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Chapter Text

On July 15th, 1992, Daniel Buckley watched his mother run out of his hospital room crying before looking at his teary-eyed father, "Dad?" asked Daniel.

"Yes, Daniel?" asked Phillip.

"I'm dying because the bone marrow from Evan didn't work?" asked Daniel.

Phillip nodded as he decided to be truthful, "Your mother and I were warned that there would be a chance that the transplant wouldn't work due to how sick you are and Evan being a year old and his bones aren't fully developed yet."

"I think you should put Evan up for adoption as soon as possible, Dad," said Daniel.

"Why should I put up Evan for adoption?" asked Phillip.

"You and Mom didn't plan on having a third child until I wasn't responding to anything, and no one in the family was a match to donate bone marrow. Mom's going to blame Evan for not saving me, and then you'd be focusing on her so she doesn't take out her anger over my death on Evan. Then, when it comes to Maddie, she'll be forced to give up the rest of her childhood and teenage years to take care of Evan for how long as it takes for Mommy's sadness over my death to go away and remember that she has two living children," said Daniel.

"You're right, Daniel. I'll give Evan up within the next couple of days," said Phillip.

"Thank you, and I want to write a letter for his new Mommy and Daddy to give him," said Daniel.

"Alright," said Phillip.

Daniel wrote Evan a letter a few minutes later while Phillip helped him spell words.

Hi, Evan.

You might not remember me, but I was your big brother, Daniel. I'm eight years old and was very sick with a cancer called leukemia. Mom and Dad made you to help me feel better, but I was too sick for you to help me.

I want you to know that I don't blame you for not saving me because God had plans for me to watch over you as your guardian angel.

I asked our Dad to put you up for adoption because I'm scared about how Mom, Dad, and Maddie would feel when I die, and I wanted to keep you safe by making sure you find a Mommy and a Daddy who'll love you.

I love you, Evan.

Love,

Daniel Buckley

At the same time, Phillip is writing a letter to Evan, telling him that he doesn't blame him for not being able to save Daniel, and he feels that he deserves a better Mommy and Daddy who want him from the beginning and give him the love and care he deserves.

A moment later, Phillip sealed the letters in an envelope just as a nurse entered the room.

"How are you doing, Daniel?" asked Nurse Patty.

"Dr. Sampson stated that the bone marrow isn't working, and there's no more options left. Mom ran out crying," said Daniel.

Nurse Patty nodded as she started taking Daniel's vitals as she gave Daniel a sad smile, "I heard."

"I asked Dad to protect Evan from Mom from taking out my upcoming death on him by putting Evan up for adoption in a different state before I die," said Danny.

"You did?" asked Nurse Patty.

"Yes," said Daniel.

"During the past year, my wife's been depressed when it came to Daniel being very sick and giving birth to another child. I have to agree with Daniel about his mother's mental health," said Phillip.

"While Dr. Sampson mentioned that it's a big gamble to have another baby who'd be a match to donate bone marrow for Daniel because of how sick Daniel is and forcing you and Mrs. Buckley to wait until after Evan's first birthday to extract bone marrow," said Nurse Patty.

Phillip nodded, "I understood the risks from the beginning, even if my wife believed that the transplant would work."

"Even if it's violating HIPAA laws, let me contact my sister Olivia in Los Angeles, California. She works for the Department of Children and Family Services as a social worker who helps put kids into loving homes," said Nurse Patty.

"You agree that Dad needs to put Evan up for adoption?" asked Daniel.

Nurse Patty gave Daniel a sad smile, "Fellow nurses and oncologists were worried about how your mother would treat your baby brother if the bone marrow transplant didn't work, and as mandated reporters, we'd be contacting CPS if we feared for Evan's health and safety."

"Thank you, Nurse Patty," said Daniel.

Later on that evening, Phillip was tucking Maddie into bed, "We need to talk," said Phillip.

"Did I do something bad?" asked Maddie.

Phillip shook his head, "Daniel isn't responding to the bone marrow transplant."

"Daniel's going to die?" asked Maddie.

Phillip nodded, "There's no other options."

Maddie started crying.

After Maddie calmed down, Phillip looked at his daughter, "Daniel told me his last wish."

"What did Daniel wish?" asked Maddie.

"To put Evan up for adoption before Daniel dies because he's afraid your mother is going to blame Evan for not being able to save Daniel," said Phillip.

Maddie started sobbing harder, "I don't want to lose Evan, too."

"I also don't want to lose Evan, but multiple people are fearing for Evan's safety since your mother is distraught," said Phillip.

"I can take care of Evan if you focus on Mom to keep Evan safe," said Maddie.

Phillip shook his head. "I can't ask you to give up the rest of your childhood and upcoming teenage years to take care of Evan. If CPS got wind of you taking care of Evan instead of your mother and me, they'd remove him and place him elsewhere."

"I don't like losing both of my brothers, Dad," said Maddie.

"I'm sad about the idea of losing two of my three children, but we know that life's not always going to be fair," said Phillip.

"Will I be allowed to visit Evan or ask to take him in when I become an adult?" asked Maddie.

Phillip shook his head, "I'm already planning that when Evan gets adopted, the adoption will be closed so you, your mother, and myself can't track Evan down."

Two months later, on September 15th, 1992, 37-year-old John (aka Red) and 33-year-old Cindy Delacroix, who had struggled to get pregnant after their wedding in April 1989, were sitting in an office of the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services as they waited for the one-year-old toddler they were going to foster and hopefully adopt within the next couple of months.

The social worker came into the room with a one-year-old boy with big blue eyes, curly blonde hair, and a mark around his left eyebrow that looked like a birthmark. "This is Evan Buckley. He was brought here a week ago. He'll be 15 months old on the 27th."

Cindy cooed as she took the 14-month-old toddler from Olivia, "He's adorable."

Evan grinned at the couple in front of him, "Hi."

After both Red and Cindy held Evan for a few minutes, Red had a sleeping Evan in his arms as he looked at Olivia, "What is Evan's background?" asked Red.

"In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Evan was conceived through IVF when his parents, Margaret and Phillip, and his now nine-year-old daughter Maddie weren't a match to donate bone marrow for a then seven-year-old Daniel Buckley suffering from leukemia," said Olivia.

Red's eyes flashed with anger. "His parents only had Evan to donate bone marrow?" asked Red.

Olivia nodded, "Yes, and sadly, the bone marrow transplant didn't work due to Daniel being very sick and Evan's bones not being fully developed, and Daniel passed away a week ago. Back in July, eight-year-old Daniel, his and Evan's father, and my sister, who's an oncology nurse, agreed about their fears over Evan's health and safety when the news was given that the transplant didn't work, and Mr. Buckley gave permission for CPS to be contacted the following day. The judge revoked Mr. and Mrs. Buckley's paternal rights to Evan and agreed that it'd be best for Evan's safety to be placed for adoption here in California when my sister testified about her concerns before Daniel’s death."

"Were they right about the concerns over Evan's safety?" asked Cindy.

Olivia nodded. "Even if Mr. Buckley doesn't blame Evan for failing to save Daniel, Mrs. Buckley does blame Evan for Daniel's death and stated she’s glad that Evan can be someone else’s problem."

"Even if it's sad that Evan's older brother passed away, I'm glad his father decided to get a judge to get his and his wife's paternal rights to Evan revoked before Daniel passed away," said Red.

Olivia nodded. "My colleagues and I here in LA and CPS in Philly agreed that Mr. Buckley did the right thing by asking a judge to revoke his and his wife's paternal rights to Evan and request a closed adoption so he, Margaret, and even Maddie when she becomes of age, can't find out how Evan's doing."

"I would ask how Evan's older sister is doing after one brother is given up for adoption in another state and the other brother dying from cancer, but a closed adoption means no contact with the birth family," said Cindy.

Olivia nodded. "Mr. Buckley stated that Maddie loves Evan and Daniel, but he fears Maddie will force a reunion to happen if Evan's adoption was open instead of closed."

"Which wouldn't be a good thing if Mrs. Buckley never recovers over her eldest son's death," said Red.

Olivia nodded. "Evan's safety is the reason why Mr. Buckley decided to give Evan up the same day after being told that the bone marrow transplant didn't work," she said. She then glanced at Evan, who was still sleeping on Red's lap. "Do you two still want to adopt Evan? The past few weeks, potential couples refused to do a trial run of Evan living with them after learning of his background or seeing his birthmark," she asked.

Cindy nodded. "I fell in love with Evan as soon as you showed me his picture and even more when you brought him into this room."

Red smiled, "Knowing Evan, he'll enjoy growing up around firefighters at the 134."

Olivia smiled. "Since you two have already passed the mandated home check and interviews and set up a crib and toddler bed, you can take him home today."

"We'll need to go shopping for clothes, diapers, and toys, too," said Cindy.

Cindy nodded, "Even if Mr. Buckley gave us a suitcase full of Evan's clothes and some toys, he even included letters from him and Daniel and a photo album with all the baby pictures and some pictures of him, Mrs. Buckley, Maddie, and Daniel for when Evan learns that he's adopted and has some questions about where he came from when he's older."

"Good because when Evan's old enough to understand, we'd be telling him that he's adopted," said Cindy.

TBC?

Chapter Text

On March 12th, 1993, Red and Cindy were hugging each other as Judge Patrick Warner declared 20-month-old Evan as Red and Cindy's son Evan Johnathon Delacroix after Olivia, colleagues from the 134, and the family medicine clinic where Cindy works as a pediatrician gave their testimonies in court.

Red grinned as he lifted a 20-month-old Evan, "Evan Johnathon Delacroix, you're officially Cindy's and my son now."

Evan grinned at Red, "Wuv you, Daddy."

"I love you, too, Buckaroo," said Red, giving his son the nickname his family at the 134 gave Evan, aside from future Probie, when Cindy once visited with Evan in a little firefighter costume.

Cindy looked at Olivia and said, "Thank you for your help after you became our social worker when Red and I started the adoption process."

"You're welcome, Cindy," said Olivia. 

After the paperwork was signed and a family picture was taken with the judge, Olivia handed Red an envelope, "This is something Evan's birth father wanted to be presented if Evan managed to get adopted."

"What is it?" asked Cindy.

"Open it and find out," said Olivia.

A moment later, Red opened the envelope to find information about a $1,000,000 trust fund for Evan.

"At the time Evan was born, his paternal grandfather, who passed away when Evan was five months old set up this trust fund for Evan. Even if Evan's no longer a Buckley, his birth father made sure that the trust fund would follow Evan to ensure his wife wouldn't drain the trust fund out of retaliation for not saving Daniel after using Daniel's trust fund to pay for all the cancer treatment and then IVF to conceive Evan," said Olivia.

"At least his birth father still wanted Evan to have access to his trust fund in the future," said Red.

Cindy read the papers and said, " Evan will get his trust fund when he turns 21."

Olivia nodded. "Now, you two should take this to your bank with your lawyer to have it set up under the name Evan Delacroix."

"We'll make sure to get this set up for Evan," said Red.

On April 17th, 1993, Red and Cindy were pushing a now 21-month-old Evan.

"At least there are no destroyed baby swings after fellow firefighters had to extract some drunk college from," said Red.

Cindy looked at her husband, "I take it you had to extract one during your last shift?" asked Cindy.

Red nodded, "Yep."

Cindy gave the swing another big push.

"Weee, weee," squealed Evan.

Red laughed, "You're loving the swing, Buckaroo?" asked Red.

Evan grinned, "Yes, Daddy."

"Maybe Uncle Arno, Uncle Phillie, Uncle Al, Uncle Mac, and I can build you a nice swingset so we don't always have to go to the park so you can swing."

Evan giggled as the swing was pushed again, "Yes, pwease."

"Maybe one can be built for your second birthday in June," said Cindy.

"It's my fifth birthday today," said a girl.

Red and Cindy turned to find a girl with red hair and blue eyes pumping her legs on the swing.

"You shouldn't be talking to strangers, young lady," said Cindy.

"Where are your parents?" asked Red.

Jocelyn sniffled, "I'm Jocelyn David. I live in a foster home because my mommy, daddy, and baby brother Peter died on the way to my school for my Christmas concert in December. I have no grandparents, aunts, or uncles to take me in."

"Where are your foster parents, then?" asked Cindy.

"Wendy and Nick drop me off here before they took their two kids they call their real kids to the pier to ride rides," said Jocelyn.

Red and Cindy stopped pushing the swing, only for Evan to start crying.

"I'm sorry, Buckaroo. I'll resume pushing you," said Cindy.

"Your foster parents really left you here?" asked Cindy.

Jocelyn nodded, "I move in two weeks ago, and they leave me at different parks every Saturday while they go on outings with their kids Jessica and Andy."

"Push," said Evan.

Jocelyn sniffed, "I think Evan needs a diaper change first. His diapers smell bad like my baby brother Peter's did before Mommy, Daddy, and Peter died in a car crash."

Cindy looked at her husband and whispered, "I'll have Little Miss Jocelyn help me change Evan's diaper while you call the police and get ahold of Olivia. Jocelyn shouldn't be dropped off at the park while her foster family goes to the zoo."

Red nodded while whispering, "I'll call them."

A moment later, Red called the police while Cindy changed Evan's diaper on a blanket. Jocelyn then offered to throw away the diaper.

Red and Cindy were driving to the police department they were told to go to with a napping Evan in the back seat after two police cars showed up, they were asked to come to the station to be questioned about what Jocelyn said.

Red, who couldn't be mad that Jocelyn was taken to the station by a female officer, looked at his wife, "I hope Jocelyn's removed from that home and her foster parents are arrested and can't foster any more children."

Cindy looked at her husband with emotion in her eyes, "Since we live in a four-bedroom house and still have our foster license-." 

"You want her to be placed with us since the adoption for Evan got finalized last month?" Red asked.

Cindy nodded. " Even though Evan's been in our lives for seven months, we did agree to give him a brother or a sister through either adopting another child or, if we're lucky, pregnancy."

Red thought about Jocelyn helping them push Evan on the swing after he called a police officer he knew would be on duty. He felt that 9-1-1 didn't need to be called because Jocelyn looked like she wasn't starving or had any cuts and bruises. "Jocelyn was lovely to Evan as we waited for police at the park."

Cindy nodded, "My heart dropped for her after learning about the deaths of her parents and little brother, and it looks like her foster parents treat her like Cinderella than their own child."

"Especially dropping off a five-year-old girl at the zoo on her birthday than take her with to the zoo," said Red.

"If Jocelyn gets placed with us, we'll take her to the zoo tomorrow," said Cindy.

Red, who was on four days off, nodded, "We will."

"Zoo?" asked Evan.

Cindy smiled through the rearview mirror, "Yes, we're possibly going to the zoo tomorrow."

Evan grinned, "I see nake."

"You mean snakes?" asked Red.

"Yes," said Evan.

Cindy shuddered as she thought about her son being fascinated by snakes when she was scared of snakes.

Red laughed, "I'll take you into the reptile house, buddy."

Evan grinned while clapping his hands, "Yay!"

A few hours later, Red and Cindy entered their house with Evan and Jocelyn, who was placed with them as an emergency placement after they asked Jocelyn's social worker about taking her in after Olivia vouched for them.

Jocelyn watched Evan walk over to the toy firetruck after putting on a kid-sized fire helmet on top of his head.

"Wee woo, wee woo, wee woo," exclaimed Evan as he pushed his firetruck around the house.

Red laughed, "You're definitley going to end up being a firefighter like me one day, Buckaroo."

Cindy nodded. "He's always upset when we leave the 134 whenever we can visit you there."

Red looked at Jocelyn, who was nervously looking around the house, "What do you think?" asked Red.

Jocelyn shyly looked around the living room, "This is a nice house, Mr. Delacroix."

"Thank you, and you can call me Red or John instead of Mr. Delacroix," said Red.

"While you can call me Cindy instead of Mrs. Delacroix," said Cindy.

"Alright," said Jocelyn.

"This house has four bedrooms, and I'll take you shopping for sheets, blankets, pillows, some new clothes, some decorations for your bedroom, and anything else you need," said Cindy.

"While we'll order pizza to celebrate your birthday today," said Red.

"As much as I want to bake you a cake, we'll pick up a cake from the store," said Cindy.

"A cake from the store is fine, Cindy. My mommy couldn't bake, so she always got me a chocolate cake from the store," said Jocelyn.

"If you're still with us next year, I'll bake you a birthday cake, " Cindy said.

"I really get to stay here with you two and Evan?" asked Jocelyn.

Cindy nodded, "We can't make any promises, but if you get along with Red, Evan, and me and no other family members are located, we can see about you becoming Jocelyn Delacroix within the next couple of months to years."

Jocelyn grinned as she hugged Red and Cindy, "I hope I can stay with you guys forever because Wendy, Nick, and their kids were mean to me."

"Your social worker Lisa said you'll never be placed with them again because police arrested Wendy and Nick for leaving you at the park and their license to be foster parents is being taken away from them," said Cindy.

"What happened to Wendy and Nick's kids? Did they go to a foster home, too?" asked Jocelyn.

"Their grandparents are taking your now former foster siblings and you got placed with Red and me because it was agreed that you needed to be separated from Wendy and Nick's kids," said Cindy.

"I hope not to see those kids again," said Jocelyn.

"You won't," said Red.

A few minutes later, Cindy was taking Jocelyn to the closest store, where Jocelyn picked out three new outfits and dresses, some toys, shampoo, body wash, and conditioner for kids.

Over two months later, on June 27th, Cindy brought a plate of cut-up pancakes with whipped cream and sprinkles in front of Evan, "Happy second birthday, Buckaroo."

Evan grinned as he clapped his hands, "Pan-cakes. Tank you, Mommy."

Cindy grinned as she thought about how much she enjoyed Evan calling her Mommy two months after she and Red brought Evan home, "You're welcome, Evan. Eat up because we're going to be having a lot of fun today."

Red laughed, "Even if he's going to be crashing from a sugar rush."

Jocelyn, still living with the Delacroix family, grinned as she ruffled her foster brother's blonde curls and kissed his cheek. "Happy birthday, Evan."

Evan grinned at Jocelyn, "Ank you Osie."

Meanwhile, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Maddie who was mad about having to visit a child psychologist once a week and being forced to leave her friends when she and her parents moved away to Hershey due to people judging her parents for having Evan in the middle of Daniel battling cancer and then giving up Evan for adoption when the bone marrow transplant didn't work and her father deciding a fresh start would help her and her parents with their grief after Daniel's death was sitting on her bed in her bedroom. She looked at the one picture her father took of her, Daniel, and Evan together before CPS took Evan away while she was away at a friend's house and whispered, "Happy second birthday, Evan. You should have saved Daniel with your bone marrow so I wouldn't have lost both you and Daniel, Evan. I'm going to search for you when you when I turn 18, Evan. If you already got adopted by the time I turn 18, I'll drag the people who aren't your real parents to court and sue them for custody of you."

A knock sounded on the door, "Maddie."

"Yes, Dad?" asked Maddie.

"Let's go out for ice cream, sweetheart," said Phillip through the door.

A few seconds later, Maddie hid the picture frame in a hiding place so her mother wouldn't find it after her mother had erased Daniel and Evan out of her grief, even after spending time in a hospital to help her with her grief. At the same time, she and her father would talk about Daniel and Evan when they were out on the weekly father/daughter dates, "Coming, Dad."

On November 15th, 1993, Red, Cindy, Evan, and Jocelyn hugged after the judge declared that Jocelyn David was officially Red and Cindy's daughter, Jocelyn Delacroix.

Jocelyn grinned at Red and Cindy, "I'm happy you're my Mommy and Daddy and Evan's my little brother now."

Red, who has enjoyed getting to take Evan and Jocelyn to home Dodgers games on his days off, celebrating Father's Day, taking both kids trick or treating, and spending holidays with his kids, smiled at Jocelyn, "We're happy about you being our little girl now."

Cindy nodded, "You're a perfect addition to our family, and I'm excited about our family growing more around Evan's third birthday."

Red looked at his wife in shock, "Are you saying you're pregnant?" asked Red.

"You have a baby in your tummy?" asked Jocelyn.

"Baby?" asked Evan.

Cindy nodded as tears leaked from her eyes, "Evan's going to be a big brother in 32 weeks."

Chapter Text

On June 7th, 1994, Evan grinned as he held Jocelyn's hand as they entered their mother's hospital room with their father.

"Now, you two munchkins, be careful because Mommy had to have her tummy cut open," said Red.

"Yes, Daddy," said Jocelyn.

"Yes, Daddy," said Evan

A moment later, his father lifted Evan onto the hospital bed to see his mother holding two babies with pink hats on their heads, "Two pink hats."

Jocelyn's eyes widened as she thought about her parents' decision to be surprised by the genders when it was announced that twins were on the way. "We have two baby sisters?" she asked.

Red nodded as he considered finally becoming a Fire Captain after his 39th birthday in January. "Yes, and I'm forever grateful that I became Captain of the 134 this year. I want to give you, Evan, and your two little sisters everything you want."

"What are their names?" asked Jocelyn.

Cindy smiled, "The one in my right arm is Lydia Jane Delacroix."

"Lydia's a pretty name," said Jocelyn.

Evan grinned, "Hi, Lyd. I big broter, Evan."

Lydia let out a coo.

Red chuckled, "I think Lydia likes you, Evan."

"What's Lydia's twin sister's name?" asked Jocelyn.

"Lydia's twin sister's name is Chloe Elizabeth Delacroix," said Red.

Jocelyn grinned, "Chloe Elizabeth Delacroix is a pretty name, too."

Evan grinned at Chloe, "Hi, Chloe, I you big broter Evan."

Red then settled Evan on his knee and said, "We're going to be overrun by women, Buckaroo. Later, I'll teach you to treat girls like you'd want boys to treat your mother and sisters."

"I keep my big and little sisters safe, Daddy," said Evan.

"That's our plan because your three sisters are not allowed to date until they are 30," said Red.

"I have a boyfriend because Jason kissed me on the playground on Friday," said Jocelyn.

Cindy started laughing before groaning in pain, while Lydia and Chloe were startled at their mother's laughter, with a groan in pain to follow.

Red looked at the ceiling, "Please don't let my little girls grow up."

A few weeks later, on June 27th, Evan grinned as he entered the kitchen on his father's shoulders and saw his mother sitting at the kitchen table and little sisters Lydia and Chloe in two swings, "I poop in the potty, Mommy."

Cindy smiled as she thought about spending the past six months potty training Evan, "Good job, Evan."

"Daddy says I three now," said Evan.

Cindy smiled as her husband inched Evan closer so she could kiss her three-year-old son's cheek, "Happy birthday, little man."

"Thank you, Mommy," said Evan.

A few seconds later, Evan giggled as his six-year-old older sister kissed his cheek.

"Happy birthday, Evan," said Jocelyn.

"Thank you, Josie," said Evan. He looked at the baby swings where his baby sisters were, "Lydia and Chloe say happy birthday to me, too?" asked Evan.

"They're too little to tell you happy birthday like the rest of us can, Buckaroo," said Red.

"They'll say it to you in a few years," said Cindy.

"OK," said Evan.

A few minutes later, the Delacroix family, sans Lydia and Chloe, ate the pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream Evan requested.

"You go back to work soon, Daddy?" asked Evan.

Red nodded, "Baby leave ends for me tomorrow."

Evan pouted, "I don't want you to go back. We play."

"I'll be able to play with you between shifts, Buckaroo," said Red.

"While I'll play with you before I return to school in August," said Jocelyn.

"Where you'll be a big first grader," said Cindy.

Jocelyn nodded, "I know."

Cindy smiled at Evan, "While you'll be going to preschool in the mornings four days a week, Evan."

"Really?" asked Evan.

Cindy nodded, "You're a very smart and beautiful boy who deserves to learn everything he wants to learn about."

"I count to three. One, two, and three," said Evan.

"You'll learn much more while making friends," said Red.

"Now that Lydia and Chloe have been here for three weeks, are you going back to work soon, Mommy?" asked Jocelyn.

"I'll return to work when the school year begins in August," said Cindy.

"Who watches my baby sisters?" asked Jocelyn.

"We're going to have a nanny coming by every day," said Cindy.

"I'll do school pickups on my days off," said Red.

A fart sounded in the room, causing Red and Cindy to look at Evan and Jocelyn.

"Did one of you two fart at the table?" asked Cindy.

"It wasn't me, Mommy," said Jocelyn.

"Not me," said Evan.

Red, Cindy, Evan, and Jocelyn looked towards Lydia and Chloe to see Lydia's face red, the smell of poop wafting in the air as Lydia started crying.

"I think Lydia pooped in her diaper," said Jocelyn.

Evan giggled, "Lydia funny. She and Chloe both fart and poop a lot."

Red chuckled, "You were like that when you were in diapers."

As Evan opened up his presents from his parents, Josie, his father's firefighters from the 134, and even a few presents from doctors and nurses from the family medicine clinic his mother works at, he grinned when he saw a t-ball set, "A t-ball set, Daddy?" asked Evan.

Red nodded as he thought about the season tickets he got for Cindy, Evan, Jocelyn, and himself so they could attend any home Dodgers games whenever possible. At the same time, Jocelyn decided to play t-ball this past spring and will be playing soccer in the fall, "During Josie's t-ball games this past spring and Dodgers games we've attended together this year, you did say you want to join a baseball team. This will help you practice before signing up to play t-ball in the spring after your fourth birthday."

Evan grinned as he hugged his father, "Thank you, Daddy."

"You're welcome, Buckaroo," said Red.

A week after Evan's third birthday, Red took Evan and Jocelyn to the beach, where they ate ice cream and took a break from splashing around in the shallows.

Evan grinned at his father as chocolate ice cream dribbled down his chin and onto the T-shirt, his father had pulled over his head to protect his skin from the sun. "I love the ocean, Daddy."

Red chuckled, "You've loved seeing the ocean after I brought you here for the first time."

Evan saw a group of teens paddling out on some boards, "What are they doing?" asked Evan.

"They're waiting to surf on some big waves," said Jocelyn.

Evan's eyes widened as he thought about the trips to the swimming pool, where an instructor would have him float on his back and paddle, and the occasional lesson in which he got into the water in his clothes. "Thanks to me knowing how to float and swim, can I please learn how to surf?" asked Evan.

"Your mother and I will sign you up for surfing lessons in a couple of years," said Red.

Evan grinned up at his father, "Thank you, Daddy."

Red looked at Jocelyn and said, "Even if you're playing t-ball and will be joining your elementary school's soccer team this fall, you can take surfing lessons, too."

"Really, Daddy?" asked Jocelyn.

"Your mother and I want you, Evan, and your little sisters to follow your interests," said Red.

"I could become a firefighter like you someday?" asked Jocelyn.

Red, who wanted his daughters to thrive and work careers that women fought to work for the past couple of decades, nodded, "If you want to be a firefighter, become one.

"There's a female police officer who has come to my kindergarten class to speak to us. Her name is Officer Athena Carter," said Jocelyn.

"I've met her on calls, and she's full of fire and stubborn like your mother, brother, and me," said Red.

"She's badass at her job," said Jocelyn.

"Jocelyn Amelia Delacroix, watch your language," said Red.

"Sorry, Daddy," said Jocelyn.

Red thought about giving Jocelyn $4 a week in allowance while Evan received $2 a week in allowance, and he and Cindy both required Jocelyn to put 50 cents into the collection plate at the Episcopal church he and Cindy took their kids to, "No matter what, that's 50 cents in the swear jar when we get home and an additional 50 cents for collection at church on Sunday."

"I know, Daddy," said Jocelyn.

"I want to meet the badass police officer," said Evan.

Red sighed as he gave a giggling Jocelyn a stern look.

On Evan's first day of preschool, he tightly clung to his father's hand while his mother pushed a stroller holding Lydia and Chloe.

Red grinned at the toy kitchen, various toys, and the colorful classroom, "Look how fun this room is, Buckaroo. You're going to have a lot of fun here."

Evan wrapped his arms around his father's leg and said, "I don't want to be here, Daddy."

A while later, Evan sat at a table with two girls and one boy named Kiley, Stacey, and Kyle, "Hi, I Evan."

The boy at the table pointed at Evan's eye. "What's that by your eye?" he asked.

"Mommy and Daddy say it's a birthmark from an Angel kissing me," said Evan.

"I like it," said a girl with light brown hair and brown eyes. She decided to go next, "I'm Stacey."

Kiley, an Asian girl with black hair and brown eyes, smiled, "I'm Kiley."

Kyle, an African American boy with curly black hair and brown eyes, said, "I'm Kyle."

The aide looked between the four three-year-old kids, "Now, what do your parents do for work?" asked Ms. Swan.

"My Mommy's a doctor, and my Daddy's a Fire Captain," said Evan.

"My Daddy is in the Navy, and my Mommy cuts hair," said Stacey.

"My Mommy and Daddy are teachers," said Kiley.

"My Daddy is a lawyer, and my Mommy is a nurse," said Kyle.

"Siblings?" asked Ms. Swan.

"I have three sisters: Josie, Lydia, and Chloe. Josie is six, and Mommy said Lydia and Chloe are two months. They wake me up by crying," said Evan.

"One sister, Olive. She's eight," said Stacey.

"My Mommy has a baby in her tummy right now," said Kiley.

"A brother, Wyatt. Wyatt is five," said Kyle.

"Favorite colors?" asked Ms. Swan.

"Red like a fire engine my Daddy rides for work!" exclaimed Evan.

"Pink," said Kiley.

"Purple," said Stacey.

"Orange," said Kyle.

Evan grinned as he ran to his father, who was standing by a stroller holding Lydia and Chloe. "Daddy!"

Red grinned as he caught Evan in his arms, "It looks like you had a great first day of preschool, Buckaroo."

"I play with Stacey, Kiley, and Kyle," said Evan.

"You already made some friends?" asked Red.

Evan nodded, "I did, Daddy."

"That's great, Buckaroo," said Red.

Evan, who knew his father, who had the day before and today off, looked at his father, "We go see Mommy for lunch?" asked Evan.

Red nodded, "That's the plan because your mother has an hour off for lunch before she starts seeing patients again."

"Josie come, too?" asked Evan.

Red shook his head, "She gets out of school after 3 PM, Buckaroo."

"Let's go see, Mommy," said Evan.

Evan grinned as he ran to his mother, who was wearing slacks and a blouse, "Mommy!" exclaimed Evan.

Cindy grinned as she hugged her son, "How was preschool, Evan?" asked Cindy.

"Fun. I play with Kyle, Stacey, and Kiley," said Evan.

"Great," said Cindy.

"Now we should eat some lunch before it's time to get home for nap time," said Red.

Evan glared at his father, "No nap."

"Yes, you're taking a nap or no going to the zoo this weekend, Evan," said Cindy.

"I nap," said Evan.

A few minutes later, Red, Cindy, and Evan were eating lunch. Cindy also used the privacy of her office to breastfeed Lydia and Chloe, covering herself with a blanket.

A few days later, Evan jumped and clapped as he watched Jocelyn kick the soccer ball into a goal, "Go, Josie!"

Red, who thankfully had the day off to attend the game with most of his firefighters and their families showing up to cheer on Jocelyn, clapped, "That's my big girl!"

Cindy, who was giving Chloe a bottle, laughed as she watched Jocelyn dance in celebration before doing a cartwheel on the field, "She really came out of her shell when we were her foster parents before we adopted her, Red."

"What's adopted?" asked Evan.

Red and Cindy looked at each other.

"We'll explain what adopted is when you're a bit older," said Red.

Cindy nodded, "At three years old, you're too young to understand."

"OK," said Evan.

Cindy looked at her son, "With how much fun you're having with watching Jocelyn play soccer, do you want to play soccer, too?" asked Cindy.

"I can?" asked Evan.

Cindy nodded, "You'd be able to join a kindergarten team in two years."

"I want to play," said Evan.

A few months later, on Halloween, Evan grinned as he ran to his father, dressed in his firefighter costume. "Daddy!" exclaimed Evan.

Red grinned as he scooped up his son, "There's my future little probie."

"I can't wait to become a firefighter like you, Daddy," said Evan.

Red laughed, "I know, Buckaroo."

Lydia and Chloe started babbling a bit.

"Lydia and Chloe are talking to us, Daddy," said Evan.

Red smiled as he started making funny faces at Lydia and Chloe, which caused the twins to laugh. "I love hearing you two laugh like your older brother and sister."

"You and Evan are the ones who make them laugh the most," said Cindy.

Jocelyn dressed up as Annie after watching the 1982 movie Annie with her mother on the VCR grinned, "I love hearing Lydia and Chloe laugh over their crying."

"I rather hear my children laugh over crying," said Red.

"Even if Lydia and Chloe cry a lot to tell us their needs, but eventually they'll cry less," said Cindy.

"I see we have Chief Delacroix, two Dalmatians, and Annie here," said Arno.

Red nodded, "Cindy decided to show up with the kids to eat dinner with us before she takes them trick or treating."

Jocelyn grinned, "Mommy said Evan and I get to split the candy Lydia and Chloe get because they're too little to eat candy like Evan and me."

Red and Cindy decided not to say that they'd be stealing some of their kids' candy when they were asleep.

"I hope you leave some candy for me," said Arno.

Jocelyn thought about Arno's ten-year-old son Mason and eight-year-old daughter Sadie. "Mason and Sadie can share their candy with you, Arno."

Evan glared at Arno, "Josie is right. Mason and Sadie share their candy with you, Arno."

Arno laughed as he thought about how much joy Evan and Jocelyn brought Red and Cindy when they struggled to get pregnant before deciding to adopt Evan and then Jocelyn before ending up pregnant with Lydia and Chloe, "Your kids inherited your stubbornness, Cap."

"We're a stubborn family," said Red.

On Christmas Day, Evan ran into his parents' bedroom and climbed into their bed, exclaiming, "Wake up, Mommy and Daddy! Santa came!"

Red opened his eyes and glanced at the alarm clock to see that it was 5:30 AM, "It's too early to open presents, Evan. It's 5:30 AM."

Evan pouted, "I can't tell time yet, Daddy."

Cindy, who had to deal with six-month-old twins Lydia and Chloe teething, looked at her only son and said, "You'll soon learn how to tell time."

"And also learn how to read, spell, add, and subtract like your big sister, Jocelyn," said Red.

Evan, who was having so much fun at preschool, grinned, "I can't wait to learn all the things Josie has been learning in school."

After eating breakfast, due to Cindy insisting that everyone eats first before opening presents, Evan and Jocelyn were ripped into their gifts of toys, books, and clothes. At the same time, Red and Cindy helped their six-month-old daughters open up their gifts.

Chapter Text

On April 17th, Jocelyn grinned as she ate breakfast with her parents, four-year-old brother, and 22-month-old twin sisters, "Aside from today being my eighth birthday, it's also the anniversary of one of the best days of my life."

"What do you mean, Josie?" asked Evan.

"On my fifth birthday three years ago, my former foster parents dropped me off at the park before they took their bio kids to the zoo. Mom and Dad were pushing a one-year-old you in a swing talking about getting the swing set we have in the backyard for your second birthday when I added it was my fifth birthday that day," said Jocelyn.

"We ended up scolding you for talking to strangers while asking where your parents were, and then we called the police when you mentioned your foster parents abandoned you at the park," said Cindy.

"Did they get arrested?" asked Evan.

Red nodded, "They got arrested and their biological kids ended up staying with their grandparents while their parents spent time in jail."

"While they couldn't foster any more kids," said Cindy.

"And Mom and Dad were able to bring me home because of being foster parents before adopting me seven months later," said Jocelyn.

"Now let's finish up eating breakfast because you and Evan still have school," said Cindy.

Jocelyn considered bringing a birthday treat to share with her second-grade classmates. "Are the cupcakes ready for me to share with my class?" she asked.

Cindy nodded, "They're covered up and in the fridge so the homemade icing doesn't melt."

"Can I please have a cupcake?" asked Evan.

Cindy laughed, "Jocelyn and I made extra cupcakes for us to eat after dinner today."

On the day of Evan's fifth birthday, he grinned as he ran down the stairs and exclaimed, "I'm five today!"

"No running down the stairs, Evan," called out Cindy.

"You wouldn't want to spend your birthday at the hospital getting treated for broken bones or needing stitches to the point your party's canceled," said Red.

Evan instantly stopped running down the stairs, "Sorry, Mommy. Sorry, Daddy."

"It's alright, Evan," said Cindy.

"Are we going to the zoo for my birthday party now?" asked Evan.

Red laughed, "Not for another two hours, Buckaroo. We have to eat breakfast and go pick up your cake first."

Meanwhile, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, 13-year-old Maddie Buckley was sitting in her room, looking at a picture of her, Daniel, and Evan.

Maddie's best friend, Sarah B, looked at Maddie, "What got you down into the dumps, Maddie?" asked Sarah.

"It's my brother Evan's fifth birthday today," said Maddie.

Sarah thought about Maddie telling her about her pre-Hershey life, "The brother CPS took away from you and your parents before your other brother Daniel died?" asked Sarah.

Maddie nodded, "Yes."

"With how harsh your mother is about you talking about Evan and Daniel, I can't blame CPS for taking Evan away from your parents before Daniel died. He deserves a better mother than yours," said Sarah.

"I promised him that I'd take care of him when he was brought home from the hospital after birth," said Maddie.

"That judge made the right decision to revoke your parents' rights to Evan. You deserve to live your life without having to take care of a little brother who's eight years younger than you. You have your whole life ahead of you with boyfriends, school dances, performing in chorus concerts and school musicals with that singing voice of yours, and going to college to study musical theater, Maddie. I would have been mad if I was forced to take care of a little brother or sister that's eight years younger than me," said Sarah.

"I promised myself that I'd track Evan down when I turn 18 and legally an adult and become his guardian," said Maddie.

Sarah pointed at the pictures of the various musicals Maddie had gone to see and even participated in through a local community theater. In contrast, she had seen Maddie play the Grand piano downstairs, "And give up your dreams of going to a performing arts school to play the piano and sing in the hope of becoming a Broadway star in New York City?" asked Sarah.

"Even if I'd never get Daniel back, I want Evan back in my life," said Maddie.

Sarah stood up, "I think you need to go back to therapy, Maddie. You have an unhealthy obsession over your brother who was taken away for some good reasons."

After Sarah left Maddie's bedroom while Maddie called for her to return, Sarah walked out of the house to find Phillip tending to the garden in the front yard, "Mr. Buckley?" asked Sarah.

Phillip turned around and looked at Sarah, "Yes, Sarah?" asked Phillip.

"I think Maddie needs to return to therapy," said Sarah. 

"I take it she went on and on about Evan again since it's his fifth birthday today?" asked Phillip.

Sarah nodded. "She's obsessed with tracking down Evan when she turns 18 and petitioning to become his legal guardian."

Phillip looked at his watch and decided it was not too late to contact Maddie's therapist, "I'll contact the therapist's office. Thank you for telling me, Sarah."

"Your welcome," said Sarah.

After returning home from Evan's birthday party at the zoo, Red and Cindy grinned at their son.
 
"We have one last birthday present for you, Buckaroo," said Red.

"What is it, Daddy? You two already gave me a new bike at my party due to deciding I'll soon be riding without training wheels," said Evan.

"Close your eyes, Evan," said Cindy.

A moment later, Evan was sitting with his eyes closed when he heard claws on the hardwood floor. Something jumped onto the couch and started licking his face. He opened his eyes and gasped when he saw a golden dog with long hair by his side. "I got a dog for my birthday?" asked Evan.

Red nodded, "This is a two-year-old female Golden Retriever named Pepper."

Evan pouted, "Not a puppy?" asked Evan.

Red shook his head. "A week ago, I was on a call about a house fire, and Pepper's owners went to Heaven. None of the owners' relatives wanted to take in Pepper, so I adopted her."

Evan hugged the dog, "Poor girl, losing your Mommy and Daddy in a fire."

Pepper licked Evan's face.

Evan giggled, "She likes me."

"She does," said Cindy.

A few minutes later, Evan, Jocelyn, Chloe, and Lydia interacted with Pepper in the backyard.

Cindy laughed, "Now I have six kids instead of five."

"Six kids?" asked Red.

Cindy laughed, "You're the first because I married one of the biggest kids on the planet."

Red let out a loud belly laugh, "You're right."

A moment later, Red joined in on playing with Pepper and his kids.
ccc
After Jocelyn, Evan, Lydia, and Chloe were all asleep for the night after arguing over who Pepper would sleep with before Pepper decided to sleep with Evan, Red, and Cindy were on their couch with glasses of wine.

"The kids are growing up so fast, Red. Jocelyn turned eight-years-old back in April, Evan turned five-years-old today, while our miracle babies Lydia and Chloe turned two, three weeks ago," said Cindy wistfully.

"Time has gone fast," said Red.

"Even if Jocelyn knows she's been adopted since the beginning, do you think it's time to tell Evan since he's five years old now?" asked Cindy.

"I think it's time," said Red.

"While the rest of summer vacation can involve Evan talking to a child psychologist because he'll be evaluated for ADHD after noticing that he has the symptoms," said Cindy.

"Whether he has ADHD or not, Evan has brought us so much joy," said Red.

Cindy nodded, "When we were first shown his picture, I knew he was meant to be our son."

Red nodded. "I agree. With his curls, birthmark, and blue eyes full of mischief, he's going to be a heartbreaker as he gets older."

Two weeks after Evan's fifth birthday party, Evan frowned as his mother handed him a blue pill during breakfast. He looked up at his mother in confusion, "What's this, Mommy?" asked Evan.

"Medication Dr. Davison prescribed for you to help you focus better and calm down," said Cindy.

Evan tilted his head, "Why do I need help to focus better?" asked Evan.

Cindy hugged her only son, "Your brain charges so fast that it makes you super creative, not focus on the current task, and be full of so much energy. You're still my sweet, smart, and beautiful son, who I'm proud of."

"ADHD or not, your mother and I love you so much, Evan. You've brought your mother and me so much joy," said Red.

Evan grinned as he rode his bicycle without training wheels or falling. He moved the pedals backward to stop his bike and landed his feet on the ground. "I did it!"

Jocelyn stopped pedaling her bicycle with a grin, "I've been doing it for over two years myself, and I'm proud of you, Evan."

Evan grinned as he got off his bicycle and hugged his big sister, "Thanks, Josie."

Cindy and Red ran over while pushing the double stroller that held Lydia and Chloe.

"Evan ide bike!" exclaimed Lydia.

Evan grinned at Lydia, who had inherited their father's dark brown hair, "No more training wheels for me, Lydia."

Chloe, who had inherited her mother's reddish-blonde hair, grinned. " I'll be like Evan and Josie."

Red laughed, "In a couple of years, you and twin your sister will be riding bicylces without training wheels, Chloe."

"For now, you two girls can ride a bike in the seats we have installed on the back of your father's and my bicycles," said Cindy.

Evan pointed at the video camera his mother was holding. "Did you film me riding without training wheels, Mommy?" he asked.

Cindy nodded, "I got it all on tape, and I'm proud of you, Little Man."

"Now let's go get some ice cream to celebrate Evan's new milestone," said Red.

"Yay!" cheered Jocelyn, Evan, Chloe, and Lydia.

Evan and Jocelyn went outside to ride their bicycles when Evan's eyes widened as a group of teenage boys across the street took turns riding their bicycles off a ramp made from plywood and paint cans.

"That's os cool, Josie," said Evan.

One of the boys ended up falling before cheering.

"No, it's not, Evan. They're not wearing helmets and their actions could lead to injuries that involves 9-1-1 being called," said Jocelyn.

"They'd get to meet another firefighter like Dad," said Evan.

"Yeah, but getting stitches and spending time in a cast for a broken bone will make the rest of summer vacation suck, Evan," said Jocelyn.

"Like you breaking your leg when falling out of a tree to fetch a frisbee in January," said Evan.

Jocelyn nodded, "I wasn't allowed to go into the swimming pool, join in on gym class, or even play with my friends at recess." 

Red came outside with a baby monitor after settling Lydia and Chloe down for a nap in their cribs, "Why aren't you two getting ready to ride your bikes."

Evan pointed at what his neighbor Hector and his friends were doing, "Hector made a homemade ramp, and it looks so cool."

"I told Evan he shouldn't do that. He'd end up needing stiches or breaking a bone," said Jocelyn.

"Your big sister's right, Evan. As a fire fighter, I hate going on calls involving kids and teenagers getting injured from doing stunts like this," said Red.

"Are you going to stop them, Daddy?" asked Evan.

Red nodded, "Yes."

A moment later, Red approached Hector and his friends and said, "Hector Johnson, I know you're home alone because you're on summer vacation while your parents work, but you need to stop doing these stunts before your friends, other neighbors, or I end up having to call 9-1-1 because you or one of your friends gets seriously injured thanks to the lack of helmets and protective gear."

"As a firefighter, you became no fun when you became a Dad," said Hector.

"I'm still fun, but I want my kids to be safe when riding their bicycles, skateboarding, swimming, and playing sports," said Red. He pointed at Evan, who was clinging to Jocelyn's hand. "You're 14, and your actions aren't setting a good example for my children. I will tell your parents about what I caught you and your friends doing."

"Please don't, Red," said Hector.

"As I recall, you're supposed to be at your school for summer school after failing math right now," said Red.

"My parents told you?" asked Hector.

Red nodded. "Even if you're old enough to be home alone, they asked the nanny and me to keep an eye on you to ensure you stay out of trouble," said Red. He looked at Hector's friends Billy, Joey, and Nick and spoke in his Captain's voice: "You three boys head home because I'm putting Hector to work until his parents get home from work, and I expect your parents to find out what you three were doing."

Billy, Joey, and Nick were all heading home quickly, and Red forced Hector to help Jocelyn and Evan start weeding the garden while he checked on Lydia and Chloe.

A month after Jocelyn talked Evan out of making a homemade ramp like Hector across the street, Evan, Red, and Cindy sat across from child psychologist Dr. Kendrick.

"Why are we here?" asked Evan.

"Now that you've been five for a couple of weeks, we have something we need to tell you," said Cindy.

"Am I in trouble like Hector was last month?" asked Evan.

"You're not," said Red.

Cindy handed Evan a photo album, and Evan opened it to the page noted August 15th, 1992, the day Evan came into our lives at 14-months-old, "August 15th, 1992. The day Evan came into our lives at 14-months-old," read Evan.

Cindy grinned, "I see you're going to be an excellent reader when starting kindergarten."

Evan grinned. "Josie's been teaching me," he said. He frowned as he looked at his parents. "Are you two telling me I'm adopted like Josie and even our dog Pepper?" he asked.

"You knew?" asked Cindy.

Evan shifted in his seat, "I heard you two talk about adopting me, and I know that my eye color, hair color, and curls don't match you two, Chloe, and Lydia." 

Red nodded, "We adopted you when you were a year old."

"We were struggling with having a baby, so we decided to adopt two kids. Then between taking in Jocelyn and officially adopting her, I found out I was pregnant with Lydia and Chloe," said Cindy.

"And you kept Jocelyn and me," said Evan.

Cindy nodded, "Your Daddy and I had a lot of love to give due to our dreams of wanting a big family."

"Are my birth parents dead like Jocelyn's are?" asked Evan.

Red shook his head, "Your birth parents aren't dead like Jocelyn's birth parents are, but you were given up when people feared about your safety with your birth parents and thought you deserved a better family to love and care for you. So Child Protection Services took you away from them, and a judge took away your birth parents' rights to take care of you."

"What did my birth family do to me that made me be taken away from them?" asked Evan.

"We're not going to tell you the exact reason why you were given up until you're older, but we felt it was time for you to know you were adopted," said Cindy.

"Are you two giving me away?" asked Evan.

Red shook his head. "We're not, Buckaroo. You became our son the moment we got to hold you as a one-year-old before a judge declared you our son, Evan Johnathan Delacroix."

"While our love expanded when we took in Jocelyn seven months after you moved in with us and then getting pregnant with Lydia and Chloe," said Cindy.

"Family isn't always by blood because my firefighters and their own families became brothers, sister-in-laws, nieces, and nephews to me while my team adopted you as a nephew," said Red.

"Thank you for becoming my Mommy and Daddy. I love you both," said Evan.

Evan grinned as he ran to his father, who had the day off following a shift, "Hi, Daddy!" exclaimed Evan.

Red grinned as he lifted his son. "How was your first day of kindergarten, Buckaroo?" he asked.

"Fun just like preschool, and Stacey, Kyle, and Aaron are in my class," said Evan.

Red, who knew Evan was scared about going to a new school even though Jocelyn was in the same building as a third grader, smiled and said, "At least you have some familiar faces."

Evan nodded, "I know, and I love my teacher Miss Garcia."

Red chuckled, "Jocelyn had her, too."

"Really?" asked Evan.

"You were two when Jocelyn was in kindergarten, so you wouldn't remember Miss Garcia during open house," said Red.

"Daddy?" asked Evan.

"Yes, Evan?" asked Red.

"Can we please get me a Happy Meal for lunch?" asked Evan.

Red smiled, "You deserve a Happy Meal, Evan."

The next day at school, Evan handed Miss Garcia some flowers he had picked from his mother's garden. "These Zinnias are for you, Miss Garcia."

Miss Garcia smiled at the colorful flowers, "These are beautiful Zinnias, Evan."

"I helped Mommy grow them by helping her plant seeds and picking weeds," said Evan.

"You have quite the green thumb," said Miss Garcia.

Evan looked at his thumbs, "My thumbs aren't the color green."

"Saying someone has a green thumb is a figure of speech," said Miss Garcia. 

Days later, at 8 PM, Cindy came downstairs to Red and said, "Evan's already out like a light."

Red thought about Evan's first soccer game: "Who knew that signing Evan up for t-ball in the spring and summer and then signing him up for his elementary school's kindergarten soccer team would help his ADHD even more?"

"Sports can do that," said Cindy.

Red thought about Evan being a fast runner, doing great at hitting the ball during t-ball, his love for swimming, and managing to score two goals during his soccer game. He smiled at his wife, "With how Evan and Jocelyn are at t-ball, swimming, and now soccer, I won't be surprised if they, Lydia, and Chloe eventually end up with a scholarship to attend college that recruits him for a certain sport."

"Even if I'm a peditrician and your a Fire Captain, scholarships will help afford college for four kids even if we've been putting money into their college funds every month," said Cindy.

"Mom? Dad?" asked Jocelyn.

Red and Cindy turned to find Jocelyn in the living room.

"Done straightening up your room so you can enjoy the weekend?" asked Cindy.

"Yes, Mom. Can we please watch a movie?" asked Jocelyn.

"Since it's Friday, yes," said Red.

A few minutes later, Red, Cindy, and Jocelyn were watching a movie because it was Friday night.

Chapter Text

The morning following Maddie's high school graduation, she ate breakfast with her parents. "Now that I'm 18 and have graduated high school, I'm going to the DCFS office in Philadelphia to petition to be Evan's guardian because the job of foster care is to reunite children with their families."

"Yes, it's their job to reunite families, but they won't reunite a child with their family if there's a risk of the child getting hurt," said Phillip.

"Don't you two love Evan?" asked Maddie.

"I don't want to see that spawn of satan. He couldn't do his one job of saving Daniel, Maddie," said Margaret.

Phillip nodded, "I love him, but I told you Daniel asked me to put Evan up for adoption as his final wish because he wanted Evan safe from your mother after your mother blamed Evan for not being able to save Daniel in front of Daniel, his oncologist, and me."

Maddie realized she had forgotten what her father told her about Daniel's wish, "I forgot that Daniel wished that Evan be given up for adoption after being told that the bone marrow transplant failed."

"Grief can do that, and I don't regret allowing the hospital to contact CPS when some of the staff members told me their fears. Legally, he's not your mother's or my son or your little brother anymore," said Phillip.

"I'm still going to fight for Evan because he's still my baby brother," said Maddie.

"There's the issue that he could have already gotten adopted and moved to a different state or country with his new family. We're in the third largest country in the world, so it could take a long time to find him since his adoption records would be sealed," said Phillip.

"Then I'll write a letter and ask USA Today to post to find Evan or hire a private investigator to track Evan down if DCFS doesn't give me his location. Then, when Evan's located, I'll hire a lawyer to fight for guardianship in court," said Maddie.

"Do you have money for a private investigator and a lawyer?" asked Phillip.

Maddie shook her head as she thought about doing summer-long theater programs rather than working a job to save up money, "No."

"Even if I miss Evan, I'm not going to give you money to pay for a private investigator and a lawyer," said Phillip.

"I'm not even going to give you a penny to go towards a PI and a lawyer, too. You should focus on attending Julliard on the full scholarship you were awarded and becoming a big Broadway star for me to brag about. Everyone at the country club are looking forward on taking trips to New York City to watch you perform on stage, and they'd be disappointed if you waste your talent and give up being a Broadway star to take care of your failure of a brother," said Margaret.

"Even if you manage to track down Evan, a judge is going to be willing to grant you guardianship," said Phillip.

"Why won't a judge grant me guardianship?" asked Maddie.

Phillip thought about Maddie getting a full scholarship to attend Julliard, where Maddie would get to sing, dance, and even perform in plays and musicals, "Aside from it being mandatory for you to live in the dorms for the first year, there are the issues of needing a house or apartment with at least two bedrooms so you and Evan can have your own bedrooms. Then there's paying for food, making sure Evan's going to school, is on health insurance, and making sure Evan has proper supervision until he's old enough to be left home alone. There's even extracurricular activities if Evan has gotten into playing sports or is in Boy Scouts."

"I can use my trust fund," said Maddie.

Phillip thought about his daughter's friendship with Sarah falling apart due to Maddie's obsession over wanting Evan back, and then Sarah becoming best friends with a new neighbor also blonde like Sarah and also named Sarah after Maddie dyed her hair blonde and asked to change her name to Sarah, "It's a good thing I pushed for you not being allowed to get access to your trust fund until you're 27 after your former best friend Sarah told me your plans on tracking down Evan and become his guardian after you turned 18," said Phillip.

"You really went to your financial lawyer and told them to wait until I'm 27 to gain access to my trust fund?" asked Maddie.

Phillip nodded. "I didn't want you to waste your college years and most of your 20s as your brother's guardian if you managed to become his guardian."

Maddie glared at her father.

"Your father did the right thing, Maddie. You're unprepared to raise a child right now and you also have your love life to think about. No future boyfriend or husband will be happy about having to raise your little brother along with any children you have with your future husband," said Margaret.

A voice from the table next to the booth asked, "Can I please interrupt?" asked a voice.

Maddie turned her head and glared at the woman sitting at the table next to the booth with a man and two children, "It's rude to evesdrop."

"I don't care that I'm eavesdropping your conversation that should be happening at home instead of loudly in the middle of a restaurant where others could hear," said the woman.

Maddie looked around the dining area, seeing multiple people give her looks and shake their heads before focusing on their meals and conversations.

"My name is Amelia, and I work as a social worker for DCFS in Philadelphia, " the woman said.

Maddie perked up, "I'm Maddie Buckley. I'm 18 and just graduated high school. Do you think you can help me find Evan Buckley, who was taken away from our parents and me by CPS in July of 1992 when he was 13 months old. With me being an adult now, can you help me find Evan in the system so I can petition for guardianship over my baby brother? I want my family back together," said Maddie.

Phillip quickly spoke up, "Evan was a savior sibling, and the judge severed my wife Margaret's and my rights to Evan after various people voiced their concerns over Evan's physical and mental wellbeing when we were told that the bone marrow transplant didn't work and Margaret blamed Evan for not being able to get Daniel into remission. He was placed into foster care in a different state for the sake of his safety from his wife and to make it more difficult for my daughter here to fight for guardianship over Evan when she became of age."

"Evan's in a different state?" asked a screeching Maddie.

Phillip nodded, "The judge thought Evan needed to be in a different state for his protection over you and your mother."

Amelia gave Maddie a look, "I'm not going to help you find out your little brother's status, Ms. Buckley. If he's been adopted, his records would be sealed for the privacy of him and the parents who adopted him. Even if he wasn't adopted, you don't have the provisions that would be required for you to become your brother's guardian and then there'd be the concern over you allowing your mother around your brother."

Maddie huffed as she stood up and left the restaurant.

Phillip looked at Amelia, "I know I shouldn't apologize for my daughter, but I'm sorry."

"It's all right, and I'll call my boss about sending a mass email to DCFS offices throughout the country to warn them about a woman named Maddie Buckley who is searching for her little brother through the system," said Amelia. She became serious, saying, "Just be prepared about the idea of your daughter getting arrested if she doesn't leave when she's told to leave, or your daughter facing a restraining order if she locates Evan."

Phillip sighed as he ran a hand over his hair, "I understand, and I'm not going to bother paying for her bail or a lawyer if she gets herself arrested while trying to find Evan."

After returning home from breakfast, Phillip looked at Maddie, "I want you to know that if you don't listen to what that social worker and even your mother and myself told you earlier and go to the DCFS office, I want you to know that your mother and I will cut you off and won't be paying your bail, attorneys, and even for college if you get yourself arrested, get issued a restraining order, and lose your scholarship from Julliard."

"You'll really cut me off for finding Evan, Dad?" asked Maddie.

Phillip nodded. "I'll cut you off unless Evan decides to track us down himself."

Maddie looked at her mother and asked, "You'll let Dad cut me off if I get arrested for trying to find Evan and fight to become his guardian?"

Margaret nodded, "I don't want that spawn of satan to darken our doorstep ever again because it's his fault Daniel died."

Phillip took a breath as he looked at his wife. "Now that Maddie has graduated from high school and will be moving to New York City for college, I want a divorce."

Margaret looked at her husband in shock, "You're divorcing me?" asked Margaret.

Phillip unlocked the drawer where he locked divorce papers he already gotten filled out, "I only decided to remain married to you for the sake of Maddie between giving Evan up for adoption and Daniel's death."

At 6:30 AM on September 11th, Evan, Jocelyn, Lydia, and Chloe entered the kitchen for breakfast only to see no breakfast on the table but heard the TV on in the living room, causing the 14-year-old, 10-year-old, and seven-year-old siblings to head to the living room to see their parents watching video footage of two burning skyscrapers on TV.

"What's going on, Mom?" asked Lydia.

Cindy wiped the tears that were leaking from her eyes, "Within 17 minutes of each other, planes crashed into the North and South World Trade Centers in New York City."

Jocelyn's eyes widened, "Crashes like that means no one on those planes or the floors that the planes crashed into survived."

Despite being seven-year-old second graders, Lydia and Chloe climbed onto their parents' laps and started crying.

Evan and even Jocelyn squeezed between their parents on the couch.

Red nodded as he rubbed Chloe's back. "It's an all-hands-on-deck situation for firefighters, paramedics, and police officers in New York City."

A few minutes later, the family of six's eyes widened as they heard that the plane crashed into the Pentagon building, causing Cindy, Jocelyn, Chloe, and Lydia to cry as they thought about adults and possibly children dying instantly.

Not long after hearing on the news that the South Tower collapsed, all six Delacroxies heard that a plane crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Evan looked at his parents and older sister, "This is bad, isn't it?" asked Evan.

Red, who had said a prayer out loud for the firefighters who were still in the South Tower as he fell, nodded, "A lot of people and now first responders died in New York City, at the Pentagon, and now on the plane in Pennsylvania."

Jocelyn looked at the clock and realized that they had yet to eat breakfast, and she'd be catching the bus in five minutes, "Can we please miss school today? I don't think I can focus after hearing about hundreds and possibly thousands of people dying on the East Coast."

"I don't think I'd be focused either," said Evan.

Lydia sniffled, "I don't want to go to school today."

"Me either because I just want to pray for all the kids who lost their Mommies and Daddies," said Chloe.

"And the kids who could have been on those planes," sniffled Lydia.

Red and Cindy noticed the tear tracks on all four of their kids' faces as they thought about how their childhood innocence would be affected after hearing about four plane crashes happening before they could leave for school.

"I'll call the four of you out of school right now as long as you four kids agree to talk to a therapist about what happened today and spend an hour reading," said Cindy.

All four kids nodded.

"At least I'm already off today, but don't be surprised if I'm pulled into a meeting," said Red.

"Why would you be called in, Daddy?" asked Chloe.

"You know how I sometimes work special deployments for wildfires and even some hurricanes?" asked Red.

Lydia nodded, "Yes."

"I won't be surprised if what happened on the East Coast causes firefighters to be called to serve special deployemnts to help with search & rescue for survivors and cleaning up debries," said Red.

After Cindy called Jocelyn's high school and Evan, Chloe, and Lydia's elementary school to tell them their kids were staying home, she called her receptionist to cancel all her appointments that day.

Throughout the day, the Delacroix decided to watch Disney movies like The Lion King , Anastasia , Beauty & the Beast , The Little Mermaid , Toy Story, and Toy Story 2 inside a pillow and blanket fort they built .

The following day, Red looked at his wife and children, who were still subdued even after returning to school and work that morning. "I got an email from the Fire Chief," he said.

"I take it you were asked to be deployed to New York City or near Washington, D.C., to help at the Pentagon?" Jocelyn asked.

Red nodded, "Fire stations in LA and other cities are already offering their services to help out."

"Are you going to help them, Dad?" asked Evan.

Red nodded, "Even if I'm Captain, I'm hoping the five of you are willing to let me go help out for two weeks minimum."

"Even if it means you'll be missing Jocelyn's volleyball games and Lydia, Chloe, and my soccer games, New York City needs one of the best firefighters in Los Angeles to help out your New York City brothers, Dad," said Evan.

Jocelyn nodded, "You should go help them out, Dad."

"You can go help out, Daddy. There are kids of other firefighters Lydia's and my age that need your help finding their Mommies, Daddies, brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles," said Chloe.

Lydia nodded, "You should go, Daddy."

Cindy nodded. "The kids and I will be fine, and it helps that we still have a nanny, the parents of the kids' friends, and neighbors to help with school pickup and babysitting."

"Thank you for understanding," said Red.

During the weeks that followed what was dubbed the September 11th Terrorist Attacks, Jocelyn, Evan, Lydia, and Chloe were donating their allowance and coins they were saving up for the coin drive their schools were having for the American Red Cross, wrote condolence letters to the families who lost firefighters and paramedics on 9/11, and worked with their Girl Scout, Brownie Scout, and Boy Scout troops to help out families affected by the terrorist attack between the therapy appointments their mother insisted they have to help them cope with the news that hundreds of firefighters had died when the North and South Towers went down.

Two months after the 9/11 Terrorist Attack, Evan was pushing his food around on his plate during dinner.

"What got you down in the dumps, sweetheart?" asked Cindy.

"You know my friend Stacey?" asked Evan.

Red nodded, "You've known her since your first day of preschool."

"Even if her father left the Navy in 1996, her father decided to re-enlist after the attacks," said Evan.

"Do you know if Stacey will have to move?" asked Cindy.

Evan nodded sadly, "Stacey's moving to Naples, Italy."

"I'm sorry about your friend moving away," said Cindy.

Jocelyn nodded. " Even though I'm in the ninth grade right now, I've heard seniors talk about enlisting in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and even the National Guard before graduating high school because we are currently at war with the Middle East."

Red nodded, "It's the price men and women will be paying now to get revenge on the people who decided to use airplanes to kill men, women, and even children two months ago. Even if the last draft call happened back in 1972, I watched men choose to enlist or end up getting drafted during the Vietnam War. Your paternal grandfather and uncles served during World War II and the Korean War before I was born in 1955."

Cindy nodded, "Your grandfather and an uncle served in the Korean War before I was born in 1959."

Lydia looked at her big brother, "Even if you're only a ten-year-old fifth grader, do you think you'll end up joining the military after high school?" asked Lydia.

"I know I'm too young to decide what I want to do after high school right now, but I'm thinking about joining the military and becoming a firefighter like Dad," said Evan.

"Even if a lot of firefighters died two months ago in New York City and soldiers die in wars?" asked Chloe.

Evan nodded, "Yes."

"No matter what any of you decide to do after high school, we're going to be proud of you children," said Red.

"As long as you four don't break any laws," said Cindy.

Chapter Text

On February 20th, 2004, Evan opened his eyes and noticed the alarm clock by his bed stating 8:30 AM. He quickly shot out of bed and pulled on the clothes he had set aside the night before, rushing to the bathroom to use the toilet and brush his hair and teeth before rushing downstairs to find his parents in the kitchen with coffee, "I'm so sorry. My alarm didn't go off."

"It's OK because I turned off your alarm overnight," said Red.

"Why would you turn off my alarm on a school day?" asked Evan. He looked at his mother, "I know Dad's on his 48 hours off until tomorrow, but shouldn't you be at the pediatric clinic?" asked Evan.

"I took this day off and canceled appointments for today a month ago," said Cindy.

"Why?" asked Evan.

"You're not going to school today because we decided you're going to get one-on-one time with us until tomorrow," said Cindy.

"Until tomorrow?" asked Evan.

"Jocelyn will be sleeping over at her friend Erin's house while Lydia and Chloe are attending a birthday slumber party at their friend Carly's house after school," said Red.

Evan frowned, "Something's up if Mom took today off, and my sisters are sleeping over at friends' houses after school today."

Cindy nodded, "You have an appointment with Dr. Kendrick today."

Evan frowned at the name of his psychiatrist. "I'm taking my Adderall, doing my best not to fidget during class and church, and have been getting straight A's in all the subjects on my report card, thanks to Jocelyn helping me with my math homework."

"You're doing exceptional in school, but there's a book that's being released in April that we need to warn you about before you see people reading and talking about it."

"What book?" asked Evan.

"First, let's go out for breakfast before we head to Dr. Kendrick's office," said Red.

"And after the appointment, we can either come here for lunch or go out and do something fun like visiting the aquarium, mall, museum, or even Pacific Park," said Cindy.

"Alright," said Evan.

After going out for breakfast, Evan was sitting between his parents in Dr. Derek Kendrick's office.

"Can you please tell me about why the upcoming release of a book in April made you two pull me out of school today?" asked Evan.

"The book is called My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult," said Red.

"I know Jocelyn was planning on getting that book in April," said Evan.

Cindy nodded. "Yes, and we figured it'd be best to talk to you about one of the book's topics before you hear Jocelyn discuss it when we have our weekly discussion about the book or books we read that week."

Evan frowned as he thought about his parents limiting his and his three sisters' screen time for playing games on the computer, video games, and watching TV and movies due to wanting them to play outside and read books more, "What topic?" asked Evan.

"The book covers the topic of savior siblings," said Cindy.

Evan thought about knowing that he had been adopted since he was five years old, and he had yet to ask about his birth family, "I take it my birth parents had me as a savior sibling before CPS took me away?" asked Evan.

Cindy nodded, "You were born through IVF as an attempt to save your older brother Daniel, who has been battling juvenile leukemia since 1988. Your social worker Olivia stated that bone marrow was taken from you shortly after your first birthday, but the bone marrow didn't graft."

"Olivia stated that her sister, who was working as a nurse at the hospital where Daniel was getting treated, mentioned that on the day your birth parents and Daniel were told that the bone marrow didn't graft, your mother ran out of the room crying while your brother asked your birth father to give you up for adoption for your safety from your birth mother."

"I'm defective?" asked Evan.

"You're not defective, Evan," said Red sternly.

"You're an intelligent, funny, kind, caring, and beautiful boy who has brought your father and me so much joy when we weren't sure if we'd ever get pregnant," said Cindy.

"God just planned that we needed to give you and Jocelyn a loving home before sending Lydia and Chloe to us," said Red.

"Did my birth father blame me like my birth mother?" asked Evan.

"He didn't since he knew the risks of the transplant not working due to how sick Daniel was and you only being a year old, and he agreed with Daniel and even the staff members at the hospital about being scared for your safety," said Cindy.

"While he didn't want your biological sister, who's eight years older than you, to sacrifice the rest of her childhood and then teenage years taking care of you while he focused on making sure his wife didn't harm you," said Red.

"CPS was called within a few days of getting the news that the bone marrow didn't graft, and you were placed in a foster home," said Cindy.

"Then judge in Philidelphia agreed to terminate your birth parents' rights before Daniel's death and make you the ward of a different state on the West Coast for your safety," said Red.

"While Daniel passed away a week before you were placed with us," said Cindy gently.

"So I was taken away by CPS and sent out here as a form of Witness Protection from my birth mother," said Evan.

Red laughed, "You could say that, but your appearance was never changed aside from trims and getting braces on your teeth."

"Was my name already Evan when you two decided to adopt me?" asked Evan.

"Evan has been your name since birth," said Cindy.

"While we've called you Buckaroo because the first four letters of Buckaroo are also the first four letters of your last name before we adopted you," said Red.

Red took her son's hand. "We didn't tell you about being a savior sibling when you were five because we wanted to wait until you were old enough to understand better."

"And as we stated earlier, the upcoming release of the novel My Sister's Keeper made us decide it was time to tell you the story behind your birth," said Cindy.

"Thank you for telling me," said Evan.

"Are you mad at us?" asked Red.

Evan shook his head. "I'm not mad at you two because I understand you two waited until I was old enough to understand," he said. Looking between his parents, he said, "I'm just glad you two didn't wait until I was 18 or even older if any of my birth family showed up."

"We did fear that your birth sister would try to track you down after she turned 18 a few years back because we were given a warning by your former social worker about your birth sister's plans on going to the DCFS office to find out where you've been placed and try to gain guardianship over you because she was angry about CPS taking you away from her and your birth parents," said Red.

Evan frowned, "She didn't track me down?" asked Evan.

Cindy shook her head, "Your birth father and a social worker from Philidelphia who overheard the conversation both told Maddie that no judge would give her guardianship over you because of not having the stability to take in a child due to just graduating high school and soon going to college and the concern over her forcing you to interact with your birth mother."

"Olivia said the social worker who contacted all the DCFS offices to warn them about Maddie said that Maddie was acting very entitled and seemed like she didn't even care about the reason why CPS took you away in the first place. Maddie was warned she'd be arrested and issued a restraining order to keep away from us if she showed up at the DCFS office to ask about your location or she managed to track you down through different methods like writing a letter to post in USA Today or hire a private investigator to track you down," said Red.

"We think she listened because we haven't seen any letters written in USA Today or DCFS has gotten any private investigators searching for you," said Cindy.

"I don't want her near me because it sounds like she might be blaming me for not saving Daniel or she wants her family back together even if Daniel's dead," said Evan.

Cindy grabbed the tote bag she brought, "And we have pictures and letters from your birth family that your birth father sent with you."

"Letters?" asked Evan.

"Your birth father and Daniel both wrote you letters while your birth father included a photo album of pictures of you, your birth siblings, him, and your birth mother to look at when you finally learned about your birth family," said Cindy.

Evan first opened the letter from Daniel.

Hi, Evan.

You might not remember me, but I was your big brother, Daniel. I'm eight years old and was very sick with a cancer called leukemia. Mom and Dad made you to help me feel better, but I was too sick for you to help me.

I want you to know that I don't blame you for not saving me because God had plans for me to watch over you as your guardian angel.

I asked our Dad to put you up for adoption because I'm scared about how Mom, Dad, and Maddie would feel when I die, and I wanted to keep you safe by making sure you find a Mommy and a Daddy who'll love you.

I love you, Evan.

Love,

Daniel Buckley

Evan wiped his tears, "Daniel didn't blame me, and he asked his father to give me up for adoption for my safety. He said God had plans for him to look over me as his guardian angel."

"And Daniel's doing a mighty good job at being your guardian angel," said Red.

Evan then saw the letter from his birth father. He then opened the letter and started to read it out loud.

Dear Evan,

My name is Phillip Buckley, and I'm your birth father. I know this would upset you, but your birth mother, Margaret Buckley, and I never planned to have a third child until your older brother Daniel was battling leukemia and no match for bone marrow could be found.

Even if the bone marrow didn't graft, I don't blame you for being unable to save your older brother. The oncologist warned your birth mother and me that the bone marrow transplant had over a 50% chance of failing due to Daniel being very sick after a few years of treatment, having to wait until after your first birthday to extract your bone marrow, and your bones weren't fully developed.

When Margaret, Daniel, and I found out the bone marrow didn't graft, I decided to sacrifice my chance of raising another son for the next 17 years and follow Daniel's wish to give you up for adoption for your protection from your birth mother, who started blaming you as soon as we were told the transplant didn't work. I also didn't want your nine-year-old big sister Maddie to sacrifice the rest of her childhood and then teenage years taking care of you while I try to keep Margaret from taking out her grief over Daniel's death on you.

Please don't be mad at me for giving you up for adoption because you deserve better parents who wanted a child from the beginning and will give you the love and care you deserve.

I'll always love you,

Phillip Buckley

Dr. Kendrick finally said, "Even if I kept my silence, your session is almost up. Even if there's the guidance counselor at your school, I want you to know we can have a couple of sessions to discuss how you feel."

"I think I'd need some sessions," said Evan.

After leaving the psychiatrist's office, Evan, Red, and Cindy sat on the bench at the end of the pier at Pacific Park in Santa Monica, eating corndogs and cotton candy for lunch.

"Are you sure you're not mad at us, Evan?" asked Cindy.

"I'm just in shock to learn I wouldn't have existed if it wasn't for Daniel not responding to treatment and not having a match for bone marrow," said Evan.

"When we were told about your past, we were upset for your sake," said Red.

"While we're grateful that Daniel asked that you be given up for adoption in a different state because you wouldn't have come into our lives," said Cindy.

"Even if we ended up telling you about your birth family today, there's another thing we want to talk to you about," said Red.

"What is it?" asked Evan.

"With your grades, taking eighth-grade level classes this year, and the scores on standardized tests, your guidance counselor, the principal, and other teachers were talking about bumping you up to the ninth grade next school year," said Red.

"They want me to skip the eighth grade?" asked Evan.

Cindy nodded, "With getting A's in all the classes you've been taking in middle school while participating with the school's soccer, baseball, and swim teams, they're thinking about you needing to be challenged more academically."

"If you skip the eighth grade, you will get to graduate a couple of weeks before your 17th birthday instead of a few weeks before your 18th birthday," said Red.

"Even if I do go straight to high school next school year, would I still be allowed to play on the high school sports teams next school year?" asked Evan.

Red nodded, "The coaches from the high school teams have seen you play since you started middle school in 2002, and even if you'you are a 13-year-old freshman, they're willing to let you join their team next school year."

"Even if it means leaving my friends Kyle, Owen, Alex, and Brian, I know I'd be able to see them during weekends and school breaks," said Evan.

"While you still have your friends of kids of firefighters and Boy Scouts, too," said Red,

"Does Jocelyn know the possibility of me attending the same high school as her for two years instead of one year?" asked Evan.

Cindy nodded, "We talked to her, and she agreed you can get a ride to school from her while she'll keep an eye on you."

"Are you up to skipping the eighth grade, buddy?" asked Red.

"If you don't want to skip the eighth grade, you don't have to. You'll still be able to take AP or IB classes if you enter high school with your friends," said Cindy.

Evan took a breath. "I'm willing to skip eighth grade next school year, and with your permission, I can join the Navy when I'm 17."

Red, who knew his son, was still set on joining the military before becoming a firefighter after talking to other firefighters who were former military personnel: "Even if you won't be getting deployed until you turn 18."

"I know because, after boot camp, I'd possibly be sent to a different base for additional training before going on my first deployment when I'm finally 18," said Evan.

Two months later, Evan saw Jocelyn close My Sister's Keeper, and tears streamed down her face. "How was it?" asked Evan.

"Very sad because Anna, who was born as a savior sibling for her older sister Kate, died in a car accident after winning the lawsuit against her parents for medical emancipation for her own body before they could force their 13-year-old daughter to risk her life and her plans to give Kate a kidney," said Jocelyn.

"Mom said I shouldn't read that book," said Evan.

"Why?" asked Jocelyn.

"Two months ago, Mom and Dad kept me home from school to tell me that my birth parents had me as a savior sibling myself for my older brother, who died from leukemia before this book hit shelves. My late older brother asked that I be given up for adoption because he feared that my birth mother would treat me horribly when they found out the bone marrow transplant didn't work," said Evan.

"Really?" asked Jocelyn.

Evan nodded, "My birth father allowed the hospital in Philidelphia to call CPS to remove me from their house before Daniel died to keep me safe from Mom taking her grief out on me for being unable to save Daniel on me or force my older sister Maddie to raise me even if she was still a kid herself."

"I'm glad CPS took you away because then you wouldn't have become my little brother," said Jocelyn.

"I'm glad you became my big sister, Lydia and Chloe became my little sisters, and Mom and Dad chose to become my parents," said Evan.

"Have you ever thought about what would have happened if the bone marrow did work as it did in the book until Kate needed a kidney?" asked Jocelyn.

"I'm not trying to think about what could have happened because Dr. Kendrick said I shouldn't think about the what-ifs," said Evan.

Jocelyn nodded, "Makes sense because we can't change the past."

"One thing for sure is that I know the right thing was made for my birth parents' parental rights to be terminated. I'd be raised by a mother who hates me for not saving Daniel, a father who would have barely paid attention to me to keep me safe from my birth mother, and a sister who would have to give up the rest of her childhood to take care of me until she left for college."

"Are you thinking about tracking your birth family someday?" asked Jocelyn.

Evan shuddered, "Mom and Dad told me that in June of 2001, they were warned that my birth sister, Maddie Buckley, planned on tracking me down and petitioning to become my legal guardian."

"Your birth sister wanted to take you away from Mom, Dad, Lydia, Chloe, and me?" asked Jocelyn.

Evan nodded, "Yes, and thankfully, my birth father and a social worker who overheard the conversation talked her out of tracking me down, and the social worker warned all the DCFS offices about Maddie."

Jocelyn thought about her MySpace and Friendster account, "This means you shouldn't get Friendster and MySpace accounts when you turn 13 in June just in case she's going to search for you on those two social media websites or any other social media websites that are created in the future."

"You think more social media websites will emerge?" asked Evan.

Jocelyn nodded, "Harvard released this social media website called The Facebook for people at Harvard to socialize on, so I can imagine The Facebook being released to the public within the next couple of years."

"Meaning that Maddie has other ways to track me down and show up on our doorstep before I turn 18," said Evan.

Jocelyn nodded, "Yes."

On the morning of his first day of summer vacation, after finishing seventh grade and passing a test to show that he had the knowledge an eighth-grader would have before entering ninth grade, Evan ate breakfast with his parents and sisters. "With my 13th birthday coming up at the end of the month, the only thing I want for my birthday is to join the football team when I skip to ninth grade this fall."

"You're sure?" asked Red.

Evan nodded. " I have enjoyed playing soccer since I was five, participating in the swim team at school, and playing t-ball, little league, and baseball on the baseball team at school. However, I also enjoy pick-up football games with my friends at the park and watching football games during Thanksgiving meals and the Super Bowl."

"Isn't the coach of the local high school your friend Brian's father?" asked Red.

Evan nodded, "Mr. Dixon said he'd be willing to have me join the football team as a 13-year-old Freshman as long as I have your permission and pass the same physical I have to pass to play soccer, join the swim team and play baseball."

"Even with the injuries football players can get with their shoulder pads and helmets, I'll support you joining the football team as long as you stay safe and keep on making the A-honor roll," said Cindy.

Red nodded, "I'll also support you as long as you keep yourself safe, too."

Evan sighed in relief. "Thank you for being accepting. Part of me considered risking getting grounded by forging your signature if I thought you two wouldn't be supportive because you two favor baseball over football."

Sixteen-year-old Jocelyn looked at her little brother and said, "I told you Mom and Dad would be supportive like they were when I told them I wanted to play volleyball in middle school instead of soccer as my fall sport."

"And Mom and Dad don't care that I prefer taking hip-hop dancing classes over playing baseball," said Chloe.

Before Evan could speak, Cindy smiled at her son and said, "I'm proud of you for being honest and asking for our permission rather than going behind our backs, Evan."

Red nodded, "We want you and your sisters to be happy, which means we'll support you in playing whatever sport you want."

"And you're right that we would have grounded you for forging our signatures instead of asking us," said Cindy.

Red thought about Evan going away to summer camp for a month where he'd be swimming, hiking, kayaking, doing rope courses, climbing rock climbing walls, archery, horseback riding, and doing various other fun activities, "Now that we know what you want for your birthday, are you ready to leave for summer camp in the Sierra Mountains tomorrow?" asked Red.

Evan nodded as he thought about his parents sending Jocelyn, Lydia, Chloe, and himself to summer camp for a week to a month after turning seven in the summer to get them away from the city for a bit, "I'm excited."

"We'll come visit you on your birthday like last year," Cindy said.

Ten-year-old Chloe pouted, "Even if Lydia and I won't be able to leave our camp to visit you."

Lydia looked at her twin sister, "Knowing the director, she'll let us have a phone call with Evan."

"While we'll give you the gifts we make when we're together again," said Chloe.

Jocelyn looked at her three younger siblings, "I hope you know I'm jealous of you three."

Evan thought about Jocelyn getting a part-time job to help afford gas and car insurance when Jocelyn got her driver's license a month ago. He knew he'd be required to find a part-time job when he gets his driver's license, too, "Because of you spending the summer working at In & Out to save up money for gas and car insurance?" asked Evan.

Jocelyn nodded. "Yes, but at least I'm getting extra money to buy clothes, books, makeup, and anything else I want besides my $16 weekly allowance."

On his 13th birthday, Evan grinned as he saw his parents get out of his mother's minivan and ran to them they took Pepper and multiple gifts and boxes, which consisted of homemade birthday cakes made by Cindy for him to share with all of the other campers out of the van. "Mom! Dad! Pepper!"

Forty-nine-year-old Red groaned as he felt Evan barrel into him for a hug, "Oof. For a teenager, you seem more excited to see your parents than embarrassed about us showing up."

"I missed you two and my three sisters," said Evan.

Fourty-five-year-old Cindy laughed as she hugged her son, "The house is quieter without you, Jocelyn, Lydia, and Chloe running around and causing chaos together."

Evan grinned as he greeted his eight-year-old dog Pepper who was crying at the sight of him, "Hey there, old girl. Are you keeping Mom and Dad company while Jocelyn's busy working and spending time with frieds while Lydia, Chole, and I are at our respective summer camps?" asked Evan.

Pepper licked Evan's face.

Cindy laughed, "She's been sleeping outside yours and your little sisters' bedroom doors before joining your mother and me in bed."

"I take her to the 134 with me on days I'm on shift so she isn't alone. She loves riding in the engine with my crew and me," said Red.

Evan grinned. "I'm excited about spending the day at the station and riding along on minor calls when I come home."

Red laughed as he thought about how the crew enjoys having Jocelyn, Evan, Lydia, and Chloe on ride-a-longs for minor calls and having the kids or teenagers help with cooking, inventory, and some chores while calling them Probies or Chief. They miss you, but they're glad you're getting time away from the city and not always playing on the computer, playing video games, and sitting in front of the TV.

Evan grinned, "Getting to spend a month doing ropes courses, rock climbing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, hiking, and learning about nature is more fun than sitting in front of the computer or TV."

Meanwhile, in New York City, Maddie Buckley was walking around Central Park with her boyfriend of three years before she left for her part-time job helping out with the summer theatre program.

26-year-old Dr. Oscar Carmichael, who had earned a doctorate in psychology a year ago and was working towards becoming a licensed psychologist, looked at his girlfriend as he considered the day. "Thinking about Evan today since it's his 13th birthday?" asked Oscar.

Maddie nodded, "Even if I decided not to track down Evan after I was told by my father and that social worker that I don't have the stable environment to raise Evan in and was warned my plans to become a Broadway star could end before I could follow my dreams of being on stage if I got myself arrested, I just hope he's happy and having a good birthday."

Oscar thought about how he convinced Maddie to keep on attending therapy after Maddie told him about losing her two brothers to cancer or adoption, her mother's PPD, and her parents divorcing after she graduated high school when they met when Maddie was 18 and he was 23 while helping out at a blood donation drive after the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, "Even if I don't know him, I can imagine he's having a lot of fun with his friends and family."

"It sucks that it took me until meeting you to realize that my father made the right decision about Evan because I'd never met you if I chose to attend college near Hershey so I'd still be close to Evan," said Maddie.

Oscar nodded as he thought about Maddie's father supporting him even if Margaret doesn't like him that much due to her hatred of therapy, even if she likes it that his father works as a plastic surgeon and his mother is a fashion designer, "I'm glad you accepted to take therapy seriously and realize your father made the right choice with Evan because I wouldn't have met the girl I'd want to become my wife."

Maddie's eyes widened, "Your wife?" asked Maddie.

Oscar nodded as he knelt down with a princess-cut diamond ring made with 14-karat gold. He thought about Maddie's plans to get a degree in education so she could teach drama and chorus to high school students after she graduated from Julliard next May. "Maddie Buckley, will you have the honor of becoming my wife after you graduate from Julliard and before you work on your next bachelor's degree to become a teacher?" asked Oscar.

Maddie nodded, "Yes, I'll marry you."

A few months later, in Los Angeles, Evan had just finished his first football game as a tight end as a 13-year-old high school freshman after the football coach turned out to be the father of his friend Brian greeted his parents and three sisters after the game.

Red patted his son on the back, "You did an awesome job, son."

"Thank you for being supportive of me joining the high school football team over the soccer team," said Evan.

"You're welcome, Evan," said Red.

Within the next few minutes, Evan was greeting his mother, three sisters, and current and past 134 members who work under his father or used to work with his father before their current ages of 49 or 50 made them retire or transfer to other positions in LAFD.

Chapter Text

Twenty-year-old Evan 'Firecracker' Delacroix was between deployments with the Navy SEALs after he joined the Navy at the age of 17 in February of 2009 after he graduated high school at the age of 16 with high honors and a golden cord around his neck for being a National Honor Society member, spent eight months after graduation working as a lifeguard after passing a course to work as a lifeguard, and got sent to Coronado for NAVY SEAL training after he graduated basic training for the Navy in Great Lakes, Illinois after his 18th birthday.

Evan, who was still fatigued due to rushing from Coronado to Los Angeles after returning to the States from an eight-month deployment and debriefing, didn't give him time to change into his civilian clothes. He got out of his 2011 Jeep Wrangler and approached his former principal.

"You're just in time for me to hide you before people start arriving," said Principal Benson.

Evan shook his former principal's hand and said, "Thank you for agreeing to help me surprise my family after my twin little sisters' graduation ceremony."

"You're welcome, and thank you for your service," said Principal Benson, looking his former student up and down. I thought you weren't allowed to wear your fatigues, " he asked.

"Public events like this are moments when I'm not allowed to be in uniform, but my commanding officer gave me permission to wear them when he realized the time and told me to get my ass to LA to surprise my family," said Evan.

Principal Benson thought about the phone call he had with Evan while Evan was driving to LA, "Let's get you into the school mascot costume so no one recognizes you."

Evan grinned, "And then I take off the costume when it's time for Lydia and Chloe to take pictures with my parents and Jocelyn after the ceremony."

After the ceremony, Evan managed to sneak off to remove the school mascot costume and grab the flowers he had bought for his little sisters. He snuck behind his parents and three sisters as they got together to take a family picture. When his sisters' classmates and their families saw him, he made a quiet motion and shook his head when he saw phones being pulled out.

"We knew that Evan might not be able to make it, but we'll send the pictures we're about to take to him later," said Red.

Principal Benson offered to take a family picture of the Delacroix family after they approached him: "I'll take multiple pictures to be sent to Evan. Now smile."

Evan smiled for the picture without his smiling parents and three sisters knowing.

Chloe pouted, "I still wish Evan was in these pictures."

"I wish it, too, Chloe," said Lydia.

"Your wish was granted because I wasn't going to miss my two little sisters' high school graduation ceremony," said Evan.

Red, Cindy, Jocelyn, Lydia, and Chloe turned around in shock as they all exclaimed, "Evan!"

Principal Benson grinned as he photographed the Delacroix family reacting to the sight of Evan and the hugs that were happening. " It's a good thing your military homecoming reunion went as planned, Petty Officer Delacroix."

Despite Lydia and Chloe clinging to him, Evan grinned and said, "Thank you again for helping me surprise my family."

Principal Benson laughed, "I was willing to help because you didn't want to disrupt the ceremony by surprising your parents and sisters in the middle of it."

Cindy looked at her son, "When did you get back?" asked Cindy.

"At 10 PM last night, but I had to spend the morning debriefing before I drove here," said Evan.

Red noticed his son's uniform. "I thought you were not allowed to wear your fatigues during events like this, " he asked.

"I got special permission from my commanding officer when he realized I wouldn't have time to change before the ceremony. I had to skip lunch to make it here in time to be hidden," said Evan.

"How were you hidden from us? Your fatigues would make you recognizable," said Jocelyn.

Evan grinned, "I was the guest who was in the school mascot costume."

Red laughed, "Only you, Evan."

"Either way, we're happy you came home safe," said Cindy.

"Welcome home again, and enjoy the rest of the day," said Principal Benson before walking away.

After Red and Cindy took a picture of their four kids together, Red looked at his wife and kids, "How about we head home so Evan could change before Lydia and Chloe's graduation party at our house."

"While I'll cook one of your favorite meals, Evan," said Cindy.

Evan smiled sheepishly at his two little sisters, "Sorry if I overshadowed your graduation day, squirts."

Lydia and Chloe hugged their older brother for the umpteenth time.

"You being home is the best graduation present you can give the both of us," said Lydia.

"And we're willing to share our graduation party as your welcome home party," said Chloe.

Later on that night, Evan was on the back patio looking at the stars when he heard the back patio door open to find his father, "Hi, Dad."

Red set a mug on the table before hugging his son, "It's so good to have all four kids together again."

"I missed you, Mom, and my sisters and appreciated the care packages sent to me," said Evan.

"While I appreciated you being able to Skype when you could," said Red.

Evan nodded, "Those calls helped me."

"Speaking of help, are you going to be talking to a therapist from the VA before you're deployed again?" asked Red.

Evan nodded, "I arranged an appointment when I return to base next week."

Red thought about his son planning on joining the LAFD Academy when he's 25, going on 26 in 2017, so he could focus on the next couple of years as a Navy SEAL and even do some traveling between deployments, "Good because if you're going to become a firefighter in 2017, it'd be best to get help for any PTSD you could deal with during you career in the Navy."

"Even if Lydia and Chloe told me they're not mad about me returning home overshadowed their high school graduation today, are you sure they're not mad at me?" asked Evan.

Red shook his head, "They were wishing that you could make it to their graduation, and I've seen YouTube videos of soldiers surprising their kids or siblings at their graduations and school concerts."

Evan nodded. " Even though I've been a Navy SEAL for a while now, those videos always make me cry."

Red laughed, "They also make me cry, and your mother, sisters, everyone who witnessed you surprising your mothers, sisters, and me weren't having dry eyes either."

"And it'll be fun to plan how I'll surprise you, Mom, and my sisters again after my next deployment," said Evan.

"Do you know when it'll be?" asked Red.

"I'm not sure yet, but I did sign on for four years of active duty," said Evan.

"And you've already been an active SEAL for 20 months now," said Red.

At the end of June, the Delacroix family was at a beachside restaurant in San Diego celebrating Evan's 21st birthday.

Twenty-four-year-old Jocelyn, who had already gotten her bachelor's degree in social work and works as a social worker for foster children at the Department of Children and Family Services in Los Angeles, grinned at her younger brother, "Happy birthday, Evan."

"Thanks," said Evan.

Eighteen-year-old Lydia, who had just graduated high school and would be going to Stanford University to work towards becoming a history teacher, glared at her older brother, "Even if it's your 21st birthday, it sucks I'm not allowed to drink any alcoholic beverages yet."

Chloe, who was attending college to become a dance instructor, grinned. "I just hope you're home from a future deployment soon so you can treat us to beer and wine for our 21st birthdays in two years and 50 weeks."

"I hope so, too," said Evan.

Fifty-seven-year-old Red, who will retire from the LAFD in January after his 58th birthday, hugged his son. "Even if we just reunited three days ago when you came home from deployment, how does it feel to be 21 now?" asked Red.

Evan, who avoided underage drinking as a teenager and then when joining the Navy, took a sip of his first bottle of beer, "Happy to finally be old enough to drink my first beer."

Cindy gave her only son a skeptical look, "You didn't try any underage drinking at all during parties in high school or the past couple of years where you'd be in countries you went to during deployments where you'd been able to drink after turning 18?" asked Cindy.

Evan shook his head, "I didn't want to get in trouble if I got caught."

"You've always been a good and responsible kid, Evan," said Cindy.

Evan was heading to the bar a while later to buy another beer when he bumped into a young woman. "I'm so sorry."

The woman smiled. "It's alright," she said. Then, she gasped when she saw Evan's eyes and birthmark. "Evan Delacroix?" she asked.

Evan frowned at the woman with shoulder-length light brown hair and brown eyes.

"It's been over ten years since we last saw each other and we were 12 when we last lost contact, but it's Stacey Barry," said Stacy.

Evan grinned, "Long time no see, Stacey."

"Can I hug you?" asked Stacey.

Evan nodded.

A moment later, Evan and Stacey were hugging each other.

"What brought you to San Diego?" asked Evan.

"After taking a gap year to do some traveling after attending high school in Maryland, I ended up going to school to become a dental hygenist. I just moved here to work as a pediatric dental hygenist."

"I thought you were going to become a vetenarian?" asked Evan.

"I did, but the idea of putting cats and dogs to sleep made me decide not to become one," said Stacey.

"I can't blame you. It wasn't easy to put down Pepper two weeks after my 17th birthday," said Evan.

"I'm sorry," said Stacey.

"It's been a couple of years now, but I see myself getting a dog or a cat in the future," said Evan.

"I just adopted an eight-week-old Maine Coon kitten who I named Kira," said Stacey as she showed a picture of her black Maine Coon kitten Kira.

Evan smiled, "She's adorable."

"What brings you to San Diego?" asked Stacey.

"I'm in the Navy," said Evan.

Stacey grinned, "Just like my father."

Evan nodded, "Yep."

Stacey thought about the date thanks to past birthday parties she attended until she moved away in December 2001, "Isn't it your 21st birthday today?" asked Stacey.

Evan nodded.

"Happy birthday. Let me buy you a beer," said Stacey.

Evan grinned. "Thanks, but the next one is on me because my Dad taught me that men should treat women."

"Deal," said Stacey.

A few minutes later, Evan and Stacey were at their own little table, and Evan had forgotten about his parents and three sisters.

Meanwhile, at the Delacroix family's table, Jocelyn frowned, "Shouldn't Evan be back by now?" asked Jocelyn.

Red nodded, "He should have been back unless his ADHD distracted him a bit."

Cindy looked around the bar before noticing her son sitting at another table with a light brown-haired woman while they were laughing and smiling, "I think Evan no longer wants to spend his birthday with us."

Chloe munched on some French fries, "Why?" asked Chloe.

Cindy pointed in her son's direction, "That's why."

Jocelyn frowned, "She looks familar in a way."

"You think so?" asked Lydia.

"I'm going to see if we knew her," said Jocelyn.

Meanwhile, at the table at which Evan and Stacey were sitting, Stacey looked at Evan and said, "My father would be impressed if he hearwere sitting atcame a Navy SEAL."

"You and said think so?" asked Evan.

Stacey nodded, "He tried the training, but rang the bell during Hell Week."

"It was difficult, but the physical training was a breeze for me," said Evan.

"You abandoend your parents and three sisters to drink with a girl?" asked Jocelyn.

Evan smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Jocelyn. I ran into an old friend who insisted on treating me to a beer after remembering that it was my birthday today.

Stacey grinned at Jocelyn, "Long time no see, Jocelyn."

Jocelyn frowned, "I don't remember you."

"It's Stacey Barry," said Stacey.

Jocelyn and Stacey quickly hugged each other.

Jocelyn winked at her little brother before grinning at Jocelyn, "Evan was so heartbroken when you had to move away after 9/11."

"I hated having to leave my friends, but a war started and I had to be a Navy Brat," said Stacey.

Jocelyn looked at her brother and said, "If you're going to abandon your parents and sisters for your second childhood crush after your kindergarten teacher, Miss Garcia, you better go tell your parents and our little sisters why so we can head back to our hotel."

Evan and Stacey both blushed.

"Damn ADHD making me distracted," said Evan.

Jocelyn gave her brother a shit-eating grin. "I think Mom, Dad, Lydia, and Chloe will understand because they know how much you missed Stacey. Mom and Dad have been getting on the two of us about falling in love, getting married, and giving them grandchildren because Dad is 57 and Mom is 53. They want some time to chase after their grandchildren before getting too old."

Stacey nodded, "Let's go say hi to them before we can continue catching up."

Two minutes later, Stacey hugged Red, Cindy, Chloe, and Lydia, who were happy to see her again. She told Lydia and Chloe she couldn't believe they had just graduated high school.

After leaving the restaurant, Evan and Stacey walked barefoot in ankle-deep water in the Pacific Ocean as the sun started to set behind the ocean.

"I'm sorry about my family's excitement over seeing you again," said Evan.

Stacey laughed, "It's alright, Evan. I was also excited to see you and your parents and three sisters again."

Evan looked into Stacey's eyes as he considered not seeing an engagement ring or wedding band. At the same time, Stacey didn't mention any boys who could be her boyfriend. "Even if I'm stationed at Coronado while working on a bachelor's degree in emergency management online, would you like to go out for dinner tomorrow?" asked Evan.

"Are you asking me out on a date?" asked Stacey.

Evan blushed. "If you had stayed after 9/11, I was planning on inviting you to our first middle school dance with me when we started sixth grade."

Stacey smiled, "I'd love to go on a date with you, Evan."

"So the idea of dating a Navy SEAL who eventually becomes a firefighter doesn't scare you?" asked Evan.

Stacey shook her head, "Throughout preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school until I moved away in the fifth grade, you always voiced about becoming a firefighter like your father."

"Thank you for understanding," said Evan.

Stacey looked at Evan, "Even if you asked me out for dinner tomorrow night, do you think I could-."

"Kiss me?" asked Evan.

Stacey nodded.

Evan nodded as he bent down so Stacey could kiss his lips.

The following morning, Evan went for breakfast with his parents and sisters.

Lydia smirked at her older brother, "What did you and Stacey get into after you abandoned us last night?" asked Lydia.

Evan blushed, "We kept on talking while going on a walk along the beach."

"With finding out that she's a dental hygienist here in San Diego and you being based in Coronado, you better ask her out on a date. You two can meet up for dates between your deployments and then write letters and video chat when you can while you're deployed," said Red.

Evan nodded, "We're going out for dinner this evening."

Cindy smiled. "That's great, Evan. I liked Stacey from the playdates you two started having in preschool, and I was sad for you when she moved away when you were ten."

Lydia grinned as she held up her iPhone 4S, which she had been given as her graduation gift, along with Chloe. "At least I'll get to share this photo as a bridesmaid during your future wedding."

Evan blushed when he realized he was looking at a picture of him and Stacey kissing in ankle-deep water. "You were spying on me?" he asked.

"You need to work on your situational awareness if you didn't see us walking along the beach, too," said Lydia.

Chloe laughed, "Evan was so lovestruck with Stacey that he didn't notice us."

Jocelyn smiled at her little brother and said, "Even if we were watching you and Stacey spend time together, we're very happy about you and Stacey starting a relationship. Her moving away was hard for you, but what matters is that you two reunited before either of you could be married and have families of your own."

Evan looked at his parents and said, "I know you two want grandchildren. I'm not going to rush into getting married and having children."

"That's alright because you just turned 21 and have plenty of time," said Cindy.

"Just remember that we're not getting any younger, and I'd like some time to be able to chase after grandchildren," said Red.

Evan pointed at Jocelyn, "If one of us are going to get married and have children, Jocelyn should be first due to being the oldest."

"I don't know if my boyfriend Jack will be the one for me," said Jocelyn.

Evan thought about his big sister's boyfriend of two years. "Why didn't Jack come down for my birthday?" he asked.

Jocelyn thought about her 26-year-old boyfriend, Jack Werner. Jack also worked as a social worker for DCFS, "Since he's only my boyfriend, Jack couldn't get a couple of days off like I could."

"Taking time off for this trip to celebrate your birthday was spontanous because you got done with your deployment sooner than you said you'd most likely be gone for," said Cindy.

"We have to head back up to LA this afternoon due to today being the last of my four-days off," said Red.

Evan nodded as he thought about his father, who had recently worked 12-hour shifts for four days before taking the past four days off. "I understand, and either way, I'm glad I was able to come home to attend Lydia and Chloe's high school graduation and celebrate my 21st birthday with my family."

Red smirked, "And the possible future Mrs. Delacroix."

Evan chuckled, grateful his parents and three sisters were supportive of his dating Stacey. "We'll have to wait and see," he said.

Three weeks later, Evan and Stacey were on their third date.

"Even if you mentioned you were adopted, have you ever learned anything about your birth family?" asked Stacey.

Evan nodded, "When I was 12, Mom and Dad kept me home from school one day and told me that my birth parents had me as a savior sibling for my older brother Daniel after my birth parents and older sister weren't a match for bone marrow."

Stacey's eyes widened, "You were a savior sibling like Anna was for Kate from My Sister's Keeper ?" asked Stacey.

Evan nodded, "I was, but the bone marrow didn't graft so my birth father allowed the hospital to call CPS when my eight-year-old older brother mentioned I should be given up for adoption for my safety before his death due to my birth mother blaming me."

"Thank goodness you were taken away before your older brother's death," said Stacey.

Evan nodded, "It was the best decision ever or Mom, Dad, Jocelyn, Lydia, Chloe, and even you could be in my life."

"Even if I left when my Dad reenlisted after the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks," said Stacey.

"I understood because you weren't the only kid with a parent in the military while living in LA at the time of 9/11," said Evan.

"I know, and when I got myself a Facebook account, I did try to track you down," said Stacey.

"I thought about getting an account, but it didn't pay to have an account while I'm in the Navy and I didn't want my biological parents or sister to track me down that way. Someday I'll get an account, but not today," said Evan.

"Did you ever track them down?" asked Stacey.

Evan shook his head, "I decided against tracking them down because they're strangers to me after I was only in their life for 12 months an,d I wouldn't allow someone who blamed me for something that wasn't my fault in my life."

"Even if we've been dating for a couple of weeks, I accept your decision of not tracking down your birth family." said Stacey.

Evan nodded, "I love the life I've had with Mom, Dad, Jocelyn, Lydia, Chloe, and the extended Aunt, Uncles, and cousins I gained from the 134."

"Family doesn't have to be by blood," said Stacey.

Evan nodded, "Exactly, and I'm looking forward to seeing how my family grows in the coming years."

On Christmas Day, Evan opened presents with his parents, three sisters, his girlfriend Stacey, and Jocelyn's fiance, Jack.

After opening presents, Evan and Stacey were in Evan's bedroom, which Red and Cindy never changed aside from getting him a queen-sized bed for when he came to visit after he joined the Navy.

"I have one last present I wanted to give you in private," said Stacey.

"What is it?" asked Evan.

Stacey handed Evan a small box and said, "Even if I just turned 22 and you'll be 22 by the time this gift finally arrives, I think we can do it."

Evan unwrapped the box and opened it to find a positive pregnancy test and a sonogram photo, "You're pregnant?" asked Evan.

Stacey nodded, "I'm nine weeks pregnant, and being on antibiotics after contracting strep throat from a patient is to blame when we had sex when I was no longer contagious."

"Even if the condom I was wearing ripped," said Evan.

Stacey nodded, "I'm not mad, and no matter what I'm keeping the baby."

Evan grinned, "Either way, I'm excited about becoming a father."

"Even if I have already told my boss about the pregnancy due to having to be careful when giving patients x-rays, I'm looking forward to becoming a mother," said Stacey.

"I should probably let my commander know about my impending fatherhood and marry Stacey to ensure Stacey and Baby Delacroix will be eligible for benefits like housing, health insurance, and family support programs from the Navy," muttered Evan to himself.

"Marry you?" asked Stacey.

Evan's eyes widened, "Did I just mention marriage out loud?" asked Evan.

Stacey nodded, "You mentioned me marrying you to ensure Baby Delacroix and I get benefits of health insurance, housing, and family-orinated services from the Navy."

"Sorry," said Evan.

"Don't be sorry for bringing up something practical," said Stacey.

"Even if we're celebrating our six-month anniversary in two days, are you-"

Tears leaked from Stacey's eyes, "Willing to become your wife?" asked Stacey.

Evan nodded, "I don't have a ring, and I managed to get your father's blessing when he showed up at Coronado to interrogate me about my intentions with you after you told them you were dating me-."

"My father showed up at Coronado?" asked Stacey.

Evan nodded. "He did, and he said, "I'm lucky he liked me when we were friends as children, and we'll be alright if I never hurt you."

Stacey shook her head, "I'm going to talk to him later."

"I'm not mad because I'm the same way with Jocelyn's and Lydia's boyfriends and Chloe's girlfriend," said Evan. He grew serious, "Back to engagement rings; we can go pick one out together if you're willing to marry me."

Stacey nodded, "Yes, I'll marry you."

A few seconds later, Evan and Stacey were kissing each other before falling onto Evan's bed.

A few minutes later, a knock sounded on Evan's bedroom door.

"Even if you and Stacey are consenting adults in a relationship, please don't have sex in your childhood bedroom when everyone's home," said Cindy from the doorway.

Evan and Stacey blushed as they broke apart.

"We're both fully clothed, Mom," said Evan.

"Can I come in?" asked Cindy.

"Come in," said Evan.

Cindy opened the bedroom and looked at Stacey with a knowing look, "How far are you?" asked Cindy.

"You know?" asked Stacey.

"Even if I'm a pediatrician, I'm also a mother who knows things about their daughters or even their son's girlfriend," said Cindy.

Stacey blushed, "Nine weeks from antibiotics counteracting with birth control and a ripped condom."

Evan looked at his mother, "Even if the pregnancy wasn't planned, I'm already going to support Stacey throughout the pregnancy and after the birth."

"Evan basically proposed to me by stating we should get married to ensure Baby Delacroix and I can get benefits we'd qualify for through the Navy, and I said yes," said Stacey.

"We'll go ring shopping tomorrow," said Evan.

Cindy grinned as she hugged Evan and Stacey, "This is the best Christmas ever. Another daughter and a first grandchild."

"Can you please keep Dad, Jocelyn, Lydia, and Chloe from finding out until after the first trimester?" asked Evan.

"We already know," said Lydia from the doorway.

"We all came to investigate, but Mom pulled the short straw to knock," said Chloe.

Jocelyn smirked, "At least I won't be pressured to get married or have kids for a bit since you're the one who's getting married and having a child first."

"I agree with your mother, this is the best Christmas ever," said Red.

A few minutes later, the Delacroix family, including Stacey and Jack, was drinking sparkling cider or champagne to celebrate their family getting bigger."

Chapter Text

On the second day of 2013, Evan and Stacey were getting ready to text, call, and email family and friends about their wedding date. Stacey was also going to post about getting married on February 2nd on her Facebook wall.

Stacey looked at her fiance, who was looking at the one picture he had of him with his birth family taken at his Christening at an Episcopal church in Philadelphia, "I take it that getting married and having a child has made you think about tracking down your birth family?" asked Stacey.

Evan nodded, "Yes, and the biggest con of tracking them down would be my birth mother and even my biological sister being upset about the idea of me falling in love, getting married, and expecting a child when Daniel never got these chances."

"It's very understandable that you're scared to tell them due to you being aware that your birth mother blamed you for Daniel's death when it wasn't your fault."

"Before you ask, I have talked to my therapist at the VA and even found a forum involving others who were given up for adoption."

"A forum?" asked Stacey.

"The forum I found has some members that stated they tracked their birth family down and were rebuffed and told to stay away while others stated their birth family stayed in contact with them," said Evan.

"So it can either be good or bad if you track down your birth family," said Stacey.

Evan nodded, "I know that, and what I told my therapist is I'm content with the family that raised me and the family I'm starting with you."

"You've been an adult for three and a half years now, and you never tracked them down due to being content," said Stacey.

"Are you stating I shouldn't track them down?" asked Evan.

Stacey nodded, "You shouldn't have any upsetting conversations with your birth family weeks before one of the happiest days of your life."

"I won't track them down because I don't think my birth parents and the parents who raised me for over 20 years and my biological sisters and the sisters that came into my life after Mom and Dad adopted me would interact," said Evan.

"No matter what, we're having the wedding filmed with a lot of pictures taken because not every guest we invite won't be able to make a wedding that's scheduled for five weeks after the proposal. You can always show your birth family the pictures and video if you decide to track them down and reconnect with them," said Stacey.

On February 2nd, 2013, Evan, in his formal Navy dress blues, and a 14-week pregnant Stacey, stood in the chapel at the Navy base in Coronado.

After Reverend Franklin started the ceremony, Evan and Stacey looked into each other's eyes as they stated what they needed to say until it was time for vows.

"Evan, please repeat after me," said Reverend Franklin as he recited what Evan needed to state.

"In the Name of God, I, Evan Johnathon Delacroix, take you, Anastasia, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death parts us. This is my solemn vow," recited Evan.

After Evan finished his vows, Reverend Franklin looked at Stacey and said, "Anastasia, please repeat after me."

"In the Name of God, I, Anastasia, take you, Evan, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death parts us. This is my solemn vow," recited Stacey.

More prayers were said during the rest of the ceremony, and rings were exchanged until Evan and Stacey were declared Mr. and Mrs. Evan and Anastasia Delacroix. Then, they kissed in front of their parents, siblings, Stacey's extended family, former members of the 134, and friends who could attend their wedding.

After spending the evening eating dinner, dancing, and drinking non-alcoholic beverages due to deciding on an alcohol-free wedding to support Stacey and Evan being in his dress blues, Evan and Stacey were spending the night in a honeymoon suite they managed to snag.

The morning after Evan and Stacey got married, they settled for breakfast in their hotel room when Evan's phone rang.

Stacey watched her husband's blue eyes, which were full of laughter, become serious as her husband straightened his back and answered the call by his title. She listened to the caller before saying a few things before hanging up.

Evan set aside his phone and looked at his wife, "Sorry."

"I take it you're getting deployed?" asked Stacey.

Evan nodded, "I'm leaving for at least five months in three days, and I'm sorry that I'm leaving just after we got married."

"It's alright, Evan. We knew you could be deployed at any moment, and that's why we got married within five weeks of you proposing," said Stacey.

"Even if we got to enjoy ourselves tonight, at least we agreed to hold off on our honeymoon until after Baby Delacroix turns one and I'm done with active duty," said Evan.

Stacey nodded, "I wouldn't want to go to Peru for two weeks while pregnant and then breastfeeding for Baby Delacroix's first year."

After Evan and Stacey finished eating, they enjoyed themselves a bit before checking out of the honeymoon suite and headed to their two-bedroom apartment.

On the day of Stacey's 20-week ultrasound, Evan got on Skype to video chat with his wife during her ultrasound.

"Sorry I couldn't make it to the ultrasound, Stace," said Evan.

"It's alright, Ev. We both knew there was a chance you'd end up being sent overseas shortly after the wedding. That's why we're holding off our honeymoon until the baby's one and a half and you're no longer on active duty," said Stacey.

"While I managed to call in today and make it to San Diego for the appointment when Molly couldn't make it," said Cindy.

"I'll try to make it home for the birth," said Evan.

Then, a knock sounded on the door, causing the doctor to come in with an ultrasound machine.

After measurements were done and the heartbeat was checked, Stacey's doctor spoke up, "Do you want to know the gender?" asked Dr. Quincy.

"We decided to be surprised at birth," said Stacey.

"Are you sure?" asked Dr. Quincy.

"Positive," said Evan.

"Even if my daughter-in-law's mother couldn't make it out here, Stacey's mother Molly and I agreed to respect the decisions of our children," said Cindy.

"At least you're not one of those mother-in-laws who are basically a monster-in-law to their son's wives, girlfriends, or fiancees.," said Dr. Quincy.

"Talking from experience?" asked Cindy.

"My mother-in-law treats me horribly and I've encountered overbearing mothers and mother-in-laws who show up with their daughter or daughter-in-laws," said Dr. Quincy.

"Even if I'm adopted, I could imagine my birth mother or even my biological sister would say that after I was unable to save Daniel, I wouldn't deserve to have children after my birth parents spent a lot of money to have me through IVF so I could donate bone marrow to Daniel if I was in contact with my birth family," said Evan.

Cindy thought about her son's VA therapist while speaking gently yet sternly, "Please tell me you've been talking to your therapist about those thoughts because you deserve everything you want, Sweetheart."

"I have talked to Stacey and my therapist about those thoughts before the wedding, Mom," said Evan.

"I told him that he didn't have to tell his birth family about us getting married and expecting a baby, Cindy," said Stacey.

"As much as I know you cherish talking to your husband, we need to finish this appointment so you can empty your bladder, I move onto my next patient, and your husband gets some sleep," said Dr. Quincy.

On August 5th, Evan exited the firing range after practicing his shooting when his commander, Nick Engle, rushed over to him, "I just got a call from my wife Jasmine, who's been keeping Stacey company while you're on base."

"Is Stacey or Baby Delacroix alright?" asked Evan.

"Baby Delacroix decided to stop being stubborn like you and break your wife's water. Jasmine is driving Stacey to the hospital right now," said Commander Engle.

Evan grinned, "I need to get to the hospital, now."

"I'll give you a ride, and you'll get the next month off. "

"Let's go," said Evan.

Fifteen hours later, Evan held Stacey's hand as he coached his wife in the delivery room: "You heard the doctor. Just a couple more pushes, and Baby Delacroix will be here."

Stacey glared at her husband as she gave her husband a threat that involved her using his gun, which made him gulp.

"You're almost there because I can see the head, Stacey," said Dr. Quincy.

A few pushes later, Dr. Quincy held up a crying Baby Delacroix, "Congratulations, Mommy and Daddy, you two have a beautiful son."

Evan and Stacey grinned at each other as they kissed each other.

"Does Daddy want to cut the cord?" asked Dr. Quincy.

A few seconds later, Evan was cutting the umbilical cord that connected his wife and son as he thought about the name he and Stacey picked out for their possible son, "Brian Joseph Delacroix; welcome to the chaotic Delacroix family. I'm your father, Evan Delacroix, and the beautiful woman in the bed is your mother, Anastasia Delacroix, whom everyone calls Stacey."

After Brian was wiped up a bit, Brian was placed on Stacey's chest before Evan went with Brian to watch his son get checked over while Stacey delivered the placenta, received stitches for a slight tear, and took a shower.

An hour later, Evan was sitting by his wife's bed as Stacey breastfed Brian. "Brian weighed eight pounds and 10 ounces and measured 23 inches long."

Stacey whistled, "Dang, our son is tall for a newborn nine days past his due date."

Evan laughed, "The nurse said Brian is all legs like me."

Stacey studied her son, "I'm pleased he's been kissed by an angel by inheriting your birthmark."

Evan smiled at his wife, "Thank you for giving me our perfect son, Stacey."

Stacey smirked, "I don't think you'll be thanking me anymore the first time you get peed on, pooped on, puked on, or deal with your first major diaper blowout."

After Evan and Stacey ate breakfast, Evan smiled as he watched his parents and his in-laws, Derek and Molly Barry, enter Stacey's hospital room.

Red looked at the baby, who was swaddled in a hospital-issued blanket, while the baby had a white cloth hat on their head, "Are you two finally going to tell us if we have a grandson or a granddaughter?" asked Red.

Derek nodded, "You didn't even tell us the gender or gave the name in a text message."

Evan noticed the absence of his three sisters. "Where are Jocelyn, Lydia, and Chloe?" he asked.

Stacey tilted her head as she thought about her 27-year-old sister Olive and her 18-year-old brother Mason, "And Olive and Mason?" asked Stacey.

"After you two being up pretty much all night, we were asked to come in small groups by your nurse," said Molly.

"We can each get a moment with our grandchild before the Aunts and Uncle get a chance meeting their niece or nephew before you two get some more rest," said Derek.

Evan stood with Brian and held him up to show his face, "Grandma, Grandpa, Meemaw, and Gramps, meet Brian Joseph Delacroix, your grandson."

Cindy teared up, "Brian's beautiful, Evan."

Red nodded, "Brian has your birthmark, son."

"Even if I understood the decision you two made about being surprised, I just knew you two were expecting a boy," said Molly.

Derek looked at his son-in-law, "Do you think Brian's going to join the Navy like you and me someday?" asked Derek.

"I'm not sure, but I'll support whatever career he decides to work," said Evan.

"How about the four of you take turns passing your grandson around before the aunts and uncle get a turn holding their nephew," said Stacey.

"While we'll keep our mouths shut when we tell them it's their turn to step into the room," said Molly.

For the next five minutes, all four grandparents took turns holding their grandson before Jocelyn, Lydia, Chloe, Olive, and Mason took turns meeting their nephew while Jocelyn and Chloe stated that Jocelyn's fiance Jack and Chloe's girlfriend Lily will meet Brian when Stacey and Brian get released from the hospital.

Six weeks after Brian's birth, Evan had been back from paternal leave for two weeks and was out on a mission. He had just got some women and children who were being held hostage into a helicopter that quickly flew away and was going to help his teammates take care of their targets when he felt a sharp pain coming from the side of his abdomen that wasn't protected by his Kevlar vest, causing him to blackout before an explosion made him fly a certain distance.

A day later, in Evan and Stacey's two-bedroom apartment in Coronado, breastfeeding Brian as her mother-in-law and father-in-law, who were visiting, were prepping dinner just as a knock sounded on the door.

Within the next couple of minutes, both Stacey and Cindy were crying as they learned about Evan being in a medically induced coma in Germany after getting shot in the liver, and an explosion happened.

Red looked at his wife and daughter-in-law, "With you just giving birth six weeks ago and Brian's immune system not being strong enough for a flight, I'll go be with Evan until he can be transported here."

"While I still have work," said Cindy.

Red nodded.

"And it helps your Evan's secondary medical power of attorney," said Stacey.

"You're not mad about me insisting on going?" asked Red.

Stacey nodded, "With Brian being six weeks old, I'm not going to be able to be away from him for more than a day."

"When I arrive at the hospital in Germany, I'll get you on Skype so we can convince the doctors to transport Evan to a hospital here," said Red.

"Please get me on Skype, and I'll ask my father to help convince the doctors to have the Navy transport Evan back home, too," said Stacey.

"I hope you'll get your father to help out," said Red.

Evan woke up to a soft hand squeezing his own.

"Evan?" asked a gentle voice.

Evan slowly opened his eyes to find Stacey as he croaked, "Stacey."

"Good to know you know who I am even with a grade 3 concussion from hitting your head with your helmet on," said Stacey.

Evan noticed the IV in his hand, "I'm in the hospital."

Stacey nodded as she helped her husband drink water, "The Navy hospital in San Diego."

Evan frowned, "San Diego?" asked Evan.

"You were in a coma for four weeks now, and you flew here two weeks ago when you were declared stable for travel," said Stacey gently.

Evan teared up, "I missed a month of Brian's life?" asked Evan.

Stacey held her husband's hand. "It's not your fault, Ev. I took too many pictures and filmed videos of him so you could see what you missed."

"I'm sorry for being in a coma for a month," said Evan.

"It's not your fault, Evan. You were critically injured, and your body needed rest to recover," said Stacey. She smiled a bit, "What matters to me is that Daniel protected you as your guardian angel so you could come home to Brian, your parents, sisters, and me."

"What happened?" asked Evan.

"I wasn't told what happened due to everything being classified, but even with a Kevlar vest on, the bullet managed to penetrate into your liver. The surgeons managed to save your liver by removing a portion of your liver."

"Livers regenerate themselves," said Evan. He tilted his head, "You mentioned a grade three concussion."

Stacey nodded, "The concussion is gone, but your skull got fractured, too."

"No brain bleed?" asked Evan.

"A small one, but the neurologist was able to treat it without operating and you didn't have any seizures this past month," said Stacey.

"Anything else?" asked Evan.

"Some broken ribs, but they're healing," said Stacey.

Evan noticed the cast on his right leg, "And a broken foot, ankle, or leg."

"A greenstick fracture on your leg, but you'll be out of the cast in two weeks," said Stacey.

"No other injuries?" asked Evan.

"Nope, and even if your body's been moved around to prevent bed sores and muscle atrophy, you've been on blood thinners due to prolonged immobility from your coma to prevent blood clots and will be on them until you're up and moving again," said Stacey.

Evan then flashed back to the bomb going off as he thought about his team. "What's the status of my team?" he asked.

Stacey squeezed her husband's hand, "I'm sorry to say all of them, but your commander perished. Funerals have already happened and I sent condolence cards to the families while I've kept them updated on you."

Evan started to cry as he felt Stacey gently hug him.

A few seconds later, a nurse came into the room, "Even if I knew you woke up and decided to give you and your wife privacy so you two could talk due it being 4 AM, it's finally nice to see your blue eyes your wife has been gushing to me about, Petty Officer Delacroix."

A few seconds later, Evan answered and even asked questions as his vitals were being taken before being taken for some scans.

A few hours later, after removing the feeding tube from his stomach, Evan was finally allowed to eat some bland food. He looked at his wife as she ate breakfast with them. "Have you told Mom, Dad, Jocelyn, Lydia, and Chloe that I'm awake yet? Can I see Brian?" asked Evan.

"Even if we knew you were showing signs of waking up yesterday after the drugs were stopped a week ago and I was given permission to stay with you overnight so you wouldn't wake up alone, I haven't told them that you're awake yet," said Stacey.

"Why?" asked Evan.

Stacey smirked. "Because of your love, surprising people, I thought it'd be fun to surprise them. They should have been here after 10, when I alerted them that you were getting routine tests to check your skull fracture and liver."

"What about Brian? I know kids aren't allowed in the ICU, but has he been by to see me?" asked Evan.

Stacey shook her head, "No, I'll bring him by to visit tomorrow after you're taken to a regular room tonight."

Evan yawned.

"Even if you woke up and gone through soem tests, it's alright to get some sleep. You went through a major trauma, and your body needs more time to recover," said Stacey.

A few seconds later, Evan and Stacey kissed, even if Stacey grumbled about extreme morning breath before Evan fell asleep while Stacey hid the evidence of Evan's food and water.

An hour later, Evan cracked open his eyes and saw his father reading Indian and the Cupboard out loud to him while his mother stroked his curls, which had grown out since his deployment and then coma. "Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad."

"Evan!" exclaimed Cindy.

Red quickly closed the book, "My boy's finally awake."

Evan gave a slight grin as his parents hugged him, and they both sobbed in relief into his shoulders. "I finally woke up before 4 AM this morning."

"And Stacey didn't even update us, your sisters, or her parents?" asked Cindy.

"I figured my husband would rather surprise you two than have me ask you two and his sisters to rush to the hospital," said Stacey from the doorway.

Red laughed, "You know how to be a little shit like my son."

Stacey grinned, "I grew up being an annoying little sister to Olive until my little brother Mason started annyong me."

Evan looked at his phone on the rolling hospital tray. "I take it Jocelyn, Chloe, and Lydia are at work or class right now?" he asked.

Cindy nodded, "Yes."

"They did stop by this past weekend," said Red.

"They're going to be thrilled when we tell them you woke up," said Cindy.

"Even if they're at school and work, can we see about scheduling a four-way call at 6 PM on one of your phones?" asked Evan.

Cindy realized what their son was planning, "And when they're all connected, you say hi?" asked Cindy.

Evan nodded, "Yes."

Cindy stroked her son's curls, "We can do that, Sweetheart."

"While your mother and I are already planning on cooking your favorites so you can gain the weight you lost back," said Red.

"I can go for Mom's chicken pot pie and Stacey's eggplant lasagna," said Evan.

Stacey laughed, "I'll make you that lasagna tomorrow morning."

"Thank you," said Evan.

"Thank you for being a fighter and come home alive," said Stacey.

Cindy looked at Stacey and said, "Before Red and I left your apartment, your neighbor Jasmine told us that Brian needed more diapers."

Stacey looked at her husband, "Other wives on base have been watching Brian while I stayed by your bedside."

Evan noticed the dark circles underneath his wife's eyes, "How about you go home to Brian."

"Are you sure?" asked Stacey.

"Even if I've been asleep for a month, you look more exhausted like me," said Evan.

Cindy placed a hand on her daughter-in-law's shoulder, "I'll drive you home."

After Evan and Stacey kissed, Stacey allowed her mother-in-law to drive her home.

At 6 PM, Evan was smiling a bit as he heard his three sisters shout with joy when he surprised them by calling on his mother's phone before a four-way Skype call ended up happening.

The following morning, Evan was tearing up as his wife placed a ten-week-old Brian into his arms with a pillow to protect his ribs, "Hi there, Brian. I know I saw you smile for the first time on Skype a month ago, but Daddy's finally home from war. I missed you so much, Brian."

Brian cooed and smiled.

Evan noticed that Brian's blue eyes were lightening, to his shade of blue eyes. His birthmark was still prominent around his left eyebrow, but Brian's blonde hair was beginning to darken slightly to the shade of Stacey's light brown hair. At the same time, Brian inherited his curls, "Your features have changed over the past month."

Brian smiled again.

"It looks like you have my smile," said Evan.

"Brian looks like he's going to be a perfect mixture of us," said Stacey.

Evan nodded, "While we'll have to wait and see about his personality."

The next day, Evan was finally being debriefed before being given an honorable discharge from the Navy and rewarded multiple medals for his service.

After the debriefing was over, Stacey entered her husband's hospital room and noticed the tears on her husband's cheeks, "What's wrong, Ev?" asked Stacey.

"After getting a skull fracture, part of my liver removed, and losing all but my Commander, I'm getting an honorable discharge from the Navy," said Evan.

"Are you happy or sad about that?" asked Stacey.

"I'm pretty happy about being discharged from the Navy because I don't want to miss out on watching Brian's milestones while I'll have more time to finish my degree in Emergency Management," said Evan.

"Are you still going to try and become a firefighter in 2017?" asked Stacey.

Evan nodded. "The doctor said I shouldn't have any issues with becoming a firefighter in a couple of years."

"What do you think about moving to Los Angeles after you're discharged from here?" asked Stacey.

"Move to LA after I'm discharged?" asked Evan.

Stacey grinned, "I have two weeks of maternity leave left, so it'd be easy to transfer to LA before I start working again."

"I'd like the idea of moving to LA when I'm discharged from here," said Evan.

"Even if you'll get assistance from the VA and the Navy will pay for your medical and therapy bills, what are you thinking about doing for work when you're physically and mentally recovered until you become a firefighter?" asked Stacey.

"I'm not sure yet, but some ideas I have are a lifeguard, swim instructor, and even a construction worker because working as a lifeguard and swim instructor would look good for my future application to become a firefighter while working as a construction worker will look good because of working with tools firefighters would use on the job," said Evan.

"Those would be good careers, but for now just focus on physically and mentally recovering," said Stacey.

Evan nodded. "I agree, and it helps that we're not hurting financially, thanks to the pay I've received from the Navy SEALs and my trust fund."

Stacey thought about her husband having a trust fund with over $3,000,000 in it thanks to the trust fund gaining interest over the years, "Which we agreed to use towards buying a house after you told me about yoru trust fund."

"I know that we're nowhere ready for a second child, but how many more kids do you see yourself having with me?" asked Evan.

"At least two more kids," said Stacey.

"And if we don't want Brian and his future little brothers or sisters to share any bedrooms, we should at least get a five-bedroom house so we have a guest room," said Evan.

Stacey nodded, "A five-bedroom house makes sense."

"What about a five-bedroom house?" asked Red.

Evan noticed his parents were there with Brian, "I'm being honorably discharged from the Navy due to my injuries."

Cindy gently placed Brian in her son's awaiting arms. "How do you feel about the discharge?" she asked.

"I'm kind of relieved because it means I won't have to leave Stacey and Brian for unknown periods," said Evan.

"We're released, too. It's been difficult for us to have you go through limited contact periods," said Red.

"Now what about a five-bedroom house?" asked Cindy.

"With Evan getting discharged from the Navy and me having two weeks of maternity leave yet, I talked Evan into me transferring to a dental clinic in Los Angeles," said Stacey.

Cindy gave her son and daughter-in-law a hopeful look, "You two are moving to Los Angeles? Asked Cindy.

"We're planning on moving to LA after my physical injuries heal, I attend therapy for a while, and I complete the paperwork needed for an honorable discharge," said Evan.

"How fast can you two and my grandson move to LA?" asked Red.

"It'll take a couple of weeks to complete the paperwork, so by Christmas we should be living permanently in LA," said Evan.

"With Jocelyn now living in a two-bedroom apartment with Jack, you two and Brian are moving in with us," said Cindy.

"Are you sure?" asked Evan.

Red nodded, "Even if you're 22, we'd never kick any of our kids out, and living with your mother and me would give you time to get back on your feet while you and Stacey find your dream house."

"And living with us will give your father something to do as he adjusts to retired life," said Cindy.

Evan looked at his wife, "What do you think?" asked Evan.

"I say we move in with your parents because Mom and Dad wouldn't turn us away while you get back on your feet and we search for our dream house," said Stacey.

Evan looked at his parents, "Stacey, Brian, and I will move in."

Cindy hugged her son, "Even if Chloe's been living with us as she attends the performing arts school in Los Angeles to become a dance instructor, it's going to be so nice having another child under our roof."

Two months later, on December 16th, Evan, Stacey, and a four-month-old Brian were moving to Los Angeles after Evan completed the paperwork for his discharge from the Navy and attended many therapy sessions with a psychiatrist, psychologist, and a physical therapist.

On Christmas Day, Evan and Stacey cuddled in their bedroom in Evan's childhood home. After the New Year, Stacey will return to working as a dental hygienist at the dental clinic, while Evan will start working as a dual lifeguard/swim instructor at the YMCA.

"Just think about it: a year ago today, I told you about Brian, and you proposed to me," said Stacey.

"This has been quite the year, and I'm looking forward to no longer having to go away for unknown periods for deployments," said Evan.

"Me, too," said Stacey.

Brian's babbles sounded through the baby monitor.

Stacey chuckled, "He's definitely taking after you with talking."

"Let's go get our son up," said Evan.

An hour later, the Delacroix family, Jack, and Chloe's girlfriend Lily were opening presents.

Chapter Text

On Evan and Stacey's first wedding anniversary, they were out for a drive when Stacey saw a man hammering a for-sale sign in the yard of a two-story craftsman-style house that looked like it needed a fresh coat of paint, a mowing of the lawn, and a roof replacement.

"Stop driving, Evan," said Stacey.

Evan quickly pulled over, "What?" asked Evan.

Stacey pointed at the house, "Look at that craftsman-style house."

Evan studied the outside of the house. "Even if work needs to be done on the house, I'd like to check it out?"

Stacey nodded, "Please."

Two minutes later, Evan and Stacey approached the man who had rammed the For Sale sign into the ground.

Evan looked at the man, who appeared to be in his mid-50s. "Excuse me, sir. I'm Evan, and this is my wife, Stacey. Are you a Realtor or the owner of the house?"

The man looked between Evan and Stacey, "I'm Wesley, and my foster parents owned this house before they died a week apart at a nursing home a month ago."

"I'm sorry for your loss," said Stacey.

"They never had any children of their own, but they spent 20 years being foster parents, but never adopted any of the foster children. I'm the only former foster kid who stayed in contact with them when I became of age, and they left me the house," said Wesley.

"CPS took me from my birth parents a few weeks after my first birthday, and I was adopted pretty quickly," said Evan.

"Did your adoptive parents treat you well? Are you still in contact with them?" asked Wesley.

Evan nodded, "They're doting grandparents to Stacey's and my five-month-old son."

"You don't want this house?" asked Stacey.

Wesley nodded, "I live in Milwaukee with my wife, kids, and newborn grandson, and my wife and I are not interested in moving here. Neither did my kids, and my former foster siblings don't want the house either."

"We're looking for a house after we and our son moved in with my in-laws following my husband's discharge from the Navy in December," said Stacey.

Wesley smiled, "Even if I was a Marine, thank you for your service."

"Thank you for your service, too," said Evan.

"Even if you two can see that work on the outside has to be done, would you two like a look at the house? It has five bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms," said Wesley.

Evan and Stacey grinned at each other as they thought about agreeing to get a five-bedroom house so they have three bedrooms for kids and a guest bedroom.

"Please, because even if my parents are allowing us and Brian to stay as long as we need to, it's difficult having-"

"Having a sex life underneath your parents' roof?" asked Wesley.

Evan and Stacey blushed.

"No need to be embarrassed. I work as a marriage counselor," said Wesley.

A minute later, Evan and Stacey entered the house with Wesley.

"These are original wooden floors that'll need refurbishing to look good as new," said Wesley.

"That's good," said Stacey.

Evan looked at the walls, "The walls will need a fresh coat of paint."

Wesley nodded, "They were painted 11 years ago."

Evan, Stacey, and Wesley were in the large, spacious kitchen two minutes later.

Evan, who enjoyed cooking with his mother, the 134, and even the cooking classes he took in middle and high school, drooled at the kitchen island, built-in stove, and refrigerator, "Look at this kitchen."

Wesley looked at Evan, "You cook?" asked Wesley.

Evan nodded. "My sisters and I helped our parents prepare meals, and I helped with prepping meals when spending time with my father at the 134. I even took cooking classes as electives in middle and high school."

"And my mother taught me how to cook outside of cooking classes in school, too," said Stacey.

After touring the backyard, which included garden space, an empty in-ground swimming pool, and a hot tub with a fence around the pool, Evan and Stacey went upstairs. They saw the one first-floor bedroom with a bathroom that needed a new shower, sink, and toilet.

Stacey drooled at the large primary ensuite bathroom, which had a toilet, double sink, clawfoot tub, and shower stall with a built-in bench. "Look at that tub, Evan."

"It's a long one, too," said Evan.

"My foster father was around your height," said Wesley.

"Even if the sink and toilet need replacing, this is a beautiful ensuite bathroom," said Stacey.

Wesley nodded, "Yes."

When Wesley was done showing Evan and Stacey the rest of the house, including an additional three decent-sized bathrooms, a Jack & Jill bathroom with two sinks between two bedrooms, and another bathroom that had a tub, sink, and shower, Wesley looked between Evan and Stacey, "What do you two think?" asked Wesley.

"Even if this house is a fixer-upper when it comes to needing fresh paint inside and out, floors that need refurbishing, and bathrooms that need updating, it is beautiful," said Evan.

Stacey nodded, "A beautiful house for a family to grow into."

"Would you two like to buy it?" asked Wesley.

Evan looked at his wife, "Do you want this house?" asked Evan.

Stacey nodded, "Even if it needs work, I fell in love with it. I see ourselves, Brian, and any other children we have living together in this house."

"What's the price?" asked Evan.

"Due to my former foster parents not being in a nursing home for the past five years and no one thinking about putting it on the market after the fridge and pantry were cleaned out, I'm selling it for $500,000 due to wanting a quick sale and the work needing to be done," said Wesley.

Evan grinned, "We'll buy it outright, but add another $500,000."

"You two millionaires or something if you're offering $1,000,000 to me?" asked Wesley.

" My birth father made sure I still got access to the trust fund from my paternal grandparents when I turned 21, and I'd still have a lot left after paying $1,000,000 for the house," said Evan.

"I'm fine with you two paying my $500,000 asking price. This house was empty for five years, so you two will be spending a lot of money to fix up the house," said Wesley.

Stacey looked at her husband and whispered, "Should we offer $800,000 instead?" asked Stacey.

Evan nodded. "No matter what, $500,000 is too low an asking price for a house this spacious. We're going to pay for it in full right away."

Stacey nodded, "What my husband said. If you don't let us pay more than your asking price, we're going to look for a different house. Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the country, so it shouldn't be too difficult to find another five-bedroom house that's either a fixer-upper or not."

Wesley chuckled, "You two are forces to be reckoned with, and because you two are the first people to approach me about the house, and my former foster parents would want this house to go to a young couple who'd want to fix-up the house to make it their dream home for their growing family. Pick a price between $550,000 and $800,000, but I'm not going any higher than $800,000."

Stacey looked at Wesley, "We'll offer $800,000."

"$750,000," said Wesley.

Evan and Stacey looked at each other before nodding.

"How about $775,000," said Evan.

Wesley let out a belly laugh, "You two are forces to be reckoned with, but you got a deal."

Evan smirked, "My call sign in the Navy was Firecracker."

"Firecracker suits you," said Wesley.

"My parents and sisters said so, too," said Evan.

Wesley shook hands with Evan and Stacey, "Since it's Sunday, we'll start scheduling appointments with my lawyer to fill out paperwork."

Stacey nodded, "Alright, and thankfully, the husband of one of my coworkers is a real estate lawyer who already offered his services when we found ourselves a house."

A while later, Evan and Stacey entered the Delacroix family home to find Cindy giving a nearly six-month-old Brian his bottle, "You two were gone longer than planned."

"We were out for a ride, and we found a house just being put up for sale. I asked Evan to pull over so we could talk to the guy putting the house on the market," said Stacey.

"Wesley inherited his foster parents five-bedroom craftsman-style house after his former foster parents passed away a few weeks back, and he offered us a tour when he saw we were intrested," said Evan.

"It's a fixer-upper with both the outside and the inside needing work, but he was selling the beautiful house for half a million dollars for a quick sale when he asked us if we'd like to buy the house," said Stacey.

"Selling a five-bedroom craftsman-style house for $500,000 is a steal. Did you two decide to buy the house?" asked Cindy.

Evan nodded, "Even if work needs to be done, we're paying him $775,000 after doing some negotiating after he turned down my $1,000,000 offer when I told him for a house that big, the asking price was too small."

"Even if Red and I told you two that we're not rushing to kick you two out of this house since we have the space, it's wonderful you two found a five-bedroom house for a deal of $775,000," said Cindy.

Evan nodded. "We're not going to rush to move out. The floors will need refurbishing, all the walls need fresh paint, and even the bathrooms need updating."

Red entered the living room, "What about bathrooms needing updating?" asked Red.

"We just found our dream home for Brian and future Delacroix children to grow up in," said Stacey.

"And put in an offer to the owner that got accepted," said Evan.

"We took pictures of the house," said Stacey.

"We'll have to see about water, sewage, and wiring even if the lights were working," said Evan.

For the next fifteen minutes, Stacey showed her in-laws the pictures she had taken in every room inside and outside the house.

After going through the house, Red whistled, "Even if the house is a fixer-upper with refurbished floors, fresh paint in every room, new bathroom appliances, and work to be done outside, you two found a beautiful house for $775,000."

"I know we'll be putting time and money into fixing the house," Evan said.

Red nodded. "Even if you have your trust fund to help pay for all the house's repairs, we'll help pay for painting the interior rooms and either refurbishing or replacing the floors."

"I ended up emailing the pictures to my parents, and they offered to pay for an exterminator for any infestation that could have happened during the past five years, the new roof, and the outside of the house getting new paint or siding," said Stacey.

Evan looked at his wife and said, "At least we'll just have to pay for new appliances ourselves since we can afford to buy the house outright without a mortgage."

Stacey nodded, "Yep."

Over the next couple of months, Evan and Stacey worked together to fix up their house, hiring a handyman named Howard Price to assist them with repairs. They needed a professional's help, so Howard's wife Carla swooped in to babysit Brian between her clients and even helped Buck complete the paperwork to help him qualify for all the services he qualifies for through the VA.

At 4 PM on June 27th in New York City, Maddie Carmichael was sitting up in a hospital bed holding her son, who was born at 5 AM that morning, with tears streaming down her face as she held 11-hour-old son Matthew Carmichael, "Matthew, you don't know it, but you share your birthday with your Uncle Evan. He turned 23 today. He was taken away by CPS a few weeks after his first birthday, and I miss him every day. I wonder if he's been adopted, spent the entire time in foster care until he aged out, or ended up joining Daniel in Heaven because he never tracked me down when he turned 18. I can't find an Evan Buckley with the same birthday or the same birthmark as your Uncle Evan was born with on Facebook. If he were back in my life, he'd spoil you and your three-year-old sister, Eliana."

Matthew blinked at his mother.

"One of these days I'll finally locate your Uncle Evan because he missed out on attending my wedding, the birth of Eliana, Eliana's birthdays, and now your birth," said Maddie.

Evan, Stacey, and Brian finally moved into their dream house two weeks before Brian's first birthday.

"I'm looking forward to us growing our family inside this house," said Stacey.

"Even if I'm not a firefighter in three years, I don't care if the commute can last up to an hour because I promised myself I'd buy you the first house you'd fall in love with that was in our budget with or without a military VA loan," said Evan.

Stacey looked at the pack-n-play where Brian was napping in and said, "I can't believe Brian will be one in two weeks."

"Me, too," said Evan, tilting his head. Even if we're finally unpacked in our new house, Brian will be one in two weeks, and I'm attending group therapy at the VA, do you think we're ready for another baby yet?"

"I want more kids, but I want to wait until next year to get pregnant again due to something I want to do first," said Stacey.

"What do you want to do?" asked Evan.

"Before I found out we were expecting Brian, I applied to volunteer with other dentists and dental hygienists, providing dental care in countries like Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and a few others, thanks to my fluency in Spanish," said Stacey.

"And I was supportive of you doing this program because of my deployments with the Navy SEALs, but you had to back out when you found out we were expecting Brian," said Evan.

Stacey nodded, "Now that Brian will be turning one and I'm done breastfeeding, I was hoping you'd let me volunteer from after Thanksgiving to the middle of March."

"Even if I miss you like we missed each other when I was deployed before my medical discharge, you should volunteer in South America. I'll have Mom, Dad, Jocelyn, and even the daycare at the YMCA to help me out," said Evan.

Stacey grinned, "The good thing about you working for the YMCA is they offered you a discount in daycare for Brian when I'm at work and you'd be working by the pool as a lifeguard or a swim instructor."

"And getting access to their gym to help keep my body in shape for when I eventually apply to become a firefighter," said Evan.

"Since you earned a medical discharge from the Navy in December, I'm surprised you're still waiting to enter the Fire Academy in 2017," said Stacey.

Evan considered starting his bachelor's in emergency management online in September 2011. He worked on it during deployments before having much more time to work on his degree, between working at the YMCA and working on the house. "I want to finish my bachelor's in emergency management. I've been working at my own pace since 2011."

"So you can mention the degree when you apply?" asked Stacey.

Evan nodded, "Having a degree in emergency management will look good, along with my being a Navy veteran."

"While you'll have a few more years being home every night with Brian, another future Baby Delacroix, and me before you have to spend a couple of nights at whatever firestation you're stationed at every week," said Stacey.

Evan nodded, "That's another reason why, too."

Two weeks later, Evan, Stacey, Red, Cindy, Jocelyn, Jack, Lydia, Chloe, Lily, Molly, Derek, Stacey's 28-year-old sister Olive, Stacey's 19-year-old brother Mason, and Olive's boyfriend of six-months Patrick Jenkins were surrounding Brian as they, and Evan's and Stacey's friends from work or when they were in school sang Happy Birthday to Brian.

After Evan and Stacey helped Brian blow out the candle, Brian made a mess of himself and his parents with his smash cake while a laughing Red filmed the moment.

The day after Thanksgiving, Evan stood with Stacey inside the International flight check-in area at LAX.

Stacey, who was holding a 15-month-old Brian on his hip, was kissing her son's chubby cheeks as she took in her son's blue eyes, curls, and birthmark that matched her husband's and her son's brown hair that matched her brown hair, "Mommy's going to miss you so much as she goes to South America to help clean teeth of many kids."

Brian smiled at his mother while patting his mother's cheek, "Mama. Mama. Mama."

Stacey chuckled, "Quite the Mama's boy you are, Tadpole."

Evan chuckled as he thought about Brian getting the nickname Tadpole after finding a frog in the garden and bringing it to Stacey, "Tadpole's going to be fine with me. If you survived me being on deployment while pregnant with Brian and after Brian's birth, I can survive raising our son."

"I do want to Skype once a day so I can see and talk to our son," said Stacey.

"I promise we'll Skype once daily," said Evan.

"Take care of Brian's teeth and don't feed him too much sugar or junk food," said Stacey.

Evan chuckled as he thought about his wife being strict on brushing and flossing due to being a dental hygienist, "I'll make sure to brush his teeth and treat him to sugar and junk food in moderation."

"If he grows out of his current outfits, make sure to get him new outfits," said Stacey.

"I know," said Evan.

"Maybe I should back out," said Stacey.

Evan glanced at his wife and said, "We'll be fine, Stace. I've taken care of Brian on my own countless times."

"Not for four months," said Stacey.

"We'll be fine because you know I have a village of people to help out. Even your parents moved back here a month ago since Brian is their only grandchild, and they know I want to remain in LA because of my parents and sisters," said Evan. He gently removed Brian from his wife's arms and said, "Go, and Brian and I love you."

Brian leaned forward and kissed his mother's cheek, "Wuv you, Mama."

Stacey kissed her husband and son, saying, "I love you two boys so much, and I'll see you two in Peru for Christmas."

Evan nodded as he thought about Jocelyn and Jack. They decided to get married in Peru on December 27th and had all the requirements taken care of. Brian will be the ring bearer. Then, on December 29th, Red, Cindy, Brian, and Lydia will be heading back to LA, while he'll stay in South America for an additional two weeks for their long-awaited honeymoon. "We'll see you in person on December 23rd."

A moment later, Stacey was walking off with other volunteers.

Two hours later, Evan and Brian were heading home after they went to McDonalds for an early 10:45 AM lunch so Brian could get a chicken nugget Happy Meal before his nap when Evan, who was at a red light, saw a car go past him and smash into another car, "Oh fuck."

Brian grinned from his car seat in the back, "Oh fuck."

Evan shook his head before noticing that another person was calling 9-1-1. He ensured the AC was on and locked his son in his Jeep before going to help the victims. He grabbed the emergency kit, which included something to break car windows, gloves, and a first aid kit, which his father had made sure he always kept in his vehicle when he got his driver's license at 16.

"You have Brian with you, Evan?" asked a male voice.

Evan turned to see his former classmate and friend Kyle, "I do, Kyle."

"I witnessed the accident from across the street. I'll watch Brian because I know the Boy Scout in you, the Navy SEAL in you, and being the son of a retired firefighter will make you help until paramedics arrive," said Kyle.

"Thanks, Kyle," said Evan.

Ten minutes later, Evan had just used his belt to create a tourniquet for the driver, whose leg was severely cut up below the knee, and could see the bone when paramedics showed up.

"We can take over now, sir," said a paramedic.

Evan looked at the Asian man and black woman, "My name's Evan, and the 35-year-old driver named James has a pulse, managed to ask the questions I asked him to keep him awake, multiple cuts and a bad cut on his leg. I used my belt to create a tourniquet."

The female paramedic looked at Evan's handiwork while her partners started checking over James, "I'm Paramedic Hen Wilson, and you did a great job keeping him alive until we could come, Sir."

"My Mom's a doctor and my Dad's a retired firefighter, so I was drilled in knowing basic first aid," said Evan.

The male paramedic nodded, "I'm Howard Han, and I think you'd make a good firefighter or paramedic."

Evan grinned. "I'm Evan Delacroix, and I plan to join the LAFD in a few years after I finish my degree."

"Any relation to John Delacroix, who went by Red from the 134?" asked Chimney.

Evan grinned, "He's my Dad, but he retired last year."

"Why don't you give your statement to the officers," said Hen.

Evan nodded, "I will, and then I'll have to return to my son who's being watched by another witness when they realized I was going to provide first aid until help can come."

After stripping off the gloves and removing his sweatshirt so his son wouldn't see the blood on his shirt, Evan was answering questions about what he witnessed to Sergeant Athena Grant as he held Brian on his hip.

When Sergeant Grant cleared him to go, Brian's pacifier he sometimes used to keep himself calm, fell out of his mouth, "Oh fuck."

"Don't say that word, Brian," said Evan.

"Fuck," said Brian.

Evan groaned.

Athena laughed, "I remember my two kids' first time swearing as toddlers."

"Fuck," said Brian.

Evan groaned, "Mommy's not going to be happy with me if you keep repeating that word when we Skype with her at 7 PM."

Brian looked around, "Mama?" asked Brian.

"Mommy's on a plane to Costa Rica right now, Tadpole. We'll Skype with her before your bedtime," said Evan. He looked at Athena, "My wife Stacey works as a dental hygienist, and we dropped her off at the airport earlier so she could volunteer her services to provide dental care for kids in Central America and South America."

"Must be difficult to deal with your wife going away for a couple of months," said Athena.

"I was in the Navy until I got injured out of the Navy 13 months ago. If Stacey can handle hold down the fort and raise our son on her own when I was deployed, I can holds down the fort and raise my son while my wife does something she wanted to do, I have my parents, two of my three sisters, my in-laws, and even the daycare at my job to help me out," said Evan.

A loud fart sounded, causing Brian to giggle.

Evan instantly smelled poop, "You're just going to give me a difficult time by having a diaper blowout?" asked Evan.

Brian grinned at his father, even if he didn't understand what his father said.

"You're lucky you're adorable and I love you," said Evan.

A few minutes later, Evan opened the trunk of his Jeep and started changing his son's diaper, using an entire pack of wipes. He was grateful he had a spare change of clothes in Brian's diaper bag.

Later on that evening, Evan was sitting in front of his laptop with Brian on his lap.

"There's my two favorite boys," cooed Stacey.

Brian grinned, "Mama!"

"How was your flight?" asked Evan.

"Long, but I'm happy to be in Costa Rica before I head to Argentina and then Peru," said Stacey.

"Even if we already have our hotel booked in Peru, they don't mind you taking three weeks off for Christmas, a wedding, and our belated honeymoon?" asked Evan.

"I will be required to help out for four hours a day so it's a good thing our trip to the Galapogos Islands, Machu Picchu, and other trips scheduled for weekends," said Stacey.

"I don't mind. I can keep myself busy," said Evan.

"How was your day?" asked Stacey.

"I witnessed a car accident and helped out at the scene until firefighters, paramedics, and police officers showed up," said Evan.

"Oh fuck," said Brian.

"Did you teach Brian a curse word, Evan?" said Stacey.

Evan blushed. "I swore when I saw the accident happen, and Brian repeated the word multiple times. I'm sorry."

Stacey laughed, "It's alright, Evan. He's 15 months old and won't understand that he's saying a curse word."

"At least the police Sergeant on the scene thought it was hilarious when Brian repeated it a few times in front of her because of having two kids herself," said Evan.

Stacey yawned. "I'm going to get going because it's been a long day."

"Brian and I love you," said Evan.

"Wuv you, Mama," said Brian.

"Mommy loves her two favorite boys so much," said Stacey.

On December 23rd, Stacy knelt on the floor as a 16-month-old Brian ran to him, "Mommy missed you so much, Tadpole."

Brian grinned as his mother scooped him up, "Miss you Mama."

Stacey kissed her son's cheeks before Brian repeated the same action.

"Where's my kiss?" asked Evan.

A few seconds later, Evan and Stacey were kissing passionately.

"I missed you," said Stacey.

"I missed you, too. I'm looking forward to spending the next three weeks with you when you're not cleaning teeth or assisting in giving fillings," said Evan.

"Aside from having the next two days, New Years Eve, and New Years Day off, I was given the next couple of Fridays off to spend more time with you," said Stacey.

"I'm looking forward," said Evan.

"How was Brian on the plane? I hope he didn't give passengers any trouble," said Stacey.

"Aside from briefly waking him up for a diaper change before his flight and to secure his car seat into his seat, he slept through the flight until landing," said Evan.

"Good," said Stacey.

Brian's stomach let out a growl, causing Stacey to laugh.

"Let's get some breakfast," said Stacey.

Later on that night, Evan and Stacey were alone in Stacey's hotel room after Red and Cindy insisted on taking Brian to their night as Evan and Stacey reconnected after spending nearly four weeks apart.

A couple of days later, Evan and Stacey stood up as one of the bridesmaids and groomsmen for Jocelyn and Jack as Evan watched his big sister become Mrs. Jocelyn Werner.

Chapter Text

On January 1st, 2015, in Peru, Stacey woke up to Evan stroking her hair, "Even if you've been here since December 23rd, boy, have I missed you stroking my hair every morning before we get out of bed."

Evan smiled at his wife, "I've missed you so much, too."

"After I finish volunteering in March, I won't be participating in this program again," said Stacey.

"Are you sure?" asked Evan.

Stacey nodded. "With Brian turning two in August, I know I'd like us to try for our second child when I come home. We have two more bedrooms for kids, and you are recovering mentally well after your Navy discharge." 

"It helps that Mom and Dad insist I take therapy seriously if I wanted to join the Navy after graduating high school," said Evan.

"Therapy's good because my parents ensured that Olive, Mason, and I talked to a therapist when we had to relocate when Dad reenlisted following 9/11," said Stacey.

"Now I don't know about you, but we should get some breakfast and enjoy your day off from volunteering at the clinic," said Evan.

After breakfast, Evan and Stacey spent time at the beach, catching a couple of waves, getting their tan, and even hiking. They enjoyed the summer temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere while it was winter back in Los Angeles.

When Evan returned to Los Angeles, he went to the baggage claim at LAX and heard a shout.

"Daddy!" shouted Brian.

A few seconds later, Evan grinned as he scooped up his 17-month-old son, "Daddy has missed you so much after you went home with Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Lydia."

Brian looked around, "Mama?" asked Brian.

"Mommy had to stay behind, but she'll be home before we know it," said Evan.

"I wan Mama," sniffled Brian.

"I want your mother home, too, but we need to let her follow her dreams of providing dental care in other countries. Mommy told me this oppertunity was a one-time thing for her," said Evan.

Brian sniffled, "Mama."
 
"We'll Skype with Mommy later on," said Evan.

Red, who managed to find his son's luggage, looked at his son and said, "You look like you spent a lot of time in the sun while in Peru and the Galapagos Islands."

Evan nodded, "It was nice to finally have our honeymoon after I ended up deployed again a few days after the wedding and decided to wait until Brian was over a year old to go."

"We don't mind watching our grandson so you and Stacey can take a vacation, " Cindy said.

"Even if you scared your mother by sending her pictures of snakes you saw out hiking in Peru," said Red.

Evan grinned, "Snakes are awesome."

On February 11th, Evan woke up to the smell of pancakes cooking. He silently went downstairs with his gun and demanded, "Who's here?"

"I should have called from the airport," said Stacey.

Evan gasped, "Stacey?" asked Evan.

"I know you have your gun out, so please put it away in the safe so I can tell you why I'm home six weeks early," said Stacey.

"Sorry," said Evan.

"It's alright," said Stacey.

After putting his gun away in the safe, Evan checked on a now 18-month-old Brian, who was still deep asleep in his crib, before going downstairs to find breakfast on the table.

After kissing for a minute, Stacey looked at her husband. "Is Brian still asleep?" she asked.

Evan nodded, "Yes."

"I can't wait to hug and cuddle with him," said Stacey.

"Why are you home six weeks early?" asked Evan.

"Apparently I skipped a few birth control pills during the multiple times we had sex while you were in Peru with me," said Stacey.

"You're pregnant?" asked Evan.

Stacey nodded, "Based on my last period, I'm possibly seven or eight weeks now. I have an appointment with my OB-GYN tomorrow to confirm the pregnancy."

"I hope you aren't returning to South America," Evan said. He thought about the tapeworms he witnessed while on a deployment and seeing a tapeworm be pulled out of someone's butt while he was in Peru, "There's the risk of lack of clean water, parasites, and insects that are dangerous during pregnancy."

Stacey nodded. "I'm not going back because the doctor I saw in Paraguay and the dentist I was working under agreed to send me back on the first flight with an open seat."

"Does anyone know you came back early?" asked Evan.

Stacey said, "I told no one because I wanted to surprise you guys, so I took an Uber."

Evan kissed his wife, "Either way, I'm happy you're home, and we're expecting our second child."

"Me, too," said Stacey.

On Evan's 24th birthday, the Delacroix family, Jocelyn and Jack Werner, and Evan's friends Kyle, Colton, and Patrick gathered in Evan and Stacey's backyard for a cookout.

Evan grinned when he saw a ring on his little sister Chloe's and Lily's fingers, "I take it that same-sex marriage becoming legal yesterday made you two propose to each other?" asked Evan.

Chloe nodded, "Yes, and we're planning on getting married on October 24th."

Lily, a 9-1-1 Dispatcher, said, "We're just going to have a small wedding party, with Lydia being Chloe's maid of honor and Josh from the Dispatch Center being my man of honor since he treats me like a little sister."

Stacey smiled. "Even if I'd love to be your bridesmaid, I think you're doing the right thing with a small wedding party of a maid of honor and a man of honor because I don't think I'll be up to stand up at your wedding a few weeks after giving birth."

Red and Cindy hugged Chloe.

"I'm happy for you, Chloe," said Cindy.

"While I'm looking forward to walking you down the aisle," said Red.

"Thank you for being accepting. Lily's parents aren't accepting," said Chloe.

"We just want our children happy," said Red.

"And if you two decide to have kids, there's always adoption because of your father and I adopting Evan and Jocelyn," said Cindy.

"Or going to a sperm bank," said Lily.

"There's that, too," said Red.

When it was time to open presents, Evan grinned when he saw a T-shirt from Jocelyn and Jack that said "WORLD'S BEST UNCLE." "Really?" Evan asked.

Jocelyn nodded, "Yes."

Evan grinned as he hugged his older sister and brother-in-law.

"What's going on?" asked Cindy.

Evan grinned as he held up the t-shirt, "I'm going to be an Uncle."

Cindy looked at her eldest, "Another grandchild?" asked Cindy.

Jocelyn nodded, "I'm 14-weeks pregnant with twins."

"Twins?" asked Cindy.

Jocelyn nodded as she grabbed the ultrasound photo from the box and passed it to her mother.

"We wanted to wait until today so we can tell everyone at first," said Jack.

"While we wanted to make it through the first trimsester after I miscarried in October," said Jocelyn.

"We're looking forward to getting two additional grandchildren this year," said Cindy.

Jocelyn looked at Chloe and said, "I hope you don't mind me being pregnant on your wedding day."

"It's alright, Jocelyn," said Chloe.

"And it's a good thing you and Lily decided on a maid of honor and man of honor because it'd be rude to be a bridesmaid who's 31-weeks pregnant with twins on your wedding day," said Jocelyn.

Chloe looked at her twin sister. "With me being engaged, Evan and Stacey being married for two and a half years and expecting their second child, and Jocelyn and Jack being married for six months and expecting twins, when are you settling down?"

Lydia took a sip of her beer bottle, "With the two of us just turning 21, I just feel content being single until I graduate from Stanford next year and get a job as a teacher."

"There's nothing wrong with choosing to be single at 21, said Cindy.

On Brian's second birthday, Evan and Stacey, who both managed to take the day off from their jobs at the YMCA and the family dental clinic, were at the zoo with Brian. Brian wore a T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers that said IT'S MY SECOND BIRTHDAY TODAY.

Stacey looked at her husband, who had Brian on his shoulders, "I can't believe our son is two today, Evan."

Evan nodded, "The past two years have gone quickly."

Stacey smiled as she gently rubbed her baby bump, "At least we have another seven weeks before Baby Delacroix makes his or her debut."

"Which I'm looking forward to, Stacey," said Evan.

"Mr. Delacroix?" asked a woman.

"Stacey?" asked a teenage girl.

"Stacey?" asked a young boy.

Evan and Stacey turned around.

"Sergeant Grant," said Evan.

Stacey turned around and recognized the teeth of the teenage girl and six-year-old boy she had cleaned. "Hi," she said.

"You're not going to say our names?" asked the girl.

Stacey said, "Not in front of my husband due to HIPAA laws."

Evan smiled at the two siblings as he swooped Brian off his shoulders and settled him onto his hip, "I'm Stacey's husband Evan Delacroix, and this is our son Brian Delacroix."

Athena smiled at Brian and noticed the toddler's shirt, "Is it your second birthday today, Brian?" asked Athena.

Brian nodded as he held up two fingers, "Yes."

"Happy birthday, Brian," said Athena.

Brian grinned, "Ank you."

Athena looked at Evan, "These two are my kids, May and Harry. May is 13, and Harry is six."

Evan smiled, "Hi, May. Hi, Harry."

"Did Mommy meet you when she was working?" asked Harry.

Evan nodded. "She took my statement after I witnessed a car accident."

"And saving a guy's leg because Paramedic Wilson said the victim's who life you said would have lost his leg if it wasn't for your quick thinking," said Athena.

Evan sighed in relief, "That's good to know."

May asked Stacey, "Even if you cleaned my teeth in March, do you know what you're having?"

Stacey shook her head and smiled. "My due date might be seven weeks away, but Evan and I decided to wait until Brian's little brother or sister is born to find out."

"Where's the fun in that? You could have thrown a gender reveal party," said May.

Stacey smiled, "We didn't know if Brian would be a boy or a girl until he was born."

"We agreed to be surprised when Brian and now this baby were on the way because we're happy if we end up with a boy or a girl," said Evan.

Athena nodded, "Children are a blessing, and every parent should be happy whether if God grants them a son or a daughter."

"I agree because Mom and Dad chose to become my parents when they adopted me when I was a year old," said Evan.

"Were you given up for adoption due to being a boy?" asked May.

"May," scolded Athena.

Evan smiled at Athena, "It's alright. CPS removed me from my biological family's home for my safety."

Two weeks after Brian's second birthday, the Delacroix family were cheering as a 22-week pregnant Jocelyn and her husband Jack revealed the genders of their twins by revealing their names, Alison Marie Werner and Vanessa Beatrice Werner, to the family.

Stacey grinned as she rubbed her 35-week pregnant belly, "Within the next five weeks, we'll find out if Alison and Vanessa will have a cousin who'll play dress up or with dolls with or get a cousin who'll help protect his cousins from future dates."

"I don't want to think about my two little girls dating yet," said Jack.

Stacey laughed, "I feel the same way about Brian and Baby Delacroix if it's a boy."

"Or it if's a girl," said Evan.

"At least we'll find out if we're having another son or a daughter in five weeks," said Stacey.

Jocelyn smiled at her sister-in-law, who she, Lydia, and Chloe will spend time getting their nails done, hair done, shopping, and even having wine/soda nights with, even if she and Stacey had to avoid drinking wine/beer when celebrating Lydia's and Chloe's 21st birthday at the beginning of June. Thankfully, everyone accepted her excuse, being that she was abstaining from alcohol due to being on-call that night, and she did get called at 8 PM to do an emergency home check, "Are you looking forward to giving birth in five weeks?" asked Jocelyn.

Stacey nodded, "Yes."

"Have you and Evan decided on names yet?" asked Jocelyn.

"We have," said Evan.

"Please tell us," said Jocelyn.

"We're not taking away the spotlight of you and Jack announcing that you two are having twin girls," said Stacey.

"You have our blessing to tell us the names of our soon-to-be born nieceo r nephew," said Jack.

"You two do," said Jocelyn.

"Jason Wyatt Delacroix for a boy," said Stacey.

"While we'll name the baby Sasha Louise Delacroix if the baby's a girl," said Evan.

"Good classic names," said Red.

"That won't be a mouthful when you full name your kids," said Cindy.

Chloe, who had Brian on her lap, grinned at her nephew. "Do you think your Mommy and Daddy are giving you a little brother or a little sister?" she asked.

"A boy," said Brian.

"You said it was a girl yesterday," said Evan.

"Minds can change," said Cindy.

On September 26th, Evan, Stacey, and Brian ate dinner together.

"I can't believe my due date is tomorrow," said Stacey.

"Do you think Baby Delacroix will show up nine days past their due date like Brian did?" asked Evan.

Stacey covered Brian's ears as she thought about her husband's gun that Evan kept locked in a safe high from Brian's reach, and he had a permit for, "I hope not, or I'd be shooting your jewels with your gun to prevent you from getting me pregnant again."

Evan gulped, "Hormones?" asked Evan.

Stacey nodded, "Yes."

"Either way you're still beautiful," said Evan.

The next afternoon, September 27th, Evan and Brian played with Evan's old t-ball set, which Red had found in the garage, while Stacey was walking around their backyard.

"Evan!" called out Stacey.

Evan turned to find his wife with wet pants while gripping her belly, "What's wrong, Stacey?" asked Evan.

Stacey grinned, "Baby Delacroix decided not to be stubborn and be born nine days past their due date like Brian was."

"Even if Lydia's back in Stanford for her final year of college, we should call someone to come over and watch Brian before it's time for me to take you to the hospital," said Evan.

Stacey nodded, "It sucks that my parents are currently on vacation in France for their 32nd wedding anniversary."

"They booked the trip a year in advance, but you told them to go and they'd meet their newest grandchild when they get back if you went into labor while they're away," said Evan.

"When I was pregnant with Brian, I was afraid you'd miss the birth due to being deployed, but at least you made it home the day before his due date," said Stacey.

An hour later, Red and Cindy showed up.

"I called Lydia, and she stated she'll come down next week Friday so she's not rushing back to Stanford tomorrow. She expects a Skype call after the baby's born though," said Cindy.

"That's fine," said Evan.

"At least you two are getting to the hospital before the crazies come out tonight. I'm glad I don't have to work overnight full moon shifts anymore," said Red.

"That's right, there's a super moon that's also a blood moon with a lunar eclipse happening tonight," said Evan.

Red nodded. "I know you'll miss it because you're with Stacey, but I'll get out to film the eclipse tonight."

Stacey groaned as she felt another contraction.

Evan looked at his wife and said, "Let's say goodbye to Brian before we head to the hospital."

After saying goodbye to Brian, Evan drove his wife to the hospital.

At 11:45 PM, Evan held Stacey's hand as Stacey gave one final push before the sound of Baby Delacroix crying.

"Contgrats Mommy and Daddy, you two have another son," said Dr. Halverson.

"Born on September 27th at 11:46 PM," said a nurse.

Evan and Stacey teared up before Evan was given the scissors to cut the umbilical cord connecting his wife and Jason.

"Please give me Jason before he's taken away to get looked over while I deliver the placenta and possibly get stitched up."

After Jason was cleaned up, Stacey accepted the baby on her chest, "Jason Wyatt Delacroix, Mommy, Daddy, and your big brother Brian are very excited about you being here."

A few minutes later, Evan watched his youngest son get checked over.

When Evan, Stacey, and  were settled in Stacey's hospital room, Stacey looked at her husband, "I know we were hoping to give Brian a little sister, but-"

"Jason's perfect," said Evan, smiling down at Jason. I think Brian will love having a little brother two years younger than him playing with him."

Stacey laughed, "I can understand that reasoning. Olive's five years older than me, and she considered me annoying when I started following her around and getting into her belongings."

"While I'm glad Brian has a brother," said Evan.

"Due to you growing up with three sisters?" asked Stacey.

Evan nodded, "I do love my sisters, but it sucked being the only boy in the house while Dad would be on shift and I wasn't around friends."

"With me now being outnumbered by girls, I'm hoping our next and final child ends up being a little girl I can take to the hair salon to get our hair done, get our nails done, and buy matching mother/daughter dresses with," said Stacey.

Evan looked out the window of his wife's hospital room and saw the moon as he thought about the pictures his father had sent of the lunar eclipse, "Missing the lunar eclipse was worth watching Jason be born."

Seven hours later, Stacey grinned as she watched Brian run into her hospital room, his grandparents chasing after him.

"Brian inherited your speed, Evan," said Red.

"It's a good thing we're using the child harness we used on Evan when he refused to be in a stroller or carried," said Cindy.

Evan gave his parents a sheepish smile, "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry," said Cindy.

Red looked at the baby in his daughter-in-law's arms. "Did our second grandchild end up being a little brother or sister for Brian?" Red asked.

Evan, who now had Brian on his hip, settled on his wife's hospital bed with Brian on his lap and grinned at his son. "Brian, I want you to meet your little brother, Jason Wyatt Delacroix. Jason, please meet your older brother, Brian Joseph Delacroix."

"Another grandson?" asked Cindy.

Evan nodded, "Yes, Mom."

"Jason was born at 11:56 PM and eighed eight pounds even and measured 20 inches tall," said Stacey.

Red grinned at his daughter-in-law, "Are you alright with being outnumbered by boys by having a second son?" asked Red.

Stacey grinned, "I don't mind living with three boys."

"You're still planning on having one more?" asked Cindy.

Stacey nodded. " I'm hoping to finally be a girl whose hair I can braid, wear matching dresses with, and get our nails done together."

"A granddaughter with Evan's dirty-blonde curly hair and big blue eyes would be lovely," said Cindy.

"Or be her mother's mini-me," said Evan.

Stacey ran a hand through her husband's curls, which she loved seeing when her husband didn't straighten them with hair gel: "With her Daddy's curls and birthmark."

"Either way, Jason's beautiful and handsome like his parents and big brother," said Cindy.

Stacey nodded, "And he's going to be full of mischief like his father and big brother."

A minute later, a picture of the family of four was taken before Red and Cindy had the opportunity to hold their new grandson.

On October 24th, in Red and Cindy's backyard, Evan and Stacey were sitting next to each other with a suit-clad Brian, who was the cutest ring bearer on his father's lap, while Stacey had Jason in a sling on her chest, smiled at each other as they watched Chloe and Lily be pronounced as Mrs. and Mrs. Chloe and Lily Delacroix after Lily decided to take Chloe's last name due to her parents disowning her.

During the reception, a man named Tommy Kinard got the day off to attend the wedding of his fiancee, Abby Clark's coworker Lily. He was dancing with Abby just as he saw a curly, brown-haired, blue-eyed toddler running around the backyard with a birthmark around his eyebrow. The toddler stopped running around and started squatting by the nearby fence. "Isn't that the ring bearer?" asked Tommy.

Abby nodded, "That's Lily's nephew Brian Delacroix. Lily's wife Chloe has brought Brian to the Dispatch Center on days she babysits her nephew."

"It looks like he's pooping in his diaper or pull-up," said Tommy.

Abby made her way toward Brian. "Brian, do you remember me? I'm your Aunt Lily's coworker, Abby."

Brian grinned, "Hi Abby."

"Where are your parents?" asked Abby.

Brian looked around and pointed to where his parents were slowly dancing as they kept an eye on him. "Mommy and Daddy see me," he said.

Evan and Stacey then joined them.

"You OK, Brian?" asked Evan.

Brian nodded, "I poop."

Stacey laughed, "Lets go change your butt then."

Brian held up his arms, "Up, Mommy."

Evan chuckled as he scooped up his eldest and settled him onto his hip, "Let me carry you. Mommy's still recovering from giving birth to Jason."

"Jason?" asked Tommy.

"Tomorrow our son Jason will be four-weeks-old," said Stacey.

Evan pulled out his phone and opened the app for the baby monitor camera his parents had set up in his childhood bedroom. Jason was napping in his bassinet, and Evan noticed that Jason's eyes were open. "Speaking of Jason, we should check on him in Mom and Dad's bedroom. He's due for his next feeding."

Stacey nodded, "You change Brian's butt and I'll feed Jason."

"Deal," said Evan.

Evan and Stacey headed towards the house with Brian.

On December 10th, Evan and Stacey held their twin nieces, Allison and Vanessa Werner.

On Christmas Day, the expanded Delacroix family—Jocelyn, Werner, Allison, and Vanessa—gathered in Red and Cindy's living room to open Christmas presents.

Chloe opened the final gift from her parents, and her eyes widened as she saw the papers. She looked at her parents and said, "You two are giving me this house?" 

Cindy nodded. "With me retiring next month and Lydia already getting a teaching job in San Diego for next school year, Red and I decided to downsize."

Red, who will be 61 in January, looked at his kids and said, "We're downsizing to a two-bedroom apartment so we have some room when our grandchildren spend the night."

"Or when I come to visit," said Lydia.

"You're welcome to stay with us if you don't want to use the guest bedroom at one of your siblings' houses," Cindy said.

"With Jack and me moving into a four-bedroom house a block away from Evan and Stacey in August, it makes sense you and Lily get this house, Chloe," said Jocelyn.

Lydia nodded. "Even if I move to San Diego after I graduate in May, I'll be able to visit on weekends and Skype with my nieces and nephews during the week."

A few minutes later, the 13 family members of the Delacroix/Werner family gathered in front of the Christmas tree as Lydia set up her phone on a timer because Evan, Stacey, Jocelyn, and Jack held a baby or a grinning toddler on their lap. 

"Merry Christmas," shouted everyone but the kids. 

Chapter Text

On Valentine's Day, Evan frowned as he watched his wife turn down wine. "Even if Jason's four months old, I thought you were going to treat yourself to wine thanks to all the breastmilk you had pumped?" asked Evan.

Stacey handed her husband a card.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, DADDY

LOVE,

BRIAN DELACROIX

JASON DELACROIX

BABY DELACROIX

Evan looked at his wife with wide eyes. "You're pregnant?" asked Evan.

Stacey nodded. "I'm six-weeks pregnant."

"Are you alright with being pregnant again while Jason's four-months-old?" asked Evan.

"I am," said Stacey.

Evan thought about himself already planning on getting into the LAFD fire academy in a year thanks to him being on the path of earning his bachelor's in emergency management in May, "I'm not upset either because we agreed on three kids, and it'd be easier not to worry about you giving birth while I'm in the LAFD Academy or a probationary firefighter."

Stacey nodded. "While I don't have to worry about taking maternity leave again after this baby's born."

Three weeks later, the entire Delacroix and Werner families were having dinner together at Chloe and Lily's house to celebrate Chloe and Lily finally being moved into the house Red and Cindy gifted to them.

Lily looked at Stacey, "Due to knowing you have milk pumped for Jason, would you like some wine?" asked Lily.

Stacey shook her head. "No thank you."

Cindy studied her daughter-in-law, "Are you and Evan-?"

"Expecting again?" asked Stacey.

Cindy nodded, "Yes."

Evan looked at Brian. "Do you want to answer your grandmother's question?" asked Evan.

Two-and-a-half-year-old Brian grinned at his grandparents, aunts, and uncle, "Jason a big brother."

"I'm nine-weeks pregnant with two babies," said Stacey.

"Twins?" asked Cindy.

Stacey nodded. "Identical."

Cheers of excitement erupted around the table, even if the crying frightened Jason, Allison, and Vanessa.

"Even if you and Jocelyn were both adopted, it's ironic that you two ended up getting yourself or your wife pregnant with twins," said Lydia.

Evan nodded. "Don't I know it? With being an IVF baby myself, I sometimes wonder if my birth parents had twins and gave up the baby who wasn't a match to Daniel up for adoption."

"We asked about it, and you were just a singular," said Cindy.

"You know the show Criminal Minds ?" asked Jocelyn.

Stacey nodded. "My Mom loves the show."

"During the fifth episode of season one, the BAU was called in for an abduction of an identical mirror twin. It'd be interesting if your twin boys or twin girls are mirror twins with birthmarks on opposite eyebrows if they inherit Evan's birthmark around the eyebrow like Brian and Jason did," said Jocelyn.

Stacey laughed, "I'm hoping they inherit their daddy's angel kiss around an eyebrow, so it'd be easier to tell them apart if they end up being mirror twins with birthmarks on opposite eyebrows."

"Then you wouldn't have to worry about them switching places like Susan and Sharron and then Annie and Hallie in the 1961 and 1998 The Parent Trap movies," said Cindy.

"I'm going to pray for mirror twins then," said Stacey.

"Unless they use makeup to cover their birthmarks and create one on the opposite eyebrow to switch places," said Chloe.

Stacey groaned, "If these twins are just like their father, Brian, and even Jason if he ends up with his father's personality, I'm toast."

"You love me anyway," said Evan.

Stacey nodded. "I don't regret having a family with you."

"Will this be your pregnancy after you two agreed on having three kids during the premarital counseling session you two did?" asked Red.

Evan nodded. "We agreed this would be our final pregnancy."

"I'm planning a c-section birth with a hysterectomy to follow after I see the twins," said Stacey.

Jocelyn placed her hands over Brian's ears. "You don't want to deal with Aunt Flo visiting you anymore?" asked Jocelyn.

Stacey nodded, 'You guys, I told you I got diagnosed with severe endometriosis when I was 18 and had surgeries for endometriosis before and after my pregnancies with Brian and then Jason. After the twins are born, I'm fucking done with my periods after my c-section."

Evan smirked at his wife, "Good thing Jocelyn covered Brian's ears, or we'd be dealing with Brian repeating the f-word while eat five-months-old,, Jason can't say the f-word."

Stacey held up her knife. "Do you want me to cut off your family jewels with this butter knife?"

Evan gulped. "I'll shut up now."

During Stacey's 20-week check-up, Dr. Halverson looked between Evan and Stacey, "Do you two want to find out if Brian and Jason are getting another little brother or a little sister, or two little brothers, or two little sisters?" Dr. Halverson asked.

Stacey looked at her husband, "I feel like we need to know. No matter if we end up with another son or finally a daughter, I'll be happy."

"I want to find out, too," said Evan.

A minute later, Dr. Halverson looked between Evan and Stacey with a smile on her face 'Congregations, Jason's getting two little sisters."

Evan and Stacey both teared up as they embraced each other.

"We're finally getting our little girls, Evan," sniffled Stacey.

Evan nodded. "I'm looking forward to taking Sasha and her twin sister on father/daughter dates in the upcoming years."

Stacey looked at her husband as soon as they were in Evan's Jeep. "Should we throw a gender reveal party?" asked Stacey.

"How would you want to reveal Sasha and her twin sister's genders?" asked Evan.

"Since we already have cribs and dressers for the nursery, we can have you paint the nursery either pink or lavender and then hang up wooden letters spelling our our daughters' names," said Stacey.

"Are you still wanting to name one of our daughters, Sasha Louise Delacroix?" asked Evan.

Stacey nodded. "Sasha and Serena have always been my favorite girl names."

"Serena?" asked Evan.

"Ever read the EB White book or seen the movie Trumpet of the Swan ?" asked Stacey.

"Yes, but Mom and Dad banned the book and movie from being read and even watched after I freaked out of Louie being called defective by others and even in his inner thoughts the first time I watched the movie after being told about my birth family," said Evan.

"Not surprised you freaked out when you first watched that movie after finding out about Daniel," said Stacey.

Evan nodded. "I know Daniel's death wasn't my fault. Daniel had an aggressive form of juvenile leukemia."

"While you were one of the first savior siblings, too," said Stacey.

"Speaking of the name Serena, I'm willing to let Sasha's twin sister be named Serena," said Evan.

'What would you like to do for a middle name?" asked Stacey.

"What about Sasha Marie Delacroix and Serena Louise Delacroix?" asked Evan.

"Sasha Marie Delacroix and Serena Louise Delacroix rings good bells, Evan," said Stacey.

"Should we go pick out the paint and letters for Serena and Sasha's nursery so I can get started on painting the walls?" asked Evan.

Stacey nodded. "The sooner you get that done, the quicker we'll be able to tell everyone we're having identical twin girls."

A week later, Evan and Stacey allowed their parents, the five siblings between them, and their siblings-in-law into Sasha and Serena's nursery.

"Twin girls?" asked Molly.

Stacey nodded, "Yes."

Molly hugged her daughter. "After your battle with severe endometriosis, it's a miracle you ended up having two boys and two girls by your mid-20s."

Stacey nodded. "Brian, Jason, Sasha, and Serena are my miracles."

Derek nodded as he hugged his youngest daughter. "They sure are."

Thirty-year-old Olive, holding her six-month-old twin boys on her hip, nodded, "At least Logan and Nicholas are lucky to get four cousins from you."

Mason, 21 and finishing his third year at CalTech to study earthquakes, looked at his two older sisters as he held Brian on his hip, "You two scared me from having kids of my own."

"You might not be scared of having kids when you're older," Jack told Mason.

Molly looked at her youngest daughter. "I hope Sasha and Serena are mirror twins who inherit Evan's birthmark around their eyebrows."

Stacey laughed, "I've been praying for having mirror twins with their Daddy's birthmark on opposite eyebrows after Jocelyn brought up mirror twins."

"With Brian being a perfect mixture of you two and Jason looking just like his father, are you hoping my granddaughters look just like you, Evan, or be a perfect mixture of you two?" asked Derek.

"No matter their features, Serena and Sasha will be beautiful like their mother," said Evan.

On Evan's 25th birthday, he was enjoying one-on-one time with his parents for lunch.

"Even if you were 14-months-old when the social worker brought you into the office, I can't believe you're 25 now," said Cindy.

"Me too, Mom," said Evan.

"You might have your hotheaded moments like me, you turned out to be a wonderful loving son, husband, and father," said Red.

Evan nodded. "Thanks to you two for choosing to love and cherish me."

"You're welcome, Evan," said Cindy.

Red thought about his son getting accepted to the LAFD Fire Academy in February of next year, "Just imagine, you'll be celebrating your 26th birthday while training to be a firefighter next year."

Evan grinned, "Which I'm excited about."

"I'm looking forward to you following my footsteps, son," said Red.

"You're still not disappointed I chose to wait until next year to become a firefighter than join after turning 18?" asked Evan.

Red shook his head. "I've never been upset, Evan. With how physically demanding a job in firefighting can be, you made the right choice to spend the past nine years exploring other careers and even starting your own family."

"I know I pleased the recruiter when he found out I served in the Navy for a couple of years before working as a dual lifeguard/swim instructor at the YMCA. He's already talking about the idea of me testing out of the swift water rescue certification," said Evan.

"And you were smart to choose these careers before deciding to follow my footsteps," said Red.

"While it also made sense for you to earn the bachelor's degree in emergency management you wanted," said Cindy.

"Even if my career in the Navy made me work on my degree at a slower pace due to training and deployments," said Evan.

"What matters is you finished the degree," said Cindy.

"While I'll be either bumping up my degree into a Master's or work on a Bachelor's in Fire Science next," said Evan.

Evan's phone vibrated, causing him to see a text message from his wife, who was reaching the 26th week of her pregnancy tomorrow.

YOUR DAUGHTERS AND I ARE DYING FOR A DIET WILD CHERRY PEPSI RIGHT NOW.

Evan laughed as he replied.

I'M ALMOST DONE HAVING LUNCH WITH MOM AND DAD, AND I'LL PICK YOU UP A WHILE CHERRY PEPSI BEFORE I GO BACK TO WORK.

"Everything OK?" asked Cindy.

"You two know that Stacey's working for two more weeks before she starts maternity leave?" asked Evan.

Cindy nodded, "It makes sense her doctor wants her to stop working at 28-weeks."

"Stacey wants a Wild Cherry Pepsi, so I promised to get her one," said Evan.

"Then you better get our daughter-in-law what she wants. This lunch is on us," said Red.

A few minutes later, Evan was heading to the gas station, where he grabbed two Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi bottles.

Evan entered the dental clinic where his wife worked and saw her entering the lobby to grab her next patient. "Did someone order Wild Cherry Pepsi?" asked Evan.

Stacey grinned as she rushed to her husband quickly and kissed him despite her large baby bump taking space. "Thank you so much, Evan."

Evan smiled as he rested his hands on his wife's belly and grinned when he felt two kicks in different spots. "If you and our little girls wants your favorite soda, I'll get it for you. At least another lifeguard was willing to fill in due to it being my birthday."

Stacey kissed her husband again, "That's seven kisses out of the 25 kisses I planned on giving you today."

"I should let you get back to work while I head back to work myself," said Evan.

Stacey thought about her parents kidnapping Brian and Jason, insisting they have the evening and night to themselves for Evan's birthday. "Will you call Mom and Dad to check in on Brian and Jason?" asked Stacey.

"I'll call them," said Evan.

"I can't believe Jason will be nine-months-old today," said Stacey.

"While Brian will be turning three in over a month," said Evan.

"And I give birth to Sasha and Serena in 11 weeks," said Stacey.

On Brian's third birthday, Evan and Stacey grinned as they watched Brian wake up.

"Hi, Mommy. HI, Daddy," said Brian.

"Happy third birthday, Brian," said Stacey.

"I three now?" asked Brian.

Evan nodded. "It's your third birthday."

"Can I please have pancakes?" asked Brian.

"Yes, you can," said Stacey.

Brian thought about Jason being ten months old. "Will Jason have pancakes, too?" asked Brian.

"Just plain pancakes cut into much tinier pieces," said Evan.

Brian grinned and clapped his hands as Jason took his first steps. "Jason walking on my birthday."

Evan grinned. Taking his first steps is Jason's birthday present for you.

"It is, Daddy," said Brian.

Stacey, who was wiping the constant tears that were leaking from her eyes, grinned, "At least Jason's walking before I go in for my c-section on September 14th."

"Sasha and Serena will be here soon?" asked Brian.

Evan nodded. "Just another five and a half weeks to go."

Brian looked at his mother. "Are you sad about Jason walking?" asked Brian.

"I'm sad and happy. I'm sad that Jason is considered a toddler due to him walking now and happy to witness your little brother taking his first steps," said Stacey.

Evan nodded, "We missed out your first steps because you were at daycare while I was making sure people were staying safe in the pool and your mother was cleaning the teeth of a kid."

"At least Kendra was able to access security camera footage and send it to us," said Stacey.

Evan nodded. "I asked her when Brian walked right to me when I visited him during my lunch break, and she told me he had already taken his first steps before walking to me."

Evan, Stacey, Brian, and Jason were at McDonald's for dinner following the birthday party they hosted for Brian at the YMCA with his fellow playmates from the daycare at the Y.

Stacey, who ordered herself a bag of apple slices to eat with her fries, chicken nuggets, and a strawberry milkshake she was craving, looked at the small container of ketchup and dipped an apple slice into the ketchup before groaning in delight, "That's so good."

Evan made a disgusted face as he handed Jason a part of a flattened french fry.

"Can I try an apple slice dipped in ketchup, Mommy?" asked Brian.

"Sure,Tadpole,," said Stacey.

A moment later, Brian grinned after chewing a piece of apple dipped in ketchu., "It's good."

Stacey then dipped her chicken nugget into her strawberry milkshake before groaning in delight.

"I'm not going to try," said Evan.

"Suit yourself," said Stacey.

On September 14th, Evan was suited up in scrubs as he sat on a stool by Stacey's head and held his wife's hand while they watched the c-section be performed.

Stacey teared up as she saw one baby be pulled out of the incision. "There's one of our daughters."

A few seconds later, another girl was pulled out. "And there's our other daughter."

"How about you cut the cords and join your daughters so Stacey can be put under for her hysterectomy," said Dr. Halverson.

A few seconds later, Evan cut the umbilical cords, and Stacey was allowed a quick glimpse of Serena and Sasha before Evan, Serena, and Sasha were whisked out of the room.

A few hours later, Stacey grinned when she saw that Sasha and Serena had birthmarks on opposite eyebrows. "With Serena and Sasha having birthmarks on opposite eyebrows, I take it they're mirror twins?" asked Stacey.

Evan nodded. "One baby's heart is on the right side when their hearts were checked. Her stomach is also on the right side while the liver is on the left side of her body. I was told she'll be fine and will just need to wear a medical alert bracelet to warn paramedics, doctors, and nurses that her organs are on the opposite side."

"Did you decide which twin will be Serena and which twin will be Sasha?" asked Stacey.

Evan nodded. "I decided to wait until you were out of recovery."

"How about the twin with the birthmark around her right eyebrow be Serena and the other one is Sasha," said Stacey.

"Alright," said Evan.

A few minutes later, a nurse entered the room so Serena and Sasha could finally get their wristbands and footprints done while Evan and Stacey filled out their birth certificates.

As Chloe and Lily held one of their newborn nieces, Chloe looked at her brother, "At least Brian, Jason, Allison, Vanessa, Sasha, and Serena will give Lily and me practice taking care of babies."

Evan thought about Chloe using a sperm donor for artificial insemination. "Are you?" asked Evan.

Chloe nodded, "After getting help with being pregnant by going to the sperm bank, I'm eight-weeks pregnant with triplets."

Evan's eyes bugged out. "Triplets?" asked Evan.

"Seems like two of the triplets are sharing a gestational sac while the other has their own gestational sac," said Chloe.

"Which means two are going to be identical," said Stacey.

Chloe nodded. "Yep."

"Did you plan having multiples?" asked Evan.

Chloe shook her head. "No, but it just happened."

"And we decided that three kids are enough," said Lily.

"Even if I'm shocked about you getting pregnant with triplets, I'm happy to be an uncle to triplets," said Evan.

Stacey nodded, "Me, too. Expect a lot of baby clothes from Evan and me."

"Now we'll have to wait and see if Lydia will settle down since she's now teaching social studies to seventh-graders in San Diego," said Chloe.

"Nine grandchildren between you, Jocelyn, and me will hold off Mom and Dad from pressuring Lydia to settle down for a few years," said Evan.

On October 1st, Evan and Stacey had their parents, siblings, brother/sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and some friends over at their house for a belated first birthday party for Jason due to Stacey wanting to wait until after her two-week post-op and for it to be the weekend so Lydia could come to LA to celebrate her nephew's first birthday.

Lydia, who was holding Sasha and Serena, looked at her sister-in-law. "How are you feeling, Stacey?" asked Lydia.

"I'm no longer in pain from surgery," said Stacey.

Lydia smiled at her eldest nephew, "Have you been helping your Mommy and Daddy?" asked Lydia.

Brian grinned, "I help Mommy and Daddy with diapers, bottles, and picking up Jason's and my toys. I try not to wake up my sisters when playing."

"Brian's been a wonderful helper," said Evan.

"While he's doing great in preschool, too. His teacher said he's so smart and bright and is friendly with all the other preschoolers in his class," said Stacey.

Lydia smiled as she grabbed a $5 bill from her wallet and passed it to Brian, "That's for being such a great big brother to Brian, Serena, and Sasha and doing great in preschool."

"Thank you, Auntie Lydia," said Brian.

After Brian opened his presents, everyone ate the burgers and hotdogs. Red and Derek cooked together and sang Happy Birthday to Jason.

After Brian helped his little brother blow out the candle of his smash cake, Jason stuck his finger in the icing and frowned.

"I don't think Jason likes the cake," said Brian.

"It's his first time having frosting," said Stacey.

Jason then slid his smash cake off his high chair tray, only to land on Brian's head before the 12-month-old toddler giggled at the sight of cake and icing on his brother's head and shirt.

Everyone remained silent while waiting for Brian's reaction, not wanting to laugh at him if he was upset.

Brian started giggling, causing everyone to start laughing along.

Stacey wiped her tears, "Please tell me someone got that on camera."

Mason nodded. "I did, Stacey."

Evan scooped up his three-year-old son, not caring if cake and frosting were getting all over himself, "Let's get you into the bathtub."

Brian giggled, "You have cake on you now, Daddy."

"I know, but we need to get you cleaned up," said Evan.

A few minutes later, Evan stepped into the tub to give Brian a quick shower.

Ten days before Christmas Eve, Evan, Stacey, Brian, Jason, Sasha, and Serena were getting their picture taken with Santa, even though three-month-old twins Sasha and Serena were crying on Santa's lap, and Evan and Stacey didn't know Jason was making a gesture that made the photographer laugh.

"What's so funny?" asked Brian.

The photographer smirked at Evan and Stacey, "Your youngest son was very opinionated on meeting Santa. You'll see in the picture."

"Was he flipping the bird?" asked Evan.

The photographer nodded.

Evan laughed, "Brian did the same thing when he was one and posed for a picture with Santa."

"Even if I didn't know until you sent me the picture while I was in South America," said Stacey.

A few minutes later, Evan and Stacey were laughing as they looked at the picture of their 14-month-old son sticking out his middle finger with a frown on his face.

"That's a picture to show off to his future dates," said Evan.

"I don't want to think about Brian and Jason dating," said Stacey.

"I don't want to think about Sasha and Serena dating either," said Evan.

"I did not kiss Callie for giving me her cookie," said Brian.

Stacey looked at her eldest, who's been going to 3K in the morning. "Did you kiss Callie preschool?" asked Stacey.

Brian nodded, "Yes, Mommy. Callie pretty, silly, and smart."

Evan smirked at his wife, "Just imagine if Callie ends up becoming a future Mrs. Delacroix just like you did after we attended school together until you moved away and eventually reunited."

"I don't even want to think about it, Evan. I want our kids to be our little babies forever," said Stacey.

"I'm a big boy, Mommy," said Brian.

"I know," said Stacey.

On Christmas Day, Evan and Stacey watched Brian and Jason napping together on the couch while Sasha and Serena napped in their pack-n-play as all four kids napped over the excitement of Christmas morning.

"I can't believe it's been four years since you told me about Brian and we got engaged," said Evan.

Stacey nodded, "The past four and a half years of our relationship have been some of the best years of my life.."

"Mine, too," said Evan.

Chapter Text

Chloe was having lunch with her wife at the Dispatch Center, and she smiled when she received a text from Evan in the siblings' group chat, which she, Evan, Lydia, and Jocelyn shared, so they could discuss things they wouldn't want to tell their spouses.

MY FIRST DAY AT THE LAFT ACADEMY IS GOING WELL. I GOT THE NICKNAME BUCK DUE TO THREE OTHER EVANS IN MY CLASS.

"I'm not surprised Evan already earned his firefighter nickname during his first day in the Academy," said Chloe.

Lily thought about the group chat that only her wife, Lydia, Evan, and Jocelyn were part of, so the four siblings could plot things without their significant others or parents knowing. I take it Evan texted in the Delacroix siblings' group chat? Lily asked.

Chloe nodded. "Evan was already given a nickname because there were three other Evans in his class."

"What's his nickname?" asked Chloe.

"Buck, and that makes sense because his last name was Buckley before Mom and Dad adopted him and he was called Buckaroo by our parents and Dad's coworkers at the 134," said Chloe.

"Buck suits him because he Bucks the trend," said Lily.

Chloe nodded, "Yeah."

Lily smiled down at her wife's baby bump as she thought about her wife being 28 weeks pregnant with boy/girl twins after she miscarried one baby after Jason's first birthday party, and it was discovered that Chloe would have had two boys and one girl due to their son losing his identical twin. "How are you feeling today, Chloe?" asked Lily.

Chloe rubbed her belly, "Andy and Anne are kicking away today."

Lily nodded, "That's good."

Chloe nodded. "Yes, and I was hoping we'd apply to become foster-to-adopt parents when Andy and Anne are six months old."

"Due to your parents adopting yours and Lydia's older siblings?" asked Lily.

Chloe nodded, "Yes."

"Then we'll plan on adopting another child," said Lily.

"What about adopting?" asked Abby.

Chloe and Lily turned to find Abby Clark entering the break room.

"We're planning on adopting a child after Andy and Anne are born," said Chloe.

Abby sighed, "With me being 41, I don't think kids are in my future unless I eventually marry a guy who already has their own kids."

Lily gave Abby a sad smile. "Are you still heartbroken over Tommy breaking up with you and your mother being diagnosed with Alzheimer's?" asked Lily.

Abby nodded. "Tommy did not have my permission to break off our engagement and end our relationship."

Chloe and Lily looked at each other as they thought about a friend of theirs from the Gay bar they frequented with some friends after their 21st birthday. They told them they saw Tommy kissing a man a few weeks ago.

"Instead of thinking about being in a romantic relationship, maybe you should consider going to therapy about your breakup and your mother's Alzheimer's and spending time with friends outside of work," said Chloe.

"Therapy?" asked Abby.

"My parents are big on pushing Jocelyn, Evan, Lydia, and me into going to therapy throughout our childhood and now in our 20s due to Dad's careers, other reasons I won't talk about, and when Evan joined the Navy," said Chloe.

"And now you're upping up therapy sessions because Evam just started in the Academy to become a firefighter," said Lily.

Chloe nodded. "I know that Evan will be an amazing firefighter, just like Dad, so I'm not going to talk my brother out of being a firefighter."

"Evan's training to become a firefighter now?" asked Abby.

Chloe nodded, "Today is his first day in the Academy."

Abby thought about the younger man she encountered at Lily's wedding and the times Evan brought lunch or good coffee to his sister-in-law while occasionally bringing the kids along, "If your brother wasn't married, I'd be asking you for his number or set us up on a blind date and take him to bed with me."

Suddenly, Chloe felt her lunch come up, and she threw up."

"WHAT THE HELL!" yelled Abby.

Lily grabbed a tissue and passed it to her wife. "Are you OK, Chloe?" asked Lily.

Chloe shook her head as she swished the water she was drinking in her mouth before spitting into the wastebasket, "Apparently Andy, Anne, and even myself are all disgusted by Abby wanting to have sex with my happily married older brother. She's old enough to be his mother if she went through a teen pregnancy because she's 16 years older than my brother."

Lily handed her wife a water bottle. "I'm disgusted, too. We were born in March of 1994 and June of 1994, meaning she's 18 years older than us and old enough to be our mother."

"What's going on?" asked a female voice.

"Abby said something that disgusted Andy, Anne, Lily, and myself that caused me to vomit on Abby," said Chloe.

"What did Abby say?" asked Sue.

Chloe glared at Abby before looking at Sue, "Even if she's 16 years older than my brother, she stated that if Evan wasn't married, she'd be asking Lily for his number or to set them up for a blind date because of her wnating to have sex with my brother. Abby saying that grossed, Andy, Anne, and me out so much that I ended up vomiting on her before I could get to the garbage can."

"Chloe's not lying, Sue. I'm also disgusted about Abby talking about my brother-in-law like that. I wouldn't want anyone I work with dating my siblings whether their relationship status or not."

"You're allowed to set that boundary, Lily," said Sue. Sue looked at Abby, "I know you're going through a lot right now, but voicing that you'd want a date with your coworker's married brother-in-law is highly inappropriate. I'm sending you home, and you can't come back until you talk to one of the therapists we have on hand about your mother's diagnosis and your break up for five sessions and also attend a sexual harassment seminar since you shouldn't be talking about a coworker's in-law like that."

"I'll pay for a new uniform shirt and pants," said Chloe.

"Please do," said Abby.

Sue gave Chloe a gentle smile, "I'm not going to force you to get Abby a new uniform shirt or pants, Chloe. Abby said something highly innaproperiate that triggered you to vomit."

A few nights later, Red was out having dinner and drinks with other retired LAFD Captains, and they talked about their kids and grandchildren.

"I heard your son is now in the LAFD Academy," said Vincent Gerrard.

Red, who wasn't a fan of Red, nodded. "He finally joined after earning his degree in emergency management last year."

"You must be really proud of him. He played various sports from elementary school through high school that I remembered seeing him play with other kids during LAFD family picnics before joining the Navy when he was 17. With how marriages are today, I'm glad he married a woman instead of a man."

"You're still against people being Gay, Lesbians, and bisexuals?" asked Red.

Gerrard nodded, "You should have been against Chloe dating a woman. She should be with a man, not a woman."

"I want my children to be happy, and I don't care about what you think. I'm proud of all of my children for becoming adults who decided to make a difference by working careers that would allow them to help people like their mother and I did," said Red.

"I know the YMCA is sad about your son resigning. He was a poopular lifeguard and swim instructor," said another retired Captain.

"He loved working there, but it was something for him to do as he worked on his degree and focused on PTSD from his time in the Navy and grow his family with Stacey," said Red.

"Any future grandchildren from Evan and Stacey?" asked another Captain.

Red shook his head, "Evan and Stacey are done having children, but I know Jocelyn and Jack are planning on having another baby in a few years. Chloe and Lily are planning on becoming foster parents when Andy and Anne are six months old, and Lydia is moving back to LA with her 25-year-old boyfriend, who finished his career in the Marines and is going to start his career as a middle-school gym teacher."

On the Sunday before Buck's 26th birthday, Buck was enjoying dinner with his family when Cindy brought out a birthday cake.

"My birthday isn't for a few days yet," said Buck.

"I figured it'd be best for us to celebrate your birthday today just in case you end up going out for dinner and drinks with fellow trainees at the Academy, Buck," said Red.

Stacey nodded, "You have my blessing to spend time with fellow trainees at after a day at the Academy."

"While we all need to get used to the idea of you possibly working on your birthday next year," said Cindy.

"Makes sense because you didn't mind me going out with fellow trainees a couple of times," said Buck.

"Do you think you'll be placed at the 134 like Dad was?" asked Jocelyn.

"I'm not sure," said Buck.

"I'm not going to aks that you get placed at the 134 because you're allowed to make your own name in whatever firehouse you get placed in," said Red.

Lydia, who was on summer break and managed to get a teaching job at Durand in August, smiled, "I hope you know I'm going to ask that your firehouse is the station where I get to take my students on field trips ot speak in my classroom."

"I can't wait," said Buck.

"Daddy?" asked Brian.

"Yes, Brian?" asked Buck.

"I know what I want for my fourth birthday in August," said Brian.

Buck, who felt saddened about his eldest turning four years old, smiled at his eldest child. "What do you want?" asked Buck.

"I want to watch you do some training at the Academy," said Brian.

"I'll ask," said Buck.

"I'll ask because I've gone to the Academy a few times to watch your father train and talk to other firefighters I've worked with at the past," said Red.

"You're not pulling strings to make Evan be the top of his class?" asked Cindy.

Red shook his head, "I'm not, Cindy. I told Buck he had to study hard and pass his classes on his own."

Before anything else could be said, giggles erupted in the dining room, causing everyone to see Jason with his bowl of spaghetti on his head.

Brian giggled at his 21-month-old little brother, "Jason's silly."

Buck laughed, "He sure is."

"You were like that when you were one," said Cindy.

Buck, who had cleaned off his plate, reached over to Jocelyn's plate across from him, swiped a spaghetti noodle, and popped it into his mouth with a funny face.

Jocelyn shook her head. "You do know there's more spaghetti in the serving bowl."

"I know, but it's fun swiping food from my big sister," said Buck.

"Even if you're eight inches taller than me," said Jocelyn.

The sound of two babies crying started, prompting Chloe and Lily to care for their three-week-old twins, Andy and Anne, who were born on May 31st.

On July 15th, Buck was holding his wife as Stacey cried. Sasha and Serena took their first steps 20 minutes apart, thinking about their last two babies, now walking.

Bobby Nash was at the Academy on his day off to see the trainees who were set to graduate in a month if they passed their exams and physical tests. He noticed a man who appeared to be in his early 60s, accompanied by a wide-eyed little boy, watching the trainees.

"Grampa Red, do you know if Daddy's going down the yet?" asked the excited little boy.

"With everyone wearing the same clothes and helmets, I'm not recognizing your Daddy right now., Tadpole," said Red.

The Academy instructor, Thomas, chuckled, "Your father's next, BJ."

Brian grinned as he clapped his hands, "I can't wait to watch Daddy go down the wall. I want to be a firefighter like my Daddy and even Grandpa one day."

Red laughed. "When your Daddy was your age, all he talked about was becoming a firefighter, just like me."

Thomas grinned as he watched the next group start to climb over the wall. "Your Daddy's about to go down, now," he said. He looked at Red, "Even if I haven't told your son about how h withe's doing yet, he's looking like he'll be graduating at the top of his class in a few weeks."

Red beamed with pride as he watched his son quickly rappel down the wall with ease and confidence, thanks to his Navy SEAL training. "I'm not even surprised about my boy graduating at the top of the class. He skipped the eighth grade. Unless he had his head in a book or on Wikipedia to research anything that intrested his curiousity, becoming an Eagle Scout, and doing his chores, he would be playing outside and participating on sports teams. I know his time in the Navy allowed him to test out of a few things and earn some certifications."

Bobby interrupted as he watched one trainee go down with ease and confidence. "The trainee you two are talking about, what's his name?" asked Bobby.

Red beamed proudly, "We're talking about my son, Evan Delacroix. He's been given the nickname Buck after his childhood nickname was Buckaroo by his mother, my former team at the 134, and myself."

"You are?" asked Bobby.

"Retired Captain Johnathan 'Red' Delacroix. I spent my entire LAFD career at the 134," said Red.

"I'm Captain Bobby Nash of A-shift at the 118," said Bobby.

Red nodded in recognition, "The new Captain."

Bobby frowned.

"I still have contacts, and I heard about the parade of Captains for A-shift at the 118 after Gerrard finally got booted for his views about how firefighting being a boys club, being racist, and being against same-sex relationships," said Red.

Bobby took in the little boy, who was wearing a fireman costume. The little boy also had curly brown hair, blue eyes, and a birthmark that looked to be around his eyebrow. He thought about the little boy, reminding him of being a firecracker like Brooke and asking questions like Robbie, as he felt a pang for the loss of Marcy, Robbie, and Brooke. "What's your name, little guy?" asked Bobby.

Brian hid behind his grandfather. "Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Papa, my Aunties, and Uncles say I can't talk to strangers."

"That's good, you know not to talk to strangers, but you heard me tell your grandfather that my name is Captain Bobby Nash," said Bobby.

Brian giggled, "Your name starts with a B like mine."

"My name starts with an R because my name is Robert, but I'm called Bobby," said Bobby.

Brian giggled, "My name is Brian, but I'm also called BJ due to my middle name beingJoseph."

"How old are you?" asked Bobby.

Brian grinned as he held up four fingers, "It's my fourth birthday today."

Bobby felt sad about no longer being able to celebrate Robbie and Brooke's birthdays. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you," said Brian.

"I take it you got to come here and watch your father train because it's your birthday?" asked Bobby.

Brian nodded, "I asked Daddy if I could come here a few days before he turned 26."

Red grinned, "Having connections here gives me the chance to watch my son train. Special permission was given for me to bring Brian here today when he told me watching his Daddy train is the only birthday gift he wants from me."

"As long as I don't run off from Grandpa because Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Josie, and even Mommy say my little brother Jason and myself are a lot like Dady. i think my little sisters Sasha and Serena will be the same."

"You have three siblings?" asked Bobby.

Brian nodded.

"Even if I'm a proud grandfather of eight grandchildren through three of my four children, BJ's little brother will be two in September and his little sisters will also be one in September," said Red.

A man came over and scooped up Brian before throwing his giggling son over his shoulders.

"Daddy!" giggled Brian.

"Are you being a good future Fire Chief by watching me train while listening to your grandfather, Chief Delacroix?" asked Buck as he set his son down.

Brian nodded as he saluted his father, "I'm being good, Daddy."

Buck saluted his son back, "Good."

Thomas looked at Buck, "Delacroix,, this is Captain Bobby Nash of the 118. He's here scouting for a probationary firefighter for A-shift at the 118 after graduation next month."

"I once met two paramedics from the 118. They were known as Paramedics Han and Wilson," said Buck.

"They're on my team," said Bobby.

Buck then remembered his manners. "I'm Evan Delacroix, but you can call me Buck."

"Buck?" asked Bobby.

"Buckroo was a childhood nickname and one of the instructors who knew me as a little boy decided to call me Buck," said Buck.

"We need someone who's certified in heavy rescue and high angle rope rescues," said Bobby.

"And Delacroix has been earning himself certifications after testing out of multiple things in the Academy thanks to his former career in the Navy," said Thomas.

"Navy?" asked Bobby.

Buck gave a grim smile. "I was a Navy SEAL. Got an honorable discharge when Brian was a baby for reasons I don't want to say around little ears."

"Even if Daddy has a big scar on his belly," piped up Brian.

Buck nodded, "My injuries are long recovered while I see my therapistonce a month and meet with a group of feterans at VA meetings every other week."

On Buck's first day at the 118, Buck, who came in at lunchtime due to having to take Sasha and Serena to their one-year checkups over a week early due to their pediatrician going on maternity leave, showed up at the 118 much to the shock of Hen and Chimney was sitting next to Bobby as Hen and Chimney fixed him up a plate of spaghetti.

"You're the civilian who saved that guy's leg a few years back," said Chimney.

"We were wondering if you were the same Delacroix from the accident scene when Bobby only said your last name," said Hen.

Buck grinned, "I thought it'd be fun to surprise you guys when Bobby stated you two work under him."

Buck then ate a few mouthfuls of spaghetti, looked at Bobb, and said, "Even if my mother, wife's, mother-in-law, sisters, are wonderful cooksi, this is delicious."

"Thank you," said Bobby.

"Cap's the one who cooks," said Chimney.

Buck nodded, "I hope I can help with the cooking. I learned at an early age because my parents, sisters, and I would cook meals together while my wife and I take turns cooking when not having family dinners with our parents or siblings."

"You can help," said Bobby.

Chimney looked at Buck. "Knowing that your father was a firefighter at the 134, did he tell you about forbidden words?" Chimney asked.

Buck nodded, "He warned me when I was a kid even if I was a little shit and said a forbidden word when I was mad at him for having to work instead of attending sporting events I participated in. My three sisters did the same when they were mad at our father having to work, too."

"My older brother did that to our late father once," said Bobby.

"Even if your father's retired, I'm surprised the Academy didn't place you at the 134," said Hen.

"There were no openings, and-," said Buck.

"We need someone who specializes in high-angle rope rescues and heavy rescue after Deluca and Kinard both transferred," said Bobby.

Hen decided to speak up, "You have three sisters?" asked Hen.

Buck grinned, "A 29-year-old sister named Jocelyn Werner and 23-year-old little twin sisters named Lydia and Chloe Delacroix."

"If your older sister has a different last name, she's married?" asked Hen.

Buck nodded, "My sisters either have a husband, wife, or a boyfriend."

"You don't mind one of your sisters being a lesbian?" asked Hen.

"I'm supportive," said Buck.

"I have a wife," said Hen.

"How did you meet your wife? I met my girlfriend Tatiana on Romancing the Uniform," said Chimney.

"Stacey and I first when we were three in preschool. We quickly became friends until the fifth grade when Stacey ended up being a Navy Brat when 9/11 happened and her father re-enlisted into the Navy. We were reunited and started dating eachother when I was celebrating my 21st birthday with my parents and sisters in San Diego when I was on break from being deployed."

"Aww, childhood friends who were separated as kids before reuniting as adults," said Hen.

Buck laughed, "We did joke we were going to marry each other someday when we were in kindergarten, and it did happen."

"You said you were deployed?" asked Chimney.

"I was in the Navy, and I got an honorable discharged in October of 2013 after a deployment caused everyone but my former Commander and me to die, and I sustained injuries that earned me an honorable discharge."

Bobby, who was aware that Buck was a former Navy SEAL, spoke up. "Buck's not allowed to talk about his Navy career."

Buck nodded, "My deployments are classified due to the unit I was in."

Hen changed the topic, "Have you had any other kids over the years?" asked Hen.

Buck grinned. "Aside from Brian now being four, I have another son named Jason, who'll be two on the 27th, and twin girls, who'll be one on the 14th."

Chimney's eyes bugged out a bit. "Four kids?" asked Chimney.

"After Jason was born, Stacey still wanted a daughter, but we ended up with mirror twins," said Buck.

"Mirror twins?" asked Chimney.

Buck grinned, "Even if one twin's organs, moles, and birthmarks are on the opposite side of her body, it'd difficult for Sasha and Serena to switch places like Annie and Hallie from The Parent Trap unless they manage to use makeup to erase their birthmark on one eyebrow and draw a new birthmark on their opposite birthmarks."

"I need to see a picture of your children," said Hen.

A minute later, Buck showed a picture of himself, his wife, and children together, taken after he graduated from the Academy a week ago, as he pointed out which twin was which.

"Your kids are beautiful," said Hen.

"Thanks," said Buck. He looked around. "What about you? Do you have any kids?" asked Buck.

"No kids yet, but I want to have children," said Chimney.

Hen rolled her eyes. "My wife Karen and I have a six-year-old son."

On September 14th, Buck, who was happy not to be on shift during his two youngest kids' first birthday, woke up to Stacey crying.

"What's wrong, Stace?" asked Buck.

"I'm devastated that this is the last first birthday we'll be celebrating with our kids," sniffled Stacey.

Buck hugged his wife closer as he thought about his wife dealing with the baby blues after Serena and Sasha were born, due to the reality of Stacey having a hysterectomy right after Sasha and Serena were born. "I'm sad about this being the final first birthday we celebrate with our kids."

Before Stacey could say something else, giggles erupted from the baby monitor they had set up for Jason's nursery.

"We better see what Jason's giggling about," said Buck.

A moment later, Buck and Stacey entered Jason's nursery only to smell poop that they saw smeared on the wall by Jason's crib, on the crib, and the sheets.

"Poop," giggled Jason.

"Fuck," said Buck.

Stacey slapped her husband's shoulders. "Language," she said.

Jason grinned as he clapped his hands, "Fuck, fuck, fuck."

Buck groaned just as crying sounded from another room.

Stacey looked at the clock on the wall and saw it was only 5:30 AM, meaning they had time before Brian had to be woken up for preschool. "While I go deal with Sasha and Serena, you can clean up Jason before we have to get Brian up for preschool."

A minute later, Buck was standing with his 23-month-old son in the tub. He used the shower hose to give his son a quick shower and put him in a clean diaper.

Later that evening, Buck, Stacey, and Brian laughed as Serena got herself covered head to toe in her smash cake while Sasha barely got herself covered in cake.

"Just think of it, Sasha and Serena will get more cake during their first birthday party on Sunday afternoon," said Stacey.

"Why are they having cake today if there's no party?" asked Brian.

"We just wanted a gathering of the six of us on your little sisters' first birthday while we'll do a bigger gathering with your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins on Sunday," said Stacey.

Two weeks later, Evan ended up consoling Stacey as their youngest son turned two.

"I hate hot much our children are growing up, Evan," sniffled Stacey.

"I wish Brian, Jason, Sasha, and Serena were babies again, but I know we both have to face our children growing up like our parents did with us," said Buck.

"You're right," said Stacey.

Chapter Text

Buck, who had carried a newborn baby girl he and his coworkers extracted from a pipe, glared at Athena, who had insisted on loading the mother into the ambulance, "This newborn needs this gurney. It's a protocol that we separate the mother and child until CPS investigates."

Bobby realized Buck was right as he looked at Athena, "Buck's right that they can't ride together. Also, you should have contacted Dispatch to send another hospital and ask for Hen or Chimney to help you with the mother as soon as you found her."

Hen looked at Athena, "Buck's right, and you shouldn't have had that girl carried outside because we don't know what injuries she could have had from giving birth."

When the newborn baby girl was delivered to the hospital, Chimney spoke up to the staff members, "This baby girl was flushed down the toilet after her mother gave birth to her. The mother will be enroute to this hospital soon."

"Please contact CPS and request a social worker that aren't Jocelyn and Jack Werner. Jocelyn is my sister and Jack is my brother-in-law and they're not allowed to be called in for calls I responded to that results in CPS being contacted," said Buck.

"Duly noted," said a doctor.

When returning to the station, Bobby looked at Buck and said, "You did well."

"Even if I went into SEAL mode and brought up protocols to Sergeant Grant and then mentioned to the doctors and nurses to contact CPS and ask that CPS sends someone who aren't Jocelyn and Jack to the hospital?" asked Buck.

"With you being a probationary firefighter who had graduated at the top of your class in September, you would remember protocols easier than Hen, Chimney, and myself," said Bobby.

"I just wish that the baby girl was born somewhere different and the mother knew she could have gone to the hospital and sign away her rights to the baby or ask a trusted adult to call CPS to get her help like CPS helped me when I was 12-months-old," said Buck.

"CPS got involved when you were a baby?" asked Bobby.

"CPS removed me from my birth family when I was one and my biological parents lost their paternal rights to me," said Buck.

"Are you saying you were adopted?" asked Bobby.

Buck nodded, "If it wasn't for the staff members at the children's hospital where my older biological brother was dying from leukemia told my birth father that he was scared about how I would be treated after he died when my bone marrow didn't graft and wished I'd be given up for adoption so I could have a mother and father who'd love me, I could have been abused by my biological mother or be abandoned somewhere," said Buck.

"Did you just admit you were a savior sibling?" asked Bobby.

Buck nodded, "One of the first savior siblings that happened before savior siblings became a well known topic," said Buck. He looked into Bobby's eyes, "Even my older sister Jocelyn was adopted after she told my Mom and Dad that her foster parents left her at the park alone a month after they officially adopted me."

A few hours later, Buck received a text message from his sister Lydia, accompanied by a picture of a baby girl in the NICU.

MEET YOUR FIRST FOSTER NIECE, SADIE. SHE WAS BORN PREMATURELY TODAY, AND NO ONE IN HER FAMILY WANTS HER. SHE WILL BE IN THE NICU FOR A FEW MONTHS DUE TO HOW EARLY SHE WAS BORN AND THE FEAR OF INFECTION DUE TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HER BIRTH.

Buck quickly recognized the baby girl and quickly got Lydia on the phone.

"Aren't you on shift, Buck?" asked Lydia.

Buck thought about Lydia getting married in October to her husband Caleb. Lydia and Caleb decided to become foster parents with the chance of adopting due to Caleb facing an injury that took away his fertility."Yes, but I want you to know I held that baby girl earlier when I responded to the 9-1-1 call. Even if you decided to become a foster parent like Chloe and Lily did, I'm glad she's going to be safe with you and Caleb," said Buck.

"I didn't know you responded to the call. Are you OK? Did you call to make an appointment with Dr. Copeland and talked to Stacey, my nieces, and nephews?" asked Lydia.

"I'm OK, and I already gotten an appointment with Dr. Copeland and called Mom and Dad to talk to the kids," said Buck.

"Good, and I should let you get back to work," said Lydia.

"Love you, Lydia," said Buck.

"Love you too and please stay safe," said Lydia before hanging up.

A moment later, Buck found Bobby, Hen, and Chimney. "I know we leave everything at the glass doors, but I won't be able to."

"Why?" asked Hen.

"My sister Lydia and her husband Caleb recently became certified foster parents because of having two bedrooms open for kids due to Caleb being unable to have children of his own and they were called up to foster that newborn baby girl and agreed without knowing that I responded to the 9-1-1 call," said Buck.

"I know you can't force your sister and brother-in-law to stop fostering that baby girl, but just remember not to think about how you found her when you finally get to hold your foster niece," said Bobby.

"Lydia and Caleb already named her Sadie," said Buck.

"Your sister Lydia will take good care of Sadie," said Hen.

"I know," said Buck. He tilted his head and looked at Hen. "I know you and Sergeant Grant are friends, but did I upset her earlier when I brought up the rules about us not being allowed to transport Sadie and her birth mother together?" Buck asked.

"She's mad, but I convinced her to not follow you to the hospital and yell at you because protocols should be followed."

"I know I went into SEAL-mode because I was protecting Sadie," said Buck.

"And you did your job of protecting her," said Hen.

Following the rollercoaster call, Buck returned to the station with his teammates, only to find Stacey with a wide-awake 15-month-old Serena on her hip and his father there. "Who called you two?" Buck asked.

"I did," said Bobby.

"And I brought Serena because she was wide-awake and your mother said she'd watch Brian, Jason, and Sasha," said Stacey.

"Dada!" exclaimed Serena.

Buck had Serena on his hip a moment later while his wife and father embraced him.

"Are you OK? I know aside from jumpers you didn't communicate with, this is your first direct loss as a firefighter," said Red.

"I'm sad I couldn't save Devon, but I know I can't save everyone as a firefighter since I watched you deal with losses while growing up while I deal with losses during my time in the SEALs," said Buck as he kissed Serena's curly blonde hair that matched his shade of blonde.

"I hope you're going to be getting an appointment with Dr. Copeland or even Frank," said Red.

"I already left a voicemail on the emergency line," said Buck.

Bobby, who was nearby, spoke up, "Good."

"We'll have to worry about something else, too," said Red.

"What?" asked Buck.

"Due to you going viral and being interviewed by a reporter, you'll have to prepare for your birth family recognizing you through your first name and birthmark," said Red.

Buck paled, "Fuck. I should have refused to be interviewed."

Stacey slapped her husband's shoulder, "Language, Evan."

"Fuck," repeated Serena.

Stacey glared at her husband, "Now it's three out of four kids who repeated that word after you said it."

"Fuck," giggled Serena.

Stacey grabbed the pacifier she had and placed it in Serena's mouth.

"Sorry," said Buck.

"Birth family?" asked a confused Chimney.

Buck looked at Hen and Chimney, "My parents adopted me when I was one, and in a letter, my birth father wrote to me and calls my parents got from CPS in Pennsylvania when I was ten, warned us that my birth sister wanted to track me down and my birth mother blames me for Daniel's death."

"Who's Daniel?" asked Hen.

"My older brother who died from leukemia after a failed bone marrow transplant. My birth parents had me as a savior sibling for Daniel when they couldn't find a match for bone marrow. I was taken by CPS after concern was brought up over my birth mother blaming me even if my birth father didn't blame me due to knowing a risk was being taken due to how sick Daniel was and my bones weren't fully developed."

"You were a savior sibling?" asked Hen.

Buck nodded, "One of the first before the topic of savior siblings became popular in 2002. I've known since 2004 when Mom and Dad sat me down with a therapist because of the book My Sister's Keeper coming out when I was 12, and they thought I was ready to learn about my birth family."

Maddie Carmichael was watching the National News with her husband Oscar, seven-year-old daughter Eliana, and three-year-old son Matthew when a segment about a Los Angeles Firefighter named Evan 'Buck' Delacroix who had the same birthmark her baby brother did, had a hairline similar to her father's hairline, and blue eyes that matched her mother started airing.

"I was just doing my job. I'm happy we were able to help the people we helped, and I'm really sorry about those we couldn't save," said Evan.

Tears started streaming down Maddie's face as she knew Evan Delacroix must be her long-lost brother, Evan Buckley, "Evan."

The reporter looked at her phone, "Oh, we're getting a lot of Twitter questions from our audience. Most just want to know if you're single."

Evan's facial expression became cold as he looked at the reporter. "A question about my relationship status is highly off-topic and inappropriate to ask on the National News, but I'm married," Buck said, holding up his left hand to show his silicone wedding band.

Maddie started sobbing harder as she realized the man who could be her long-lost brother was married, and she hadn't been sent an invitation to the wedding.

The reporter looked at Evan, "I apologize for asking. You're right that asking you about your relationship status is a highly inappropriate question when your ring is visible. I figured it'd be best to get that question out of the way, even if it meant breaking hearts."

Evan looked at the camera sternly, "I need to ask for privacy for the sake of my wife, kids, the rest of my family, and myself. Please refrain from approaching me during calls, showing up at the 118, or when I'm in public with my family. Aside from my official LAFD Instagram page, my personal Instagram account and Facebook account will remain private. I will not be accepting friend requests, requests for me to follow you, or requests to respond to messages if I don't know you. The same thing will happen for phone calls I don't recognize."

Maddie started sobbing, "Evan's married and a father."

"Why are you crying about that firefighter on TV, Mom?" asked Eliana.

"You remember me talking about you having an Uncle Daniel who's your guardian angel and while Uncle Evan was taken away by CPS when he was one?" asked Maddie.

"You've showed us the last picture of you, Uncle Daniel, and Uncle Evan taken together and stated you don't know where he is. Grandpa Phil said he had CPS take away Uncle Evan so Grandma Margaret can't hurt him," said Eliana.

Oscar sighed, "You seriously think Firefighter Delacroix is your brother, Maddie?" asked Oscar.

"Evan Delacroix shares the same first name as your Uncle Evan and has the same birthmark and blue eyes as your Uncle Evan did," said Maddie before she pulled out her phone.

Oscar noticed the glint in his wife's eyes, "Please tell me you're not looking up plane tickets so you can fly to Los Angeles to confront Firefighter Delacroix when there's no school break for another few months. Firefighter Delacroix might not even be your brother, and he asked for privacy."

Maddie glared at her husband, "I know he's my brother because he has the same birthmark as my baby brother and the nickname he went by is from the first four letters of my maiden name. We're going to move to LA after ends so you, Eliana, Matthew, and I can get to know Evan while Eliana and Matthew get to know their cousins. Evan's been an adult for over eight years now, so DCFS can't hide Evan from me," snapped Maddie.

Matthew started sniffling.

"If he wanted you in his life, he would have tracked you down years ago, Maddie. You need to respect the boundaries Firefighter Delacroix requested or you'd get yourself arrested and issued a restraining order which will affect your job as a music teacher," said Oscar.

"If we don't move to Los Angeles, I'll be filing for divorce. I'll get primary custody because the judge always grants the mother primary custody," said Maddie snidely.

Matthew started crying, "Mommy's scaring me, Daddy."

"I don't want to leave my friends," cried Eliana.

Oscar looked at his two kids, "Please go to your rooms."

Eliana nodded as she led Matthew away from the living room. As she took Matthew to her bedroom, Eliana decided to grab her father's cell phone from the charger.

Oscar looked at his wife, "You won't be getting custody if you get yourself arrested for trying to insert yourself into the life of someone who might not even be your biological brother."

"I know he's my brother, and you can't stop me from going to LA," said Maddie.

Meanwhile, in Eliana's bedroom, Eliana got her Grandpa Phillip on the phone.

"Is everything alright, Oscar?" asked Phillip.

"Mom's acting crazy after seeing a man who she claims to be my Uncle Evan speaking to a reporter on the news for saving lives of four people who were trapped on a roller coaster in Los Angeles, Grandpa. You need to come over quickly because Mom and Dad are fighting over Mom wanting to move to Los Angeles to meet a man who she claims to be my Uncle Evan, and Mom's threatening to divorce Dad and get sole custody if we don't move to LA. I don't want to move to LA because I like it here in New York City, Grandpa," sniffled Eliana.

Phillip, who managed to get a job as a professor in New York City, spoke up, "I'm on my way, Eliana. You and Matthew stay in your room."

Phillip looked at his daughter, who was looking up job listings for high school chorus teachers in Los Angeles, "Even if I saw the news clip, I instantly knew he was my son, but I'm not going to contact him or go to Los Angeles to confront him, Maddie. He hasn't tracked us down, so you should respect his boundaries."

"I don't care. I already emailed the school my letter of resignation that takes place when the school year ends, and will be looking up music teacher jobs and houses or three-bedroom apartments to live in, Dad," said Maddie.

"You're ruining your marriage and your relationship with your kids by making a decision that affects your husband, kids, and yourself-" said Phillip before Maddie spoke up.

"You moved me away from Philadelphia after Daniel's death without asking me for my permission, Dad," snapped Maddie.

"Remember what I told you when you were 18?" asked Phillip.

"What?" asked Maddie.

"If you tracked down Evan and go visit him, I'll be disowning you. You won't be getting anything from me after I die, and I'd be making sure Eliana and Matthew won't get their trust funds until you're dead to ensure you don't t use their money for yourself," said Phillip sternly.

"Evan never tracked us down, Dad," said Maddie. She showed the Facebook profile to Stacey Delacroix, where she found a picture of Evan and Stacey with four kids that was taken on Christmas. "Evan never tracked us down so we could watch him graduate high school, watch him marry Stacey, hold Evan's and Stacey's two sons and two daughters after they were born. We missed out on celebrating birthdays and holidays with my brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephews. Evan's working a dangerous job instead of a safe job that wouldn't involve him climbing roller coasters, rappelling down buildings and cliffs, or running into burning buildings, and the people who aren't his real parents and his wife allowed him to become a firefighter."

"We don't have any say over what Evan has done with his life because a judge severed your mother's and my rights to him 25 years ago, Maddie said, Phillip sternly.

"You don't want to meet him?" asked Maddie.

Phillip shook his head, "Unless he tracks me down himself, I'm not going to contact him."

Maddie glared at her father, "Even if it means getting disowned, I'm still going to move to Los Angeles so I can get to know Evan, my sister-in-law, nieces, and nephews while talking him out of working as a firefighter because I lost him once and don't want to lose him again."

The following morning in New York City, Oscar woke up empty on the left side of his bed with a note on her pillow.

I'm heading to Los Angeles, CA, to reunite with Evan.

Oscar quickly grabbed his phone to open up the joint checking account and swore when he realized Maddie had clicked the forgotten password link when she realized he had changed the password, "Fuck."

A minute later, Oscar called Margaret, Phillip, and his parents and told them about the situation. They agreed that they wouldn't get Maddie a lawyer or pay her bail if she got herself arrested before he reported his and Maddie's debit and credit cards stolen when he realized his wife had stolen his credit card.

Chimney noticed a woman with dark brown hair standing at the open doors of the station. "Can I help you, ma'am?" asked Chimney.

Maddie pocketed her hands and gave a flirtatious smile. "I'm Maddie Carmichael, and I'm looking for Firefighter Evan Delacroix," said Maddie.

"He's here, but he's refusing visitors form people he doesn't know or reporters," said Chimney.

Maddie gasped as she saw a man in shorts and a tank top with familiar, dirty blonde curls and a birthmark, heading towards a room with glass walls as she ran past Chimney. "EVAN!" screamed Maddie.

Buck turned to find a woman rushing towards him and flinched when she hugged him. "Who are you?" Buck demanded.

"I'm your biological sister, Maddie Buckley Carmichael. You were born on June 27th, 1991, to Margaret and Phillip Buckley, and CPS stole you from our parents and me when you were one when Mom and Dad were told that your older brother Daniel was dying and the hospital called CPS," sobbed Maddie as she released Evan and pulled out her most cherished picture from her purse and showed it to Buck.

Evan gulped when he saw the same picture he received when he was 12 years old, "Even if I have that same picture, I don't know if you're my biological sister. Please leave before someone calls the police."

"Please don't kick me out. I finally found you," sobbed Maddie.

"Even if I knew about why I was taken away by CPS, I don't want you or your parents in my life," said Buck.

Bobby came over, "Ma'am, please leave the station or police will come to arrest you for trespassing."

"While I'll file a restraining order," said Buck.

"Don't file a restraining order because I want to get to know you, your wife, and my nieces and nephews, while you need to get to know our parents, your brother-in-law, niece, and nephew,' sobbed Maddie.

"Your parents haven't been my parents for 25 years," said Buck. He tilted his head. "How did you know I'm married and a father?" Buck asked.

"Your wife's profile picture, and you and your wife were rude not to accept my friend request," said Maddie.

"We don't friend people we don't know, and I'll be telling my wife, parents, sisters, and in-laws to make their social media accounts private so you can't stalk me on my family's social media pages," said Buck.

"they're not your family, Evan," said Maddie.

Athena showed up. "What's the problem?" asked Athena.

Bobby looked at Athena, "Can you please escort this woman who's claiming to be Buck's biological sister out of the station?" asked Bobby.

Athena looked at Maddie. "Please come with me, or I'll have to arrest you for trespassing."

"If you find out my address and show up at my house, I'll be calling the police for stalking me because your father warned me in a letter that you were upset about me being taken away by CPS for my safety and my parents were warned that you were going to try and track me down and petition to become my guardian when you were 18," said Buck.

Maddie huffed as she stormed out of the station.

The following day, Maddie recognized an elderly couple who were in a picture she had seen with Evan, Stacey, and her four nieces and nephews on Facebook before she was blocked from accessing any pages that had mutual friends with Evan and Stacey Delacroix. They were sitting in a booth at a diner with her nieces and nephews. She went outside and called 9-1-1.

"9-1-1, what's your emergency?" a female voice asked.

"My name is Maddie, and my nieces and nephews were taken away from me by an elderly couple without my permission and they won't give them back to me," said Maddie as she gave the location she was in.

"My name is Abby Clark, and I'll send police there now. Just stay there and don't confront them just in case there's any weapons," said Abby.

Fifteen minutes later, Red and Cindy were enjoying lunch with Brian, Jason, Sasha, and Serena when they saw police cars pull up.

"Look, Grandpa. The police are here," said Brian.

"That's Detective Romero. I've worked with him on some calls before I retired, and now your Daddy interacts with him at work," said Red.

Detective Romero and a few other officers entered the station a moment later as a woman, who appeared to be in her mid-30s, pointed at him and Cindy.

"That's the couple who kidnapped my nieces and nephews, Detective," said the woman.

Detective Romero approached Red and Cindy, accompanied by an officer. "Spending the day with some of your grandchildren?" Detective Romero asked.

Red nodded, "Buck's sleeping off his shift and taking care of some household chores."

"We babysit them when they're not at preschool or daycare," said Cindy.

"They're not the grandparents of my nieces and nephews," snapped Maddie.

Red looked at the woman, "You must be Buck's biological sister Maddie Carmichael."

"I am," said Maddie.

"We're Buck's parents Red and Cindy Delacroix," said Red.

"You're not Evan's parents. Margaret and Phillip Buckley are," snapped Maddie.

"We are," said Red.

"You must be throwing a tantrum because our son refused to allow you in his life," said Cindy.

"I recall you adopted Buck when he was one," said Detective Romero.

Cindy nodded. "We did, and Evan warned us about Maddie showing up at the 118 yesterday. She wasn't happy when Evan told her to leave and not follow him home, or he'd charge her with stalking."

Red nodded, "We knew Maddie was in LA after our son told us about what happened at work yesterday."

Cindy grabbed her purse and pulled out the adoption paperwork she decided to carry just in case Maddie approached her and Red while they were out with Buck's and Stacey's kids, "We have the adoption paperwork on us just in case Mrs. Carmichael tried to do something in revenge for Evan refusing to let her into his life."

Detective Romero looked at the adoption paperwork before smiling at Red and Cindy, "You two are good because I know you two legally adopted Buck," said Detective Romero before he grabbed his handcuffs and pulled Maddie, who ended up screeching into handcuffs as he arrested Maddie for wasting the police's time by calling 9-1-1 to report a fake kidnapping claim and a slew of other charges.

Chapter Text

Maddie glared at Red and Cindy as soon as the handcuffs were locked behind her back, "If it wasn't for an officer who knew you two and you didn't have those forged adoption papers on you, I'd been given my nieces and nephews so I'd could take them to New York so they'd get to meet their real grandparents."

Both Red and Cindy held back, yelling that they were Evan's real parents and Brian, Jason, Sasha, and Serena's grandparents, as they comforted their grandchildren.

"We can add attempted kidnapping to your charges. I'd shut your mouth if you don't want any other charges that don't deal with wasting our time by calling 9-1-1 to report a false kidnapping and child endangerment due to the outcome could have been different if I didn't know the Delacroix family," said Detective Romero.

Buck had just gotten out of the shower after scrubbing the bathrooms when his cell phone rang with a call from his father.

"Is everything alright, Dad?" asked Buck.

"You need to hurry to the police station because Maddie saw your mother, kids, and me at the diner and called 9-1-1 to tell them that your mother and I kidnapped Brian, Jason, Sasha, and Serena so she could kidnap your kids and take them to New York," said Red.

"Fuck. Even if you and Mom decided to have my adoption paperwork on hand just in case Maddie pulled the shit she just did, please tell me you and Mom didn't get arrested. Are you, Mom, and the kids alright?" asked Buck.

"We're physically unharmed thanks to Detective Romero being one of the responding officers who knew your mother and I adopted you 25 years ago. Maddie did get arrested for calling in a false kidnapping and child endangerment because everything could have turned out differently if officers who didn't know me from when I worked as a firefighter responded to the call. Aside from Brian being a bit shaken, the kids are fine," said Red.

"I'll hurry to the station," said Buck before hanging up.

Meanwhile, Stacey cleaned a child's teeth when the receptionist and another hygienist entered the room.

"Stacey, I'm going to have Kendra take over your patient," said Carrie.

"What's wrong, Carrie?" asked Stacey.

"Your husband called and told me to tell you Code Salt and to call him ASAP," said Carrie in a confused tone.

Stacey paled when she realized her husband had given their code for attempted kidnapping.

"Are you alright?" asked Carrie.

"I'll tell you outside, but I have to go," said Stacey. Stacey looked at her seven-year-old patient, Walter, and his mother, Andrea, and said, "I'm sorry, but I have to leave due to a family emergency with my children."

"It's OK. I hope everything is alright," said Andrea.

A few minutes later, Stacey called her husband, who told her that Maddie had just tried to kidnap their kids by accusing her in-laws of kidnapping the kids so she could get access to their kids. She cursed like a sailor before she hurried to the police station.

Meanwhile, at the Parker Center Dispatch Center, Lily was taking a break when her cell phone rang, and she saw that it was Chloe calling. After responding to the call, she was in the breakroom, cursing Maddie Carmichael for calling 9-1-1 to accuse her in-laws of kidnapping her nieces and nephews so that she could kidnap her nieces and nephews.

"Are yo cursing the Maddie who called 9-1-1 to say that her nieces and nephews were kidnapped by an elderly couple?" asked Abby.

Lily nodded, "Maddie is suspected to Buck's biological sister due to her showing up with a copy of the same picture Buck was given when he was 12. Even if my in-laws didn't get arrested thanks to a detective Red knew responding to the call and him and Cindy having the adoption papers from when they adopted Buck on hand, they're shaken up over Maddie stooping so low to accuse them of kidnapping their grandchildren and try to kidnap my nieces and nephews herself out of revenge for Buck rightfully turning her away when she flew out here after Buck made the National News."

Abby, who didn't take Buck's phone number from the report following Buck and another firefighter who was the man behind to help her with a home invasion call, spoke up, "She tried to kidnap your brother-in-law's kids?" asked Abby.

Lily nodded, "I hope Buck, Stacey, and my in-laws drag Maddie through the mud because she didn't respect the boundaries my brother gave on the news."

"I should expect the police to show up to hear the 9-1-1 call for evidence?" asked Abby.

Lily nodded, "Yes."

A while later, Evan, Stacey, Chloe, and Jocelyn were at the police station even if Lydia couldn't leave Durand while promising she'd see them after school is done for the day since she's saving her 12-week parental leave for when Sadie's released from the hospital and made their way to Red, who was sitting by a desk.

"Where are the kids?" asked Stacey.

"They're in the child interview room where Jason, Sasha, and Serena are happily playing with toys while Brian gets interviewed by an officer. Cindy already gave her statement, so she's watching outside," said Red.

"I can't believe Buck's crazy biological sister tried to accuse Mom and yourself of kidnapping Brian, Jason, Sasha, and Serena so she could kidnap the kids herself," said Chloe.

"We knew she wasn't going to stop her entitled behavior after she got angry over Sergeant Grant having to escort her out of the station when I told her I didn't want to get to know her.

A few seconds later, the EMT in Buck studied his father. "Are you alright, Dad?" asked Buck.

"I've been thinking about how badly this could have gone if police officers I have never met before showed up. Cindy, the kids, or I could have gotten hurt if officers came in guns blazing," said Red.

"Imad not mad at you and Mom for taking the kids out for lunch, Dad," said Buck.

"Neither am I," said Stacey.

After Buck gave the police his statement about the confrontation he had with Maddie, he, Stacey, and his lawyer were talking to an officer about filing a restraining order even if he was told that Maddie would be going away to prison for quite a bit of time due to her facing charges for attempted kidnapping, child endangerment, and, and wasting the police's time.

Phillip Buckley and his wife of ten years, Laura Buckley, a history professor at the same university where he taught, were visiting Oscar, Eliana, and Matthew when Oscar received a phone call from a Los Angeles police station, prompting him to leave the room.

When Oscar returned, he looked at Eliana and said, "Please take Matt to your room, Ellie."

"Did you get a phone call about Mom?" asked Eliana.

"Where's Mommy?" asked Matthew.

"I'll tell you what's going on when Matt is in bed, Eliana," said Oscar firmly.

After Eliana took Matthew to her bedroom, Oscar looked at his in-laws and said, "Maddie got arrested this afternoon."

"What did she do?" asked Laura.

Oscar ran a hand over his hair, "Aside from getting a warning for trespassing at the 118 when Firefighter Delacroix and his Captain both asked Maddie to leave only for an officer to escort her out, she called 9-1-1 when she saw Firefighter Delacroix's parents out for lunch with Firefighter Delacroix's four kids and told the 9-1-1 Operator that an elderly couple kidnapped her nieces and nephews without her permission."

Anger radiated through Phillip's eyes and body as Laura rubbed his shoulder, "Please tell me no one got hurt when the police showed up."

"Thankfully the Detective that showed up knew Firefighter Delacroix's parents due to Mr. Delacroix being a retired firefighter and Mr. and Mrs. Delacroix made sure to have the adoption papers from when Firefighter Delacroix got adopted by them on hand to prove that they're Firefighter Delacroix's parents and the grandparents of Firefighter Delacroix's kids."

"This Evan is the one CPS removed over 25 years ago?" asked Phillip.

Oscar nodded, "NCIS got involved due to Evan's time in the Navy, and a rapid DNA test showed a positive match for siblings. I'm not mad at Evan for telling Maddie he didn't want to get to know her. It's his decision whether or not to allow his birth family in his life."

"I agree it's Evan's choice," said Phillip.

Laura thought about her stepdaughter, who had never welcomed her into the family and had always hoped that her husband and Margaret would remarry. "Is she facing charges?" asked Laura.

Oscar nodded, "Maddie will be facing charges for making a false report, child endangerment since the four Delacroix kids could have gotten harmed if officers who didn't know their grandparents showed up, and attempted kidnapping since she admitted she would have brought the kids here if the police handed them over to her."

Phillip sighed, "I thought that allowing the judge to terminate Margaret's and my paternal rights to Evan would be the best for Maddie so she could enjoy the rest of her childhood and be a regular teenager instead of having to take care of Evan like she wanted to."

"You did the right thing to give Evan up for adoption, Phillip. In some cases, forcing an older sibling to raise a younger sibling when one or both parents are still alive is considered child abuse," said Oscar.

"That's why I allowed the nurses to call CPS," said Phillip. 

"Are you going to be contacting Margaret to tell her what happened?" asked Laura.

Phillip nodded. 'I have to, and then I'll book a flight to LA.'

"Since the officer told me that Maddie's been considered a flight risk and won't be allowed bail in fear of Maddie trying to approach Evan and his family again, I want to get to LA and give Maddie the divorce papers I got drawn up," said Oscar.

"With the prenup she signed, I take it she won't be getting allimony or anything from you?" asked Phillip.

Oscar nodded. "She won't be getting a penny from me, and depending on how long she'll be going to prison for, I know I'll be having sole custody of Eliana and Matthew."

Phillip nodded.

"How about I stay here so I can help Oscar's parents take care of Eliana and Matthew," said Laura.

"I appreciate it," said Oscar.

A moment later, Phillip got Margaret on the phone.

"What's going on, Phillip?" asked Margaret.

"Have you seen the National News about a firefighter named Evan Delacroix going viral for climbing a roller coaster to save multiple people?" asked Phillip.

"Yes, and I instantly knew it was him when seeing his features. Maddie had contacted me to tell mee she believes that it's Evan and that when looking on Facebook, Evan had gotten married and four kids while complaining that she's angry that he never tracked us down, invited any of us to the wedding, or tell us that he became a father," said Margaret.

"Are you mad that Evan never tracked us down during major milestones in his life? I'm not mad at him because it's his decision whether to track down his birth family or not," said Phillip.

"I'm not mad because I still have occasional moments of blaming Evan for not saving Daniel," said Margaret.

"Speaking of Maddie, she got herself arrested for calling 9-1-1 to report that Evan's parents had kidnapped her nieces and nephews. She's facing charges for making a false report, attempted kidnapping, and child endangerment," said Phillip.

"Attempted kidnapping?" asked Margaret.

"Maddie hoped that she'd be given Evan's children and had plannined on bringing them to New York. Due to Evan's past career in the Navy, NCIS got involved because they still assist retired servicemen when they're in the crossfire of a crime," said Phillip.

Margaret sighed, "I always knew Maddie obsessing over Evan was going to ruin her life someday. I told her that she should focus on her career, Oscar, and her children and just leave Evan alone when she called me about Evan being on TV."

"Maddie won't be released on bail due to being considered a flight risk, and Oscar and I are going to see about catching a flight out to LA tomorrow," said Phillip.

"Even if we're divorced and you're remarried, would you mind if I fly out to Los Angeles, too?" asked Margaret.

"If we end up running into Evan, are you going to behave like you have in the past whenever Maddie or myself brought him up? He was sent to Los Angeles for his protection from you and eventually Maddie when she became of age."

"I won't, but I do want to see how he turned out in person even if Maddie sent me the pictures she found of him on his wedding day and this past Christmas," said Margaret.

"I think he turned out extremely well. He served our country by joining the Navy before he became a firefighter while marrying a woman who looks beautiful in the pictures and had four beautiful children with his wife," said Phillip.

"Even if he worked or is working dangerous jobs, he looked happy in those pictures with his family," said Margaret.

"That's what I wanted for him when I asked the staff members at the hospital to contact CPS," said Phillip.

"And my postpartum depression following Evan's birth and Daniel's death could have affected Evan if he wasn't taken away by CPS, and a judge severed our rights to him," said Margaret.

"And now his happy life with his family is being ruinend due to Maddie not listening to us or respecting the boundaries Evan asked for in that interview," said Phillip.

Buck and Stacey were tucking Brian into bed.

"Daddy?" asked Brian.

"Yes, tadpole?" asked Buck.

"That lady who said to be your big sister at that diner is crazy and acts spoiled," said Brian.

"I know because bystander had filmed and posted the confrontation on Instagram while blurring yours and your siblings faces and she acted the same way when she showed up at the 118," said Buck.

"I hope she goes to jail, Daddy. That Detective also arrested her for trying to kidnap Jason, Sasha, Serena, and me when she got angry that the police did not arrest Grandpa and Grandpa so she can take us," said Brian.

"She'll be going away for a long time because your mother, grandparents, and I aren't going to let her actions slide. I promise you that the police and the judge who takes this case will think about the safety of you, Jason, Sasha, Serena, and even me," said Buck.

"Why your safety, too?" asked Brian.

"You know I'm adopted?" asked Buck.

Brian nodded, "Yes."

"Maddie's not happy that I didn't get to grow up with her due to a judge deciding that my biological parents couldn't be my parents anymore and I didn't track my biological family down when I became an adult. She was mad that I told her no when she said she wanted to get to know me," said Buck.

"And you, Mommy, my Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and even my preschool teacher told me that no means no," said Brian.

"Yes," said Buck.

"And even if you stated she showed you the same picture you have, do you know if a DNA test is being done to make sure she's your biological sister?" asked Stacey.

Buck nodded. "You know the man I was talking to at the station?" Buck asked.

Stacey nodded, "Yes."

"That was an NCIS agent, and they did a cheek swab on Maddie and tested my DNA that the Navy has in the system against her. It came out we are biological siblings."

"Do I have to see your mean, crazy, and scary bio Aunt again? I like Auntie Josie, Auntie, Lily, Aunti Chloe, Auntie Lydia, and Auntie Olive better."

Buck chuckled at how his eldest described his older sister, "You'll never have to see her again. I told you that she'll be going to prison for a long time, and I'll also be filing paperwork that will force her to stay away from you, our parents, siblings, your mother, and me."

"Your sisters, my parents, my sister, and my brother talked about filing one to keep her away from them and their families, too," said Stacey.

"Good because I hate that lady," said Brian.

When Buck and Stacey were finally in bed, Stacey looked at her husband. "This was quite the afternoon for us," she said.

Buck nodded, "Yeah."

"When talking to Mom and Dad earlier, they told me they're going to sue Maddie for defamation of character," said Buck.

"Good because Maddie needs to face consequences for her actions, and I think the therapy Brian's going to need for hearing Maddie accuse his grandparents of kidnapping him and his siblings should come out of Maddie's pocket," said Stacey.

"I agree," said Buck.

During Buck's next shift at the 118, Bobby noticed how tired Buck looked. "Are you OK, Kid?" asked Bobby.

"I take it you heard from Dispatch about what my biological sister did?" Buck asked.

Bobby nodded, "Is everyone OK?" asked Bobby.

"Brian's rightfully shaken that he ended up sleeping with Stacey and me after a nightmare. We're keeping him out of school for the next week while Stacey took the next week off so my probation period isn't affected since I'll need time off to attend Maddie's hearing," said Buck.

"Let me know when it is so I can give you time off," said Bobby.

"Thank you, and I'll be taking Brian to therapy on my next day off," said Buck.

"Speaking of the drama Maddie caused, do you know if any of your birth family will be coming out here?" asked Bobby.

Buck nodded, "Detective Romero told me my birth parents and Maddie's husband will be flying out here."

"Do you know if they're angry at you or Maddie?" asked Bobby.

"They're angry at Maddie for not respecting my boundaries I requested during my second interview that went National. Even if Maddie's been denied bail, they even refused to follow Maddie's pleas to get her a high-end lawyer that's better than the lawyer she was offered," said Buck.

"High end lawyer?" asked Bobby.

"I learned from Detective Romero that Maddie's husband is a psychologist and her in-laws are popular fashion designer and plastic surgeon," said Buck.

"Which makes the high end clothing she wore when showing up the other day realistic," said Bobby.

Buck nodded, "Yeah."

"Seems like Maddie's husband and in-laws and your birth parents are on your side," said Bobby.

"And that shocks me," said Bck.

"Are you going to interact with your biological parents or Maddie's husband when they get here?" asked Bobby.

Before Buck could respond, the bell went off, causing the 118 to head to an apartment building where Buck had to do the maneuver and kick a suicidal guy back into his apartment.

When returning to the station, Bobby looked at Buck and said, "Even though this past week has been rough, with you dealing with your first direct loss on the job and your birth family showing up, I'm proud of you for still being able to do rope rescues."

"I know dealing with losses in the Navy and watching my father deal with losses on the job while I was growing up helped me being able to process everything with the help of my family and therapist," said Buck before he felt two arms wrap around his legs, causing him to see Brian. "What are you doing here, Tadpole?" asked Buck.

"Mommy, Jason, and I bake cookies. Mommy is getting Jason, Sasha, and Serena out of the car," said Brian.

"Ooh, I can't wait to try your cookies," said Buck.

"Daddy?" asked Brian.

"Yes?" asked Buck.

"What's guilt-sex?" asked Brian.

Buck glared at Chimney while Hen smacked her best friend.

Margaret, Phillip, and Oscar sat across from Maddie in the jail's visiting area.

"After you ran off, I called my lawyer to draw up divorce papers," said Oscar.

"You're not going to stay married to me after we told each other for better and for worse?" asked Maddie.

Oscar shook his head, "You were the one who mentioned a divorce first when I told you I didn't want to move here, and there's no way I'm uprotting Eliana and Jason if you're sentenced to prison here. Then, the police also told me that during your visit to the 118, you flirted to a paramedic to find out if Evan was there and I won't tolerate you cheating on me to get what you want."

Margaret looked at her daughter, "I hope you know I'm disappointed in you. Shouldn't you have ruined your life by not accepting that Evan didn't want to track down his birth family when you refused to listen to Evan's boundaries on the news."

"I'm disappointed in you, too. I'm excluding you from my will. However, I'm still going to be there for Oscar, Eliana, and Matthew while being supportive of Oscar divorcing you and the possibility of him dating again after the divorce is final," said Phillip.

When Margaret and Phillip were done with Maddie, they saw a couple they had seen in a picture Maddie showed them talking to an officer.

"They must be Evan's parents," said Margaret.

Phillip nodded, "Yes."

A moment later, Margaret and Phillip approached Red and Cindy.

"I take it you two adopted Evan?" asked Phillip.

Red nodded, "Yes."

"How is he doing? This week must have been difficult for him. I've seen the viral video my students were talking about, and then Maddie showing up after your son made the National News," said Phillip.

Red and Cindy exchanged glances.

"He's handling everything with the help of therapy, his wife, kids, friends, his sisters, in-laws, nieces, nephew, and us," said Red.

"At least he's not alone. I always wondered if he managed to get addopted or not until I finally had answers after seeing Evan on the news," said Phillip.

"Speaking of our manners, I'm Dr. Cindy Delacroix, and this is my husband John Delacroix," said Cindy.

Red shook hands with Phillip and Margaret as he squeezed them more complicated than usual, "Please call me Red. It was my nickname when I was a firefighter myself."

Phillip then understood why Evan became a firefighter: "Evan followed your footsteps and became a firefighter."

Red chuckled, "It's all he could have talked about when he was three, but he waited until last year to join the LAFD since he wanted to experience other careers and earn a degree first."

"Could we treat you to coffee or a meal so you two could tell us about Evan?" asked Margaret.

"It'll be our treat after the emotional toll Madde placed on you two, Evan, your daughter-in-law, and grandchildren," said Phillip.

Red quickly messaged Buck, who promptly told them it was OK to meet with his biological parents as long as they were not going to blame him for Daniel's death.

"Are you going to be slandering Evan for not saving Daniel?" asked Cindy.

Margaret shook her head, "Even if I had blamed him, I know it's not his fault because Daniel was very sick. Treatment for my postnatal depression finally started working a decade ago while I talk to a therapist every other week."

"We're both on Evan's side in the mess Maddie caused," said Phillip.

"We'd like to go out to eat," said Red.

Cindy, who had texted Evan, said, "We can go to our apartment after because I have something for you two."

"What do you have?" asked Margaret.

"Evan said we can show you two pictures of him growing up," said Cindy.

"I'd love to see pictures," said Phillip.

Margaret nodded, "I would like to see them, too."

A while later, Red and Cindy were telling Margaret and Phillip about what Buck was like growing up while boasting about Evan being intelligent enough to skip a grade, popular, protective, clever, athletic, caring, kind, helpful, sweet, funny, brave, and a mischievous little shit while mentioning how proud about the man Evan grew up to be.

When Red and Cindy were done talking, Margaret asked, "Did he develop leukemia?"

Cindy shook her head, "Aside from him being diagnosed with ADHD when he was five, he only got ill with the occasional colds, flus, coughs, sore throats, and ear infections," said Cindy.

"He did have the occasional broken bones, scrapes, cuts, and concussions from playing sports and now working as a firefighter," said Red.

"The worst injuries he dealt with was when he was in the Navy back in 2013, and he ended up in a medically indued coma for a couple of weeks so his injuries could heal," said Cindy.

"No complications from his injuries, aside from PTSD that he still talks to a therapist at the VA with," said Red.

"Did he read Daniel's and my letters?" asked Phillip.

Red nodded, "We told him about his background when he was 12."

Phillip looked at the pictures on the wall, which showed school portraits from preschool through high school, as well as professional photographs from the sports Evan had played since he was four years old. Pictures from Evan's high school graduation. There was a picture of Evan graduating from basic training—a picture from Evan's wedding day with Evan in his dress blues. Photos following the births of Evan's kids, holidays, vacations, birthdays, and graduation from the LAFD Fire Academy, "You two gave Evan a wonderful life. Thank you for adopting him and being the parents he deserved to grow up with."

"He's one of the lights of our lives, and we're grateful to have him as our son," said Red.

Margaret looked at the pictures of Evan from a toddler to a 26-year-old man, "Aside from his birthmark, he looks like a perfect mixture of Phillip and me."

"I agree," said Red.

"While his kids inherited his birthmark, too," said Phillip.

"Evan always says Daniel gave his nieces and nephew a permanent kiss," said Cindy.

"Even if he joined the Navy and became a firefighter, you two did a great job raising Evan," said Margaret.

Red laughed, "All four of our kids ended up dedicating their lives to help people. Evan's older sister, who we adopted after Evan is a social worker for CPS. Evan's twin little sisters Chloe and Evan works as a dance teacher or an elementary school teacher."

"Amazing," said Phillip.

Cindy handed Phillip a jump drive. "We made sure to create an album of all these pictures and home videos, just in case Evan reunites with his birth family."

"Even if he didn't want to track us down, and now he has to deal with us after Maddie didn't respect his boundaries," said Phillip.

Red nodded. "Before you ask, he knows we set up this album and invited you two here."

Margaret looked at a picture from this past Christmas. "What's his wife like?" asked Margaret.

"Stacey's sweet, funny, straightforward, and beautiful on the inside and outside," said Cindy.

"What does she do for work?" asked Phillip.

"She's a pediatric dental hygenist," said Cindy.

"How did they meet?" asked Margaret.

Evan first met Stacey on his first day of preschool, and they quickly became friends. They ended up in the same class from preschool through elementary school until Stacey ended up moving away after 9/11 and spent years as a Navy Brat," said Red.

"They reunited on Evan's 21st birthday when he was between deployments. They instantly started dating," said Cindy.

"Childhood sweethearts despite a separation for over a decade," said Margaret.

"We were thrilled when they reunited and instantly started dating. I knew Stacey would become a future Mrs. Delacroix when I first saw them together when they were three," said Cindy.

"Their fifth wedding anniversary will be next month," said Red.

"They married pretty quickly," said Margaret.

"Even if it's not your place to judge, they got pregnant with Brian a few months after the start of their relationship. They quickly got married so Stacey and Brian could live on base and get benefits through the Navy," said Red.

"Makes sense, and they're still married and had three more kids," said Phillip.

"Evan's a wonderful father. Always making sure to spend time with his kids between shifts and answering the questions his kids are always asking him," said Cindy.

"While he gets into mischief with his kids, too," chuckled Red.

"Are you two talking about me?" asked Buck.

Red, Cindy, Margaret, and Phillip turned to find Evan standing in the doorway of the hallway.

"Your damn Navy SEAL training helps you easily sneak in without us knowing, Evan," grumbled Red.

Evan grinned innocently, "You love me no matter what."

Red nodded before reaching up and ruffling his son's curls, "To the moon and back, Buckaroo."

"You didn't say you were coming," said Cindy.

Buck held up Jason's stuffed dinosaur, "Even if I knew you invited my birth parents over, I had to pick up Max for Jason after he left Max here. Stacey said Jason was upset about not finding Max."

Cindy chuckled, "You were the same about your stuffed animals."

Buck turned to look at his birth parents, "Hi."

Chapter Text

Margaret gasped softly, "Pictures and seeing you on the news don't do justice."

Phillip noticed how tall the son he gave up for adoption was, "You're a perfect mixture of us in looks."

"Can you two provide me with a full medical history between you two, Maddie, and other relatives? I've presented the information Mom and Dad were given when I was a toddler to my psychians, my kids pediatrician, and employeers, but-"

"You want to update yours and your kids doctors on your biological family's medical history?" asked Phillip.

Buck nodded, "Even if I have mentioned I had an older brother who died from leukemia, please give me a detailed history."

"We can do that," said Margaret.

Phillip nodded, "We made sure to note every diagosnsis down just in case we reunited with you."

"No matter if you decide never to see us again after Maddie's trial, we can still update you on our health history," said Margaret.

"I'd like that," said Buck.

"Even if Maddie disrespected your boundaries to the point that she got arrested, I'm glad you were willing to speak to us," said Phillip.

"Why?" asked Buck.

"A year after CPS took you away, my Aunt passed away. She didn't have any children of her own, and she left a trust fund for you," said Phillip.

"Even if she knew your paternal rights were revoked?" asked Buck.

Phillip nodded, "She adored you, and made you her heir."

"I can use the trust fund to add more to my kids college education bank accounts and pay for a future family vacation," said Buck.

"Did you get access to the trust fund I included with your belongings?" asked Phillip.

Buck nodded, "I used it to buy a fixer-upper five-bedroom craftsman house for $750,000 and updates it needed before creating a college education account for the kids after each of their births. Some money is still leftover for a rainy day thanks to the pay I had as a Navy SEAL."

"Their house is beautiful and had plenty of space for four kids even if Evan's twin daughters share a bedroom," said Cindy.

"Good." said Phillip.

"How much is this trust fund?" asked Buck.

"My Aunt Bertha left you $3,000,000 at the time of her death," said Phillip.

Buck looked at his birth father with wide eyes, "It would have increased over the past 24 years depending on the percentage of the annual rate of return."

Phillip nodded, "Yes, but I don't remember how much is avaiable now because I haven't checked on it over the years and my lawyer doesn't update me on it. I can pull up the information."

A few minutes later, Buck's eyes widened when he saw over $7,000,000 in the trust fund. "I'll be able to make trust funds for Brian, Jason, Sasha, and Serena while also creating accounts for extracurricular activities for the kids."

"You and Stacey could even send your kids to Durand or a different private school if you want," said Cindy.

"There's a lot I can do with the trust fund, but I know Stacey and I won't give up our jobs as either a firefighter or dental hygenist because we want to teach our children to work hard," said Buck. He looked at his birth parents. "Does Maddie know about this fund?" asked Buck.

Phillip shook his head, "She doesn't know you were left a trust fund from Aunt Bertha."

"Speaking of my adoption, do you two regret allowing the judge to terminate your paternal rights? If CPS wasn't called in, Maddie might not have been arrested," said Buck.

"I don't regret giving you up, Evan. Your life could have ended up much differently if CPS didn't take you away," said Phillip.

Margaret nodded, "I blamed you for a long time, and I wouldn't have been able to look at you, hug you, or kiss you due to how much you looked like Daniel. If concerns for your safety weren't brought up, Phillip would have been focusing on me while Maddie would have been forced to take care of you when she was still a kid herself."

"And it's on Maddie for her arrest. She wouldn't be sitting in a jail cell if she respected the boundaries you had a right to ask for on TV by staying in New York or not calling 9-1-1 to state that your parents abducted your children," said Phillip.

"Can you tell us what your kids are like?" asked Margaret.

"Mom and Dad didn't tell you two?" asked Buck.

"We only told them what you were like and a bit about your wife," said Red.

"Brian, who is four is smart and a firecracker like me. Jason, is quite the little troublemaker with the terrible two's going in full swing," said Buck.

"Jason looks so much like Evan," said Cindy.

"Sasha and Serena both have different personalities for mirror twins that Stacey and I agreed that we should have given Sasha the name Serena and Serena the name Sasha because Sasha's the sweet one while Serena is a sassy little firecracker," said Buck.

"So one twin's organs, moles, and birthmarks are on opposite sides of her body?" asked Phillip.

Buck nodded, "Sasha's organs that don't come in pairs are on the opposite side of her body. Sasha's pediatrician and even the pediatric cardiologist we consulted with to be safe said we shouldn't be worried. Still, we do have her wearing a medical alert bracelet to warn paramedics that her heart is on her right side instead of her left side."

"That's good," said Margaret.

"I should probably get heading home, and I take it you two are going back home until Maddie's sentencing?" asked Buck.

Phillip nodded, "I don't want to leave Laura for too long."

"Laura?" asked Buck.

"Larua's my wife," said Phillip.

"We divorced after Maddie graduated high school because Phillip knew our marriage wasn't going to last until one of us died due to Daniel's death. I never remarried," said Margaret.

After the kids were in bed, Buck told his wife about the trust fund his late biological paternal Aunt had given him.

"Damn, Evan," said Stacey.

"I knew my birth family came from some old money," said Buck.

"What are you going to do with the money?" asked Stacey.

"Set up accounts to pay for extra-cirricular activities for the kids, add more to their college funds, and start a trust fund for each kid to recieve when they're 21," said Buck.

"I agree about using it towards the kids," said Stacey.

Buck looked around his and Stacey's bedroom, "Aside from using the money to finally buy Jason, Sasha, and Serena real beds, think we should update our furinture in this bedroom, the dining room, and living room?" asked Buck.

"Yes, and use it towards a vacation after Christmas, too," said Stacey.

"Want to use it towards sending the kids to Durand so they can cause chaos for their Aunt Lydia?" asked Buck.

Stacey laughed, "Private school wouldn't be a bad idea."

"While we should make sure to save some of my trust fund just to be safe," said Buck.

Stacey nodded, "Just in case you get seriously injured or die in the line of duty."

Buck nodded, "Due to knowing the risks, I want to make sure you and the kids are taken care of."

"While you're taken care of if something happens to me, too," said Stacey.

Following a call at a birthday party that involved Buck, Hen, and Bobby to rappel down a cliff to rescue three boys and the birthday boy's father, Chimney looked at Buck, "Did you have birthday parties that involved bouncy houses as a kid or throw any with them for your kids?" asked Chimney.

Buck shook his head, "Dad always said no to bouncy houses due to the threat of injuries that would lead to 9-1-1 calls. So Mom and Dad would throw birthday parties at the zoo, aquarium, and even the park. Then with Brian's past birthday parties, Stacey and I threw them at the YMCA where there'd be a lifeguard and parents getting into the pool with their kids or a sarty at our house."

Red, who was having dinner at the 118 to spend a bit of time with his son, was helping Bobby cook dinner as he watched his son play a stimulator firetruck game with Hen that led to playful arguing, "Even if Evan, Jocelyn, Chloe, and Lydia still have moments like this as adults."

"They were like this as kids and teenagers?" asked Bobby.

Red nodded, "Oh the chaos Jocelyn, Evan, Chloe, and Lydia would cause together. You can imagine which one of my four children was the most chaotic?"

"Buck?" asked Bobby.

Red nodded, "Even if he matured after we managed to control his ADHD with medication and sports to help curb his energy and has watched people die in the Navy, and now as a firefighter, he's still a firecracker at 26 years old."

"Don't I know it. He loves swiping food from others and be full of mischief before becoming serious during calls," said Bobby.

"He still swipes food from his sisters during family dinners we'd get together for when Evan's not on shift," said Red.

"Even if I learned that you adopted him when he was a toddler, do you regret adopting?" asked Bobby.

Red shook his head, "Adopting Evan and then Jocelyn were some of the best decisions Cindy and I made because God wanted us ot love Evan and Jocelyn first before giving us Chloe and Lydia to love."

"How are you dealing with the false accusation and some of your grandchildren nearly getting kidnapped?" asked Bobby.

Red sighed, "I'm pissed that the soon-to-be Mrs. Carmichael stooped that low when she refused to respect the boundaries my son asked for on TV and then here at the 118."

"I know Buck's handling everything on because he's able to switch the flip to focus on the people we're called to help than think about his own family," said Bobby.

Red nodded, "While I know Evan is saving the time you offered him off to deal with his kids nearly getting kidnapped for Maddie's hearing on February 15th due to being a Probie and knowing he can only get time off if he's sick, injured, and a few other things."

Bobby nodded, "Deaths, few weeks of paternal leave, doctors appointment that couldn't be scheduled for when it's a day off, or when we're called to testify in court about a call."

Red looked around the loft area. "I do have a concern."

"What?" asked Bobby.

"When will my son have a partner to have his back during calls? He told me that you did a rope rescue with him and Hen, and usualy Captains don't do them."

"You know Firefighters Deluca and Kinard?" asked Bobby.

Red nodded, "I've encountered them, and Kindard attended my daughter Chloe's wedding."

"Your son was supposed to be Daluca's replacement here and Kinard was supposed to train Buck as his partner, but then Kinard took the oppertunity to transfer to the 217 so he could put his skills as an Army pilot to use." said Bobby.

"I hope you find a permanent partner for Buck soon. The call at the roller coaster is a good example of why all firefighters need a partner," said Red.

"I know that, and the Chief already told me I'll be getting a new probationary firefighter in September to be Buck's partner," said Bobby.

"Good," said Red as he watched Hen try to grab the controller from his laughing son, who was shouting about calling HR. He shook his head with a fond smile, "No matter how old your children get, they can still act like little kids."

Before Bobby could say something, Chimney came up the stairs in his civies and started complaining about his failed marriage proposal.

Following Chimney's angry confrontation with Bobby, who had called Chimney out about lying to Tatiana about cooking and rescues, Red held up his hands, "Stop your yelling right now. You're in uniform, Captain Nash."

"Sorry," said Bobby.

Chimney started to storm off as he announced he was getting some air.

"PARAMEDIC HAN!" called out Red.

Chimney turned around, "What?" snapped Chimney.

"I'm going to give you a ride home because you're in no condition to drive with your anger right now. Angry driving leads to accidents that can get yourself and other people hurt or killed," said Red.

"I don't need a ride," said Chimney.

"I suggest you take Retired Fire Captain Delacroix's offer for a ride home, Paramedic Han. You're not in the condition to drive right now and it'd look bad for the department if you cause accidents with your angry driving," said a stern voice.

Everyone turned to find Chief Alonzo.

"Sir," said Bobby.

"What is going on right now?" asked Chief Alonzo.

"My girlfriend didn't say yes to my marriage proposal, and no one is supporting me," snapped Chimney.

"Watch your tone with me, Paramedic Han," said Chief Alonzo.

"Paramedic Han has been lying to his girlfriend about being able to cook by taking meals he had me prepare for him," said Bobby.

"He's also been using my rescues to impress his girlfriend," said Buck.

"Even if I came here for a surprise inspection, I think we need to have a chat in private about decorum, Paramedic Han," said Chief Alonzo.

Bobby looked at the rest of his firefighters and paramedics, "Go ahead and eat."

"Want us to keep a plate warm for you?" asked Buck.

Bobby nodded, "Please."

A half-hour later, Chief Alonzo and Bobby came upstairs to find the 118 cleaning up from dinner.

"Paramedic Han has been suspended for the next month. He'll be attending mandatory seminars to relearn the code of ethics since lying off-duty isn't tolerated, therapy sessions for unresolved traumas, and anger management classes," said Chief Alonzo.

"Buck's father is driving him home because he was leaving as we escorted Han outside," said Bobby.

"Good," said Hen.

Chief Alonzo looked at Buck, "I heard about what happened with your parents and children. Are everyone including yourself handling everything alright?" asked Chief Alonzo.

"Brian's rightfully shaken about my biological sister trying to get his grandparents arrested so she could kidnap him and his siblings, but he's seeing a child psychologist and having family counseling sessions with my wife and me," said Buck.

"Good," said Chief Alonzo.

After Chief Alonzo left, Hen looked at Buck, "I'm grateful your father was here to give Chimney a ride home because I fear something bad could have happened if he was allowed to drive."

Buck nodded, 'When Dad was teaching my sisters and me how to drive, he warned us never to drive when we're crying or angry because being angry or crying behind the wheel can cause accidents."

"Drunk driving, too," said Hen.

Buck nodded, "Dad lecutured us about drunk driving, too."

"Did you ever do anything to get your father stern like he was about Chimney's and Bobby's arguement?" asked Hen.

"A couple of times when I'd come home after curfew without calling to state I'd be late or when I was pressured to drink or smoke before the legal age."

Red looked at Chimney, who was seething in the front passenger seat, "Has anyone ever give you the lesson about how to treat a girl you're in love with?" asked Red.

Chimney remained silent.

"When I first gave Evan the talk about relationships and sex, I told him that he needs to treat a girl how he'd want his mother and three sisters treated by a man while I showed Evan how to treat a lady when I'd take him shopping for flowers to give to his mother and sisters on Valentine's Day. Now Evan takes Brian and Jason shopping for flowers for Stacey, Sasha, and Serena to show them how to treat a girl," said Red.

Chimney kept trying to call Tatiana with no answer, saying, "I want to have a wife and children like everyone else does."

"I get that, but you need to learn how to be truthful during a relationship;" said Red.

After a minute of silence, Red said, "I'm forever grateful that my daughters are all married with a family of my own because I wouldn't want you to date my daughters due to your lying."

Hours later, Buck saw Hen shaking her head at her phone. "Is everything alright?" asked Buck.

"Chimney's pissed about being suspended and Tatiana ghosting him," said Hen.

"Even if it's not my place to judge, I'm forever grateful that my sisters are all married because I wouldn't wank him dating my sisters if he's going to be lying to them to impress them," said Buck.

"I can't blame you. Chimney has a history of lying when it came to a time Karen and I broke up when we had a disagreement over adopting Denny and Karen getting a job offer in Houston," said Hen.

"What did he do?" asked Buck.

"Told Karen I died after an accident on the job," said Hen.

Hen's phone buzzed again, causing Hen to text Chimney.

I'M BLOCKING YOU FOR THE NEXT MONTH. DON'T COME TO KAREN'S AND MY HOUSE UNTIL YOU COOL DOWN.

"I blocked him," said Hen.

Bobby then approached them and looked at Buck, "There's a man named Dr. Oscar Carmichael asking for you," said Bobby.

"He must be Maddie's husband," said Buck.

A few minutes later, Buck was sitting across from Oscar.

"I know I shouldn't be here, but I don't have your number and wanted to check in on you," said Oscar.

"You don't blame me for Maddie's arrest?" asked Buck.

Oscar shook his head, "Even if I'm a psychologist who specializes in childhood trauma, I've made Maddie get therapy a lot over the years ever since she told me about you and Daniel."

"Mom and Dad had me see a psychologist and a psychiatrist as a kid and teenager due to me havin ADHD, when they told me they adopted me, and told me why I was given up for adoption when the book My Sister's Keeper was released. Then as an adult, I seek therapy because of me being a veteran and working as a firefighter."

"It's good you're taking your mental health seriously," said Oscar.

"How are you doing? I was told by your in-laws that you'll be divorcing Maddie since there's been talk about the possibility of Maddie going to prison for up to 25 years for four counts of attempted kidnapping and making a false accusation against my parents," said Buck.

"I knew my marriage was going to end as soon as Maddie realized you're her long-lost brother when we saw you on the National News and it would n't be healthy for Eliana and Matthew for their mother and me to stay married if their mother is obsessing over you," said Oscar.

"Eliana and Matthew are yours and Maddie's kids?" asked Buck.

Matthew nodded as he showed Buck a picture. "Eliana is seven and Matthew is three," said Oscar.

"They're cute," said Buck.

"Matthew shares your birthday," said Oscar.

"That's cool," said Buck.

Oscar ran a hand over his face, "I just don't know what I'm going to be telling Eliana and Matthew. My parents have been keeping Eliana out of school due to Maddie's arrest at that diner going viral and Matthew keeps on asking for his mother even if he was scared of his mother when Maddie was napping at me about her wish to move out here when we saw you on the news."

"Are you going to be getting Eliana into therapy?" asked Buck.

Oscar nodded, "I already got Eliana and Matthew scheduled ot see a different child psychologist since I'm not allowed to have my own kids as my patients."

"Just tell them the truth that their mother got into trouble that is forcing her to spend time in jail or a long timeout," said Buck.

"You're truthful to your kids?" asked Oscar.

"Jason, Sasha, and Serena won't understand what's going on because Jason is two and Sasha and Serena are one, but Brian understands what happened and will be getting therapy," said Buck.

"Even if Eliana doesn't want to move, I'm already thinking about moving Eliana, Matthew, and myself elsewhere because I don't want Eliana to be bullied about having a mother who tried to kidnap four kids," said Oscar.

"You don't blame me for turning Maddie away the day before she got arrested?" asked Buck.

Oscar shook his head, "I don't blame you at all because it's your choice if you want to get to know your birth family or not and I've repeatedly told Maddie that if you wanted her in your life you would have contacted her hears ago."

Buck nodded, "Even if I turned Maddie away because of being warned that she wasn't happy about CPS taking me away and she did voice her wishes to become my guardian when she was 18, I'm not even sure if I want to see my birth parents ever again after Maddie's trial," said Buck.

"Since my in-law's and Maddie have no legal claim over you, I'm not going to force you to get to know Eliaia and Matthew like Maddie wanted you to," said Oscar.

"I wouldn't meet them if I knew if I would never want to see them again if I meet them once," said Buck.

"We have to protect our children," said Oscar. He looked at his watch and said, "I should head to my hotel while you rest before your next call."

"Drive safely," said Buck.

Following a call featuring people locked in a trailer connected to a semi-truck, Hen looked at Buck. "You're fluent in Spanish?" asked Hen.

Buck nodded, "Aside from taking Spanish from middle school through high school and having a neighbor who'd i do yardwork for so I could have extra spending money as a teenager speaking more Spanish than English, I had to learn other languages for my Navy SEAL career."

Hen thought about Buck stating that he was 22 when honorably discharged from the Navy. "Do you miss being in the Navy?" asked Hen.

"Sometimes I do, but even if a severe head injury and losing part of my liver is what got me discharged, I was grateful I didn't have to leave Stacey and Brian for unknown periods of time. I ended up being called in for deployment the morning after Stacey and I got married," said Buck.

"And stacey wasn't upset about your deployments?" asked Hen.

Buck shook his head, "My father-in-law was in the Navy, too."

"So she understood your career," said Hen.

Buck nodded, "She was supportive of my career in the Navy and me becoming a firefighter because we were in the same class when I announced I wanted to be a firefighter one day during our kindergarten graduation."

Hen laughed, "You knew you wanted to be a firefighter for a long time."

Buck nodded, "I did, and my parents were supportive of me wanting to explore other careers, see if I could end up in a long-term relationship, and earn a Bachelor's degree in emergency managment before becoming a firefighter."

Chapter Text

Buck looked at Hen after he chewed what he swiped from the frying pan, and Hen told him he could have asked, "You were deprived of growing up with siblings. Jocelyn, Lydia, Chloe, and I swipe food from each other all the time, to the point that my sons and two of my nieces, Allison and Vanessa, are all swiping food from each other. I won't be surpised if Sasha, Serena, Anne, Andy, and eventually Sadie if Lydia and Caleb can adopt Sadie within the next three months to a year."

"You enjoy having a big family?" asked Hen.

"I do, and I know my family got bigger when I joined the 118," said Buck.

Hen chuckled, "Denny thinks you're awesome with your fun facts and including him on fun adventures you take your kids on."

"Are you alright?" asked Buck.

"I'm fine," said Bobby.

"How about you come over for dinner after this shift? Even if my kids like my cooking, the kids have been asking for your grilled cheese sandwiches."

"Really?" asked Bobby.

"Brian said you're his favorite second firefighter after me," said Buck.

"I'll come over for dinner," said Bobby.

Buck smiled softly, "Good."

Abby looked at Lily as they watched the news, "I got a 9-1-1 call from someone who was on that plane, and he recorded a message from his wife. Can you call your brother to see if he can locate Dale Marks for me?" asked Abby.

"No I won't be calling my brother to find out if the victim of the plane crash who contacted you survived or not," said Lily firmly.

"Please, Lily?" asked Abby.

"No," said Lily.

"Please? I'll babysit for you so you and Chloe can go out on a date night," said Abby.

"I rather have my in-laws babysit Chloe's and my twins than have you babysit in a house where you can gawk at pictures of my brother-in-law," said Lily.

Sue approached them. "What's going on?" asked Sue.

"You know my brother-in-law is at the plane crash site right now?" asked Lily.

Sue nodded, "The 118 was dispatched because of your brother-in-law having swift-water rescue and heavy rescue certifications."

"Abby got a phone call from a man who was on the plane and asked her to record a message from his wife," said Lily.

"Dale's wife is going through a difficult pregnancy," said Abby.

"And Abby wants me to contact my brother-in-law and find out the status of Mr. Marks while he's busy helping retrieving bodies, clean up, and providing basic first aid," said Lily.

Sue gave Abby a look, "I know you have a heart on your sleeve and want to know the status of every 9-1-1 call you answer, but I agree with Lily that she shouldn't interrupt her brother-in-law from focusing on helping victims to find out Mr. Marks status for you. We can turn the recording to the LAPD, and they'll give the recording to his wife if they see his name on the deceased list."

"Fine," grumbled Abby.

"Now I'm sending you home for the rest of the night, and I highly suggest you talk to your therapist," said Sue.

Abby walked away while Lily looked at her boss, "Thanks for having my back on my insistance of not contacting Buck so he could find out Mr. Marks status for Abby, Sue." 

"You're welcome, Lily," said Sue.

Lily then thought of something, "I think you should radio everyone who's on the site of the plane crash."

"Why?" asked Sue.

"Since you sent Abby home, she might take advantage of not having to rush home to head over to the beach to search for Mr. Marks herself," said Lily.

"You could be right. I'll radio all the firefighters and police officers to warn them," said Sue.

"Even if it means Abby loses her job if she shows up and gets herself arrested?" asked Lily.

Sue nodded, "Abby's a good Dispatcher, but she's became unhinged ever since her mother got diagnosed with Alzheimer's and she was dumped by Firefighter Kinard."

"I agree because I still vomit inside my mouth everytime I think about Abby telling Chloe and me that she would have asked out my brother-in-law if he was single instead of married," said Lily.

Two hours later, Buck watched Abby Clark being placed into the back of a police car after she arrived and started begging to help her find a passenger named Dale Marks. Thankfully, an officer quickly arrested her due to a shout that a woman had broken through the barricade.

"What's that about?" asked Hen.

"That was Abby Clark," said Buck.

"The Dispatcher that Sue warned everyone about on the radio," said Hen.

Buck nodded, "She ran to me and begged me for help, but officers showed up thirty seconds after I told her no the first time."

"She's going to be getting fired for sure," said Hen.

Buck nodded, "Lily clashes with her because Abby once told Lily and Chloe that she would have asked them for my number if I was single, and she also asks Lily to ask me about the status of the calls she directs us to. Lily always tells her no."

"Tommy used to have a Dispatcher fiancee named Abby. Abby would ask him about the status of callers she Dispatched us to until he broke up with her a year ago," said Hen.

"Tommy Kinard?" asked Buck.

"You know him?" asked Hen.

Buck nodded, "He attended Chloe's and Lily's wedding with Abby, and he's part of the veteran turned first responders group I'm part of at the VA, so I can socialize with other first responders who served in the military."

"Good to know you're making friends outside of the 118," said Hen.

"I'm still friends with the other kids of firefighters I'd play with during LAFD family picnics and friends I had from school. I don't get together with them often, but we will text and message each other on Instagram and get together at least twice a month," said Buck.

"Benefit of growing up in LA," said Hen.

Buck nodded, "Yep, and I'm also making friends with other fathers of Brian, Jason, Sasha, and Serena's playmates."

When Buck, Hen, and Bobby returned to the 118 with everyone else who was at the plane crash site, Buck found his father waiting for him by the stairs. He quickly ran into his father's arms, not caring that his uniform was still damp from being sucked out of the plane by the current as it sank. "I take it you saw the news?" Buck asked.

Red nodded as he ran a hand through his son's matted curls, "I know this was your first mass casuality event with this many deaths. I want you to know that Stacey has already called in for the next 48 hours and even pulled Brian out of school."

Buck, who was already planning to build a massive fort and have a huge family sleepover with his wife, kids, sisters, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and parents, said, "While I should call my therapist, too."

Red nodded, "That's a mus."

"I didn't see your car. Did someone drop you off?" asked Buck.

Red nodded, "Your mother did, and she's at your house with Stacey and the kids."

"Since it's still January and I went through conditioning to survive cold water in the winter, I desparately need a shower, Dad."

"Go because I smell the fuel from the plane. As soon as you're released, I'll drive you home," said Red.

"Dad?" asked Buck.

Red reached up and stroked his son's curls. "Yes, Buckaroo?" he asked.

"While I'm in the shower, can you please message Chloe, Jocelyn, Lydia, Lily, Jack, and Caleb and ask them to come over for a big family sleepover for my 48 hours off? Even if I'm already planning on talking to my therapist, I want to build a fort in front of the TV, and we all hide in it while watching our favorite Disney movies with the entire family," said Buck.

Red gave his son a soft smile, "Even if it's the middle of the night, I'll contact your sisters because they were all wondering if you were called to assist the plane crash."

"Thanks," said Buck.

"Now, get in the shower before you get yourself sick," said Red firmly. 

Buck saluted his father. "Yes, Dad," he said before giving his father a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek, then hurrying off to the showers.

Red fondly shook his head, "Oh the sass from, Evan."  

"And the ability to give a heart attack," said Bobby.

Red turned around. "What did my son do?" asked Red.

"He defied my order to get off the plane to give me a line and ended up being swept out to sea right in front of me," said Bobby.

Red shook his head, "He'll defy orders for people he cares about."

"I know, but I knew he'd be fine because of being a former Navy SEAL," said Bobby.

"I'm not even going to scold my son because I was hotheaded myself," said Red.

"Even if you and Cindy adopted him when he was one, it's uncanny how he can be like you," said Bobby.

"I know, but I love that boy so much," said Red.

Bobby got serious, "I take it you showed up because of knowing that it's his first plane crash and decided to give him a ride home?" Bobby asked.

Red nodded, "Yep, and Stacey already called into work and called Brian out of preschool. I have to message my daughters about a big family sleepover happening at their brother's house because a big Delacroix family sleepover is how Evan wants to cope with dealing with his first plane crash outside of calling his therapist when it's business hours. We'll move furniture around, build a big fort, and squeeze ourselves into it before watching Disney movies and playing games while treating ourselves to junk food."

"Sounds fun and chaotic," said Bobby softly.

Red nodded, "These family sleepvers can be so chaotic that we ended up getting a swear jar to get my kids and the bonus kids I gained after each of my kids got married for the sake of my grandchildren."

After Buck was changed into a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt, he looked at Bobby, who had already showered and changed. "How about you ride home with my Dad and me and spend the day with my parents, Stacey, kids, and me?" Buck asked.

"Are you sure?" asked Bobby.

"You already promised to come over for dinner after this shift," said Buck. He then gave Bobby a sad look as he spoke in a whisper, "Even if you never talk about your family, I know you're a widower and your two kids are dead."

Bobby became guarded. "How did you find out? Did you ask a contact in the Navy to do a background check on me?" asked Bobby.

"On the day I met you at the Academy, I saw the sadness in your eyes as you interacted with Brian. When I got placed here, I Googled your name to learn about who i would be working under. I never brought it up because you never talked about your late wife and children."

"You're too smart for your own damn good," said Bobby.

"Even if I was busy with Scouts and playing sports every season, I did graduate high school when I was 16 instead of 17 as I took AP classes," said Buck.

"Have you told anyone?" asked Boby.

Buck shook his head, "I wouldn't tell my parents, wife, children, or the rest of my family without your permission."

"Thank you," said Bobby.

"Even if you agreed to spend the day with my family and me, you don't mind watching me with my wife or being around my children, nieces, and nephew?" asked Buck.

Bobby shook his head, "Even if I miss them, being around children has gotten easier."

"Good," said Buck. He then smirked, "Just be prepared for the chaos a Delacroix family sleepover can bring."

"Your father warned me because he told me you're his most chaotic child just like you are my most chaotic firefighter," said Bobby.

As soon as Buck climbed into the backseat of his seven-seater Range Rover Sport, out of politeness so that Bobby could have the front passenger seat, Bobby spoke up.

"I have a favor to ask you, Buck," said Bobby.

"What is it?" asked Buck.

"Even if I'm going to be a guest at your house, can you please lock up your alcholic beverages?" asked Bobby.

Buck quickly connected the dots. "You're in recovery?" asked Buck.

"I've been sober for 18 months, and I'm afraid the plane crash might cause me to relapse," said Bobby.

"I can lock all the alcholic beverages up," said Buck.

"Any narcotic pain medication, too," said Bobby.

"Medication is already locked up in a cupboard with a lock that requires a combination. Thank you for trusting us," said Buck.

Red nodded, "I second my son's thank you for trusting us. I've watched many firefighters struggle with addiction."

"Do you have a sponsor you can call?" asked Buck.

"No sponsor right now," said Bobby.

"I can help you find a meeting if you want," said Buck.

Brian and Jason grinned when they saw Bobby come into the house with their father and grandfather.

"Captain Bobby!" exclaimed Brian.

"Bob!" exclaimed Jason.

Bobby hugged Brian and Jason, "You two boys have grown."

Buck laughed as he scooped up his twin daughters, "My kids, nieces, and nephew are all growing like weeds that I wish there was a spray to keep them from growing."

Brian giggled, "You can't stop my brother, sisters, cousins, and me from growing, Daddy. CPS would  take Jason, Sasha, Serena, and me from you and Mommy like they did with you from your blood Mommy and Daddy. I want to grow big and strong so I can join the Navy and work as a firefighter like you, Daddy."

Buck grinned as he set down his daughters and hefted his eldest child onto his hip, "You becoming a third-generation firefighter sounds like a grand plan, BJ."

"I'm a fourth-generation firefighter myself," said Bobby.

Stacey and Cindy entered the foyer.

"Breakfast is done," said Stacey.

"We made chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, bacon, and also fruit salad," said Cindy.

Brian's eyes went wide, "Chocolate chip pancakes and missing prescchool?" asked Brian.

Buck nodded, "I had a rough shift."

During the next couple of hours, Bobby helped Buck, Stacey, Brian, and Red move furniture around so that they could build a fort. Then, he spent the day watching animated Disney movies with Jason curled up on his lap. 

Later on that evening, after dinner, Bobby looked at the clock. "I should probably head home."

Brian pouted, "Please sleepover with us, Captain Bobby. We have a lot of room in our fort for you."

Buck nodded, "Please stay the night, Bobby. I wouldn't want you to be alone tonight."

"Pwease, Bob," pouted Jason.

Bobby sighed, "I'll stay."

When the kids were all asleep, all 11 adults were around the dining room table playing Apples to Apples due to Red, Cindy, and even Bobby insisting they didn't want to know what type of dirty minds their kids, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, or in Bobby's case firefighter had when Cards Against Humanity was suggested.

Buck looked at Bobby, his parents, wife, sisters, sister-in-law, and two brother-in-laws, "Thank you for all agreeing to have this sleepover. I needed this after the last couple of weeks and last night."

Bobby nodded, "Thank you for inviting me. Despite the chaos, this was better than going home alone."

Jocelyn smiled, "Speaking of chaos, a new member will be joining our chaotic family in 30 weeks."

"Are you telling us you're pregnant, Jocelyn?" asked Cindy.

Jocelyn nodded.

"Jocelyn's ten weeks, and we agreed that Buck should find out sooner than when Jocelyn passes the first trimester," said Jack.

"One baby or twins this time?" asked Red.

"Just one baby, and they'll be our last because three kids are enough for us," said Jocelyn.

"Hopefully, it's a boy because Brian, Jason, and Andy need another male cousin," said Jack.

When it was time to return to work after the plane crash, Bobby, who had ended up staying for the entire 48 hours off, looked at Buck and said, "Thank you for hosting me the past two days and finding me an NA group."

"You're welcome, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it," said Buck.

"I will," said Bobby. He looked into Buck's eyes, "You and your kids remind me of Robbie and Brooke. You, Brian, Jason, and Serena are firecrackers like Brooke while you and Brian love asking questions and learning like Robbie did."

"While I could look like Robbie, too?" asked Buck.

"I didn't show you a picture," said Bobby.

"I've seen your reaction when you saw a picture of a preteen me while I know we look like we could look like we're releated," said Buck.

Bobby nodded, "Even if you have parents who love you, my life started getting better when I met you."

Chapter Text

Following the call at the wedding, Buck was having a snack up in the loft. "I found out from Lily that Abby Clark from Dispatch has been fired from Dispatch and can face up to six months in jail," said Buck.

"No special treatment, huh?" asked Hen.

Buck nodded, "We all heard Dispatch warning us about Abby."

"Isn't her mother who has Alzheimer's?" asked Hen.

Buck nodded, "Yes, and through Lily, I heard Abby's brother picked up their mother and placed her into a nursing home the day after the plane crash."

"Even if I haven't heard or seen from my father since I was a kid, and my relationship with my mother is rocky, I don't know how I'd handle the idea of a parent going through Alzheimer's," said Hen.

"I don't know how I'd cope either, but I'd have my wife, kids, sisters, sister-in-law, two of my brothers-in-law, and my nieces and nephews and myself would band together. My sisters and I would do anything we can to help, our spouses to comfort us, and all of our kids as comic relief," said Buck.

Buck just exited the locker room in his civies when his cell phone rang. He frowned when he saw a Zoom call from his father come in. He quickly accepted the call to find Stacey, Jocelyn, Jack, Lily, Chloe, Lydia, and Caleb all on Zoom as well. "What's with the Zoom call?" Buck asked.

"I woke up to your mother gone with her phone left on the nightstand, Evan. The door to our apartment was shut, but unlocked, while her purse, wallet, keys, phone, and both of our cars were still in the parking lot," said Red frantically.

"I haven't heard from Mom, but I know she never leaves without her phone, keys, and purse," said Buck, as others stated they hadn't heard from Mom or Cindy either.

"I already called the police, and they're on their way," said Red.

"I'll come straight over and ask any coworkers if they could help out," said Buck.

"Thanks, Evan," said Red.

A moment later, Buck saw his coworkers watching him.

"Is everything alright? You look like you're in shock," said Hen.

"Dad woke up to an empty apartment, and Mom didn't take anything with her or drive off in her car," said Buck.

"That's strange," said Hen.

As the Delacroix clan and multiple 118 members gathered in Red's and Cindy's apartment, Athena spoke up on the phone, "I'm tied to a desk right now, but is there anything going on with Cindy? Did any family members of past patients threaten her?" asked Athena.

Red looked at his four kids nervously, "Cindy has been getting confused and forgetful for the last couple of weeks. I had found a four-pack of toilet paper in the pantry, not in the bathroom closet. She burned breakfast yesterday morning and the smoke detector went off. She even put breakfast sausage in the bathroom closet. She even talked about going to work when she had retired and even forgotten my name for a couple of seconds and asked me who you four and your children were when looking at pictures."

Stacey quickly wrapped an arm around her husband's waist in a gesture of comfort. "Are you describing that my mother-in-law is most likely showing signs of Alzheimer's or dementia?" Stacey asked.

Red nodded, "I suspected it, and we had already scheduled an appointment yesterday afternoon for tomorrow," said Red. He looked between Evan, Jocelyn, Chloe, and Lydia, "I'm sorry your mother and I haven't said anything about your mother misplacing groceries, other belongings, burning a meal, forgetting names, and recognizing people, " yesterday. We wanted to get confirmation from a specialist first. Then, we were going to tell all four of you and your husbands and wives when Evan's off for two weeks after Valentine's Day."

Buck went to hug his father, "It's alright, Dad. I know with my job, you and Mom wanted a diagnosis first before telling me when I'm off for more than two days to digest the news and talk to my therapist."

"I also understand you didn't tell Chloe, Lydia, and me so that we won't tell our brother," said Jocelyn.

"I understand why you wanted to wait, Dad," said Lydia.

"Me, too," said Chloe.

"Thank you for understanding," said Red.

"I take it Mom has early-onset because of only being 59?" asked Lydia.

"That's what I'm thinking," said Red.

Stacey, Lily, Jack, and Caleb all looked at each other before Stacey spoke up. "I don't know about you guys, but how about we break up into teams, start driving around LA, and put up missing posters?" Stacey asked.

"While I'll set out an electronic alert warning everyone to be on the lookout for 59-year-old Cindy Delacroix because she's in the process of getting tested for Alzheimer's and Dementia."

"Thank you, Sergeant Grant," said Red.

"You're welcome, Red. I suggest you stay home with one of your kids just in case Cindy returns," said Athena.

"I will," said Red before hanging up.

Buck looked at Jocelyn, "Would you mind staying home with Dad?" asked Buck.

Jocelyn nodded, "I will because morning sickness and frequent urination will hold off driving around the city."

"I'll be with you, Buck," said Stacey firmly.

"I would want you by my side to search for Mom," said Buck.

"Mind if I ride with you and Stacey, Buck?" asked Bobby.

Buck nodded, "You can be with Stacey and me."

"Chloe and I will partner together," said Lily.

"While Caleb and I will drive around together," said Lydia.

"I'll search around the neighborhood and put in contact with hospitals," said Jack.

Hen, who had decided that helping Buck was more important than visiting Eva in prison, said, "I'll ride with Lydia and Chloe."

"Thanks, Hen," said Buck.

"Even if I had Chimney blocked, I did unblock him to tell him what's going on. He's contacting other off-duty firefighters to be on the lookout."

As Buck, Stacey, and Bobby made it to Buck's seven-seater Range Rover, Stacey looked at her husband and said, "With how worried you are about your mother, you should let Bobby or me drive, Evan."

"Since this is your mother-in-law, I'll drive," said Bobby.

"Then I'll sit in the back because my husband is all legs," said Stacey.

Buck let out a bitter chuckle, "You should see my birth father. I inherited my height from him."

A few minutes later, Bobby started driving around the neighborhood while Buck's ham radio would give alerts from Dispatch.

"I hope you don't have that on when you're out with your kids on your days off," said Bobby.

"I don't," said Buck.

A short while later, Buck and Bobby both decided to stop at a house where they were driving near when they heard about a three-year-old girl trapped in an electrified swimming pool. When Buck and Bobby debated what they should do before Buck saw the hose and used his pocket knife to cut the hose, and he and Bobby both used the hose to slowly pull the little girl to the edge, where Stacey lifted the girl who was surprisingly one of her patients at the pediatric dental clinic she worked at.

As Buck, Bobby, and Stacey left the house, Bobby looked at Buck, "What position did you play when you played football in high school, again?" asked Bobby.

"Tight end, and thankfully no one on the team cared that I was a 13-year-old freshman when I joined the football team because I was tall and one of the sophmores knew me from LAFD family picnics where I'd join in on football games with other boys and other firefighters who participated," said Buck.

"You also played other sports, too?" asked Bobby.

"Soccer, swim team, and even baseball because my parents took me to a lot of Dodgers games and would sign me up for t-ball and little league," said Buck.

"Boy Scouts, too," said Stacey.

"They sure kept you busy," said Bobby.

"Even if I was on medication for ADHD, Mom thought sports would be a good way to release my pent-up energy," said Buck.

"No wonder why you joined the Navy, worked as a dual swim instructor/lifeguard, and then became a firefighter. You need to keep yourself busy," said Bobby.

Buck nodded, "Yep, and thankfully caring for the kids on my days off gives me something to do."

"While I'll compile a honey-do list for you when all four kids are in school all day and you're not sleeping off a shift," said Stacey.

"Unless a research binge distracts me from chores," said Buck.

A few minutes later, Buck's phone rang, and he saw it was Athena. He quickly answered, "Any news?" Buck asked.

"Your mother has been found safe. She was found wandering through the library closer to Chloe and Lily's house, muttering about Evan missing dinner," said Athena.

Buck chuckled a bit, "I'd be researching through books or on the computer, and I'd lose track of time."

"She's on her way to the nearest hospital to your childhood home for evaluation," said Athena.

"Thanks for letting me know, and I'll let the others know," said Buck before hanging up. After he texted his sisters, he looked at Bobby and gave the name of the hospital.

A few hours later, Buck and his sisters were hugging each other and their father as they heard their mother was alright and she'd stay for a few days for further testing.

Jocelyn looked at her father, "Instead of going home alone, why don't you go home with either Evan, Chloe, Lydia, or me so you're not alone."

"I'll go home with Lydia and Caleb because I don't want the emotions I'm dealing with over my wife being tested for Alzheimer's to affect my grandchildren," said Red.

"Smart choice because Sadie will be coming home with Caleb and me in four weeks," said Lydia.

"If it's confirmed that Cindy has Alzheimer's, what are you going to do? Will you get a home health aide to help out or place Cindy into an assisted living facility?" asked Lily.

"Go into a care facility, and I'll be going with you due to the news I was given yesterday," said Red.

"What news?" asked Buck.

"I found out I have mesothelioma," said Red.

Buck, who felt his wife wrap her arms around him more tightly, spoke up, "From working as a firefighter as long as you did?" Buck asked.

Red nodded, "Yes, and before any of you ask, I'll be fighting as long as I can because I'm stubborn and want to see my grandchildren grow up as long as possible."

After returning to an empty house thanks to Stacey's parents taking Brian, Jason, Sasha, and Serena for the night, Stacey was giving her husband a massage. "How are you doing, Love?" asked Stacey.

"I'm sad about the news of my father having cancer and my Mom most likely having Alzheimer's," said Buck.

"I'm sad too because they're my in-laws who welcomed me into the family when we started dating," said Stacey.

"Before you ask, I will be getting an appointment with Dr. Copeland," said Buck.

"Good, and we'll have to figure out how to explain what's going on with your parents to Brian since Jason, Sasha, and Serena are too young to understand," said Stacey.

"I think you know what my days off will entail when I'm not sleeping off a shift," said Buck.

"Spending as much time as you can with your parents," said Stacey.

"Yes, and I'll include the kids when they're not in school or daycare," said Buck.

During Buck's next shift, Buck sat down at the kitchen counter.

"How are you doing, Kid?" asked Bobby.

"I know there's always a higher risk with firefighters developing cancer, and people get diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Dementia every day, and millions of people are living with it right now. What matters is that this is LA, and there'll be a lot of doctors and specialists available to help Mom and Dad," said Buck.

"If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask for help," said Bobby.

"Throwing the words I told you back at me?" asked Buck, with a tone filled with sass.

Bobby nodded, "Yes."

"Even if Stacey has already told her parents and siblings what's going on, I appreciate it," said Buck.

After Bobby told everyone about his late wife and children, Hen noticed that Buck didn't look either shocked or surprised."You knew?" Hen asked.

"I did a bit of Googling on Bobby when I got placed here, and I had noticed the sadness and wistfulness in his eyes and voice when he talked to Brian on the day we met," said Buck.

"Buck didn't tell me he Googled me until after the plane crash when he offered me to stay at his house for our 48 hours off. It's a good thing Buck offered me to stay with him and his family because I would have allowed my then 18 months of sobriety to end up going down the drain if I went home alone," said Bobby.

"Thank goodness you took Bobby home with you, Buck," said Hen.

Buck nodded, "I helped Bobby find a new place for meetings, too."

"Good," said Hen.