy, familiar rhythm. Hen and Athena are arguing about whether “Die Hard” counts as a Christmas movie, Chim is trying to keep Jee-Yun from sneaking too many cookies, and Bobby is insisting on taking everyone’s picture before dinner.
Buck’s curled up on the couch with a mug of cocoa in one hand and Eddie’s arm draped behind him. He’s quieter than usual, just watching the room. Every once in a while, he will shift and tense, and Eddie glances over, worried, but Buck only gives him a small shake of his head.
He’s fine. Probably.
At least, that’s what Buck keeps telling himself.
The first time he feels the tightening, it’s subtle…just a squeeze low in his belly that fades as quickly as it comes. The second one hits a little harder, and his breath catches mid-sip.
“Everything okay?” Eddie murmurs, leaning closer.
Buck forces a smile. “Yeah, yeah. Probably just Braxton Hicks again.”
Eddie doesn’t look convinced, but he nods, rubbing Buck’s back gently. “Alright. Just tell me if it gets worse, okay?”
Buck hums in response, though his heart’s already starting to race.
Dinner smells amazing. Roast turkey, garlic potatoes, the works. But by the time Bobby calls everyone to the table, Buck’s appetite is gone. He stands slowly, gripping the back of the couch for balance as another contraction rolls through him. This one doesn’t fade as quickly.
“Buck?” Maddie’s voice is soft but alert, the tone she uses when she already knows the answer.
Buck exhales shakily, nodding once. “Okay. Yeah. That one was definitely not a Braxton Hicks.”
Eddie’s beside him in an instant, steadying him with a hand on his elbow. “How long have you been feeling them?”
“Couple hours, I think,” Buck admits, grimacing. “They weren’t… strong before.”
Hen looks over from the table, eyebrows rising. “Looks like baby Buckley-Diaz finally got the memo.”
Chim whoops quietly, already pulling his phone out. “Called it…Christmas baby!”
“Don’t jinx it,” Buck groans, pressing a hand to his belly. “Watch this drag on until the twenty-sixth.”
Eddie helps him to the recliner while Maddie pulls out her phone to time contractions.
“Okay,” she says calmly. “Let’s just see what kind of pattern we’re working with.”
Bobby, ever the dad, hands Buck a water bottle and a worried look. “You want me to get the car ready?”
Buck starts to say no, but another contraction hits before he can. He grips Eddie’s hand tightly, his breath catching. This one’s definitely stronger.
“Yeah,” Eddie answers for him, eyes wide but steady. “Yeah, I think it’s time.”
“Finally,” Buck breathes out when it passes, a tired but exhilarated smile breaking across his face. “Guess they did want a Christmas debut after all.”
Eddie grins, brushing a hand through Buck’s hair. “Guess so, baby. Let’s go meet our little Christmas miracle.”
As the family springs into motion. Chim grabs Buck’s bag, Hen takes some towels out to the car (just in case), and Athena promises to clear traffic lights if necessary. Buck can’t help but laugh, even through the next wave of pain.
Because after all the waiting, all the walking, and all the wishing… It’s finally happening.
***
Buck takes it back. He actually doesn’t mind keeping the baby in just a little bit longer. Anything to stop this pain.
“I hate you,” He yells when another contraction racks through his body. “I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.”
And, well, actually he doesn’t.
“Eddie, I’m sorry… I-I didn-”
Eddie chuckles. “I know you didn’t, amor.”
Eddie brings their linked hands, of which Eddie’s is probably super numb, and kisses Buck’s knuckles. “If hating me right now takes away even a little bit of your pain, hate me all you want.”
Buck lets out a shaky breath, his grip tightening around Eddie’s hand as another contraction rips through his body.
“Oh my god! This is awful.” He groans, throwing his head back against the hospital bed. His face is flushed and his curls are plastered to his forehead with sweat. “I take it back. I don’t want a Christmas baby. I want an epidural. And maybe a time machine to go back and slap past me for being excited about this.”
Eddie bites back a laugh. “You’re doing amazing, Buck!”
“No, I’m doing terrible!” Buck snaps, panting through his teeth. “You’re just saying that cause you don’t want me to bite you.”
“No, I’m saying it because it’s true,” Eddie’s smile softens as he pushes Buck's hair back away from his face. “But if you need to bite me, you go on right ahead.”
Buck glares at him, and then winces as another contraction peeks again. He squeezed Eddie’s hand, so sure that this time is the time he’ll break a bone. “I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.”
Eddie just keeps smiling, his thumb stroking over Buck’s knuckles, even as his own hand goes numb. “I know, baby. I know.”
As the contraction eases, Buck falls back against the bed, tears in his eyes. “I’m sorry, I promise I don’t mean it.”
“Hey,” Eddie kisses his forehead gently. “Like I said, hate me all you want right now. It’s more than warranted.”
Buck’s eyes sting and he lets out a weak laugh. “You’re too nice to me.”
Eddie grins softly, thumb still tracing circles over Buck’s hand. “Nah. You just forget that you’re my whole world. You, and Chris, and Baby Buckley-Díaz.”
Buck blinks up at him. “You can’t say stuff like that right now. You’re going to make me cry and I already look like hell.”
Eddie chuckles quietly and leans down to kiss Buck on his forehead. “You look perfect.”
“Debatable,” Buck mumbles.
“And in a little while, you’re going to meet the little human that’s been kicking you for months. You can yell at them next.”
Buck lets out a shaky laugh that turns into a groan as another contraction builds. “You’re so lucky I love you.”
Eddie kisses his temple, still holding his hand. “I know, Cariño. I know.”
***
Three long and excruciating hours later, Buck is pushing out his baby. “Come on, Buck. One more good push.”
He nods at the doctor and pushes as hard as he can, feeling the pressure relieve at the same time as he hears the baby wail.
“It’s a girl!” Buck falls back against the bed and smiles, looking over at Eddie in awe.
He lets out a wet laugh that catches halfway between a sob and a gasp. “Oh my god,” he breathed, staring down at the red-faced baby laying on his chest. “She’s here. She’s really here.”
Eddie’s standing beside him, still a little dazed.
“Dad, you want to cut the cord?” the doctor asks, holding out the scissors for Eddie.
Eddie blinks. “Y-yeah, yeah, of course.” His voice cracks a little as he steps closer.
The doctor guides his hand, and with a careful snip, it’s done.
Buck is crying now. The kind of crying where you don’t really know why you’re crying but it feels so good that you keep crying anyway. His hands shake as he cups his daughter’s tiny back, feeling her warm and new skin against his chest.
“She’s so small,” he whispers, his voice absolutely wrecked. “Eds, look at her…she’s perfect. Eddie doesn’t speak, not that Buck blames him. Eddie loves to keep his emotions bottled up around other people. He leans down, though, pressing a trembling kiss to Buck’s forehead before brushing his fingers over their daughter’s dark, damp curls.
“Hi, mija,” he murmurs, his voice shaking. “You sure took your time, huh?”
The baby lets out another wail and Buck lets out a laugh through his tears, “She’s definitely yours.”
Eddie laughs too, “Yeah, yeah. I’ll own up to it. I mean, look at her.”
The nurses move quietly around them, murmuring to each other and checking both Buck’s and the baby’s vitals. But Buck barely hears them. All he can focus on is the soft weight of his daughter against him, the sound of her tiny breaths, and the warmth radiating from her little body.
He looks up at Eddie, his eyes glassy. “Merry Christmas, Eds.”
Eddie smiles, a tear slipping free as he presses another kiss to Buck’s hair. “Merry Christmas, amor.”